Turn off those screens, get your camera ready, and get outside because June 15th is Nature Photography Day!

June 15th is Nature Photography Day. What started in North America is now an event that people from around the world partake in. Discovering nature and taking a moment to observe the natural beauty that surrounds us is what this day is all about.

Charles Darwin may have been one of the first people to (unofficially) participate in Nature Photography Day (NPD), but there’s so much more to discover about our planet.

If you haven’t read On the Origin of Species, you may want to consider doing that for Nature Photography Day.

NPD is a fun way to bring awareness to preserving, protecting, and advancing conservation efforts.

Here are a few ways you can participate!

What is Nature Photography Day?

Reducing our footprint on the earth has many benefits for humans and the world around us.

Plants, landscapes, and wildlife need to be protected.

This is not an isolated issue.

This is a global issue.

The North American Nature Photography Association designated June 15th as Nature Photography Day.

The first Nature Photography Day was celebrated in 2006.

Today, we are celebrating fifteen years of encouraging people to observe and enjoy nature.

Using your camera (or your fancy phone), you can explore and share the natural world around you.

Given the circumstances of today’s world, that may include photographing your backyard or a nearby park.

There is something special about nature that brings a sense of calm and euphoria to those that spend time embracing it-- just like cannabis.

Nature and cannabis go hand-in-hand.

How to Celebrate Nature Photography Day

Participate in NANPA’s Nature Photography Day Bioblitz on iNaturalist. Every unique observation earns you one entry for your chance to win some great prizes.

You don’t have to be a professional photographer to capture images of plants, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes.

You don’t have to take pictures at all.

There are so many ways you can enhance your connection with nature.

• Educate yourself about the history of your local landscapes and environments.
• Share online resources and books with your friends.
• Go on a hunt for insects, birds, rocks, and plants by creating a scavenger hunt.

You can even celebrate by educating yourself on cannabis cultivation.

Pro tip: other plants grow well with cannabis

4 Tips for Amazing Flower Photography Results

Creating flawless flower photos isn’t that difficult. There are many ways to capturing breathtaking images.

Here are a few simple tips that will enhance your flower picture-taking skills!

Avoid Background Clutter

Like most aspects of photography, a scenic background is vital.

A busy background that is cluttered can take away from your image because it is distracting.

Pro tip: ask yourself: Does the background compliment my shot or hinder it?

Cloudy Days are Perfect

Are you looking for that perfect exposure? Photograph flowers on a cloudy day.

You won’t have to fuss over brutal bright spots or murky shadows.

Not to mention, the light is soft so that the petals will stand out.

POV is Everything

Just like life, your point of view is everything.

Don’t settle for the mundane flower shots. Try something risky.

Get creative by zooming in or out or photographing the flower from above.

What about taking a few snaps from behind?

Trying different focal lengths and angles will reward you with unique floral images.

Get Cozy & Close

Get as close to the flower as you can.

If you have a telephoto lens, use it. If not, bring your camera (or fancy phone) as close to the flower as possible.

If you’re using a telephoto lens, keep an eye on the minimum focusing distance (MFD)-- some lenses are better than others.