Some people think great landscape photographers are just lucky, always at the right place at the right time. The reality is great landscape photographers are persistent. Making portfolio-worthy images often entails repeat visits to areas to find the ideal composition paired with stunning conditions.
With all the fantastic pictures being posted online, it is easy to think everyone is having an easy time just heading out and capturing these images on the first go. But in this video, we get some behind-the-scenes with Michael Shainblum as he revisits a location for the eleventh time to try and finally get the photograph he wants.
Shainblum opens the video explaining how, on all his previous visits, the seascape he is visiting has either been in the rain or the fog, with no chance of a colorful sunset. Now, on his eleventh visit to this area, the weather might cooperate for the sunset image he has been after.
We follow Shainblum as he scouts out the composition for the photograph. He takes care to consider where the sun will set so he can balance the elements in the frame with the setting sun. We also gain insight into his exposure technique for capturing the moving water among the rocks and the proper exposure for the sky.
I enjoyed following along in this video and watching Shainblum’s process. I also take comfort in knowing I am not the only one who doesn’t always get the photograph the first, second, or even third time!
PERSISTENCE is a tool very few photographers and non photographers know about let alone do. This video is most refreshing to show how things are done. Showing the filter in back of the lens that requires a big filter holder up front, the rear filters do not affect the light like a forward filter exp if using a front filter on a ultra wide like used you will get a hump in the center in the sky. What takes a lot is the pre planning when it comes location that you need to know where the sun sets or rises, apps to use TPE, PhotoPills, Planit Pro and Planit Live. Also the knowledge of WHERE the sun/moon rises, for December shortest day to June longest day the sun rises from north to south and vise a versa the longest to shortest. And in October and March the sun and moon one rises and the other sets 180 degrees of each other. Also when to do a moon rise is the day before the full moon meaning you will have the foreground lit by the setting sun. Great to know for a moon rise behind a church with soft orange light lighting the front or even easter services with a moon rise in back or a sunrise with sun centered over the crowd. Even a large sun using a telephoto from a great distance.
There are places where in the past natives or large communities used natural landscapes to watch for the sun and moon rise and set to plan planting and harvest time and many many photographers go to these place to get an image every year. A little info every full moon rises in the east and sets in the west for easy planing like for lunar eclipses planning, just the crescents are left or right and to catch a fake lunar eclipse the moon wobbles so the start will be different than the end, many PS'ers will just color a moon for the eclipse.
The key is on a rainy couple of day use the apps and plan on a map the the days and months of the sun travel up and down on both sides to get an ideas of what is stated. With the knowledge you can plan the days or even use on of the apps that will say the degree of the rise or set. Rise place will be when the sun is completely up and bottom still touching horizon as with setting is when the top of the sun is just below the horizon, a outriched thumb will cover the distance so you can track it form left to right or right to left to have your position correct for it to be above or behind a subject.
PERSISTENCE in following and knowing before you get out there.
Full moons will be in the first part of the month one year and new moons first part the next year.
As far a sunrise/set ask a police officer the location for the most accidents both morning and evening good sites to setup at.
Thanks Edwin! And you listed out some great apps photographers can use for planning and persisting to get the shot they are after!
Planning and persistence are two different things. Persistence comes into play when all the time and effort that went into planning fails to produce the desired images. Weather is often a big reason. When that happens, you can return again and again to the same spot until you get the picture you're looking for. Of course that's persistence. But I think the better lesson from this video comes near the end where the photographer describes how he changed his mindset when conditions disappointed and looked for close-up images instead of grand landscapes. Most casual photographers give up and pack their camera away if the light isn't what they had expected. Making adjustments when best laid plans are foiled is an important aspect of persistence... and improving the depth of one's photography.
Excellent point on the looking for small, close-up pictures if the grand scene doesn't unfold as expected. I think not packing it up when conditions aren't great for the wide-angle shot, but instead looking for small scenes where the light is playing interestingly has been quite helpful to my photography (and enjoyment of the whole process!)
In my opinion, the small close-up scenes benefit from flat light and low contrast... the opposite of what we typically think is better for grand landscapes. I don't want harsh contrast overpowering the subject in a close up image. Just my two cents.
I tend to agree. Though, at grand scenes, I often find myself looking for "spots of light" highlighting interesting features, maybe a ridge line, a particular peak, or a particular tree.
Either way - I think the key is if the grand scene isn't unfolding, don't pack, up, but broaden your vision to look around for interesting portions of the scene.
For sure, light and shadows define shapes, separate elements, and create depth in a landscape photograph. But waiting and hoping for that big spotlight in the sky to perform its magic often requires the utmost patience. Instead of jumping from one place to another, I often have to find a comfortable rock to sit on to wait and watch.
I've watched lots of folks jump around running from spot to spot, when it likely would have been better to just be patient in one spot, observing in multiple directions as the scene unfolds.
I much prefer the find a comfy spot and wait and watch!
On the other hand, these sort of photos call for soft diffused light naturally found in total shade in order to keep the highlights from blowing out and contrast manageable. As you well know, light is the foundation of every picture, and I'm sure you teach that in your workshops.
Yep - the nice, soft diffused light helps make these images!