I have slightly over ten years of experience as a landscape photographer. For just a few of those years, professionally. I never imagined that taking pictures would be my career when I first took one up. I've had innumerable moments of self-doubt and thought about completely quitting landscape photography. I believe that every photographer has trouble with this at some point. Many other landscape photographers I know are self-critical because they believe their work is lacking. I frequently find myself envious of an image in their art and wishing it were mine.
Trying to hold yourself to a certain standard is risky. A common misconception among novice landscape photographers is that they are a failure if they don't improve within the first year. Once more, I have been a photographer for a little more than ten years. I can honestly say that I had no idea what I was doing for the majority of those years.
Photographing landscapes over a canyon in stormy light produces stunning atmospherics and pastel hues.
It takes time to develop your artistic and photographic abilities. Therefore, it's critical to always look for new ways to stay inspired, particularly if photography is your passion. It's simple to think that admiring some lovely photos can motivate you to continue taking pictures. This isn't always the case, though. Every day, we see pictures on social media that repeat the same themes and processing techniques. This repetition makes it easier than ever for me to lose my inspiration. You can stay inspired without looking at a photograph in a variety of ways. Here are some pointers for beginning landscape photography:
#1: Take Advice from Artists and Painters
Spend some time exploring the many art genres on display as you stroll around an art gallery. These are frequently sculptures and paintings. Recently, I've been learning about new artists in various disciplines and drawing inspiration from both contemporary and historical painters. Seeing artworks frequently encourages me to use my camera more creatively and look for novel and interesting viewpoints. I frequently find myself drawn to painters that depict the same subject because I specialize in landscape photography. But it's also good to get fresh viewpoints from artists who work with diverse subjects, like abstracts or portraits.
#2: Request Expert Evaluations
Do you have trouble seeing well enough to take pictures or are you unsure of where to start? Look for feedback from a qualified landscape photographer. Finding your direction and vision can be greatly aided by professional evaluations. Since they are typically honest, you should be willing to listen to what they have to say. During a review, I was once instructed to throw some of my work in a dumpster and burn it. I still use a DSLR camera and put more effort into my photos than ever before. To get started, look for a landscape photographer you really like, and ask them if they would be interested in reviewing your work.
#3: Attend a Workshop on Landscape Photography
Workshops can be an excellent learning opportunity and frequently result in more creativity if you are having trouble with composition, light perception, or post-processing. Look for a teacher that teaches the material and manner you like, and find out if they provide seminars in the field. Learn from these teachers, but avoid imitating and copying their work by not paying too much attention.
#4: Go for Inspiring Landscape Photographs
Despite your initial excitement, it's easy to become uninspired when traveling. Your trip may not have the best weather, or the fall foliage and flowers may be too early, too late, or nonexistent. Try to be innovative in order to make the most of the circumstances you have rather than feeling demotivated by them. This frequently enables you to produce pictures you weren't even considering, and occasionally those could even be your best shots. You expose yourself to disappointment if you have unrealistic expectations. You won't be as anxious about taking a certain kind of picture if you just go with the flow; instead, the picture will find you. This may inspire you.
An imaginative abstract shot taken in less-than-ideal lighting for landscape photography
I usually look to the ground for subject matter when wide angle landscape photography conditions aren't great. I had my camera out to take the picture of the cactus above, even though most landscape photographers would have theirs packed away at that time.
Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone #5
I've found that photography, particularly landscape photography, has a tendency to seem monotonous. Even though my primary focus is landscape photography, I've realized that I'm playing with my work a little more now than I used to. It can frequently be a satisfying and revitalizing modification to your own employment to step outside of your comfort zone.
Give Your Landscape Photos a Human Touch
I only realized this year that I was including people in a couple of my photos, and more lately that I was including human hands in the city and the roadways. This was the first image I had ever worked on where I felt the urge to include city lights. During a recent trip to Tucson, I discovered a place that gave me the sceneries I love and enjoy while also allowing me to be more creative. I noticed the lengthy road that circles the mountain and the distant city lights in the picture below. The Milky Way would emerge over the horizon, which was an extra treat. It made the road stand out and linked the city lights to the light trails on the mountain road by using long exposures to catch the streaking automobile lights of cars going up and down the mountain. The road lights direct the viewer's gaze across the picture to the city lights, which obscure a portion of the Milky Way and create an almost perfect contrast in the time of day.
As the Milky Way rises above the dazzling city lights of Tucson, Arizona, cars travel up and down Mount Lemmon.
