The Art and Science of Nature Photography
Dave Taylor’s Nature Photo Blog
The Art and Science of Nature Photography Course Outline
The Art and Science of Nature Photography Field Trips
The Art and Science of Nature Photography Assignments
Look for a new course outline after life returns to normal...hopefully in 2021 Fall.
I look forward to delivering this course. One of the best things about teaching people to make better use of their camera is the opportunity to help them improve their pictures. Over the years of my teaching nature photography courses (first at night school and then at Humber) I’ve had many students and each and every one of them had different goals.
I tried to accept every idea and this usually led to some revelations that helped my other students and myself “see” new opportunities. A few of the students were quite memorable. For example there was the lady who only wanted to produce abstract images. The subject of her photos were unidentifiable in most cases but the vibrant colours and patterns were striking.
They certainly met her needs but she fell well short of capturing the images most people associate with nature photography. Still, when I am shooting both scenic and wildlife I look for the abstract in my images whether it is the pattern made by fall leaves, ethereal images of water or in the background of animal portraits.
Some students want to just do portraits of animals. Others want to landscapes while others want to capture the drama of nature. Some are purely interested in documenting nature whiles others are intent on creating a work of art.
No matter what the style or goal, you have to have two things going for you. You need to have a skill set that has prepared you to operate your equipment and ensure that you are ready to take the picture and you also need a good dose of luck.
The skill set you need is the focus of the in class part this course. How do you get the most out of your camera? What sort of things can you do to insure that you are well prepared to shoot when the opportunity presents itself?
The “luck” part of the equation is actually something that this course can help you with too. Chance is always a part of any great photo. Will the clouds look just so? Will the lion hunt and will it happen within range? Will the bird fly towards you? These sort of things are beyond the photographer’s control but there are things that you can learn that will help you get these shots. Our field trips will explore some of these tips.
Of all the hundreds and hundreds of pictures that my students have submitted two stand out as being very memorable (actually there were a great many but there is not enough space in this column to cover them all).
The first is of an animal so common that it is often overlooked. One student caught a grey squirrel posing in the most human manner I’ve ever seen. It remains the best image of a grey squirrel I’ve ever seen and I certainly do not have one that good in my portfolio. The student was prepared with his camera and had invested more time than others in the class in watching the squirrel
The second is a picture of a long-tailed weasel with its head poking out of a small hole in a tree. It is a great shot and I missed it by less than a minute. It is a tree I walk by almost daily and every time I see that hole I shake my head. The person had great luck! But that said, she was in the right place, at the right time with the right equipment.
I look forward to seeing what the next batch of students produces.
Note: neither of the images illustrating this article are the ones referred to in the story.
The Art and Science of Nature Photography Course Outline
The Art and Science of Nature Photography Field Trips
The Art and Science of Nature Photography Assignments
Look for a new course outline after life returns to normal...hopefully in 2021 Fall.
I look forward to delivering this course. One of the best things about teaching people to make better use of their camera is the opportunity to help them improve their pictures. Over the years of my teaching nature photography courses (first at night school and then at Humber) I’ve had many students and each and every one of them had different goals.
I tried to accept every idea and this usually led to some revelations that helped my other students and myself “see” new opportunities. A few of the students were quite memorable. For example there was the lady who only wanted to produce abstract images. The subject of her photos were unidentifiable in most cases but the vibrant colours and patterns were striking.
They certainly met her needs but she fell well short of capturing the images most people associate with nature photography. Still, when I am shooting both scenic and wildlife I look for the abstract in my images whether it is the pattern made by fall leaves, ethereal images of water or in the background of animal portraits.
Some students want to just do portraits of animals. Others want to landscapes while others want to capture the drama of nature. Some are purely interested in documenting nature whiles others are intent on creating a work of art.
No matter what the style or goal, you have to have two things going for you. You need to have a skill set that has prepared you to operate your equipment and ensure that you are ready to take the picture and you also need a good dose of luck.
The skill set you need is the focus of the in class part this course. How do you get the most out of your camera? What sort of things can you do to insure that you are well prepared to shoot when the opportunity presents itself?
The “luck” part of the equation is actually something that this course can help you with too. Chance is always a part of any great photo. Will the clouds look just so? Will the lion hunt and will it happen within range? Will the bird fly towards you? These sort of things are beyond the photographer’s control but there are things that you can learn that will help you get these shots. Our field trips will explore some of these tips.
Of all the hundreds and hundreds of pictures that my students have submitted two stand out as being very memorable (actually there were a great many but there is not enough space in this column to cover them all).
The first is of an animal so common that it is often overlooked. One student caught a grey squirrel posing in the most human manner I’ve ever seen. It remains the best image of a grey squirrel I’ve ever seen and I certainly do not have one that good in my portfolio. The student was prepared with his camera and had invested more time than others in the class in watching the squirrel
The second is a picture of a long-tailed weasel with its head poking out of a small hole in a tree. It is a great shot and I missed it by less than a minute. It is a tree I walk by almost daily and every time I see that hole I shake my head. The person had great luck! But that said, she was in the right place, at the right time with the right equipment.
I look forward to seeing what the next batch of students produces.
Note: neither of the images illustrating this article are the ones referred to in the story.
All images and text are copyright © 2023 J.D. Taylor "Senses of Wildness" Inc. These images may not be used in any form without permission. All rights reserved.