JACKSONVILLE, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH 2023

Hey y’all!

Nature photography is something I’ve felt passionate about here lately. Through school projects and my own interest, I found myself feeling excited not only to explore nature, I feel excited to capture how it looks through my lens!

Through the help of my communication classes, I’ve discovered tricks of the trade for not only video by photography as well.

Here’s four tips that I’ve learned along the way….

1. Rule of Thirds

Making sure your photos main subject is of center allowing the viewers to interact with negative space in the photo.

This really makes a photo interesting because it can almost look sectioned off, making for a better photo.

In the photo below, you can see the horizontal thirds. The brick pile, the building, and the sky.

– Fort Clinch, Fernandina Beach Florida, By: Anna Newhoff

2. Extreme Close Ups
An extreme close up can help show the little details maybe the normal eye wouldn’t catch.

It focuses on an object up close and blurs the background. Allowing your photo to not only have depth but contrast as well.

In the photo below, you can see the driftwood in detail with the beach blurred behind it.

-Big Talbot Island, Jacksonville, Fla. By: Anna Newhoff

3. Capture Contrast

When taking photos in nature it’s important to make sure you capture contrast. This is what truly makes the pic interesting!

This can be done by having two very different things happening in the forefront and the background of the photo.

In the photo below you can see the contrast between the house, which is white, and the greenery all around. Capturing the curvature of the houses and the curvature of the palm trees around them.

– Kingsley Plantation, Jacksonville. Fla, By: Anna Newhoff

4. Check the Weather

This one may seem silly or like common sense, but this is one the very first steps to do when preparing to take photos of nature. A dim sky is not your friend, so taking photos on a nice sunny day will be the best way to get great pictures, unless dim photos are your vibe lol.

This is something to do periodically throughout the week especially if you have a deadline to follow. Being prepared is the first step toward success.

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Being in nature is something I’ve been doing my whole life. As a Floridian, I have felt very privileged to grow up around this beautiful scenery. From deep in the woods to the coastal beaches, Florida has a lot to offer.

Something great about the state is that is preserves historic places and preserves the natural beauty from long ago. In a recent article I wrote, Five Fun Facts , I talk about historic places around Jacksonville. Places like the Kinglsey Plantation or Big Talbot State Park offer beautiful photography opportunities for visitors to take advantage of. Where you are in the world, finding places of sentiment to nature is always a beautiful photo.

When taking these photos, it’s important to make this interesting. Sometimes you may see a cool tree and think “I want to take a picture of this, but I want to make it more than just a tree.” This is where creativity comes in.

Use your head and think about how maybe different angles would make it pop, or a close up of the leaves or bark. But most importantly, enjoy the experience. Don’t forget to take in the nature around you, because yes you can capture the moment with a camera, but there’s nothing like the actual experience.

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Do Not Disturb

When venturing into nature for photography it’s important to remember who calls it home. While yes, animals make for good pictures, you must respect their space. They don’t understand what or who you are, and when they feel frightened by your presence don’t be surprised if they either run away or try to fight you.

Distance is your best friend in this situation. You can not only give the animal its space, but you can also take in the surroundings of nature. Always be aware of your surroundings. As someone who has walked up on a mama bear and her two cubs, they do not care about you and are just as scared of you as you are of them, Luckly, my mama had blessed me with enough sense to run away, but I cannot say the same for others.

I think sometimes people forget that they wouldn’t want random strangers busting into their homes to take pictures of them. The role of wildlife in nature is an important one, and they should be protected at all costs if you can get the shot or not.

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Lighting is CRUCIAL

Lighting is very important to getting a good shot. I kind of talked about this earlier, but if it’s too bright then you must adjust the camera so that the light isn’t too harsh.

If it’s too dim, then you need to adjust your camera as well. Just in general you need to know how to work your camera so that you can adjust the setting to get a better picture.

It determines not only the brightness and darknesses, but also the tone, mood, and atmosphere totally creating the shot. When taking a picture it’s important to also choose the direction of the light you want to take the photo in. You can do it from the front, back, or side lighting. The angle of which the light comes in is also very important.

Remember to be kind and try your best, great things are ahead!

Hugs and Kisses

• Anna Newhoff

Website

https://annanewhoff.com

Instagram

@annanewhoff

@dolphinchannel