What makes a good Landscape Photo..

El-See · Jun 2, 2003

Two challenges ago (B&W), many contributed to a thread on the qualities that make a good Black and White photo. I know I benefitted greatly from the insights that were shared. I think the thread also gave us a guideline for voting on b&w images.

~ What Makes a Good Landscape photo?

Let's focus this thread on Landscape Photography. Here's a link to one of a few general articles that I have been able to find on the web (please add others to this thread):
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=236&pq-locale=en_US

I think the 10 points in the article are a good beginning, however, I must confess that many of my landscape shots came out of a gut feeling. The scene just struck me at the time. Usually one of these 10 points can be found in the image when I look at it later.

So let me throw the question back at you. How do you judge what makes a good landscape photo? What are the qualities that you think are important?

Please add your comments to this thread and I will link back to it from the Challenge 13 web site: http://www.pbase.com/otfchallenge/landscape

--
El-See

Sandman · Jun 2, 2003

El-See,

Thanks for getting this started!

Here is another "fundamentals of landscape photography" site:
http://betterphotos.cjb.net/

And here is a photographer's site that will give you some inspiration:
http://www.sparks-photography.com/landscapes/scenichome.html

Happy Hunting for that Perfect Landscape!

Cheers,

jim

southwest Okie · Jun 2, 2003

Okay - a landscape generally is a picture of a place, right? But for this challenge, we want a landscape with a June flavor. Out here in western Oklahoma, June means miles of wheat fields at their peak. To me, it would make a picture more interesting to show wheat being harvested...combines rolling, dust billowing, etc....can we do that? i.e., can there be man-made stuff going on in our June Landscape? Or must it be scenery only?

And there's Flag Day on June 14th....what about photos representing that?...so long as there's some scenery of some kind, too?

Please comment.

Thanks,
M

Sandman · Jun 2, 2003

southwest Okie,

You got it!

southwest Okie said:
To me, it would make a picture more interesting to show
wheat being harvested...combines rolling, dust billowing,
etc....can we do that? i.e., can there be man-made stuff going on
in our June Landscape? Or must it be scenery only?

Man-made stuff is fine! This scene of the wheat harvest could very well be the winner! I can't wait to see it. Catch some good light, get a good perspective and angle of view, include some foreground elements, and interesting sky...... sounds awesome!

And this is the point of the Landscape Challenge anyway....to get us to shooting a medium that we don't often do and to think out of the box. The June part is exactly what you said, in June we harvest wheat. Great! Around here, we mostly go to the beach. You will do just fine. If you have any other questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

jim

El-See · Jun 2, 2003

southwest Okie said:
Okay - a landscape generally is a picture of a place, right? But
for this challenge, we want a landscape with a June flavor. Out
here in western Oklahoma, June means miles of wheat fields at their
peak. To me, it would make a picture more interesting to show
wheat being harvested...combines rolling, dust billowing,
etc....can we do that? i.e., can there be man-made stuff going on
in our June Landscape? Or must it be scenery only?

..when you look up the definition of landscape in a dictionary it reads: " 1) An expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view 2) A picture dipicting an expanse of scenery."

I think a landscape image needs to have an expansive view. That said, I think an expansive view of wheat fields with combines rolling and dust billowing would make a super shot. I can see it vividly in my mind, LOL! Man-made stuff can add action and interests to a landscape, but shouldn't be the primary focus but more a compliment to the overall image.

Boy, I better get out there and start taking pictures. With images like yours, this IS going to be a challenge.

Great question, thanks for asking. -- LC

--
El-See

Michael55291 · Jun 2, 2003

Take this with a grain of salt due to the fact that I'm a complete rookie,

the best advice I can give is shoot before 10 A.M. or after
4 P.M.,light is so important to a shot.

Also framing a picture with a tree branch or some other object in the foreground can add a nice effect,get down on your belly or shoot from a low position

Michael

http://www.pbase.com/mcwilliams

Karen Stuebing · Jun 3, 2003

Now as to incorporating a June theme that will take some imagination. I liked Okie's idea of harvesting a field. I think a natural component would satisfy that requirement as well. Like a field of buttercups for example. And June is the wedding month if you know someone having an outdoor wedding or reception in a scenic location.

Unfortunately for me and possibly others, it's supposed to rain again all week. I know you can get some nice shots in the rain but I'm not willing to get my camera wet to do it.

Karen

El-See said:
Two challenges ago (B&W), many contributed to a thread on the
qualities that make a good Black and White photo. I know I
benefitted greatly from the insights that were shared. I think the
thread also gave us a guideline for voting on b&w images.

~ What Makes a Good Landscape photo?
Let's focus this thread on Landscape Photography. Here's a link to
one of a few general articles that I have been able to find on the
web (please add others to this thread):
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=236&pq-locale=en_US

I think the 10 points in the article are a good beginning, however,
I must confess that many of my landscape shots came out of a gut
feeling. The scene just struck me at the time. Usually one of these
10 points can be found in the image when I look at it later.

