Just like Colorado’s Lake Haiyaha reflects the Majesty of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park, nature’s beauty reflects the glory and splendor of God.

          How can a photographer make better photographs? After all, when we make our photographs more appealing to people they are more likely to look at them and perhaps buy them. Most photographers will agree that an important quality for our photographs to have is artistic beauty. But what is beauty and how do we capture it? 

Glory, Splendor and Purpose

            Many people say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As a Christian artist, I certainly don’t believe that. And with a little research you’ll discover that both spiritual and secular sources say that, that is a myth. The Ancient Greeks saw beauty as symmetry, order, balance, unity and proportion. The Bible tells us that God designed beauty—the reflection of His glory and splendor—with a purpose.

Part of Cathedral Peak in Wyoming reflects off Cathedral Lake. As photographers we can reflect God’s glory in our photography.

           God created beauty with a purpose; therefore it is not random or arbitrary. God is the first and greatest artist. When He created us in His image, He put in us the desire for His glory and splendor and the desire to create beauty. When we increase our understanding of the primary elements of good art, we will improve the quality of our photography and artwork that will bring honor to God. If you are nature photographer or just enjoy art, I desire to help you increase skills to better capture God’s glory and splendor in our world.

Be a Better Photographer

           To help photographers grow in their skills and to bring greater glory to God through their photography, I decided to create a series of posts containing photography tips. The primary subject of the posts will be nature photography, but other photographers and artist will benefit from the tips as well. I also will include my thoughts on glorifying God through the artistic talents he has given us.

            The series will begin with guidelines on the four key elements to landscape photography. The four key elements are composition, light, subject and contrast. Each of these will be broken down into a series of tips. Although light, is the most critical element in a photograph, we will begin by looking at composition. Understanding composition is the quickest way to begin improving your photography.  (Click here to find the second photo tip here and here to find the third)