Tips Of Photography

Is The Nature Of Photography An Art Or Science?

What is the true nature of digital photography? Many people have been asking this question for a long time. In fact, when people ask the question about the true nature of photography, they often mean to ask whether it is art or it is science.
Many people consider photography as an art because it allows for an expression of emotion. They believe that digital photography is a continuation of the art of drawing or painting. You see, photography is just like painting in the sense that although it does take accurate pictures of reality, it also allows for some modification through the various digital tools available today.
Even without the editing many people still believe that digital photography is art because of the fact that it does take an artist’s eye to find a great subject of digital photography. The nature of electronic photography as an art has something to do with the fact that an artist is able to express emotions and statements through visual subjects.
The supporters of this art also argue their case by stating its ability to convey emotional messages through aesthetics. The beauty of each photograph, of course, needs also to be credited to the person taking the pictures. One of the strongest arguments for the artistic nature of electronic photography is the fact that the picture is rarely really what is seen with the naked eye. Through the camera and computer, a person can alter the image in order to present what he or she wants to show.
Some people argue that science is the true nature of this art. One argument is that photography, unlike painting, actually comes from something existing and not from a painters mind or emotion. This can be very persuasive since, indeed, a photographer does not actually make photographs. He or she merely takes them.
Another argument regarding the scientific nature of digital photo taking is the fact that the editing that people do and adjustments that photographers make are based on a series of steps that can be narrowed down scientifically. People who argue for the scientific nature of digital photos may reason that the same series of steps can be taken in order to achieve the same results. There is a certain quality of constancy about this type of photography that renders it a science.
But what is the true nature of digital photos? We have read the various arguments supporting science and art. There appears to be no solution to this question, right?
The true nature of digital photography will always remain to be a paradox. This means that though it can be considered as an art, it can also be considered as a science. When is the paradox of the nature of digital photography solved? Well, it is solved when a person takes a digital photograph.
The true nature of digital photos lies in the hands of the person who takes the pictures. The way a person treats the process defines the nature of digital photography for him or her. It is not absolutely art nor is it absolutely science. The true nature of digital photography is a paradox. It might seem to be contradictory, but it is somehow true.

Nature Photography That Sells: Five Essential Tips

Nature photography is more popular than ever now that digital cameras have made it so easy for anyone to enjoy. With so many photographers out there, it can be tough to produce images that are truly distinctive.

If you want to make some money from nature photography, or even make it your living, your photography must offer something special. It is not enough for your photos to be ‘good.’ There is more than enough ‘good’ photography out there already. Your photos need to be unique and distinctive, or they simply won’t be noticed.

Here are five tips to help you rise to the challenge.

Nature Photography Tip #1. Concentrate On Nature, Not Just Technology. In the digital age there is an increasing emphasis on the latest technology; so much so that some people tend to rely on the camera (and the computer) to do the work for them. While it is understandable that people are drawn to photography by their love of technology, good nature photography really requires a more old-fashioned approach.

Understanding the light is paramount. You really need to learn how to capture your photo in the best possible light, which means picking the ideal weather conditions, and the right time of day for each subject. Spending time observing the light and how it works in a photo will make you a much better photographer than someone who thinks technology is the key to good photography.

Nature Photography Tip #2. Look For Unique Moments. Never forget that every idea you have has already been had by someone else, and every subject you photograph has been photographed by a thousand people before you. The truth is, it is easy to take a decent photo; that’s why there are so many of them on the market. The trick is to take something exceptional.

This is all about timing. With landscapes, you need to look for an unusual angle or a spectacular sky. Your photo must be well lit (see tip #1) but it must also capture a feature or a moment that will make viewers think “Wow, I have never seen it photographed like that before!”

Nature Photography Tip #3. Get To Know Your Local Environment. When you are travelling, capturing a unique moment takes a bit of luck. In terms of unusual weather, you really have to take your chances along with the rest of the tourists. Closer to home, however, you have an unfair advantage over everyone else. You may be in a unique position to be on-site at special moments other photographers can only dream of.

Get to know your local landmarks. Find the best lookouts and the quickest shortcuts to get there. Identify which time of day is best for each location. Then listen to weather reports and keep an eye on the sky. When you see something special start to build (a dark storm cloud, maybe the chance of a rainbow etc), grab your camera, get into position, and wait for your moment to arrive. In time, you could build a collection of photos of your local landscapes that is second to none.

Nature Photography Tip #4. Be Patient And Persevere. As I said earlier, it is easy to take a good photo; it is not so easy to take something truly special. A lot of things have to fall into place to get a perfect shot, so don’t be disappointed when your first attempts yield little result. You may need to visit the same place over and over again, until you find the stroke of luck that creates your great photo opportunity. Professional nature photographers are prepared to put in this extra effort for a shot. Once you get that once-in-a-lifetime image it will all seem worth it.

