Take better nature photos in 15 minutes: The 50‑to‑1 exercise
Great nature photography doesn’t start with expensive gear – it starts with paying better attention. In just 15 minutes, you can train your eye, sharpen your instincts and take photos you’ll actually want to show off. All you need is the camera you already carry every day.
- Pick up your smart phone. It doesn’t need to be a professional camera. If you have a smartphone, you’re ready.
- Step outside. You got this.
- Find one thing you want to photograph – a flower, a tree, a pond or even something manmade like a shoe, bench or barn. Choose anything that won’t run, hop or fly away. You and your subject need a few uninterrupted minutes together.
- Take 50 different photos of your subject. Shoot from above, below and at eye level. Move close, then step back without zooming. Try unusual angles. Stand on something. Lie on the ground. Center your subject, then shift it to the left or right. Capture a reflection in a window or puddle. Frame it through branches or another object. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s variety. This should take no more than 15 to 20 minutes.
- Head back inside.
- Take a short break. Make tea, grab a snack and reset your eyes.
- Review all 50 photos and choose your favorite three. It’s harder than it sounds. Ask a friend to weigh in if you want a second opinion.
Keep these basics in mind while you shoot:
- Get down. Photos almost always look better when your camera is level with your subject. Your position matters as much (and often more) than the subject’s.
- Focus. Where does your eye go first when you look at the image? That’s your focus point. Tapping your phone screen activates autofocus and helps guide the viewer’s attention.
- Divide and conquer. Imagine your frame split into thirds, with two vertical and two horizontal lines. Placing points of interest along these lines – especially at the intersections – often creates a more pleasing composition. It’s a helpful guideline, not a strict rule. Look up how to turn on a rule‑of‑thirds grid or composition guides on your device.
- Come back. Weather and time of day can drastically change the mood of your photo. Don’t be afraid to revisit your subject when the lighting changes. You may be surprised!
Experiment with your camera settings too. Auto mode works well for most situations, but if your device offers manual controls (or if you download an app like “Expert Raw”) try adjusting them without letting the technical side slow you down.
- Aperture – A smaller aperture (represented by higher numbers like f/11) lets in less light and increases depth of field – great for landscapes. A larger aperture (lower numbers like f/1.8) lets in more light and creates a shallow depth of field – great for close‑ups and getting tasty background blurs called the bokeh effect. Smartphones typically have a fixed aperture per lens.
- Shutter speed – Slow speeds like 1/4 second allow more light and introduce motion blur. Fast speeds like 1/3200 freeze movement but require more light.
- ISO – Lower ISO (50) produces cleaner images but needs more light. Higher ISO (3200) works in darker conditions but adds noise.
For more flexibility, try a priority mode. These modes let you control one setting while the camera adjusts the others.
Great photography isn’t about gear, it’s about intention. Pick up the camera you already own, experiment boldly and aim to make each shot just 1% better than the last. That’s how great nature photos are made.
by Joseph Armstrong
