Have you ever gone adventuring and stumbled upon a breath-taking view – the sort that makes all 4.5 hours of vertical hiking feel worthwhile – and reached for your camera… And then you snap that photograph, knowing in your heart that it will convince even your most city-bound buddies to come with you on the next expedition? And then you get back home with a full heart and a fuller memory card, only to open up a file that looks like some smudgy green hills tinged with overexposure, lens flares and a hearty dose of disappointment?
Yup. We’ve been there too. Outdoor and nature photography is way, way harder than it looks. That’s why we’re here to help! Welcome to Camp Master’s ultimate guide to improving your outdoor photography skills. We’re here to explore the basics of outdoor photography, essential gear, tips for capturing stunning landscapes, mobile photography hacks, photo editing software, and the most photogenic spots SA has to offer.
Grab your camera and get ready to embark on a visual journey that matches up to your physical one. No blurry, badly focused snapshots are necessary. Unless that’s what you’re going for.
Outdoor Photography: The Basics
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s cover the fundamentals of outdoor photography. Namely: understanding the interplay of light and composition is key to capturing stunning images. Why? Lighting is crucial in outdoor photography as it determines the mood, depth, and overall impact of the image, transforming an ordinary scene into a stunning visual masterpiece. Composition is vital in outdoor photography as it allows you to create visually pleasing and balanced images, guiding the viewer’s eye and conveying the desired story or emotion within your frame.
Learning how to use natural light to your advantage and composing your shots effectively can make a world of difference in the final result. From golden hour to the rule of thirds, a functional understanding of the foundational basics of photography will set you up for success.
Thankfully there are tons of free resources the beginner photographer can use to pick up that knowledge, and they’re all accessible from your smartphone! We’d recommend taking a look at these:
– Thomas Heaton’s YouTube Channel
– Articles like this one from Masterclass
– @outdoorphotogd on Instagram
– This community-driven Outdoor Photography Facebook Group
– This array of free online Outdoor Photography Courses
Gear Up: Essential Tools for Outdoor Photography
To capture the beauty of the outdoors, you’ll need the right gear. This discipline is much like camping in that regard: the better prepared you are, the more likely you’ll be to get the best results. Camp Master offers a range of outdoor equipment and camping gear that will make your trip into the outdoors more comfy (which you can view in our online catalogue here) but for photography, you might need some more specialised camera gear. Want to make sure you’re equipped for the ultimate pics? Consider taking along the following items:
– Tripod: A sturdy tripod provides stability, allowing you to capture sharp images, especially during low-light conditions or long exposures.
– Remote Shutter Release: Using a remote shutter release or cable release minimises camera shake, ensuring sharpness in your shots, particularly for long exposures or self-portraits.
– Circular Polarising Filter: This filter reduces glare and enhances colours, making skies bluer, foliage more vibrant, and reducing reflections on water surfaces.
– Neutral Density (ND) Filter: ND filters help control the amount of light entering the camera, allowing for longer exposures, or achieving smooth motion blur in flowing water or moving clouds.
– Lens Cleaning Kit: Dust and smudges can affect image quality – and you’re sure to encounter plenty of those out in the bush – so a lens cleaning kit with a blower, microfiber cloth, and cleaning solution is essential for keeping your lenses pristine.
– Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: Outdoor photography can quickly drain your camera’s battery, so having extra fully charged batteries and ample memory cards ensures you won’t miss any precious moments. It’s a little extra carrying for hours more photo fun!
– Lens Hood: A lens hood helps prevent lens flare and unwanted stray light from entering the lens, resulting in sharper and more contrasted images.
– Rain Cover or Waterproof Bag: Protect your camera and gear from unexpected rain showers or water splashes by using a rain cover or waterproof bag designed for your specific camera model. This is especially important if you’re heading somewhere with tons of rivers. Pair up this bag with a Camp Master dry bag!
– Reflector or Diffuser: A reflector helps bounce and control light, adding fill light to your subjects, while a diffuser softens harsh sunlight, providing more even lighting conditions. These are light and can be folded up small to bring along on the road.
– Camera Backpack or Bag: A comfortable and functional camera backpack or bag allows you to carry your gear safely and conveniently while exploring outdoor locations. You can grab a super lightweight one from Camp Master.
Remember, while these accessories can enhance your photography experience, the most important aspect is your creativity and the ability to observe and capture the beauty of nature. You don’t need to drop a load of money on fancy gear all at once! Start with the basics (which could even include a phone camera), experiment, and gradually expand your gear collection as you gain more experience and identify your specific needs and preferences. This takes time to master!
