The big sky
Scott Antcliffe goes to Bamburgh Castle to fine-tune his technique for scenics
Living in the Peak District, I’m very fortunate to have so much natural beauty on my doorstep. Focusing my energy into landscape photography seemed the right thing to do.
We’ve all been there: we drive through a stunning landscape, hop out of the car and quickly fire off some shots; then get back home, look at the images, and find them dull and boring. When we look at a landscape, we scan over it and instinctively focus on the elements that we find the most aesthetically pleasing.
Our field of vision absorbs a lot of the scene, but our eyes and brain focus on the most striking details and dismiss the rest. The key to good landscape photography is time. Scouting the location beforehand takes the pressure off capturing that ‘keeper’ when you’re there in the moment.
There is always something magical about shooting a sunrise. For me, not knowing what the sky will be like in terms of colours and vibrancy adds to the experience. You get the build-up and the suspense, and then finally an array of colours illuminating the scene. It is a wonderful feeling watching a beautiful sunrise.
1 Spread ’em
Using a tripod on a beach can be unstable, as the waves are constantly displacing the sand. You can avoid this by enlarging the surface area of the legs. Some tripods have special discs for this, but if yours doesn’t, place each leg on an old CD or in a drinking cup, which will create the same effect. Don’t forget to also displace your own weight over soft ground.
2 Balance the light
I knew a good set of filters was needed to improve the quality of my landscape shots. After reading countless reviews, I opted for the Lee 100 Deluxe system. An essential component is the circular polariser, which helps eliminate glare and reflections while adding contrast to the sky and reducing haze. It can be used alongside other filters to help balance highlights or shadows.
3 Use the foreground
Composition is vital. Using the ‘rule of thirds’ is a hotly debated topic, but it can add depth and tends to be naturally more pleasing on the eye. Placing an object centrally makes it feel static, but placing it on a third forces your eye to find and follow it. An interesting object in the foreground will help with the composition, too.