Not Everyone Can Draw
Not every month has five Sundays, so I’ll take the opportunity to explore the other A in MAPS (you can find more about this series here). Last week, I shared how having a learning mindset helps us conquer things we thought we couldn’t do in our younger years. Today I’ll share some tips for upping your artistic quotient with photography. Next week, I’ll tell you about my latest physical challenge.
Artistic expression baffles me at time. I’ve wandered through art museums and wondered how pieces made it in to the collection. Really? But then I remember that we all interpret beauty differently. What one person considers art, other people may consider a mystery. As in, ‘Someone paid good money for that?’
My actual artistic endeavors (in the traditional sense) are limited to stick figures to explain concepts in history or English and horse heads—which I doodled endlessly in elementary school.
Some people can create art with quilts, clothing, food, paints, a pencil, stone, or clay. Me? I like looking at the world through the lens of a camera. Anyone can snap a photo, but not everyone’s photos turn out the same. I don’t claim master photography skills, but I’ll share a few tips for those who want to create nature art with a camera.
Five Tips to Take Your Nature Photography to the Next Level
1. Get closer. No matter what you shoot, try getting closer. You’ll find all kinds of surprising details. Hairy flowers with bugs buried in their centers. Perfect raindrops sliding off a leaf.
2. Get lower. Try to get eye-level with your subject. This requires a willingness to get wet and dirty sometimes. Or to sit in a field and wait for a butterfly to return to sip nectar from a flower.
3. Patience pays off. I do a lot of standing still when I go out shooting. Sometimes, I wait for hours for a certain bird to show up. Other times I wait for an animal to get used to my presence before inching closer.
4. Study nature. We won’t talk about how many hours I’ve spent on my back porch trying to capture the perfect photo of a hummingbird. But I have learned a lot about hummingbirds from my time. For example, I know that hummingbirds often hover about eight inches away from the feeder for a few seconds before moving back in. Now I know where to focus my camera.
5. Light matters. Early morning and late evening provide the best light for taking nature photographs. If you want truly beautiful photos, you can’t laze around in bed like other people. You’ll need to get up before the sun and get in position.
So, whether you have a point and shoot, a camera phone, or some other, more expensive camera, you CAN improve your artistic ability. I took all of these photos with either a Canon 6D or a Nikon Coolpix. I also get a lot of great shots with my iPhone.
Five tips for taking more artistic nature photos. You don't have to draw well to be artistic! #photography #selfcare #art Click To TweetIf you’d like to see more, I post on Instagram almost every day (@blestbutstrest). Try some of these tips and tag me—I’d love to see your art!
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Love this quote: “we all interpret beauty differently.” It’s so true! These pictures and tips are wonderful. Thank you for sharing!
Laura recently posted…A Writer’s Life Revealed: Jacqui Lipton
Thank you for stopping by and sharing!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Lifelong Learning—Math Hacks for the Kitchen
Anita,
One of my favorite electives I took in college was photography. There is something so fun and additive about capturing God’s Creation in all its splendor or capturing beautiful architecture with just the right angle and framing. I also find that when I’m focused on being creative, I can’t simultaneously worry or be stewing on other things. It is a great distractor and there’s satisfaction in the creative process. Thanks for these tips in capturing better, more artistic photographs.
Blessings,
Bev xx
I think you’ve just put into words the reason I call my camera my “therapist!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Photography, the Other Art
Anita, I have long LOVED your photography! If I may dare share … I have told my husband I so want a camera. I only have and use my phone. I so appreciated your tips and may I say … the owl, oh my gosh! Stunning! You inspired me, and I am sure all of us, this Monday morning.
Joanne Viola recently posted…Brave In The Moment
Ah, thank you for your sweet words, Joanne! My secret desire is to be a photographer for National Geographic ;). Let me know when you’re ready to get a camera! I have some tips on that.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Photography, the Other Art
These photos are stunning, Anita! I especially loved the owl and the sunrise! Thanks for sharing the tips as well!
Lesley recently posted…When You Can’t Do It…
Thank you, Lesley!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…How to Release Racism From Your Life
Thanks for these tips. I love photographing landscapes, and I definitely have noticed what a difference light makes!
A long time ago, I determined to only use pictures I have taken myself on my blog so that I won’t have to worry about copyright issues. It is so fun to go back in my archives and take a pic – often one that didn’t turn out so well – and edit it and have it work great for my purposes.
I also use doing so as an excuse for more road trips – I need my photos for my blog!
Jerralea recently posted…AmaZing Nourishing Love
Right!? Photography is part of my blogging thing, too. I try to use mostly my photos, but I have a couple of programs that allow me to use stock photos copyright free–because sometimes I write about things that I have no photos of :/.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…What Happens When You Settle for a Theory Without Investigation?
