Special Sections

April 2023 • News Graphic & Daily News • Exploring the Arts • 11 Exploring the great outdoors is a rewarding way to bear witness to the majesty of nature. Nature frequently presents awe-inspiring vistas that can take individuals' breath away. Some nature lovers are content to bask in the moment and set the scene to memory. Others may want a more permanent way to commemorate the view. Amateur photographers eager to capture the majesty of the great outdoors can practice their picture- taking skills. According to the photography tips and technique experts at Picture Correct, many factors are involved in taking nature photographs. These tips can help anyone take stunning nature photos. Invest in quality gear The right photography gear makes it much easier to take great photos. Lenses are very important for capturing shots. Macro lenses are designed for insects and flowers. Wide- angle lenses help snap landscapes. Telephoto lenses can focus on animals without having to get too close. Take the foreground into consideration When you find an inspiring landscape to photograph, skip the empty landscapes and think about zeroing in on something interesting in the foreground. This can be a particularly attractive flower in front of a vast field, or even a rusty watering can left out in a row of crops. Items in the foreground impart interest in the photo. Consider depth of field Sometimes you will have no control over the busy background an interesting subject is in front of in a planned photograph. A shallow depth of field achieved with a wide aperture can blur a background and separate the subject from that background, according to Shotkit, a photography and gear authority. Some post-production work also can be done to blur backgrounds in apps like Lightroom or through Photoshop. Zoom in and crop subjects Smaller pictures can be just as compelling as larger ones. Zoom in on the bark on a tree, the skin of a lizard or the wings of an insect. Closer looks at what is hiding in plain sight in nature can lead to compelling pictures. Zoom in and think about a macro lens, which will magnify even the tiniest details. Study what you want to capture The best photographers do their research. If you want to grab a great photo of an egret by the water's edge, spend time watching these birds in their habitat and learning their behaviors. This might help you predict when to snap the best photo. Use light wisely The photography resource Expert Photography recommends taking photos primarily during the golden hours. These are right after sunrise and just before sunset. The light during these times of day has a softer, hazy quality that will illuminate subjects evenly and less harshly than midday, when shadows also may pose challenges. Taking photos during these times also means fewer people around and a better chance that wildlife will be out and about. Nature photography is wildly popular and there are many ways for amateur photographers to make their photos pop. 6 tips for taking stunning nature photos No two students are the same. Some students may love to read and naturally gravitate toward English class, while others may be fascinated by the world around them and find nothing stokes their academic passions quite like the study of physics. A passion for a given subject can make students more excited about school. But what about students with a passion for art? Many school districts have drastically cut back on fine arts classes. For example, a recent analysis of data from the State Department of Education in Oklahoma found that schools in the Sooner State cut more than 1,100 fine arts classes between 2014 and 2018. In the face of such budget cuts, parents may need to take a more active role in support of their children's passion for art. The following are some ways parents can encourage that passion. Recognize the educational value of art PBS notes that creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development. While schools may be shifting their focus to common core subjects like mathematics, parents should recognize that art can be incredibly valuable to young minds as well. For example, art can help young children develop language skills, as creating art projects, even while just a toddler, often compels children to talk about their art. In addition, a recent report from Americans for the Arts found that art education strengthens problem-solving and critical- thinking skills. If parents recognize the value of art, students are more likely to follow suit and reap all the rewards that art education provides. Allow children the freedom to create While technique is important for artists, young artists can benefit from some space. Other subjects are necessarily structured, but art sessions can be a great time for kids to simply explore their creativity without much interference from parents or educators. A designated room for arts, including arts and crafts, can illustrate to children that their interest in the arts is important and worthy of exploration. Keep supplies well-stocked Much like parents of young athletes enroll them in sports leagues or purchase the latest equipment, parents of children with a passion for art can indulge that passion by enrolling them in local art classes and keeping them well-stocked with art supplies. Even if the supplies are as simple as crayons and construction paper, their availability can send kids the message that their passion for art is not taken lightly. The arts can benefit students in myriad ways. If local school districts no longer offer art programs, it's up to parents to find ways to encourage their children's love of art. Simple ways to encourage young artists

• Cover