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Photo Facets: Landscapes
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The desire to photograph the world around us is one of the prime motivations for picture taking. Generally, those scenes that involve broader views of natural areas, or similar scenes in which the presence of people is marked by a harmony with nature, are defined as landscapes. Thus, a landscape may depict clouds rushing over mountains in the wilds or a barn or rustic farmhouse in mannered fields. While the definition of landscape has been broadened of late to include scenes of nature marred by the less than benevolent hand of humanity; most landscapes are an idealization of the natural state. We'll use the latter definition here, and discuss social landscapes under a separate heading.
While landscapes might be considered an idealization, and in some cases a romantic view of the actual state of nature on the planet today, it is specifically that character which defines the genre. Of course, not all of nature is bucolic and sunny; landscapes can also show the power and, at times, fury of nature. One of the keys to successful landscape photography is using visual and technical applications to capture a true "sense of place". The aim is to record both the external visual record of the place as well as the internalized power and presence of the experienced moment in which it is recorded. The most powerful images of landscapes are both visual and emotional records. 
Landscape images may "present" themselves; that gift may come from a happy coincidence of sky, light, time of day, or the viewpoint offered by the road or trail. However, evoking a true sense of place usually demands patience, applied technique and a willingness to "feel out" an area prior to photographing.
Experienced landscape photographers leave their cameras in their cases before they begin to shoot. They move through an area to make mental notes on framing, the direction of the light and to find the best point of view. While inspirational moments should not be denied, immersion may come as much from a few trial frames as from overlong meditation on a spot. Considering options prior to making pictures may not only be the best course, but may also allow time for enjoying and appreciating the place. The landscape has a long and honored tradition among visual artists, from the wall murals that adorned homes in ancient Rome; to the ephemeral renderings of the Impressionists; to the heightened sense of spiritual connection shown in the work of the Illuminists and the Hudson River School of painters. The glories of the Garden of Eden are certainly evoked in nineteenth century American western painters, as is the power of nature as shown by the later Fauvists. 
Early photographers took to the genre with a passion, often shooting numerous negatives and combining them to create highly romanticized notions of that sense of place. Modern masters such as Ansel Adams, Elliot Porter, Galen Rowell, Edward Weston and, in his later period, August Sander, should all be considered worthy of study.
Although inspiration and luck are helpful, realization of the vision often depends upon exposure techniques, choice of focal length and the search for a certain quality of light. Experience with techniques to enhance light and mood is key. The translation of light to film counts on the ability to meter light to serve the scene, and on knowing when to apply exposure compensation. The most effective landscape pictures are captured by a direct involvement in the light reading process, and not always by counting solely on an automatic exposure. 
Any format, or camera size, will do, although professional landscape photographers generally work with medium and large formats. The best gauge for choosing a format is how big final prints will be, and what size and weight camera can be reasonably carried into the field. As a point of admiration, nineteenth century photographers, such as William Henry Jackson, hauled huge cameras and entire darkroom setups throughout the uncharted West. Today, we take roll and sheet film for granted, imagine the burden of early landscape photographers working with glass plates that had to be processed in the field.
The first instinct may be to choose telephoto lenses for overall landscape picture-taking; indeed, there are many instances when their ability to bring distant subjects "closer" in the viewfinder comes in handy. However, wide-angle lenses, which encompass a greater field of view, and allow for greater zones of sharpness, are also excellent tools for landscape work. When using telephoto lenses and/or large format cameras, the use of a tripod to insure steady pictures, particularly when the light is low or when using narrow apertures for maximum depth of field, is a good idea. Filters are very useful in landscape photography. Virtually every film is used for landscape photography, including specialty films such as infrared. |
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