A literal scout and my scout buddy
I’ve long steered clear of photographing landscapes because, frankly, they never seemed to convey the vastness and intrigue that my eyes perceive in person. Beyond their rich colors, I often found myself lacking a clear focus or thought on how to frame them in a way that felt photo worthy.
What I’ve learned so far is that scouting a location is crucial. Familiarizing myself with the lay of the land and having a vision of what I want to capture can transform the actual shooting day into a much more manageable experience. It alleviates the pressure, especially during those fleeting moments of perfect light.
the cactus on the right in the foreground IMO makes it makes it a more compelling photo
And speaking of light, it’s a compelling variable in landscape photography. Timing matters immensely—it’s essential to find those magic moments, whether it’s at sunrise, during golden hour, or at sunset. However, I've come to appreciate that flat light can be intriguing as well, and bright daylight has its own charm, depending on the mood or look I aim for.
After consciously approaching my shoots with these insights, I still found my shots lacking—they came back flat, devoid of a dynamic element for the eyes to explore. A deeper dive into photography techniques led me to discover the importance of leading lines and foreground textures. This was a game changer. By focusing on framing and experimenting with foreground elements, I was able to infuse my images with a sense of depth that invites the viewer to wander throughout the scene. This nuanced approach has not only enriched my photographs but has also rekindled my interest in capturing landscapes, transforming them into compositions that are as captivating as the real thing.
