A popular saying is that beauty’s in the eye of the beholder, but still some aspects exist that differentiate fine art from simply taking pictures in nature photography .

First and foremost , a photographer wanting to product real art needs to accept the fact that hundreds of pictures will need to be taken for every photo that is a contender for fine art. Often times , there is precious little a photographer can do when dealing with an unpredictable subject other than using quick reflexes and a whole lot of patience. The first aspect of fine art nature photography then is trying to capture a moment whenever it occurs . It’s easy to take a photo of a lion that is sleeping or a storm that hits a reservoir, but it’s the patient and focused photographer who can immortalize the airborne moment before a pounce , or the very first ripples as the rain falls on water.

Yet another aspect of creating nature photos that are fine art is to ensure you have the right equipment . One example, a good tripod is essential when shooting in nature not only to ensure the consistency of the shots , but to help the photographer avoid as much movement as they can as to not disturb the immediate environment . The proper lens for the type of photography one is doing is also important , for a 300/4 lens is going to produce a very different type of effect than a 20mm wide angle lens .

Lighting is another aspect that makes a huge difference between fine art nature photography and simple shots from the zoo . It’s easy to find natural light , and it’s the best, but only if it’s not midday sun that is harsh. One should also be familiar with not only the source of light , but also the ability to control it . Using umbrellas, reflective foils, and white boards might not be needed when taking nature photos depending on your time of shooting and the landscape you’re shooting. Once again , it’s imperative that you know the equipment you do and don’t need in order to produce the effect one desires .

As mentioned , beauty is in the eye of the beholder , but practices and techniques used will be seen in photos that can be called “fine art.” If your end goal is fine art nature photography, one must be patient, ready , must know what equipment is and is not needed, and in the end, must master the techniques of lighting used to get the effect desired . The rest is up to nature and chance .

Author : Keith Spangler

AC Repair Springfield VA