P#3 Q#6: The Secrets Of Taking Wonderful Nature Photographs

Become a student of light

Lewis Kemper: For me the most important element in my image is the light -- so become a student of light.

I've been amazed so many times when I've taken a group out on a workshop and we go out before sunrise. You're walking out in the dark and it's just starting to barely to get the faintest glimmer of light on the horizon and yet people ask where's the sun going to come up.

They have no idea that the lighter part in the sky over there is where the sun comes up because they live in the city or they don't get up for sunrise.

So it's really becoming aware of light, and the direction of light, and the quality of light and how that affects your image.

Positioning yourself and knowing "okay, if the light is going to come up over there on my right, what do I want to be photographing? Do I want to point into the light? Do I want to hit what the light's hitting? Do I want to go sideways to the light?"

All those things are really the most important things to keep in mind when you're out taking pictures.

Then, it's important to find the composition that fits and have it all come together.

To me there are no real major secrets. It's just making yourself aware of the light and paying attention to it and taking advantage of it.

To summarize

Understanding light is key to good nature photographs.