Landscape photography often challenges you to adapt, experiment, and make the most of fleeting light and dynamic conditions. This helpful video showcases practical strategies for improving your compositions and embracing unpredictable environments.
Coming to you from Adam Gibbs of Quiet Light Photo, this helpful video dives into techniques for capturing unique images at well-photographed locations. At a castle on England's northeastern coast, Gibbs focuses on breaking away from conventional compositions. Instead of sticking to the typical coastal shots with boulders in the foreground, he experiments with closer perspectives, incorporating lichen-covered rocks to lead the viewer’s eye toward the castle. Gibbs uses wide angle lenses and neutral density filters to emphasize foreground elements and add motion to skies, offering practical advice on building layered compositions that connect foreground, middle ground, and background effectively.
In Glencoe, Gibbs explores the importance of light in grand landscape shots. He highlights the challenge of creating depth and visual interest when overcast conditions flatten the scene. By focusing on mid-section panoramas, he shows how to maximize the drama of a frame when the sky or ground lacks compelling features. Gibbs also emphasizes scouting and adapting compositions to the light, reminding us that sometimes, the best scenes are discovered by revisiting a spot under different conditions.
This video also addresses the balancing act of creativity and practicality in photography. Gibbs candidly discusses the challenges of working under tight schedules and changing weather. He shows how sticking with one or two strong compositions can often yield better results than spreading yourself too thin. For instance, by refining a single setup, he ensures the interplay of light, shadow, and leading lines are optimized, even when conditions are far from ideal.
Throughout, Gibbs offers tips on choosing gear for specific effects. His commentary on avoiding common compositional pitfalls, like disconnected elements between foreground and background, provides valuable insight for creating cohesive and engaging images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gibbs.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan II - Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”
