Best 15 Nature Photography Ideas to Get Inspiration
As a professional or passionate photographer, you may realize there is nothing special as natural things. Sylvia Flats Pools was one of the most beautiful natural hot springs in NZ. But, in 2027 it was whipped out by a mudslide. Not only the Sylvia Flats Pools but there are thousands of natural wonders we have lost.
William Henry Jackson, Ansel Adams, Eliot Porter, and other nature photographers are still famous. Only for their amazing photography art, passion, love, and addictions. Nature or wild photographers are different from other professional photographers.
Can you relate something between these famous photographers and these natural wonders? They both do not exist in reality today, but they live in thousands of people's minds through their work and beauty.
If you want to become popular as a nature photographer, this article is for you. Here you will get 15 nature photography ideas from nature photography history by using modern technology.
15 Awe-Inspiring Natural Photography Ideas
Photography is a great profession if you can utilize its advantages. You want to surprise your viewers, clients, or your partner by capturing amazing photos on your camera. But when pick the camera in your hand, often you lose ideas, on how to capture nature photography.
Don't worry, here we will share 15 unique nature photography ideas. These can be plants, wildlife, mountains, rivers, beaches, or any natural things.
01. Sunrise or Sunset over a Calm Lake
Often you can find a calm lake, which doesn't have crowded waves. Take your camera bag and start walking to the lake in the early morning or evening. When the sunrise, it seems like the sun is rising from the clear lake water. If you can capture this on your camera, it will be a valuable asset to your nature photographer profile.
Besides the sunrise, you can also capture sunset pictures in the clear lake water. But the problem is, it has become already a well-known picture to all. So, you have to add extra spicy to your photograph. You can find a new location, or change your camera lenses so that it looks better.
02. Reflections of Mountains in a Calm River
After photoshopping the sunrise photo, you can find the next nature photography ideas at the same time. Now let's find out where are mountains and lakes or rivers at the same places. When the sun stays over the peak of the mountain, it reflects on the water of the river. So, here you can capture the reflection of the mountain and the sun in the river's water.
03. Macro Photography of Dewdrops on Flowers
If you love to take pictures of nature, then here you have a chance to see nature from the closest. Yes, I'm talking about macro photography, where you can capture beautiful natural photos.
Winter is the best season to capture the dewdrops on flowers or any other wildlife. The rest of the winter cannot provide high-quality photos of dewdrops on flowers and insects.
To capture the dewdrops photo, try to use a tripod and Zoom manually. Set your camera aperture from f/16 to f/22.) Finally, click the photo by focusing on the subject and have a nature photo on your profile.
04. Cascading Waterfalls In Forest
A cascading waterfall, meaning a series of waterfalls, is another captivating creation of nature. Waterfalls might be seen in human-made parks, and the natural feelings only come from a natural waterfall. So, the forest is the best place to have a lot of nature photography ideas for waterfalls.
However, you have to remember a few things when you are going to photograph. The first one is the slower shutter speed to show waterfalls smoothly. Set the ISO level low, because the white color waterfalls look attractive in low light. As a nature photographer, you must try cascading waterfall photography.
05. Butterflies Pollinating Vibrant Wildflowers
It is a bit of a struggle to have the right situation to capture the photo of butterflies pollinating vibrant wildflowers. Because you don't know when the butterfly will sit on the wildflowers. Though butterflies come to the flowers, it is also needed to think that it will stay here or not.
Don't worry, by following a few simple tips, you will be able to capture aesthetic photography of butterflies on wildflowers. First, you have to get prepared for butterfly photography at the “Magic Hours”. Then use a telephoto lens, freeze the subject, and capture 360°, for perfect background. Oh, Shit! please set the shutter speed to 1/4000, on the mirrorless camera.
06. Wildlife Nature Photography Ideas
Wildlife photography is the largest part of the nature photography. Also, wildlife photography is one of the most interesting photographs. That's why Brian Skerry, Joel Sartore, and Shannon Wild, become successful photographers in this field.
Using a zoom-in lens is a must for capturing wildlife photography. After seeing the cute picture above, you might be very interested in doing wild photography. But wait, you haven't seen the flip side of the coin.
Sometimes, ferocious animals might attack, while you have come to do wildlife photography. So, proper safety and maintaining distance is the first priority for wildlife nature photography.
07. Foggy Mornings in a Mist-covered Forest
Capturing foggy mornings in a forest is such good luck for a photographer, who has done it. Because a mist-covered forest has a special kind of magic, where everything looks soft and dreamy. Arriving in the forest, in the early morning, is a bit challenging, especially in the winter. But once you have gone there, you will feel that you are in your dream place.
In this misty forest, you will feel everything cool and fresh, and you can take breaths of the most fresh air. Whispering of nature's secrets to you, inviting you to explore its hidden wonders of the forest. As a nature photographer, you will save these scenarios on your camera to improve your assets.
08. Magical Forests/Enchanted Forests
Magical forest might be a great place for implementing nature photography ideas. But these enchanted forest places are dangerous for a normal photographer. There can be any unexpected occurrence with you. However, if you are brave and passionate about exploring mysterious things, then this is the perfect place for you.
However, pictures in these places are really cool, anyone will impressed by seeing them for the first time. So here is a big opportunity to grab the attention of your target audience by capturing these natural places. Let's uncover the secrets of these magical forests and photoshoot these natural places.
