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Archive 2014 · How do you get started?

bipock
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · How do you get started?

I've watched this board in wonder over the time I have been on FM and am amazed at some of the shots I see posted. The vibrant colors and excellent frame work have always intrigued me and I guess today was the day I thought I'd ask.

I've tried some landscapes before but never seem to get them right. I know there's a lot of filter use, some HDR and panorama work posted here by various people.

Would any of you be willing to share what you would suggest as a starter landscape kit and what techniques you use in the field and in post? Not everything, just what you think is absolutely basic to learn as a beginner.

Mar 18, 2014 at 01:08 PM

stanparker
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · How do you get started?

Gear will depend somewhat on your interests. I would suggest an on-line tutorial (there are lots of them), or a book from your library, or a basic class, or a camera club. You will soon learn what you need. A tripod is probably the only thing needed for all landscape photography, so get a good one.

Mar 18, 2014 at 01:48 PM

Sunny Sra
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · How do you get started?

Brad,
The best way...post your work, you have good stuff on your website. The feedback on your actual work will be far more helpful than random advice.

Mar 18, 2014 at 01:58 PM

bipock
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · How do you get started?

Sorry, should have been more clear, Stan. I'm not new to photography and understand the basics. I am more curious about what filters are best to start with, special processing tips and that sort of thing.

Currently shooting a d610 with a 24-120 or 70-200.

Thanks for the compliment Sunny.

Mar 18, 2014 at 02:10 PM

emilysun
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · How do you get started?

CPL and ND filters.

Mar 18, 2014 at 02:43 PM

bipock
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · How do you get started?

emilysun wrote:
CPL and ND filters.

Specific ones? Not the brand but 2 vs 3, hard vs soft. Already have a Kasemann CPl.

Mar 18, 2014 at 03:02 PM

ckcarr
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · How do you get started?

Against my better judgement I'll offer the standard tips...
Also referred to the "General Rules." Reason being, there are always exceptions and additionally, there are also those that rebel against the general rules.. You say golden hour, they say "why?" You suggest tripod, they say "forgettaboutit..."

So,
To start with, find something worth shooting...
Then, decide when the light is more advantageous. Morning or evening golden hour...
Try and plan a nice shot.

Then, the General Rules:
Shoot only during the golden hour.
Always use a tripod & remote release, mirror up.. (long exposures are more normal in landscape photography). Live view focus is great when the light is adequate.
Shoot at smaller apertures to try and maximize depth of field. Focus about 1/3 into the scene.
Make sure the scene appears level (appearances can be deceiving) before shooting.
Use filters as needed or desired. Some do, and some don't and rely on their post-processing skills. A polarizer and a graduated neutral density are good to carry in the bag. Don't turn the polarizer full blast on, rather, perhaps a midpoint... You can see as you gain experience...

Shoot a lot and post a little. I say sort of in jest, but posting mediocre shots every day does nothing for enhancing a a reputation as a good landscape photographer. In my opinion, your shots should always be on an upward improvement arc... So, you go shoot every day or week, be self critical, and pick the one or two best from the day and work with those images. Nobody shoots great shots constantly... There will be standouts and junk....

Learn your camera.

Learn post processing skills...

Look at a lot of other work...

Etc. etc. etc...

IMO landscape photography is like any skill, to stay on your game you practice a lot. Slack off, and the images suffer... It's also like fishing... Every day the sky is different, the light is different. Many average days punctuated by one spectacular day and you hope you were there. Luck favors the prepared...

Mar 18, 2014 at 03:03 PM

Justin Grimm
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · How do you get started?

The only filter that I think is needed would be a polarizer, and even then you wont be using it all the time. Other essential gear would be a tripod, and a remote shutter.

Exposure blending will make a huge difference to how your images look, and the key words when blending/post processing is to keep things looking seamless and clean. Your own eye for small details will dictate how well you do, but learning from others will also help. Your D610 will be very capable using single raw files if you expose/shoot correctly, but some crazy light/scenes will require blending.

I think taking a lot of time to compose, and then waiting for epic things to happen will have the biggest impact on your photographs. A fantastic location, nice light, and rarer weather conditions will all play a role. Also, the amount of work you will be happy with depends on your own standards. Unless something really excites me, I wont post an image. This can result in a lot of photo-less photography trips, which I am still not used to.

