National Audubon Society Guide to Landscape Photography

by Fitzharris, Tim

• ISBN13: 9781554071951
• ISBN10: 155407195X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-03-16
• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd

Summary

A master photographer's guide to capturing the natural landscape -- written for hobbyists and pros.Step-by-step instructions, pictograms, and before-and-after comparisons provide a complete course in capturing a landscape's natural beauty. Renowned photographer Tim Fitzharris reveals foolproof techniques he has used through decades of fieldwork in a wide variety of settings. His own outstanding examples are accompanied by detailed information on the equipment, exposure, film, shutter speed and filters used.The book is designed for use with the latest digital as well as traditional cameras. Fitzharris encourages photographers to rise above technology and remain sensitive to a landscape's changing moods. Everything needed to achieve professional results is covered, including: The best equipment and how to use it Digital camera considerations Detailed field techniques for a wide variety of natural settings Using filters Fine art composition, simplified and diagrammed A step-by-step guide to recognizing and finding great scenic shooting sites Getting a correct exposure every time Recording mirror-like reflections in lakes and shooting postcard-perfect sunrises and sunsets Creating high-quality panorama images Post-production basics, including image selection and color correction.Filled with tips and strategies, this outstanding guide includes all that's required for taking professional-caliber photographs of great landscapes.

Author Biography

Tim Fitzharris is a critically acclaimed photographer known by his colleagues for his regular column in Popular Photography and Imaging magazine. He is the author of 25 books, including National Audubon Society Guide to Nature Photography, Rocky Mountains: Wilderness Reflections and Big Sky: Wild West Panorama. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Earth, our planet, our home

Outfitting for the Landscape

Camera Systems

Professional results from cameras and tripods

Landscape

Optics Lenses for scenic subjects and how to use them

Logistics in the Field

Transporting, accessing and protecting equipment in the field

Shooting Fundamentals

Exposure

Making reliable exposures in difficult situations

Aperture and Shutter

Speed Controlling image detail with depth of field and exposure time

Creating an Image

Illuminating the Scene

Proactive lighting techniques

Composition

Basics Fundamental principles of picture design

Art of the Possible

Adapt your shooting schedule to natural conditions

Expressing Perspective Techniques for recording the third dimension

Photogenic Opportunities Recognizing the potential of a landscape setting

Spectacular Settings

Bonfires of Autumn Capturing the rich color of the woodland palette

Cascades and Waterfalls Interpreting the beauty of flowing water

Radiant Reflections Recording mirror-like reflections in lakes and ponds

Dramatic Dunes Procedures for great sand dune photographs

Sunrise and Sunset Seizing opportunities at the magic hour

Oceans of Light Recording the changing moods of the shoreline

Floral Wilderness Capturing the beauty of meadows in bloom

Twilight Time Heavenly light when the sun is below the horizon

Wide View Panoramas Shooting and stitching multiple captures of a scene

Captivating Clouds Dynamic landscape imagery hangs in the air

Digital Processing

Digital Darkroom Equipment Storing images in the field and processing them in the studio

Preparing Images for Presentation Professional art print, website or print media display

Resources

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Introduction: The Earth, our planet, our home.In its natural state it's difficult to imagine anything more beautiful. This book is intended to help photographers capture this beauty for the enjoyment of both themselves and others. The landscape is arguably the most difficult, challenging and fascinating of nature's subjects. It is an elusive target -- terrain shimmering in ultraviolet or buffeted by wind one day and twinkling with frost or glinting bronze under a sunset sky the next.Not only does the landscape change, endlessly offering to the lens new contours, textures and colors depending on weather, light and season, it posts no signs to guide the photographer's approach. It does not encourage you to capture spreading antlers or eyes sparkling with highlights. Its appeal is broad, and as subject it is open to wide avenues of interpretation. It is more concept than thing, more mood or feeling than identity. You cannot take a picture of a mountain and say, "There, I've got it." You can only say that you know a bit of it, that you've spent some time near its energy.If you have an artistic temperament, this will appeal to you. No matter how many times a famous landform has been photographed, your encounter with it will be unique and will remain so with every subsequent shooting session. Pulsing with light, mother of life, for the artist a subject both sublime and mindless, the land abides in us and for us. You appreciate this while looking through the lens, trekking to a shooting site or standing on a precipice waiting for sunrise. If you're reading this book, you're already attuned to this. You want to know more about direct engagement, about embracing this wonder of Earth through your eyes and insights, your photography and your art.This book will help you understand how camera and film (or sensor) depict the land so that you can make images the way you see and feel. The technical components of professional-level landscape photography are all covered here. The emphasis of the book, however, is on the photographer's actual interaction with the subject. I've described here the numerous ways in which I photograph the landscape, the particulars of how I proceed to capture a dune field, ocean sunrise, autumn forest or alpine reflection. Each setting calls for the application of a different set of technical and artistic considerations. I've outlined the general procedures I use when working in the field, the focus being to enjoy the process while maximizing the quality of imagery.To this end, you will find that keeping things simple -- technically, logistically, artistically -- brings you closest to the Earth, your subject, allowing the clearest expression of your artistic goals. The working models presented here are the ones that I use and know, but they needn't be the ones that you favor. There are many ways to approach landscape photography, and your art will benefit by considering how others photograph. As you gain experience you will discard some procedures, embrace others and develop new ones of your own.It's impossible to photograph the landscape and not be aware of the accelerating deterioration of the planet's natural areas. Governments generally see progress in terms of economic growth manifested through industrial, residential, agricultural or commercial expansion, nearly always to the detriment of natural systems. As nature photographers we can use our influence to turn capitalism's focus on development to one that favors preservation. It's seems to be a losing proposition at this point, but you'll feel better and grow more appreciative of the subjects you photograph just for making the effort. Earthlings, unite!