Now that the Covid-19 restrictions are relaxing, we can now get outside with our cameras to enjoy visiting our favorite spots and create new images. Photographing the Landscape or Seascape is one of the most popular genres and we can understand why as we get out and witness nature showing off it’s grand scenery while we experience the smell of the ocean and see the lush green color of the vegetation now that the tree buds have turned into leaves.

Capturing in a single image what you see in front of you is the challenge which takes a bit of knowledge, practice and creativity to accomplish. The most important things to know to create a successful image are; know your camera, how to achieve a good exposure with proper focus, creative composition, a subject or purpose, a special moment, good light, and finally post processing skills to bring out the best in your final image.

The technical aspects of capturing an image requires; knowing how to set your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which lens to use, and using a tripod to help achieve a sharp well exposed, properly focused image with an appropriate depth of field. For example, when shooting a landscape image, you would like all of the image to be sharp throughout, and be able to see detail in the highlights as well as the shadows while still having appealing contrast. For general landscape and seascape images, start with selecting a wide angle lens around 24mm, setting your ISO to 100 with the aperture set between f/8 to f/11 depending on your depth of field requirements. Then adjust your shutter speed to expose for the highlights, to obtain as much digital information in the captured image as possible. When you take a test shot check there are no highlight alerts and the histogram to make sure it is pushed to the right with information in the shadows. Remember the mood of the image will be restored during final post processing, in other words you capture the image to be as bright as possible with no highlight clipping.

However, if you are shooting Jpeg and do not post process your images set your exposure to match the mood you want to achieve. In extreme cases such as sunrises and sunsets you may require the use of in camera HDR (not available on all cameras) or the use of a graduated neutral density filter (usually 2 or 3 stops) to help compress the dynamic range to be able to see detail in the shadows instead of a final silhouette image.

The purpose or subject of the image is your inspiration to capture the image and by spending time choosing the composition to eliminate distracting elements as well as having your subject or purpose positioned in the frame that allows the viewer to easily identify the subject or story provides more impact. Then it’s a matter of waiting for the right moment and light to capture your final image.

The inspiration for the above image is of the iconic Nova Scotia Peggy’s Point Lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove. As it sits on the rugged granite rocks waiting for its light to be seen when the light changes from day to night.

I waited for “blue hour” to capture this image using a slower shutter speed to create a calming mood as the water swirled around the rocks by New Harbour Road, Blandford, and to capture the light from East Ironbound Island Lighthouse seen in the distance which marks the entrance to Mahone Bay.

Remember to check the result on the camera display by zooming in and around the image as well as reviewing the histogram to make sure everything is just right before you pack up and head home to do the final post processing.

It is also important to enjoy your experience, so show up early and take time to soak in what you see and feel to help create a better composition, your image will mean so much more to you. Finally, have fun, which is really the most important thing.

Students are encouraged to develop their ability to tell a story or invoke an emotion, as well as how to plan and troubleshoot while creating their images. As such it’s important to not only create the image but to also include a “title”, and write a short paragraph about; how they came up with the idea, any interesting back ground that compelled them to make the image, and describe any techniques on how they overcame any obstacles.

As always with our monthly theme challenges we try to seek out an instructional resource, below are some YouTube video links to help with some important tips, hints and ideas.
Landscape Photography instructional aid:
■ Mastering Exposure – A Landscape Photography Tutorial: by Nigel Danson (14min 59sec)
■ Mastering Focus – A Landscape Photography Tutorial: by Nigel Danson (18min 5sec)
■ 4 Camera settings that Every photographer Must understand: by Nigel Danson (20min 29sec)
■ 7 Simple Photo Composition Tips to Improve Your Photography: by Nigel Danson (19min 33sec)
■ White Balance in Landscape Photography Lightroom Tutorial: by Nigel Danson (20min 45sec)
■ How to Create and Edit Better landscape Photos Lightroom Tutorial: by Nigel Danson (26min 12sec)

An important part of improving your photography is practice, which is one aspect of the monthly theme challenge, in addition you have an opportunity to learn about different genres, techniques and tips.

For this month, June 2020, the theme challenge is “Garden or Wild Flowers”.

Photographing garden or wild flowers can be done close to home and give you a chance to share some of your own flowers that you are growing, are close to your home, or close to your heart.

f/8, 1/640, ISO 640, @420mm

Pick a subject that is important to you, such as this image of a tulip that was a gift to my wife’s mom while she was in the hospital a few years ago. Since her passing we had placed it in our garden and it comes back every year providing us with a beautiful memory. The rain drops on the grass even provide an added feeling to the story of the image representing tears of sorrow and of joy as we remember her.

The basic things to consider while photographing flowers include; light, depth of field, clean background, with the main part of the flower being sharp.

You do not require a macro lens, but should have a focal length at or longer than 50mm up to even 600mm, which depends on the situation and how you want the final image to look. If you are using a mobile phone pick portrait mode, or the highest optical zoom, and take advantage of some of the built in presets to help blur the background.

Here are some tips to help with creating a successful flower image. Pick an aperture and  focal length that will allow for the background to be blurred, while remembering that the further the background is away from your subject the better the background. You can even use a piece of colored paper or printed abstract to place behind your flower to create a pleasing background. Use a reflector, or scrim to help control the light. The distance from your subject also plays a part with the background, but more importantly how much of the flower will be sharp. Get as close as possible to fill the frame, but make sure the important part of the flower is sharp. Tweak your distance to the flower, adjust your aperture, or change your focal length to achieve exactly what you are looking for.

Show us what image you create that showcases your flower(s).

Students are encouraged to develop their ability to tell a story or invoke an emotion, as well as how to plan and troubleshoot while creating their images. As such it’s important to not only create the image but to also include a “title”, and write a short paragraph about; how they came up with the idea, any interesting back ground that compelled them to make the image, and describe any techniques on how they overcame any obstacles.

As always with our monthly theme challenges we try to seek out an instructional resource, below is a YouTube video link to help with some hints and ideas.
Garden or Wild Flower Photography instructional aid:
■ My 8 Best Tips for Flower Photography: by Micael Widell (8min 9sec)

An important part of improving your photography is practice, which is one aspect of the monthly theme challenge, in addition you have an opportunity to learn about different genres, techniques and tips.