Hiking in nature is not just an activity for exercise and recreation. It is a profound experience that teaches us about life, the struggles, joys, and difficulties we face every day. On every path, at every step, nature reveals its wisdom, reminding us that the most important part of life is not the final destination, but the journey we take.

The ups and downs

Life, like hiking, is full of ups and downs. Uphills can be difficult, tiring, making us doubt our strength. But when we reach the top, the satisfaction and the views we see reward us for our efforts. Similarly, the descents are easier, but require caution to avoid tripping or slipping. They remind us that even in the easy times, vigilance is essential.

The adventures and the unexpected

As in life, we cannot predict everything in nature. Perhaps a sudden storm will force us to find shelter, or a signpost may not be as clear as we thought. These moments test our resilience and teach us to find solutions even in the most difficult circumstances.

The struggle to keep going

There will be times when our strength will be exhausted and the idea of returning will seem tempting. However, the conviction to go on, to take another step, makes us stronger. It is this struggle that shapes us, just as in life difficulties make us more resilient.

The beauties and the details

During a hike, we often stop to admire the flowers, listen to the birds, or observe the play of light through the trees. These small moments of joy remind us that life is not only about the big moments, but also about the small pleasures we often overlook.

Points to watch out for

In nature, as in life, there are dangers. A slippery path, a difficult rock, or a sharp turn requires caution and concentration. These points teach us to be cautious, evaluate situations, and make informed choices.

The journey is the goal

In hiking, as in life, the final destination is not everything. It's the trails we travel, the experiences we collect, the people we meet, and the moments we experience along the way. Each step, each stage, has its own value and significance.

Hiking in nature reminds us that life is a journey full of challenges, beauty, and lessons. As in nature, so in life, it is the path that shapes us, not the destination. So, let us enjoy each step, each trail, and live with our hearts open to experience.

The basic photographic equipment for nature photography during your hike or a simple walk in nature can vary depending on your preferences, your needs or your artistic interests. There are some basic elements you can acquire to make nature photography an enjoyable process! ( ...note that you don't need to have those huge telephoto lenses or super wide-angle lenses with special effects in your angle of view.... ).

DSLR or Mirrorless . Choose between 21MP to 24MP so you can print it at a large dimension (experience the printing process how beautiful dimension it will give your landscape image compared to when you see it in digital form) but also be able to crop (cropping) part of the photo and still have a relatively good dimension.

Compact: Of course and a compact camera with the right built-in lens (see below on lenses) you can get amazing results. It's worth mentioning that a compact camera compared to a Dslr or Mirrorless is lighter, takes up less space in your bag, you can easily keep it in your pocket during your nature hike so you can take it out and use it immediately!

Lenses.
Wide angle lens (18-55mm): yes this basic lens included in many budget dslr or Mirrorless versions does a great job and will help you experiment and capture beautiful moments. Many of the nature photos I have on the site come from such a lens!

Lens 55 - 200mm. With this lens you can zoom in on subjects that are far enough away from your location without having to get closer. Especially in cases where the landscape you want to photograph is hard to reach and also if you want to photograph a bird or anything you get close to will fly away.

Tripod
Choose a relatively lightweight tripod with a quick release so you can quickly remove or mount your camera on it. Avoid the very economical ones because they are not stable as a result your subjects may come out blurry.

Battery
It is a good idea to have an extra battery with you especially if you are taking a lot of shots or when it is cold this runs out quickly.

But I hear you say.... "Why not use the mobile phone instead of all the above? "

Your concern is reasonable, but I quote the following:

The visualization of a landscape (and not only) with the above cameras is completely different from that of a mobile phone. The photos have depth and depict the landscapes as we actually see them.
With the mobile phone unfortunately this is not the case, the sense of depth is lost and there is a lot of distortion.

- With cameras as opposed to mobile phones, Megapixels work! Yes that sounds right. With the above cameras zooming in on landscape photography or cropping the landscape does not easily lose its detail unlike mobile phones which is not easily achieved.

- With the cameras having a little experience you can achieve amazing shots and moments which is impossible with mobile phones.

- Finally my personal always opinion, mobile phones actually screenshot the image we see in front of us with different megapixel management than dslr or mirrorless. But they are a great tool to capture our everyday moments and share them on social media.

In the future I will prepare more nature photography articles with dslr or mirrorless but also share techniques for better photography.

Have proper food with you (water, juice bars etc) so that you are in good physical condition and enjoy the joy of creativity.

Either way the conclusions are yours and happy creative hiking!

Discovering Nature

Our modern lives, filled with technology and complexities, make us forget how important our connection with nature is. For parents, it is essential to share this love and this recognition with their children. By introducing children to the world of nature, we are giving them a gift that lasts forever.

1. Learning through Experience: Nature is an inexhaustible source of education. When children are exposed to the outdoors, they learn about the life cycle, ecosystems and biodiversity in a way that cannot be taught from a book.

2. Psychological Benefits: Nature has been shown to improve mental health. Children who have close contact with nature are less stressed, happier and more empathetic.

3. Respect for the Environment: When children learn to love nature, they develop a greater respect for the environment. This respect is critical to the future preservation of our planet.

4. Creative Expression: Nature encourages creativity and imagination. They understand that every tree, every flower, every rock has its own unique story and beauty.

Ultimately, experiencing nature is not just an activity; it is a way of life. By leading children to explore the natural world, we give them a gift that will stay with them forever, full of endless opportunities, lessons and beauty.

With love for nature and new generations!!!

Improving mental well-being

Hiking in nature has been shown to have a positive effect on mental health. It helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, as well as improving mood and self-esteem. Contact with nature can relax us, rejuvenate us and help restore mental fatigue.

Strengthen concentration and creativity

An ideal way to improve concentration and mental flexibility. Outdoor natural spaces offer an environment where we can take our minds off the daily noise and focus on new ideas and creativity for both our work and our daily lives!

Connecting with nature

It invites us to touch, connect and "communicate" indirectly with the natural landscape in order to experience a sense of the beauty and diversity of nature. This connection with nature can enhance our respect and concern for the environment and encourage further protection!

Contact with the uniqueness of nature

Symmetrical shapes, intricate compositions and patterns that we probably haven't seen in the city! Creations that last for a short period of time or have been sculpted over time by external natural elements, are images of inspiration, admiration and urge us to record them immediately!

Physical exercise

Hiking is an excellent form of exercise for the body. It helps to strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular health, increase endurance and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Discovering new places and experiences

It is an occasion to explore and discover new places, idyllic landscapes, mountains, forests, rivers and lakes. It gives us the opportunity to live new experiences, to get to know different species of plants and animals, and to deepen our understanding of the natural world.