For camera operators who love to take stunning pictures of the outdoors rather than from the four walls of a studio, nature photography is their cup of tea. Generally, photographers who fall under this category work freelance and sell the images they take of exquisite landscapes to the highest bidder. However, there are snappers who do take up special assignments for various nature magazines, publications and newspapers.
Jack Elway, a popular nature photographer from America says it is important for aspirants who want to make their mark in this profession to possess certain skills that will help put them in a separate league. These are as follows:
- Photographic styles
Nature photographers endeavor to develop a photographic style of their own that is unique and set them apart. For instance, camera operators who adopt macro photography take close up images of the subject of their photo. They use this technique to highlight eye-catching details of small things like parts of flowers, drops of water and insects. On the other hand, wildlife photography provides viewers a glimpse into the world of various creatures that inhabit this planet including human beings. Again, landscape photograph highlights nature in its entire splendor but unless the snapper have exemplary creative skills, there is a risk of image being tasteless.
- Editing
Unlike other forms of photography, the snapper uses best possible camera settings take images of various scenarios. This reduces that amount of time he/she gets to carry out fix-up editing at a later stage. However, this puts his/her creative editing skills to the test. By enhancing certain colors, applying filters and isolating certain image elements with the help of layers are some of the editing tools a photographer has at his/her disposal.
- Research Skills
In order to create a unique product in this field of photography, it is important for the camera operator to gather technical information about the subject of their shot. This includes the location of the scenery in the image, the Latin name of certain plants and details of the animal life in the picture. However, the kind of research a snapper has to carry out for a particular assignment will depend upon his/her clientele.
- Survival Skills
Nature photographers need to spend most of their time outdoors. Regardless of whether they undertake a weeklong camping expedition or a shoot in the afternoon, they need to know how to take care of themselves. This implies making shelter, building campfires and safeguarding their equipment from harsh weather conditions are some of the life skills they need to possess. In addition to this, to make their excursion safe and pleasant they need to recognize poisonous plants and to remain unnoticeable in the presence of wild animals.
- Business Administration Skills
Like in other professions, nature photographers need to possess good business acumen along with skills in the fields of administration and planning to succeed. This implies maintaining financial records, a catalogue of their work, a backup file of their photographs and mastering office skills. In addition to this, they need to make proper use of their time.
Jack Elway says mastering the above skills will help aspirants succeed in the field of nature photography.