So let me throw the question back at you. How do you judge what
makes a good landscape photo? What are the qualities that you
think are important?

Please add your comments to this thread and I will link back to it
from the Challenge 13 web site:
http://www.pbase.com/otfchallenge/landscape

--
El-See

TheRealTim · Jun 3, 2003

...as far as this forum goes ... a picture of Mt. Shasta beats a picture
of rolling wheatfields hands down.

I know Kathy addressed this issue
in a previous thread ..and it went unanswered. Is it a good photograph
or a photograph of something good? Does it even matter? Is part of
"good" photography just being at the right place at the right time? I
think it is sometimes...

I think when looking at beautiful western scenics...you should ask
yourself...if I were standing in that spot at that same time...would
my photo look any different ? Did that person use some particular
technique that truly made the photo great ? Did they get up early
to catch the best light ? Or stay late ? Etc...etc...etc. I don't think
that much thought goes through everyone's mind at voting time.
"Shasta-like" photos simply do better...

At any rate ...I'm still on Challenge restriction... so it does'nt matter.

Really looking forward to Ross' entry...

Tim

I just want to learn photography...

Karen Stuebing · Jun 3, 2003

I was actually having the same thought on the way to the gym this morning. For example, I recently visited MD and went to the Chesapeake Bay and you could get some really incredible shots there. Old piers, distant shorelines, flying seabirds, sailboats, and great expanses of tidal water. Unfortunately I didn't because it was...GUESS WHAT..cloudy but bright and the skies were blown out in all my shots.

And who could even get a bad shot of the Tetons. Or the canyons and arches of Utah. Some people are going to have an advantage just because of where they live.

Karen

TheRealTim said:
...as far as this forum goes ... a picture of Mt. Shasta beats a
picture
of rolling wheatfields hands down. I know Kathy addressed this
issue
in a previous thread ..and it went unanswered. Is it a good
photograph
or a photograph of something good? Does it even matter? Is part of
"good" photography just being at the right place at the right time? I
think it is sometimes...

I think when looking at beautiful western scenics...you should ask
yourself...if I were standing in that spot at that same time...would
my photo look any different ? Did that person use some particular
technique that truly made the photo great ? Did they get up early
to catch the best light ? Or stay late ? Etc...etc...etc. I
don't think
that much thought goes through everyone's mind at voting time.
"Shasta-like" photos simply do better...

At any rate ...I'm still on Challenge restriction... so it does'nt
matter.
Really looking forward to Ross' entry...

Tim

I just want to learn photography...

Beacon · Jun 3, 2003

Howdy, neighbor!

Your idea is actually one that occured to me as well! One variation I had in mind was a sprawling wheat field with a grain elevator complex as one of the key points of interest (like one of the big ones up around Enid).

I would have to drive several hours to get there from NE Oklahoma, though. So I'll probably try to come up with something else . . .

Good luck with your composition!

southwest Okie said:
here in western Oklahoma, June means miles of wheat fields at their
peak. To me, it would make a picture more interesting to show
wheat being harvested...combines rolling, dust billowing,
etc....can we do that?

--

TheRealTim · Jun 3, 2003

Karen Stuebing said:
I was actually having the same thought on the way to the gym this
morning. For example, I recently visited MD and went to the
Chesapeake Bay and you could get some really incredible shots
there. Old piers, distant shorelines, flying seabirds, sailboats,
and great expanses of tidal water. Unfortunately I didn't because
it was...GUESS WHAT..cloudy but bright and the skies were blown out
in all my shots.

And who could even get a bad shot of the Tetons. Or the canyons and
arches of Utah. Some people are going to have an advantage just
because of where they live.

Karen

...I was certainly not complaining about the subject. I knew it would
be a topic sooner or later . I think there will be many great shots submitted
and I do look forward to them. I'm just thinking that the table will be
tilted a tad...based on where you live... Postcards Rule !

Tim

I just want to learn photography...

southwest Okie · Jun 3, 2003

You're so right, Tim - Some places have spectacular scenery...and then, there's the rest of us.... Guess we'll have to emphasize the "Juneness".

M

TheRealTim said:
...as far as this forum goes ... a picture of Mt. Shasta beats a
picture
of rolling wheatfields hands down.

Karen Stuebing · Jun 3, 2003

I've never been in OK but have been in Kansas and other midwestern states and I happen to think those fields of wheat and corn are spectacular. If you can capture the flatness and openess, you will have a great landscape. And, you can always hope for a tornado - what a great focal point that would make

Karen

southwest Okie said:
M

southwest Okie said:

...as far as this forum goes ... a picture of Mt. Shasta beats a
picture
of rolling wheatfields hands down.

