Taking nature photos: feeling freedom, enjoying the beauty, healing the body!

​Beauty can be seen in anything- that is what nature teaches us. The ability to see and properly present beauty is a whole science.

“Everybody needs beauty...places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.”
- John Muir

Understanding- first
Landscapes, flowers and animals are amazing objects for taking photos; they preserve memories of our journeys and our emotions in a certain place at a certain time. To convey these with the help of photography is not easy at all. You will need patience, special equipment, and of course desire and inspiration!
Nature photography has a wide range of subgenres. The most important question is what to photograph? Plants and insects close-ups, or maybe the world of nature in a macro perspective? Perhaps you are more fascinated by magnificent mountain peaks and rivers? Understanding is the first main step to start your astonishing adventure.

Some basic rules and advice
Pre-examine the location of the survey to see the direction of the light, any potential security problems or terrain features.
Taking pictures of flowers, get the information on the time they are in full blossom. For photographing birds, you need to discover the habitat of particular species and find out when they are active. Someone experienced can help you with photographing wildlife, since it can be pretty dangerous at times.
Waiting for the wild animals or birds, use this time to adjust camera settings. When the animal appears, you should be ready to take pictures constantly, trying to catch the perfect moment.
Photographing closer objects gives you space for experimenting with lights and shadows. Use a reflector to find the best angles and avoid flat light.

Golden Hour
In most cases, before taking photos, the beginners should conduct some preliminary study.
As for wild nature, patience here is an excellent helper, since you will need more time to observe. If you love nature, this is a great way to learn and preserve these fleeting moments.
Perhaps you've heard of the "golden hour" in photography. Some of the photographers believe that this is the only suitable time for work with pictures of nature’s beauty.
It is the last hour of sunset, or a bit longer in winter, and this is the opposite of blue hour, which is the period just before sunrise.  At this time, the sun rays have to overcome a long way in the atmosphere, which makes them golden. The lights are redder and softer. In addition, the objects are highlighted on the side - this creates good shadows and the texture of the photo.

Conclusion:
Peaceful landscapes have a beneficial effect on the brain, improving its blood supply.  Sensations from sunlight, the smell of trees and the sound of water produce a calming effect. Watching the soft beauty of flowers and grace of wild animals fills you with overwhelming joy and delight!
Make your choice. Take the equipment you need. Plan, discover and experiment -  have fun!