There are more flowers on the Earth than most people could ever imagine, and apart from the ones native to our own countries, or popular amongst florists and botanical growers, many of the most beautiful examples of flora are unknown to a majority of people. One such example is the Black Bat flower, which is a very deep purple color and is only found in the rainforests of China. It has remarkable ‘whiskers’, which can grow up to 2 feet long. One of the most common floras is the Passion flower, which is an intense and wondrous looking purple flower that thrives in tropical conditions. It is possible to grow these in other climates, as long as they are well cared for, and photography enthusiast can grow them in order to admire their beauty.

Orchids

Orchids have long been one of the most admired of the flora families, and there are nearly 22,000 accepted species. For flora photography admirers, a trip to the tropical regions would be the best place to see so many of these breathtaking flowers. There are more than 730 genera in the tropical regions of Asia, America and Africa, and trying to find them in their natural environment is a truly great experience. For those wishing to view the spectacular flowers from their own country, however, they are extremely popular with exotic garden growers.

Other Species

There are too many species of flora to possibly mention even a small amount of the most spectacular looking ones. There are some that stick out in the memory, and there are already some great examples of nature photography pictures of the following ones; the Lotus flower, which is steeped in Asian historical references due to its beauty; the Cannonball Tree flowers, which are a magnificent red and yellow color and the Lycoris flower, which is a very intricate pink flower with long stamen. For those who are interested in flora photography, it is always a good idea to visit gardens, botanical centers, arboretums, and tropical flower houses in order to catch sight of some wonderful examples of rare flowers.

Picture copyright – William Perry

Nature photography is a form of photography that is enjoyed by many. The thrill and excitement of capturing wild animals in their natural habitat, along with the peaceful and tranquil joy that can be gained through the documentation of beautiful flora and fauna, is what makes nature photography so appealing. Although many people want to pursue an interest in nature photography, sometimes they lack inspiration and are unsure how to find it. However, there are numerous ways in which inspiration for nature photography can be found.

Go For a Walk

Sometimes all it actually takes to find inspiration is to go out and take a walk amongst nature. Who knows what may happen whilst out and about and, more often than not, the most unlikely and fascinating moments occur when nobody expects them to. When out on a walk, the best way to find inspiration is to explore and interact with the natural world in whatever way feels natural. Peek under rocks, lie down on the grass and look at the world from a different perspective, or even try to envisage how and what certain animals feel and think. It may sound strange, but it can be one of the best ways to get inspired.

Look at Other Photographers Works
If inspiration for nature photography is still not coming, then why not look online or go to the local library and take a look at other nature photographers works. Looking at the work of other photographers’ is a great way to discover different styles and themes, which in turn may inspire you to try something similar, or perhaps even something completely different. Just like with any art, examining the works of others can prove to be an essential tool for growth and progression.

Take a Trip

Taking a trip to another place can be the most inspirational experience. Whether it is in the same country or abroad, a trip to a new and exciting landscape and environment can really get the creative juices flowing. New places are packed with inspiration as everything is unusual and alien. Each new place also brings new wildlife, and flora and fauna to witness, which is every nature photographer’s dream.

Picture copyright – Abe Mossop – Fotolia

For anyone looking to print out high grade photographs, it is vital to have a top quality printer in order to get the best results. This does not necessarily mean buying the most expensive model out there, but selecting the right one for you. It is a good idea to consider your requirements and decide upon exactly what you are looking for from the printer before you begin to search. If you are going to require large prints, buying a great printer that only does up to A4 size is not going to be a good option for you.

Compact and Standard Printers

The Canon Selphy CP800 is a good example of some of the top of the range compact printers available. It prints from ID sized photos to postcard size, so if you only require small prints, this could be a good option to go for. The print cartridge can print around 35 prints, which works out relatively cheap per photograph. One printer that has been hailed as unbeatable by some is the Epson Stylus Pro 3880. It has a whole host of new features and technologies which allow for superb shadow line printing and this creates a perfect real life image for an affordable price. The printer is not the quickest, but the image is worth waiting for. A cartridge will last for approximately 50 photos, and it is possible to replace with toner bought at toner24 for a very reasonable price.

Larger Printers

For those who do a lot of photographic printing, it may be a better option to go for an office sized printer such as the HP Officejet Pro 8500A Plus. This printer offers an excellent standard of photo printing, with larger cartridges, meaning that you will not need to buy replacements until you have printed nearly 1000 sheets. This can work out as being less than 3 cents per page, which is remarkable for a printer of this quality. For the best deals on printer cartridges, it is best to use online services. Brand toner cartridges can be bought at Toner24, for example, for a fraction of the price of some high street stores. The HP Officejet Pro is also ePrint ready, which means that you can send you photographs directly to the printer via the internet, and the printer will automatically print them off for you ready for when you return home or to your office.

