Ever since I can recall, I have been drawn to the ‘bigger picture’ and the ‘grand’ landscapes. I cannot honestly say why that is but they just grab me every time. Whats not to like? Some may call those big views ‘boring’ and ‘cliched’ photographically but me? I love’em and always will!
I know I am not alone in thinking that and as I always say, “Each to their own.” There is no right or wrong in landscape photography, in fact in photography as whole. It is what pleases you that matters. If others like what you do that’s great. If not, just smile and walk away! Do not let them sway you or tell you that, ‘this or that’ is ‘THE’ only way. You do it for you and you alone, not to get likes from social media. It makes no difference if you take images in a national park, a local valley or travel to the Himalayas, simply do what pleases you and never be afraid of going to locations and taking images that have been taken by others. It will still be YOUR photograph.
Personally, I am happy to take photographs any where and enjoy exploring different genres. It doesn’t matter where because my camera is usually to hand. I really enjoy travelling around the country but for me, Lake District and Snowdonia landscape photography opportunities are endless. It doesn’t matter if I am in the Upper Esk, the Ogwen Valley, scrambling over rocks in the Fairy Glen near Betws or half way up Glyder Fawr taking photographs at Dinorwig, the feeling I get is always the same. The love of the view, no matter how big or small gets me every time and drives my photography. There are many times that it becomes an emotional experience and if I had hair, it would stand up on my head but instead those on the neck will suffice….
Autumnal Dawn On Wast Water. The ‘Bigger’ Picture
For me, there is nothing that beats being out in the landscape, watching as the light creates its own unique pathway across a huge vista. You never quite know where it will go or for how long it will last before the winds catch the clouds and close them off. You wait and wait and then gradually, they re-appear allowing the rays to work ‘their’ magic. As they suddenly part, a small crag or knoll becomes illuminated, attaining even more significance on the grander scale. Normally it would blend into the landscape but it now makes the photograph. It can become an image all of its own.
I find that awe inspiring.
I could stand and watch this for hours, be it on my own or whilst delivering a landscape photography workshop and I always feel obliged to ensure it is photographed, so that special moment can be re-visited for ever.
Of course not every time out with the camera produces days such as those and so we have to look beyond ‘the bigger picture’ and be more circumspect in our approach. By looking at what lies within our view, a lot closer to where we are standing reveals a smaller picture. The finer details. Just as intriguing.
This allows us to be more ‘intimate’ in our approach to the landscape. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is an ‘either or situation.’ Even on the days when a ‘full on landscape’ is possible, we can still capture the more intimate images.
Below is an example of such a day, when the frost and mists produced an atmospheric photograph of Elterwater. As I looked at the scene, I could see there was definitely another image ‘within it.’ The apex of the reeds reminded me of a sound wave. It actually mirrored the location at that time of morning as it was almost silent. Knowing what I wanted to achieve, I over exposed the new ‘tighter’ composition and isolated the reeds thus creating the photograph.
‘A Cold And Frosty Morning By Elterwater’
‘Soundwaves Approaching tranquility’
A few years back, I was lucky enough to be asked on to a regional TV programme and deliver a landscape photography workshop to Kerrie Gosney, a weather presenter on Granada Reports.
The Longdendale Valley in Derbyshire was chosen to undertake the day. We were chatting ‘on camera’ and had stopped by a location that she liked. I asked her to describe what she saw before her. I listened as she told me there were trees and rocks and a river. She was right but there was so much more to see. On her own admission, Kerrie ignored many features that all contributed to the view she had picked yet they were literally right in front of her. I then composed the camera looking based upon her description and then asked her to look through the viewfinder. “Wow! I never saw it like that. How it all comes together to make the photograph. So, for landscape photography, we really have to open our eyes to see what is before us?”
The view that we had up the river.
It sounds obvious but I hear people say that all the time. She said her untrained eye sees the objects but ‘skips’ over them by just taking in the bigger picture yet she could now see the importance of those features. They are an integral part of the composition and delivery of the photograph. Enthused by this, Kerry adopted a totally different approach to the rest of the day. The piece was aired on Granada TV and finished with her producing a superb image that, as she said, ‘made me open my eyes to what was really there.’
Kerry’s final image. Whilst not a ‘grand vista of a landscape,' it is an intimate one. A small section of the river. Subsequently, the waterfall could easily become another intimate landscape.
Those vital features that we ‘see’ but just accept as being there, not only contribute to blend and make the bigger picture, they can be impactive images on their own.
When we decide to ‘isolate’ the features by changing the lens or simply moving nearer, making them become the focal point, we are taking an ‘intimate landscape.’
A section of a waterfall. This is a more intimate view of the whole image and is a photograph in its own right
I think we will agree that we are lucky having the four seasons on this island but when we go out and take landscape photographs, it is fair to say that we end up playing ‘weather roulette!’
Striving for the ‘perfect’ conditions to produce the ‘perfect photograph?’ Then you are probably going to be disappointed. Not always but more often than not. No matter how well you plan, the weather can and does scupper your intentions.
I love the big dramatic landscapes with brooding atmospheric skies but sometimes the swirling wind and rain can literally put a damper on proceedings. Whilst Vicki and I usually work together as the ‘brolly holder’ it can still prove difficult and so we look for different types of images to take.However, there are still photographs to be taken.
This is when I will look around me more intently and scrutinise how well a smaller feature will present itself.
It doesn’t have to be way off across a valley. It could literally be right under your nose or as in some cases, your feet. As Kerry said, ‘…open your eyes.’
Suddenly you see things in a completely different light (literally) and you can adapt your approach to suit.
Personally, I never tire of this type of photography as it is challenging and rewarding. I also allow myself to look at the subject ‘beyond’ my normal method of approach and enjoy taking abstracts and controlling the camera to create the image. It is now part of my normal working day when out and about with the camera and I have a substantial number of intimates’ in my portfolio now. There is also a section in my online shop devoted to it.
Impressions By The Tarn
You will find that as you begin to ‘see things differently’ your skills and photography will get better. That can’t be a bad thing.
I was delighted when ‘Amateur Photographer’ magazine asked me to write about the way I approach taking my intimate landscapes and the article has now been advertised and will be out in the April 5th edition.
I hope you enjoy reading it but more importantly, enjoy your photography!!