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Table of Contents
About This Book Conventions Used in This Book What You Don't Have to Read Foolish Assumptions How This Book Is Organized Part I: Nature Photography and You Part II: Honing Your Skills Part III: Photographing Nature Part IV: Photographing Landscapes Part V: The Part of Tens Icons Used in This Book Where to Go from Here
Part I: Nature Photography and You Part II: Honing Your Skills Part III: Photographing Nature Part IV: Photographing Landscapes Part V: The Part of Tens
Chapter 1: Nature and Digital Photography Mastering Your Camera Controls Digital Photography 101 Understanding exposure Understanding ISO RAW versus JPEG Understanding Depth of Field Controlling depth of field with aperture Depth of field, focal lengths, and distance Photographing Objects in Motion Choosing the Right Focal Length for the Job Photographing landscapes Photographing wildlife Macro photography Understanding Auto-Focus Modes Choosing Auto-Focus Points Mastering Metering Modes Delving into Drive Modes Your Safety and the Safety of the Environment Chapter 2: Choosing Your Equipment Choosing the Perfect Nature Photography Camera Photographing nature with a digital SLR Photographing nature with a point-and-shoot camera The megapixel myth Focal lengths and sensors that are not full frame What's my focal length multiplier? Getting the Right Lenses for Your Camera Prime versus zoom lenses Choosing lenses for wildlife photography Choosing a macro lens for close-up photography Using specialty lenses Accessorizing Your Camera Choosing a camera bag Using filters Steadying the camera with a tripod Protecting the camera Getting a comfortable camera strap Cleaning the camera Choosing other accessories Choosing a Second Camera Chapter 3: Mastering Your Equipment Dials and Buttons and Modes, Oh My! Getting to know your camera Changing settings Using your camera menu Changing lenses Introducing Flash Photography About on-camera flash Using auxiliary flash Choosing the Right Shooting Mode Controlling depth of field with Aperture Priority mode Photographing action with Shutter Priority mode Shooting a Blur-Free Picture Using Live View Mode Reviewing Your Images Using the LCD monitor Using the histogram Banish the blinkies with exposure compensation Improvising Your Way to a Great Photo Creating a makeshift reflector Stabilizing the camera without a tripod Creating makeshift equipment Shooting Video with Your Digital Camera Settings for shooting video with a digital SLR Tips for the aspiring videographer Useful accessories for shooting video
Mastering Your Camera Controls Digital Photography 101 Understanding exposure Understanding ISO RAW versus JPEG Understanding Depth of Field Controlling depth of field with aperture Depth of field, focal lengths, and distance Photographing Objects in Motion Choosing the Right Focal Length for the Job Photographing landscapes Photographing wildlife Macro photography Understanding Auto-Focus Modes Choosing Auto-Focus Points Mastering Metering Modes Delving into Drive Modes Your Safety and the Safety of the Environment
Understanding exposure Understanding ISO RAW versus JPEG
Controlling depth of field with aperture Depth of field, focal lengths, and distance
Photographing landscapes Photographing wildlife Macro photography
Choosing the Perfect Nature Photography Camera Photographing nature with a digital SLR Photographing nature with a point-and-shoot camera The megapixel myth Focal lengths and sensors that are not full frame What's my focal length multiplier? Getting the Right Lenses for Your Camera Prime versus zoom lenses Choosing lenses for wildlife photography Choosing a macro lens for close-up photography Using specialty lenses Accessorizing Your Camera Choosing a camera bag Using filters Steadying the camera with a tripod Protecting the camera Getting a comfortable camera strap Cleaning the camera Choosing other accessories Choosing a Second Camera
Photographing nature with a digital SLR Photographing nature with a point-and-shoot camera The megapixel myth Focal lengths and sensors that are not full frame What's my focal length multiplier?
