Courtesy of the Fontenelle Nature Association's Photographers Club

1. Head out in the morning or evening. Morning light and dusk provide the best dramatic lighting for pictures.
   
   
2. For great saturation of colors, try taking pictures after a rain shower.
    
3. When taking pictures of landscapes, use a large aperture (smaller opening). This will enhance the focus of the landscape.
   
   For wildlife photography, you can use a smaller aperture (bigger opening). Make sure that the eyes and face of the subject are in focus. This will give your picture a portrait-like quality with your subject as the main focus.  If the animal is moving, use a medium aperture (f8) to assure that your subject is in focus.
    
4. It is easier to work with animals and insects when it is cold out. The cold weather slows down creatures’ blood so they move slower and less often than in warmer weather.    
    
5. If you want to take good pictures of wildlife, you may want to read hunting magazines, which are full of information on animal behavior and tracking.  
    
6. Be prepared for anything! Most photographers are presented with ‘lucky’ picture opportunities. A good photographer is prepared for these situations and is therefore able to capitalize on them. 
    
7. The best way to improve your work is to study the work of others.  
    
8. If your photographs are blurry or fuzzy, try using a higher shutter speed. The smallest shutter speed you should use (without using a tripod) for a 50mm lens is 1/60. If you increase your lens size, you will need to increase your shutter speed.  If your images are still not sharp, try using a lens with an image stabilizer. Keep in mind that if your subject is moving, you need a much faster shutter speed than 1/60.  
    
9. Know your equipment. Read your camera’s instruction manual. If you know the ins and outs of your camera, you will be better prepared to capture that once-in-a-lifetime photo. 
   
   
10. Join Fontenelle Nature Association's Photographers Club. We hold workshops and field trips for everyone to learn more about photography. Many photographers within the club would be happy to share their knowledge with you. Visit us at www.fontenellephotoclub.org.