Photo By Caleb Lawson

Today’s Photo of the Day is “Grizzly Profile” by Caleb Lawson. Location: Glacier National Park, Montana.

Want to get your images in the running for a Photo of the Day feature? Photo of the Day is chosen from various galleries, including Assignments, Galleries and Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the website homepage, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

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When you first hear the phrase “nature photography”, you likely wonder what it includes, as its a very broad sounding term.

In this article I will describe nature photography, its types, techniques used, how to succeed in nature photography as a business, and how to do well in this genre.

To understand what nature photography is, we first need to understand the meaning of “nature.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines nature as “the material world and its phenomena.” 

This includes everything from the smallest microorganisms to giant galaxies. Nature photography, then, is the photography of the material world and its phenomena.

So, what is nature photography? Nature photography can be defined as the photography of natural components, cherishing landscapes, wildlife, plants, and then on. The primary purpose of nature photography is to catch the wonder of the natural world. 

Nature photography is a trendy genre of photography, and there are many different sub-genres within it. Some of the most popular sub-genres of nature photography include landscape photography, wildlife photography, and macro photography.

Landscape photography is the photography of natural landscapes, cherishing mountains, forests, and rivers. At the same time, wildlife photography is the photography of animals in their commonplace. In addition, macro photography is the photography of little subjects resembling insects, flowers, etc.

There are many various techniques that nature photographers use to arrest the wonder of the plants. Some of the most popular methods include using a long exposure to capture the movement of the clouds or river flow, a wide-angle lens to capture a vast landscape, and a close-up lens to capture small details.

No matter what techniques you use, nature photography is a challenging and appreciated genre of photography. So if you’re up for the challenge, get out and start shooting!

The Different Types Of Nature Photography

Nature photography will be divided into many completely different categories, every with its distinctive challenges and rewards. Here are a number of the largest standard kinds of nature photography: 

1) Landscape Photography

Landscape photography captures the wonder of natural scenery, mountains, forests, rivers, and more.  Landscape photographers often have to hike to remote locations to get the best shots, and patience is vital in waiting for the perfect light and composition.

2) Wildlife Photography

Wildlife Photography specializes in catching images of animals in their natural home. Creatures like amphibians, mammals, birds, reptiles, or other subjects are wildlife photography’s concern. It mainly focuses on their hunting, eating, sleeping, in fact, their way of life in nature. Photographers must be very patient and have quick reflexes to get good shots, as wildlife can be unpredictable.

3) Macro Photography

When photography focuses on taking close-up shots of small subjects, such as flowers, insects, and other small creatures, macro photographers need a lot of patience and a steady hand to get great shots.

4) Night Photography

Night photography captures night sky images, including stars, the moon, and other celestial objects. Night photography can be challenging, as photographers need to be able to work in low light conditions and have a good understanding of how to use their camera’s settings.

5) Seascape Photography

It involves capturing the beauty of the ocean, including waves, sunsets, and more. Seascape photographers often have to deal with difficult weather conditions and the challenge of getting close to the water without getting wet.

The Best Nature Photography Areas In The World

Nature photography can be defined as a branch of photography that involves the documentation of natural phenomena, including landscapes, plants, animals, and other features of the great outdoors. It is a popular genre of photography, and many photographers aspire to capture the perfect nature photo.

Many stunning locations around the world are ideal for nature photography. From the mountains of Patagonia to the plains of Africa, there is no shortage of beautiful places to photograph. Here are five of the best nature photography locations in the world:

Patagonia, Chile

The Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Himalayas, Nepal

The Atacama Desert, Chile

Yosemite National Park, USA

The Various Techniques Utilized In Nature Photography

Nature photography is to be formed as a photograph capturing nature’s wonder. This can be anything from a landscape to a close-up of a flower. Nature photographers use a variety of techniques to get the best shot possible.

One technique that’s usually used is named “framing.”. This is once the creative person uses components within the scene to form a frame around the subject. For example, it can be done using trees, branches, or even rocks. By doing this, the photographer can create a sense of depth and dimension in the photo.

Another technique often used in nature photography is “leading lines.”The artist makes use of traces in the scene to lead the way the viewer’s eye to the subject. This can be done by employing a path, a river, or a skyline. Using leading lines, the creative person will produce movement and direction within the photo.

So, next time you try to take photos of nature, keep in mind to undertake several of these techniques. By using them, you can create some truly stunning images.

The Business Of Nature Photography

As a nature photographer, it is also necessary to know the professional aspect of things. This means clearly understanding what nature photography is, what the market is like, and what you can do to make a successful career out of it.

