If you read that and thought “That sounds like me!” read on; I have good news. There are some great ways to take better photos without having to learn the complexities of your camera. That’s right – leave your camera on auto and still learn to take great photos.

Of course I encourage anybody to learn and understand aperture and shutter speed, the settings you will need to understand to really improve as a photographer. However, the best encouragement is to start getting results quickly, so here are five easy tips to help you improve your photography…the low-tech way!

Better Photography Tip#1. Take your photo in the best possible light. You may have heard that the best light for most photography is very early or very late in the day, when the sun is low, and the light is soft and colourful. This is a good rule to follow most of the time. Not only is the light more attractive, you can also avoid the contrast and heavy shadows of midday.

Some subjects actually work better on cloudy days. For animals and people, cloudy weather softens the light and overcomes the problem of your subject squinting into the light. In the forest, overcast skies prevent the heavy contrast that is a problem on sunny days.

Better Photography Tip#2. Landscape photos: create a more interesting composition. Many photos can be made more interesting not by zooming right in on the subject, but by zooming out, or standing further back to capture more of the surroundings. The important thing is to use make sure you use the surroundings to add impact to the picture.

For example, let’s say you are photographing an old rustic farmhouse. You could add even more character by using a line of fence posts, or a gravel driveway, to lead the eye into the picture. Or when photographing a waterfall, you could try going a little further downstream, to shoot the creek with the waterfall in the background for a more interesting angle.

Better Photography Tip#3. Sunset and Sunrise. Everyone loves taking sunset (and sunrise) photos. A brilliant sunset sky can make a great photo, but you can make it even better by looking for a good subject in the foreground. The key is to find something that stands out against the sky, with a an outline people can recognize; a tree, a windmill, even a row of power poles. The subject does not have to dominate the photo; in fact it is probably best if it only takes up about ten percent of the composition so that the sky remains the starring attraction. But if you can create a striking silhouette, you will immediately add character to your sunset photograph.

Better Photography Tip#4. Animals (And People). Portrait style photos are usually spoiled by a distracting background. When you take a photo of a friend, a pet, or an animal, you don’t want the surroundings to take attention away from the subject.

So here’s the trick. Don’t stand close to your subject and take the photo with a regular or wide-angle lens. Stand further back and zoom in with your largest lens magnification. This will have two results. First, it will reduce the area behind and around the subject that is visible in the photo. Second, it will minimize the depth of field, which means only your subject should be in focus. Anything in front or behind the subject will be out of focus, and will not cause a distraction.

Better Photography Tip#5. Concentrate. Sometimes all it takes to make a photo a success is to move a little to the left or right, or zoom in or out just a little more. If you just point the camera in the general direction of the subject without thinking about what you are doing, your results will not improve. If you slow down and really examine what you can see in the viewfinder before you press the button, your success rate will impove.

Simple things to look out for include; trees and power-poles appearing to grow out of the head of the subject (move yourself or the subject to a better position); litter on the ground (pick it up); aircraft or distracting clouds in the sky (wait for them to pass by); blurry branches on a windy day (wait for conditions to settle for a moment). All these things and more can ruin a photo, and they can all be remedied by taking a good look to make sure your picture has captured everything you want, and nothing you don’t want.

So there you have some easy tips for good photography without getting hung up on technology. Above all, pay attention to tip #5 and slow down to concentrate on what you are doing. The other golden rule: keep practicing, take lots of photos whenever you can. You will learn a lot more from your own experience in the field, than by being told what to do. Remember with digital cameras it doesn’t cost you anything to keep on snapping. With patience and attention to detail, you will be taking better photos in no time – guaranteed!

• Case of two 16-ounce bags (total of 32 ounces)
• Dried organic pineapples make healthful sweet snack
• Fat-free (baked, not fried); no additives; no preservatives; no added sugar
• Vacuum packed for freshness
• Made in nut-free facility; packaged in Omak, WA

Product Description
To ensure nutrition and good health for you and your family, Bare Fruit products are certified organic. This means they are produced according to strict USDA guidelines. We never use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or antibiotics. Manufactured in a nut free facility and they are also gluten free. USDA organic, certified organic by Washington State Department of Agriculture. They are made with no added sugar, preservatives or additives. They are chewy, healthy and always good tasting.

Bare Fruit 100% Organic Bake-Dried Pineapple, 1 Pound Bags

• Case of twenty four, 3.17-ounce (total of 76.08-ounces)
• 100% Organic fruit puree
• No sugar added
• Squeezable fruit that is ideal for the lunchbox
• Kid-safe; resealable cap

Product Description
We’ve taken real organic fruit and made purees that can be eaten right out of the pack. Mashups have all the goodness of fruit without any of the prep. They’re great for tossing in the lunchbox and just as enjoyable at home. We like to think of them as an easy squeezy way to eat fruit.

