How to Photograph Nature
Nature Photography is a celebration. A way of seeing the world in a whole new way, of discovery, awareness, art and technique. It can touch the heart, heal and uplift the spirit. It can also be a major source of frustration if you are unable to capture and convey that extra-ordinary place or deep experience you attempted to photograph and share with others.

This article, "How to Photograph Nature," is about Inspiration and Techniques to capture the Dynamic Landscape. It is a journey into some of the nation's most beautiful and inspiring locations - national parks and monuments as well as little-known wildlands.

It will walk you through the steps to capture the dynamic and successsful nature photograph. It will share insights and stories about specific photographs and the places where they were created and the techniques that were used to capture each image. It will offer both technical instruction and knowledge of the art of nature photography to enhance your photo skills and make outdoor photography a dynamic personally fulfilling experience.

The Sierra Nevada Mts. offers unlimited photographic opportunities. The combination of rugged mountain peaks and spires, reflections (both lake and stream) and an unceasing array of sunrise and sunset colors affords the creative photographer many opportunities for capturing successful photographs.

This image was created at Cathedral peak and lake at Yosemite National Park, CA. About a five mile hike in from Toulumne Meadows, right off of state highway 20. When the great conservationest John Muir first cast his eyes on this peak he stated that "it was the first time since coming to the west that he felt he had entered a real cathedral." His thought captured the essence of awe and reverence experienced in this high-sierra region. The trail in is an easy entry (well almost easy, don't be to discouraged by the first half mile) into the heart of the Sierra crest, what Muir would later call the Range of Light. Aptley named, due to the etheral quality of light. And it is light that is so essential to the photographer.

One late August afternoon, as I hiked up to the lake, I crossed paths with both a black bear and her delightful cubs, as well as, a beautiful doe and her fawns. Once there I took a quick numbing dip, had a light lunch and while sitting next to the lake-saw the potential to capture an image of Cathedral peak perfectly reflected in the lake. To locate a dynamic veiwpoint, I transversed a ridge opposite the peak, up and down, and back and forth, until I found this image through the viewfinder that you now see. Then it was just a question of waiting for the light to reveal itself and give life to the image.

The success of this image is largly based on light and color, and of course, composition. Light being the most critical ingredient of any photograph. Ansel Adams shared that light is 60% of a successful photograph,I would say the percent is a little higher for color photography. With dynamic light you have at least the possibility of an excellent image. The poorer the light-the less chance of a successful photograph by degree. No light--no image. When you see good light-thats the time to get out the camera and film and try to arrange (compose) the light to enhance and highlight the landscape in a new and unique way.

This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1n camera, Fujichrome 50 film, 28-70mm lens and a double density filter to hold back the sky from "burning out." I used a tripod to insure a sharp image as the wind was strong and I had to wait for the wind to calm enough for a mirror image in the lake. I was further rewarded with a a full moon walk down the mountainside and back to camp. This image has appeared in calendars, greeting cards and magazines.