Nebraskaland Magazine
“To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.” ~Henri Cartier-Bresson
I have seen many cool things when I’ve been outdoors here in Nebraska, especially hunting. I just love being in the field! Years ago though, I never, ever packed a camera on my outdoor adventures. I know, I know, shame on me! But, now I bring a camera on every one of my outdoor expeditions. So, here’s my message to you – the outdoor enthusiast: TAKE-YOUR-CAMERA!!!
These days with modern technology any of us can truly shoot pretty darn good photos. It sure isn’t rocket science. Don’t be intimidated if you don’t have expensive camera equipment either (I sure don’t). Any of us who spend time outdoors can capture cool moments with inexpensive point-and-shoot, self-focusing digital cameras or with the cameras in our mobile devices or cell phones. All it takes is a touch of creativity, thinking out-of-the-box a bit, and a small amount of extra time and effort to stop, look and snap some quick pics to ensure those cool moments in the great outdoors are preserved, can be relived and most importantly, shared!
I am self-taught when it comes to photography. I am not an expert, by any means. I have learned much by trial and error. Here are the basic guidelines I follow for shooting photos in the great outdoors.
– Shoot the moment, not the subject.
– Know and use natural light, shoot during the “magic hour” at the beginning and end of the day.
– Shoot lots of pics, everywhere.
– Move around a great deal.
– Get very close, physically close.
– Note the details, the little things.
Below are some moments I captured during Nebraska’s 2013 firearm deer hunting season that I wanted to share with you. I’ll be capturing a bunch more during the upcoming 2014 Nebraska firearm deer hunting season. What about you? Will you be shooting pics while out hunting or on your next outdoor venture?
