The Things You Should Know to Photograph Agriculture

Agriculture was an important step in humans’ evolution. It not only changed the way people lived, but it also changed the environment.

When passing the vast territories dedicated to agriculture, you’ll notice they each hold a special charm. These places are, in fact, similar to large kitchens, ready to produce the food that sustains us. They’re also part of modern technology, and a space with plenty of admirable geometrical features. All in all, they are an integral part of the environment, as well as a great subject for a photographer.  

Here are some tips to make the best of agriculture photography.

Look for geometry

Geometry is one of the best features in agriculture photography. Fields are usually geometrically arranged and often result in colorful patchworks. Use a wide lens and a deep depth of field to grasp as much as possible in your pictures.

Look for lines and paths. Pay attention to how they cross your frame because the lines and paths are what will attract the viewer’s eye. When you capture lines, be sure to give them a direction and space. Failure to do this will result in a cut and useless photo.

Pattern and textures are also something to look for. Agriculture is the best place to find many items of the same kind, beautifully distributed, and very static (i.e. fractals). There are two ways to take advantages of these patterns. The first is to use a deep depth of field and place all of the items in focus. The second is to focus solely on one item and blur the rest in order to emphasize the features of your subject.

Look for colors

There is more to agriculture than fields. Look for colorful fruits and vegetables, happy cows on green meadows, gardens with flowers and herbs, and other agriculture-related topics. When you’re in the middle of a field, colors are literally everywhere, making it possible to avoid capturing stereotypical pictures, even with common patterns. So don’t be afraid to capture a red poppy in a green field, a harvester in a yellow field, haystacks, or people working in their gardens. If you work to capture the colors of the crops, your photo will be as unique as you hope it to be.

Photograph from above

The best agriculture pictures are taken from above. To do this, you can rent a small airplane and overfly the area you want to photograph. If you’re able to access a nearby hill or a mountain, get your hiking boots and photography gear and go!

The patterns and colors of agriculture fields are mesmerizing when seen from above. The reason for this is that you’re able to see a larger area while the small distances between fields fade out. In fact, even the harvesters and other machines will look like toys while the dominant colors take over.

Choose the best season

Agriculture is completely related to seasons. You have to do your homework and find out when is the best time to photograph wheat, rice, sunflower, or rapeseed. You have to know when the agricultural activities take place, when the pumpkins are ready to be eaten, and when the sheep are in the mountains. Most importantly, if you want spectacular photos, you’ll have to get outside to take it.

Agriculture photography is a good exercise for many other types of photography. It teaches you to work with geometry, textures, and patterns. It teaches you to respect the weather and the environment, work hard for good results, and appreciate nature’s colors. It also teaches there is no right method for everything, but order and practice are always important.