Ian Plant

OPG LIVE: October 2018

October 8, 2018 By Ian Plant & filed under LIVE Videos.

Join us for a special OPG LIVE on Wednesday, October 10th at 10:00 a.m. CT. OPG Contributors Ian Plant and Zac Mills stream live from Uganda! They’ll be sharing photos and stories from their recent adventures photographing big cats in Kenya and mountain gorillas in Uganda – and, as always, sharing photo tips and pro…

Photographing Water: Ideas for Making Great Photos

July 23, 2018 By Ian Plant & filed under All Articles, Ian Plant.

I love photographing water, whether in the form of waterfalls, streams, ponds, or coastal scenes. Making water photos is fun and easy, if you know how to do it right. To help you get the most out of your water photography, here are some of my top tips and ideas for making great water photos.…

Why You Should Consider Shooting Raw Format for Outdoor Photography

June 5, 2018 By Ian Plant & filed under All Articles, Tips & Techniques Articles.

Most digital cameras give you two basic choices for recording your photo files: JPEG or raw (and, sometimes, both). Which to choose? Although JPEG is fine for casual photography, if you really want to take your photography to the next level, consider using raw format for your image files. I shoot raw format because it…

Photographing Light as Your Subject

May 24, 2018 By Ian Plant & filed under All Articles, Ian Plant, Landscape Photography Articles.

Generally, photographers think of light as the thing that illuminates the subject being photographed. There are times, however, when the light itself can be the subject—or at least an important element of the overall composition. There are several general circumstances when you should consider photographing light as your subject. Sunlight passes through a layer of…

Using Triangles in Landscape Photography

May 17, 2018 By Ian Plant & filed under All Articles, Ian Plant, Landscape Photography Articles, Tips & Techniques Articles.

In my over ten years as a professional landscape photographer, I’ve learned that artistic composition—the positioning of visual elements within the picture frame—is vitally important to taking successful photos. A critical component of mastering composition is learning how to recognize and creatively use abstract shapes. When assessing potential landscape subjects, I always keep an eye out for objects that form a triangle shape, as I’ve found that you can make powerful compositions by using triangles in landscape photography.

The Best Times to Take Outdoor Photos

May 7, 2018 By Ian Plant & filed under All Articles, Ian Plant, Landscape Photography Articles, Tips & Techniques Articles.

I’ve been a professional landscape, nature, and travel photographer for over ten years, and I often get asked the question: what are the best times of day for taking outdoor photographs? The answer, of course, depends in large part on what you are photographing. Outdoor photographers like myself spend weeks in the field hoping for incredible displays of natural light to fully bring their subjects to life. Understanding light, how it changes during the day, and how you can best use the light to your advantage are all critical aspects of successful outdoor photography.

Trip Report: Leprechaun Canyon, Utah

March 2, 2018 By Ian Plant & filed under All Articles, Ian Plant, Trip Report.

During a recent trip to southeast Utah, I spotted a magnificent rainbow arcing high above the twisted red rock desert. Unable to resist its beckoning call, I followed the rainbow to the end, where I found a wee little fellow wearing a bright green suit. He led me into his subterranean lair, glowing brightly from…

Course: Wildlife Photography in Kenya

February 16, 2018 By Ian Plant & filed under Uncategorized.

Join professional photographers Ian Plant and Zac Mills on their thrilling photo adventure in Kenya to photograph lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the world-famous crossing of the wildebeest migration over the Mara River. In this course, Ian and Zac share a number of their favorite wildlife photography techniques that allow them to create compelling wildlife photos…

Video: When to Use Back Button Focus for Wildlife Photography

February 16, 2018 By Ian Plant & filed under Uncategorized.

Have you heard of a technique called back button focus? In this free video, world renowned outdoor photographer Ian Plant takes you on a wildlife safari in Kenya for tips on back button focus. When you are doing wildlife photography, you should use your camera’s predictive autofocus mode because this allows you to track the…

Video: Outdoor Photography Lighting Styles

February 16, 2018 By Ian Plant & filed under Uncategorized.

If you want to improve your outdoor photography lighting, there are certain factors you need to be aware of. In this free video, world renowned outdoor photographer Ian Plant shows you three basic lighting styles and how they can work for you. The first is front lighting, which occurs when the sun is behind you…