2022 - A year to learn how to take Landscape Photographs By Matthew Little
I spent the pandemic shielding as a clinically extremely vulnerable person. I followed the guidance diligently, isolating indoors and having all my needs delivered to me. After shielding had ended, having spent so many months inside I had lost my confidence in going out and in total it was very nearly 2 years that I did not leave the house. In order to provide myself with motivation and to force myself to get outside again I decided for 2022 I would set myself the challenge of learning how to consistently take good landscape photographs (not just the odd lucky snapshot). I have had a DSLR since 2007 so I know my way round a camera; however, I have never taken landscape photos. The few attempts I did make were so disappointing that I really never bothered with it. So I dusted down my rarely used tripod, bought some filters, started reading some books on the subject and of course joined the royal photographic society and the landscape SIG. My first attempt to try out some of things I had read was a trip to Padley Gorge on the National Trusts Longshaw estate in the Peak District. I would have to say I found it a lot more challenging than I originally thought it would be. Here are my initial thoughts on the experience. 1. I found getting the exposure right really hard especially on the longer exposure shots with the white water. 2. I take mostly street and wildlife photos and for this the focus point is nearly always on the eyes. Yes, you often have to change the cameras focus point quickly and often as the subjects move but that comes easily with a little practice. However, sat in front of a static landscape when I had all the time in the world to set the focus point I had no idea as to where to set it. I had read that I should aim to set the focus point with 1/3 in front and 2/3 behind. In the field however, I had no idea what that meant. When I tried to implement it I often had to focus on something completely inconsequential in the image. As a consequence a lot of my shots didn’t achieve the sharp focus front to back focus I was intending, even shooting with a small aperture. July 2022 Volume 7 Issue 5
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