Section 2 Shooting
266
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Landscape Shooting Tips
For a landscape photographer, the angle and
intensity of the light striking the subject can make
the difference between a successful photograph
and an unsuccessful one. The dramatic difference
light direction can make is shown in Figure 12-7.
The color of the light can also be a strong
factor in the success of your photo. On a sunny day,
midday light is harsh, creating extreme contrast
and adding a strong blue cast to shadows. Most
photographers prefer the light of early morning
and late afternoon, Figure 12-8. Often referred to
as “the magic hour,” the half hour before and after
either sunrise or sunset provides a warm light that
makes subjects almost glow.
Subjects reflecting the sun’s light can be
metered normally, but a different technique is
necessary when the sun will be in the photo. If
the sunrise or sunset itself is the subject, meter a
clear area of sky near the sun, but do not include
the sun in the frame. Lock in that exposure, set it
manually, then reframe to include the sun.
One danger of including the sun in the frame,
or positioning it just outside the field of view, is
flare. When the sun’s rays strike the front element
of a lens, reflections off internal elements of the
lens result. These reflections are typically visible
as ghost images or bright spots obscuring parts of
the picture, Figure 12-9. Even when ghost images
are not visible, flare causes an overexposed,
washed-out appearance in the photo. To prevent
flare, use a lens hood or shade the lens with a
hand, hat, or other object.
To more dramatically render the sky during
daylight hours, you can use a polarizing filter
to darken the blue of the sky and increase the
contrast of clouds. The filter also can improve
the color saturation of foliage and other shiny
surfaces by eliminating light reflections.
A
Jack Klasey/Goodheart-Willcox Publisher; Larry Morris
Figure 12-8. Photography in the magic hour. A—Soft, warm light bathes a stand of pine trees shortly after dawn.
B—Sunset and sunrise photos require careful metering to avoid overexposure.
B
A
Jack Klasey/Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 12-7. Colorado’s Garden of the Gods Park.
A—Early afternoon sunlight placed the foreground rocks
in shadow. B—Midmorning sunlight falling on the gateway
rocks brings out their full, vibrant color.
B