Ideas for compelling nature photographs

I was looking at some images on display to celebrate Nature photography Day and wanted to share some thoughts.

What makes a compelling wildlife photograph for you? What is it about a photograph that makes it stand out?

Here are a few things to consider:

1. Viewer location: Where are you taking the viewer? It may be somewhere they wouldn't go themselves, possibly underwater, or up in the air.
2. Using unusual angles: Photograph the animal in an unusual way, or from an unusual angle. An example is an elephant crossing a river, but shot from underwater.
3. Get in close: Sometimes it's possible to build a level of trust with an animal such that you can get quite close to it. This opens the possibility of shooting very intimate, close-up, shots.
4. Composition: Good composition is essential for a great photograph, so what options do you have available? What's the best way to frame your subject so that the picture tells something of their story?
5. Unusual locations for the subject: This might be wildlife in areas we would usually think of as our own.
6. How to use the light: How can you use light during the golden hours? Can you make use of backlighting to make a more compelling image?
7. How can you create an 'atmosphere', or mood? Creative use of lighting and colour can create an upbeat mode, or you might choose something with a hint of danger. Will switching to black and white alter the mood?
8. Capture a moment: Catching and freezing an activity that is usually over in less than a second invites the viewer to see the subject in a way that is impossible in the wild.

I hope you get some ideas and inspiration from this podcast.

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