Nature photography can be as simple as snapping a sunset on your phone or as daring as diving underwater to photograph a gator. Whether with a phone or a fancy camera, nature photography gives you a chance to share the beauty of the world in a way that may inspire others to care about it. A single picture not only preserves a moment in time, but also can help tell a deeper story about the importance of preserving our planet’s wonders.

Try Using the Rule of Thirds 

When starting out in photography, it’s important to consider the composition of your photos, and many photographers use the “rule of thirds” as a guideline. This involves dividing your scene into thirds with four intersecting lines—using your camera’s gridlines or visualizing them—and placing key elements near the intersections of the lines.

The horizon should be aligned with one of the two horizontal lines that divide the frame into thirds. It can be placed in the top third to emphasize the sky or aligned in the bottom third if the foreground is the focus, creating better balance and visual interest. 

This placement aligns with our natural tendency to focus on the ground rather than the sky. Our eyes have a vertical field of view of around 60 degrees up from our line of sight and 75 degrees below. 

This makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint as our ancestors were more concerned with potential dangers on the ground rather than above. The rule of thirds feels natural to the human eye because it aligns with how we evolved to process our environment. 

 

 

However, this rule isn’t an end all be all; photographers should trust their instincts to decide when to follow it or shoot more freely. For interesting insights into the psychology and logic behind the rule of thirds, check out this article.

Enter the 2024 Florida State Parks Photo Contest

There’s still time to showcase your talent! Submit your photos taken at any Florida State Park by December 31, 2024. Participants can enter one photo in up to eight different categories, competing for awards in three divisions.

Winning photos may be featured in Florida State Park calendars, websites, displays, and publications at Florida Welcome Centers. First Place, Second Place, Third Place, and People’s Choice winners in each division will also receive promotional packages, including an inflatable paddleboard, hammock, B&H Photo gift card, and a 2025 Annual Park Pass.

For prize details and categories, visit the official contest website. Be sure to review the official rules for submission guidelines and eligibility!

Share Your Photos Elsewhere

You can also submit your nature photos to scientific observation websites like iNaturalist, where your contributions can help document the biodiversity in your area, assist with identifying species, and support scientific research by sharing valuable observations with a broader community. 

Also, the National WildLife Federation’s 2025 photo contest will be open for submission from Jan.15 to March 23. Every entry supports the National Wildlife Federation’s conservation mission to protect wildlife and inspire people to thrive together in a rapidly changing environment.

For some inspiration, check out these 20 award winning photos taken on an IPhone.Whether on a phone or an expensive camera, every photo has the potential to tell a story worth sharing. 

Information from Florida State Parks, Fstoppers and The National Wildlife Federation. Images from CanvaPro.