Nature photography has become increasingly popular over the past 10 to 20 years. Today numerous magazines dedicated to nature photography feature articles on technique and the specialized equipment developed for people who take pictures of nature subjects. Many amateur and professional photographers in the United States and around the world take nature-related pictures. If you are reading this article with some interest, you may be among them!
So, are you a nature photographer? Most photographers make pictures of nature subjects along with shots of family, friends, vacations, and many other subjects. The answer to our question probably lies in the emphasis you place on wildlife and wild places. In other words, if you wait patiently for the people to move out of the way before you snap the shutter, then you may be a "nature photographer"!
The need for special equipment also distinguishes this type of photography. Long telephoto lenses (300 to 800 mm) are necessary to compose effective images of shy animals and to maintain necessary safe distances. Wide-angle lenses (17 to 35mm) capture breathtaking scenics. Close-up lenses (100 to 200 macro) bring forth details of small fauna and flora. Telephoto flash attachments and split neutral density filters are becoming common in the nature photographer''s camera pack. Specially designed camera backpacks allow easier transport of equipment in the field. So, if you own some of the equipment listed above and find that your subject emphasis is on wild things rather than people, you can proudly wear the label "nature photographer."
The North American Nature Photographer Association (NANPA, http://www.nanpa.org) got its start at an October 1993 conference and has evolved since that time into a nonprofit organization made up of a wide range of individuals and corporations with an interest in nature photography. With more than 2400 members, including many of the top professionals in the nature photography field, NANPA welcomes aspiring professional photographers, advanced amateurs and newcomers as well.
Across the states there are camera clubs dedicated to nature photography. Here are a few that we know of personally: Southern Appalachian Nature Photographers (SANP), Knoxville, TN (www.sanp.net); Sarasota Wildlife & Nature Photographers Association (SWANPA), Sarasota, FL; and Carolinas' Nature Photographers Association, Columbia, SC (http://www.cnpa.org). These organizations allow people with an interest in nature photography to learn from one another and to enjoy field trips and activities together. Given the growing interest in nature photography, there is likely a club near you.
One result of the increased interest in nature photography is the impact that nature photographers are having on their subjects. National parks and other public lands have experienced problems from people who are putting pressure on natural areas and wildlife. In parks it is common to see worn paths off the main trail that lead to a single stand of wildflowers. These paths often destroy desirable plants in a fragile ecosystem. Photographers who want photographs of wildlife sometimes harass the animals to obtain a picture, and all too often place themselves, and others, at risk of attack. Managers of public areas have felt forced to put in place controlling regulations to protect ecosystems and other visitors from harm. I recently went to a butterfly house that restricted tripods because they blocked visitors from using the narrow walkways. Thus, in the pursuit of our passion for nature photography, we are guilty of complicity in the increasing restrictions on access to wild subjects and natural places. In future articles we will discuss how as photographers we can help lessen the impact of making pictures and thus hopefully lead to reduced restrictions.
Unfortunately, public land managers probably consider any person with a camera to be a nature photographer. Professionals and amateurs are regulated and treated equally, and they jointly suffer from the transgressions and successes of all. The ecosystem doesn''t care who is behind the camera nor does the public viewing a picture in a magazine care who pressed the shutter.
The WindStar Wildlife Institute encourages people to better manage wildlife on their own property and to develop a sense of stewardship and conservation toward wildlife and land. We encourage you to extend this stewardship to all lands, public and private. We'll discuss techniques and answer questions about photographing on your own property. You can design your backyard habitat so that it is conducive to photography, where you have the convenience of easily determining the times wildlife arrives and when plants receive the best light for photography. A camera on a nearby shelf can be quickly used to capture those spontaneous opportunities you see just outside the window.
If you enjoy being in nature and taking pictures while you are there, we hope you'll find our articles interesting. Our goal is to inspire and challenge you to produce memorable and effective images. Your audience may simply be family or friends, or it may extend further. Regardless, your images must first please you. A truly effective image evokes emotion in the viewer and leaves behind the notion that our world is a remarkable place. Join us as we explore the fascinating field of nature photography.