The beauty of the planet where we live attracts many people to master photographing landscapes, but how to show the uniqueness of nature through one photo? Few manage to complete this task on the first try because it requires an intuitive feeling of a good shot. However, if you are a beginner, don’t be disappointed. Professional photographers don’t mind revealing some secrets of “live” landscape photo.
1. Create maximum depth
The main task of the photographer is to transfer the viewer who is looking at the photo to the place where it was taken. A classic trick in landscape photography is when most of the image is in focus. Use the smallest possible aperture available to your camera to create greater sharpness depth.
However, keep in mind that a smaller aperture requires more time. To do this, take a tripod and use slow shutter speed. Fixing the camera is the key when photographing a landscape. Some photographers also recommend using a remote control to release the shutter.
2. The semantic center of the composition
Any photo should have a visual center of the composition. It’s an object that differs from the environment and attracts the attention of the viewer. When shooting nature, the absence of a semantic point results in a boring and empty picture. Find an unusual structure, an interesting tree, boulder or mountain peak and arrange it according to the rule of thirds. You can also place the main subject on the front of the picture to show the depth of the image.
3. How to use the sky in the photo
Sky and clouds are an integral part of nature, so you should capture them in one of the photos in your series. The trick of many photographers to create a beautiful frame is to also embed the reflection of the sky in the water. The secret to landscape photography in most cases is that the sky or foreground dominates in the picture.
When the sky is full of dramatic clouds or colored with unusual shades, airspace can become your ally. Give it more space in your picture. However, if you understand that the sky is not interesting enough, move the horizon line to the upper third of the image.
4. Experiment with the weather
A sunny day is definitely the best time for a walk and an outdoor photo shoot. However, experienced landscape photographers claim that non-standard and uncomfortable weather conditions give better photos. A cloudy, rainy and thunderous day means not only the likelihood of wetting the camera and your feet but also gives you the opportunity to get beautiful photographs filled with history and ominous surroundings. As for lighting, it is recommended to shoot in golden time, at dawn or dusk.
5. Capture the motion
Many believe that a good landscape photo should be calm. This is a correct opinion but not the only one. Try to capture the movement of water, leaves from the wind and the flight of birds in the photo. This will fill the picture with dynamics and create a mood that is interesting to many viewers. Even the motion of massive clouds can be more exciting than a beautiful field in a calm state.
How to make such a photo? The photographer should use a slower shutter speed (sometimes around a few seconds). The problem of the receipt of a large amount of light on the photosensitive element of the camera can be fixed in two ways: changing aperture or taking pictures in the evening when there is less light.
6. Editing to highlight the beauty
Even though it seems to us that the photos show the true beauty of nature, it’s not so. An original picture, even if you made it in accordance with the rules and with perfectly selected settings, can become even better after editing. At this stage, the sky turns bluer and the shadows darker.
Professional photographers know how to work with brightness, contrast, white balance, and other effects to make an image juicier. They do it with Photoshop. This is a huge program with many different settings and effects. Such a monster requires a detailed study since a superficial attitude will not reveal all its prospects.
Fortunately, there are alternative ways to edit. Retouchme.com is a popular service among bloggers and photographers. The reason for its prevalence is simplicity combined with a large number of functions and effects.
The main advice during editing is not to overdo. Try and experiment, but remember that retouching should only emphasize the best qualities of the photo but not completely change it. This is especially relevant for landscape images.
Conclusion
Nature is an inspiration. Therefore, if you feel that a particular place looks like a picture from a magazine, take a camera and capture the moment. It’s not as difficult as it seems especially for those who want to learn the basics of this art and are ready to patiently make efforts.
Article Submitted By Community Writer