From Business Insider · Joey Hadden · · 1m 40s
How to make nature photos pop on your phone
National Geographic photographer Kiliii Yüyan shares the one technique that transforms ordinary landscape shots into compelling images.
In brief
National Geographic photographer Kiliii Yüyan shares the one technique that transforms ordinary landscape shots into compelling images. A National Geographic photographer says adding a foreground subject to phone nature photos gives them depth and makes them stand out from the thousands already taken. Originally…
Photographs are everywhere now
National Geographic photographer Kiliii Yüyan told Business Insider reporter Joey Hadden that people are drowning in photographs. But there are ways to make yours stand out, even shooting on your phone.
“drowning in photographs”
Natural landscapes are the hardest to photograph
Yüyan said natural landscapes are especially challenging since they have been photographed so much. Mountains and waterfalls are easy to find as backgrounds, but good foreground subjects are harder to locate.
“Great backgrounds, such as mountains or waterfalls, are easy to find because we're always looking for them”
Put something between camera and scenery
Yüyan recommended finding an interesting foreground subject like blooming wildflowers or a craggy tree and framing your shot so you can see the scenery in the distance.This gives images depth, intimacy, and makes photos unique.
“It'll give your images depth, intimacy, and make your photos unique”
Santa Cruz beach test
Hadden photographed a beach across from mountains in Santa Cruz, California.Her first shot from the shore looked boring with just sand in the foreground.
Watson Lake hike in Arizona
At Watson Lake in Prescott, Arizona, Hadden found that photographing rock formations from the parking lot did not do them justice.
Yüyan's tip changes how Hadden shoots
Hadden realised some images in her camera roll already supported Yüyan's tip, but the National Geographic photographer helped her identify what makes certain pictures stronger.She will scout for interesting foregrounds on her next nature trip.
The takeaway
A National Geographic photographer says adding a foreground subject to phone nature photos gives them depth and makes them stand out from the thousands already taken.
