Exploring intimate landscapes can push you out of your comfort zone, especially when conditions aren't ideal for sweeping vistas. Mastering this type of photography sharpens your eye for detail and opens up new creative avenues when you're faced with challenging lighting or scenery.
Coming to you from Jason Friend Photography, this insightful video tackles how to create compelling intimate landscape shots on days when the weather isn't cooperating. Friend meets up with photographer David Taylor for an informal scouting trip along Northumberland's coastline. They emphasize how you shouldn't feel restricted to expansive landscape shots when lighting is harsh or skies are clear and featureless. Instead, Friend highlights the effectiveness of using a telephoto lens to compress perspective and isolate smaller details, like limpets clinging to rocks. He also experiments with square cropping, suggesting this format works well for minimalist compositions.
Taylor contributes another valuable tip: managing harsh contrast effectively. When photographing details such as shells and barnacles, he demonstrates two techniques. First, bouncing light back onto your subject using a reflector softens shadows, creating more balanced exposure. Alternatively, casting your own shadow over the scene significantly reduces contrast and softens harsh midday sun. Taylor points out that using automatic white balance can help maintain natural color when shading your subject. Understanding and applying these practical approaches can significantly improve your images, especially when facing bright, unyielding sunlight.
Friend admits candidly that finding compelling compositions among cluttered scenes is challenging. He emphasizes simplicity, recommending patience and thoughtful examination to distill chaotic surroundings into visually appealing images. By focusing on straightforward yet interesting subjects, like colorful rocks or distinctive seaweed patterns, you ensure viewers remain engaged without confusion.
Building upon composition tips, Taylor suggests looking for repetition as a powerful tool. Patterns, such as seaweed or textured sand, draw viewers into your photographs. However, he demonstrates breaking the repetition intentionally, placing a shell amidst repetitive seaweed to create visual interest. Through side-by-side comparisons, Taylor encourages you to experiment with both approaches, emphasizing photography's subjective nature and the importance of personal preference.
That's just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Friend and Taylor.
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!”
