What is the difference between nature and wildlife photography?

How I Approach the Natural World Differently When Photographing Landscapes Versus Wildlife

Photography, for me, isn’t just about framing a scene—it’s about chasing the pulse of the natural world. Over the years, I’ve found myself drawn to two distinct areas: nature photography and wildlife photography. At first glance, they might seem like close cousins—both shot outdoors, both rooted in the organic. But anyone who’s carried a camera into the wild knows they require completely different ways of seeing, anticipating, and responding. They’re not just technical categories. There are other ways of relating to the world. Nature and wildlife photography are distinct genres within the broader field of photography, each with its own focus, techniques, and purpose.

While the two genres share some common ground, they diverge in terms of intention, pace, and how we, as photographers, connect with the environment. In this article, I’ll walk you through what sets them apart—and where they meet—with plenty of real-world example images and stories from my fine art collections. Every image is more than just visual—it’s a memory, an encounter, a lesson learned in the field.

Let’s break it down.

Nature Photography: Capturing the Essence of the Environment

Nature photography, at its core, is about presence. It asks you to be still. To take in the expanse of land, the textures of bark, the shift of light on stone. It’s not just about documenting nature—it’s about translating its rhythm into something that can be felt through an image. Capturing natural elements such as landscapes, plants, and textures is essential, as these foundational components help tell the story of nature’s beauty and detail.

When I was shooting the North Iceland Extraordinary Basalt Columns, I wasn’t just struck by the geometry. I stood there, completely dwarfed by the scale. It felt ancient, otherworldly. That photograph is as much about awe as it is about symmetry. Likewise, the Moonscape of the Pinnacles in Australia didn’t just catch my eye—it caught my breath. Nature is a sculptor, working on timelines far beyond ours.

A wide angle lens is my go-to for landscape work, but I don’t use them as a rule—I use them as a tool. In landscape photography, wide-angle lenses are commonly used to exaggerate depth, stretch the space, and include more of the environment, placing the viewer right there with me. That said, I’ve learned over time that changing your position by just a few feet can do more than swapping lenses. Exploring different perspectives or seeking a new perspective—whether by shifting your angle, height, or distance—can transform the image and make a good composition unforgettable.

The seasons are collaborators in this kind of photography. A Fresh Snow Winter Forest in Haliburton has a mood no summer day can replicate. The trees soften, the world muffles, and the silence becomes part of the shot, creating a sense of place and atmosphere. Compare that with the New Zealand Waterfalls—raging, relentless, alive with motion. Nature speaks in many voices, and your job is to listen, then respond.

Lighting is critical. I chase golden hour not because it’s trendy, but because it’s true—those low-angle rays bring out textures and contours that mid-day sun flattens. But sometimes I’ll shoot in fog or even rain to let the lighting and mood drive the story.

Even the most minor details matter. That single reed in Calm Water and Grass—quiet, minimal, meditative—still hangs in my studio. And the Cypress Tree Swamp Forest in Black and White was a study in patience and tonal control. Without colour, you’re forced to pay attention to shape, light, and balance. Attention to composition and balance contributes significantly to the aesthetic value of the image. Black and white make you deliberate.

Then there’s macro and close-up work. You don’t always need to show the grand scale of a landscape to evoke wonder. Photographing small subjects—such as moss, bark, or dew on a spider web—using close-up techniques can highlight their importance and alter the viewer’s perception of their size and significance. A tightly framed shot of these details can feel cosmic if the composition is strong. Using the same lens to shoot both expansive and intimate is a good exercise—it forces you to see differently without swapping gear. Nature is endless once you begin to pay attention.

Wildlife Photography: A Glimpse into the Animal Kingdom

Now, wildlife photography? That’s a different beast altogether—literally and figuratively. This is not passive observation. It’s pursuit, anticipation, and a deep respect for the creature you’re photographing. To effectively photograph wildlife, a wildlife photographer must master skills and techniques such as camouflage, motion blur, and understanding animal behaviour. Every wild animal you shoot is a subject that requires you to earn the right to capture, and capturing images in the wild demands patience, preparation, and adaptability.

Let’s start with the Gentoo Penguins Walking on a Rock. I remember crouching on the shoreline, chilled to the bone in Antarctica, watching their social dance play out. I wasn’t just there to get a cute shot—I wanted to show their habits, their spacing, their choreography as a group. Creating compelling wildlife photos means paying attention to composition and background, ensuring the main subject stands out and the environment tells part of the story. It took hours, and more than a few false starts, before they gave me that frame, but the moment I captured was worth every second.

The Seal Portrait wasn’t just a stroke of luck either. That animal stared into the lens with a calm I didn’t expect. Achieving sharp focus on the main subject is crucial for image quality, especially in unpredictable wildlife encounters. It’s moments like that—unguarded, unplanned—that remind you how unpredictable and rewarding wildlife work can be, and how the best photos and photographs are often captured when you least expect it.

Then there’s the Baby Brown Bear with its Mother in Alaska. That image gets attention because it’s tender, but behind the frame is real risk and a lot of waiting. Photographing large mammals, such as bears, requires a well-planned strategy for positioning and timing, as well as the right lens choices to maintain a safe distance. You don’t rush moments like that. You prepare, you scout, you study. Wildlife photography begins in books and field notes long before you even pack your bag, and professional photographers understand the importance of planning for the correct location and revisiting it to observe patterns and improve their chances of capturing the perfect shot.

