Essay On Landscape Photography:
~ From the Wilds ~

Ken James McLeod

In my photography, especially in nature scenes or in the alpine country, I try to have an idea before hand of what I am going to capture on film. Additionally, I do not profess to be an expert, but in my 45 plus years of actual landscape photography I have learned a great deal of how to successfully create more and better images with what light is available using the camera. The world is not black & white (though B&W photography offers an interesting perspective) it is full of color so go forth and seek it. Hopefully, the following will give those who are interested in this subject a better view of how to achieve more quality images through technique and composition of the subject.

However, more often than not, I "hunt" for the photo opportunity I want to capture, even if it means waiting for the "right" light or moment to occur on the subject at hand. In so doing, I chase the light angles or the mood of the day. Also, rarely do I ever shoot into the sun, thus using it as a backlight so to speak. And sometimes, I shield the lens from the sun side of the camera with an object to remove any chance of haze crossing the lens, which distorts the clarity and sharpness of the picture I am seeking. On occasion I will use a polarizing filter to remove any further chance of haze. Good landscape photographs, ones that are of exceptional beauty and composition, can be correlated to that of paintings or artwork: in order to make very good ones they have to be created using composition, foreground and background, with the use of "chasing the light" and color, not just snapped. Often, I think too many times people are in too much of a rush and just snap, rather than taking more time and laying it out, thus making it a better photograph. In essence, I like to slow the process down and take more time setting up the shot, thus finding the rewards that much greater. "Have patience."

Cameras:

Every person who owns a camera has their favorites, and with the digital age here most everyone has gone that mode as it can be real easy and a treat not to go through the old routine of processing and carrying around film canisters. As for me however, I just entered this new age now using a Nikon Coolpix 4300and have jumped into the lake yet I am from the "old school" first learning with black&white film in photography classes during high school. What I prefer to seek in my photography is a product that will have little grain distortion when and if the photo has been enlarged . . . for that bill (poster size) the larger the negative the better. My preference was the 2 1/4" neg in 120 film using a Rolleiflex camera. However, mostly I use a "sweet" 35mm SLR Contax with a Zeiss lens much of the time, especially for close-up work with 55mm Gemko adapters. If I had my choice though, I'd opt for a Hasselblad or perhaps the super model 7 Mamiya for all around work, however both are quite an expense. To enhance wildflower photos, often a simple small bottle filled with water can be sprayed upon the flower to create a dew effect, which only adds to the splendor of the subject. And better yet, use the sky as a background, though this requires one to usually get down on his or her belly to capture the shot.

Tripods:

Even though I have a few tripods, rarely do I use them unless I am going to shoot that special sunrise or sunset, waterfall or river scene, when the shutter is going to be open longer for time exposures. For very good wildlife photography a telephoto lens is usually a must with the camera, and often that comes with the use of a tripod. Otherwise, one is simply taking snapshots with no real close-up effect and the opportunity for a great photo at hand is simply lost.

Added Photography Thought:

Lastly, good landscape or nature photography is a learned process, but great subjects help. And if it tells a story like a good book or has a flow like that of good music, it will be well received in the hearts of all people who view it.....

Inspired by:

The photography of Northwest Masters: Ansel Adams, Josef Scaylea, Art Wolff, Lee Mann, Pat O'Hara, Ray Atkinson, Ed Cooper, Galen Rowell.

KJM
(McPilchuck)
all rights reserved

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