Nature, Light, and Zooming in Close

By Kerry Drager

Finding nature doesn't have to involve a big trip to a big national park! By using a telephoto (to zero in tight on a small scene) and by seeking out dynamic light (to capture a subject in colorful lighting conditions), you can turn your back yard or a nearby parkland into your own personal nature studio!

In my little slice of the Northern California countryside, for example, a small pond offers many photo opportunities. Some thoughts relating to the accompanying images:

- A 80-200mm zoom helped to isolate the grasses, reflections, and colors while leaving out the surrounding - and potentially distracting - shoreline.

- Varying the time of day radically altered the look of the scene, with the pond reflecting the color of the sky.

- Switching formats (horizontal and vertical) can be a great technique for quickly altering a composition. Not all scenes work both in both formats, but it pays to check whenever possible - just in case!

That's it for now. Have fun discovering - and then exploring - those small wonders of nature in your part of the world!

Note: Check out my online photo courses here at BetterPhoto.com: Creative Light and Composition and Creative Close-ups.

Blue Pond Detail, Late Afternoon - by Kerry Drager
f6.3 at 1/4th sec.; 80-200mm zoom set at 155mm; ISO 100; tripod

Warm Pond Detail, Sunset Shot - by Kerry Drager
f/5.6 at 1/6th sec.; 80-200mm zoom set at 80mm; 100 ISO; tripod

Comments

[Dodge Hood]

Yeah, that's true. A professional photographer does not have to go far away just to pick a perfect photo angle. It is depends on how a photographer catch an angle even in a simple place ar background. That is how does a photographer use his/her imagination and creativity.

-Mr. Dodge Hoodson

[Kerry Drager]

Hi Dodge,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts ... as you say, imagination and creativity are the keys - particularly in a "simple place or background"! Glad you liked this blog!
Kerry