PhotoNaturalist - nature photography tips and tutorials

nature photography tips and tutorials

nature photography

RAW vs. JPEG: Who wins?

by 44 Comments

rawjpegIt seems to be one of the biggest debates in digital photography–what’s better: RAW or JPEG? Who wins?

Some pro photographers say JPEG: you should always know the perfect settings for a photo. And others say always shoot in RAW: it’s better quality and you have more power to change things later on.

Well, I think both formats have advantages and disadvantages, so rather than take one side for everything, I’ll run through some of the key differences between them, and then suggest when each format makes sense. [Read more…] about RAW vs. JPEG: Who wins?

How to find subjects for your macro shots

by 4 Comments

(c) iStockPhoto / Johanna Goodyear
(c) iStockPhoto / Johanna Goodyear
One of the things that makes macro photography so interesting is its ability to show us the world as we normally don’t see it: up close and personal.

For this very reason, sometimes it’s hard to find good subjects for macro shots. We just don’t normally look at things up close, and even when we do, it’s hard to see detail with the naked eye.

Sure, you could just pop on your macro lens and look everywhere, but it’s hard to see things through that tiny viewfinder. [Read more…] about How to find subjects for your macro shots

Ever wonder about taking photos from a kayak? Learn a few tips in our latest podcast!

by 6 Comments

Photo by Tom Jones
Photo by Tom Jones
Our newest podcast is now available via iTunes or direct download. In this episode, our host Matthew Fletcher discusses:

  • Taking photos from a kayak
  • What’s new at photonaturalist.net
  • Pros and cons of digiscoping
  • Light-weight solutions for long hiking trips
  • Nikon D5000 Service Advisory
  • Release of Filter Forge Freepack 2
  • Software for stitching photos

Download the podcast now!

If you’d like to subscribe through iTunes, click here

Thanks to all those who sent in questions, and although we don’t answer them all in this episode, we may get a chance to answer them in a future episode (or write an article about it). So, stay tuned, and keep sending us your questions! [Read more…] about Ever wonder about taking photos from a kayak? Learn a few tips in our latest podcast!

Sometimes the view is better from above

by 7 Comments

Photo by Steve Berardi
Photo by Steve Berardi
Ansel Adams shot a lot of his landscape photos from a platform he built on top of his car. Can you guess why he did this?

He did it to add more depth to his landscapes and create a better overlook of the foreground.

We’re so accustomed to viewing a landscape at eye level, that sometimes when you raise that point of view just a little bit, you’ll get a new perspective and a new emotion. [Read more…] about Sometimes the view is better from above

Free software for landscape photographers

by 4 Comments

photogephFor landscape photography, it’s good to always be aware of the sunrise/sunset times, and the sun’s azimuth at these times. It helps to know this for the moon too (as well as the current phase). Lots of information to keep track of, huh?

Well, luckily there’s a free program out there that will help you do all this and more! It’s called The Photographer’s Ephemeris, and it’s developed by Stephen Trainor.

Here’s a quick look at some of this tool’s great features: [Read more…] about Free software for landscape photographers

Connect with other photonaturalists on our new Facebook page!

by Leave a Comment

pnat-facebookFor awhile now, I’ve been trying to think of the best way to create an online forum for us, where you can meet other photonaturalists, and share your photos, stories, and useful links.

Well, I just created a Facebook fan page that I hope will become a part of that.

Why you should join our Facebook fan page

Facebook has become the premier social network, so it seems natural that we should have a fan page on there, but why should you join? Well, here are 3 great reasons:

  • Meet other photonaturalists
  • Share photos and ask for critiques
  • Participate in discussions (check out our first one: how do you feel about HDR?)

So, if you’re on Facebook, please join our page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/PhotoNaturalist/72505424246

I’m looking forward to seeing you there! [Read more…] about Connect with other photonaturalists on our new Facebook page!