Nature photography is all about capturing the wonder of the natural world. This can be done through landscape photography, life photography, or macro photography. Whatever the case may be, nature photography is all about showing the world in its most natural state.

The market for nature photography is vast. There are many different outlets for this type of photography, from magazines and books to online stock photo agencies. If you publish your work in any of these outlets, you can make a good living as a nature photographer.

You can do some things to grow your probabilities of achievement within the nature images business. First, it is vital to own a robust portfolio. This will show potential clients or employers what you are capable of and assist you in standing out from the competition. 

Second, it’s a good idea to get involved in the community. There are many different photography forums and websites where you can connect with other photographers and learn more about the business.

Third, it’s essential to be proactive and market yourself. This means making a website or weblog wherever you’ll showcase your work, similar to sending promotional materials to potential clients.

Following these recommendations, you can grow your probability of creating a hit profession out of nature images.

The Importance Of Nature Photography: Why We Should Care

Nature photography is a genre that captures pictures of natural scenery reminiscent of landscapes, wildlife, and plants. It is a surprisingly new genre, best-gaining recognition within the early twenty-first century. Nature photography is important because it allows us to document and preserve the beauty of the natural world. It also helps us appreciate the world and understand conservation’s importance.

The Power Of Nature Photography: Showing The World In A New Light

In nature photography, the photographer captures the natural world in all its beauty and majesty. By doing so, they can show the world in a new light and inspire people to appreciate the natural world around them.

Nature photography is a potent tool for raising awareness concerning environmental issues. By showing the world the beauty of nature, and the importance of preserving it, photographers can help to make a difference.

What is it about nature photography that’s thus powerful? Naturally, a part of it’s the flexibility to capture the globe during a method that’s aesthetically pleasing and accurate. But I think the real power lies in the ability to show the world in a new light.

Through nature photography, we can see the world differently. We can appreciate the wonder of the natural world and know the importance of conserving it.

The Emotion Of Nature Photography: Telling A Story Through A Picture

Nature photography is about capturing the sweetness and feeling of the natural world. It can be about the grandeur of a mountain range, a flower’s delicate petals, or a kitten’s playful antics. But no matter the subject, nature photography is about capturing the scene’s feelings.

One of the highest potential ways to undertake this might be to inform a story alongside your pics. A nature photograph should be more than just a pretty picture; it should evoke an emotion in the viewer. 

Before you take it, expect what you prefer to mention in conjunction with your photo. What is the feeling you want to capture? Is it the serenity of a beautiful landscape, a waterfall’s energy, or a kitten’s playful nature? Once you know what feeling you want to capture, you can start to compose your photo to tell that story.

Think about the elements in the scene that will help convey that emotion. For example, is there a specific plant or animal you want to center on? Or is it the general feeling of the scene that you simply need to capture? Whatever it is, make sure that your composition helps to tell that story.

And finally, don’t fail to remember to attach your special touch to the photo. Nature photography is about your connection to the natural world, so make sure your picture reflects that.

The Details Of Nature Photography: Finding The Hidden World Around Us

Nature photography is the act of photographing natural scenes resembling landscapes, wildlife, and plants. It can be done in a studio or the wild and often requires special equipment and skills.

One of the critical aspects of nature photography is finding the hidden world around us. This often means getting close to your subject matter, whether it’s a flower or an animal. It’s about finding the small details that make up the big picture.

This can be a challenge, but it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of the process. When you finally capture that perfect shot, it’s all worth it.

The Journey Of Nature Photography: The Adventure Of A Lifetime

Have you ever needed to explore the planet and see all its natural beauty? If so, then nature photography might be the perfect activity for you! Nature photography is capturing images of nature and the natural world.

This can include everything from landscapes to animals to plants and more. Nature photographers usually travel to remote locations to induce the foremost effective shots.

One of the most effective things concerning nature photography is that it’s a gratifying experience. Not only will you get to see some fantastic places, but you’ll also get to capture those moments in time and share them with others.

If you consider getting into nature photography, you should keep a few things in mind. Firstly, you’ll need to own a quality camera. This does not mean you just need the priciest primary camera on the market, but one that takes high-quality images.

Second, you will have to be ready for a great deal of walking. Nature photography often involves hiking to remote locations, so you’ll need to be in good shape.

Finally, you’ll need to be patient. Nature photography is often a waiting game, as you never know until that good shot will reveal itself.

If you’re ready for an adventure and passionate about capturing the beauty of the natural world, then nature photography is the perfect hobby!

The Impact Of Nature Photography

Nature photography is a genre that generally depicts landscapes, wildlife, and different outside scenes. Nature photography is often used to document the natural world and raise environmental awareness.