Prime versus zoom lenses Choosing lenses for wildlife photography Choosing a macro lens for close-up photography Using specialty lenses
Choosing a camera bag Using filters Steadying the camera with a tripod Protecting the camera Getting a comfortable camera strap Cleaning the camera Choosing other accessories
Dials and Buttons and Modes, Oh My! Getting to know your camera Changing settings Using your camera menu Changing lenses Introducing Flash Photography About on-camera flash Using auxiliary flash Choosing the Right Shooting Mode Controlling depth of field with Aperture Priority mode Photographing action with Shutter Priority mode Shooting a Blur-Free Picture Using Live View Mode Reviewing Your Images Using the LCD monitor Using the histogram Banish the blinkies with exposure compensation Improvising Your Way to a Great Photo Creating a makeshift reflector Stabilizing the camera without a tripod Creating makeshift equipment Shooting Video with Your Digital Camera Settings for shooting video with a digital SLR Tips for the aspiring videographer Useful accessories for shooting video
Getting to know your camera Changing settings Using your camera menu Changing lenses
About on-camera flash Using auxiliary flash
Controlling depth of field with Aperture Priority mode Photographing action with Shutter Priority mode
Using the LCD monitor Using the histogram Banish the blinkies with exposure compensation
Creating a makeshift reflector Stabilizing the camera without a tripod Creating makeshift equipment
Settings for shooting video with a digital SLR Tips for the aspiring videographer Useful accessories for shooting video
Chapter 4: Composing the Image Visualizing Your Image Less is more Choosing a vantage point Defining the center of interest Landscape or portrait Using the Rules of Composition Using the Rule of Thirds Using light to compose your image Using color to compose your image Composing the image with lines and curves Composing images when using a wide-angle lens Placing the horizon line Using natural frames Using shapes and patterns Using selective focus Breaking the Rules Chapter 5: Mastering Shadow and Light Shooting at the Right Time of Day Capturing nature's beauty during Golden Hour Photographing nature at high noon Shooting on a Cloudy or Foggy Day Mastering nature's softbox Shooting nature in the mist Photographing during Inclement Weather Protecting yourself and your gear Tips for rainy day photography Augmenting Natural Light Diffusing light Reflecting light toward your subject Using fill flash Dealing with backlit subjects Photographing Nature at Dusk Photographing Nature at Twilight and Beyond Tips for the twilight photographer Photographing nature at night Chapter 6: Creativity and the Nature Photographer Learning to See Feeding Your Muse for Inspiration Study the work of the masters Study the work of your peers Join an online community Developing Your Style Convey a mood Choose a unique perspective Just Do It Go on an “artist's date” Go commando Go on a photo walkabout Self-assignments
Visualizing Your Image Less is more Choosing a vantage point Defining the center of interest Landscape or portrait Using the Rules of Composition Using the Rule of Thirds Using light to compose your image Using color to compose your image Composing the image with lines and curves Composing images when using a wide-angle lens Placing the horizon line Using natural frames Using shapes and patterns Using selective focus Breaking the Rules
Less is more Choosing a vantage point Defining the center of interest Landscape or portrait
Using the Rule of Thirds Using light to compose your image Using color to compose your image Composing the image with lines and curves Composing images when using a wide-angle lens Placing the horizon line Using natural frames Using shapes and patterns Using selective focus
Shooting at the Right Time of Day Capturing nature's beauty during Golden Hour Photographing nature at high noon Shooting on a Cloudy or Foggy Day Mastering nature's softbox Shooting nature in the mist Photographing during Inclement Weather Protecting yourself and your gear Tips for rainy day photography Augmenting Natural Light Diffusing light Reflecting light toward your subject Using fill flash Dealing with backlit subjects Photographing Nature at Dusk Photographing Nature at Twilight and Beyond Tips for the twilight photographer Photographing nature at night
Capturing nature's beauty during Golden Hour Photographing nature at high noon
Mastering nature's softbox Shooting nature in the mist
Protecting yourself and your gear Tips for rainy day photography
Diffusing light Reflecting light toward your subject Using fill flash Dealing with backlit subjects
Tips for the twilight photographer Photographing nature at night
Learning to See Feeding Your Muse for Inspiration Study the work of the masters Study the work of your peers Join an online community Developing Your Style Convey a mood Choose a unique perspective Just Do It Go on an “artist's date” Go commando Go on a photo walkabout Self-assignments
Study the work of the masters Study the work of your peers Join an online community
Convey a mood Choose a unique perspective
Go on an “artist's date” Go commando Go on a photo walkabout Self-assignments
