Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.life From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Landscapes: A true balancing act Date: Sat, 7 Nov 92 19:23:58 EST Message-ID: \SE B;LIFE;TIME OUT;PHOTOGRAPHY \HD Landscapes: A true balancing act \BY Monte Nagler With many photographic subjects, the image consists primarily of a subject and a background. The technique of composition is creating a satisfactory balance between them. With landscapes, the image is not so readily defined and more attention must be paid to color, tone and texture and the creation of harmony within these elements. As with most photographs, a successful landscape picture should have an identifiable center of attention supported by the other elements in the composition. This center of interest could be something quite obvious, such as a distant farmhouse or a solitary tree. But often it's more subtle, such as a certain area of pattern or texture, or a color that stands out from the rest. Placing the emphasis on one area of the picture gives structure to your composition and helps guide the viewer's eye, which might otherwise wander about looking for something to settle upon. Pay attention to the line of the horizon. A low horizon is used when you want to emphasize a dramatic sky and give a feeling of spaciousness to your shot. A high horizon will draw attention toward the foreground and will minimize an uninteresting sky. Can you ever place the horizon in the center of the viewfinder? Yes, if the image has an overall symmetrical quality that you want to emphasize. Often, lighting is the single most important element in a landscape picture. Be on the lookout for fog and mist that will add a romantic quality to your shot. Sunbeams breaking through storm clouds are easily captured on film and will add exciting impact to your landscapes. Time of day will have a dramatic effect on a landscape image. Try to shoot in early morning or late afternoon, when shadows are enhanced and texture and form are accentuated. If you do, your shot will be much more exciting than if you had shot under a noontime sun. Become aware of color changes during the course of the day. Light quality has more red content in early morning and late afternoon, producing warmer, more mellow pictures than those taken at noon. Perhaps a good "trick" in landscape photography is to imagine the landscape you see through your viewfinder as a vast tabletop still life and the sun as your spotlight. The idea is to "place" your spotlight in the best location and "arrange" the elements you see in the best possible way to make a photograph with impact - one that produces a harmonious balance out of nature. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM