Bitten by the photo bug? Fancy yourself the next great photographer for National Geographic or Outside Magazine? Maybe you just want to wow your inlaws or coworkers with that perfect postcard shot and your adventurous spirit?
Making waves with an eye-catching photo might actually be easier than you imagine. You don’t need to be a professional photographer or own a camera that costs more than your first car to take nature shots that turn heads and capture a feeling. What you do need is the right setting, a little knowledge, a willingness to experiment, and an eye for the details.
At C Lazy U — Colorado’s premiere guest ranch and Western resort destination — we can provide the setting and the knowledge. The rest? Well, that’s up to you.
Expensive Equipment Doesn’t Make the Best Shots; Perspective Does
Some photography circles can become an arms race of having all the newest and “best” gear. But the best nature shots aren’t defined by the most expensive equipment, and even a phone camera or retro Polaroid can produce something stunning. An eye for beauty and drama, plus a solid handle on what you find interesting will do a lot of heavy lifting. Being in the right place, noticing something other people might overlook, and knowing when to press the shutter are all it takes to make an amazing shot.
Don’t be afraid to get uncomfortable — down in the cold snow or up before the sun starts to rise — to make it work. Try to think outside of the box and picture things differently, but also be willing to let inspiration strike, whenever, wherever. You’re out here to capture the human experience and breathtaking power of nature, so let yourself get swept up in the experience before trying to force a photo op. The perfect shot will present itself to you when the time is right.
Find Your Starting Point: The Best Budget & Entry Level Cameras
Know Your Lenses
The look of your lens defines the look of your shot and what your camera is capable of.
A 24mm to 70mm telephoto lens is a great starting point that can give you versatility and help you close long distances to your subject matter. This setup lets you move between wider compositions and tighter framing without constantly switching lenses, and can be super handy when you’re photographing a frosty mountain range one minute and a horse grazing in a nearby meadow the next.
A 50mm with a large aperture (f1.8 or lower) can be another great addition to your kit, with lots of capability in low light and plenty of room to experiment with depth of field. A 50mm lens also has the bonus of closely replicating the way a human eye sees, allowing you to take shots more true to what you’re looking at in the moment — though, this kind of lens will demand more movement and positioning compared to a telephoto zoom lens.
Of course, the best lens depends on what you love to photograph and how you like to operate. This is all just a jumping-off point, and an expert at your local camera shop will be more than happy to direct you to the right lenses for your particular interests and preferred shooting style.
Make Use of the Golden Hour
The golden hour is the period just after sunrise and just before sunset, and while fleeting, it’s every photographer and cinematographer’s ideal time to shoot. While it’s called “golden hour,” in reality, it’s actually closer to 30-50 minutes depending on the time of year.
What makes it so great? It’s the most beautiful, warm, and dramatic lighting you’ll get all day. Instead of harsh overhead light and deep shadows, you get long shadows, glowing highlights, and the kind of aesthetics that make it look like a Hollywood budget was involved. The most beautiful landscape shots you’ve ever seen? Yeah, those were probably taken during golden hour.
If you want to catch the light, though, you’ll need to be there before it starts. Check sunrise and sunset times, arrive early enough to find your composition, and give yourself time to watch how the light changes. The best color may last only a few minutes, and you’ll want to be ready rather than scrambling to find your camera settings.
Find Great Subjects
A picture is only as good as what’s in it. Want something the relatives can’t stop talking about? You’re going to need the right subject matter.
Fortunately, nature is full of subjects. The trick is to look beyond the obvious postcard view and notice the details, relationships, and moments that give a setting its depth and personality. Colorado’s Rocky Mountains offer plenty of variety, and scenic C Lazy U ranch can help do some of the heavy lifting with over 8,500 acres of secluded meadows, colorful woods, and winding rivers surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain backdrops. As you work to find the perfect shot, keep an eye out for natural lines, contrasts, reflections, and foreground details that draw the viewer into the frame.
Make sure to watch for animal subjects for your photos, too — be they domestic creatures or wild critters. The ranch is home to a remarkable range of animals, and you don’t always need to venture far to spot signs of life. Depending on the location and season, you might see elk, deer, moose, birds of prey, foxes, coyotes, or smaller wildlife moving through their natural habitat. Plus, since we are a real working ranch, our herd of over 200 horses and our rambunctious miniature donkeys can make for great models.Their expressive faces and curious personalities are often the highlights of guest photos.
And don’t overlook the small stuff when searching for great photo ops. Water droplets on a pine branch, animal tracks in fresh snow, a weathered fence, or the changing colors of leaves up close can be just as compelling as a panoramic mountain view. Try photographing the same place from several angles or returning at a different time of day. You may find that the detail you initially dismissed becomes your favorite image.
Check Out Our Ranch Photo Gallery for Inspiration
Practice, Practice, Practice
As with just about everything in life, amazing photography skills come from practice. If you’ve ever talked to a professional nature photographer, you’ll also find that even they take a lot of photos that simply don’t work. The key is to keep experimenting, pay attention to what went wrong, and try again.
The easiest way to markedly improve is to practice with intention. Instead of snapping dozens of photos from the same spot without thinking, choose one subject and photograph it in several different ways. Try different foreground inclusions or focus points. Get closer, step back, change your angle, or try including more of the surrounding landscape. Compare the results and notice which composition tells the story best.
It also helps to learn a few basic camera settings. Aperture controls depth of field, shutter speed affects how motion appears, and ISO influences how sensitive your camera is to light. You don’t have to master everything at once, but a few beginner books or videos can set you up for more success, sooner. If you’re using a phone, try tapping to focus, adjusting exposure, and using the grid to help line up your composition.
Most importantly, don’t wait until you have better equipment, more technical knowledge, or the perfect location to start. Modern technology has made it easier than ever for just about anyone to pick up photography and start leveling-up their skills, so just get to it!
Come to a Place That Makes the Magic Effortless
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains offer heaps of inspiration for outdoor photography, from sweeping mountain views to frosty meadows and golden light filtering through the trees. At C Lazy U Ranch, our incredible Western scenery, effortless atmosphere, and all-inclusive luxury give you plenty of room to slow down, be thoughtful, and find subjects you might otherwise miss. Our next great photo is waiting for you to capture it!
You don’t need to plan every shot or bring a bag full of expensive equipment (though, you’re certainly welcome to). Sometimes, the best photos come from being in a beautiful place, paying attention to what’s around you and staying ready when the light, landscape, or moment comes together. Bring your camera, give yourself time to wander, and see what catches your eye.
Looking for the inside track on our best photo spots and secrets to taking pictures on the ranch? Talk to our experts in the Outfitter’s Cabin, and plan your next great photography adventure today.
