Landscapes... Often Uninspired... No WOW factor!

captures.in.time

captures.in.time

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Hi all

I'm just interested to know how some of you achieve the WOW factor in Landscapes. I've read all there is to know and have all the gear and take allot of good technically great landscapes... However I rarely get the WOW factor...

I also think i'm cursed with the weather and light... any time I free up time to have a day to myself over the last two years to take photos it's either... a real scorcher and to bright and flat... or ****ing with rain... like proper raining all day with one tone grey skies... but that aside... you cant change the weather what inspires you???

I just feel often for me landscapes are very clinical... foreground interest to the bottom third... horizon to the top third line... hyperfocal focus... get DoF right and get a good result but not a WOW result!!!

I think getting up earlier to catch the early dawn has to be one thing I must try... but appart from that... Im strugling to make my landscapes come to life...

Any tips????
 
May I ask, do you get a WOW factor from other photographer's landscapes? If you do, ask yourself what makes it for me. Can I use that technique in my photos.
My landscapes, for what they are worth, are basically copies of other photographers' techniques that I have come to like over the years and adapted to my needs.
Like a lot of things in life, you can read all about it but only by tested experience can you get to emulating it. Just keep plugging away, it will come.
 
All the above plus get up early or stay out late... especially at this time of year unfortunately :sulk:

I went on a week's landscape photography course around Skye last year... up at 4am and out until 10pm to capture the sunrise / sunset times of day. The sky pre and post these times can also be spectacular. The daylight hours were spent trying out macro shots and we prayed for dead grey sky and nil shadows for that. Not an occupation for sunseekers!
 
It takes a very special landscape to give me the WOW I must admit...

For instance an idilic sunset with the sun caught in the frame disapearing is just naff to me... a nice shot of hills with a good bit foreground interest is ok... but just OK

I do look at others and I'm probably just as uninspired as I am with my own at times... But then one pops up and Im like WOW... I wish i'd taken that...

Light is def a big issue and I do need to get out earlier... In terms of location... I'm not sure I so much need that as just an ability to have the free time ( or be allowed) the free time to get out and do that... I always get a bit of photography time but it always seems to be in the middle of the day!

It's a struggle... I like water and rivers... I love the candyfloss effect...

I def need to get away for a few weekends myself as if I go with anyone else I feel it restricts me... but my fiancee is a TOG to... but our outlooks are very dif... photography is something she will do and make the best of the situation she is in whilst visiting somewhere... where as I would be more inclined to put myself in a location to get the shot I want!
 
Getting away with the sole intention of bagging some images is a great idea. I go away for long weekends occasionally with three other TOGs who are all landscape friendly. Recently we've started to pick locations by trawling the web for shots we like and working out where the best UK locations are. We then plan the trip around the choicest places... recent visits to Gower and Dorset (although I was uninspired by Dorset but think that was more to do with the number of grockles).

Being in Edinburgh you have some fantastic locations not far away...
 
markelliot said:
Hi all

I'm just interested to know how some of you achieve the WOW factor in Landscapes. I've read all there is to know and have all the gear and take allot of good technically great landscapes... However I rarely get the WOW factor...

I also think i'm cursed with the weather and light... any time I free up time to have a day to myself over the last two years to take photos it's either... a real scorcher and to bright and flat... or ****ing with rain... like proper raining all day with one tone grey skies... but that aside... you cant change the weather what inspires you???

I just feel often for me landscapes are very clinical... foreground interest to the bottom third... horizon to the top third line... hyperfocal focus... get DoF right and get a good result but not a WOW result!!!

I think getting up earlier to catch the early dawn has to be one thing I must try... but appart from that... Im strugling to make my landscapes come to life...

Any tips????
Click to expand...


Wait for the light, and go shoot! I am struggling like you, it must be Edinburgh! :D

Gonna go check some of your work. I am at www.flickr.com/scottishsnaps and www.egopimp.com

Gary.
 
markelliot said:
It takes a very special landscape to give me the WOW I must admit...

For instance an idilic sunset with the sun caught in the frame disapearing is just naff to me... a nice shot of hills with a good bit foreground interest is ok... but just OK

I do look at others and I'm probably just as uninspired as I am with my own at times... But then one pops up and Im like WOW... I wish i'd taken that...

Light is def a big issue and I do need to get out earlier... In terms of location... I'm not sure I so much need that as just an ability to have the free time ( or be allowed) the free time to get out and do that... I always get a bit of photography time but it always seems to be in the middle of the day!

It's a struggle... I like water and rivers... I love the candyfloss effect...

I def need to get away for a few weekends myself as if I go with anyone else I feel it restricts me... but my fiancee is a TOG to... but our outlooks are very dif... photography is something she will do and make the best of the situation she is in whilst visiting somewhere... where as I would be more inclined to put myself in a location to get the shot I want!
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Also Mark,

I have a lot of free time coming up (reducing my hours to 2 days a week permanently). If you ever fancy coming away in the motorhome to the highlands, me and a few mates do it every so often.

