Are Landscapes Too Easy?

cali92rs · 02-06-2013, 01:16 PM

Lugging a big 4x5 or 8x10 field camera 10 miles in treacherous terrain...then when you get to your destination having a 5% chance that the lighting conditions are optimal, the clouds are fluffy, it isn't overcast, not raining etc.
Doesnt sound easy to me

wildman · 02-06-2013, 04:32 PM

Are Landscapes Too Easy?

Only bad ones.

**Digitalis** · 02-06-2013, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by cali92rs

Lugging a big 4x5 or 8x10 field camera 10 miles in treacherous terrain...then when you get to your destination having a 5% chance that the lighting conditions are optimal

Stop being such an optimist, from my experience the chances of optimal lighting are 2%

SpecialK · 02-06-2013, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

Stop being such an optimist, from my experience the chances of optimal lighting are 2%

And then someone else always has the best spot.

**Digitalis** · 02-06-2013, 06:18 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SpecialK

And then someone else always has the best spot.

And it is always someone with a T4i with the kit zoom attached, and he gives you a strange look when you show up with a Ebony 8X10 with a big wooden berlebach tripod and a 240mm f/5.6 $3000 top of the line Rodenstock lens, a lens of such quality that if you mounted it on the T4i it would be capable of running rings around even the best L lenses.

Medium FormatPro · 02-07-2013, 06:21 AM

How does one know if they are a good landscape photographer?

Having a tilt/shift lens or even bellows helps.

Try shooting in b&w and even using the zone system; then try to hit the pure blacks, pure whites and even the great grey scale. Takes a bit of practice

53bicycles · 02-09-2013, 08:15 PM

I'm mangling the quote and forget who said it, but it is appropriate for landscapes:
"It is simple to take a photograph of something, but very difficult to take a photograph that says something"
I have many landscape images that simply document I was in a certain place at a certain time, but very few that actually communicate an emotion, a truth, etc etc.

02-07-2013, 06:21 AM	#36
Medium FormatPro Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Charleston & Pittsburgh Photos: Albums Posts: 1,668	How does one know if they are a good landscape photographer? Having a tilt/shift lens or even bellows helps. Try shooting in b&w and even using the zone system; then try to hit the pure blacks, pure whites and even the great grey scale. Takes a bit of practice Last edited by MRRiley; 02-07-2013 at 11:08 AM. Reason: typo

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02-06-2013, 01:16 PM	#31
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Lugging a big 4x5 or 8x10 field camera 10 miles in treacherous terrain...then when you get to your destination having a 5% chance that the lighting conditions are optimal, the clouds are fluffy, it isn't overcast, not raining etc. Doesnt sound easy to me

02-06-2013, 04:32 PM	#32
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Are Landscapes Too Easy? Only bad ones.

02-06-2013, 04:43 PM	#33
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by cali92rs Lugging a big 4x5 or 8x10 field camera 10 miles in treacherous terrain...then when you get to your destination having a 5% chance that the lighting conditions are optimal Stop being such an optimist, from my experience the chances of optimal lighting are 2%

02-06-2013, 05:37 PM	#34
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by Digitalis Stop being such an optimist, from my experience the chances of optimal lighting are 2% And then someone else always has the best spot.

02-06-2013, 06:18 PM - 1 Like	#35
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by SpecialK And then someone else always has the best spot. And it is always someone with a T4i with the kit zoom attached, and he gives you a strange look when you show up with a Ebony 8X10 with a big wooden berlebach tripod and a 240mm f/5.6 $3000 top of the line Rodenstock lens, a lens of such quality that if you mounted it on the T4i it would be capable of running rings around even the best L lenses.

02-09-2013, 08:15 PM	#37
53bicycles New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Steamboat Springs, CO Posts: 22	I'm mangling the quote and forget who said it, but it is appropriate for landscapes: "It is simple to take a photograph of something, but very difficult to take a photograph that says something" I have many landscape images that simply document I was in a certain place at a certain time, but very few that actually communicate an emotion, a truth, etc etc.