Place yourself in the picture.
Apart from including artificial elements, I also discovered that I was included in a few pictures. More emotional effect and a more compelling narrative can be achieved by including a human element. Additionally, it can give a sense of size. I made the self-portrait seen below while camping above Lake Powell. I certainly shot a picture of the Milky Way arching over the lake for my portfolio after noticing it. I did, however, decide to experiment a little and create a self-portrait after snapping that picture. After I was done, I thought I had produced something more than a self-portrait. Additionally, I had never worked on Milky Way panoramic photos before. To make sure I could capture a still photo of myself, I had rushed back and forth to the little rock before taking the series of pictures. I discovered that the stitch had left me out of the entire frame when I processed the photo. I soon thought that I just had a generic, plain Milky Way panorama, so I used that frame as a mask for the panoramic image. This undoubtedly made the picture more appealing and gave it the opportunity to tell a tale.
A picture of oneself beneath the Milky Way
Try out various post-processing techniques.
It's not necessary to shoot various subjects in order to get outside of your comfort zone. Maybe you only do a few post-processing procedures to acquire the final image. Try experimenting with different methods to determine if they improve or detract from your workflow. To get the final result with the sunset image below, I used a variety of techniques from layer masking, focal point blending, and advanced color work. This helped me generate an image that I genuinely like and, more significantly, gave me a more creative and painterly impression of the scene.
Trying out a painterly post-processing technique: Sunset waves crashing on Canyon Lake's shoreline
Using a zoom or telephoto lens instead of a wide angle for landscape photography is another method to push yourself. Try concentrating on the scene's more personal shapes and nuances. Although this can be more difficult, I usually find that the risk is worthwhile. It never hurts to look, even though some places might not provide this kind of chance.
Using a telephoto lens for landscape photography: Light passes through the Grand Canyon's spires and buttes.
Photographing the Utah Badlands' many forms and textures using a telescopic lens
Finally, ignoring what other people are doing is a terrific approach to stay innovative and inspired. You will lose concentration on what you should be doing if you are prone to focusing on what other people are doing. This frequently results in lost chances, such as neglecting particular places or going there at the incorrect times. Worse yet, it may cause you to go entirely in the incorrect direction with your landscape photography. By concentrating on yourself, you may eliminate the distraction of what other people are doing, whether or not they are succeeding.
All you need to do is pick up your photography equipment and go into the outdoors now that you know how to stay creative and inspired. I wish you luck.
Trying to hold yourself to a certain standard is risky. A common misconception among novice landscape photographers is that they are a failure if they don't improve within the first year. Once more, I have been a photographer for a little more than ten years. I can honestly say that I had no idea what I was doing for the majority of those years.
Photographing landscapes over a canyon in stormy light produces stunning atmospherics and pastel hues.
It takes time to develop your artistic and photographic abilities. Therefore, it's critical to always look for new ways to stay inspired, particularly if photography is your passion. It's simple to think that admiring some lovely photos can motivate you to continue taking pictures. This isn't always the case, though. Every day, we see pictures on social media that repeat the same themes and processing techniques. This repetition makes it easier than ever for me to lose my inspiration. You can stay inspired without looking at a photograph in a variety of ways. Here are some pointers for beginning landscape photography:
#1: Take Advice from Artists and Painters
Spend some time exploring the many art genres on display as you stroll around an art gallery. These are frequently sculptures and paintings. Recently, I've been learning about new artists in various disciplines and drawing inspiration from both contemporary and historical painters. Seeing artworks frequently encourages me to use my camera more creatively and look for novel and interesting viewpoints. I frequently find myself drawn to painters that depict the same subject because I specialize in landscape photography. But it's also good to get fresh viewpoints from artists who work with diverse subjects, like abstracts or portraits.
#2: Request Expert Evaluations
Do you have trouble seeing well enough to take pictures or are you unsure of where to start? Look for feedback from a qualified landscape photographer. Finding your direction and vision can be greatly aided by professional evaluations. Since they are typically honest, you should be willing to listen to what they have to say. During a review, I was once instructed to throw some of my work in a dumpster and burn it. I still use a DSLR camera and put more effort into my photos than ever before. To get started, look for a landscape photographer you really like, and ask them if they would be interested in reviewing your work.
#3: Attend a Workshop on Landscape Photography
Workshops can be an excellent learning opportunity and frequently result in more creativity if you are having trouble with composition, light perception, or post-processing. Look for a teacher that teaches the material and manner you like, and find out if they provide seminars in the field. Learn from these teachers, but avoid imitating and copying their work by not paying too much attention.
