It’s easy to forget how revolutionary the introduction of the affordable personal camera was all those years ago. Now that we all have cameras with us at all times to document our lives and inspirations, it just seems like a basic human right. But if you happened to be alive before it became possible, it must have seemed like an amazing miracle to be able to capture moments that would otherwise merely be memories.
It also allows us to not only see aspects of the world we are otherwise unable to – faraway places, dangerous places – it also allows us to see what’s in our own backyard in new ways. If you delight in nature photography but hate the thought of travel and packing bags, cheer up: You can get stunning photos of birds, bugs, and plants right in your backyard, and here’s how.
Invest in the Right Equipment
First off, getting great nature shots with your camera will require a small investment of money. First and foremost, don’t try to use your smartphone. The camera may be of high enough quality, but the shutter delay on most phones will cause you miss the right moments, and you’ll never get the sort of close up macro shots that make for truly amazing nature photography.
Next, invest in a macro lens. This will allow you to shoot the tiny bugs and plants without having to get in super close with your huge camera, most probably scaring everything off in the process.
Finally, a tripod that can get down very low will be incredibly helpful in keeping your shots steady, ideal for capturing those ‘in-flight’ moments.
Plant Attraction
Your next step is to make your backyard attractive to wildlife. Even in urban settings you will be able to bring all manner of interesting bugs and birds to your outdoor space:
- A bird feeder will attract beautiful birds – as well as cats and possums and a menagerie of other animals!
- Certain plants attract insects better – do some research and plant things that will bring in butterflies, ladybugs and other insects.
By creating a creature-friendly garden, you’ll have no shortage of amazing photos without having to leave the house.
The Shot
When it comes to capturing nature in all its glory, there are some simple rules to follow that will guarantee your photo will be a show-stopper:
- Get down: Be prepared to get dirty and get down low. Nothing makes nature shots more dramatic than a low angle, as if you were an ant that just happened to look up. It also frames everything against the sky and the low growth.
- Get close: Using your macro lens or just by getting physically close, tighten the framing so your subject dominates the frame.
- Be patient: Nature doesn’t always come by on a schedule. Block off some time to just sit with your camera and wait for amazing things to happen.
No need to pack a bag in order to get great nature shots. Even if your backyard is really a glorified patio area, you can attract critters with potted plants and a hanging birdfeeder. And if you do capture some serious magic back there, click here and we’ll turn your slice of nature into a beautiful piece of wall art for your home.
