Rural Photography Tips | Easy to Use Action Camera

Last Updated on August 14, 2020 by Ellen Christian

I don’t get to the city much. Who am I kidding? I avoid the city like the plague. I’m not the kind of photographer that takes pictures of skyscrapers or crowds of people. You’re much more likely to see me taking photographs of tractors, chickens and rural landscapes. That’s the kind of setting that I feel most comfortable in so that’s what I photograph.

Rural Photography Tips | Easy to Use Action Camera

Since I’m on a constant quest to improve my photographs, I’ve been searching for rural photography tips. Taking pictures in the country is nothing like catching bustling city crowds or skyscrapers. I want to take pictures of the autumn leaves and get a good close up of our chickens or the flowers in the garden. Because I really don’t like climbing over fences and rocks with my DSLR, I’ve been looking for an easy to use action camera.

When I take photographs in a rural setting, I’m trying to catch the ordinary. I want the tractor sitting in a field and the leaves scattered on the grass. I try to tell the story of life in rural Vermont and sometimes that’s best done with photography rather than with words.

• Prepare to get dirty. If you’re climbing over rocks and wandering through cornfields, you’ll want a good sturdy pair of shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
• Look for interesting objects. Picture a photograph of an empty field versus a photograph of an empty field with a tractor in it. The tractor helps give a frame of reference and visual interest.

• View your image from different angles. Walk around the tractor or the barn. See which side has the best lighting or the best composition.
• Include people or animals in  your photographs when possible. People and animals can help tell your story. Imagine the difference between a pumpkin patch with and without people in it or a frozen pond with and without skaters on it.

• Look at the background of your photograph. Is there something annoying in the background that you’d rather not have in your photograph? See if you can capture it from another perspective. By turning slightly, I removed the house from my photograph.
• Where is the sun? Lighting can have a lot to do with how your photograph turns out.  See if you can capture a gorgeous sunrise or sunset as the background in your picture. I find that dusk, dawn and slightly overcast days result in the best photographs.

• Get off the beaten path. Avoid tourist spots that may have too many people and take time to find those hidden treasures to photograph. I love the way I captured the reflection on the tree in the still water.
• Look for contrasting colors. A field of sunflowers against a blue sky or red berries against a snowy background result in stunning photographs.
• Leave the DSLR at home. It’s hard to get a candid shot when you’re carrying around a huge camera that makes it really obvious you’re taking pictures. An easy to use action camera that fits in your pocket is a much better choice.

I have been using the Polaroid Cube which is a lifestyle action video camera – weatherproof/splash proof and mountable. It has 1080p HD video, 6MP still photos, 124° wide angle lens, and a built-in battery that records up to 90 minutes. Despite all this functionality, it measures about 1 1/2 inches all the way around. The body is slightly rubberized and it has a magnetic bottom which means I can attach it to my bike handlebars if I want easy access while riding. It’s small enough to hold easily in my hand or drop into my pocket. I received red but it’s also available in black and blue. All have the signature Polaroid stripe around the middle.

I’m slightly intimidated by new technology but even for a total novice, this camera is simple. The Polaroid Cube comes with a micro USB cable. You will need to purchase a 32GB Micro SD Card to use with it.  After putting in the Micro SD Card, you simply press the one button on the Polaroid Cube to turn it on. Another press takes photos. Two quick presses takes a video.  When you’re done, simply connect it to your computer with the same cable and transfer the images over.

At only $99 the Polaroid Cube is a great camera to take with you on the go when you want to be hands free most of the time. There’s no bulky camera bag or accessories and no worry about dropping your expensive camera or banging it into a rock as you climb. The wide angle lens with 124° of coverage takes amazing photographs and it features an integrated microphone and LED-light for usage at night or in the dark.

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Ellen Christian

Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.