Capturing Details of Nature Photography

Layne explains, “The destination for your macro images can be any place, a cabin, a fence, or a garden, anything that begs to be seen up close.” He discovers a garden of vibrant orange flowers and sets up his camera. He chooses to shoot in the early morning because shade is prevalent, and harsh sunlight is an hour away.

In the early morning, wind is usually not a factor. Wind will move a flower and make focusing difficult. You will learn how to adjust for shutter speed, aperture and ISO in order to hold focus. To get a sharp shot, you have to stop the action. In the macro world of nature photography, Layne recommends a shallow depth of field. “Working with the tiniest details is what macro photography is all about,” he says. He photographs dew drops on a flower petal and lets the petal tips fall out of focus.

You will learn how to adjust for white balance depending on the lighting condition, why changing lenses offers varied perspectives, and why an adjustable tripod and cable release aids in composition and clarity. Layne shows you how slightly moving your camera position changes your composition dramatically. Because of the limits of shallow depth of field, the challenge is to isolate the most important part of your image. The viewer’s eye naturally lands on the sharpest and brightest part of the photograph. You will learn the difference in depth of field between the 200mm and 105mm lenses and the resulting compression effect. You will also learn how to use a reflector to balance the natural light.

Follow along with pro shooter Layne Kennedy, who gives you macro tips for shooting nature photography images up close.

MORE IN THIS COURSE:

Macro Photography: Inspiration, Insight & Creativity – Course Preview
Macro Photography Tips and Techniques
Basic Equipment for Shooting Macro Photography
Comparing a Telephoto vs. Macro Lens
This video: Capturing Details of Nature Photography
Macro Photography: Shooting Insects and Bugs
Macro Photography Ideas for Your Next Shoot
Backlighting in Translucent Photography
Using Texture Photography to Capture a Unique Shot