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Summer Nature Photography Tips

With Summer just a few short weeks away, Mother Nature is ready to show off her best stuff. Many photographers will take advantage of this time to highlight animals and natural landscapes. Although it sounds easy enough, there are several things one should consider when photographing nature.

Pack The Essentials

The most important thing to remember is to be prepared. You might end up needing a different lens than originally thought, or maybe your camera’s battery will die before you can finish your shoot. Bringing extra equipment might weigh you down, but it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Use Natural Light to Your Advantage

One great thing about Summer is the sun comes up early and sets late. This allows you to use natural light to your advantage throughout the day. Each passing hour offers a different light. Nature photos will look especially great when shot in conjunction with the sunrise or sunset. Used at the correct angle and time of day, there is no better replacement for natural light.

Photograph Animals In Their Element

An abundance of wildlife is perhaps Summer’s most distinct calling card. Animals are the perfect subjects for nature shots and capturing them living undisturbed is the best way to highlight them. If an animal notices you, they become less likely to act like themselves making it hard to really capture the animal in its natural way of life. By keeping a good distance that does not invade the subjects space you will allow them to act as themselves. In turn, this will give you the best opportunity to capture an animal in its element.

Show Mother Nature the Respect She Deserves

“Leave no trace.” It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to leave the natural landscape in the same, or better, condition than you found it. This means picking up after yourself as well as gathering what others may have left behind. You want this place to be as enjoyable for others as it was for you. Not to mention you will have less impact on the native species. Make it as though you were never there, to begin with. The only thing you should be left with is the amazing photographs you have taken in your time spent with nature.


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