Improving your photography requires dedication. You need to consistently push yourself and explore new techniques. One key approach is pre-visualization, which helps you plan and anticipate your shots even before you pick up your camera.
Coming to you from William Patino, this enlightening video emphasizes the importance of pre-visualization. Patino explains how imagining the final result can drive your motivation. It's not just about seeing the potential of a scene but about asking "what if?" What if the conditions align perfectly? This curiosity and anticipation can push you to take that extra step, to wake up early, to endure the elements, and to put in the effort required to capture something extraordinary.
Pre-visualization also involves understanding the environmental conditions that affect your shots. In the video, Patino discusses his experience with fog in the rainforest during autumn. Fog creates a mystical atmosphere perfect for photography. However, fog doesn't always settle in lower forests, so gaining elevation is crucial. By planning to get higher up the mountain, Patino increases his chances of capturing the fog enveloping the temperate rainforest.
On this particular morning, the weather is grim and cold. Despite this, Patino's pre-visualization keeps him motivated. He prepares by taking a boat across the lake and hiking up the mountain to get above the fog layer. As he ascends, he starts to see the fog forming at higher altitudes, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere in the forest. This setting offers unique photographic opportunities, with the fog diffusing the light and adding layers of depth to the scene.
Patino emphasizes the importance of patience and observation once you reach your desired location. It's not just about snapping photos; it's about finding the right composition that speaks to you. In the foggy forest, he looks for harmony amidst the chaos, seeking out specific tree branches or patterns that catch his eye. This careful observation allows him to capture images that convey the beauty and tranquility of the scene. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Patino.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!"
This isn't at all what Ansel Adams, who first coined the term, meant by "pre-visualization". What Adams was talking about about is how filters and exposure choices, along with planned development and printing choices, would affect the appearance of the finished image compared to what the photographer actually saw with their own eyes before taking the shot.