Revolution Foods Organic Mashups Squeezable Fruit, Tropical, 3.17-Ounce Squeezable Pouches

• Pack of 12, 14-ounce bags (168-ounce)
• Eat nuts for health
• USDA organic certified

Product Description
Bergin Nut Company Organic Medjool Dates are USDA organic certified.

Bergin Nut Company Organic Medjool Dates, 14-Ounce Bags

• Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Low Sugar, No Additives, No Preservatives, Vegan, Kosher, Halal
• 12g of fiber per bar, over 40% of daily fiber needs
• Made with Renewable Energy
• Only 3 grams of sugar per bar.
• 100% soluble fiber

Product Description
Fiber Bars are designed for those who want to increase their fiber and limit their sugar intake. The Fiber bars are made with the finest ingredients, with no additives, preservatives or artificial sweeteners. Chicory Root Extract (100% soluble fiber) is used as a binder which increases the fiber content for each bar this provides over 40% of the daily needed value of fiber. They are low in sugar (3 or 4 grams per bar), low in carbs and low in Calories. Such properties make them suitable for diabetics, they are delicious bars made with kids in mind.

Oskri Fiber Bar, Cashews and Cranberries, Gluten Free, 1.5-Ounce Bars

Nature photography doesn’t sell as well as shots of good looking people doing everyday stuff and having fun at the beach, but if nature is what you like to shoot you can still make it pay.

First off, don’t just submit your photos to one or two sites. The more places your photos are for sale the more you will make from them. You will find a list of the most recommended sites at the end of this article. It can be very time consuming to submit and keyword your photos on multiple sites. If you are serious about distributing to a lot of sites you should definitely check out iSyndica. With iSyndica you only need to upload once and they can effectively distribute your photos to as much as 33 different photo selling websites. You will have to manually register on all sites first though. Many of the sites also have an easy approval process you need to go through.

What sells best then? …it’s’ hard to say. A photo of a leaf on a tree might move very well – or maybe a beautiful sunset or just some clouds! A good rule is to keep your photos simple. Think about how potential customers might use your images. They can’t be to specific or they will only have a very small audience. Simple stuff like maybe a bright green leaf on a tree works because it’s puts a broader image or idea in you mind and it will work in many contexts – ecology, vacations, wellness etc.

If you shoot in a particular niche. Say polar life maybe – you will have an easier time selling your images. There are several reasons for this. There are some niche sites like Arctic Stock Images. Because they focus on a particular niche of the stock photo market they can often sell your images at a higher price. You might not sell as much as say on iStockphoto but you can make as much as $25 on a single sale. Furthermore if you focus on a niche it will brand you as a photographer. You could become known as “The guy who shoots icebergs”. Customers will get to know you and they will return.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to shoot something unique that’s also a very good idea. The competition for iceberg images are simply smaller that of fields and meadows.

Recommended sites for selling your photos:

Arctic Stock Images
Specializes in images from the arctic regions and Antarctica. Very high commissions.

Dreamstime
Not the best selling site, but definitely in the top 5 and one you should seriously consider.

iStockphoto
Probably the best ratio of time invested uploading and keywording photos compared to sales achieved.

Shutterstock
Pays as little as 25 cents per sale, but also sells a lot of them – highly recommended.

BigStockPhoto
One of the top 10 selling sites. Recently purchased by Shutterstock.

Fotolia
Another top 10 selling site.

Nearly all camera manufacturers have digital cameras on the market. Moreover the demand for professional digital cameras has tremendously increased due to better clarity and instant gratification. With this technology and the launch of wide angle digital cameras nature lovers and nature photographers have been in photographic heaven.

If you are unfamiliar with wide angle digital cameras the best way to describe them is that they provide a wider view of your subject. Wide angle digital cameras have a lens that is wider than typical normal lens in order to photograph a wider view of the subject. Professional nature photographers typically use wide angle digital cameras since they not only provide a wider angle but also the depth of the field necessary to prevent the photograph from looking flat. For instance, say you want to photograph the mountains. Wide angle cameras are great for this since you can capture the entire area as well as have the essential depth needed to make it appear real and detailed.

Wide angle digital cameras have specific lens measurements and other unique features that enhance its performance. I have listed a few of the features unique to wide angle digital cameras.

Wide angle digital camera have a 28mm lens and have a fast shutter speed. They also have a fast start-up time and user-friendly functions. Wide angle cameras are generally easy to handle and use.

Typically you will find a 28mm-100mm wide zoom which is equivalent to 35mm film camera format on the wide angle camera. The zoom lens gives you a comprehensive 75 degree view which is much better than the 62 degree view provided by conventional 35mm digital cameras. These wider angles, while not providing an actual panorama, allows you to take great photos of landscapes, group photos and other subjects.

