Getting the right composition in challenging conditions takes patience, careful adjustments, and a willingness to experiment.
Coming to you from Mark Denney, this interesting video takes you to Norway, where he explores a mountain he hasn’t photographed before. The weather isn’t immediately cooperative, with the peak hidden behind low clouds. While waiting, Denney focuses on foreground elements, particularly a flowing creek with fresh snow and ice formations. He emphasizes the importance of scouting compositions in less-than-ideal conditions, working with what’s available rather than waiting passively. His use of an f/16 aperture and a shutter speed of 1/25 of a second balances motion and clarity in the water. He also experiments with focus stacking to ensure everything stays sharp, a technique that can be crucial when dealing with complex foreground elements.
Denney’s process highlights a common challenge—separating foreground elements so they don’t blend together. Snow-covered rocks tend to merge visually, making composition trickier. He works to keep the frame clean while adjusting settings to capture the movement of the water without losing detail. As he waits for the mountain to reveal itself, he takes multiple images at different shutter speeds, ensuring he has options when reviewing later. This method of capturing variations on location is a valuable takeaway. It’s easy to assume one shot is enough, only to realize later that a slightly different setting might have been the better choice.
Then, an unexpected moment transforms the scene. The peak finally emerges, revealing a second, even higher summit that had been obscured. The lighting shifts, with warm tones on one side of the mountain contrasting against cooler shadows. Denney quickly adjusts, bracketing exposures to handle the high-contrast scene. He acknowledges the difficulty of judging exposure in such conditions, opting to underexpose slightly while capturing bracketed shots for flexibility. The discovery of the hidden peak is a reminder that conditions in the field can change dramatically, and staying alert to new possibilities is just as important as planning in advance.
Beyond this specific shoot, Denney shares broader advice on capturing variety in your images. If you’re unsure whether to shoot in portrait or landscape orientation, take both. If you’re debating shutter speed for moving water, try a range of settings. Digital photography allows for this flexibility, and making those choices in the moment prevents regrets later. He also demonstrates the value of shooting slightly wider than intended, giving room for adjustments in post-processing rather than being locked into a too-tight composition. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Denney.
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!”
