Many novice photographers find shooting a studio portrait difficult. And sports are hard to shoot, too. It’s hard to shoot weddings, too. But the scenery is easy. Of course, because nature did the work for you – created mountains, planted trees, paved canyons with rivers and poured lakes. All the photographer has to do is push the button. Except that there’s one little problem. As soon as the button is pressed and the picture appears on the camera screen, it immediately begins: “Well, it was actually much prettier.”. Why do you think so?? Let’s try to figure it out and find a few ways to get our photography closer to the image we saw in nature.
Canyon Conorcheck, Nikon D7500 + AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR
f/11, 1/250 ISO 125
What do you think is the most important thing in a landscape? Technique? Light? Composition? You don’t. The most important thing is preparation. Before you wait for light somewhere and compose, it is a good idea to find the place you can take the fantastic scenery from. It is good if before you the location where you are going was explored up and down. From Patagonia, Baikal, and the Lofoten Islands have already brought thousands of roughly identical photos. What if you go to Kyrgyzstan? How to find interesting places?
First, it’s worth getting to know the photos that are already online. Have a look at the photos linked to Google and Yandex maps, and see what you can find with a keyword search. It’s quite possible that your photo is not of technical quality, but you find the subject interesting and you understand that you could make a good shot there. You could do that kind of preparation before you even start your journey
I heard about Konorchek Canyon even before my first expedition to Kyrgyzstan, asked local people about it and checked satellite maps. As a result I am at one of the most impressive places in the country
But even when you hit the road and arrive in the country, you can learn something new and look for interesting places. Ask the locals. Maybe they can advise you some interesting locations from where you can take cool sunrise or sunset photos. Just be prepared that the place that the natives will call the fairy panorama will be completely unsuitable for filming. This is a kind of lottery, which, nevertheless, I advise you to play.
Son-Kul Lake, Nikon D7500 + AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR
f/11, 1/125 ISO 250
Son-Kul Lake is an impressive location. On one of my trips there, the locals suggested I go to the rock where the petroglyphs are and where the view of the lake is beautiful. I decided that I had to go, and I was right – the view on the valley and the lake was really phenomenal!
So you found out about the interesting place, and guess what you could shoot there. What’s next? Before you buy your plane tickets, I would suggest knowing how this location changes from season to season. A special time for each landscape I call a time of strength. When is the blooming season, when is the first snowfall or the greatest likelihood of fog, at what point do the trees begin to turn gold. All of this will help you get the most spectacular photos from the chosen location.
You choose the location, decide on the time, buy the tickets and get to the coveted spot. And then you start to work on the location. First, look around and try to understand what emotions and impressions you have of the location. Delight? A sense of your own microscopicity? The feeling of winning and overcoming? Remember these feelings, because this is what your landscape will be based on. you will gradually learn to transfer those impressions through your photos, by the choice of the time, the angle and the optics. In the meantime, just try to preserve the first impression. Even if it does not show up in the scenery it will certainly stay with you for a lifetime, in your personal impressions box.
Try to go to a new location early in the day so that you get the hang of it, get a closer look, and look for interesting angles. Landscape, in essence, is an attempt by framing, choice of lens and objects in the frame out of the chaos of nature to create a harmonious picture, which will be pleasant to view. Yes, yes, don’t think that nature has laid out the rocks and grown trees so that the shot looks beautiful. Everything that you see around you in the scene is a result of the forces of chaos. And your task is to understand what is most important in your picture and cut off unnecessary things. That way you can make a harmonious picture.
Plateau Arabel , Nikon D7500 + AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR
f/13, 1/250 ISO 200
Arabel is a plateau at about 3,800 meters above sea level. At this altitude, most people develop symptoms of altitude sickness – shortness of breath, headaches, heaviness in the hands and feet. It’s very difficult to run with such problems on a big plateau and to climb hills. That’s why it’s better to find a spot in advance and get there before sunrise or sunset
Try to look for texture lines, interesting textures on stones that will draw the viewer’s eye into the depths of the frame. Often, on a huge hillside can be a single suitable stone, which will perfectly fit into the composition. And you will have to go all over the slope to find this very stone. And to do that you have to get to the place you want to shoot beforehand.
What to shoot, we’ve already figured out. Let’s now discuss when to shoot. The perfect time for landscape photography is when the sun is low over the horizon. The lower the sun is, the warmer the light and the softer the shadows. So I suggest you shoot an hour and a half before sunset and at sunset, or at sunrise and an hour and a half after sunrise.
Sunset at Son-Kul Lake, Nikon D7500 + AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR
f/9, 1/80 ISO 125
The time when the sun has gone down or is not over the horizon can also be considered a good time to shoot. It’s at this point that the sun can spectacularly illuminate the clouds, coloring them in the most incredible colors.
However, dusk, when the light of day has not yet faded, and the atmosphere is flooded with a soft blue light, can also be considered an equally filming time. And even midday with its contrasting shadows and harsh light. In general, a good landscape photographer never parts with his camera, because nature can at any moment throw up a spectacular scene for your pictures.
