Skip to content

Photographing rainforests

Published 19 May 2020 by Steve Parish

Rainforests, perhaps more than most environments, provide a multi-sensory experience, involving touch, sight, smell and hearing. Being in the rainforest is a profound experience for photographers. It envelops the soul, taking you to a peaceful place and creating emotions not easily communicated in a photograph.

Steve's Top Tips for Photographing Rainforests

  1. Research as much information as you can about conditions, distances, scenic and botanical attractions before entering a new rainforest area.
  2. Always pack for a day's outing even if you're planning a half-day. You never know what delights may be encountered.
  3. Pack wet-weather protection for your equipment: it's not called a rainforest for nothing! Take insect repellent, and wear leggings and watertight boots, particularly in the Wet Tropics – or the leeches will get you!
  4. Walk quietly – rainforest animals don't like sudden noises. Pick times when tourists are less likely so that noise is kept to a minimum.
  5. Take a tripod as some of the most appealing images to come out of rainforest are of waterfalls, especially after heavy rain when the fall is exploding with water. To enhance a waterfall photograph, try using slow shutter speed, say 1/15th of a second, and preferably even slower: around 1/15, 1/10 or 1/5 of a second. This effectively blurs the water, giving a sense of movement. You might like to try several shutter speeds then judge the result. 
  6. If the light is too bright to slow down your shutter speed, you can reduce the light level by attaching a neutral density filter. 
  7. To ensure a sharp image, attach your camera to a tripod and use either the delay timer on your camera or a cable release to prevent movement. Check the Apps on your mobile phone you may even have a triggering device already available.
  8. An SLR, wide-angle, close-up lens, flash and medium telephoto lens are great tools. Take them all in a backpack if you're planning a day out. 
  9. Canopy photography can produce great results, so don't forget to look up, and down as well as there are lots of potential images on the forest floor.
  10. Pack a torch: I've been caught out on several occasions. It's easy to wander some distance and then miscalculate the time to walk back to your starting point so your torch might save the day.

Join Steve on his Online Masterclass and enhance your creative life. Special 30 day offer from $195 to $95 until 31st May.

Taking photographs in a rainforest. Taking photographs in a rainforest.
Examples of rainforest photographs that capture the essence of their subjects. Examples of rainforest photographs that capture the essence of their subjects.

Recent stories

Tree in arid landscape.

20/11/2023

Evelyn Downs webinar

We have a rare opportunity to purchase Evelyn Downs Station in South Australia's Painted Desert, a landscape of exceptional ecological and cultural value.

Read More
Vista at Evelyn Downs.

15/11/2023 15/11/2023

Australians called to help buy the largest nature reserve in our history

We have a rare opportunity to purchase Evelyn Downs Station and protect a unique landscape that's around the size of the ACT. This spectacular property, located in South Australia's Painted Desert, is of high ecological and cultural value and will provide habitat for over 60 plant and animal species of conservation significance.

Read More
Rachel Lowry.

01/11/2023 01/11/2023

Bush Heritage Australia welcomes new CEO

Highly respected conservation sector leader Rachel Lowry has been appointed as our new CEO. Rachel brings a track record of delivering regenerative conservation outcomes for some of Australia’s leading conservation organisations.

Read More
Prescribed burn at Pilunga Reserve, Wangkamadla Country. By Bee Stephens

BUSHTRACKS 27/10/2023

Land, bird, smoke and man

Prescribed burns on Pilungah and Ethabuka reserves, Wangkamadla Country, prepare the landscape for bushfire season and enhance biodiversity.

Read More
Let the planting begin! Koreng Noongar Country, Western Australia. By Adrian Gaspari, Green Man Media

BUSHTRACKS 27/10/2023

Restoration and carbon capture

The first seeds of a world-class restoration project are planted and set the bar for future carbon projects.

Read More
Sandstone escarpment at Carnarvon Reserve. By Terry Cooke

BUSHTRACKS 27/10/2023

A case for nature

In 2020, Queensland’s first Special Wildlife Reserve was declared at our Pullen Pullen Reserve on Maiawali Country to recognise the significance of the reserve’s Night Parrot population. Now, we're on a mission to achieve the status for five of our other Queensland reserves, granting the highest level of protection for privately owned property in Australia.

Read More
Maiawali Custodians, other Indigenous rangers and groups walking through Night Parrot habitat. By Lachlan Gardiner

BUSHTRACKS 27/10/2023

The next chapter for the Night Parrot

The sharing of Night Parrot knowledge at Pullen Pullen Reserve, Maiawali Country, bolsters the species’ protection.

Read More
Loading...
{{itemsInCart}} Items - {{formatCurrency(grandTotal)}}