Landscape photography The value of photographic prints - Stephan R. Lewis is a professional photographer. He accepted to share his knowledge with us, with this exclusive article. The value of photographic prints I have been in the photo industry trenches for a long time and have watched many things come and go in popularity. When I say 'trenches' I mean not the glamour… is an art form in itself. Some individuals possess a natural talent for it, while others improve through months or years of experience. If you’re just beginning with landscape photography or simply want to enhance your skills, here are six tips to help you become a better landscape photographer:
- Choose a point of interest: When you encounter a captivating subject, such as a beautiful mountain, focus on capturing that. Once you’ve selected your point of interest, move around to determine the ideal angle for your composition. Place the subject in the upper right, lower right, upper left, or lower left corner of the frame. Avoid positioning it directly in the center (though there are exceptions to this rule that you’ll learn through experience). To get a closer shot, move physically closer rather than relying on the zoom.
- Emphasize scale: Landscape photography often aims to convey the immense size of a subject, like a mountain range or a vast landscape. To achieve this, include an element that clearly demonstrates the scale of your subject. For example, when photographing a massive redwood tree, include a person standing at its base to highlight the size difference.
- Utilize the Golden Hour: The Golden Hour refers to the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. The lighting during these times is magical and can make your photos truly extraordinary.
- Use the viewfinder: Before capturing your image, examine the composition through the viewfinder. Look for anything that might distract from your subject, such as litter on the ground or wires obstructing the view. If distractions are present, consider how to eliminate them and achieve the desired image.
- Maintain viewer interest: A common goal for photographers is to capture and hold the viewer’s attention. In landscape photography, one way to accomplish this is by incorporating naturally occurring lines in the environment. Position these lines diagonally in your composition to encourage the viewer to engage with the image longer.
- Use a tripod: Employ a tripod when taking landscape photos. A tripod enables you to steadily explore different angles and improves image stabilization, reducing or eliminating blur.
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