TIPS FOR NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS
These tips work for me, and they might work for you. You won’t find most of these in a photography book (Making this list was inspired by Kevin Kelly’s book “Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier).”
- You can and should share your images on social media, but photograph for yourself not for social media.
- Remember that a snapshot shows the world what your camera sees. A photograph shows the world what you see (from the brain of Ian Plant).
- Remain astonished at what you see.
- Before and after making photos, take a deep breath and take in the bigger picture.
- Study the edges to make sure nothing is there that you don’t want.
- Embrace new ways of seeing.
- Make photos of things everybody knows but in a way no one has ever seen.
- Go to a location you’re interested in and embrace whatever you see.
- Appreciate the skill you have to make good photos. Develop new skills to make great photos.
- Learn the limits and capabilities of your equipment.
- Always read about subjects you just photographed.
- Walk around your subject until the angle, background, and lighting resonate with you.
- Find a photograph in a book or magazine that you don’t like, then go out and do better.
- Photograph with intent.
- Trust the histogram.
- Be patient.
- Be grateful.
- Have only one subject per photograph.
- Don't dwell too long on past photos you made; the photo is for the ego, making the photo is for the soul.
- If you want honest feedback, don’t ask a family member. Ask someone whose photography work you respect.
- Find interesting subjects.
- Photograph like a writer, edit like a poet.
- Remember you’re photographing the light.
- Make sure your photographs say “you need to see this,” not “I saw this.”
- To truly see your subject, forget what it's called.
