Outdoor Photography Tips

Lighting, for one.

Would you agree the right hand photo looks pretty "flat" compared to the other?

This is a prime example of how the light changes during the day as the left image takes advantage of the glow from natural sunset lighting.

While the brilliant yellow may appear extreme the sunset really did cause that bright a blast of light.

Notice also how golden looking even the reflection of the building appears in the window.

Comparing the right image, even though the sculpture and lines are beautiful, there is much to be gained by working with a flattering light.

Depending on the subject one of your decisions may be about choosing the optimum digital camera settings.

For example, do you often shoot in the automatic mode letting the camera make all of the decisions for you?

Do you prefer to experiment and use other available settings such as manual or priority mode?

Composition and lighting, always a factor as with any photograph.

Whether you're photographing a scenic landscape or a close the question always remains, "what's the subject?"

Once you make a decision about the subject matter you can then begin to study the composition aspect.

A tendancy with many scenes is to feel the need to include "everything."

This creates confusion, the end result being a cluttered picture although you did not intend this.

Another spin off to this scenerio is if the subject is a person but they end up so far away the essence is lost.

Considering outdoor photography tips even one or two minor adjustments in composition will make a big difference.

General guidelines apply to most any subject and also found in a few helpful flower photography techniques.

Safety and integrity for you and the subject may prevent you being as close as you may desire, such as the Elk photo.

In a situation like this just having the Elk picture is reward enough. Obviously a bigger zoom lens would certainly make a difference by allowing a tighter composition from a good distance away.

Other situations.

Here's an example of how a small scene may be derived from a much larger one by observing what's happening.

This butterfly landed on the root beside the lake shore trail. Sometimes it is very easy to become so absorbed in a particular scene one needs a self reminder to stop, look around and notice what else is happening.

In thinking about outdoor photography tips lighting can greatly affect the outcome. The above left photo was taken early afternoon with a bright sun and intermittent cloud cover.

While still appealing in its own way it could be more striking, photographically speaking. Imagine if there was a magnificant sunrise or sunset light what a difference it could make.

If you're really serious about improving a shot like this repeat visits may very well be necessary to capture just the right light.

What can you do with harsh lighting?

Sometimes not a whole lot, although filters may be helpful but what if you don't own any?

Depending on the location you could return when the light is softer, such as early morning or evening.

There may be other times of the day when you've noticed the sun's angle creates less harshness and water subjects offer reflections to work with, for example.

You could look for subjects in the shade.

If you're lucky, the sun will go behind a cloud at just the right moment helping to soften, or diffuse, the light for you.

Outdoor photography tips. Shoot from a different angle, if possible.

The above photo was from the far end of the lake and shooting more directly towards the sun, or light source.

These photos, below, were taken in the same area but from the opposite end of the lake and about an hour earlier in the day. In this situation the sun, or light source, is obviously coming from a different angle.

Depending on the quality of picture you want there may be times when it's simply beyond the camera's capability to deliver in certain conditions.

In this case you do what you can with what there is to work with or you may decide to return under better lighting conditions.

Although you've read about harsh light and sometimes it's tough to get it just right there is something to be said for taking the photo anyway.

What's at risk otherwise?

Depending on how determined you are to return for another attempt what happens if you don't make it back or perhaps the weather is too inclement?

There is something to be said for taking the photo when you're there.

What do I mean by this?

How many times have you thought to yourself, "oh, I'll take the picture on the way back?"

Did you?

With both composition and lighting playing a vital role "on the way back" the scene will be different if, in fact, you actually made it back.

In special moments you need to stop and take the time because that memory will never repeat in exactly the same way.

Something else to keep in mind.

Did you notice how the horizon line is just slightly off level in the upper vertical photo?

Outdoor photography tips. Paying attention to the level of your horizon line will have a huge impact on your photos.

Why?

Have you ever looked at a photo with a crooked horizon line and felt yourself "falling" downhill? Aha, the importance of keeping it level when it's meant to be level.

The animal image was early evening as the light was beginning to soften with approaching sunset.

Click here for outdoor photography tips regarding composition.

Return from Outdoor Photography Tips to the Index Photography.

Return from Outdoor Photography Tips to the Beginner Photography Guide.

Privacy Policy.