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Tea Plantation, Malaysia
Photograph by Michael Camilleri, My Shot
Nature and landscapes are a favorite photographic subject, evoking memories of travel and senses experienced in a particular place and at a particular moment. But nature photography can be challenging. In this gallery, get expert tips and learn what you should consider when photographing the natural world.
Here, a farmer at a tea plantation in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, uses an umbrella to keep himself dry while riding his bike.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: Learn to appreciate overcast days. Their diffused light can make for increased color saturation in your images.
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Twilight, Nauset Beach
Photograph by James P. Blair, National Geographic
Twilight falls on wind-etched sand dunes on Nauset Beach, Massachusetts.
Photo Tip: Use texture to communicate your personal impressions of the scene. Raking angles of early or late sun usually reveal texture best.
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Albatross, Falkland Islands
Photograph by Frans Lanting, National Geographic
A black-browed albatross and its mate work together to forage and nest in the Falkland Islands.
Photo Tip: When photographing birds, try for a natural background without manmade objects such as utility poles, wires, fences, and buildings, which compete for attention.
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Fall Trees, Utah
Photograph by Robert Hooper, My Shot
Leaves turn golden during autumn in southern Utah.
(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: With a good tripod, you can be set up and ready when the lighting is right. But don’t be afraid to handhold at slow shutter speeds—the serendipitous effects can be wonderful.
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Svalbard, Norway
Photograph by Paul Nicklen, National Geographic
The Hornsund fjord is viewed through glacier ice in Svalbard, Norway’s Arctic archipelago.
Photo Tip: When you decide what makes you want to photograph a place, think of adjectives to describe it—and include a detail in your photograph that conveys that adjective.
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Deer, Black Hills National Forest
Photograph by Kadek Susanto, My Shot
A deer is captured at sunset in Black Hills National Forest.
(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: Game animals blend into the landscape, so be careful about your background. Wait to shoot a deer, for example, until it is outlined against the sky or a distant light-colored field.
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Lake, Ontario
Photograph by Kyle Tuttle, My Shot
A lake in Ontario, Canada, is captured at dawn.
(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: Get out early. Not only is the early morning light usually good, but you’ll avoid the crowds that gather later at popular places.
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Dolomites, Italy
Photograph by Mirto Fontana, My Shot
Italy’s Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: The bright white of snow fools meters. To avoid underexposing, take a reading from your subject, a gray card, or something else of equal tonal value.
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Thistle Mantis Nymphs, Israel
Photograph by Erez Marom, My Shot
Two thistle mantis nymphs are captured up close at Rishon Lake in Israel.
(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: When photographing wildlife, use a shallow depth of field for close-ups to blur out background distractions.
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Penstemons, Tahoe National Forest
Photograph by Raymond Gehman, National Geographic
A field of penstemons surround burnt out tree trunks in Tahoe National Forest, Nevada.
Photo Tip: Be sure to watch your step when photographing wildflowers. Some of your subjects may be endangered species. Never uproot or cut wildflowers, and be careful not to trample the plants.
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Seed Pods
Photograph by Terri Moore, My Shot
Seed pods are captured in close-up.
(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: When photographing details, try different angles—above, below, from the side—to find the most interesting composition.
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Salt Flats, Bolivia
Photograph by George Steinmetz, National Geographic
On the eastern margin of Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, expedition cars attempt to cross the flats after flooding from heavy March rains.
Photo Tip: Don’t meter the sky. It's usually bright and will cause you to underexpose the rest of the scene.
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Poppy Field at Sunset
Photograph by Szilard Szabo, My Shot
Sunset illuminates poppies in a field near a highway.
(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: Take advantage of sunsets when photographing wildflowers. The soft, golden light will make a meadow of wildflowers glow.
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Lightning, Myrtle Beach
Photograph by Martin Vavra, My Shot
Lightning strikes over the Atlantic Ocean off Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
(This caption was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: If there is lightning in the scene, you’ll have to be patient as well as lucky: You never know where lightning is going to strike.
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Great Horned Owls
Photograph by James Galletto, My Shot
Great horned owls burrow in a tree.
(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: The best lens for bird photography is a telephoto with a focal length of 400mm or greater. A 70mm-to-300mm zoom works well for birds that can be approached closely. Use a tripod for lenses longer than 300mm.
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Beach Kelp, New Zealand
Photograph by Sangkom Suwannarat, My Shot
Kelp on a beach is lit by the sunset in Kaikoura, New Zealand.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: When photographing plants, look for a mass of them to add drama. If it’s winter, even dried seed heads on the frozen ground make an interesting, textured subject.
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Bullfrog Eye, Ontario
Photograph by Bill Knudsen, My Shot
A lake and photographer are reflected in the eye of a bullfrog in Ontario, Canada.
(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: Wildlife close-ups are better if there’s a catch light in the eye. Try shooting late or early in the day with the animal facing the sun. Or use a flash set on a dim, fill-flash level.
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