I don't do landscapes very often but took a trip out the Isle of Wight a couple of months back and just liking photography I really wanted to get into trying different things. When the chance for a decent sunset presented itself, having done some prior research on the spot it was away to give it a go.
Been a small island a short drive from where I was staying (even though I was on the opposite side) landed me in the car park. A reasonable if not particularly challenging walk over to the other side of the rocks and I was setup. Given how popular the place is during the day and the nice view I was surprised to find we were the only ones there but that was nice as it gave me freedom to pick my spot.
A full sunset, many exposures and some time in post later this is what I produced. I quite like it for my first real attempt at this sort of landscape photography but CC is always welcome as I am always looking to learn and improve.
Needles Lighthouse - Isle of Wight
Nice attempt! I like the movement in the sky and how it contrasts with the rest of the scene.
As the lighthouse is the subject, I would suggest getting closer or using more of a telephoto to make that a larger part of the image for a better composition.
I think I got quite lucky with the colours. The movement in the sky is something I often use with static aviation shots and I am glad you think it translates quite well here.
I completely understand what you are saying about composition, if memory serves getting closer isn’t really an option here so a little note for me, remember to pack my telephoto next time I go landscape shooting. Doing as you suggested would certainly make the main subject stand out more.
Thanks for taking the time to look at the post and leave feedback.
great color great sky... everything that is meant to be the subject of the photo is just too small. you obviously know what you are doing just remember the wider you go the less pinpoint accurate you get if you are far away pull out the long lens for that intimate shot.... if vast is what your going for then make sure there is enough for the eye to look at. i would get down on the beach and take a zoomed 3panel pano..wide effect but full of the details
Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback. Makes complete sense, the scale of the subject never really crossed my mind while I was there but I can really see it now.
Never even considered a pano as I’ve never really done work like that before, something I will consider in the future.
Hi James,
This is great for a first attempt at landscapes.
I think others have mentioned this. I wouldn't have known this was a shot of a lighthouse if the description hadn't pointed me in that direction. It's just too small and far away, and the foreground on the right is a little too distracting. So yes, I would get MUCH closer to the lighthouse if I could and retake this.
Just another point: Landscapes do not HAVE to be shot with a wide angle lens. I've done plenty of landscapes with focal lengths ranging from 14 mm all the way up to 200 mm. Let your eye and the scene in front of you guide you. I would maybe do this shot again using something like a 70 mm focal length in a portrait orientation (standing in the same spot) with the lighthouse at the bottom of my image, keeping those last 2 rocks leading towards it in the frame.
Beautiful colours.
Sid
Thank you for leaving feedback and for your kind words Sid.
I see that now and is definitely feedback I agree with, I went to make the lighthouse the subject and just shot too wide. It’s not something I would be really considered for landscape work but as you said a landscape can be whatever focal length works.
Portrait orientation is a very interesting idea but looking now could work very well here to show the sky given how nice the colours in it are. Definitely something for me to consider next time and I will try to spend more time on location in future for working on composition as it’s clear that is my next key area for improvement with this kind of shot.
Great shot, James. Love the skies and colors with this exposure.
Thank you Bhargav, much appreciated.