How to Photograph Nature and Landscapes

Nature and landscapes are a favorite photographic subject, evoking memories of travel and senses experienced in a particular place and at a particular moment. But nature photography can be challenging. In this gallery, get expert tips and learn what you should consider when photographing the natural world. Here, a farmer at a tea plantation in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, uses an umbrella to keep himself dry while riding his bike. (This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.) Photo Tip: Learn to appreciate overcast days. Their diffused light can make for increased colour saturation in your images.

Twilight falls on wind-etched sand dunes on Nauset Beach, Massachusetts. Photo Tip: use texture to communicate your personal impressions of the scene. Raking angles of early or late sun usually reveal texture best.

A black-browed albatross and its mate work together to forage and nest in the Falkland Islands. Photo Tip: When photographing birds, try for a natural background without manmade objects such as utility poles, wires, fences, and buildings, which compete for attention.

Leaves turn golden during autumn in southern Utah. (This photo was submitted to Your Shot.) Photo Tip: with a good tripod, you can be set up and ready when the lighting is right. But don’t be afraid to handhold at slow shutter speeds—the serendipitous effects can be wonderful.

The Hornsund fjord is viewed through glacier ice in Svalbard, Norway’s Arctic archipelago. Photo Tip: when you decide what makes you want to photograph a place, think of adjectives to describe it—and include a detail in your photograph that conveys that adjective.

A deer is captured at sunset in Black Hills National Forest. (This photo was submitted to Your Shot.) Photo Tip: game animals blend into the landscape, so be careful about your background. Wait to shoot a deer, for example, until it is outlined against the sky or a distant light-coloured field.

A lake in Ontario, Canada, is captured at dawn. Photo Tip: get out early. Not only is the early morning light usually good, but you’ll avoid the crowds that gather later at popular places.

Italy’s Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Photo Tip: the bright white of snow fools meters. To avoid underexposing, take a reading from your subject, a grey card, or something else of equal tonal value. (This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)

Two thistle mantis nymphs are captured up close at Rishon Lake in Israel. Photo Tip: when photographing wildlife, use a shallow depth of field for close-ups to blur out background distractions. (This photo was submitted to Your Shot.)

A field of penstemons surround burnt out tree trunks in Tahoe National Forest, Nevada. Photo Tip: be sure to watch your step when photographing wildflowers. Some of your subjects may be endangered species. Never uproot or cut wildflowers, and be careful not to trample the plants.

Seed pods are captured in close-up. Photo Tip: when photographing details, try different angles—above, below, from the side—to find the most interesting composition. (This photo was submitted to Your Shot.)

On the eastern margin of Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, expedition cars attempt to cross the flats after flooding from heavy March rains. Photo Tip: don’t meter the sky. It's usually bright and will cause you to underexpose the rest of the scene.

Sunset illuminates poppies in a field near a highway. Photo Tip: take advantage of sunsets when photographing wildflowers. The soft, golden light will make a meadow of wildflowers glow. (This photo was submitted to Your Shot.)

Lightning strikes over the Atlantic Ocean off Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Photo Tip: if there is lightning in the scene, you’ll have to be patient as well as lucky. You never know where lightning is going to strike. (This photo was submitted to Your Shot.)

Great horned owls burrow in a tree. Photo Tip: The best lens for bird photography is a telephoto with a focal length of 400mm or greater. A 70mm-to-300mm zoom works well for birds that can be approached closely. Use a tripod for lenses longer than 300mm. (This photo was submitted to Your Shot.)

Kelp on a beach is lit by the sunset in Kaikoura, New Zealand. Photo Tip: when photographing plants, look for a mass of them to add drama. If it’s winter, even dried seed heads on the frozen ground make an interesting, textured subject. (This photo was submitted to Your Shot.)

A lake and photographer are reflected in the eye of a bullfrog in Ontario, Canada. Photo Tip: wildlife close-ups are better if there’s a flash of light in the eye. Try shooting late or early in the day with the animal facing the sun. Or use a flash set on a dim, fill-flash level. (This photo was submitted to Your Shot.)