Nature photographs bring attention to living things and their surroundings. A useful viewing habit is to look beyond the main animal or plant: background, habitat and space around the subject often carry as much information as a close detail.
Let behaviour guide the picture
Look for a clear gesture, a meaningful interaction or a revealing moment in the environment. Compare a close portrait with an image that includes habitat. Both can succeed, but they answer different questions about the subject.
When photographing outdoors, keep a comfortable distance, avoid disturbing nests or shelter, and follow the rules of the location. A quieter approach can produce more natural observations as well as a better field experience.