Photographing Landscapes...
Landscape photography takes you to places you might not otherwise be able to visit, so that you feel like you are there yourself. They are vast shots of nature that are as awe-inspiring as the scenes themselves. Today I will give you a few tips about landscape photography to help you capture nature's magnificence next time you are out shooting. The time of day can make all the difference between a good and a fantastic landscape shot. Generally, sunrise and sunset times are both ideal, though you will get very different results. For example, the sun may be behind you in the morning, shining onto your subject, but it might be in front or off to the side later in the day. Amazing light moments can happen at any time throughout the day though. Watch the clouds to see when light is about to break through. Clouds are also a good element to include in your photo.
Equipment A wide angle lens is one of the best pieces of equipment for taking a professional looking landscape shot. The wide angle lens is standard for landscape photography, but you can experiment with other longer lenses as well to isolate different details of the scenery. Also, don't forget to use a tripod. Slow down your shutter speed so you can close down your aperture to f11, f16, or f22 (refer to my blog about manual mode for more information about shutter speed and aperture). This adds depth of field to the shot. Slow shutter speeds also keep the non-moving subjects sharp as a tack while allowing a moving source, such as water, to look smooth and flowing. Polarizing filters are another equipment accessory that helps in landscape shots. They enrich dark blue in the sky and cut the glare off water reflections.
Composition A well-composed landscape shot can have a breathtaking effect. If your subject is off in the distance, do not place it in the middle of the shot, and look for an object in the foreground for juxtaposition, such as a rock, a tree, water, and so on. This creates depth, especially if the foreground object relates in some way to the background. Also, while it is perfectly fine to put a person or animal in the photo, that person or animal automatically becomes the subject, because the human mind connects first to things that we can relate to most. But, you can use a person to help guide your audience. For example, if a person is in the photo, instruct them to look away towards the background element as opposed to looking at the camera and smiling. The photo feels much more natural, and the person's pose effortlessly guides the eye to the element in the background that you are trying to capture.
Lastly, try to use natural elements in the photo to frame the photo and create a "window" to look through. Natural frames keep eyes on the photo rather than guide the eyes away from the composition. A tree is often a great natural frame in a photo. Railroad tracks or fences work as well.
Remember the more pictures that you shoot and the more things you try the better you will become!
Keep up the great work!
P
(taken from Digi Pix)