Oh Anita, you’ve captured some real beauties here. I love the idea of getting lower and seeing life from a different perspective.
I do love capturing images of life’s dailyness. What I capture are not at all professional level, but the process gives me a sense of peace.
Click click.
Linda Stoll recently posted…The Sheer Relief of Releasing Clothes You’ve Avoided Like The Plague
It’s so soothing to exercise my creative, artistic side in an inexpensive way! Digital cameras are the best (no more paying for film and developing).
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Photography, the Other Art
Love your artistry through these photos, Anita! And the tips are great too! Did you take that one of the owl with a telephoto lens? Amazing detail and perspective. I also love the tip about hummingbirds. My MIL has a hummingbird feeder out her kitchen window, so I’ll have to try that when I’m visiting her. Thanks so much for this and the linkup, my friend!
Beth recently posted…Comment on 8 Creative and Romantic Gift Ideas for Your Mate by The Unfair Task of Forgiving an Unapologetic Spouse
I did use a telephoto lens for the owl (but he landed quite close to me–about 15 feet away). I also cropped it a little. Do share your hummingbird photos with me! I can never resist the hummers :).
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Historical Romance, Revisited
Macro is my favorite medium with insects and flowers my passion. It wasn’t until recently that I decided to broaden my skills and the poor readers of my blog are suffering through my growing pains. 🙂 It hasn’t been easy; but, I’m learning and am determined to persevere. All of the tips you mentions are valid and a wonderful reminder of what makes it all works. Thank you.
visiting from FMF
Dear Anita, thank you for sharing these photography tips! It’s a skill I’ve always wanted to pursue. Perhaps this will give me a leg up. You’ve certainly given me glorious examples to aspire to!
You can do it, Alice! Everyone starts as a beginner :). Digital cameras make it so much easier to learn and improve!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging
Beautiful photos…I love that hummingbird! Photography is such a wonderful art and way to express our creativity!! (yes, I’m a tad envious!) 🙂
Aww, thank you, Jennifer!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Lifelong Learning—Math Hacks for the Kitchen
I love these tips, Anita! It is nice to get up early to catch the sunrise and the waking of the world. But alas, I’m hardly ever up that early. Maybe if I’d get to bed sooner, it would be more doable. And maybe it should depend on how badly I want to experience it, right? Thanks so much for your tips and for this linkup. Blessings to you!
;). I’m an early bird (maybe that’s why I’m fascinated with birds…). The evenings have great light, too.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Five Routines to Deepen Your Spiritual Life
Hi Anita,
I love these tips, since becoming a blogger I have appreciated the art of photography so much more. I previously did as a scrapbooker but in blogging the quality of the photo becomes a priority.
And I am excited to find Inspire me Mondays!!
Jennifer
Love the photos!!
You have the most beautiful nature photographs, Anita. Thanks for sharing these tips. I need all the help I can get. 🙂
Lisa notes recently posted…Does Your Mourning Feel Blessed?
Aww, thank you, Lisa! Digital photography makes it so much easier to learn how to improve!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Book Talk Tuesdays: Sweet, Clean Romances
I love this friend! I have been dabbling more and more in photography and what I have learned is trying different things and sometimes that indeed means getting dirty. The other day I had my 35 mil with me as I went for a walk. At one point, I laid on the sidewalk and looked up to get a shot of the branches. Thanks for these tips. I have a feeling they will come in handy! 🙂 Blessed to be your neighbor over at Tell His Story this week.
Your photographs are gorgeous and I’m waiting for that coffee table book.
Beautiful, beautiful pictures! Love the birds!! Thanks for the tips!
Karen Woodall recently posted…Squeaky Clean
Anita! I love this. Photography is my art of choice, as well. (Well, and writing, of course.) Great tips, thank you. Your pictures are gorgeous. I hate how rarely I take out my camera these days. I take a lot of pictures with my phone, but there’s just something about a zoom lens that I love. 🙂 Be still my heart. It’s cathartic, isn’t it? You’ve inspired me…perhaps this weekend… 🙂 xoxo
Brenda recently posted…When Broken Places Become Timely Places
Anita, I’m back to tell you that I’ve chosen your post for my favorite of the week at the #LMMLinkup and I will feature it on my blog tomorrow. Blessings!
Beautiful photos! I totally agree that sometimes you have to wait a long time to get the photo you’re wanting, and that you sometimes have to be willing to get dirty.
I don’t think I had thought about getting at eye level.
Your photos are fabulous! Keep up the great work! 🙂
Hello, these are great tips and ideas! Thank you for sharing this informative and amazing article! Keep it up!