Nature Photography Day 2024: History, Celebrations, and a Beginner's Guide to Capturing Nature's Beauty

Nature is all around us, and Nature photography is an incredible way to connect with the natural world and share its wonders with others. The world marks Nature Photography Day on June 15 to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world explored through the lens of a camera. The day provides a wonderful opportunity for photographers to witness and capture the wonders of nature at its very best.

Meanwhile, the first nature photograph was taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 and Ansel Adams is one of the most famous nature photographers known for his stunning landscape photographs of the American West.

Nature Photography Day 2024: History

The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) celebrated Nature Photography Day in 2006 for the first time. This day is commemorated to encourage all to learn about nature and capture its beauty using a camera. Since then, people throughout the North American continent and overseas have started to celebrate Nature Photography Day.

Nature Photography Day 2024: Celebrations

1. Wake up early and start with your surroundings by witnessing a stunning sunrise. Keep your camera ready and click photos of birds and animals in your area.
2. Take some time to go online or to a nearby gallery to admire some truly breathtaking photographs of nature clicked by professional nature photographers.
3. Tour a botanical garden, a wildlife sanctuary, a local preserve, and more with your friends and family to increase your awareness.Capture nature including a flower, a rock, a butterfly, a waterfall or a rainbow from different angles.
4. Whether you’re in the countryside or the middle of a city, nature is everywhere. If you don’t have time to visit parks or gardens, take a quick picture on your phone of your surroundings.

Nature Photography Day 2024: Tips To Get Started With Nature Photography

While nature is inherently fascinating, it takes a keen eye and an artistic approach to make the photography swoon-worthy. Let’s explore some tips to start journey nature photography journey.

1. Explore LocationStart by selecting a location beyond your area to capture something unique and compelling. Look for new locations, like local botanical gardens that offer varied natural elements and interest to your images.
2. Use the Grid and Level to get a straight horizonOne of the basic things when shooting a landscape image is to set the horizon straight. Getting this right is important so your image does not feel skewed.
3. Set the right exposureOne thing that beginners miss out on is adjusting the exposure on the phone. Before clicking a picture, manually adjust the exposure to optimize the photo’s look, especially if your landscape has well-lit areas next to sections with dark shadows.
4. Utilise Natural LightRemember, light plays a very important role in nature photography. Avoid shooting in sunlight, as it tends to create washed-out colours and harsh shadows. Plan shoots during sunrise and sunset as the soft, warm light can transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary.
5. Patience is the KeyNature can be unpredictable, and capturing those magical moments that will make your photographs truly stunning requires patience. So, be prepared to spend hours observing and waiting for the perfect shot.

So, grab your camera, head outdoors, and capture the beauty of nature on this Nature Photography Day. Happy shooting