There’s a good reason that so many people in Arizona spend most of their downtime outdoors. From stunning desert and mountains to fields of wildflowers, there are endless areas to explore with nature scenes you don’t see anywhere else. If you explore Arizona’s natural spaces enough, there’s a good chance you’ll start to think about how to capture the things you’re seeing on camera so you can enjoy them well after the moment has passed. Although snapping a picture with your camera phone can give you a good shot, capturing the perfect nature photo requires technique. If you want to upgrade the photos you’re taking as you explore the state’s outdoor spaces from your home base in Sierra Vista, keep these tips in mind.
Consider Your Equipment
A decent camera is a good starting point, but for nature photos, lenses matter. Telephoto lenses and wide-angle lenses are frequently used in nature photography. Telephoto lenses let you capture close shots of animals from a safe distance, while wide-angle lenses will let you take expansive landscape shots. If you want to photograph flowers, water droplets on leaves, and other small details, a macro lens may also be helpful, though telephotos lenses can also work for these kinds of shots.
Choose a Focal Point
Even if you are trying to take a photo of large scene, having a focal point for your photo will make it more impactful. A focal point is the portion of the image that draws the eyes in first, and it helps to ground the picture and give it structure. Ideally, the focal point for the photo should be about a third of the way from the bottom. The focal point doesn’t have to be something that distracts from the entirety of what you’re trying to create, but it should give your photo an anchor. For example, a small stream running through the landscape you’re trying to capture can form a focal point that grounds your photo while still showcasing the full landscape.
Use Light to Your Advantage
Sometimes, bright sunlight and blue skies are exactly what you want to capture. However, lighting can also make your photos more dramatic. For nature photography, professional photographers love to focus on what they call the golden hour. There are two golden hours in a day—one the hour after sunrise, and the other is the hour before sunset. Nature scenes take on an otherworldly, hazy glow during these times, making for photographs that capture the magic of being there. Another way to use light to your advantage is to find a safe location from which to photograph a thunderstorm, capturing the landscape as lightning illuminates it.
Rely on the Rule of Thirds
According to the rule of thirds in photography, the subject of the photo you’re trying to capture should not be in the center but rather off to one of the sides of your image. This rule can be helpful for taking photos of animals that look natural and dynamic, rather than posed or static. Keep in mind, however, that the rule of thirds does not apply to every photo. There are some instances in which centering the subject will give you the best shot. As you practice and get a feel for nature photography, you’ll develop a sense for how to apply the rule to create the images you want.
Be Ready to Take the Shot
Many of the best images in nature are blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments. If you’re out exploring in hopes of capturing some great photos, stay on guard so that you’re ready to take the shot when it appears. Many nature photographers like to take a tripod and set up in one area for long stretches at a time, so if there is an outdoor space where you typically see wildlife that you want to capture, or if you want to get the right shot of the sun going down during the golden hour, consider setting up and staying put for a while. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with letting inspiration hit you wherever, whenever on the move during a hike or other outdoor expedition, so choose the approach that works best for you.
Imagine displaying your Arizona nature photos in a new home in Sierra Vista in a Castle & Cooke neighborhood. From move-in ready homes to build-to-order properties, we offer a variety of floor plans so you can find the right space for you and your family. Contact us today for more information by dialing (520) 378-5110.