Landscape photography often hinges on unpredictable elements. The weather, light, and fixed positions of natural features make capturing the perfect shot a challenge. You can't move mountains or adjust the sky, but you can increase your chances of success with careful planning and the right tools.
Coming to you from Christian Irmler - Landscape Photography, this engaging video explores how to find strong images and favorable lighting conditions. Irmler starts by discussing weather planning, a crucial aspect of landscape photography. Traditional methods often fall short, leaving you with less-than-ideal conditions. Using a professional weather system can improve your odds significantly.
Irmler highlights the advantages of revisiting familiar locations. By returning to places where you've previously scouted compositions, you can take advantage of the right weather and lighting conditions when they occur. Irmler describes a specific woodland composition he found on a prior visit. Waiting for the right conditions, particularly mist, added a soft, moody atmosphere to the scene. This approach ensures you build on past experiences rather than starting from scratch each time.
The video emphasizes the role of mist and fog in creating compelling landscape photographs. Mist floats above the ground, while fog touches it. Both contribute to a dreamy, ethereal quality in images. Irmler explains that understanding and predicting mist conditions can help you plan shoots more effectively. He also stresses the importance of patience. Mist levels can change rapidly, so being prepared to capture the right moment is crucial.
Waiting for the perfect conditions paid off for Irmler, as he captured a stunning portfolio shot. Having a pre-visualized composition reduces pressure and allows for more creative freedom. Once you secure a strong image, you can explore further without the anxiety of not getting a good shot. This method not only improves your success rate but also your overall experience.
Irmler also points out that sometimes it’s beneficial to go out in unpredictable weather. Risking adverse conditions can lead to phenomenal photographs. He encourages embracing the uncertainty, as it often results in unique and powerful images. Combining careful planning with the willingness to face unpredictability can yield fantastic results. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Irmler.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!"
I really enjoy the travel videos of the photographer walking to and looking for a subject, How they do it with all their gear and also video gear to capture the travels. The subject here is finding that captured moment never to repeat and like a tree falling in the woods and if no one (people) is around does it make a sound. Also if the lighting happens but no one to see did it happen??
Many things others looking at an image and other budding photographers never realize is the study of weather and movement of the sun/moon through not only the day but year giving many different shades of light. As a photographer you are always a weather person with many phone apps as well as apps that show sun and moon movement as well as information on golden/blue hour times and lengths about mornings and evenings then adjusting meal times especially if married/with a mate all to just be out there.
The one thing also is clothing and non camera gear, I have no idea where this adventure is but am very proud he shows he has bear spray handy but did not see if he has a satellite emergency device also. The rubber boots are great in case of streams/shallow rivers but if anywhere in the US high snake boots (they also are waterproof)/chaps/shin shields, like if in PA or other states for fall foliage the rattlesnakes are a many and unseen as well as out west. Then clothing and broken in foot gear (if not some tape for heals and sides of feet.).
Finding the landscape, have you as a photographer as you drive on the many paved roads have seen the image to capture but then as you pass on it ever thought of the road builders that built the road and what they saw the many days it took to build it. The many trails in the many parks built in the 1930's by young people to make a few dollars to send back to family, If you stop and take in a view think of those who made it possible even the many Scout organizations of young people who spend weeks maintaining will they one day become photographers or are while out working it capture the moments to remember the feel again of that memory rush.
I was lucky to grow as a scout in many places my family moved to as a military brat and enjoy the wonders of nature but also able to prepare for the bad as well good times. But the many images never captured but in my mind they are and when I see a landscape image many rush through my mind's eyes and am grateful to those who go out and capture today so my memories stay fresh.
Today I fell in love with Astro Milky Ways and use all the skills learned in life to find place and record what can not be seen or what is missed during sleep times of others.
Just have FUN!!!! and Thank those who Share....