Capture Nature’s Beauty Like a Pro
QUICK TIPS FOR BETTER OUTDOOR PHOTOS
TOPH’S TAX TRIUMPH
Nature photography offers a great way to get outside and capture the beauty of the natural world. Whether you’re new to this hobby or have been snapping photos for years, you can always enhance your skills with these four tips for producing compelling outdoor photos. Plan Ahead Before heading outside with your camera and other gear, research your chosen location and the subject you aim to photograph. Understanding the local wildlife, plant life, and weather conditions can inform your equipment selection. Timing is also key. Early morning and late afternoon, known as the “golden hours,” offer soft, diffused light that enhances natural scenes.
When a self-employed construction contractor came to us for tax help in 2022, neither of us knew it would take years to settle with the IRS. Don’t Pop the Champagne Yet! Waiting on the IRS This client had not filed any tax returns for five years and wanted to clean up his financial life. We helped him get up to date on recent taxes and then filed for the delinquent taxes. When all was tallied up, the back taxes totaled $45,000. We contacted the IRS in February 2023 and offered $100 to settle his obligations. A few months later, we received an unusual response: The IRS rejected our offer outright. The message was, “Sorry, but we’re not settling. … We think you can afford to pay $110,000 over the next 10 years” — more than twice what we had agreed he owed. We quickly appealed the decision. And then we waited. Six months later, we had an initial hearing with the appeals department, which, by comparison, was a resounding success! The appeals officer agreed to settle the case for $6,745, just 15% of my client’s total debt. But wait! There was another problem. For some reason, one of the five delinquent returns my client had filed hadn’t yet been processed. The appeals officer refused to finalize the settlement until that last return could be included. I was a little worried. Even though we had a deal worked out, it wasn’t final. I’ve learned from experience that these cases can change without warning. If talks drag on for six months or more, any number of things can derail a tentative settlement, from changes in a client’s current income to a slip-up in filing estimated taxes. At worst, the agency could even come back to us and want to start over. I prepared my client for the worst. Fortunately, the missing return was finally processed and last November, two years after our first contact, we formally accepted the IRS’s offer. And my client took it all in stride.
Master Your Equipment Be sure to familiarize yourself with your camera’s settings. Some of the most important include aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which control exposure and depth of field. For instance, a wide aperture (low f-stop) can help create a shallow depth of field and isolate your subject from the background, which is particularly effective for wildlife photography. Conversely, a narrow aperture (high f-stop) is ideal for landscape shots because it increases the depth of field and helps keep more of the scene in focus.
Consider Composition In photography, composition is key. When taking nature photographs, apply compositional rules such as the rule of thirds (placing subjects off-center), leading lines (guiding the eye with pathways or rivers), and framing (using natural elements to highlight the subject). Experimenting with different perspectives and angles can also add depth to your photos. Be Respectful Whenever you’re out in the field, respect the environment by following local guidelines, maintaining a safe distance from wildlife, and minimizing your impact on natural habitats. Always stay on designated paths and never remove any natural objects. Following a few simple rules protects wildlife and the landscape and maintains the integrity of your photography. With these tips in mind, you’re ready to enjoy the outdoors while capturing images that reflect the beauty of the natural world.
This case just confirmed my longstanding belief that when the IRS is involved, nothing is final until it’s in writing.
–Toph Sheldon
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