Help with my landscape photography journey

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iancass

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Like a lot off people the places of interest to me are not on my door step and it seems like its going to be a bit of a mission to ever get too these places if ever, eg The Lakes District takes me 6 hours to drive there and I am not guaranteed to come away with a shot that I thinks is worth putting on my wall in fact I was there in the spring and the picture I printed had nothing to do with mountains, lakes or lone trees, I think I tried to go down the tried and tested route and copy that cliche shot what others have done and come away disappointed. I can't afford to just travel to random places like Iceland and New Zealand were there maybe a picture at ever corner. I am a bit unsure which direction to take now which doesn't require me to wake up at 3am in the morning, drive 3-6hrs and come away thinking was it really worth the journey.
 
Maybe tell us a bit more about yourself, what you enjoy, how long you have been taking pictures, where abouts in the country you are? Do you want to do something different, street, studio, urbex or landscape, seascape, minimalist locally?
 
Well I started do cityscapes as I am originally from London but like a lot of places it’s been done to death and putting a tripod down is like a criminal offence these days with security guards etc so I turned to the countryside away from the tourists which I prefer. I am now based in Kent I don’t have the greatest artistic eye but I am okay in the modern dark room with L/R and Photoshop. My ideal image would include nice foreground interest some calm water lush hills and valleys.
 
What about Devil’s Kneading Trough (Wye Hill) or Bedgebury National Pinetum
 
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I lived in the South East for a number of years and places that come to mind are the South Downs, Cotswolds and New Forrest but maybe they are a bit too far away, I don't know Kent but have seen some gorgeous images of oast houses and the like.
 
Kent, the garden of England, home of the Darling Buds of May, Battle of Britain country. I'm sure you could find some worthy landscapes to photograph in the Kent countryside. As mentioned above, oasthouses, plus hopfields, orchards in blossom and in fruit, etc. The rolling countryside throughout the seasons, etc, etc. I'm sure there's loads of landscape photo opportunities within an hour or so's driving time from you?
 
Having lived in London for 11 years, and now living in Kent, I can vouch for the stunning landscapes available, as well as an abundance of coastline. I invested in OS maps, and looked for promising locations, and then went out and had a look. It's surprising what you can find. Sometimes you discover a gem, sometimes it's not so good, but it is still great going out for a long walk, or drive, and sometimes you discover something that will reap rewards at a different time/season.
 
dcash29 said:
What about Devil’s Kneading Trough (Wye Hill) or Bedgebury National Pinetum
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Please don't use color tags, it messes with the night theme auto correct, from black to white Ta :)
 
Get yourself to the beach for an East Coast sunrise, beached boats, Dungeness p0werstation is worth a visit with Dymchurch & Romney Marsh just up the coast from there.
 
We live near Heathrow but visit the South Coast regularly. As mentioned, Dungerness or Rye Harbour are good locations, as is Hastings. Not sure what part of Kent you are in, but the Hoo Peninsula offers some great opportunities, as does Riverside Country Park in Rainham. (I grew up in Hoo so know the area well).

Other than those, take advantage of the time of year and some of the NT properties that can give you stunningly colourful landscapes.
 
While it is great to go to spectacular locations, you can really learn your craft, and in particular the art of composing, by staying close to home. I am 3 years into photographing an area of about 1 sq mile not far from my house in Surrey. It's an area of seemingly nondescript heathland like you could find anywhere.

Not having any massive mountains or stunning coastline handy, it has become my go-to place to practice and experiment. I have found this to be one of my most rewarding photographic experiences (and I've done Iceland, Faroes, Arches, Scotland, Lakes and shot the World Cup).

Have a look here, and you'll get the idea. See if you can create something different by looking differently at an otherwise familiar or unpromising location, and keep going back and back and trying new things. http://tobinators.com/blog/2015/10/landscape-2/uncommon-views/

Andy
 
The Lakes are beautiful but you can't expect to get wall hangers if you don't know the area. You need to stay for a week or so at a time and explore over several trips, there are plenty of opportunities for getting your own shots rather than copying others, and if that means no mountains or lakes so be it. I can't help thinking there must be landscapes in Kent worth exploring though. I live in Lincolnshire and it's not well known for photography, but with the right light and weather conditions it can be as nice as anywhere. I imagine Kent will be the same, and you've got the south coast nearby which looks great
 
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