While the impact of nature photography can be challenging to quantify, it is clear that these images can have a powerful effect on viewers. In addition to providing a window into the beauty of the natural world, nature photography can inspire people to take action to protect the environment.

One of the most famous examples of the impact of nature photography is Ansel Adams’ “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico.” This image, taken in 1941, is attributable to boosting public awareness concerning the necessity to conserve America’s natural resources.

While nature photography can have a positive impact, it is essential to remember that these images can also be used to exploit natural resources. As such, it is essential to be thoughtful and responsible when using nature photography to ensure its positive impact.

Click the following link to learn the techniques wildlife photographers use to get close to subjects.

The prices of new lenses are rising with every new release. With the leading brands in no mood to reduce the prices of their gear, sometimes I feel that one day we’ll have to sell body parts to buy lenses and other equipment (Nikon, Canon listening?)

But thankfully, for photographers like us, there is a way out: to buy used or pre-owned lenses. But everyone seems to be asking the million-dollar question: Is buying used lenses OK?

In this discussion, we’ll try to take an honest look at the pros and cons of buying used lenses, and hopefully, by the end of the discussion, we’ll be able to answer that question.

At one point, I decided to upgrade my equipment. I had a 7-year-old D7000, with an 18-105mm kit lens, that I decided to exchange for a brand new D850 and a kit lens. So I contacted one of the stores in my city and asked if I could bring my equipment for exchange. Not many camera stores dealing in new equipment tend to dabble in old items, but luckily this one did.

My lens had a problem in the form of a couple of buttons that often got jammed during use. You press the controls, and they refuse to pop back immediately. They would do it after a while. I explained the problem and told them this needed service, and everything else was in sharp working condition. They didn’t take my word for it and thoroughly tested the equipment before giving me an excellent exchange value.

The moral of the story is that at least I was honest about the equipment I was exchanging, and I know they still had a few working years left in them. Anyone buying it could use it without any issues after proper servicing. If you can get a lens or, for that matter, any piece of gear that comes through a known and reliable source, you know it is, above doubt, an excellent opportunity to get a good piece of gear.

Choosing the right seller

The problem often is that’s not the case. You and the seller can be living in different cities, and you have no one in common to recommend the seller. Generally, when you buy from an online market, the lens comes into your hand only after you’ve already paid for it. At that point, if you find out that the lens has issues, there is no way you can return it.

Even if the seller had mentioned the flaws or imperfections, when the lens reaches your hand, you could find that the deficiencies are more than superficial. It’s important, thus, to choose a seller with the proper credentials and who ticks all the right boxes.

What are those right boxes?

The seller has to be credible, and the lens has to be in good condition. The only way to know if the seller is credible is if they have good reviews in previous deals. This is for online sales platforms like eBay. If the seller has advertised the lens sale on another platform, try to find out as much as possible about the seller. Let’s say you find out someone you know as a photographer is looking to sell his 200-500 f/5.6 lens. You happen to know this photographer by name, but someone who is a mutual friend can introduce you to the photographer. If this works out, you can get hold of the lens before the deal is finalized and satisfy yourself that the lens is in good working condition.

What if the seller isn’t in your common friend circle, and you cannot get the lens in hand before purchase? Insist that you and the seller live in the same city and frequent the same circles. This adds weight to the seller’s words. If you have common circles and the seller is aware of that, he wouldn’t try to mislead you and risk losing his reputation in the common circle.

Buying from a reputed used gear seller is the best way to go about it. You can find excellent used and even old legacy lenses, which are hard to find anywhere at these used gear sellers.

You could find used gear in excellent working condition at a price that’s less than half the price you usually pay for them when you buy them brand new. However, it should be noted that you should always insist on testing the lens out before you part with your hard-earned money. If the seller is unwilling to allow you to handle the lens and try it, then there is no point in continuing any further.

Outright sale by a photographer

A photographer may be looking to sell a lens because they may not need it or wish to update their existing gear, and they’re selling off old, unused, or sparingly used equipment. Many photographers buy equipment on a hunch but later realize they don’t use the gear practically. This happens much too often. Many photographers may be switching gears and don’t want to keep equipment from the old platform with them because they have no use of the same. This is a genuine sale, and if the equipment is in top condition, you could find yourself with a great deal at such a sale.

Not every sale is an attempt to sell a defective piece of equipment

Then again, you could find great deals when someone is upgrading their gear and selling equipment at a bargain. For example, when you know a landscape photographer is selling a telephoto lens, you will figure out that the lens is very sparingly used. Landscape photographers very seldom use a telephoto lens. It’s more of a sports or wildlife and birding photographer’s tool. But if a landscape photographer is selling a telephoto lens, that lens has not seen much use and is in excellent condition.

