Photography masterclass
The outdoor media (online and in print) is full of fantastic photos, but my own pics always seem to fall short. How can I make them better?
QWhen it comes to mountain photos, Mother Nature’s done all the hard work in crafting a landscape that’s so ridiculously photogenic. But it can be hard to come away with photos that you think do the scene justice, so here are some tips to help you get the best out of that shot.
Viewpoint
You spot a scene that takes your breath away, lift the camera (be it of the traditional or phone variety) and take the picture. It might be great – but then again it may be merely, disappointingly, 'okay'. So, why not consider a slightly different viewpoint? Drop to your knees to get that foreground rock in the pic! Or stand on that rock to get an elevated view. Take a few steps either side of the path, or walk round the corner to see if there’s a better vista just around the bend. You might be missing something amazing.
Composition
Getting the mountains into your photo is a good start, but getting them in the right place will make your pics even better. Photographers use something called the ‘rule of thirds’ whereby the image is divided into three equal parts and key components of the photo fall on the intersections of these. In truth, it’s more of a guideline than a rule, but it can certainly help make a more pleasing composition. Also look for lines that lead into your photo, such as a meandering path or striking ridgeline.
Scale
Mountains are big, we know that, but demonstrating that size in your photos isn’t always straightforward. With nothing to compare it against, a medium-sized hill doesn’t look that different from an enormous peak. So it helps to have something in the shot to act as a reference point – such as a person or sheep – whose size is instantly recognised. This addition to the shot makes appreciating the scale of the scene easier.
Light
Photography is all about light, and the quality and abundance of a light source can make or break a picture. The ‘golden hour’ is the period of time just after sunset, or just before sunrise, where the tone of the sun’s light is at its most photogenic, and it’s often the best time of the day to be taking pictures. Even just being patient and waiting for the sun to briefly appear from behind a cloud to illuminate your scene can make the difference between a dull, flat shot and one that packs a punch!