Outdoor Photography How To

Regardless of the type of images they shoot most, all photographers would occasionally like to capture beautiful images of the great outdoors. What holds some shooters back is the common misconception that landscape photography requires visiting exotic locations with big, epic vistas.

Macro photography provides a year-round opportunity for shooting stunning images, whether you subjects are budding flowers in the spring, insects during summer, or fascinating snowflakes in winter. If you've been disappointed with closeups in the past, this quick video  from the Wildlife with Rich channel will significantly boost your results.

Today's interesting tutorial with pro Scott Davenport demonstrates how strategic cropping can dramatically enhance the impact of landscape images when less-than-ideal composition compromises the impact of a beautiful scene. As he says, "a tight crop can remove distractions and direct the viewer's attention straight to the most important part of an image."

Time blending is one of the most powerful post-processing techniques for making sense out of complicated landscape scenes with a wide range brightness values throughout the frame. Today's instructor Austin James Jackson explains the concept like this: "Capturing stunning wide-angle scenes can be easy when you're willing to do a time blend," and this is what you'll learn how to do in the next 15 minutes.

Is that your shutter snapping or your teeth chattering? If cold weather is bad for your body, it’s even worse for your camera body. Moisture of any kind is a camera killer. And freezing temperatures contribute to everything from internal condensation to diminished battery performance. Herewith, then, are my seven favorite cold weather tips and accessories. 

TIPA (Technical Image Press Asssociation) continues to celebrate the significant role photography plays in our daily lives. In spite of the rapid advance of new technology in the manufacture of cameras, the essence of photography never really changes. With this in mind, TIPA invites Shutterbug readers to submit their photographs to the TIPA Photo Tropby 2015 photo contest, which has the theme of: "Discover the world: open your eyes to the beauty of planet Earth.”

Early last year I started planning a month-long trip to Botswana and South Africa, part of which would be spent leading a photo safari. From the start I knew that my photography would include much more than wildlife. It’s my business, and my pleasure, to explore and experience beyond the obvious subjects suggested by a location. As a practical matter, I have to photograph much more of what a destination offers and deserves; as a personal matter, it’s often what’s best about my job.