Chapter 7: Birds What You Need to Know Before Capturing Great Photos of Birds Getting the right equipment for photographing birds Creating a makeshift bird blind Small Birds Taking pictures of birds at a bird feeder Photographing small birds in the wild Bird Portraits Tips for capturing bird portraits Silhouette bird portraits Wading Birds Understanding the habits of wading birds Tips and settings Birds of Prey Learning the habits of birds of prey Tips and settings Birds in the Nest Birds in Flight ips and settings Panning to capture birds in flight Chapter 8: Animals Animals in State Parks and Wildlife Reserves Finding places to photograph wildlife Finding your subjects earning your subjects' habits Camera Settings for the Wildlife Photographer Tips and Tricks for Photographing in Parks Portraits of Animals Animals in Motion Dangerous Animals Taking Proper Precautions to Keep Both Animal and Photographer Safe Chapter 9: Flowers and Insects Wildflowers Choosing the right equipment and camera settings Photographing wildflowers in perfect light Finding the perfect vantage point Getting Small with Macro Photography hotographing close-ups of flowers Adding a kiss of light Small Insects Choosing the right equipment and camera settings Photographing potentially dangerous insects Nature's Patterns Finding patterns Setting up the camera Capturing a compelling picture of patterns Romancing the Blur with the Lensbaby Introducing the Lensbaby Composer and Composer Pro sing Lensbaby optics Using Lensbaby accessories Setting up your camera for Lensbaby Using the Lensbaby Lensbaby photography tips and tricks
What You Need to Know Before Capturing Great Photos of Birds Getting the right equipment for photographing birds Creating a makeshift bird blind Small Birds Taking pictures of birds at a bird feeder Photographing small birds in the wild Bird Portraits Tips for capturing bird portraits Silhouette bird portraits Wading Birds Understanding the habits of wading birds Tips and settings Birds of Prey Learning the habits of birds of prey Tips and settings Birds in the Nest Birds in Flight ips and settings Panning to capture birds in flight
Getting the right equipment for photographing birds Creating a makeshift bird blind
Taking pictures of birds at a bird feeder Photographing small birds in the wild
Tips for capturing bird portraits Silhouette bird portraits
Understanding the habits of wading birds Tips and settings
Learning the habits of birds of prey Tips and settings
ips and settings Panning to capture birds in flight
Animals in State Parks and Wildlife Reserves Finding places to photograph wildlife Finding your subjects earning your subjects' habits Camera Settings for the Wildlife Photographer Tips and Tricks for Photographing in Parks Portraits of Animals Animals in Motion Dangerous Animals Taking Proper Precautions to Keep Both Animal and Photographer Safe
Finding places to photograph wildlife Finding your subjects earning your subjects' habits
Wildflowers Choosing the right equipment and camera settings Photographing wildflowers in perfect light Finding the perfect vantage point Getting Small with Macro Photography hotographing close-ups of flowers Adding a kiss of light Small Insects Choosing the right equipment and camera settings Photographing potentially dangerous insects Nature's Patterns Finding patterns Setting up the camera Capturing a compelling picture of patterns Romancing the Blur with the Lensbaby Introducing the Lensbaby Composer and Composer Pro sing Lensbaby optics Using Lensbaby accessories Setting up your camera for Lensbaby Using the Lensbaby Lensbaby photography tips and tricks
Choosing the right equipment and camera settings Photographing wildflowers in perfect light Finding the perfect vantage point
hotographing close-ups of flowers Adding a kiss of light
Choosing the right equipment and camera settings Photographing potentially dangerous insects
Finding patterns Setting up the camera Capturing a compelling picture of patterns
Introducing the Lensbaby Composer and Composer Pro sing Lensbaby optics Using Lensbaby accessories Setting up your camera for Lensbaby Using the Lensbaby Lensbaby photography tips and tricks
Chapter 10: The Land, Rivers, and Oceans Forests Finding interest in a monotone world Photographing the forest Photographing the trees in the forest The Beauty of a Mountain Range Choosing the proper focal length and camera settings Finding a center of interest Finding the perfect vantage point Rivers, Lakes, and Swamps Capturing the beauty of water in motion Photographing a serene lake or swamp The Mighty Ocean Finding the perfect beach Portraying the motion of the ocean Capturing abstract images of cresting waves Nature's Reflections Photographing still water that runs deep Photographing reflections after a rainstorm Nature's Details In-Camera Abstracts Black-and-White Photos Chapter 11: Sunrise and Sunset The Sunrise The ingredients for a great sunrise photo Setting up for the perfect sunrise photo shoot Shooting into the sun Shooting away from the sun Taking pictures after the sun rises The Sunset Setting up for the perfect sunset shoot Shooting into the sun Shooting away from the sun Beyond the flash of green Chapter 12: HDR Landscapes Understanding HDR Photography bout HDR software Shooting the images for your HDR photo Creating an HDR image Capturing Your Grand Vision with a Panorama Capturing the images for your panorama Stitching the panorama in Photoshop Elements
