Probably not… lol! But it is pretty nice to have someone other than my mother take notice — thanks, Mom!
I was recently included on Topteny.com’s Best Nature Photographers in the World List, and while I’m not sure I’d ever claim a title like that myself, it’s always an honor when someone appreciates the work you put into photographing the natural world.
Recognition like this is never expected, but always appreciated, especially when it comes from people who love wildlife photography as much as I do.
What Makes a Great Nature Photographer?
Lists of the world’s best nature photographers are always going to be subjective. Photography is an art form, and the images that connect with one person won’t necessarily be the same ones that resonate with someone else.
For me, great nature photography isn’t simply about creating a technically perfect photograph. It’s about having something to say.
I’ve always believed that we should strive to make photographs rather than simply take them. That means thinking about what attracted you to the scene in the first place and then making deliberate decisions about composition, light, perspective and background to communicate that idea to the viewer.
Whether I’m photographing wildlife, birds or landscapes, I’m always looking beyond simply documenting what’s in front of me.
Developing Your Own Style as a Nature Photographer
One of the things I’ve learned during my years as a nature photographer is the importance of developing your own photographic voice.
There is an incredible amount we can learn from looking at the work of other photographers. In fact, learning from other photographers has played a huge part in my own development.
But ultimately, the goal shouldn’t be to reproduce someone else’s photographs. It’s to take everything you’ve learned and use it to create images that reflect the way you see the natural world.
That doesn’t happen overnight. It develops through time in the field, experimentation, mistakes, feedback and making a lot of photographs.
In Nature Photography, There’s Always More to Learn
No matter how long you’ve been photographing nature, there’s always something else to learn.
New subjects present new challenges. Different environments make us work differently. Light changes. Wildlife rarely does exactly what we’d like it to do.
And that’s a big part of what keeps nature photography interesting.
I’ve been doing this for decades, and I still get excited about heading into the field and seeing what opportunities nature gives us.
It’s also one of the things I enjoy most about teaching photographers in the field during our photography tours and workshops.
Being Recognized Alongside Other Nature Photographers
That’s also why being included on a list like this means a lot.
I’m grateful to be listed alongside such a talented and diverse group of photographers. The nature photography community is full of passionate, hard-working individuals who spend countless hours in the field chasing light, behavior and stories.
Being mentioned among them is truly meaningful.
Awards, lists and recognition are nice, but ultimately they’re not why I photograph nature. It’s the experiences, the challenge of creating an image that communicates something and the opportunity to share the natural world with others that keep me doing this.
Sharing what I’ve learned through talks, workshops and photography events has become another important part of that.
Thanks again to everyone who supports my work, and to Topteny.com for the thoughtful inclusion.
Good Luck and Good Light!
Steve