Landscape photography is one of the most popular forms of digital photography, and some would argue that it is something of a saturated market for fine art photographers. Many have pondered the question of how to improve their landscape photographs in such a competitive market. It is one thing to adhere to the "golden rules" of photography, but perhaps it is at least as important to consider in which type of lighting conditions to shoot your landscape images.
The best photographers are able to emphasize the differentiators in their images, and one way to do this is to shoot under the most intriguing lighting conditions. The most obvious way to achieve this is to shoot during sunrise and sunset. The warm and golden colors can be one of the most attractive features of landscape photography.
A word of caution though, because these types of images are so popular, the photography market has become very much flooded with these types of shots. This means that your sunrise and sunset shots will have to be of the highest caliber to get a reasonable rate of return from them. Having said that, by following the golden rules of photography, such as the rules of thirds and shooting at the right time, you can take some beautiful landscape images that can stand out in the crowd.
Sunrise and sunset are generic terms describing the golden hours of the day, but it is important to more accurately define the best of these conditions for photographers. Prior to sunset and after sunrise, when the sun is still in the sky, is when you will see the most richly saturated colors on a landscape. This is particularly important if you are shooting away from the sun, when you are truly trying to light your subject. However, if you are interested in shooting a skyscape, then you should be looking to shoot during twilight: when the sun is beyond the horizon and the sky is full of rich warm colors. This will likely result in some very dark tones, but this in itself can make a great photograph.
Sunrise and sunset are not the only targets for landscape photographers, though. Storm conditions, while not very inviting for outdoors activities, can also produce some stunning and very dramatic looking landscape images. Low hanging dark clouds, engulfing the peaks of mountaintops can be very intriguing photographic targets. In warmer climates, you should look to compose your images towards the end of a storm. In these conditions, the clearing skies and rising warm air can produce some very dramatic mist images.
This doesn't mean that you have to pack your camera away at the height of the day. A truly magnificent composition will stand up to scrutiny under the bluest of blue skies. However, it is important for a photographer to understand that when the rest of the world is ducking for cover or winding up their day, getting your camera out can bring many rewards.
The best photographers are able to emphasize the differentiators in their images, and one way to do this is to shoot under the most intriguing lighting conditions. The most obvious way to achieve this is to shoot during sunrise and sunset. The warm and golden colors can be one of the most attractive features of landscape photography.
A word of caution though, because these types of images are so popular, the photography market has become very much flooded with these types of shots. This means that your sunrise and sunset shots will have to be of the highest caliber to get a reasonable rate of return from them. Having said that, by following the golden rules of photography, such as the rules of thirds and shooting at the right time, you can take some beautiful landscape images that can stand out in the crowd.
Sunrise and sunset are generic terms describing the golden hours of the day, but it is important to more accurately define the best of these conditions for photographers. Prior to sunset and after sunrise, when the sun is still in the sky, is when you will see the most richly saturated colors on a landscape. This is particularly important if you are shooting away from the sun, when you are truly trying to light your subject. However, if you are interested in shooting a skyscape, then you should be looking to shoot during twilight: when the sun is beyond the horizon and the sky is full of rich warm colors. This will likely result in some very dark tones, but this in itself can make a great photograph.
Sunrise and sunset are not the only targets for landscape photographers, though. Storm conditions, while not very inviting for outdoors activities, can also produce some stunning and very dramatic looking landscape images. Low hanging dark clouds, engulfing the peaks of mountaintops can be very intriguing photographic targets. In warmer climates, you should look to compose your images towards the end of a storm. In these conditions, the clearing skies and rising warm air can produce some very dramatic mist images.
This doesn't mean that you have to pack your camera away at the height of the day. A truly magnificent composition will stand up to scrutiny under the bluest of blue skies. However, it is important for a photographer to understand that when the rest of the world is ducking for cover or winding up their day, getting your camera out can bring many rewards.