Learn: Top 5 Tips for Nature Photography Beginners

What’s the best way to capture nature in photography? The MPB team met Diana Klawitter, Mathias Faber, Sebastian Niendieker and Thilo Schröer at the Environmental Photography Festival in Zingst, Germany and asked them to share their advice and recommended camera equipment for nature photography.  As a relatively eclectic genre, nature photography tends to contain elements of wildlife, macro and landscape photography—so the technical requirements are often just as broad.  Read on to learn more about how to improve your nature photography and check out the images from Diana, Mathias, Sebastian and Thilo.

What camera equipment do I need for nature photography?

Nature photography encompasses various genres, such as plant and animal photography, as well as landscape photography. Macro photography is also an important part. The best equipment to use depends on which genre appeals to you most. For macro photography, a powerful macro lens is essential. Likewise, a tripod will help you get sharper close-ups.

Should I use a macro or telephoto lens for nature photography?

A macro lens is recommended for macro photography. As you can see in Diana Klawitter’s photo above, the macro lens provides a shallow depth of field to create bokeh while the mushrooms in the foreground are razor-sharp. Macro lenses usually image subjects at a scale of 1:1, sometimes 1:2, so you can capture your subjects very close and detailed. 

With a telephoto lens, you get a greater depth of field and distant lenses can be brought closer, so you don't have to get as close to your subject yourself. Whether you use a macro or telephoto lens, photo tripods will help you get sharp shots and allow you to increase your shutter speed.

Looking for a macro lens? Check out our macro lens guide.

Should I use a full-frame, APS-C or Micro Four-Thirds camera for nature photography?

Full-frame cameras—like the mirrorless Sony A1 or the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR—are great for capturing wide landscapes. And they’re also useful for macro photography as they bring your main subject into focus due to the shallower depth of field. For more information about the A1 read our Sony A1 review.

APS-C cameras, such as the Fujifilm X-T4, have a crop factor that is useful to ‘enlarge’ small and distant subjects for wildlife photography. They tend to be more compact than full-frame cameras, which can be useful when you’re travelling—especially if you’re bringing plenty of lenses with you, too. For more information about the X-T4, read our Fujifilm X-T4 review.

The sensors of Micro Four Thirds cameras, like the Panasonic DC-GH5, are even smaller than those of APS-C cameras. The smaller sensor makes Micro Four Thirds less suitable for wide landscape shots but more useful for wildlife photography as you can use more compact telephoto lenses.

For more information about wildlife camera gear, read our article that covers our top recommendations, including affordable wildlife photography cameras.

Tips for nature photography

1. Make a plan

Think about the subjects you want to photograph and check the weather forecast for the day. This will help determine which equipment you should bring with you. Also, use Google Earth to research the area before you go.

2. Bring only what you need 

When you're out and about, it's important to find the right balance between the weight of your camera bag and the equipment you need. Zoom lenses provide access to different focal lengths, from wide-angle to telephoto, allowing you to be prepared for anything. Always bring extra memory cards and batteries.

3. Use the natural lighting conditions

Pay attention to the time of day when you can take your photos. Golden hour, for example, bathes the plants in a warm light. And, early in the morning, you can photograph water droplets from dew on plants.

4. Keep your ISO as low as possible

To avoid image noise, it is advantageous to keep the ISO value of your camera as low as possible. However, in nature, such as in shady forests, you are often surrounded by low-light conditions. Here it is worth having a tripod with you so that you can slow down your shutter speed, allowing light to enter your camera's sensor for longer—thereby reducing the need for a higher ISO.

5. Adapt the shutter speed to the subject

Nature photography involves many different subjects, from plants and trees to wildlife and birds. Depending on the movement of your subjects, you may need to adjust your shutter speed accordingly. 

For animals in motion, keep the shutter speed as fast as possible. For macro photography of flowers or sunsets, it is worth using a tripod and decreasing the shutter speed.

Check out our steps to eco-conscious landscape photography, our forest and woodland photography guide and more tips and techniques on the MPB content hub.