NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

Nature photography is an umbrella term incorporating landscape, wildlife, and plant photography. Most nature photography is taken outdoors and can focus on macro views, such as in Ansel Adams' "The Grand Tetons" down to the most detailed micro views of textures and patterns hidden in the natural world.

The standard-bearers of this field value aesthetics over content more than in the documentary or photojournalistic arts. However, the definition of what constitutes "nature" can be strictly defined. According to the PSA Definition of Nature Photography from the Consolidate Exhibition Standards, "photographs of artificially produced hybrid plants or animals, mounted specimens, or obviously set arrangements, are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the of the photographic statement." With the advent of the digital camera, a good photographer no longer needs be a good technician in the dark room. However, advanced photographic equipment often set the professional nature photographer apart from the beginner. Wildlife photography is widely considered one of the most challenging forms of photography, as the photographer should have enough knowledge of the animal to be able to find the animal, predict its behavior, and hide adequately when necessary.

Nature photographers tend to be a wily bunch, traversing mountain tops and stalking dangerous animals to get that inimitable shot. Magazines like National Geographic have served to glamorize and energize the profession while reinforcing in the Public mind the wonders of the natural world. Nature photographs have been used in campaigns to save the environment and to conserve wildlife.