Landscape photography
Landscape photography (often shortened to landscape photos) shows the spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, but other times microscopic. Landscape photographs typically capture the presence of nature but can also focus on human-made features or disturbances of landscapes. Landscape photography is done for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the most common is to recall a personal observation or experience while in the outdoors, especially when traveling. Others pursue it particularly as an outdoor lifestyle, to be involved with nature and the elements, some as an escape from the artificial world.[1][2][3][4]
Many landscape photographs show little or no human activity and are created in the pursuit of a pure, unsullied depiction of nature, devoid of human influence—instead featuring subjects such as strongly defined landforms, weather, and ambient light.[3][5] As with most forms of art, the definition of a landscape photograph is broad and may include rural or urban settings, industrial areas or nature photography.[6][7]
Environmentalism
Some of the most important and celebrated landscape photographers have been motivated by an appreciation of the beauty of the natural environment and a desire to see it preserved. The work of
Subjects
Landscape photography commonly involves daylight photography of natural features of land, sky and waters, at a distance—though some landscapes may involve subjects in a scenic setting nearby, even close-up, and sometimes at night.[11]
Photography of artificial scenery, such as farm fields, orchards, gardens and architecture, may be considered "landscape" photography as well. Even the presence of human-made structures (buildings, roads and bridges, etc.) or art (such as sculpture) may be considered "landscape" if presented in artistic settings or appearing (or photographed) in artistic style.[6][11]
Further, landscape photography is typically of relatively stationary subjects—arguably a form of "still life." This tends to simplify the task, as opposed to photography of kinetic or live subjects. However, landscape photography often overlaps the activity of wildlife photography and the two terms are used somewhat interchangeably; both wildlife and landscapes may be elements of the same picture or body of work.[2][12]
Tourism
Landscape photography has become a big part of local economies throughout the world.[citation needed] Countries such as Scotland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, New Zealand, USA, Canada and countries in the European Alpine region are very popular with photography tourists and welcome people from all over the world. As a result of this, landscape photography workshops and tours have become big business in these countries. Apps have formed part of this experience telling users how to find the most popular locations and how to photograph them once there.
Methods (technical)
Landscape photography typically requires relatively simple photographic equipment, though more sophisticated equipment can give a wider range of possibilities to the art. An artist's eye for the subject can yield attractive and impressive results even with modest equipment.[13]
Camera
Any ordinary (or sophisticated) camera—
However, a larger-format camera yields a more limited depth of field (range of the scene that is in focus) for a given aperture value, requiring greater care in focusing (see: "Shutter Speed and Aperture", below).[13][15]
A camera with "panorama" function or frame can permit very wide images suitable for capturing a panoramic view.[13]
Lens
For "wide open spaces," a wide-angle lens is generally the preferred lens, allowing a broad angle of view. However, medium-range to telephoto lenses can achieve satisfying imagery, as well, and can enable the capture of detailed scenery of smaller areas at greater distances. Telephoto lenses can also facilitate limited ranges of focus, to enable the photographer to emphasize a specific area, at a fairly specific distance, in sharp focus, with the foreground and background blurred (see: depth of field). A big difference between a wide-angles lens and a telephoto lens is the compression of the landscape; the wider the angle the more distance will appear between the foreground and background elements; however, a telephoto lens will make the same elements appear closer to each other. Other lenses that can help include the fisheye lens for extremely wide angles and dramatic effect, and the macro/micro lens for extreme close-up work. While variable-range zoom lenses are widely used, some landscape photographers prefer fixed-range prime lenses to provide higher clarity and quality in the image.[1][2][11][12][13][16]
Medium: film or digital sensor
The sensitivity to light, of the medium—the film or the digital camera sensor—is important in landscape photography, especially where great detail is required. In bright daylight, a "slow film" (low-
However, if there is movement in the scene, and the scene is in lower light—as with cloudy days, twilight, night, or in shaded areas—a higher ISO (up to the limits of the film or camera sensor, depending upon the shortage of light) may be desirable, to ensure that fast shutter speeds can be used to "freeze" the motion.[13][17]
Lighting and flash
Normally, landscape photography—being focused primarily on natural beauty—tends to be done with only naturally occurring ambient light.[11][13]
In some cases, however, artificial light is recommended or unavoidable. Careful use of flash, continuous artificial lighting or reflective surfaces (e.g.: reflectors) for "fill" in shadowy areas is often used in close-up landscape photography (e.g.: garden spaces, small areas of dark forests, etc.).
