Outdoor Photography How To

Most of my columns for this website concern the ideas and purposes behind the photographs I take. I always include information about the technology used to achieve the photos, which could be as basic as the f/stop chosen to direct your attention, or the use of a ND filter to make a long exposure possible. That approach is not incidental or coincidental; the stories are planned along those lines because my ideas come first, and technology’s purpose is to support those ideas.

When one of our favorite nature photography instructors chooses one Lightroom tool above all others, we stop and take note. And in the tutorial below he demonstrates multiple ways to use this powerful technique to enhance all types of outdoor photos.

The Ojibways, inhabitants of the Lake Superior Region for some five centuries, had a name for tribal bands that lived on the south and north shores of the lake they called Keche Gumme. They were called Keche-gumme-wi-ne-wug—Men of the Great Water. If there is one non-Native American who deserves to be an honorary member of those lake dwellers, it’s nature photographer Craig Blacklock.

So let's say you come upon a spectacular landscape scene, have great gear in your bag, and nail focus and exposure. You still may end up with disappointing results if your composition skills aren't up to spec. That's why we encourage you to pay close attention to this tutorial from an acclaimed landscape photography specialist.

One might say that Ben Cooper rocketed to stardom in high school. Back then he knew nothing about space launches, except for the fact that he wanted to shoot them. While not a sci-fi fan, he found himself captivated by the entire concept of going into space.

We're all looking for a creative edge when editing outdoor photos captured in difficult light. One goal is to create images with maximum impact, and the other is to accomplish that task in way that makes our imagery stand out from the crowd.

If you ask a bunch of budding landscape photographers to name the biggest challenge they face, the answer you’re likely to receive is “getting a perfect exposure.” This can be difficult with all forms of outdoor photography, but it’s particularly an issue when shooting landscape scenes with a wide range of tones from bright highlights to deep shadows.