Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Tech Talk Tuesday


One way to develop more creativity and diversity in your photography is to brain storm beyond the composition you initially had in mind and force yourself to think of different possibilities.  

I was driving on the outskirts of a small town near our winter home in southern Utah, when I spied a 'field' of cactus (cacti??) in bloom.  I then noticed the beautiful sky with big puffy clouds parting after the recent storm.   I immediately thought of a composition with a large depth of field showing the entire vista, which would highlight a cactus bloom in the foreground, and the lovely red hills and sky in the background.  I was there during midday, so I chose a view that also included sun flare, which you know is one of my favorite things!

(On a side note, while it is true that many landscape photographers think the times of day near the golden hours of sunrise and sunset are best for dramatic landscape photography, I believe that beautiful photography happens at all times of day and in all types of lighting.)

After I was satisfied that I captured what I was after, I could have packed it up and moved on.  But I always try to say to myself, "What's next?  Is there a different composition here?  Is there a more interesting perspective?"  Sometimes, I just walk around and change my location while looking through my viewfinder.  Sometimes I change my elevation, (shoot from a higher or lower perspective).  Sometimes I change my lens from a wide angle to a macro and look for an intimate view.  The possibilities are as big as your imagination.

I have found that when I expand my vision and think of additional possible compositions, often one of those OTHER compositions turns out to be my favorite shot of the day!

11 comments:

Barb said...

Hi Karen, You don't know how much I love these desert scenes. They transport me to warmth and red stone mesas. I agree that we have to change perspective and expand our vision before we lift the camera to our eye.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Both photos are fantastic. I try to push myself as well and if that isn't enough my son encourages me to think outside of the box.

MadSnapper said...

they are both stunning. and this is great advice. thanks

Stephanie said...

Great ideas and I will put them to use the next time I am out with the camera. Both are stunning images!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I wonder if there is a state in the union that doesn't have cactus. I was surprised when I found them all over the dunes (beaches) down here (FL)

TexWisGirl said...

gorgeous color! just beautiful.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wow! What an amazing photo, that really shows everything in the area, all beautiful!

janc@mac.com said...

You prove your points with such spectacular photography.

diane b said...

Thanks for the tips. Glad to see Teck Talk back. Love the first shot.

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

You nailed it with that first photo. Yes indeed, just the simple act of lowering your point of view closer to ground level can change the effect of an image dramatically. Then again there is the issue of getting back up once you've taken the picture to deal with.

Unknown said...

Great pics.