Shutter response in wide angle cameras is mere 0.12 seconds and start up time is only 0.10 seconds. These speeds are extremely fast when compared to analogue wide angle cameras and allow nature enthusiasts to capture the quick movements of their favorite subjects. Furthermore, these cameras are incredibly compact and extremely portable. They are typically light which ensures that nearly anyone can easily use them.

Resolution usually falls between the range of 3.0 to 5.0 megapixels. The higher the resolution the better the images you can capture ensuring your photos are high quality with crystal clear details. With this technology your images will look sharper with robust color even when they are printed out.

The zoom feature on the wide angle digital cameras is designed to bring you closer to the subject. You can quickly capture the tiniest of details of your subject very clearly with the availability of a 3.6 optical zoom and 4.4x digital zoom.

Most cameras have a 2″ LCD screen which provides a great preview of the photo. You will also typically find a webcam and video recording that includes sound recording on most models.

Wide angle digital cameras work with your computer and you can transfer images from your camera to your computer using a USB cable. Most cameras come equipped with PictBridge compatibility. The cameras come with software for image enhancement and fast image transfer rate.

If nature photography is one of your passions you may want to look into wide angle technology. Enjoy nature and capture incredible images at the same time with wide angle digital cameras.

You will discover further Digital Photography Tutorials over at the Learn Digital Photography Blog, although you will benefit a great deal by reading Dan Feildman’s excellent digital photography free report.

• Six 18-count boxes (108 total tea bags)
• Made from pure chamomile tea
• Apple-like flavor; made from 100% organic ingredients
• foil-wrapped tea bags in each box
• Ingredients from Egypt and packaged in Tigard, Oregon

Product Description
Relax with a soothing cup of our Organic Chamomile Tea. This classis herbal tea has delicate apple-like flavor notes and a beautiful golden color in the cup. USDA organic. Certified organic by QAI. Organic farming maintains ecological harmony, leaving a legacy of clean foods and healthy soil. It embraces the use of natural fertilizers, crop rotation and other safe and natural methods. Stash Premium Organic Teas were created to meet the growing demand for organic products. We searched for many years for premium quality organic teas and herbs that would meet our exacting flavor standards. We’ve chosen popular tea flavors or consumers who want an organic choice. We’re sure you’ll agree that these teas are wonderfully flavorful. We invite you to join us in a soothing cup. Since 1972, Stash has been committed to providing premium quality teas and an unsurpassed tea drinking experience. Stash begins with simply excellent tea leaves from the world’s premier tea gardens and all natural botanical ingredients gathered from around the world. Meticulous blending and tasting of every tea ensures you will enjoy full flavor in every cup.

Stash Premium Organic Chamomile Herbal Tea, Tea Bags, 18-Count Boxes

• Pack of six 40-count boxes of calorie-free, decaffeinated green tea (240 total tea bags)
• Decaffeinated organic green tea grown in higher-elevation gardens
• Decaffeinated, organic, gluten free, with no calories and no carbohydrates; Kosher Parve
• An excellent source of healthy antioxidants
• Blended and packaged in the U.S.A.

Product Description
Our tea bags are sealed for freshness in airtight, flavor protecting fresh packs to ensure your full enjoyment. USDA organic. Certified 100% Organic. Bigelow Certified 100% Organic Decaffeinated Green Tea – tea with a healthy attitude! Mother Nature gave us a wonderful gift when she packed beneficial antioxidants into Green Tea – powerful combatants that protect the body’s healthy cells from billions of naturally occurring free radicals, unstable molecules that when left unchecked, may lead to a host of degenerative diseases. Studies show that drinking 2-3 cups of tea may improve your chances of fending off these invaders. But that’s only half the story. The Certified 100% Organic tea contained in this package has the added benefits from having been grown by socially-responsible farmers who are committed to using only natural fertilizers that are free of synthetic pesticides and additives, and to maintaining safe, healthy growing environments for today and for generations to come. Your assurance that Bigelow Certified 100% Organic Decaffeinated Green Tea is healthful and delicious. The USDA Organic and QAI seals are your assurance that Bigelow Certified 100% Organic Decaffeinated Green Tea has been grown and produced in strict accordance with the Organic Industry’s highest standards. The Bigelow name means this tea has been expertly processed to bring up the tea’s natural, mellow green flavor, then carefully overwrapped in protective fresh packs to seal in its delicate flavor and goodness. So enjoy Bigelow Certified 100% Organic Decaffeinated Green Tea often. It’s great tasting, good for the environment, and good for you, too! Certified Organic by QAI, Inc. Blended and packaged in the U.S.A.

Bigelow Decaffeinated Organic Green Tea, 40-Count Boxes

[Photography by Brazil2]

Note from the photographer:

60-70 percent of deforestation in the Amazon results from cattle ranches and soyabeans cultivation while the rest mostly results from small-scale subsistence agriculture.

Learn how the Rainforest Alliance supports sustainable forestry