#4: Go for Inspiring Landscape Photographs
Despite your initial excitement, it's easy to become uninspired when traveling. Your trip may not have the best weather, or the fall foliage and flowers may be too early, too late, or nonexistent. Try to be innovative in order to make the most of the circumstances you have rather than feeling demotivated by them. This frequently enables you to produce pictures you weren't even considering, and occasionally those could even be your best shots. You expose yourself to disappointment if you have unrealistic expectations. You won't be as anxious about taking a certain kind of picture if you just go with the flow; instead, the picture will find you. This may inspire you.
An imaginative abstract shot taken in less-than-ideal lighting for landscape photography
I usually look to the ground for subject matter when wide angle landscape photography conditions aren't great. I had my camera out to take the picture of the cactus above, even though most landscape photographers would have theirs packed away at that time.
Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone #5
I've found that photography, particularly landscape photography, has a tendency to seem monotonous. Even though my primary focus is landscape photography, I've realized that I'm playing with my work a little more now than I used to. It can frequently be a satisfying and revitalizing modification to your own employment to step outside of your comfort zone.
Give Your Landscape Photos a Human Touch
I only realized this year that I was including people in a couple of my photos, and more lately that I was including human hands in the city and the roadways. This was the first image I had ever worked on where I felt the urge to include city lights. During a recent trip to Tucson, I discovered a place that gave me the sceneries I love and enjoy while also allowing me to be more creative. I noticed the lengthy road that circles the mountain and the distant city lights in the picture below. The Milky Way would emerge over the horizon, which was an extra treat. It made the road stand out and linked the city lights to the light trails on the mountain road by using long exposures to catch the streaking automobile lights of cars going up and down the mountain. The road lights direct the viewer's gaze across the picture to the city lights, which obscure a portion of the Milky Way and create an almost perfect contrast in the time of day.
As the Milky Way rises above the dazzling city lights of Tucson, Arizona, cars travel up and down Mount Lemmon.
Place yourself in the picture.
Apart from including artificial elements, I also discovered that I was included in a few pictures. More emotional effect and a more compelling narrative can be achieved by including a human element. Additionally, it can give a sense of size. I made the self-portrait seen below while camping above Lake Powell. I certainly shot a picture of the Milky Way arching over the lake for my portfolio after noticing it. I did, however, decide to experiment a little and create a self-portrait after snapping that picture. After I was done, I thought I had produced something more than a self-portrait. Additionally, I had never worked on Milky Way panoramic photos before. To make sure I could capture a still photo of myself, I had rushed back and forth to the little rock before taking the series of pictures. I discovered that the stitch had left me out of the entire frame when I processed the photo. I soon thought that I just had a generic, plain Milky Way panorama, so I used that frame as a mask for the panoramic image. This undoubtedly made the picture more appealing and gave it the opportunity to tell a tale.
A picture of oneself beneath the Milky Way
Try out various post-processing techniques.
It's not necessary to shoot various subjects in order to get outside of your comfort zone. Maybe you only do a few post-processing procedures to acquire the final image. Try experimenting with different methods to determine if they improve or detract from your workflow. To get the final result with the sunset image below, I used a variety of techniques from layer masking, focal point blending, and advanced color work. This helped me generate an image that I genuinely like and, more significantly, gave me a more creative and painterly impression of the scene.
Trying out a painterly post-processing technique: Sunset waves crashing on Canyon Lake's shoreline
Using a zoom or telephoto lens instead of a wide angle for landscape photography is another method to push yourself. Try concentrating on the scene's more personal shapes and nuances. Although this can be more difficult, I usually find that the risk is worthwhile. It never hurts to look, even though some places might not provide this kind of chance.
Using a telephoto lens for landscape photography: Light passes through the Grand Canyon's spires and buttes.
Photographing the Utah Badlands' many forms and textures using a telescopic lens
Finally, ignoring what other people are doing is a terrific approach to stay innovative and inspired. You will lose concentration on what you should be doing if you are prone to focusing on what other people are doing. This frequently results in lost chances, such as neglecting particular places or going there at the incorrect times. Worse yet, it may cause you to go entirely in the incorrect direction with your landscape photography. By concentrating on yourself, you may eliminate the distraction of what other people are doing, whether or not they are succeeding.
All you need to do is pick up your photography equipment and go into the outdoors now that you know how to stay creative and inspired. I wish you luck.
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