Posting images here makes a difference sometimes, but you really need to specify that you want advice to improve your work. If not, you will get a lot of pats on the back and your work might not evolve much. I usually give suggestions whenever I post, mostly because I appreciate it in return and constantly want to improve.

Mar 18, 2014 at 03:07 PM

JimFox
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · How do you get started?

bipock wrote:
Sorry, should have been more clear, Stan. I'm not new to photography and understand the basics. I am more curious about what filters are best to start with, special processing tips and that sort of thing.

Currently shooting a d610 with a 24-120 or 70-200.

Thanks for the compliment Sunny.

Hey Brad,

Do you realize that there is no real way one thread could answer all that you are asking? There is a thousand different ways to use filters... a thousand different ways to process. This is a presentation board, so the best way for you to get better is to do just what Sunny suggested, start a new thread and post a photo. Let others comment and suggest, and learn and grow.

If from looking at our forum here for a while there are specific looks you have in mind, then comment in those threads and ask those photographers what steps, or anything special they might have done. To post a thread with a general question that has a thousand answers isn't really the answer. And plus... it's a presentation forum... so present your photos, ask your questions concerning your photos, and grow from the answers.

Jim

Mar 18, 2014 at 03:50 PM

dswiger
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · How do you get started?

I don't think there's a recipe approach to doing "good" landscape photography.
It has to start with seeing a scene & wanting to capture it. Both inspiration & vision are the intangibles. Yes there are "rules" that should be taken in to account but it's just starting to take picures & learning how to make photographs.

One thing that helped me "see" scenes better was to look at what was posted here AND note the critique & comments. When you begin to understand those contributions (the C&C) & mentally do your own critique, then you are beginning understand what makes a good photograph.

It's not about the equipment or even the processing. If the vision isn't there, the fundamentals of good composition aren't in place in your mind, the best camera/lens combination won't help.

Understanding what good light is & what makes a photograph appealing need to be grasped.
If your goal is emulating or copying the Extraordinary images, like those from Iceland or Patagonia you will almost never be fulfilled. Great rainbow-of-color sunsets are great, but there are many more photographs the have much more subtle beauty & tell a story or evoke a strong feeling.

Find something near where you live & learn it. Visit the spots at different times of day & different seasons to discover when the light is just right. If you can exploit those scenes, then you will have begun to "get it" For some people, simple 1 day workshop can also help.

Photography isn't about the special tricks but rather know how & when to use them. Filters are used, maybe a circular polarizer to control reflections or a sky. Neutral density filters are used for long exposures, etc. but that is a special effect. HDR is overused when often a simple blend in post is sufficient, etc.

The kit you have, is more than enough for a starter. If you cant learn how to make great images with that gear, a D800 will only give you more MP of a lousy or mediocre shot. You can even do great work with a P&S or a cell phone!

Start now & be willing to get frustrated, challenged & critiqued. No magic required

Dan

Mar 18, 2014 at 03:53 PM

ben egbert
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · How do you get started?

To amplify on ckarrs point about what to post.

This is a master’s forum in that some here are really good. But because it’s also an open forum, many are less good (like me) and some not so good at all. The critique you get here will also range from very good to not so good so you need to figure out who the good ones are.

Posting infrequently and only your best is a great tip. In my opinion, when you have an image that you are unhappy with, post it at the post processing forum where they can help you fix it. I say this because your reputation will suffer if you are always posting damaged images. As Ckarr says, your images should generally be on an upward slope.

You have to start someplace of course, so pick one you are really proud of and post it.

Edited on Mar 18, 2014 at 06:54 PM · View previous versions

Mar 18, 2014 at 04:11 PM

Jeffrey
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · How do you get started?

1. Take some photography courses, classes, and workshops.
2. Befriend one or more photographers that you admire and shoot with them, chat with them, and discuss your images with them.
3. You may find those folks at workshops. PLENTY of landscape workshops everywhere. I've made lifelong friends at some and learned a lot.

Mar 18, 2014 at 04:29 PM

Matt Anderson
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · How do you get started?

Check out Guy Tals ebooks, and take a workshop with him.
His insight is second to none.