Picture copyright – Anna Khomulo – Fotolia

Nature photographers are considered by some to be the luckiest people around. Although their job could definitely be described as “easy”, it is almost certainly a labour of love, and something which continues to inspire others on a daily basis. There is nothing more refreshing and invigorating than travelling around and seeing and capturing some of the gifts that nature has to offer, but it is also a career than requires a lot of hard work and skill.

Modern Photographers

One of the most famous current nature photographers is Robert Glenn Ketchum, who is very prominent in the area of conservation. He is particularly well known for his aerial shots of Alaska, which have helped tremendously to raise environmental issues.

John Shaw is renowned as much for his ‘how to’ books for nature photographers as he is for his actual photographs. However, he is widely known and respected within the industry.

As far as Bird photography is concerned, Arthur Morris is one of the best. His style is a huge inspiration to many budding photographers and his pictures are constantly in demand.

Classic Photographers

People have been obsessed with taking pictures of nature ever since the first cameras were invented. Some of the most notable nature photographers of years gone by including Carlton Watkins, who was the first person to take photographs of Yesomite National Park, which helped to draw attention to its beauty.

Philip Hyde was taking nature photographs from the 1950’s until the 1970’s and his pictures helped to inspire an environmental movement to prevent the flooding of the Grand Canyon and the Dinosaur National Monument. Many top photographers have expressed their admiration of his works.

William Henry Jackson was one of the original nature photographers, and his shots helped the formation of the national parks systems bask in the 1870’s.

Ansel Adams has been named the grandfather of Landscape photography, and it is no surprise that he has been called that, due to his extensive and inspiring selection of landscape photographs taken over 60 years ago. Many photographers still try to visit the scene of his photos, in order to try and replicate them today.

Picture copyright – krzysztof siekielski – Fotolia

Getting into botany photography is something that can come about for a number of reasons, the main one being due to a love of nature. There is something very inspiring about botany photography that cannot be recreated by any other form of photography. Many photographers end up with a love for botany photography as soon as they take their first photograph in the garden or at the local park, and once it begins, it can become a very rewarding hobby, and for those lucky enough, even a job.

Equipment

One of the great things about botany photography is that is can be undertaken by all people, of all ages, on all cameras. There is no specific equipment or tools needed to get started except a camera and some wildlife. Obviously for those looking to capture the best images, a DSLR camera is going to be one of the best options available, but beginners can start out with a simple auto camera, some of which are excellent quality these days. The camera does not make the photographer. It is more important to get out there, finding the most interesting subjects, and getting the best shots possible than it is to buy the most expensive camera on the market before you begin taking photos.

Uses of Botany Photography

For those who are interested in taking such pictures for more than just a hobby, there are many uses of the photographs, and there can be a high demand for the right photograph. Obviously the rarer the subject the better, and there are a whole host of unique and wonderful flowers out there to capture, so there should be no end to the inspiration that can be found. Digital manipulation can be used to create some spectacular imagery, which can be used for a whole host of different reasons. If you want to take pictures that will be in demand for resale on a commercial scale, it may be necessary to travel far and wide to capture the most interesting and unique botany photography images. It is not always about uniqueness though, as the right image of a familiar object can be just as valuable if it is captivating enough. It is an area of photography that is just as rewarding after 20 years of shooting as it is the first time you pick up the camera.

Picture copyright – schweitzer-degen

Photography is an art practiced by both amateurs and professionals alike. It is a great way for many to explore and expand their creativity, whilst fuelling a much loved passion. One of the most popular forms of photography is nature photography. Nature photography allows people to experience and enjoy the great outdoors, as well as document the natural world at its best.

Let Nature be Nature

One thing that many nature photographers struggle with is learning how to let go. It is not possible to control everything in nature in the same way as in studio environment, and if a photographer is not used to this, then it can be a real struggle. Nature is wild and free, and the best nature photographers have learnt to document this in all its glory, by capturing those extra special and one off moments that rarely present themselves.

Stealth and Respect

One of the most important things to remember when working in nature is to be respectful of the environment, and the living things around you. The most well-known nature photographs were taken by photographers that understood that being in tune with their surroundings is vital to creating a successful image. A lot of nature photography is focused around capturing images of wildlife in its natural habitat, and this cannot be achieved without the use of stealth and respect. If animals are disturbed by humans, then more often than not they will run away, and the chance of photographing them will be gone. This is why it is essential to be quiet and peaceful when stalking the subject, as then the animal will not suspect anything, and will maintain relaxed and at ease, making for the ultimate image.

Lenses

Another aspect for nature photography is that a wide variety of lenses are needed if wanting to photograph a diverse selection of the natural world. Telephoto lenses are absolutely crucial, especially if capturing birds is an interest. Lenses that have a superior ability to zoom, will be the best tool for photographers who which to pursue nature photography.

Picture copyright – Christine Lamour – Fotolia