1-960498

As photographers, we often first are attracted by the larger landscape. Our next reaction is to look for the intimate landscape, the smaller scenes within the grand view. After we have selected these scenes within the large scene, we then start looking at the details, as above in Killarney, or below in Sudbury's Bell Park.

2-S_17_0103 Now we are into close-up photography. This is not macro photography, which is the reproduction of the subject at a 1:1 ratio, or life size.

For these more detailed images a good tripod is recommended. The closer you are to the subject the more camera movement can ruin your photo. As an alternative, good technique and one of the newer camera bodies with built-in image stabilization along with added stabilization in the lens, can produce sharp photos.

3-05000125

This photo I made in the field across the road from my house. I set my camera on a sturdy tripod (in this case, a Gitzo carbon fibre) and lined up the skipper on the timothy so that it was parallel to the film plane, for maximum sharpness. Because the butterfly was back-lit, I used a reflector to shine light onto my subject. This attention to detail ensured an award-winning photo. My technique here required the use of a tripod.

On a trip to Churchill, Manitoba, I spent a long time photographing the orange lichens and the patterns on these rocks on the Hudson Bay shoreline.

4-13000299

5-13000083 6-13000261

The lesson here: work the scene, shoot a variety compositions. When you have great subject matter, don't expect one shot will be the ideal.

Trees, or parts of, are another subject that can produce great detail images.

7-C_13_0518 Here is a close-up of sumac trees in the Hockley Valley. The comlementary colours, red and green, make the photo.

8-C_14_0058

I photographed this close-up of snow on poplar saplings in the Okanagan Valley.

A good hint on how to find interesting close-up subjects: as you walk about, look down at your feet. Here you'll see a plethora of photo possibilities.

9-S_20_0371 I was wandering around on this rock outcrop searching for images over a small beaver pond when I happened to look down to see where I was stepping and saw these fallen birch limbs with autumn maple leaves around them. Of the several compositions I made, this was my favourite.

Here are a few more examples of images by my feet.

10-940708Rock patterns 11-971125

12-S_20_0628 14-S_20_0751 While searching for images of bog laurel in a swamp near home, I felt that I'd struck out. The flowers were past their prime. But then I looked beyond the stalks and saw this pattern of fallen flower petals on the ground.

15-60000201Fallen Bog Laurel petals on bog, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

Make the best of the situation. There are always photo possibilities.

Rather than photographing the forest or the trees, again look down. There are photos to be found at the base of trees.

16-C_15_0167 This is a close-up of a giant cedar on Meares Island, on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

This Siberian Squill I found in this hollow at the base of a tree in Muir Park, Toronto.

17-C_15_0290-RPSiberian Squill (Scilla sibirica)

18-960477

As you may have noticed, most of these close-up photo were taken in overcast lighting conditions (this along the Chikanishing Trail in Killarney Provincial Park). So when the skies do not cooperate, its time to look for the small details.

But that is not an absolute. This photo of rocks at low tide at Port Medway, Nova Scotia, was taken with the warm light at sunrise.

22000053 For the nature photographer, there are many options. Aside from the epic landscapes, you can photograph the intimate landscapes and the close-up details of small subjects. There is always something to photograph. Don't zero in on the number of likes you might get on Instagram or other social media. Go out and photograph for yourself.