Expressive Nature Photography

By Brenda Tharp

Photography is pure joy. The ability to see something special and capture it is still amazing to me, even after many years as a photographer.

From the tiniest detail of a flower to the vast expanse of the Milky Way overhead, our world offers endless opportunities to experience beauty.

Being out in nature with a camera is, in my view, one of the best jobs imaginable.

17–40mm lens at 40mm, f/7.1, 1/200 second. © Brenda Tharp

This dolphin created a pressure wake just before breaking the surface. The calm, clear waters of Johnstone Strait off Vancouver Island allowed me to see beneath the surface and capture the moment.

150–600mm lens at 552mm, f/13, 1/1000 second. © Brenda Tharp

I initially thought this resting bear would make a humorous image, but when the cub approached and leaned against her, the scene took on an emotional quality that resonates with viewers.

150–600mm lens at 309mm, f/16, 1/80 second. © Brenda Tharp

The side lighting on this dune in Namibia revealed a graceful S-curve leading the eye to the tree. Timing was everything, as conditions changed the following day.

150–600mm lens at 675mm (effective), f/11, 1/640 second. © Brenda Tharp

This zebra’s reflection created a circular visual path that keeps the viewer’s eye moving through the frame. A square crop emphasized the symmetry and pattern.

70–200mm lens at 300mm (effective), f/10, 1/1000 second. © Brenda Tharp

Filling the frame with this cheetah increased the impact of the image. The expression and lighting added a sense of personality to the scene.

70–200mm lens at 300mm (effective), f/9, 1/400 second. © Brenda Tharp

This image tells a story through silhouette alone. By excluding unnecessary detail, the shape becomes more powerful and recognizable.

70–200mm lens at 85mm, f/5.6. © Brenda Tharp

These flowers formed a natural line through the composition. I adjusted my angle and aperture to maintain sharpness while minimizing background distractions.

70–200mm lens at 155mm, f/8, 1/500 second. © Brenda Tharp

A neutral sky allowed the structure of the tree and nesting birds to stand out. The heron’s arrival completed the story of an active rookery.

70–200mm lens at 89mm, f/16, 1/6 second. © Brenda Tharp

Panning with these horses allowed me to capture the energy and motion of the moment in a single frame.

70–200mm lens at 100mm, f/16, 1/6 second. © Brenda Tharp

Intentional camera movement created a painterly effect, emphasizing color and form over detail.

24–105mm lens at 105mm, f/9, 1/80 second. Multiple exposures combined. © Brenda Tharp

Multiple exposures allowed overlapping textures and colors to create a more abstract interpretation of the forest.

24mm lens, f/4, 31 seconds, ISO 400. © Brenda Tharp

Capturing stars as points of light requires careful exposure. Even with slight motion, the overall effect can still feel magical.

Being in nature is rewarding in itself, but it often offers even greater rewards through light, composition, and fleeting moments.

When all elements align, the result is a powerful photograph and a reminder of how fortunate we are to experience it.

This article is an excerpt from Expressive Nature Photography: Design, Composition, and Color in Outdoor Imagery by Brenda Tharp, published by The Monacelli Press.

It is available through major booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Brenda Tharp is a professional photographer, speaker, writer, and workshop instructor with over 30 years of experience. Her work has appeared in magazines, books, and private collections across the United States.

Visit her website to explore more of her work.

Resources
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Original Publication Date: April 15, 2018

Article Last updated: May 01, 2026

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