TECHNIQUE LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
for exciting landscape photography.
From a technical standpoint, shooting
under grey skies is relatively easy – with
a reduction of contrast, it will prove
considerably easier to keep the histogram
within the 0-255 tonal range.
Rain
While I am sure many of you will share
my enthusiasm for grey skies, I suspect
fewer will be as keen to photograph in
rain. If you are discouraged, don’t be,
because some truly awesome images
can be taken when it’s wet; it just takes
a bit more commitment. In common with
grey skies, rain offers many varieties,
each presenting unique challenges. We
can experience a gentle rain through
to a full-blown deluge. Obviously, when
considering TO TRULY understand
the nuances of the weather, try
photographing the same location from
precisely the same spot. Two photographs
taken at a single location will never be the
same, due to the vagaries of the weather.
No landscape photograph, no matter how
hard you try, can ever be repeated. Select
a location that is convenient; the essence
of this exercise is spontaneity. The sky
tends to be the mirror of the prevailing
weather, so compose your picture to
include plenty of it. Keep the foreground
relatively simple, otherwise it could
deflect attention from that element you
particularly want to highlight – namely,
the weather. Set the images side by side
and identify the subtle differences the
changing weather brings. When editing,
also consider the time of day when the
photograph was taken. Understand that
you don’t necessarily need to capture a
defined weather pattern for a photograph
to be interesting. Saltburn Beach. These
four images were taken over several
days. It was important that I captured the
receding tide at the same point within
the cycle. While all four shots reveal
broken cloud and the same compositional
structure, the character of each image is
different, reflecting the subtle differences
each day brings. Grouping your images in
this way gives you a better appreciation
of what these differences are the latter,
it’s better if both you and your camera
remain dry. It is difficult to muster the
enthusiasm to take pictures once you are
drenched and, on a similar tack, most
DSLR cameras are vulnerable to heavy
rain and can sustain serious damage if
they are not adequately protected. The
top-plate and the back of your camera are
especially vulnerable. If you are driving
and it is pouring with rain, it is very easy
to dismiss a potentially exciting shot. If,
however, you are already wearing your
waterproofs, you will be more inclined to
stop.
Ice and snow
I am struggling to think of any serious land-
scape photographer who would not be excited
by the prospect of ice and snow; a snowy
Saltburn Beach. These four images were taken over several
days. It was important that I captured the receding tide at the
same point within the cycle. While all four shots reveal broken
cloud and the same compositional structure, the character of
each image is different, reflecting the subtle differences each
day brings. Grouping your images in this way gives you a
better appreciation of what these differences are
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SELECTING THE SAME LOCATION
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