Landscape Photography: Inside The Mind Of The Photographer
Landscape photography is immensely rewarding, but also challenging and sometimes frustrating. Even the most experienced professionals have their fair share of failures.
It is easy to be swept up with enthusiasm for a great location, especially on your first visit. I fall into the same trap myself. When arriving at a great landmark for the first time, I just can't wait to get a picture, and any picture will do. Once the initial excitement wears off I come back to reality, and try to find a way to create an image that is a little more exceptional than your average snapshot. Once I start thinking like a photographer, and not like a tourist, I can try to live up to the potential of the scene in front of me.
The following simple steps can help you to start seeing the landscape with a photographer's eye.
Photography Tip #1. Think About The Light. You are probably aware of the principle that the best light for a landscape photo occurs early in the morning and late in the afternoon. This is true most of the time. Your first decision, on reaching your location, should be this: will the light for this subject be early or late in the day?
This depends on several things. If you are facing East and you want the sun shining on the subject, you should take your photos close to sunset, when the sun is shining from the West. On the other hand, if you want a silhouette, with the sun behind the subject, you should aim for sunrise. If you have the opportunity to stay overnight, you should take it. By being there both early and late in the day, you will often find opportunities you had not expected. For example, you may think your subject is best at sunset, only to find that the following sunrise presents unexpected benefits, like dew on the ground or even wildlife.
Photography Tip #2. Plan Your Composition. If you are visiting one of the great landmarks, you must be aware that it is photographed millions of times every year, by tourists and professional photographers alike. Almost every photo you can take has already be done by somebody else. Even if your photo is not unique, you should at least find an angle that sets your photo apart from the majority of snapshots.
To do this, ask yourself this question: "What is there in the surroundings that I can use to make my photo better?" Perhaps you can photograph your subject framed through the branches of a tree. Perhaps after rain there will be a puddle that creates good reflections. There may be a shapely tree to one side to add interest to the composition, or wildflowers to add a touch of colour in the foreground. Anything that adds impact is worth considering.
Photography Tip #3. Eliminate Distractions. Follow this principle at all times: "Anything that does not make my photo better, makes it worse." Before you take your photo, look into every part of the frame and make sure there is nothing that will create a distraction to someone looking at your photo. Footprints and litter are two obvious examples that can spoil a natural setting. You may be thinking it is easy to remove them with software later on, but in truth it can take hours to do it really well. It is so much easier to get it right when you take the shot.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
It is easy to be swept up with enthusiasm for a great location, especially on your first visit. I fall into the same trap myself. When arriving at a great landmark for the first time, I just can't wait to get a picture, and any picture will do. Once the initial excitement wears off I come back to reality, and try to find a way to create an image that is a little more exceptional than your average snapshot. Once I start thinking like a photographer, and not like a tourist, I can try to live up to the potential of the scene in front of me.
The following simple steps can help you to start seeing the landscape with a photographer's eye.
Photography Tip #1. Think About The Light. You are probably aware of the principle that the best light for a landscape photo occurs early in the morning and late in the afternoon. This is true most of the time. Your first decision, on reaching your location, should be this: will the light for this subject be early or late in the day?
This depends on several things. If you are facing East and you want the sun shining on the subject, you should take your photos close to sunset, when the sun is shining from the West. On the other hand, if you want a silhouette, with the sun behind the subject, you should aim for sunrise. If you have the opportunity to stay overnight, you should take it. By being there both early and late in the day, you will often find opportunities you had not expected. For example, you may think your subject is best at sunset, only to find that the following sunrise presents unexpected benefits, like dew on the ground or even wildlife.
Photography Tip #2. Plan Your Composition. If you are visiting one of the great landmarks, you must be aware that it is photographed millions of times every year, by tourists and professional photographers alike. Almost every photo you can take has already be done by somebody else. Even if your photo is not unique, you should at least find an angle that sets your photo apart from the majority of snapshots.
To do this, ask yourself this question: "What is there in the surroundings that I can use to make my photo better?" Perhaps you can photograph your subject framed through the branches of a tree. Perhaps after rain there will be a puddle that creates good reflections. There may be a shapely tree to one side to add interest to the composition, or wildflowers to add a touch of colour in the foreground. Anything that adds impact is worth considering.
Photography Tip #3. Eliminate Distractions. Follow this principle at all times: "Anything that does not make my photo better, makes it worse." Before you take your photo, look into every part of the frame and make sure there is nothing that will create a distraction to someone looking at your photo. Footprints and litter are two obvious examples that can spoil a natural setting. You may be thinking it is easy to remove them with software later on, but in truth it can take hours to do it really well. It is so much easier to get it right when you take the shot.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
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