Each lesson until now has really emphasized shooting with your aperture at the lowest setting (if not directly encouraging it, than indirectly pushing you in that direction). With landscapes though, it's nice to increase your f/stop to get more of the picture in focus. When the f/stop is higher, more of the fabulous scenery will be sharp in your picture.
Tips for Landscape Photos
1. Use a wide angle lens. If you have a DSLR, switch out your lens with a wide angle version. You'll be able to capture more of the view.
2. Find a bird's eye view. Shooting from above will give you a better vantage point and better view overall.
3. Locate a focal point. Use architectural objects or nature elements to give your image perspective.
4. Consider composition. Remember the rule of thirds and fight the urge to place the horizon at the center of the photo.
5. Pay attention to the time of day. Light can drastically change the look of a photo. Consider taking photos at sunrise or sunset, during the day, and at night to get varied photos.
6. Play with shadows and silhouettes.
7. Use lines to pull the viewer's eye into the photo.
8. Consider cityscapes. The countryside isn't the only place to get great landscape photos.
9. Take panoramic shots. Landscapes naturally lend to nice wide images.
10. Nightscapes. Don't limit yourself to daytime images, nightscapes can be a beautiful change.
The Assignment
The assignment this week was to take landscape photos using the tips above. I had a really really hard time with this assignment. I've actually been searching for half-decent landscapes to take photos of for weeks, and I keep failing. My area is just not great for landscape photography, and of course when I actually saw a shot that might look great, I didn't have my camera. Frustrating.
These are the only landscape photos that I could get. I snapped them when there was a big event at a local shopping center. They are far from great, but I was trying to take advantage of the yellow lines like in tip #7 above.
What I Learned
I think I really want a wide angle lens. I've been looking at 24mm and 28mm lenses and I really like the look of them. I mentioned before that I've found it hard to get some of the shots I want when I'm in tight spaces and I think a wide angle lens would solve that problem. Now I just have to choose a lens to buy and save up for it!
Following along? Link it up!
I'm leaving the linky party open for the duration of the entire 12 weeks so you can link up as you do the lessons on your own.
Coming up next week: Your Daily Environment! Getting great photos on an ordinary day. I'm really looking forward to this one!
I like the way you made the yellow stripe draw the eye. I had fun with this one because I had just happened to take a hike up a mountain, which made for great landscape opps, but normally I think close ups are more my style.
ReplyDeleteNext week will be fun! Finally a chance to take photos how WE like to!
I thought yours were good at capturing both sides. I was eyeing some wide angles too because I love what they can do...but aren't they so expensive?
ReplyDeleteI've found a couple for under $500, but yeah, not cheap!
ReplyDeleteEven though I don't understand all the technicalities of photography, I do really like the effect you created here. There is so much to look at and the lines divide it up in an interesting way.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe I just like it because you managed to sneak some puppies in! ;-)
Every picture is better with a dog in it! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that second photo!! Very clever use of the yellow lines to draw your eye right up into the crowd.
ReplyDeletei really need to take a course like this! one day i will learn to use my camera...
ReplyDelete