It is always advisable to carry a tripod for nature photography. This will not only give good results but also more space to experiment. If a tripod isn’t available then you can always rest the camera on the nearest rock or anything sturdy enough. While having to take waterfalls and a slow shutter blur is required then a tripod is a must. If the light is too much and wouldn’t allow a slower shutter for a blur that’s when a ND filter comes handy. A Neutral Density filter reduces the amount of light overall and of all wavelengths. This allows a slow shutter helping acquire get the desired effect. The same tip can be used if you want a blur in the fields.

The composition becomes inevitably the thing of concern after light. It is always advisable to imagine a frame and then shoot, with a digital camera one can always experiment and derive the best composition. It is good to have an object to one side of the frame which will provide more definition to the picture as well as make it aesthetically sound. A tree, a rock or if in the countryside even a house, if in water then a boat. A well contemplated effort can work wonders, one can have the viewer to visualize according to what the photographer wants by emphasizing on the object and letting the viewers eye to travel along the picture.

Black and white is also a very good option; most people fail to realize the power of Black and white photography as against color. For nature photography especially the tonal variations of BW can bring about the most wonderful effect to a picture, one because our normal eyes see in color and a BW will be different and refreshing. Another thing in BWs is that it can reduce distractions and focus on the subject. A subject that has been used to the max along with a landscape in BW is abandoned cars, trees and ruins. One can always move out of clichés and experiment. Clouds make great subjects as well with BW.

The key word is to experiment and trial and error method to get great pictures, worthwhile and different. It’s a good idea to also mock already existing works and learn what works best for you.