Landscape photography is a genre intended to show different spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, but other times microscopic.
While many landscape photographers show little or no human activity in their photos, striving to attain 'pure' unsullied landscapes that are normally devoid of human influence, using instead subjects such as strongly defined landforms, weather, and ambient light. Despite this, there is no pure or absolute definition of what makes a landscape in photography, as such it has become a very broad term, encompassing urban, industrial , macro and nature photography. A beach full of parasols and sunbathers can be a landscape photo, but so can the view through an electron microscope, which shows a different type of landscape. Waterfalls, and mountains are especially popular in classic landscape photography. Though many photographs are inspired by traditional landscape painting, the term in photography is very broad, most places and things can be photographed as a landscape, a kitchen, a lamp, a wall, or even the human body can be turned into a rolling vista by a skilled photographer.
Landscapes are often created with such tools as a large format camera and tripod, usually with a wide angle lenses (24 mm and 35 mm are especially popular). A narrow aperture (Normaly f/11 to f/22, but can be higher than f/64) is used to maximize the depth of field and overall sharpness of the image. Many photographers use medium or large format systems to record as much detail as possible, which is very important in black & white photography, although the vast majority of landscapes shot today are from digital SLRs and compact cameras.
Landscape photography has become a valuable tool to inspire environmental stewardship. Capturing the beauty of unspoiled places serves to bring dwindling wilderness areas into the public eye. Many noted landscape photographers provide images to environmental protection organizations. Noted organizations use professional and amateur photographers' work to further the preservation cause. Notable landscape photographers include Ansel Adams, Bill Brandt, and Edward Weston
Shooting Landscapes
• What you need
• When to shoot
• How to shoot
• Depth of field issues
• Rules of composition
What you need…
Equipment for Landscape shooting:
• Tripod
• Lens choices
• • Wide angle lenses
• • Telephoto lenses
• Personal needs
• • Hiking boots
• • Sunscreen
• • Hat
• • Water
• • First aid kit
• Patience
When to shoot…
Best time to shoot:
• Early morning
• Late afternoon
Worst time to shoot:
• Mid-day
Look for warmer light and low angle light
•Magic Hour
How to shoot…
• ALWAYS use a tripod
• Shoot in aperture priority mode
• Use smallest aperture
• Minimize Camera shake
• • Remote
• • Self Timer
• • Mirror lockup
• Compose carefully
Depth of field issues…
Maximize depth of field (smallest aperture)
• Focus carefully
“Hyper-focal distance”
• 1/3 in front of focal point in focus
• 2/3 behind focal point in focus
Rules of composition…
Use basic elements of good composition
• Simplicity
• Rule of thirds
• Balance
• Dynamic lines (diagonals and s-curves)
• Framing
• Avoid Mergers
Pay attention to foreground
Keep horizon line straight
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