The Cougar? That was a ghost—a flicker between trees. I had to be silent, still, and fast. And the Gannets on Bonaventure Island—you can’t imagine the sound, the chaos, the wind. Photographing birds, especially in flight, requires practice and specific techniques. You need the right shutter speed, sure, but more importantly, you need intuition. Anticipate. Pre-focus. Let the behaviour guide your decisions. Taking photos in the field means being proactive, moving, and adapting to the environment to increase your chances of capturing images that tell a story.

Telephoto lenses are standard here, but they’re not just about zoom. Selecting the right telephoto lens with an appropriate focal length is essential for photographing distant or shy animals, such as large mammals and birds, while maintaining ethical distance. Understanding focal lengths helps you choose the best lens for the situation, which in turn affects composition, background separation, and your ability to photograph wildlife safely. They’re about ethics. Keeping distance protects the animal and keeps the moment honest. When I shoot from a blind or a boat, it’s not just for camouflage. It’s about giving space, letting the scene unfold without my presence changing the outcome. Your lens choices, along with the right cameras featuring fast autofocus and weather sealing, directly impact image quality and your ability to capture sharp, detailed wildlife photos.

Timing is everything. Early morning? That’s when the world wakes up—soft natural light, active animals, cooler air. When I return to a spot again and again, it’s not because I didn’t get the shot—it’s because I haven’t earned it yet. Patterns reveal themselves slowly, and revisiting the exact location allows a photographer to refine their approach and improve their photographs.

Depth of field matters here, too. Photographing a group of animals? You’ll want to use small apertures to keep the eyes sharp across the frame and ensure the entire group is in focus. However, sometimes, especially with portraits, a shallow depth of field isolates and elevates the main subject. It’s all about intent and understanding how your technique affects the final picture.

Wildlife doesn’t give you second chances. You shoot quickly, recompose on the fly, and bracket whenever possible. And composition? That’s where the storytelling lives. Don’t centre everything—work the rule of thirds, let the main subject breathe, and consider the interaction between foreground and background to create a compelling picture.

The Intersection and Divergence of Two Worlds

This is where it gets interesting. The overlap between nature and wildlife photography is real, but their demands diverge fast. Nature photography is about reading the environment. You think in terms of weather, light direction, and atmosphere. Wildlife photography adds another layer: behaviour. Movement. Mood.

Each genre also requires a different perspective. Changing your mindset can dramatically influence the outcome and storytelling in both nature and wildlife photography, affecting how depth, scale, and emotion are conveyed in your images.

In nature work, I can take my time, explore angles, and let the scene evolve. With wildlife, I’m often reacting. Split-second decisions. Missed chances. Surprising wins.

But both require mastery. You’ve got to know your gear inside and out—when to switch lenses, when to ride out bad weather, how to shoot in low light or high contrast. And more than that, you need to know yourself. Your limits. Your biases. What you’re drawn to. Because the best shots come when instinct and preparation meet.

The Challenges and Rewards

Nature photographers battle the elements—rain, wind, shifting light. You’ll plan a sunrise only to get caught in fog. But then, just as you’re packing up, the sun breaks through—and those five minutes become gold. Wildlife photographers? Our challenge is motion, behaviour, and safety. You’re not just shooting—you’re solving puzzles.

Ethics matter deeply—respect for the land, the creature, the story. Don’t bait, don’t corner, don’t manipulate. The best wildlife images come from being present, not interfering.

And both genres demand a commitment to storytelling. Compelling photographs, done right, can say more than a thousand words. They can make people feel something real—and that’s why we do this. The reward? It’s not just the print—it’s the memory of how you made it.

Ethics in Nature and Wildlife Photography

Ethics are at the heart of nature and wildlife photography. As photographers, we’re not just observers—we’re stewards of the wild places and living subjects we capture. Every time we step into a natural environment, whether to photograph stunning landscapes or the elusive beauty of wild animals, we carry a responsibility to protect and respect the world we’re privileged to witness.

Many wildlife photographers and nature photographers follow a code of conduct that goes beyond simply taking pictures. It’s about ensuring that our presence doesn’t disrupt the delicate balance of natural scenes or put wild animals at risk. For professional wildlife photographers, this means never baiting or feeding animals, and always avoiding any action that could cause stress or harm. The best wildlife images are captured through patience and respect, rather than interference.

When photographing wildlife, maintaining a safe distance is essential—not just for our safety, but for the well-being of the animals. Telephoto lenses are invaluable tools, enabling us to capture high-quality images of wildlife in their natural habitats without intruding on their space. This approach helps preserve the authenticity of animal behaviour and ensures that our photography doesn’t alter the story unfolding before us.

Nature photographers also have a duty to the landscapes they shoot. Whether you’re capturing the grandeur of national parks or the quiet beauty of a forest floor, it’s vital to leave no trace. That means sticking to established trails, minimizing your carbon footprint, and never damaging vegetation or disturbing the environment for the sake of a perfect shot. The goal is to capture the beauty of the world without leaving a mark.

Professional wildlife photographers, as well as many amateur photographers, make it a point to obtain the necessary permits and follow all local regulations, especially when working in protected areas. This not only ensures legal compliance but also supports conservation efforts and helps safeguard these precious places for future generations.

Ultimately, nature and wildlife photography have the power to inspire awe and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world. By adopting ethical practices, photographers can help promote conservation and raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet’s most vulnerable environments and species.

Conclusion: A Celebration of the Natural World Through the Lens

Ultimately, nature and wildlife photography are two paths that lead through the same forest. They both ask us to observe, to connect, and to care. Whether I’m tracking a bear or photographing the angle of light through a canopy, I’m trying to hold onto something fleeting—a moment the world offered, and I was lucky enough to catch.