When you’re touring around the country, there are endless opportunities for great photos in nature. If you want to get the best out of your camera, follow these handy tips that’ll have you shooting like a pro.

Follow the rule of thirds

This is photography 101. Whenever you’re taking a photo, try to imagine four lines – two horizontal and two vertical - that create nine even squares (your camera may already be doing this for you). Dividing your photo up into these thirds just makes the image more visually pleasing.

Use a wide-angle lens

If you’re taking a landscape shot, try and capture the whole view to give a sense of how wide open it is. You can also get more depth of field and more light.

Keep in mind though not to include too much ‘clutter’ that distracts from the main subject of your image. If it’s not interesting or it doesn’t complement the main subject, zoom in or shoot from a different angle.

Use filters

Filters make a big difference in landscape photography. There are at least two filters that you should be using. A polarising filter controls how blue the sky appears while a neutral density filter will avoid overexposure and preserve the detail in the photo.

Show motion

If you’re shooting a stream or a waterfall, showing the movement of the water is a cool thing to add to your photo. To do this you’ll need to slow down the shutter speed on your camera to about 1/4^th of a second. The Neutral density filters mentioned above can also be used to help you achieve this by cutting down the amount of light. A sturdy tripod will also be key to avoid camera shake.

Creating a mirror effect

Water can create an amazing reflection in low light situations. The best times for this are the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. Set your camera on a tripod in front of a lake or body of water and choose a slow shutter speed.

One last thing to keep in mind is to be patient. Don’t rush your photos, wait for the right lighting and let nature do its thing. Waiting just a few minutes can make the difference between a good photo and a great one.