Short and sweet

1. Backlighting is one of the most beautiful types of light in nature, so watch for it. Even when the sun is high in the sky, some subjects can be lit from behind like this sacred ibis in Kenya. The way the wing spread caught the sun’s light is dramatic, and in contrast with the darker background the result is beautiful. 2. A large sun is dramatic behind silhouetted subjects like these Bushmen tribal members in Namibia. You can create a large sun by using the longest telephoto you have. Here I used a700mm focal length, and you can see how bold and impressive the sun turns out to be with such a long lens.

3. A frame within a frame is a strong compositional tool for visual impact. This is a natural arch along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan. It was essential that the foreground arch as well as the distant cliff face were both sharp, and since I used a telephoto lens, the f/16 aperture I chose was crucial. 4. Twilight means there is still detail in the sky. It could be clouds or a cobalt blue coloration. Twilight is the best time to photograph cities, skylines, and architecture because the yellowish artificial illumination on the buildings mixes with the rich, cool tones of the sky. This is more dramatic than the black sky of night. §