Mar 18, 2014 at 05:38 PM

Scott Stoness
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · How do you get started?

Buy a good tripod with ball head, remote shutter release, 24-70, 17-40, 5dii and an alarm clock. [5dii, 24-70, 17-40 are not as important as the other stuff]

Set the alarm clock for 3AM, and drive out for sunrise. Every weekend.

Then post and get the feedback here. Make sure you ask for input and thank people for it when it hurts.

The rest will come with time.

----------------------------------------------------------------

- 1/3 is being there at the right time- eg tripod, remote shutter release.

- 1/3 is composition that you only get by seeking feedback

- 1/3 is processing that will come with feedback

Mar 18, 2014 at 06:32 PM

Scott Stoness
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · How do you get started?

Mar 18, 2014 at 06:44 PM

Thunder1989
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · How do you get started?

helpful

Mar 18, 2014 at 06:51 PM

RobDickinson
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · How do you get started?

ckcarr wrote:
So,
To start with, find something worth shooting...
Then, decide when the light is more advantageous. Morning or evening golden hour...
Try and plan a nice shot.

Then, the General Rules:
Shoot only during the golden hour.
Always use a tripod & remote release, mirror up.. (long exposures are more normal in landscape photography). Live view focus is great when the light is adequate.
Shoot at smaller apertures to try and maximize depth of field. Focus about 1/3 into the scene.
Make sure the scene appears level (appearances can be deceiving) before shooting.
Use filters as needed or desired. Some do, and some don't and rely on their post-processing...Show more →

Great advice!

All the skill and gear and processing skills in the world wont make a photo without putting yourself at a great location at the right time.

Sometimes you have to shoot somewhere a few times to get the right framing/conditions. Look how other people have shot there and other similar places. Start with the basics for exposure and composition.

I say a photograph has 4 major elements.

Light - doesn't have to be golden hour though that is always no1 option. Blue hour, even mid day in stormy conditions can work. With landscapes you cant change/add the lighting but you can use filters, blending, multiple exposures to control what you see. Shooting manual usually because the camera doesnt understand the scene.

Composition - Always try out the basics, rule of 3rds, or central horizon for panos. central subject, leading lines, groups of odd numbers, triangles etc. But be ready to step out of that and do something else if it doesnt work.

Timing - Both in the large sense, get there in the right conditions , and in the small sense - shoot when the wind has dropped, when a cloud is just right, when that deer is in just the right spot etc.

Creativity - the cherry on the top. This is where your bag of tricks come in. Long exposure, panoramics, getting low, shooting tele, or wide, coupled with compositional risks.

Nail any 1 of those above and your on your way - at least with a nod to the others. Hit all 4 and you have a winner.

Mar 19, 2014 at 01:58 AM

Greg Campbell
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · How do you get started?

"What they ^ said..."

Assuming you have something better than a beater P/S, forget gear, filter overload, HDR and pano stitching - they are useless diversions. Work on finding places that you find scenic, and being there when the light is pretty. This doesn't necessarily mean 'golden hour,' but there should be some unique quality to the light - something other than clear and blazingly harsh. Even having unremarkable high clouds in the sky to diffuse and soften the light can make a huge difference in how pretty the landscape around you appears. Practice 'looking' and 'seeing' for now. Concentrate on composition, DOF and metering. For post processing, keep it simple - fiddle with black and white points, color balance and some mind curve tweaking, finishing with a mild dose of small-radius sharpening. Try to resist the urge to slam the saturation slider to eleven. A good picture will already look good, and will not hugely benefit from that sort of pimping.

Mar 19, 2014 at 02:31 AM

dsjtecserv
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · How do you get started?

To clarify what Scott said about polarizers, lest you be dissuaded from using one where it might still be appropriate. The effect of a polarizer is strongest in a blue sky at an angle 90 degrees from the sun. So when your image is wide enough to include a broad swath of sky, an objectionable dark area around 90 degrees from the sun will be an issue, and it is best to avoid the PL. But this doesn't affect all of the other applications of polarizers, especially reducing reflections on water and wet surfaces, and vegetation. I use a polarizer frequently for images that don't include a large amount of sky, and I wouldn't be without one in the field.

Dave

Mar 19, 2014 at 07:25 AM


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