​Landscape photography shooting techniques

For beginners, it is necessary to understand some basic knowledge and theories such as photographic composition and lighting. But to really learn landscape photography, canvas prints you need to practice shooting scenes. In the actual shooting process, it is very important for beginners to master certain shooting techniques according to their environment. This often gets twice the result with half the effort.

Use bold foreground

Use the foreground to show the height of an object

When photographers are shooting landscape photography, they often encounter some scenery materials with obvious height. For example, high-rise buildings, tall stone tablets, cliffs, towering rocks, and so on, at this time the photographer often want to through their own lens to present this tall scene. However, if the photographer only presents the subject, cheap canvas prints online the picture will be monotonous or the subject's height will not be clearly displayed. At this point, the photographer can look around the subject to see if there are references to be used, such as trees and other objects of a certain height as foreground objects. As the subject is tall and tall, it is generally necessary to shoot upward and use the vertical format of the camera. This can not only show the subject tall, the overall picture does not seem monotonous. In addition, when shooting tall objects, photographers generally need to use wide-angle lens, because the wide-angle lens has a large uptake range from height to width, which is conducive to better performance of the subject.

Use foreground to express spatial depth perception

Foreground is often used in landscape photography of large scenes. In particular, the performance of the vast grassland, the wide sea and other more spatially aware scene. Although the landscape photography of large scenes is very charming, it is not easy to express. Because the bigger the scene, the more elements are absorbed into the picture, for beginners, large canvas print the expression of the overall feeling is more difficult to grasp.

At the beginning, when scholars took pictures of distant and broad landscapes, they would find that the picture effects were often very flat and lack of stereoscopic effect. At this time, photographers need to consider certain objects, such as sand and stone, low plants as the foreground, the use of the foreground can let the viewer see the landscape detailed details, for the middle and distant planes show broad scenery into more meaning. Most importantly, the juxtapositions of the near and far elements not only add depth to the picture, but also create a sense of depth throughout the picture.

In the case of such a scene, the photographer also needs to use a wide-angle lens to shoot. In addition, a larger depth of field can be obtained by selecting a smaller aperture, so that the foreground and distant elements are clearly reproduced. When using the foreground to express the spatial depth, the photographer should pay attention to the space occupied by the foreground in the whole picture; otherwise it will affect the overall feeling of the picture, because the central and distant scene and the spatial depth of the picture are the key.

Use reflections to add appeal

In landscape photography, reflections can add appeal to the picture and bring visual pleasure. As the reflection of scenery can make part of the landscape pattern can be extended or repeated, so it can expand the expression of landscape image and performance range. In addition, the reflection itself can add a sense of tranquility to the scene.

For photographers, the best time to capture reflections is around sunrise and sunset. The most dramatic reflections are often found in mirror-like water. For example, small puddles, ponds, puddles, stagnant water formed by receding rivers, small lakes, etc. Before shooting, the photographer should observe the location where the scene was taken and also look for multiple locations with different shooting angles so that different reflections can be captured in a short time.

Use of light

For reflection shots, the ideal light is the front light, which is clear and layered. Second, smooth, clear water and blue sky, rich in color. Under normal circumstances, top light and backlight is not appropriate. Because the top light reflects strongly on the water, and the back light tends to make the contrast between the subject and the background too large, resulting in a blurred image of the subject. So when taking a reflection photo, the photographer can choose the Angle with his or her back to the sun or Angle the camera at a 45 degree Angle to the sun.

Because the reflection is in the water, the water absorbs some of the light, making the reflection less bright than the real scene. Generally, the exposure amount of reflection and ground real scene is about one aperture number different. The photographer can set the exposure compensation to +1 to +2 when shooting. When the exposure value is determined by metering, under normal circumstances, the photographer should conduct metering and determine the exposure value according to the brightness of the real scene on the ground. Practical approach is to put the camera on live parts, and then press the shutter, take note of the live-action exposure or open the AE lock button on the camera, hold down the button to lock the current measured exposure data, and the photographer in the mobile lens change the composition of a picture, still can be in accordance with the measured data were leaked just now. In this way, the color and luster of the reflection will be dark than the real scene, forming a very beautiful image.

The correct composition

The photographer should also pay attention to the composition when taking the reflection, especially the dividing position of the horizon. In general, if the photographer wants to show some sense of harmony and symmetry in the picture, he may consider placing the horizon in the middle of the picture. In this way, the reflection in the water will form a perfect response to the actual scene.

Expression of silhouette effect

From the perspective of effect, silhouette photography mainly highlights the outline of the subject and simplifies the details, so as to highlight the key points. Silhouette photography often highlights the outline of the subject while emphasizing the effect of the background, such as using the red sky before sunset to foil the outline of buildings, trees and other objects.

In fact, the silhouette effect of the photo is not difficult to take, the key lies in the reasonable metering and exposure. Photographers only need to convert the metering mode to point metering or central key metering. After metering the bright spots, press the exposure lock button or record the exposure value at this time. Then, using the manual exposure mode of the camera, adjusts the value to the value just recorded, and then recomposes the picture for shooting. At this point, the photographer will get a black outline of the object due to the underexposure of part of the picture.

Use of shadows

The shadow part of the picture not only foils the clear water and its ripple, but also reappears the color of the spot

Aperture F8 exposure time 1/200s focal length 150mm

In photography, light and shadow exist at the same time. Although in photography creation, the role of shadow in the whole photography, especially in landscape photography, is often ignored, and even photographers deliberately avoid shadow in the shooting process. However, it is still an indispensable part of many excellent works. As long as the photographer properly grasps the contrast of light and shade in the picture, he can get a good effect.

The quality of the shadow depends on the quality of the light. In general, diffuse light is difficult to form strong shadows. If there is an extremely obvious effect of light and shade contrast in the picture, the light at this time is direct light in most cases. For landscape photography, if you shoot in the early morning or evening, you will get a long shadow effect and the stronger the sun, the darker the shadow. At this point, choose a high point to shoot; you will get a very good lighting work.

In addition to the large area of shadows, photographers should try their best to choose simple, bright and neat shapes for the contrast between light and shade of the picture, or choose clear silhouettes for composition. If possible, photos on aluminum the photographer can also design and arrange the light and shade relationship between the subject and the picture.