When the moment comes, take a lot of photos. You really need to make the most of a great opportunity, and every scene can produce a myriad of possible images. Remember that in the digital world, it costs nothing to keep snapping, so you can afford to really do justice to the moment.

Nature Photography Tip #5. Perfect Your Technique. You can wait days or weeks for a great photo opportunity, but when the moment arrives it can come and go in a matter of minutes. You don’t want to waste time trying to work out your apertures and shutter speeds. Practice your skills at every opportunity, and really get to know your camera.

You don’t need to know every tiny feature of the menu. The essentials of good photography are the same as always; aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus etc. The more practice you put in, the easier and more instinctive it will become. Then when your special moment arrives, you can put your energy into creativity instead of fumbling with camera settings.

Nature Photography: Five Tips for Great Wildlife Photos

Wildlife photography can be one of the most challenging and rewarding fields of nature photography. With digital cameras creating such widespread interest in all types of photography, new photographers all over the world are taking an interest in wildlife photography.

Most of the photography guides these days focus on the technical aspects of the camera: but really good photography relies more on composition, lighting, and sensitivity to your subject. This means you can improve your photography by thinking creatively, not technically.

Here are five of my top tips for taking better wildlife photographs.

Wildlife Photography Tip #1. Get to the subject’s eye level. Wildlife photos are most effective if they create an intimate connection between the subject and the viewer. The best way to do this is to take your photo at the subject’s eye level. This way, your wildlife photo can create the illusion of sharing a moment inside the world of the subject, rather than from the outside looking in.

If, for example, your subject is low to the ground (like a lizard, frog, or even a pet), crouch or lie flat, getting as low as possible so you can take your photo at the subject’s eye level.

Wildlife Photography Tip #2.It’s All In The Eyes. The personal connection mentioned in tip #1 is really about eye contact, so it is important to get the eyes right. If the eyes in your wildlife photo are sharp and clear, the photo will probably work. If they are out of focus, lost in shadow, or if the subject blinks or turns its eyes away, the connection will be lost, and the photo will almost certainly fail.

You don’t even need your whole subject to be in focus. Your animal could be mostly hidden by leaves, in shadow and out of focus. The picture could still work…as long as the eyes are open and captured sharply in the picture.

Wildlife Photography Tip #3. If The Background Doesn’t Help, Get Rid Of It. Many wildlife photos are spoiled because the background is cluttered, distracting, ugly, or just plain inappropriate. For example, seagulls on a beach can be quite beautiful, but seagulls at the local rubbish tip is a different matter. Also, wildlife photos look far less natural if you can tell they were taken in a zoo. Apply this principle: “Anything that does not make my photo better, makes it worse.”

This does not mean you can’t take a good wildlife photo at the zoo, at the tip, or anywhere else for that matter. You just need to manage it. If your background is spoiling your shot, zoom right in on the subject to eliminate as much of the background as possible. By zooming in, you will also reduce the depth of field to a minimum, so any background that does appear in your photo will be out of focus and less distracting.

Wildlife Photography Tip #4. If Your Background Is Working For You, Use It Well. A wildlife photograph that captures the subject in a beautiful natural setting can be even more effective than a simple close-up. My photos of a kangaroo on the beach, for example, show the subject in an unexpected context, making a more interesting image than a close-up portrait style photo.

If you take your wildlife subject as part of a wider landscape, you need to consider all the techniques of composition that apply to landscape photography. Remember the rule of thirds (which may or may not help) and be careful to position your animal so that the subject and the background work together to make a more effective composition. In particular, try to position your wildlife subject so that it looks toward the centre of the picture, not towards the edge of the frame.

Wildlife Photography Tip #5. Capture your subject in the best possible light. Even the most perfectly composed wildlife photo can fail because of bad lighting. Losing your subject in the shadows, glare reflecting off shiny feathers, and shadows across the face of the subject are all simple mistakes that can ruin a photo.

There is no single rule for lighting in a wildlife photograph, but here are some suggestions. I often find the best results when the sky is lightly overcast with thin cloud. This produces light that is bright, but soft and even compared to full sunlight. Your subject will be well illuminated, but you avoid harsh contrast and heavy shadows that rob the image of important detail.

If the weather is sunny, try to take your photos early and late in the day when the sun is low. At these times the light is soft and warmly coloured. It is also easier to catch the full face of your subject in sunlight, rather than half-obscured by shadow.

So there you have my five tips for wildlife photography. I could cheat and add tip #6: take lots of photos. Animals move, blink, flap their wings, and generally find ways to frustrate the wildlife photographer. Don’t forget, with digital photography it costs you nothing to keep snapping. So practice, persevere, and try out these tips…you could be taking better photos in no time.