Some sellers attempt to do just that. Unfortunately, because of the heavy price of camera lenses (and cameras), there is a high risk of getting duped by unscrupulous characters who try to push through defective equipment or damaged equipment. This brings us to whether the lens you’re looking at is a good or a nasty piece. Even if the outer shell is in top shape, the lens could have severe issues with its internal elements having been used in a rough manner. How do you know that the lens is a good piece?

However close inspection you do, it’s not easy to determine if the lens is in great shape. But you can still try and replicate these steps to determine if anything is wrong.

Rattling sound

One of the things that you should do is hold the lens close to your ear and give it a light shake. Does it rattle? A bit of rattling is ok, especially if the lens has image stabilization. However, there will be no crazy rattling like a screw, or a bit has come loose. Those are apparent indications that something isn’t right.

Focus and zoom ring

Another thing that you should check is how the focus and the zoom ring turn. The focus and the zoom ring have a bit of tension, which is evident when you’re using them for the first time. However, this tension or resistance will go away after a while. When buying a used lens, you will likely have a loose the zoom and focus ring. However, they shouldn’t be too loose to feel weird. They should still have a little resistance even after prolonged use. If they do not, that’s a red flag for you.

Check for the buttons and switches on the lens

The buttons and switches on the lens should not feel too loose and not be stuck. When I handed over my old lens, I knew a couple of buttons wouldn’t move back easily and was quick to point them out. They needed a little repair and servicing, and they would be new again. So, check the extent of the problem with the buttons and switches (if any) and see if any have issues.

Scratches and dents

Scratches and dents are the most obvious things to notice on the lens. But I have kept them for the last because they rarely, if at all, affect the functionality of the lens. Scratches and dents are superficial and easily identified. They tend to reflect how the lens has been used over the years. Some photographers are extra careful when it comes to handling their equipment. They’re very organized and are careful when transporting, using, and maintaining their equipment. Others are not so careful and handle their gear with much less care. Lenses belonging to the second category of users are likely to be worn out and have more scratches and dents.

Where to buy used lenses?

There are a couple places where its safe to buy used lenses along with a couple places you should not buy used lenses from and below are the reasons why.

Ebay– rating 3 out of 5

If you have been buying from Ebay in the recent years you’ve noticed how protective of the buyer the platform has become at the expense of the seller. This may seem unfair at first glance, and I’ve had transactions where i was taken advantage of by buyers, but if you are a buyer, this is to your benefit. Ebay buyer protections include a whole step by step system for conflict resolution that again is very buyer friendly. They also hold your payment to seller for a period of time after item is purchased.

The difference between ebay and used camera gear dealers such as KEH is 1) you are still dealing with a private seller who most likely will not accept returns and 2) the Ebay seller protections are not lens or camera gear specific, they are written for all types of items.

Facebook Marketplace– rating 3 out of 5

With facebook marketplace, a person’s sales of items are linked to their facebook profile and there is a place for feedback and reputation. Facebook marketplace buyer protections include contacting Facebook for a refund if product is not delivered, reporting them which may get them unlisted from Facebook,

Even though its not like buying from a reputable used equipment dealer, its way better than buying from someone on Craigslist. You can look at their profile, see if they have a network or have a fake looking profile with one friend, look at their other items for sale, etc.

KEH and photo dealers– rating 4 out of 5

KEH, Adorama, B&H, MPB, and Gear Focus are all respected used photo gear dealers, including lenses. You can buy here most safely due to their testing of equipment and refund policies. Items are graded on a standard level with a letter or number grade and issues with lenses noted. Prices at these dealers, why they may not be the lowest, are quite fair due to competition between stores. I’ve had no problems buying lenses from KEH, B&H and Adorama online yet.

Craigslist– rating 2 out of 5

I would stay away from Craigslist when shopping for used lenses. Unlike facebook marketplace, your seller profile is not linked to a profile like ebay or facebook where there are consequences to misleading the buyer, feedback or ratings.

Having said that, if you see a great deal, are willing to take some risk and do your due dilligence such as observing the items I mentioned at the beginning of this article, agree to meet in a public spot and exchange money safely, you may do well (read this and this). Many have done so after they put in the work. To buy lenses on Craigslist I would reccomend only if you are an experienced photographer who has dealt with lots of used equipment.

Conclusion

Overall, buying used lenses is OK if you’re sure you’re getting a good deal. If you know that the lens is of good quality, that there are no hidden surprises, and that the price you’re paying is also reasonable, why not? You can save a lot of money and get the lens you’ve been looking to buy.

Click here to read our full review of KEH camera online store.