09. Raindrops on Spiderwebs with Grasshopper
Have you ever seen how it looks of spiderwebs when it has raindrops on it? If the answer is yes, then try to capture a photo in the macro mode of the lens, so that each raindrop will appear in the image. It will be amazing natural photographic ideas to implement when it rains.
Additionally, it will be stunning if you can capture a perfect moment if the spiderwebs have raindrops and a Grasshopper on them. You can see in the picture above we have added, it looks superb. Meanwhile, the grasshopper adds a sense of scale and intrigue to the composition.
10. Winter Snow on Tree Branches
You might agree with me on one thing: we have more options to take pictures in the winter than in the summer. Of course, there are few options available in the summer over the winter, but most of the photography ideas are for the winter. Now we have an idea for nature photography: capturing winter snow on tree branches.
I know this is hard to survive in regular snowfall for most of the trees. But if we talk about capturing photos, then the scenario might be one of the best nature photography ideas.
Trees without leaves and snow on them will look like trees of snow or something like statues. Overall, it looks beautiful when captured in photos with snow on tree branches, especially with the golden sun (morning).
11. Winding Path Through Forest
The winding path in the forest is another best place to capture natural photos. But you have to find out the best time, composition, and situation to get the best photo. For example, you can match a curvy path through the wooden trees, then the sunlight peaks through the leaves. This picture will express the cozy and peaceful atmosphere in the forest.
Capturing the beauty of a winding forest path almost depends on your experience of nature photography. If you have experience in playing with light and shadows from different angles of the camera. However, a misty morning or late afternoon (golden hour) is the best time to take pictures in this place.
12. Light and Shadow Photography Ideas
Light and shadow are powerful tools for photographers to create nature photography ideas. As a photographer, you have to understand how much light interacts with nature and the combination of composition. Because it is important to match the right component with the right situation.
You can explore backlighting, which is a great way to capture light and shadow games in photography. In this case, the light will be set behind the subject to illuminate it. But you can capture the best photos during the golden hour in a forest. If you can craft the art and techniques of light and shadow photography, you will be famous in your profession.
13. Captivating Coastal Scenes
When you have no inspiration for new nature photography ideas, I would like to suggest you visit a coastal place. Because coastal scenes can relax your mind and offer a wide range of scope to capture photos. You will have different views, colors, textures, and atmosphere to click photos.
Besides nature photography, if you want to capture portraits or couples photography is also popular on the beach. Most of the part of coastal nature photography depends on the background. Here you can use a lens to make your photos stunning.
Additionally, there are a lot of different options to capture various styles and natural themes. A few of them are stormy seas, foggy mornings, dramatic coastal, sandy beaches, and details of tide pools, etc.
14. Beautiful Nature Underwater Photography
60% of the human body is filled with water and 71% of the earth. So it is natural that 71% of the earth has the most beautiful part. Sometimes scientists and researchers surprise us by discovering amazing things from the ocean. But you might be informed that we have discovered only 5% of the earth.
However, what about the opportunities of underwater natural photography? So, as you have seen in the above report, you have a lot of options to capture beautiful natural photos from underwater.
Because the creator created the ocean with a lot of miracles and incredible things, that we never think. But you have to be brave and equally important to have the passion to uncover underwater facts.
15. Stone of Nature Photography
The use of stone started 2.5 million years ago and ended up in just 5000 years ago. During this long period, human beings directly depended on stone for various needs. Nowadays, you must know that there are a lot of types of stone, and a few of them are too expensive.
If you have a passion for nature photography, you can do this valuable asset photography. You have to capture beautiful stone photographs from various sources and locations. Then upload them on social media, and you will grab a strong attention for these nice-looking stones. Also, there is a chance that you can sell these stones online. Wait! Only stone photography is enough to sell on stock photo platforms.
In a Nutshell
I have described in this article, 15 unique nature photography ideas based on the latest trend. I want to clear a misconception that this article is not a photography tutorial. It is just about ideas, but you have to implement yourself by trying different ways to capture them. Such as applying various colors, capturing a different angle, and different compositions.
However, please remember that a few of these 15 ideas are very risky. You might lose your life also to do this type of scary photo shoot. So, wikilearns doesn't recommend practicing all these ideas such as under ocean photography or magic forest. So be careful about these and stay safe, enjoy your life with your family and photography.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Need to Start Nature Photography?
You will need a camera like a DSLR or mirrorless one to start nature photography. It also requires different lenses for different types of nature photography. Such as wide-angle for landscapes and close-up lenses for tiny details. Also, you can use a lens filter to control light and a bag to carry your gear.
If you are an absolute newbie, then, learn basics like how to frame your shot and adjust the settings. Now you can start nature photography, but not a professional photographer.
How Popular is Nature Photography?
Yes, nature photography is a popular niche for photographers and general people. Lots of people love to take and share nature photos on social media with a big audience. Nature photos are also a sign of peace and raise awareness about protecting the environment.
What Does Nature Photography Include?
Nature photography is a broad niche and is all about capturing the beauty of nature. It includes taking pictures of landscapes, animals, plants, and small details like flowers and bugs. Nature photographers always try to show off unique and interesting natural things to the audience. Nature photography can include anything that God has created.
