Landscape photography is a frustrating and rewarding pursuit (often simultaneously). It can involve hours of hard physical exertion and enduring less-than-stellar conditions for a payoff that might never arrive. Yet, sometimes, nature surprises the photographer and makes the exertion all worth it.
Call me crazy, but I think all photographers should take some time to shoot landscapes. This video from Nigel Danson illustrates why. I find (at least for me) that the genre oscillates between reward and frustration, but it's always meditative, and the slow pace of the process encourages a different way of thinking that translates well to any other genre I shoot. Because one is in control (somewhat) of the subject matter, but the light and weather are at the whim of the sky, it tests one's ability to pre-visualize, anticipate, and improvise. Beyond that, I simply love being outdoors and feeling more connected to nature, though I know that's not everyone's thing. More so, I enjoy moments like Danson's last shot, when you properly pre-visualize the shot, you arrive in time, your settings are correct, you wait patiently, and then, what happens before your eyes and lens is even greater than you thought it would be. To me, that makes it all worth it.
"Throwing it down with rain..." Like that over the top phrase. Obviously Nigel has never been caught during a tropical thunder storm.
Since Nigel is so close to the Lake District, could someone ask him to do video of the M6 / the railway line landscape scene close to Great Strickland. Absolutely stunning.
The skills you learn in landscape photography help with most other genres. Or at least that is how I tell it in my photo presentations.
Argh Elan, you most definitely not been in the Lake District when it is "throwing in down" you can't see your hand in front of your face, Lol.