As landscape photographers we are generally addicted to a few things. We're addicted to dramatic light, epic sunsets, huge storm clouds, and we're addicted to sharpness.
Read MoreSHOOTING THE GRAND VISTA
With so much potential for perfect weather conditions, amazing sunrises and sunsets Jamaica is a great country for photographing grand vistas. Yet I would recommend thinking beyond those misty dawns and dramatic sunsets. Undoubtedly both are fantastic options, however there are images to be had at any time of day and in any location. Additionally, grand vistas do not mean you need to use a wide angle lens. The truth is, many classic vistas can benefit from a slightly different perspective using a telephoto lens.
Pick out areas where there is potential for bands of color. These can create striking images of the landscape. With so many different tree species, there are always patterns to be found in mixed woodland. Some trees may be bare, while some will have leaves displaying various hues, with evergreen trees in between. On top of that, you may find layers of color within the landscape with a combination of grazing fields, harvested fields and ridges covered in bracken and grasses. Of course the ambient light will also play its part, with patches of light and shade adding further contrast.
If you are visiting a hilly or mountainous area like Blue Mountains, and there's a forecast of some mist or an inversion, get to a high vantage point early in the morning. Mist is a wonderful element to warm tropical colors and introduces added depth to a scene. That being said, mist or no mist, being high up has many other compositional advantages, allowing you to zoom in on an isolated tree, patch of forest, a small community or even a local church. Again, look for contrast in color to counterbalance the warmer hues with cooler greens and blues.
But it’s not all about trees; hills, fields, marshes and plains can take on beautifully soft and gentle colors. Faded greens, golden hues, rich reds can all help when creating a picture in a seemingly unremarkable landscape. For such scenes soft light can work really well, but mixed weather conditions with partial cloud can also add interest and depth, with light and shade creating patterns on the landscape.
Coastal locations, may favorite are also very rewarding, with changeable and often stormy weather conditions giving rise to some powerful skies and dramatic seas. The play of light on the surface of the water can add depth to an image. If the sea is calm, try using it as a compositional anchor, and devote most of the frame to the sky. Always study your tide timetables and look for areas where there is a sandy beach or an estuary where both sand and water can reflect the light and color of dramatic skies.
In the above image, A misty sunrise, an elevated viewpoint, forests and mountains offer perfect ingredients for an great landscape picture.
Pro Tips: Consider using a very shallow depth of field to draw the viewers attention to foreground features, rendering the wider landscape put of focus, as demonstrated in the image here.
7 Tips to Capture Super Sharp Landscape Photos
Use a Sturdy Tripod.
Use Manual Focus
Focus Manually With the Live View Setting on your camera. To do this you’ll first need to switch off the auto focus setting on your lens. Next you’ll switch to Live View. Once you’ve done this use the magnifier box in the screen to punch in on the subject at the furthest distance. Then slowly turn the focus ring on your lens until that subject or object is pin sharp.Shoot Using Your 2-Second Timer
Use the 2-Second Timer setting on your camera to minimize any possibility of camera shake caused by vibration when you press the shutter. If you’ve got a shutter release cable you can use this instead.Enable Your Mirror Lock Up Feature
If you’re using a DSLR use the Mirror Lock Up feature to prevent any possibility of vibration which can occur when the mirror flips up into position as you take the exposure.Use the Lens Best Aperture Setting
Find that Sweet Spot Aperture value of your lens. Most lenses will generally have an aperture value which will guarantee maximum sharpness throughout your image from foreground to background. This is usually between f/8 and f/11.Focus at infinity.
There are several theories how to achieve maximum sharpness by using techniques such as calculating Hyper-Focal Distance. However I have found that by simply focusing at infinity I’ve been able to achieve maximum front to back sharpness throughout the scene.Turn of Image Stabilization
Switch of your lens Image Stabilization or Vibration Reduction. If your lens has any Image Stabilization or Vibration Reduction you’ll want to switch that off. Unless you’re shooting hand held using any Image Stabilization feature can result in a soft image due to the lens correcting for camera movement when it’s already on a tripod.
Bonus Tip to greatly improve your image quality.
Use the lowest ISO setting.
Chasing, "The Perfect Light".
As landscape photographers one of the things we often find ourselves obsessed about is chasing the light. And while this mindset can allow us to create some of the most amazing images it can also become a crutch limiting both our creativity and the images we images we produce.
Learning to appreciate the subtle transitions in texture as the light moves across the landscape not only not only allows us to better enjoy our time spent in the vast outdoors but also nurture greater opportunities to express ourselves more creatively.
Your Expectations can also create limitations
When I first began my journey as a landscape photographer, I was obsessed with creating images only when there was a burning sunrise or sunset. I would constantly check my weather apps daily hoping for conditions that would show promise of amazing colour and perfect clouds. And although every now and then I was blessed with the perfect conditions to make an amazing image I was often met with utter failure in less than ideal conditions forced to walk away unable to create the image I had hoped.
The expectation of ‘the perfect light’, can greatly limit our opportunities in the field
As a landscape photographer the expectation of, 'the perfect light' can create two possibilities; one you either head out to your location hoping for the perfect conditions only to be disheartened when the light doesn't take shape as you'd hoped or two, consult your 'trusty' weather app and if it doesn't forecast the conditions you hope for you stay indoors and watch TV. If you're thinking that option two seems the more practical approach the truth is neither mindset will help you become a better photographer. For myself, the expectation of, 'the perfect light' has been something which as all too often served as a disappointment limited my creativity and a landscape photographer and ultimately in the images I created.
When we commit our landscape photography to shooting in, ‘the perfect light’, we not only limit our vast opportunities to become more versatile photographers but also to shorten the time spent in the field experiencing the landscapes to find and refine our compositions.
Get out early & stay out late
If you're the type of landscape photographer who likes to shoot 15 minutes before and after sunrise or sunset, I urge you to consider shooting a bit longer. Try getting to your location a couple of hours earlier to find a composition you really like and continue shooting until the light has faded.
By doing this you'll not only be able to discover amazing compositions but also gain a better understanding of how the light interacts with the key elements within the landscape. Arriving to the location 10 or 15 minutes before sunrise or sunset is never going to allow you to find compelling compositions to make a great image.
There's never enough time
Any landscape photographer who has a full time job then you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. If you fall into that category then you have to ask yourself, "Do I want to create a body of images from several locations?" Or, "Do I want to create a body of work for my portfolio?"
Spending more time in any landscape allows you to better experience the scene as the light moves across the landscape. If you've never experienced it you'd be surprised just how much the light can change within the space of an hour before and sunrise to sunset often creating a soft yet moody atmosphere emphasizing the foreground and mid-ground elements of your composition.
Take the Challenge
Challenge yourself by spending more time in the landscape. I guarantee that you'll not only be able to find that compelling composition to create a stunning image but other compositions to open up opportunities to create other images you otherwise would have walked past.
Try not to fall into the trap of chasing, 'the perfect light'. If the forecast shows less than ideal conditions get out anyway. It doesn't matter if it's several hours before or after sunset, take time to explore the landscape.
How else are you going to find a compelling composition?
When shooting seascapes don't be afraid to take your camera hand held and get close to the waves. Shooting a wide vista? Try using your telephoto lens to pick out areas within the landscape you find interesting. Spend time looking for light and shadow (contrast) within the landscape and don't forget to include a human element in the frame to show scale. Use that 10-Second Timer and get yourself in the shot (you'll need a tripod for this). And when you cant find anything that strikes your interest, look at your feet. Take 100 steps from the point your standing and look down. I guarantee you'll find something to make a great abstract image.
Now get out there and Happy Shooting :)