Landscape photography has been my photographic nemesis. Probably the same as everyone else, I've never been completely happy with the light or the conditions. I've often thrown away images which I deemed as rubbish never to be seen again.
But without really noticing it, I seem to have amassed a largish collection of landscape images I'm pleased with. It really has crept up on me!
Historically, I've shot night based images including all sorts of sub-genres from lightpainting to camera rotation photography. I have realised lately that my photographic "habit" is evolving and that's a good thing. I haven't completely given up lightpainting but I've noticed I enjoy shooting in daylight more and more. It's probably something to do with not wanting to stay up until 3am with the ensuing sleep deprived hangover! Getting home at a more civilsed time is way more appealing.
This is a quick selection of landscape images, some better than others in my opinion. I am still learning some of the techniques but I've realised the principles I've learned in night time photography certainly apply for landscape.
The Final Throes of Autumn
I've been visiting Padley Gorge at various times of the day for different light but here I visited early in the morning. The hoped for mist didn't materialise but the low sun cast some great light among the trees.
I've recently started to focus stack images and I've been really impressed with the results. Having a Sony 14mm f1.8 G Master lens certainly helps!
In the woods at night
I haven't completely given up shooting in the dark. Here I posed for a selfie in the dark with added smoke pellets for effect. I should probably call this photo, "Gorilla in the Mist"
Bluebell Woods
I'm aware how extremely lucky I am to live very close to Sherwood Forest. I'm surrounded by trees and in spring this particular wooded area is festooned in bluebells. It's harder than it looks trying to find a compostion in a forest!
Padley Gorge in Flood
I figured out it pays to revisit a location over and over. You never know what conditions might change for the better; or worse. Here at Padley Gorge the water levels were much higher than I'd ever seen.
It was also fun to practise shutter speed selection putting theory in to practice. I knew I wanted to show the force and motion rather than blur the water so I used shutter speeds between 0.3 and 0.6 seconds.
A forest, a flood and fog
In order to keep fit, I've started to walk in Sherwood Forest early in the mornings. This particular walk wasn't too shabby! Walking back to my car took ages with the photo opportunities I kept seeing. I was late for work but it was worth it!
This one was shot hand held at puddle height with the Sony 14mm f1.8 G Master lens, my current fave.
Flamborough Sunset
Probably an earlier attempt at landscape for me but the composition is where it should be.
It seems iPhones can shoot landscapes
In collating this post, I came across this image shot with an iPhone. I curse the fact I have such an expensive hobby; I've spent thousands on camera gear over the years and then I turn up and shoot this with a godammed phone!!!
On social media or a website, I really wouldn't be able to tell the difference between this on an iPhone and a £2000 camera with a £1000 lens!!
The Road to Edale
No matter how hard I try to avoid it (which I'm not) I will always gravitate towards shooting at night. There's just some very different about a landscape location in the dark.
I have control over the light, how much and where. But the one thing I couldn't control here is the traffic driving by. Waiting in the dark, freezing one's nether regions waiting for a car to drive by is somewhat chilly!!
The View from Boothferry Bridge
Last year I had the misfortune to work for a company based near Hull in East Yorkshire. I no longer work there but the one takeaway thing for me is this view from Boothferry Bridge. I drove past recently at the right time of day and the sky looked like it was about to light up so we made a detour to capture this:
Clinging on in Padley Gorge
I was practicing my focus stacking and exposure bracketing technique down in Padley Gorge. The photography bit is easy, figuring out how to use Photoshop to turn the results in to something presentable not so much.
Marmite
I sometimes see an image in my mind's eye and the light looks great. I shoot said image then get it back on my computer for processing only to find I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. This is one of those images. I've made a promise to try shooting this again!
A walkabout around Staithes
One of the great personal benefits of landscape photography is the fitness it gives me. This is Staithes Harbour in North Yorkshire, England and to get to this point is quite a steep walk up and down several hills. I wouldn't have dreamed of doing this a few months ago.
An unexpected Salford Quays sunset
Landscape photography is not all about countryside scenes. Way back in my past I started shooting city lights and scenes at night and this is the ultimate city landscape image for me.
This mission to Salford Quays in Manchester with @fadetoblack and @inksurgeon looked like it was going to fail miserably with dull crappy clouds and as we arrived this sky popped up! A cracking evening out shooting with good company topped off by a visit to a fine fast food establishment...living the dream!!
About me:
I usually specialise in shooting lightpainting images but occasionally dabble in urbex, landscape and artistic model photography. I'm always on the lookout for someone to collaborate with; the social side of photography is always good!
Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/fastchrisuk
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fastchris/
Wao! I fell in love with these photos, they are really beautiful, almost magical. Thank you for sharing your photographic process 🙏.
Thanks very much @ceciliajess :-)
Let me tell you that for landscape photographs to be your nemesis, the work you do is amazing, I loved all the pictures.
Thanks @naitreart I should probably subsitute "nemesis" for laziness lol. Getting up eary for the best light isn't easy for me haha
I couldn't stop looking at your pictures, they are beautiful, I fell in love with all of them.
Once again I reiterate that nature is incredible, and that you have captured it in this way is even more fascinating.
Thank you for sharing these pictures with us, greetings!
Thanks very much @milagroscdlrr I'm pleased that you saw something that caught your eye! :-)
Thanks to you 🙌🏻☺️
Have a nice day!
nice set dude