Photography 101:  Landscape

Photo #1

 

Every photography teacher in Columbus is bored with photos of downtown, probably because everyone has taken every single vantage point and angle possible.  But I love a good cityscape, so I knew I had to take one photo of the skyline.  I tried to capture the three aspects that make the Columbus cityscape interesting: the water, the bridges, and the buildings.  And I also wanted the shot to be from a different vantage point rarely seen in photos.

Photo #2

 

Sometimes you just have to crouch down behind something interesting to create the foreground.  I liked the pop of purple from these flowers and how they add interest to a scene that is mostly green without taking away from the fountain as a focal point.

Photo #3

 

I took this shot on the way to visit my sister “out in the country” of southern Ohio.  I loved the contrast of the red buildings in the distance against the bright green grass and the white fence.  Leading lines are a huge element of this photo.

I pulled over on the side of the road right when I saw the scene unfold before me.  Also, I actually stood on top of the roof of my car in order to get this slightly elevated vantage point needed.

Note that this class requires us to shoot JPGs (no RAW files), and the only editing allowed is adjusting contrast and sharpening.

What I learned about photography

A landscape photo should have a foreground, middle ground, and background.  A landscape photo should also convey a sense of depth and have a focal point in the distance.  The subject matter can vary greatly from wide open natural scenes to urban cityscapes.  When composing a landscape, consider these tips:

• Look for good contrast and interesting light.  Would the scene look better at a different time of day?  Consider shooting the same scene at different times to see for yourself.
• Rather than just seeing a pretty scene and clicking the shutter, think about what you want to remember and what is the best part of the place.
• When in doubt, look for leading lines and go wide angle.
• It is rare that a scene looks best standing up straight on the ground.  Add some interest by taking the photo from a lower or higher vantage point.  Get creative!

Landscape photography is my favorite.

I was excited about this assignment, however, I am used to shooting landscape photography while traveling.  The challenge for me was to look at my own city and my frequently traveled paths with a different viewpoint.

What is your favorite location for landscape photography?  Any tips to share?

 

 

Share a link if you have a photo of what you created this week.