Nature Photography Photo Workshop

1.1. EXPLORING YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO NATURE

Nature photographers are motivated by a love of nature. And nature photography can be an intensely personal journey. Simply spending time in nature inspires introspection and contemplation. You might be inclined to think about your place in the world and find amazement in the wonder of it all.

Personalizing your experience is absolutely essential to creating strong nature photographs. In particular, your photographs will benefit from consistently choosing subject matter that you find interesting. If you aren't genuinely intrigued by a subject, it will be evident in the photographs. Find what you love, and avoid pursuing clichés and icons if they don't truly inspire you.

1.1.1. IT ALL STARTED WITH VACATION PICTURES

Most photographers love shooting outdoor subjects in natural light. In fact, for many professional photographers working in all genres of photography, nature photography is something they do when they're not working.

For many people, an interest in photography starts on a family vacation. You know the feeling when you're standing in awe at Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah (see 1-2) or the Grand Teton in Wyoming and want nothing more than to be able to share this with people who couldn't make the trip? The desire to document your travel experience in a way that can be appreciated by others is nearly universal.

Figure 1-2. ABOUT THIS PHOTO Image of Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah (ISO 800, f/8, 1/250 sec. with a Tamron ...