Classic / traditional landscape photography is often about pre-planning, travel to iconic grand vistas, waiting for gorgeous light, and making a carefully exposed image with a wide angle lens on a high end camera mounted on a tripod.
And that’s all great – I enjoy doing that. But that’s not something we can do all the time (especially during the last couple of years!). As photographers, we learn to see and understand light. When we notice attractive or different light, we should photograph it. No matter how mundane or common the subject is, it can be lovely if the light is lovely.
Just a clump of grassWhen I noticed the sun shining on this area, I’d already put away my tripod and taken off my wide angle landscape lens. I made it at ISO 100, 70mm @ f/2.8 for 1/640s, hand held. I like the way it came out.
Always watch for interesting conditions: golden hour, blue hour, or in bad, cloudy or severe weather too. The subject is of course important – but there’s no photography without illumination, and no good photography without good light.
There’s beauty everywhere at all times of day. You just have to look a little harder sometimes and capture the light where you find it.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Your visits, comments, and likes are always very welcome and a big motivator for me. Be kind, take care of yourselves and each other. And if you can, make some photos – wherever you find them!
©2022, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved
Words of wisdom! Keep it up, Ed!
I’ll try to keep it up, Rhona. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Nice article Ed. Looks like we will all have to look a little harder!
Thanks Jim. I have to remind myself every once in a while.
I can learn so much from you! Of course here in Florida we have a lot of bright light but I just shoot away and hope something looks interesting when I get home. One time….a long time ago….I told someone I was a nature photographer. My hubby spoke up and said, well a nature picture taker. hahaha! I like that! Enjoy your day!
You’re very kind, Diane.
And your husband is pretty funny too. Glad you both have a good sense of humor!
You are so right, Ed!
All the best equipment, experience, travel, software, etc. is simply secondary to the magic of the “right light”!
Looking out the office window at infinite gray, waiting for some – right light.
Don’t worry, Wally. I think light might change soon. Be ready!
I understand what you are saying about light! It is magic and I love your clump of grass image. It is real and you captured the beauty!
Thank you so much Dorothy!