photo: © Benjamin van der Spek
Whether you are going on safari abroad or visiting one of the beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands, you want your photographs to reflect the beauty of the landscape and the grace of the animals. Nature can be breathtakingly beautiful, but how do you capture it in an image?
1. Check Your Equipment
Make sure your battery is charged and carry a spare. Also take a lens cloth and extra memory cards with you.
2. Work with the Right Light:
The light is harshest during the day. The most beautiful light occurs from half an hour before sunrise or sunset until half an hour afterward. These periods are also known as the ‘blue hour’ and the ‘golden hour.’ A flash can also work well for macro photography.
3. Get Up Early:
Just before sunrise is the best time to photograph wild animals. Most animals avoid contact with people and search for food early in the morning.
4. Adjust Your ISO:
Do not be afraid to use higher ISO settings such as ISO 6400 or even higher in low light. It is better for a photograph to be slightly grainy than blurred by motion. You can improve grain afterward to some extent, but motion blur is not easy to remove.
Some animals can move very quickly. If you want to photograph a bird perfectly sharp in full flight, use a very fast shutter speed, such as 1/3200 second or even faster. Of course, everything depends on the light and the effect you want to achieve.
5. Try a Long Exposure:
A longer exposure can work beautifully for landscapes. It can make moving objects disappear, smooth the water, and give the sky a more dramatic appearance.
For long exposures, use the self-timer or a wired or wireless shutter release. Always bring a tripod or beanbag so your camera can rest safely and steadily.
6. Adjust Your Aperture:
A wide aperture is indicated by a low ‘f’-number. The wider the aperture, the shallower the depth of field. This lets you photograph subjects sharply while keeping the background out of focus.
7. Avoid Bright Clothing:
Make sure you always have waterproof boots with you. When photographing nature in the Netherlands, you often find yourself standing in water or mud. Do not wear bright colors, as they can startle animals. Stay near the edge of the woods or close to other cover.
8. Consider the Safety of the Animals and Yourself:
Keep a safe distance from animals and never touch them. Do not position yourself between animals and the water, and always follow the rules of the area where you are photographing. Carry a charged phone for emergencies, but set it to silent so a ringtone does not startle the animals.
Benjamin van der Spek’s tips can help anyone improve their photography skills and create beautiful photographs of landscapes or wild animals in nature. In the original campaign, Nikon encouraged people in the Netherlands to use these tips, head outdoors, and share their best photographs on social media with the tag #NikonWildlife.
