Forum: Photographing Nature in Your Own Backyard

For: NVPS on Tuesday 26 March 2013

By: Wayne Wolfersberger – Nature Is Wild Photography

Web site: waynewolfersberger.com

e-mail: wayne.wolfersberger@gmail.com

 

Equipment Needed – Just a basic camera and lens.

A zoom telephoto is helpful; the long end works best for close-ups.

Next – purchase a diopter but of good quality for edge to edge sharpness. It will enable you to focus much close for macro work only.

Other items that may work are extension tubes and teleconverters.

You don’t have to carry equipment very far, from the back door to yard.

Start with Flowers and Plants– Because they are found everywhere.

They don’t move unless the wind blows.

They are colorful, long-lasting and you can shoot them in their prime.

Everyone likes looking at them.

Shooting Wildlife – Includes any “critter” from big to tiny.

Insects and other invertebrates are all over the home landscape.

Deer, foxes, rabbits, and others may occasionally visit your yard.

Squirrels (“bushy-tailed tree rats”) are always around – if you have trees.

Birds are great at any time in the year and easily attracted.

Give them food (but if you do so, continue in the winter)

Give them water, at least a birdbath. Moving water does not freeze up.

Give them a place to nest – build or buy birdhouses and plant shrubs.

Macrophotography – Photographing small subjects gives a new perspective of nature.

Tiny subjects are not evident until you “look for” and photography them.

Close-ups reveal nature’s unique beauty and design.

Nature can become very abstract in nature.

Equipment can be quite inexpensive.

Weather Conditions – You can take advantage of changing weather, and come in any

time it gets too hot, cold, or wet. Relax and then go back outside if you wish.

You don’t have to carry your equipment into bad weather conditions.

You can take a break from being inside and shoot between rain showers.

You know the territory and angle of the sun, direction of sunrise, and set.

Unique Techniques–From the simple and cheap to more complex and expensive.

Windy, come inside.

No rain, make your own.

Not enough light, use flash.

Subject not in good light or position, some are easily moved.

Make use of backgrounds, clothespins, beanbags, etc.

Bring nature to your yard by purchasing/collecting elsewhere.

Build small sets & photographs inside or outside. You will have total control.

Add a water feature (small pond) to your yard. Then you can plant around it with

native plants & bring in critters (frogs, aquatic insects, etc.) to fill it. Add a pump to keep water flowing – you will have open water for birds in the freezing winter.