Filters? Exposure? Contrast? All of these are important in the photography world depending on what’s being done. People and events? Sure! Influencers? Of course! There are some who don’t use anything to edit their photos, however, relying on the natural area to promote the focus. One subject that rarely needs editing, unless contracted by specific clients, is nature. God truly works in mysterious, yet glorious, ways. His very hands sculpted the world as we know it, from the tallest mountains to the deepest oceans and lakes, to the universe beyond. Nature always has its own beauty.

A few years back my family and I went on the Talimena drive in the Ouachita National Forest. The drive takes you across the top of a small mountain that stretches between Oklahoma and Arkansas, showing you the wonders of nature spanning out for miles around. The best time to go is in the fall when the leaves are in their prime. Trees blanket the entire surface creating a sea of fire that brings in hundreds, if not thousands, of people from all over to come see the sights. Along regular intervals there’s places for people to park and look off the summit, take photos, or have a picnic. I managed to get a few pictures of the trip and, even without filters, they came out as some of the most exquisite photos I’ve ever taken. Sunlight reflecting on water as reeds and hills dot the horizon, along with a field of red and orange trees stretching out as far as the eye can see.

It’s easy to take a picture, but to capture the perfect moment is much harder. Angles, timing, and surroundings play a huge part in whether or not the photo will come out the best it can, or a blurry mess due to unforeseen interferences. I know some who take a shortcut by taking a video and screenshotting the best moments to save and share. That method isn’t always applicable due to the type of camera, or method, being used. The most recommended way to get the best pictures? Patience. When you wait the most amazing things can occur. The safety of your stillness can bring out local wildlife, the wind can pitch the branches and grass to the perfect angle and provide an aesthetic unachievable by our own means, or you can catch things that may have gone unnoticed after an initial glance. Some of the best photographers got their best photos by waiting. Alan McFadyen waited 6 years and took 720, 000 photos before he got the one of a kingfisher catching a fish. Thomas D. Mangelsen says he once took 32 days to take a photo. The one I took on the Talimena drive that still impresses my friends and family took me mere seconds. Whether it takes years, hours, or seconds, it doesn’t matter. Nature is there for us to admire and enjoy, a gift from God every single day.

Every photo, video, or documentary depicting nature may be carefully crafted with time or editing, but we would have none of it if it weren’t for our heavenly Father. Honor him daily by admiring his handiwork. Snap a picture of that flower by your door, take a video of that kitten chasing a bee, photograph some sunsets or sunrises. But, whatever you do, don’t forget to share it. Bless others around you with the goodness of God through his creations and take some time to be out with him. I challenge you today, go out and discover something you find beautiful in nature. Take a picture of it and share it with someone you love.

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The Future of Connection for Women