Landscapes in details
When we speak about landscape photography, we most often mean immense and grand images of mountains, seas, trees, etc. But have you ever paid attention at landscapes under your feet? There are so many diverse natural patterns and textures around us – these are small details that form a landscape. These details can be interesting subjects for you images.
What equipment do you need to photograph detailed landscapes?
Camera: You can use any camera, which allows focusing close for shooting small details. Lens: A tele-zoom or telephoto lens help you single out large details, a macro lens or close zoom will go perfectly for small details.
Setting: Choose ISO 50-100 to get sharp images and avoid noise.
Accessories: Use a tripod and a remote control or a cable release for shooting large details.
1. Get rid of horizon line. The first step on the way to seeing details is not to include the horizon line into the field of vision. The horizon included in a shot defines a perspective. But as soon as the horizon disappears from the shot, there is no perspective in the shot either, which allows you to concentrate on those things that are under your feet.
2. Shoot the area of several square meters to start with. Next time try to get closer and include the details of an area of several square cm only. The size doesn’t matter in such shots, you start doing abstract photography, where colors, textures, patterns and forms are the basic elements.
3. You subjects don’t need to be recognizable. If there is no perspective in your shot, the viewer will not always be able to say for sure what is depicted in the picture, which may bring various interpretations to the viewer’s mind.
For instance a macro photograph of a stone pattern can be interpreted differently: it can be seen as an air photo taken from above, while in reality this stone can fit on your palm. Sand on the beach may look like an endless desert. A narrow stream of river water will resemble a huge water fall.
Of cause, your aim is not to deceive your viewer, but to make the photograph more interesting to him/her by getting rid of perspective.
4. Bad weather shouldn’t bother you. Some landscapists even recommend shooting normal, big landscapes in good weather, and concentrate on details in bad weather.
However, there are some situations, when the quality of light is very important for detailed landscapes. For example, if you want to shoot a texture of a tree rind or a wavy sand surface, sunshine is more than desirable, because you want it to lit the surface and create shades. In some cases you won’t go without sunshine, it concerns images of sand surfaces, which won’t be seen if the sun is covered with clouds or at the zenith.
Still, in most cases you don’t need direct light for detailed landscape photography.
Summary:
- Look around yourself and be attentive to small details – often one discovery is followed by a number of others.
- Shoot details purposely.
- Learn to look at an object and notice its color, rhythm, texture and form.
Further reading:
- Art composition: landscape photography
- Color Accent in landscape photography
- See How Easily You Can Manage Lighting in Landscape Photography
- Shoot Landscapes like a Professional
- Read about three styles of landscape photography in Landscape Photography tips from PhotogrpahyTips.com
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