Tips and Tricks for Capturing Stunning Landscapes
Landscape photography is a genre that perfectly complements outdoor adventures. Whether you’re shooting majestic mountains, serene lakes, or dramatic sunsets, here are a few practical tips to bring out the true essence of the great outdoors through your lens:
– Plan and scout locations: Research and plan your shoot by identifying scenic locations in advance, considering the best time of day for lighting conditions and weather forecasts. Scout the area beforehand to find interesting compositions and potential vantage points. Though spontaneous shots can work, proper planning works in your favour as a beginner.
– Use the rule of thirds: Compose your shots using the rule of thirds, placing key elements along the intersecting lines or at their intersections, creating a more visually balanced and engaging composition. We know: nature doesn’t work on a grid, but you can frame your way to symmetry by aiming your camera just right.
– Find a focal point: Include a clear focal point in your image, such as a prominent tree, rock formation, or leading lines, to draw the viewer’s eye and add depth and interest to the scene. Rolling hills are lovely, but way more impressive if you include an element to lend them a sense of relative scale for the viewer.
– Experiment with depth of field: Adjust your aperture (f-stop) to control the depth of field. For expansive landscapes, use a narrow aperture (higher f-stop like f/11 or f/16) to keep most of the scene in focus. For more intimate scenes, try a wider aperture (lower f-stop like f/2.8 or f/4) to create a shallow depth of field, selectively focusing on a specific subject.
– Capture motion with slow shutter speed: To create a sense of motion in flowing water or moving clouds, use a slow shutter speed (long exposure) and stabilise your camera on a tripod. Start with a shutter speed of around 1/15th of a second and experiment from there.
– Consider golden hour lighting: Take advantage of the soft, warm, and golden light during the golden hour, which occurs around sunrise and sunset. This lighting can enhance the mood and add a beautiful glow to your landscape photos. This is especially lengthened during the winter months, so now is the perfect time to try it out.
– Use a polarising filter: Attach a circular polarising filter to your lens to reduce reflections, enhance colours, and deepen the sky, making clouds pop. Rotate the filter to achieve the desired effect. This little gadget can make a world of difference.
– Experiment with different perspectives: Don’t be afraid to get low or climb higher to find unique angles and perspectives. Explore different viewpoints to add variety and interest to your images. Treat the process like you treat your adventures and explore your options.
– Take your time and be patient: Landscape photography requires patience and observation. Wait for the right light, weather conditions, or moments of serenity to capture the essence and mood of the scene. Take along a comfy Camp Master chair to keep you happy while you wait for the perfect moment.
Remember, these tips are just a starting point. The more you practice, explore, and develop your own style, the more you’ll grow as a landscape photographer. Embrace the beauty of nature, enjoy the process, and have fun capturing the stunning landscapes that surround you. If it stops being fun, put down the camera or just enjoy where you are. You want the memories you capture to be happy ones.
Hacks for Better Mobile Photography
Not everyone carries a professional camera during their outdoor escapades, but fear not – we’re here for the smartphone snapsters, too! The advancement of phone cameras has made mobile photography a viable and convenient option. Sometimes, you can’t even tell the difference between a camera phone and a digital camera image! Here are some tips to capture stunning shots that rival those taken with more traditional setups:
– Clean the lens: Wipe the lens of your smartphone camera before taking photos to ensure clarity and avoid any smudges or dirt affecting the image quality. We know how grubby those pockets can get!
– Use the HDR mode: Enable the High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode on your smartphone camera to capture a wider range of tones and details, especially in scenes with contrasting lighting conditions.
– Explore different camera apps: Experiment with third-party camera apps that offer manual controls, allowing you to adjust exposure, focus, and white balance for more control over your shots. We’d recommend trying out Halide Mark II.
– Find the best light: Shoot during the golden hour—shortly after sunrise or before sunset—for soft, warm light that adds a magical touch to your landscape photos, especially with a smaller phone camera lens.
– Use exposure and focus lock: Tap and hold on your smartphone screen to lock the exposure and focus settings, ensuring consistent and well-exposed shots, especially in challenging lighting conditions. This makes your photos look way more ‘pro’.
– Experiment with panorama mode: Try the panorama mode on your smartphone camera to capture expansive landscapes by sweeping the camera slowly and smoothly across the scene. This is ideal for expansive landscapes.
