Mountain-Light
GET TO KNOW A LOCATION
How many times have you been disappointed at the landscape pictures you took? And yet, when photographing the scene you were touched by the beauty of the location. But, on getting home you found your images flat and boring. Why?
When we look at a landscape our eyes travel over it and selectively focus on the elements that we find appealing. Our other senses are involved and are affected by what we see. Our field of vision capture a lot of the scene - but our brain has the ability to ignore all, except the most alluring details.
To illustrate - in taking photographs of people we often see on the print what the photographer failed to notice when taking the picture - the tree branch behind the subject's head, a lamp post or something else that made it appear that it was growing out of the subject's head. It was only when the picture was downloaded on his computer or printer, that the distraction became obvious. Why didn't the photographer see it at the time of taking the picture?
For the reason mentioned above - our mind is able to separate things - we see depth, this is why when taking the picture the post or branch wasn't an issue because our mind's eye was able to separate the object behind the head of the subject. The camera sensor cannot do that.
When photographing a landscape we need time to study the scene carefully. Time spent maybe the most important investment we can make in getting good landscape pictures.
Spend time scouting - finding different vantage points, going down on our knees, laying down, walking around studying the scene from various viewpoints. This will make a great difference.
Carrying a compass or making a mental note to help working out where the sun will rise and set, remembering that the trajectory of the sun varies between winter and summer. Imagining how the place will look in different light?
When photographing a canyon or a lake surrounded by mountains, you might see that in the early morning one side will be in shadow while the other is beautifully lit - what's the range in terms of stops between the two sides? Can the camera record detail all the way through? Or it could be that what we want are shadows devoid of detail. So, are we going to shoot the scene as it is or are we returning later or on another day when the light is different?
Mountains
Good mountain landscape comes from understanding a place - the only real way to gain this understanding is to visit the location .
Understanding a place in this context is gained by immersing the mind and answering some questions.
For example: Are the mountains we intend to photograph rugged or worn, threatening or enchanting? What feeling do we get from them? Look for elements that will reinforce our feelings. What is the best angle? What kind of light and weather will best convey the feeling we get as we look at the scene?
Then we must know how to capture this in the camera.
How many times have you been disappointed at the landscape pictures you took? And yet, when photographing the scene you were touched by the beauty of the location. But, on getting home you found your images flat and boring. Why?
When we look at a landscape our eyes travel over it and selectively focus on the elements that we find appealing. Our other senses are involved and are affected by what we see. Our field of vision capture a lot of the scene - but our brain has the ability to ignore all, except the most alluring details.
To illustrate - in taking photographs of people we often see on the print what the photographer failed to notice when taking the picture - the tree branch behind the subject's head, a lamp post or something else that made it appear that it was growing out of the subject's head. It was only when the picture was downloaded on his computer or printer, that the distraction became obvious. Why didn't the photographer see it at the time of taking the picture?
For the reason mentioned above - our mind is able to separate things - we see depth, this is why when taking the picture the post or branch wasn't an issue because our mind's eye was able to separate the object behind the head of the subject. The camera sensor cannot do that.
When photographing a landscape we need time to study the scene carefully. Time spent maybe the most important investment we can make in getting good landscape pictures.
Spend time scouting - finding different vantage points, going down on our knees, laying down, walking around studying the scene from various viewpoints. This will make a great difference.
Carrying a compass or making a mental note to help working out where the sun will rise and set, remembering that the trajectory of the sun varies between winter and summer. Imagining how the place will look in different light?
When photographing a canyon or a lake surrounded by mountains, you might see that in the early morning one side will be in shadow while the other is beautifully lit - what's the range in terms of stops between the two sides? Can the camera record detail all the way through? Or it could be that what we want are shadows devoid of detail. So, are we going to shoot the scene as it is or are we returning later or on another day when the light is different?
Mountains
Good mountain landscape comes from understanding a place - the only real way to gain this understanding is to visit the location .
Understanding a place in this context is gained by immersing the mind and answering some questions.
For example: Are the mountains we intend to photograph rugged or worn, threatening or enchanting? What feeling do we get from them? Look for elements that will reinforce our feelings. What is the best angle? What kind of light and weather will best convey the feeling we get as we look at the scene?
Then we must know how to capture this in the camera.
Landscape and Wildlife Photography