Click to expand...

curtisls · Jun 3, 2003

Okie,

I echo Karen's words. I grew up in Kansas and while I now live in a very "scenic" part of the country(the SF bay area), in some ways I think what you're proposing is a better shot.
Even if it isn't, it will probably make me homesick

Regards,
Curt

Karen Stuebing said:
Karen

southwest Okie said:

M

Karen Stuebing said:

...as far as this forum goes ... a picture of Mt. Shasta beats a
picture
of rolling wheatfields hands down.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
System 1: E20, Mcon, Tcon14B, Wcon 08B , 1 gig microdrive.
System 2: C730UZ, CLA-4, B300

Accessories for both: FL-40, Lumiquest Promax system, Stroboframe EasyGrip, RM-CB1, various filters.
http://www.pbase.com/curtisls

R. C. Johnson · Jun 3, 2003

A photograph that tells you some small bit about a place, and a wee bit more about the person that took it.

--
R. C. Johnson

Karen Stuebing · Jun 4, 2003

But don't forget we have to include a June theme. Can we assume that in the case of Okie for example a field of wheat would be an example of June? With or without the harvester? I'm not asking so much for myself since today is the only day with sun predicted for this week and I probably won't be able to get out. I'm just trying to understand how broadly this can be intrepreted for the voting phase. For example, say he takes this fabulous landscape of a wheat field and someone else takes a lesser effort with a flag in it for Flag Day. Do we then say that the photo with the flag represents the theme better? Am I being too nitpicky here?

Karen

R. C. Johnson said:
--
R. C. Johnson

southwest Okie · Jun 4, 2003

The wheat harvest idea seemed like a good idea at the time, but has gone down in a crash of thunderstorms. Now, it's "too wet to plow," as the old saying goes.....and, of course, too wet to cut wheat.

That was my one idea for the year.

For example, say he takes this fabulous landscape of a wheat

Karen Stuebing said:
field and someone else takes a lesser effort with a flag in it for
Flag Day. Do we then say that the photo with the flag represents
the theme better? Am I being too nitpicky here?

Karen

R. C. Johnson said:

--
R. C. Johnson

Click to expand...

curtisls · Jun 4, 2003

Never dispair! If the thunderstorms are still rolling through, go out and shoot the fields with lightning above them!!!

Or maybe you shoot a particularly picturesque barn from a distance with the pasture included...

or maybe you wander down to the Red river and catch it at sunset...

or drive over to Palo Duro canyon just south of Amarillo (I know that might be a bit of a haul)...

how about a stand of cottonwoods from some sort of different angle?

I bet you can come up with something

Regards,
Curt

southwest Okie said:
That was my one idea for the year.

For example, say he takes this fabulous landscape of a wheat

southwest Okie said:

field and someone else takes a lesser effort with a flag in it for
Flag Day. Do we then say that the photo with the flag represents
the theme better? Am I being too nitpicky here?

Karen

R. C. Johnson said:

--
R. C. Johnson

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
System 1: E20, Mcon, Tcon14B, Wcon 08B , 1 gig microdrive.
System 2: C730UZ, CLA-4, B300

Accessories for both: FL-40, Lumiquest Promax system, Stroboframe EasyGrip, RM-CB1, various filters.
http://www.pbase.com/curtisls

Karen Stuebing · Jun 4, 2003

Don't feel bad. It hasn't stopped raining or being cloudy here for 2 weeks and more of the same predicted for 2 more. Somehow, this just isn't a normal June for us. I'm so desparate to take a photo of any kind I've been shooting macros of bugs. LOL. Blown out skies just don't make for great landscapes. I wish we would get a thunderstorm. I've been wanting to try shooting lightning but it just gloom and rain.

I guess you have to be in the southwest.

Karen

southwest Okie said:
That was my one idea for the year.

For example, say he takes this fabulous landscape of a wheat

southwest Okie said:

field and someone else takes a lesser effort with a flag in it for
Flag Day. Do we then say that the photo with the flag represents
the theme better? Am I being too nitpicky here?

Karen

R. C. Johnson said:

--
R. C. Johnson

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

southwest Okie · Jun 4, 2003

Karen - Macros of bugs are good! I saw a bunch of tiny, tiny praying mantises yesterday, but by the time I got my camera they were all hidden again. ...well, maybe later.

Karen Stuebing said:
Don't feel bad. It hasn't stopped raining or being cloudy here for
2 weeks and more of the same predicted for 2 more. Somehow, this
just isn't a normal June for us. I'm so desparate to take a photo
of any kind I've been shooting macros of bugs. LOL. Blown out skies
just don't make for great landscapes. I wish we would get a
thunderstorm. I've been wanting to try shooting lightning but it
just gloom and rain.

I guess you have to be in the southwest.

Karen

What makes a good Landscape Photo..

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