PhotoNaturalist - nature photography tips and tutorials

nature photography tips and tutorials

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How to avoid autofocus problems

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lockfocusSometimes autofocus can really be annoying. For some shots it’ll focus on the right part of your subject, but then the very next shot it may choose to focus on something far and away into the background.

Sure, you could avoid this problem by always using manual focus, but autofocus is great when you need to focus quickly or when you’re photographing a landscape and you need to focus on a certain spot in the scene (this isn’t always easy to do with manual focus).

So, here are two ways to lock your focus and prevent your camera from autofocusing on the wrong part of your subject: [Read more…] about How to avoid autofocus problems

5 free software applications for nature photographers

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title1Photography is an expensive hobby, isn’t it?

Cameras cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, and lenses cost even more. Add on filters, and all the other required accessories, and you’ll quickly be staring at an empty wallet.

Fortunately, you can get some relief when it comes to software. Here are five great applications for nature photographers that are completely free: [Read more…] about 5 free software applications for nature photographers

FREE eBook: 13 tips for better wildflower photography

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free_ebookcoverIn anticipation of a great spring wildflower season, we decided to put together a FREE 20-page eBook, 13 tips for better wildflower photography. It contains some of our existing articles, but also includes SIX brand new articles!

Here’s what you’ll learn in this free 20-page eBook: [Read more…] about FREE eBook: 13 tips for better wildflower photography

How to fix the “gray snow problem” with Photoshop

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Photo by kelpenhagen (used under the CC-Attr-NC 2.0 license)
Photo by kelpenhagen (used under the CC-Attr-NC 2.0 license)

Yesterday, I wrote a few tips for getting a perfect exposure of a snow covered landscape (or, how to avoid the “gray snow problem”).

But, what do you do with all those gray snow photos you already took? Throw them away?

Nope! Fortunately, there’s an easy way to fix the gray snow problem in Photoshop. With just a few clicks, you’ll transform that dull grayness into a beautiful bed of white textured snow.

Here’s how to do it: [Read more…] about How to fix the “gray snow problem” with Photoshop

How to get a perfect exposure of a snow covered landscape

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Photo by Christopher Chan
Photo by Christopher Chan (used under the CC-BY-NC-ND-2.0 license)

Have you ever tried taking photos of a beautiful winter landscape covered in bright white snow? And, did the snow in all your photos end up looking gray, instead of that beautiful white?

The “gray snow problem” is very common, and happens because your camera’s light meter sees everything as neutral gray. When it looks at the bright white snow, it just thinks you’re trying to photograph a gray subject in brighter light, so it underexposes your shot.

Fortunately, there are three easy ways to avoid this problem:
[Read more…] about How to get a perfect exposure of a snow covered landscape

Why you should always take lots and lots of photos (regardless of subject)

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Photo by Cliff Hutson (used under the CC-Attr-2.0 license)
Photo by Cliff Hutson (used under the CC-Attr-2.0 license)

When you decide to photograph a particular subject, how many shots do you usually take? Do you just hit the shutter once and move on? Or, do you take a lot of shots, and perhaps change your camera settings in the process?

Well, regardless of what your subject is, you should always take lots and lots of photos. This may not seem obvious for all subjects, so here’s a breakdown:
[Read more…] about Why you should always take lots and lots of photos (regardless of subject)