Landscapes


Hints and tips
by Philip Grosset



If you'd like to submit photos for criticism,
click here.

I've also been asked for advice on photographing landscapes/scenery. Our aim should be to produce really personal pictures that communicate what we feel about a scene. Here's where composition, lighting, foreground framing, and human interest can make all the difference.
River River closer
River showing intersection of thirds
The photo on the left is pleasant enough (reflections in water usually come out well), but we're left wondering exactly what we are meant to be looking at. Little thought has been given to the composition of the picture. Move closer in, as on the right, so that the main points of interest (the church and the boat) are at intersections of thirds, and a casual snapshot becomes a properly planned photograph. You can't compose every picture like this, but it's often particularly helpful with landscapes to arrange the main point of interest at one of these intersections, or at least along one of the lines shown on the right. Generally speaking, avoid having the main centre of interest (or the horizon) right in the middle of the picture.
Dreary scene transformed
Dreary scene
These two pictures are of the same scene. The one on the left is remarkably dreary, and not even really horizontal. But even here, more careful composition, and, above all, lighting can make quite a difference, as shown in the photo on the right. The best landscape pictures are often taken in the early morning or late afternoon/evening when the sun is low. (You may have to be prepared to return to a location several times before you can get exactly the lighting you want!)
Path through greenery
It's usually highly desirable to include some sort of foreground framing to add depth to the scene. Leaves and branches of a tree are usually very effective. Always be on the look-out for interesting patterns like these. The path here seems to lead us into the picture. This pleasing photo is by Serge Doublet. I've actually reversed it so that the path travels from left to right, as this is the direction our eyes move when we read a page.

Landscapes are often much improved by the inclusion of some human interest. Here the two figures (with the fence and gate) provide foreground framing, and the path leads us (and them) up to the church.

Crag with no boy
Boy on peak
Left: in this very effective photo by Lou Greenberg, the boy and the crag together provide foreground framing,and his inclusion also provides human interest and a helpful. indication of scale. Remove him (as on the right) and the picture loses much of its appeal.
Snow scene
Mist
Left: this very successful photo by Christie Uhler is another example of a path leading us into the picture. The lighting (and hence the coloring) is just right too. A dramatic sky adds to the effect, just as a colorless sky would have detracted from it. To be sure of exposing the foreground correctly when there's a bright sky in the background, take a reading from the part of the scene you want to be exposed correctly.
Right: a reminder that you don't always have to wait for the sun to come out: mist can sometimes be very effective, but it's often a good idea to include something sharp in the immediate foreground.
Edale
This is Edale in the English Peak district. The characteristic dry stone wall provides effective foreground framing, and, once again, the path leads us into the picture. The horizon too is well away from the middle of the picture. The gentle coloring effectively communicates the sense of place.
A few technical points: if you use a slow shutter speed (that's where a tripod can be useful), then the resulting small aperture will throw as much of the picture as possible in focus. Using a wide angle lens setting will also much increase the depth of field (the area in focus). To try to get both foreground and background in focus, focus on a point about a third of the way towards the background.




For those who want to find out more:
WaterfallThe (much reduced) photo on the right comes from Michael Busselle's Better Picture Guide to Landscape Photography. It shows how a flowing water effect can be created by using an exposure of a second or longer. This is a book I'd really recommend if you're looking for creative suggestions on how to improve your landscape photography, even if, unlike its author, you are not going to make extensive use of filters!
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