Landscape photography can be a challenge, especially when unexpected weather throws off your plans. This helpful video offers practical advice and relatable insights on how to adapt on the go.
Coming to you from Brent Hall, this candid video captures his journey as he navigates the unpredictable conditions. The warmth was unexpected, making it tough to get the classic snowy shots he had in mind. Rather than sticking to a rigid plan, Hall decided to explore new subjects, including landscapes and an abandoned dude ranch. His honesty about feeling stressed and adjusting on the fly is refreshing. Even when he didn’t have the ideal gear, such as only having a 100-400mm lens for landscape shots, he found ways to make it work by doing panorama shots and focusing on different aspects of the scene. This approach shows that with a bit of creativity, you can turn limitations into opportunities.
Hall’s video also dives into some useful editing tips, particularly for color correction. He emphasizes the value of polarizers for enhancing blues and reducing glare, but also demonstrates how to mimic some of their effects using tools in Photoshop or Lightroom. Even if you forget your polarizer, you can still adjust luminance and saturation to achieve a similar look. He points out that while certain aspects can’t be fully replicated, like removing glare on water, there are workarounds that can still deliver impressive results. Hall’s focus is on being adaptable, especially when the perfect gear isn’t available.
Another segment shows Hall navigating wildlife photography. Despite some setbacks, like missing a bear sighting, he managed to capture shots of elk and moose in fall colors. His video isn’t just about the successful moments; he shares the struggle of trying to balance getting good stills and capturing video footage simultaneously. There’s a rawness to his approach, especially when discussing the challenges of low light and high ISO settings. Hall believes that sometimes, you have to prioritize getting the shot over perfect technical settings. High ISO, a bit of motion blur, or less-than-ideal lighting can still create compelling images if you’re willing to experiment.
Hall wraps up by diving into the editing process, where he adjusts the colors and textures of his photos to make them pop. His focus is on showing you how to get more out of your images, whether you’re using presets or doing manual adjustments. He walks through using the color mixer and luminance sliders, explaining each step to give you better control over your results. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Hall.
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!”
