Every landscape will have its golden moment. Locations that we are possibly too familiar with can assume a unique beauty depending on the weather and lighting. While the content and the structure of the landscape are vital ingredients, the most important defining factor is weather. Once you are aware of this the number of opportunities for taking great photographs increases considerably.
Celebrate the weather, whatever it offers
Adopting the right mental attitude is so important. When you look out in the morning and see that it is raining, that's a real cause for celebration. When you arrive at a location and discover that it is shrouded in thick mist, ponder on your good fortune. While travelling to a landscape you had long planned to photograph, you notice the sky is beginning to fill-in; just think of the wonderful opportunities this changing weather presents. It is so easy to dismiss the current weather as being ‘ordinary’, but no such thing exists. While I am perhaps labouring this point a little, if you are able to adopt a positive view of weather, your landscape photography will become more interesting and fulfilling.
Make taking photographs a daily pursuit
The great joy about weather is that it is always present. In the same way as a diarist records their personal activities of the day, get into the habit of recording some aspect of the weather. By doing this regularly, not only will you be developing important photographic skills, but you will also develop a unique awareness of the nuances of the changing weather patterns. Whether you are working or a student, retired, or on holiday, make yourself go out every day and photograph some aspect of weather.
Get to know your area
Possibly the most successful landscape photographs are those where the tenor of the weather matches that of the landscape. Certain landscapes benefit being photographed under a simple blue sky while others might not. It is so important to familiarise yourself with your own locality and constantly ask yourself ‘what would this location look like in frost, snow or fog?’ Many features of weather are frustratingly ephemeral so it helps to have worked out in advance possible locations you may want to visit should the weather conditions permit. Even when on holiday, your first task should be to reconnoitre the immediate area with a view to taking photographs.
Learn to understand weather
Weather is not random. It follows a pattern and the more we understand, the more able we are to use it to our advantage. It really is the active ingredient when photographing landscape. Weather forecasts are helpful, if rather generalised, but being able to assess what might happen from your immediate location improves your chances of getting a great shot. It also helps to understand that certain cloud formations have quite distinct visual characteristics that echo the landscape; when this occurs you are offered a fabulous opportunity for exciting photography.
Tony Worobiec: Photographing Landscape Whatever the Weather
Celebrate the weather, whatever it offers
Adopting the right mental attitude is so important. When you look out in the morning and see that it is raining, that's a real cause for celebration. When you arrive at a location and discover that it is shrouded in thick mist, ponder on your good fortune. While travelling to a landscape you had long planned to photograph, you notice the sky is beginning to fill-in; just think of the wonderful opportunities this changing weather presents. It is so easy to dismiss the current weather as being ‘ordinary’, but no such thing exists. While I am perhaps labouring this point a little, if you are able to adopt a positive view of weather, your landscape photography will become more interesting and fulfilling.
Make taking photographs a daily pursuit
The great joy about weather is that it is always present. In the same way as a diarist records their personal activities of the day, get into the habit of recording some aspect of the weather. By doing this regularly, not only will you be developing important photographic skills, but you will also develop a unique awareness of the nuances of the changing weather patterns. Whether you are working or a student, retired, or on holiday, make yourself go out every day and photograph some aspect of weather.
Get to know your area
Possibly the most successful landscape photographs are those where the tenor of the weather matches that of the landscape. Certain landscapes benefit being photographed under a simple blue sky while others might not. It is so important to familiarise yourself with your own locality and constantly ask yourself ‘what would this location look like in frost, snow or fog?’ Many features of weather are frustratingly ephemeral so it helps to have worked out in advance possible locations you may want to visit should the weather conditions permit. Even when on holiday, your first task should be to reconnoitre the immediate area with a view to taking photographs.
Learn to understand weather
Weather is not random. It follows a pattern and the more we understand, the more able we are to use it to our advantage. It really is the active ingredient when photographing landscape. Weather forecasts are helpful, if rather generalised, but being able to assess what might happen from your immediate location improves your chances of getting a great shot. It also helps to understand that certain cloud formations have quite distinct visual characteristics that echo the landscape; when this occurs you are offered a fabulous opportunity for exciting photography.
Tony Worobiec: Photographing Landscape Whatever the Weather
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