Landscapes Homepage

Question: First attempt at landscape photography, advice?

(Posted by: PowerRanger on 2010-02-09 17:25:51)

How can I improve, and what elements should I concentrate on? http:/ / smallwrldsmallrminds.deviantart.com/ art/ Landscapes- 153525016 http:/ / smallwrldsmallrminds.deviantart.com/ art/ Landscapes1- 153525698

Posted by: jeannie on 2010-02-09, 19:02:08

I shoot a lot of landscape - in fact that is my preferred subject. I shoot with 35mm film cameras and a 24 mm digital camera. I have to agree that the 24 mm is a challenge - but my advice is keep shooting with what ya got. Not all landscape is wide angle. In fact, I don't use mine much. In a big vista shot, I often get up high and use a 300 mm lens - in a big enough area, 300 gives you a large field of view (the angle of view doesn't change - the landscape is soooo big you think its a wide lens.) The telephoto compress space and makes what is far away appear closer and compresses the elements of the image - but this only works in big spaces. I often use a 50 mm focal length, although I do occasionally pull out the 24 or the 20. My thoughts on your images: put something in the foreground intentionally. The weeds or whatever on the lower right side are distracting. If you got the entire plant in there, the image would have depth. As it is the water creates a "bald spot " with nothing much going on. Avoid centering the horizon. Put it up higher in the frame or lower (big sky, little sky but no middle sky). If dealing with water, use a long exposure to get the water movement blurry - it is generally more interesting, unless you have good reflections in the water. You will need a tripod. Shoot in the best light of the day: sunrise and sunset. Do something else the rest of the day (like catching up on your sleep.) When you can afford it, replace your zoom lenses with fixed focal length lenses - they will always yield a sharper image. flickr.com/ photos/ jeanjeni None of these images were shot with a large format camera, as schelping a 35mm is enough work. Deserts eat cameras for lunch. The film images were shot with both color negative, shot and run normal (Fuji reala, agfa ultra 50 (now defunct)) and color transparency, shot + 1 and pulled (reduces contrast). The digis were shot with vivid color, normal contrast. I have actually returned to using film for landscape. You can't pull digital satisfactorily. Polarizers and ND filters are your friends. Use them. Not a bad start. Keep working.

Posted by: N30 on 2010-02-09, 17:28:41

You want to stand out? go 3d, ask me if it interests you, aside, look for more color vibrant out of the routine moments

Posted by: Gohaleg on 2010-02-09, 17:33:26

Try a wider lens and to level out the pictures. The horizon line is sliding down...

Posted by: Linecook on 2010-02-09, 17:51:22

I would invest in a wider lens if you can afford to, and a polarizing filter. The filter is a must. Neutral density and graduated filters are also very useful with landscapes. Choose your time of day wisely, dusk and dawn are usually the best times to shoot. Always know when the sun will be rising and setting, and keep an eye on the weather. Knowing the moon phases will help with night photos too. Make sure your photos have a focal point, and interesting one at that. choose scenes that will create depth, an interesting foreground, middle, and background. Concentrate on your exposure, don't let the sky get too bright. Landscape photography is usually something that shouldn't be rushed, frame your photo carefully and focus on the composition. I would recommend reading these books Mastering Landscape Photography by Alain Briot Creative Nature and Outdoor Photography by Brenda Tharp Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson The Camera, The Negative, and The Print by Ansel Adams

Posted by: cedykeman1 on 2010-02-09, 17:55:21

So you want to take landscape shots. it's quite complicated. first thing is first, what camera are you using. consumer digital camera's ( hell even professional digital camera's), with certain exceptions are not appropriate for landscapes. The area that is the sensor is simply is not big enough. landscapes almost by defintion are taken with film and not that crappy old 35mm film, your looking at least 6cm x 4.5cm. improvement would be a 6x7cm camera like a mamiya RZ67. Even with these formats, it still not real landscape photography. So what is there? The answer lies in field camera's like a 4x5 INCH or bigger system You will have to learn the zone system and push/ pull. Also you will want to have your film processed by a pro lab. This may sound daunting, but it is the standard with landscapes. So why can't you use a digital camera? Like i said earlier, the sensor simply isn't big enough to do a good job. Digital camera's are made to take pictures of something that is quite close to you. Sure you can fancy pants lenses, but they are not right for this type of stuff. The reason for the comment about the zone system is simple, it prevents the blocking up of shadows and blown out highlights- I see both of these conditions in your examples. here is my best advice, learn film, push, pull and the zone system,. Rent or borrow a field camera and master it. If your able to achieve these things, your photography will be far better than anyone you probably know. You can do amazing work, if you just know how. The stuff you are showing us is not very good. It is directly related to not using the right equipment and knowledge