Forests Finding interest in a monotone world Photographing the forest Photographing the trees in the forest The Beauty of a Mountain Range Choosing the proper focal length and camera settings Finding a center of interest Finding the perfect vantage point Rivers, Lakes, and Swamps Capturing the beauty of water in motion Photographing a serene lake or swamp The Mighty Ocean Finding the perfect beach Portraying the motion of the ocean Capturing abstract images of cresting waves Nature's Reflections Photographing still water that runs deep Photographing reflections after a rainstorm Nature's Details In-Camera Abstracts Black-and-White Photos
Finding interest in a monotone world Photographing the forest Photographing the trees in the forest
Choosing the proper focal length and camera settings Finding a center of interest Finding the perfect vantage point
Capturing the beauty of water in motion Photographing a serene lake or swamp
Finding the perfect beach Portraying the motion of the ocean Capturing abstract images of cresting waves
Photographing still water that runs deep Photographing reflections after a rainstorm
The Sunrise The ingredients for a great sunrise photo Setting up for the perfect sunrise photo shoot Shooting into the sun Shooting away from the sun Taking pictures after the sun rises The Sunset Setting up for the perfect sunset shoot Shooting into the sun Shooting away from the sun Beyond the flash of green
The ingredients for a great sunrise photo Setting up for the perfect sunrise photo shoot Shooting into the sun Shooting away from the sun Taking pictures after the sun rises
Setting up for the perfect sunset shoot Shooting into the sun Shooting away from the sun Beyond the flash of green
Understanding HDR Photography bout HDR software Shooting the images for your HDR photo Creating an HDR image Capturing Your Grand Vision with a Panorama Capturing the images for your panorama Stitching the panorama in Photoshop Elements
bout HDR software Shooting the images for your HDR photo Creating an HDR image
Capturing the images for your panorama Stitching the panorama in Photoshop Elements
Chapter 13: Ten (Plus One) Ways to Process and Share Your Images Establishing a Post-Shoot Ritual Downloading Images to Your Computer Organizing Your Images Ranking images Adding keywords to images Editing Your Images with Photoshop Elements Resizing and Cropping Your Images Understanding image size and resolution Resizing images Cropping images Sharpening Your Images Saving Your Work Archiving Your Work Creating Photo Books at Blurb Sharing Your Photos on Flickr Sharing Your Images on Facebook Chapter 14: Ten Troubleshooting Techniques: What Would Ansel Do? My Image Has Blown-Out Highlights I Captured a Boring Scene The Image Is Too Dark The Image Is Too Busy The Subject Is Not in Focus The Sky in My Sunset Is Too Bright The Image Is Brighter Than the Actual Scene The Colors Are Wrong The Subject Blends into the Background Want to Shoot a Close-Up on a Windy Day Chapter 15: Ten Landscape and Nature Images A Fog upon the Bay Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Walking in Ansel's Footsteps Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Mackerel Sky Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Take the High Trail Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Sanibel Sentinel Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Myakka Fields of Gold Camera settings Composing the image Post processing The Hawk Speaks Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Mellow Yellow Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Black Skimmer Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Sunset in Paradise Camera settings Composing the image Post processing
Establishing a Post-Shoot Ritual Downloading Images to Your Computer Organizing Your Images Ranking images Adding keywords to images Editing Your Images with Photoshop Elements Resizing and Cropping Your Images Understanding image size and resolution Resizing images Cropping images Sharpening Your Images Saving Your Work Archiving Your Work Creating Photo Books at Blurb Sharing Your Photos on Flickr Sharing Your Images on Facebook
Ranking images Adding keywords to images
Understanding image size and resolution Resizing images Cropping images
My Image Has Blown-Out Highlights I Captured a Boring Scene The Image Is Too Dark The Image Is Too Busy The Subject Is Not in Focus The Sky in My Sunset Is Too Bright The Image Is Brighter Than the Actual Scene The Colors Are Wrong The Subject Blends into the Background Want to Shoot a Close-Up on a Windy Day
A Fog upon the Bay Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Walking in Ansel's Footsteps Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Mackerel Sky Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Take the High Trail Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Sanibel Sentinel Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Myakka Fields of Gold Camera settings Composing the image Post processing The Hawk Speaks Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Mellow Yellow Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Black Skimmer Camera settings Composing the image Post processing Sunset in Paradise Camera settings Composing the image Post processing
Camera settings Composing the image Post processing