Gary.
 
EdinburghGary said:
Also Mark,

I have a lot of free time coming up (reducing my hours to 2 days a week permanently). If you ever fancy coming away in the motorhome to the highlands, me and a few mates do it every so often.

Gary.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the answer to your prayers there. Time for just making images, in some of the most inspiring places on the planet, with like minded folks.

If you don't take that up, I'll come up and put a horses head in your bed. :lol:
 
markelliot said:
I'm just interested to know how some of you achieve the WOW factor in Landscapes
Click to expand...

If you find an answer let please us know.

foodpoison said:
Perhaps you need a change of location! I'm pretty sure I have the technique to create stunning landscapes, but I just haven't actually seen any!
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Do you not think that's a bit of a cop out excuse? I'd like to think Joe cornish or the like could come to my grotty home town and come away with a great landscape shot. How? I'll be buggered if I know! But I'm sure it's possible with the right light/luck/technique/vision/style/ability/equipment/etc...
 
68lbs said:
If you find an answer let please us know.



Do you not think that's a bit of a cop out excuse? I'd like to think Joe cornish or the like could come to my grotty home town and come away with a great landscape shot. How? I'll be buggered if I know! But I'm sure it's possible with the right light/luck/technique/vision/style/ability/equipment/etc...
Click to expand...

Light, Technique, Gear (to an extent), Style, Ability, and absolutely shedloads of patience, and I bet, ability to be frustrated time and time again, but the iron will to nail it.

I feel I have the will, and the gear. I can see the light at times I think. I am getting more patient too. Ability and style elude me mostly :D

Gary.
 
68lbs said:
Do you not think that's a bit of a cop out excuse? I'd like to think Joe cornish or the like could come to my grotty home town and come away with a great landscape shot. How? I'll be buggered if I know! But I'm sure it's possible with the right light/luck/technique/vision/style/ability/equipment/etc...
Click to expand...

A great photographer will have the vision to take what they have and create something beautiful. No doubt.

I'm not a great photographer, and if what I have is what I see as a boring landscape generally I don't have the talent to make it into something it isn't!
 
Also, landscape photographs aren't my niche. I enjoy portraiture and cityscapes, finding it much easier to frame an interesting cityscape than I do a landscape. Horses for courses and all that.
 
I've not got much landscape stuff on my flickr yet... in fact i've none apart from those i've taken whilst travelling... Im processing alot of my images just now... got a huge backlog of my old film stuff needing scanned... but a bit of me says don't even bother and just get out and shoot new stuff...

I think i'll process what i've scanned... I'm at work just now with no access to my images... I'll post some on my flickr tonight if I get time... but I think my fiancee has plans for us doing table decorations tonight for the wedding... I'm so looking forward to the day but a bit of me will be glad when it's over... we are going for the proper big day thing and it's more work than I ever thought... she always comes up with lists of things to do that I could not even imagine needed doing!

Time really aint on my side... and when i do get the odd hour often find I waste it on here or on other internet sites like ebay. It's so easy to waste time on the net!

Back to photography... Garry what did you think of the few on my flickr?

I'll try as I said to get some of my old landscape stuff on tonight!
 
markelliot said:
I've not got much landscape stuff on my flickr yet... in fact i've none apart from those i've taken whilst travelling... Im processing alot of my images just now... got a huge backlog of my old film stuff needing scanned... but a bit of me says don't even bother and just get out and shoot new stuff...

I think i'll process what i've scanned... I'm at work just now with no access to my images... I'll post some on my flickr tonight if I get time... but I think my fiancee has plans for us doing table decorations tonight for the wedding... I'm so looking forward to the day but a bit of me will be glad when it's over... we are going for the proper big day thing and it's more work than I ever thought... she always comes up with lists of things to do that I could not even imagine needed doing!

Time really aint on my side... and when i do get the odd hour often find I waste it on here or on other internet sites like ebay. It's so easy to waste time on the net!

Back to photography... Garry what did you think of the few on my flickr?

I'll try as I said to get some of my old landscape stuff on tonight!
Click to expand...



Will come back in moe detail after work, but a real mix. Some I really like, other less so. I feel like this with most peoples galleries.

Will reply in greater detail later, post up some more landscapes!

Gary.
 
Hi all

Posted some of my landscape shots onto my flicker... as you will see... ok but nothing WOW!!!... well maybe a couple but as I say... just maybe 1 or 2... Landscape and I are strugling!

BTW alot of these are poor scans of slides so dont be to harsh with the IQ... now im digital there will be no more scanning... thank god!
 
Light is obviously important, but there are plenty of opportunities to shoot when it's not golden hour. I have revisited the same location on some occasions in excess of 10 times to get a shot I am happy with.
We went walking in Brecon on a meet recently and after an 11 mile walk I ended up with a small handful -maybe 5 I was happy with.

A tip I have learnt is that it is sometimes better to leave your shots a good week before processing them, so you get a chance to evaluate properly, rather than an immediate disappointing view 5 minutes after downlaoding them. The difference can be quite amazing!
 
