Photography

The term Nature Photography refers to a large genre of photography that deals with natural occurring elements and the great outdoors.

Some subjects of Nature Photography would be Wildlife and animals, flowers, trees or plants, spiders, snakes and insects, landscapes, seascapes and other land formations. Photographic views can range from extreme macro photography or closeups to large panoramic triptych style photographs. Unlike documentary photography and Fine Art Photography which deal with a subject matter or artist point of view, Nature Photography usually aim to be more aesthetically pleasing. Nature Photography tries to express the beauty of its subject through color, depth and perspective.

Nature Photography is a very broad term and so contains many subcategories. Some of the more popular categories and subjects are Wildlife, Landscapes, Seascapes, Plants and many more.

Wildlife photography deals with the animal kingdom, from elephants to dung beetles, Salmon to Sharks, Penguins to Pot Bellied Pigs. Wildlife photographers try to catch their subjects in their natural habitats and normal behavior.

Landscape Photography attempts to capture the grand nature of our surrounding. The subjects of landscape photographers are usually land masses, mountains and mountain ranges, sunsets and cloud formations, waterfalls and coastal vistas. The presence of humans are usually void from landscape photos in attempt to capture the raw beauty of a scene unhampered by mans hand.

Seascape Photography looks to capture the sea and its many faces. The presence of humans or animals in seascape photography is neither required nor prohibited. There are many beautiful panoramic views of the ocean with a whale or a boat present. Seascapes also are related to the beach scene category which would include beaches, water, coastline, tropical scenes and maybe a sunset.

Plant photography deals with all forms of plant life, from flowers to vegetables, from trees to moss. Plant photography usually deals with closeups, still shots and macro photography. Flowers and extreme closeups are a popular theme of plant photography.

Nature Photography is a large category unto its self as all the many sub categories could technically be termed Nature Photography as they clearly fall under the umbrella of Nature.

Some of the most famous Nature Photographers would be Ansel Adams who pioneered Landscape Photography with his amazing black and white photos of beautiful vistas around the United States. Another would be Galen Rowell who was a photojournalist and became famous for his beautiful landscape photography. Other names would include William Henry Jackson, Eliot Porter, David Muench and Philip Hyde to name a few.

Nature is still the most popular category of photography today. Whether Nature pictures are taken professionally or by the vacationing amateur, the category of Nature Photography goes on strong and is here to stay.

One of my favorite subjects of photography is in fact a subcategory of Landscape Photography. I’m talking about Seascape Photography.

The sea has been written about in numerous novels, poems and songs. The sea has been the subject of countless paintings and art works and since the introduction of the camera, the sea has been the subject of many great professional photographers and amateur photographers alike.

Why a Seascape? The sea is the most powerful force on earth. It is capable of great destruction and great beauty and often both at the same time. The sea is a sustainer of life and capable of extinguishing life equally. Covering more than two thirds of the planet, the sea is not only the most powerful force on earth but the most dominant. The seas great beauty and grace touches everyone’s life in one way or another. Its easy to understand why the sea is the subject of so much great art.

The sea, like man, is full of emotion and passion. There is nothing more haunting than an angry swell filled sea with ominous gray skies and wicked white caped waves. Equally there is nothing more peaceful than a tranquil placid sea at sunset with waves gently sweeping a shoreline.

I think the vastness and power of the sea is what makes it intriguing to so many. When the sea is angry, it is a force to be fearful of and respected. When the sea is calm it lies sweetly like a gentle giant.

Although I enjoy seascapes and stories that capture the raw force and power of an ominous ocean, I find myself more partial to a seascape photograph of a calm sea. I most enjoy a Beach Scene of waves gently caressing the shore at sunset or an amazing tropical seascape full of color and life. To me there is nothing on earth more calming and relaxing than a gentle sea kissing the shore of a tropical beach at sunset. That would be my definition of paradise and I probably share that definition of paradise with many people, I think.

I try to spend all my vacation time at the beach but when I can’t be near the ocean, I enjoy viewing beautiful Seascape Photography. No matter how hard my day was, when I gaze upon a beautiful Seascape picture, it takes me to a peaceful place and makes everything all right. That’s the power of the Sea and a beautiful Seascape Photograph.

Most people love taking pictures, some more than others and some not at all. Picture taking has changed over the years, the way people dress, posed and even what they’re willing to expose (if you know what I mean), has changed through the decades. Picture taking has come a long way, from flash film photography, instant picture developing cameras and now with the digital age at hand, there’s no stopping (or telling) what digital cameras will be able to do in the near future. However, some styles never really do go out of style.

Take for instance the black-and-white photo. There was a time when there was no choice; all photographs were in black-and-white. When color photographs became available, black-and-white photographs were kind of made obsolete. These types of photographs were considered unrealistic looking, but more subtle and artistic. Black-and-white photography is now making a huge impact in the art world.

Photography Studios

If you have ever been to a photography studio you understand and know firsthand at how expensive a session can be. Prices ranging anywhere from $100 to $300 an hour isn’t anything to turn your nose up to; that’s pretty expensive for somebody to just snap a few photos.

During weddings, especially, a professional photographer to cover the entire event can cost as much as $3000 – and that might be getting off light.

Photo Booth Rental

Not to take the place of the professional photographer, but a photo booth rental during these huge events are becoming more popular every year. Having a photo booth at your next big event is sure to be a huge hit. Having a photo booth that has an unlimited supply of three inch by six inch strips that have four photographs on each strip is sure to keep the party going while it captures moments throughout the night.

Photo booth rental is becoming a huge business trend and it won’t be long until you see a photo booth at the next event you may attend.

Taking your own Pictures

If you are thinking about taking up photography as a hobby, your local camera shop will have everything you will need to be on your way to a fabulous hobby. Larger electronic stores will carry the all the new digital cameras that’s available.

If you are thinking about taking up photography as a professional career, you may want to take classes in the subject and even get a part-time job as an assistant to a professional photographer. Gain the experience first before you even begin to think about putting yourself out there and having people put their trust in you by capturing their special moments. You must realize that a photographer’s reputation means everything to them. A good compliment travels far, but a bad one travels even further.

Getting the best gear there is to offer will not make you a better photographer. Time, experience and learning from your mistakes are the only ways you will ever be able to make it as a professional photographer.