The successful nature photographer will be using a sturdy tripod, remote release, and possibly mirror lockup, and windbreaks. Add to this, a tremendous dose of patience, lots of film, and a large wastebasket next to your light table, and the Catch-22 is pretty clear. If you have not experienced this yet, don t worry, as you advance in the hobby, it will get you. Of course, artificial light and reflectors can help a little in terms of light intensity, the risk being the loss of natural appearance. These solutions obviously have little bearing on large scenes.
Intensity is a light attribute which is generally beyond the control of the nature photographer.
Light direction, however, is often within your power to control. Choose direction to show or to hide textures. Side lighting will emphasize texture and form and occurs early and late in the day. I was shooting on Sanibel Island Florida one morning when I found a square foot or so of beach that looked interesting. There were a few colorful shells, a mangrove seedpod, and tiny sandpiper footprints in the wet sand.