Exploring Fine Art Nature Photography

Before we can form a solid understanding of fine art nature photography, we need to explore what defines fine art photography and nature photography. When combined, these two approaches come together to evoke emotions, tell a story, and connect us to the endless power and promise of nature through awe-inspiring fine art nature photography. When we hang such art in our indoor spaces, we elevate our quality of life by bringing the purity of the outdoors inside.

What is Fine Art Photography?

In contrast to a genre like photojournalism, fine art photography results from a photographer's creative vision paired with how they interpret the scene they are attempting to capture. Where photojournalism is documentation of the newsworthy, fine art photography takes what many see as ordinary and amplifies it to become extraordinary.

To bring such a heightened artistic expression to life, the artist photographer must first master photography fundamentals such as lighting, focus, composition, and exposure. Additionally, a fine art photographer needs an adept understanding of their gear and how to use it seamlessly to execute their intended concept.

From cameras to lenses to post-processing software and everything in between, if the artist understands which instruments to use, which notes to hit, and how to present their viewpoint in a captivating way, they can express the intended emotion or those they felt as the shutter clicked. If the viewer of the piece can feel these emotions or their interpretation of them, a kind of magic has occurred far beyond what language could ever describe.

A wonderful way to tie all this together is through a quote from the Format.com article Fine Art Photography Tips To Get You To The Next Level. It reads, “A definition of fine art photography involves bringing a vision, emotion, or a state of mind to life through a photographed image. It involves creating something that previously only lived in your mind, as opposed to simply capturing what you see in an artistic way. It’s a way to express your emotions and the way you see the world—and share it with others.”

Pictured above, fine art photography like Waterman's View not only inspires but evokes emotions of tranquility and exhilaration. Catching nature in such a thrilling moment is something an artist photographer may spend years trying to capture. Those of us who don't surf still long to know what it looks and feels like inside the barrel of a fast-moving wave. Hanging nature photography wall art like this in your home provides that glimpse and adds inspiration and peace to the space. 

What is Nature Photography? 

The natural world has it figured out. Nature isn't worried about that meeting at corporate next week or any regret or longing for the past. With our hectic day-to-day schedules and all the stress accompanying them, is it any wonder that we gravitate toward spending time in nature to calm us? Of course, visiting the natural world isn't always an option. Thankfully, a close second is fine art nature photography.

Nature photography is a vast genre that includes landscapes, beach and coastal scenes, wave and ocean art, and the art of abstract nature photography. To capture the nuances and hidden beauty that others miss, a master photographer spends countless years in the natural world. They see these scenes differently from others and can report their stories and findings back to us through striking images.

If you consider how fleeting a week-long beach vacation can feel, imagine how short-lived the opportunity was to capture an iconic image like Humpback Breach off Poipu. Another example is PCH Sunset Drive, pictured below, where every element of the scene had to be just right to immortalize Latitudes photographer Stephanie Hogue’s vision.

Stephanie had this image in mind for years, and after many trips up the coast, the conditions were finally perfect to see her vision through. About PCH Sunset Drive, Stephanie said, "When the sky and sea come together with a magical light that looks like a painting, I get so inspired! I especially love the warm red cliffside light playing off the blue and white churning of the ocean waves, offering a show of their power but with a graceful softness."

With fine art nature photography, you can relive those fleeting vacations with these spontaneous, magical moments captured on film. 

Fine Art Nature Photography Prints for Sale

Now that we have a firm understanding of the two genres that make up fine art nature photography, let’s explore some fine art photographic prints from our gallery.

Landscape Fine Art Nature Photography 

To capture her artistic vision, Stephanie waited hours until the light was just as she needed it to capture the inspired mountain landscape Nature’s Gift.

Another piece from Stephanie that highlights several elements of fine art nature photography, including the changing seasons, is Rocky Mountain Sunset. Certainly, to freeze this magical image in time, Stephanie had to wait for the setting sun to be positioned just right to blanket the fall-colored trees and dramatic mountain silhouette in such a soft and ethereal light.

Wave and Ocean Fine Art Nature Photography

After years of attempting to catch the perfect image of sea foam, Latitudes artist photographer Steve Munch achieved what he thought was impossible with Foamy Flute.

Of the piece, Steve said, “Growing up on the beach, I chased that foam for years. I was seeing different pictures of it, you know, where people captured it, and it just has such an abstract feel, and it’s different every time that I never caught or really saw anything that blew me away. And then, as I opened galleries, I felt like I could capture what I wanted when I wanted, but that foam was such a challenge I still couldn’t.

“One particular day, I was in Kauai, and the foam was different. Foam is created by big swells, usually high tides, and water trapped against sand embankments. So this particular day, the foam was way whiter than it typically is, and that's what caught my eye — it's not full of sand, it's not all brown. This foam was super beautiful. I shot about four pictures of it and didn't think much about it. I shot it on film, and months later, when I got the film developed and saw the results, I knew right away it was beyond insane. It was so good.”