Exploring new places with your camera can be incredibly fulfilling, especially when you’re trying to capture unique moments and invigorating shots.
Coming to you from Mike Chudley, this engaging video explores the art of composition. Chudley shares his experience of wandering through Riva, Italy, focusing on how to creatively capture the desolate beauty of this summer resort during the quieter months.
Chudley starts by discussing his approach to composition. He emphasizes the importance of aligning elements within the frame to create visually pleasing images. For instance, he points out how the top of a swing aligns with the roofs of nearby shacks, creating a harmonious flow within the photo. This technique is particularly useful when there are no obvious subjects to photograph, allowing you to find interest in otherwise mundane scenes.
Another interesting point Chudley makes is about playing with colors and light. In Riva, the off-season atmosphere offers a unique palette of muted tones and soft lighting. Chudley experiments with these elements, finding beauty in the abandoned water parks and empty streets. He encourages leaning into your surroundings and making the most of what’s available, which can lead to surprisingly beautiful results.
Chudley also touches on the idea of gamifying the photography process. By treating composition as a puzzle, he challenges himself to find the most creative and pleasing ways to frame his shots. This approach not only makes the process more enjoyable but also sharpens your skills as a photographer. It’s about seeing the potential in every scene and pushing your creative boundaries.
One key takeaway from Chudley’s video is the importance of having fun with your photography. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a quiet coastal town, finding ways to enjoy the process can make a significant difference in your work. Chudley suggests embracing the environment you’re in and allowing it to guide your photographic style. If you’re in a vibrant, busy area, look for dynamic, bustling scenes. If you’re in a serene, quiet place, focus on the tranquility and simplicity of your surroundings. The key is to enjoy the process and let your surroundings inspire you. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Chudley.
The title of the video is “Finding Beauty in the Off-Season: Photography Lessons” although most of the content deals with composition regardless of seasons. But I think “seasons” as it affects photography is a pretty interesting subject by itself. It certainly plays a role in my enjoyment of photography. Because if there’s one thing I’m particularly sensitive to from living in an area close to so many resorts and tourist attractions, it’s seasons. Forget a hotel room in Aspen or Vail during holiday season, unless you want to take out a second mortgage to pay for it. And visiting Arches National Park in the summer is so crowded now that it requires advance reservations for taking a car into the park. Several of the US national parks prohibit cars during the summer season entirely.
All of that makes visiting these places so much more attractive during the off-season. There are fantastic pictures to be made from a visit to the American West during winter, especially if you embrace black and white photography. Less saturated natural colors lend themselves to black and white or pastel-like images. Another advantage that might not be so readily apparent to shooting in winter is that the sun hangs low in the sky, creating long shadows throughout the entire day. So instead of confining landscape photography to sunrise and sunset, you can sleep in, have dinner at a normal hour, and still make good pictures any time of day.