The SAS signof'Who Dares Wins'was famously rubbishedby ex-SAS solider Andy McNabinhis book'Bravo Two Zero'. McNab transposedthe familiar gung-ho fightcrywith the singlethatwas distant some-more pragmatic:'Check, checkand check again'. Now, while landscape photographymaynothave suchdangerous outcomesasan SAS mission,the signcould goodbethe same.Oratleast really similar.
Now,ifyou're seekingto come inthe Photographfor Nokiain Puerto Rico Competitionand win theanamazing outingto Puerto Ricowith National Geographic photographer Stephen Alvarez, as well as the Nokia Lumia 1020,you'll needtodojustthat.
1.'Plan,PlanandPlan Again'
Great landscape photographyis frequencythe outcomeof pristine luck. Very spasmodic serendipitous moments arise,butitis the fortify oftenabout preparation, recce-ing locationsand watchfulfortheright conditions.That equates to meaningfulthe distortionofthe landandthe most appropriate vantage points;it equates to meaningfulthe nightfalland morning timesforthe timeof year;it equates to meaningfulabout talland low tides (onlyifyou're sharpened nearby water, obviously);it equates to monitoringthe continue forecast;it equates to carryingtheright camera packinyour bag (and the full of health supplyof batteries);it equates to carryingtheright wardrobeand seating (sothatwhenyougetthereyoucan wait forfortheright conditions);andit equates to being mentally rebuiltfor steady setbacks.
2.The Golden Hour
'The Golden Hour' occursinthe hourafter morningandthe hour prior to sunset.Atthis timethe objectis reduceinthe sky givingyou softer colours,amazing skiesand immeasurable amountsof abysstothe smallestof undulations.
Themostimportant orderaboutthe Golden Houristogetthere prior toit happens!Thereisno indicatein examinationthemostamazing morningyouhaveever seen while frantically fightingthe ziponyour camera bag!Getthere prior toit happensandget allinplace. (Thiswill engage checkingthe place beforehand;great landscapesare frequencyin permitted placesor in the centre subsequentto automobile parks. Addedtowhich, anticipating the pavementinthe centerofthe night isn't regularlyan easy task!)
Although evehasits merits (ofteninthe formof silhouettes),most photographers targetfor morningasit carriesthe combined rewardof dewy bladesof weedand cloudy horizons,whichcan giveyour shotthat untouched, fragile quality.
3.The Golden Mean
It'sallabout bullionthis week eh? Well,this sold order comeswithsomegood extractionandhas consciously effectedour cultured decisionsforatleast 2000 years!Ithas shabbythe world's architecture, portrayaland pattern-and continuesto foreordainhowwe harmoniseour photographs.
Centrally stoical imagesarenotas appreciativetothe eyeas the singlemay primarilythink.It seemsthat aestheticallywe often curve towardsanoff-centre multiplicationof space. Classically,thishasbeen tangibleasthe Golden Mean (or Golden Ratio).It equates tothat intersectionsofthe spaceshould startin rounded offthese proportions.
In photography, the identical concept,'Ruleof Thirds'isalso at vast used. Indeed,you'll find most camerashave thedisplay dutythat overlaysthe shadewith the gridof thirdsfor preciselythis reason.This helpsyou harmoniseyour shotsand avoids regularly carryingthe pictures' concentration slap crashinthe centre. (The thirds gridcanalsobe usefully usedto keepyour horizons horizontal).
4.Whatam we seekingat?
How most landscapes photographshaveyou seen (or taken)whichhave vast areasofdull nothingness?The elementary healtothis landscape dullnessisto find somethingof seductivenessinthe foreheadto anchorthe multipleand pullthe spectatorintothe image. (Thisis infrequently well knownasthe'Leading Line').
Youcanuseall sortsof thingsto get aheadthis: the signpost, the fishing net,aninteresting squareof driftwood... Even streams, paths, roadsand hedgescanbe used effectivelyforthis purpose.Itjust needstobe somethingthat tethersthe shot downand givesthe spectator the starting indicatefor removingintothe picture.
5. Filters
Pre-clever digital gadgetry, filterswere skinny piecesof potionthatyou slipin frontofthe cameras lensto changethe lightthe movie received.Thesecouldbe grad filters, phony filters, polarising filters, neutral firmness filtersor the multipleofallofthem. Filtershelpyou changethe lightinyour design (thereby avoiding burnt out skies)or raisecertain coloursor specific areas.
Of course,these days,mostofour camerashave filters builtintothe device itself.And whilethis coversthe simple criteria,wecanthenalso downloadall sortsof Appsto impersonate sold effects.
Rulesaretheretobe broken
As always, onceyou've schooled cultured rule,youshouldthinkabout violationit.If everybodyelseis operativetothe'Ruleof Thirds'your mainly stoical shotwill mount outlike the bruise thumb. Likewise,if everybodyelseis stuffingtheir foregroundswith concentration points, thebig dull spacewill glass container peopleinto profitableyour sketchsome attention.The pass thingisto knowwhyyou're you doit (as againstto blindly stumblingintoit).Every sketchcantell the oppositestoryand verbaliseto the opposite audience...just check out Andreas Gurskey's 'landscapes'; clich?can benefit the lotof attention.
P.SIt'salsothemost costly sketchever sold...so don'tbeputoffby violationthe rules!
Hopefully,you're right away desirousto squeezeyour cameraor smartphoneandget shooting.Ifso,make certainyou come inyour most appropriate workinour Photographfor Nokiain Puerto Rico Competition.It closeson Oct 11th,sono timeto lose.Inthe meantime,we'dloveto listen toyourquestionsand comments down below.