However, given the broad expanses of open space that tend to dominate in landscape photography, artificial lighting is typically ineffective, or even destructive (causing the foreground to be wildly over-lit, and the background to become overly dark).[13]
Light at dawn or dusk, or just before or after those times (especially at sunrise, or during the "golden hour" just before sunset), is often considered the best for capturing detail, showing scenes in the best colors of light, or otherwise generating impressive and attractive images.[11][12][18][19]
Shutter speed and aperture
With cameras that allow a variety of
With a small aperture, however, a slower shutter speed (longer exposure) may be required to compensate for the limited amount of light squeezing in through the small aperture. This can be a problem if there are kinetic elements in the picture, such as moving animals (especially birds), people or vehicles. It can also be a problem if the environment is kinetic (in motion), such as wind blowing and shaking all the trees and plants in the scene, or if water is flowing. Slow shutter speeds can also be a problem if the photographer is in motion (such as shooting a scene from a moving vehicle).[17]
Consequently, some compromise between shutter speed and aperture may be necessary, or advisable. To some extent, a higher-ISO film or digital camera setting can compensate without the need to alter shutter speed or aperture. However, higher ISO settings ("fast film") can result in grainy pictures and poor capture of details, especially at a distance.[17]
In some cases, a slow shutter speed is desired to show movement of the subjects, particularly moving water or the effects of wind.[13][17]
Filters
Filters can serve a wide range of purposes in landscape photography.[13]
For instance, a
UV-Zero haze filters reduce "purple fringing" caused by ultraviolet light, especially in digital situations. They are also recommended by some professional photographers as protection for the vulnerable lens, especially when outdoors or in dynamic situations.
Other accommodations
In order to mitigate shaking associated with hand-holding a camera, landscape photography oftentimes requires a firm camera footing which affords the potential for sharper imagery.
Some modern, high-quality cameras also provide image stabilization, which compensates for vibration by moving inner workings of the camera, or electronically correcting the photograph.[24]
Because landscape photography is normally outdoors photography, protection from the elements can be helpful. Shooting from inside a sheltering structure or stationary vehicle (engine off, occupants stationary) can be helpful. Use of an umbrella or other shield to keep camera and photographer dry can also be helpful. A waterproof container for the camera, with drying agent inside (e.g.: dry cloth) may be advised, and experts advise that the camera should be shielded from blowing dust, snow, and rain, and extremely harsh direct sunlight.[1][12][20]
See also
- Nature photographers
- Aerial photography
- Landscape painting
- North American Nature Photography Association
- Underwater photography
References
- ^ a b c d Caputo, Robert, "Landscape Photography Tips", National Geographic, August 2007, (from Photography Field Guide: Landscapes and Ultimate Photography Field Guide: Landscapes)
- ^ a b c d McNeal, Kevin with interviewer Dimitri Vasileiou, "In Conversation... Kevin McNeal" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.34
- ^ a b Ellement, Brad (U.K.) "Featured Artist: Brad Ellement" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.56
- ^ a b Vasilakis, Konstantinos, "Portfolio" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.88
- ^ Mary Warner Marien (2006). Photography: A Cultural History. Laurence King Publishing. Page 136.
- ^ a b c Waite, Charlie with interviewer Keith Wilson, "In Conversation... Charlie Waite" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition("The Big Free Edition" ), p.120
- ^ Purdue Univ., "Nature and Landscape Photography", from ''Visualizing Nature: Promoting Public Understanding and Appreciation of Nature, [Department of] Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, retrieved October 4, 2015.
- ^ "The Life of William Henry Jackson - 1843-1942". William Henry Jackson Collection at Scotts Bluff National Monument. The Scotts Bluff National Monument. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ^ "Sierra Club History: Philip Hyde". Sierra Club. Sierra Club. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ^ "History: Ansel Adams". Sierra Club. Sierra Club. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Audley, Alice, "A beginner’s guide to garden photography", The [London Daily] Telegraph, (Kent, England, U.K.), August 30, 2014, retrieved October 3, 2015
- ^ a b c d Freeman, John, "Photographing Namibia" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.96
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Ruiz, Kathleen, Associate Professor of Integrated Arts "Landscape Photography", Department of the Arts - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY., retrieved October 15, 2015
- ^ Hay, David (reviewer), "Book Review: The Art Of Adventure" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine (by Bruce Percy), Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.164
- ^ Wilson, Keith, "Gear Test: Pentax 645D" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine (camera review), Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.112
- ^ "What is the Best Astrophotograpy Lens? | Matthew Duke Photography". Matthew Duke Photography. 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2019-09-10.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ruiz, Kathleen, Assoc. Prof. of Integrated Arts "Photography Basics", Department of the Arts - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY., retrieved October 15, 2015
- ^ Vasileiou, Dimitri, editor, "Dedication To Duty" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.64
- ^ Plant, Ian, "PRO Feedback, " Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.186
- ^ a b c Leggero, Michael, "Washington State" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.196
- ISBN 9780817400194. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ISBN 9780715319499. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ Paterson, Morag and Ted Leeming, "Gear Test: Tripods" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine (equipment reviews), Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.180
- ^ a b Hay, David (columnist), "Hay Fever: The Meaning of Letters" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, Landscape Photography Magazine, 2014 Edition, p.170
Further reading
- Naeff, W, Wood, J, & Heyman, T (1975). Era of exploration : the rise of landscape photography in the American West, 1860-1885 . New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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