December Theme Challenge – “Intimate Landscape Triptych”

This month’s challenge is to create a Triptych of Intimate Landscape Images. Leveraging what we learned with last months theme challenge on story telling we can slow down and concentrate on intimate landscapes by isolating our subject even more and using more than one image (in this case three images) to tell the story. The goal is to not only create three images that together create a more meaningful story, but also print and hang your completed project on your wall. Printing your project will get your images out of the digital virtual word and in to a physical medium giving actual real value to your artwork.

The idea is to isolate and simplify your images so they each tell part of your whole story.

With our project we chose a frame from IKEA; “RÖDALM” Frame for 3 pictures, black, 55×28 cm (21 ¾x11 “) available for $12.99 which includes a mat cut for three 5″ x 7″ images. This frame is very low cost plus also obtaining three 5″x7″ prints from your favourite photo lab such as Photolab.ca, “Memories Made to Last Original Fujifilm Photopaper” @$0.99 each, the price for your total project will be reasonably low. In our case we chose metallic prints @4.40 each from Atlantic Photo Supply located in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. We hope you’ll be excited to complete this project and hang your very own beautiful piece of artwork on your wall or even gift it to someone at Christmas who will appreciate it.

First when looking at the scene in front of you, think of an Image Title such as in our case “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” and then capture two supporting images that help support your story. Work on perspective and composition to simplify each image. We encourage you to get out to spend the time enjoying your surroundings, put in the time, be patient, and you will be rewarded with images that you will be proud of, especially when you hang your project on the wall.


About the Images

Shooting a series of images, in this case three images what’s called a triptych, can provide more insight to what you would like the viewer of your images to experience. In the example images below its about a rock being stuck in the crack of another rock formation that has been beaten and eroded by the ocean. The composition leverages the diagonal line of quartz in the rocks to lead through and even showcase an indent which may also indicate the severity of the erosion that has taken place.

Even if you don’t have an opportunity to shoot a similar image as above, find alternative stories that are easily accessible in your area such as shown below of the isolated images taken at a local fisherman’s wharf showing the story of the reliance on rope and twine in the fishing industry.


Additional Resources

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.
Intimate Landscape Photography and Printing instructional aids:
Triptych Photography Shoot | Intimate Coastal Landscapes: by Thomas Heaton (13min 57sec)
Intimate Landscape Photography | Sculpted by The Sea: by Simon Booth (21min 41sec)
How I’m Turning my Photography in to Works of Art: by Thomas Heaton (18min 36sec)
Printing Photos at Home w/ Canon PRO 300: by First Man Photography (14min 56sec)
How to Print, Price and Sell Your Photography: by First Man Photography (19min 11sec)


You’re encouraged to develop the ability to “tell a story or invoke an emotion, as well as learn to plan and troubleshoot while creating images.

  • It’s important to not only create an image but to also include a “Title”, this process helps with; determining your subject or story, and composition.
  • Try writing a short paragraph about; how you came up with the idea, any interesting back ground that compelled you to make the image, and describe any techniques how you overcame any obstacles.
  • Do some research and include any relevant information behind the subject of your image. This helps with planning and your approach for a story

An important part of improving your photography is practice, practice, practice which is one important aspect of the monthly theme challenge, in addition you have an opportunity to learn about different genres, techniques and tips that you are not familiar with.


Share your images and stories experienced this month

Even though this website is not setup to directly upload your images, you can achieve something similar by commenting on this post; firstly pasting your social media link to your image in the comment, then type any additional message you’d like to share. Everyone who visits will be able to visit your link. Note comments are moderated so it will not show up right away. We do get notifications when any comment is posted, so it won’t take long to get approved and subsequently show up. By pasting your social media link in your comment, it gives everyone visiting the bog a chance to click the link to see your image for the challenge and also the ability to look at your other work by viewing your social media through your pasted link. We want sharing to be a positive experience and we hope you have fun with this month’s dual photo challenge.

Digital Photography 102 Workshop Fall 2024

The “Digital Photography 102 Workshop” is offered through the Chester Municipality Recreation “Explore Life” Program Starting Nov 6th, 2024. You can Register, which is now open and subsequently closes on Oct 31st 2024, by calling Chester Recreation at (902) 275-3490.

This Workshop has been offered since 2018, and consistently receives A+ student reviews. This is the second of the Digital Photography Workshop Series “Digital Photography 102 Workshop“.

Digital Photography 102 Workshop, (Cost $100), the second of the two-part workshop series is a comprehensive workshop that includes; six in-person sessions plus three on location field trips, weekly assignments, professional slides in pdf format, and the recorded in-person class session videos. We concentrate on techniques and composition intended for the beginner to intermediate photographer, who wants to learn more about; self assessment, understanding light, colour, resolution, controlling your camera in different situations, making better images through composition, introduction to post-processing and how to create a calendar.
We also review Student assignment and field trip images during the in-person sessions providing positive feedback to help everyone improve their photography. Prerequisite is the Digital Photography Workshop 101 or already acquired similar knowledge. The camera requirement for this course is the use of a DSLR, Mirrorless, or Bridge camera with manual control. Post-processing software is not required for this workshop but can be helpful.

See you at the workshop!

Note: if you are using an iphone or android phone and want to use the QR code, just save the image to your photos app and then push on the QR code and then click on open it in your default browser which will take you to the the training web site for more detailed information or please visit our courses page.