Landscape Photography Some Tips – Definitely not Absolute Rules!

Have a clear FOCAL POINT Without a clear focal point, your viewer may “wander”... And your image might look empty. Focal point could be a building, a rock formation, a tree... Something to draw the viewer’s eye. Think about COMPOSITION... Where you place your focal point... (rule of 3rds is helpful)

Maximize your DEPTH OF FIELD Try to make sure as much of your scene is in focus. Choose high F- Stop/aperture setting

Consider your FOREGROUND Having points of interest in your forground gives a sense of depth, and a “way into” the photograph.

Use foreground to FRAME YOUR SHOTS Besides using foreground for points of interest, foreground elements at the edges can also be used to frame your shot...

Use LINE in your pictures Having the element of LINE – A road, a river, a wall or natural feature – can lead your viewer through your photograph.

Think about the sky Most landscapes will have a dominant foreground, or dominant sky. If the sky is boring (empty, undramatic), then keep it to the upper 3 rd of your shot... Just make sure you’ve got an interesting foreground. If sky is dramatic, consider placing your horizon lower in the shot.

Pay attention to HORIZONS Is it straight? Nothing can be more annoying than getting a great shot, but finding the horizon is tilted/crooked. Where is it? One of the “3 rd Lines” is usually most effective...

Lighting – The “Golden Hours” Though plain daylight can be great, think about trying to shoot at dawn and dusk... – The angle of the light can add a great dimension – That ‘golden’ light – Skies at sunrise and sunset are striking.

Ansel Adams... A quick profile American Photographer and environmenatlist. Famous for his photos of the American West (esp. Yosemite National Park) Worked with large format cameras Used technique of “visualization” Taught, wrote books, popularized photography.

YOUR MISSION Practice landscape photography! Find interesting spots in town – Mount Royal and the lookout! – By the river! – Parks! – Find good angles – high up can be great! Find interesting spots out of town – Mountains! – Rivers! – Forests!