Nature Photography in Your Own Backyard

If you have ever marveled at a beautiful flower snapshot or a humbling profile of a tiny insect climbing up a blade of grass, then you are one of many who enjoy and appreciate nature photography. If you think you have to go to some exotic place or have amazing equipment to take beautiful nature Photos, you're wrong. There's an immeasurable amount of photography opportunities within 100 yards of your home, most likely. If you live in a city though, you will probably have to use the park around where you live (ex: Central park). Note: On Equipment, however, it is extremely recommended you acquire a dSLR or SLR camera if you don't already have one, since point and shoot camera's are terrible in such a field of photography as this.

Start by making a list of common wildlife in your area. You might only come up with some common, slightly boring subjects right from your own memory, but do some research. You might find that a unique species of bird or fox lives in your area, and you also might learn where to find it, exactly. For most wildlife, it is useful to have a powerful zoom lens, since most will scare easily at your approach. Try to catch interesting aspects of wildlife, with lighting and surroundings.

For subjects such as small insects, as well as the whole of the plantae and fungi family, you'll want a macro lens, or at least one that can get close and still be in focus, the closer you can get the better. For insects, there are some classic views, such as a ladybug or other insect at the top of a blade of grass. This can be easily done by literally placing the insect onto the blade of grass, camera at the ready, focused, and then you shoot away.

It is recommended you research the flora and fauna of your area, so you can map out where to find different subjects. Alternatively, you can take a different approach where you simply take it by ear and photograph what you want.

So, in conclusion, I can only say one thing: Go out and try it. That's the most important thing I can teach you. Just go outside and look around, if you really look, you'll find things you used to take for granted have great beauty, which you can record in one click.