Sunset on the Son-Kul Lake. It’s worth waiting 20-30 minutes for something like this, until the last colors of the sun are gone from the sky.
What are some challenges that photographers often face when it comes to preparing for and shooting landscapes?
Why is landscape photography considered to be the most difficult genre? Can you provide insight into the specific challenges faced during preparation and shooting, and any strategies or tips for aspiring landscape photographers?
Landscape photography is considered one of the most challenging genres due to its reliance on capturing the natural beauty of outdoor environments. Unlike other forms of photography, landscapes are subject to the changing elements of weather, light, and time, making it difficult to predict and control every aspect of the composition.
One of the main challenges faced during preparation is scouting for ideal locations, as well as timing and predicting the best lighting conditions for the desired shot. Additionally, lugging heavy equipment to remote areas can be physically demanding. In terms of shooting, capturing the awe-inspiring vastness of landscapes while maintaining sharp focus and balanced exposure can be tricky.
For aspiring landscape photographers, it is crucial to invest in quality equipment, such as a sturdy tripod and filters, to enhance image quality. Learning to read weather forecasts and understanding how natural light interacts with the landscape can greatly improve the final result. Patience is key in landscape photography, as waiting for the perfect moment with the right lighting can make or break a shot. Ultimately, practice, perseverance, and a keen eye for composition are essential for mastering this challenging genre.
I completely agree that landscape photography can be challenging, especially when it comes to preparation and capturing the perfect shot. From scouting locations to considering lighting conditions and weather, there’s a lot to take into account. However, I’m curious to know, what are some specific techniques or tips you recommend for overcoming these difficulties and achieving stunning landscape photographs?
What are some specific challenges or techniques that make landscape photography the most difficult genre in terms of both preparation and shooting?
Landscape photography presents unique challenges due to its reliance on natural elements. As a photographer, one must thoroughly prepare to capture the perfect shot. Firstly, understanding weather conditions becomes crucial as it affects lighting, cloud formation, and overall mood. Additionally, scouting locations and researching the desired landscape play a pivotal role in framing compositions effectively. Moreover, patience is key, as waiting for the right lighting and weather conditions can be time-consuming. Balancing exposure in high contrast scenes is also a common difficulty, often requiring the use of filters or bracketing techniques. Capturing a sense of depth in an expansive scene can prove challenging, necessitating the use of wide-angle lenses or leading lines. Finally, the ability to anticipate and react quickly to fleeting moments, such as the perfect light or a passing animal, adds another layer of complexity to landscape photography. Overall, landscape photography demands meticulous preparation, technical proficiency, and an artistic eye to overcome its inherent difficulties and achieve stunning results.
Landscape photography is a challenging genre due to its reliance on natural elements. Weather conditions play a critical role in determining lighting, cloud formations, and overall mood of the photograph. Thoroughly understanding these conditions is essential for capturing the perfect shot. Scouting locations and researching the desired landscape help in framing compositions effectively. However, patience is key as waiting for the right lighting and weather conditions can take time. Balancing exposure in high contrast scenes is also a common difficulty that may require the use of filters or bracketing techniques. Creating a sense of depth in expansive scenes can be challenging and often requires wide-angle lenses or leading lines. Additionally, landscape photographers must possess the ability to anticipate and quickly react to fleeting moments, such as perfect light or passing animals. To achieve stunning results, landscape photography demands meticulous preparation, technical proficiency, and an artistic eye.
Landscape photography is a beautiful yet challenging art form that requires a deep understanding of natural elements and meticulous preparation. Weather conditions, scouting locations, and patience are essential in capturing the perfect shot. Balancing exposure in high contrast scenes and creating a sense of depth can be difficult, but techniques like filters and wide-angle lenses can help. Anticipating and reacting quickly to fleeting moments adds another layer of complexity. In the end, landscape photography rewards those who are willing to put in the effort and have the technical proficiency and artistic vision to create stunning images.
What are some key challenges and considerations that one should take into account when working with landscape photography? Any tips or specific techniques for effectively preparing and capturing stunning landscape shots?
When working with landscape photography, there are several key challenges and considerations to keep in mind. One of the main challenges is capturing the right lighting, as natural light can change quickly and drastically affect the mood of the scene. Another challenge is composition, as landscapes can be vast and it can be difficult to create a balanced and visually appealing image.
It is important to scout locations beforehand and plan your shots to take advantage of the best light and angles. Using a tripod can help stabilize your camera and ensure sharp images, especially in low light conditions. Additionally, using a wide-angle lens can help capture the vastness of a landscape and create a sense of depth in your photos.
When it comes to post-processing, be careful not to over-edit your images as it can diminish their natural beauty. Focus on enhancing the colors and contrast to make the landscape pop without making it look unrealistic. Experiment with different techniques such as long exposures for capturing movement in water or clouds, and bracketing for capturing a wider range of tonal values.
Overall, the key to capturing stunning landscape shots is to be patient, observant, and willing to experiment with different techniques until you find what works best for each unique scene.