Photographing natural subjects

PhotographingNatural Subjects

With Photographer Mike Sleigh

from Polypodphoto

Photographing natural subjects can be especially challenging as you can be

working under difficult conditions, the weather! – wind, rain, changeable light

The subject may be moving, is too far away or is not looking at its best.

Actually seeing what you are shooting is as important as knowing how to take

the photograph - it’s all down to the eye of the photographer

Having expensive equipment may not always help!

Are you happy with the quality of your photos?

Quality can be dependent on the camera, how it’s been set up by the photographer and then

how the camera is actually used

What can the photographer do to get better photographs? It’s down to the ability of the photographer and also the capability of the

camera equipment used

Picture Composition

Good subject composition and framing

can turn an ordinary picture into a

great photograph

Points to consider before taking the photo

Look at the subject and see what’s in the shot –can the shot be better composed or framed?

Is the light right? Does the photo/subject require good lighting?

With natural subjects shooting in the RIGHT LIGHT is important to get a good result

Can the camera be focused on the part of the photo that needs to be in focus?

If a ‘creative’ photo is required can it be taken with a compact camera?

Camera shake leading to a blurred photo can be a problem - more likely when using the

telephoto end of a zoom lens

The Camera

Has it got manual settings controlling Aperture and Shutter Speed (and ISO)?

or has it got ‘creative zone’ settings?

To get better images it’s usually necessary to have some control over the shutter speed and

aperture settings

Plants can move in the wind, light can change

ISO - change the ISO to suit the situation

Automatic Shooting - select pictograms/symbols for the type of target subject

Advanced Shooting - selection of ‘modes’ to suit the situation or setting the aperture and

shutter speed independently

Shutter Speed & Aperture

Focusing

Depth of Field

Focal Length of Lenses

Types of Lenses

Camera Settings

ISO

Image Recording Quality

RAW

White Balance

Flash on/flash off

Image Processing

Output

Resolution, image size and quality

Printing

Photographic Equipment

& Accessories

Lenses – wide angle, telephoto/zoom & macro

Extension tubes and supplementary lenses

Filters – correction & polarizing

Tripods, Monopods, Camera bags

Flash guns, Reflectors

Some extra kit useful for

Nature Photography:

Background paper. Grey Card.

Misc. Pegs, clamps, wire and tape.

Waterproof bag/plastic sack.

Small stepladder.

Notebook & pen. Tablet computer. Mobile phone.

And don’t forget your waterproofs & boots!

Insects

Birds

People

Plants

Fungi

Trees

Views

Rocks

Skyscapes

It’s all about being in the right place, at the right time with the right light!

Mike [email protected]

www.polypodphoto.co.uk