– Invest in clip-on lenses: Consider getting clip-on lenses for your smartphone, like wide-angle or telephoto lenses. These can help expand your creative possibilities and capture different perspectives.
– Stability is key: Use a tripod or stabilise your smartphone against a solid surface to avoid camera shake and achieve sharper images, especially in low-light situations or for long exposures.
Editing Your Photos: Making Good Photos Great
While capturing a great shot in camera is important, much of the magic truly happens during the editing process. Even an understanding of basic editing techniques can transform your good photos into unforgettable masterpieces. We’ll recommend software and apps to streamline your editing workflow and help you bring out the true potential of your outdoor photographs. These are our favourites for you to try out:
– Luminar Neo
– Adobe Lightroom
– Adobe Photoshop
– ON1 Photo RAW
– Capture One
Unforgettably Photogenic South African Spots
South Africa is a country blessed with an abundance of magnificent outdoor spaces that offer incredible opportunities for photography. As a Camp Master aficionado, we’re sure you’re already aware of this, and that’s why you’re here. Because you’re starting off your photography journey, our well-travelled team has a list of some of the most stunning locations you should consider capturing through your lens:
Table Mountain, Cape Town:
With its iconic silhouette and panoramic views of the city, Table Mountain is a must-visit destination for any photographer. Capture the mountain from different angles, explore its trails, and witness sensational sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean. It’s also perfect for a day trip if you don’t have time to book a whole weekend-long expedition.
Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga:
Known as one of the largest canyons in the world, Blyde River Canyon offers awe-inspiring vistas. Photograph the dramatic rock formations, lush greenery, and stunning rock formations like the Three Rondavels and the Berlin Falls. Hop on a river barge for genuinely unique angles of the Blyde area.
Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga and Limpopo:
As one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, Kruger National Park is a wildlife photographer’s paradise. Capture the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino) along with a rich array of other animals in their natural habitat. You can try your hand at bird and insect photography here, too.
Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal:
This majestic mountain range is renowned for its rugged beauty and stunning landscapes. Photograph the towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and picturesque valleys that make the Drakensberg Mountains a true visual feast. If you get your captures perfect, they’ll look and feel like snapshots of a fantasy world.
Garden Route, Western Cape and Eastern Cape:
Stretching along the country’s south-eastern coast, the Garden Route is a scenic paradise. Capture the coastal landscapes, pristine beaches, dense forests, and charming towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. This is a great road trip destination because the route spans a significant distance and winds through several biomes.
Cape Winelands, Western Cape:
South Africa’s renowned wine region offers not only exquisite wines but also stunning vineyard landscapes. Photograph the rolling hills, vineyard vistas, historic Cape Dutch architecture, and picturesque towns like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. And wine. Don’t forget about sampling the wine.
Augrabies Falls National Park, Northern Cape:
Augrabies Falls is a majestic waterfall nestled within a rugged desert landscape. Capture the power and beauty of the falls against the backdrop of the arid terrain, with the Orange River flowing through the park. Think of high-contrast, vibrant, colourful imagery.
Tsitsikamma National Park, Eastern Cape:
This coastal park is famous for its ancient forests, dramatic coastline, and iconic suspension bridge of the Otter Trail. Capture the lush greenery, towering cliffs, and crashing waves that make Tsitsikamma a photographer’s dream. Be sure to book some time off for this adventure – once you see the surroundings, you’ll want to stay!
Cederberg Wilderness Area, Western Cape:
Located in the rugged Cederberg Mountains, this wilderness area boasts unique rock formations, ancient San rock art, and stunning landscapes. Photograph the otherworldly landscapes, crystal-clear rock pools, and the impressive Wolfberg Arch. We also recommend going to capture the majesty of the boulders at Rocklands, which form what looks like an alien landscape in the golden hour.
Get Capturing with Camp Master!
Look at you, Camp Master turned Photography Pro! You’re now armed with the valuable insights and practical tips you need to master outdoor photography. Remember, though, that practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to venture out into the wild and experiment with different techniques.
Camp Master believes that every outdoor enthusiast has the potential to become a skilled photographer, especially if you embrace the adventure, seize the moment, and create stunning images that will transport you back to your cherished outdoor experience every time you look at them.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your camera, pack your Camp Master gear to set up your bush home (available at a Builders’ Warehouse, Game or Makro near you) and head into the great outdoors to capture nature’s beauty in all its glory. Happy shooting, adventurers!