Skip to main content

Nature photography 101: Basic safety

Very few things can compare nature photography. You have the beauty of the world all around you. You’re breathing fresh air. And there’s absolutely nothing stressing you out – well, almost nothing. 

Image source: iso.500px.com

If you’re into photographing wildlife, which is part of nature photography, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First off, it may prove a bit of a challenge – not just in trying to capture quick and elusive animals, but also in making sure that you’re safe most of the time. 

You need to know if the areas you’ll be shooting in have predators that can do more than a bit of harm. The American wilderness is full of wild animals that are potentially lethal. Keeping an eye out or at least keeping a safe distance can save your life. It is also recommended that you bring a companion to spot incoming danger. 

If you’ll be shooting mountain tops, and there are no predators around, be sure to check the weather and bring the proper clothing. You’ll never know when a storm might set in and cause landslides in the area. 

Preparation is key to safety. Rushing to a shoot, especially in the great outdoors without knowing what you’re getting yourself into is reckless. Remember, as beautiful as nature can be, a million things can literally happen. 

Image source: twitter.com

I am Dr. James DeVellis, a retired professor from New York. I’m spending my retirement happily touring the country and appreciating nature’s beauty through my camera lens. I also share tips on photography here.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Top Reasons to Take Up Photography as a Hobby

One need not be a genius to learn how to operate a camera and take gorgeous photos, given the conveniences of modern technology. Even our smartphones now carry high-quality and high-pixel cameras and lenses for practicing our shooting skills. The same is true even before the advent of modern and handier photo devices. We all have, at some point, picked up a camera. Maybe during a trip, a wedding, or just because the camera was there and we were instructed by a family member just to click away. Image source: techradar.com Photography is inherently fun and offers lots of room for the imagination. Taking photos lets us capture and immortalize moments. It’s an instant way to document places and people and things. Secondly, it channels the creativity within us. As we become more familiar with the camera, we begin to play around and experiment with lighting, various hues, filter options, and more complex gear. Image source: webneel.com Also, the world is riddled with ...

Carpe diem, photography, and natural lighting

Outdoor photography utilizing natural light requires a careful balance of patience and opportunism, dependent as it is on the fickle whims of nature. Often, it requires you to wait for a specific time of day and seizing it in a split second before the weather takes a turn for the nasty. And even if the weather remains constantly fine throughout, the very conditions you wait for are ultimately fleeting. Image source: photographymad.com These time windows are usually worth the wait and the shots you take. The so-called magic hour, for instance—those scarce minutes during dawn and dusk—illuminates with just the right warmth and diffusion to give a much-sought-after glow to the sky, landscapes, and even people (as opposed to the sharp contrast appearance of high noon).  Once magic hour does come, it’s a matter of now or never. And it pays to be in shooting shape when it comes.  Preparation is the key to seizing the fleeting and arbitrary nature of time windows...

Amazing iPhone functions for photography

Apple’s iPhone is one of the most iconic gadgets to come out in the past few decades. It has also evolved in leaps and bounds. Many of the iPhone’s features are quite easy to use. And there’s so much it can do for your photography.  Image source: Iskysoft.com While the built-in grid allows you to follow the rule of thirds to a tee, it also helps you balance the image and angle your shots. Like other phones, the filtering function of the iPhone allows for several different textures. Digital alterations are a cinch.  The panorama function is amazing as well. You can take wide shots of picturesque places and even have a person appear in a single shot as many as three times.  iPhone camera apps available at the App Store enable photographers to enhance their images further. The combinations are endless, and even the most inexperienced photographer can come out with quite a creative shot.  While veteran photographers might frown and questio...