One of the most memorable photos I`ve seen was a panoramic view of a beautiful country setting. In the background was a deep blue sky. In the foreground, a field of vibrant green. And sandwiched between, a blend of oaks and maples as thick as corn in a farmer`s field.
The photo was memorable because it was one of the most boring shots I ever took. Yes, despite all that beauty mother nature took so long to create, the photo was a wipeout.
It was just one more example of an unsuccessful attempt to capture three- dimensional life in a two-dimensional photograph. Why do some landscape photographs succeed while others fail so miserably? Mostly, because of the photographer`s slipshod handling of the elements in the scene. Here are a few things to watch for the next time you want to shoot an effective landscape.
-- Watch the horizon. Don`t allow it to bisect the scene into two equal halves. Instead, determine whether the sky or the foreground is more dominant, then tilt the camera up or down to emphasize the stronger of the two elements. If you`re unsure which element predominates, divide the frame mentally into three equal horizontal parts. The horizon--or any strong horizontal line
--should be placed either one-third of the way from the top or the bottom of the frame. That will lend a more comfortable, more natural feeling to the scene.
-- Reduce foreground clutter. Unlike most photographs, in which you have to guard against background clutter, landscapes often are often littered with foreground clutter. The easiest way to reduce or eliminate the distraction of cars, signs or fenceposts is to back up and shoot the landscape from a distance. Or switch to a wide-angle lens. This will de-emphasize the foreground objects, allowing the viewer to concentrate on the beauty of the landscape.
-- Find a central point of interest. Every photo needs one--landscapes no less than others. An old barn, a house, a tractor in a field, a winding country road--whatever it is, it should be strong enough to attract the eye.
-- Use the proper film. After deciding on a suitable composition, match the film to the moment. A slow film will record fine detail and produce sharply focused elements. A fast film will produce a grainier shot, but one that can add atmosphere to a scene and may be especially desirable on foggy or misty days. Pushing the film (shooting a 200 ASA film at 400 or even 600 ASA and having it processed accordingly) will increase the overall effect of grain.
-- Watch the lighting. Bright overhead sunlight is boring. For a more appealing photo, try shooting in unsettled weather: before or after a storm or during a light rain or snow. Protect your gear with an all-weather case or a plastic bag. If you`re shooting color, look for dramatic contrasts created by weak sunlight filtering through dark storm clouds.
-- Use the horizontal format or your 35-mm. camera to convey the vast expanse of a landscape and the vertical format to express its strength or to draw focus to a particular element within the scene.
-- Use filters to emphasize haze or to cut through it. Haze usually increases later in the day, so shoot early to minimize its effect. Avoid using a telephoto lens on a hazy day unless you want to increase the effect of the haze. If you must use a telephoto lens, fit it with a skylight filter to decrease the effects of haze.