No rush... on looking at them again myself... I def think it's because they are all middle of the day or bad weather shots... I really need to make the effort ond get out early and late... unfortunately my job does not really allow me much early mornings... but after the wedding will try and get out in the evenings!
 
I've been finding the same problem with doing landscape photography. I bought a couple of books to help me out and give me some ideas/inspiration and I must admit, they're certainly doing that. Just about putting those ideas/inspiration into practice though. I've decided I'm going to concentrate on doing landscape photography for the time being (and a bit of portrait for good measure) as opposed to just heading out and taking photos of anything/nothing. I reckon having some direction and going out with a plan can only help rather than just going out to "take photos".
 
Finding that "WOW" factor is something all Landscape Photographers struggle with, even the greats I'm sure.

It's often a case of "right place/right time"...if you figure out where & when that is let me know will you :lol:

The main thing is to stick with it, sometimes the best shots happen at the time you're least expecting them too...it's one of the joys of Landscape Photography


Simon
 
chewyuk said:
Do you fancy posting some shots you have taken in this thread so we can talk through some examples of shots you have taken ?
I'd love to see why you are so unispired.
As far as I stand, when I go to Skye or scotland I have never been more inspired :)
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God... It's nothing to do with the locations... I think it's mainly been the weather over the past few years any time I've been away to take photos... The last three weekends I've had up north have been to use a good Scottish phrase drech! And like I say.. being away with others is not the best for me... because im prob still in my bed or in the pub when I should be out taking pics... and when I'm out taking pics in the middle of the day as we visit places the light is bright and well just dificult to get anything with WOW...

I think this is my best two photos and whilst being good... they are not wow!

1.
set-72157617839850528


2.
set-72157617839850528


These are what I call just ok ... in fact dull!

3.
set-72157617839850528


4.
set-72157617839850528
 
not sure why those pics have not worked... any offers as just done as I usually do!?!
 
Hell what do I know, but I've looked at your flicker (and I see you just posted some of them) and think the only thing missing that I cans see is a deeper application of what your all ready doing.

It just ain't so easy, you've got to work harder.

Thats what I tell myself anyhow. :) :thumbs:


edit. I like all your shots BTW, some very close to wow.
 
How do you mean work harder... basically get up when the light is better... and put myself in the right place at the right time???
 
Yeah, that kind of stuff, You know what you want in your mind.
I find there’s no point expecting to instantaneously produce a great scene simply because I've turned up and have knowledge and ability.. Good shots are momentary so I’ve got to allow for that, the light changes things in ways I can’t envisage so I’ll have modify or re-write my aims, move and try something else, wait for the light to change the scene, come back for morning light and try that...
Time is your problem by the sounds of it Mark.. I'd guess that if you where to wander any of those scenes for a day, you'd see each one go through a wow stage, some several times probably. ..
 
The WOW factor only works part time, typically an hour in the morning and maybe a couple of hours at night. (wish I had a job like that)

It also goes on strike regularly if the weather ain't great.

I increased my hit rate by only turning out in the 'golden hour' either end of the day and if the weather was against me (dull/overcast) leave the camera in the bag and treat the trip as a 'reccie' for a return trip.

It can be extremely frustrating, especially if you've travelled some distance in spite of doing your homework on weather forecasts etc, but if the light isn't right, Bachs don't bite.

Trying to get some interesting foreground is another priority, not just a strategically placed rock in the lower right third for the hell of it.

Good lead in lines help too to guide the eye through the shot.

In my opinion, the light is the single most important factor though and can transform a mundane scene into something really special.

As someone else has mentioned, what makes you go WOW?
Try and analyse an image that gets you excited and use that factor in your own technique.

I'm hoping LesMac will join in this thread, he has got it nailed and has far more experience than me.
 
Thanks....

I think im slowly realising ... to be honest I already knew... good landscape photography... (in fact any good photography) is hard hard work... you can have all the technical stuff right... but it's the scene itself that makes a great shot...

I think in short I simply need to put myself in positions more where i'm more likely to be in the right place at the right time...

Still interested to see what other people think of my shots though?

Maybe I'll put some up for crit!

The key def is light!!!! As any scene can be bad or good depending on it... I guess for me the WOW factor comes from shots where you know people have made an effort to get it... not simply found a nice scene... put a rock in the bottom third and hoped for something WOW... they have researched the location... walked about a bit before even getting the camera out... and most of all had the patients and allowed the time to wait for the WOW moment...

I've never been much of a lucky person... so im thinking I'll have to work harder!

Garry... thanks for the offer of a trip away... with a wedding in 9 weeks now my weekends are taken up... maybe sometime in the future! Keen to know your thoughts on my pics?

Mark

Bachs said:
The WOW factor only works part time, typically an hour in the morning and maybe a couple of hours at night. (wish I had a job like that)

It also goes on strike regularly if the weather ain't great.

I increased my hit rate by only turning out in the 'golden hour' either end of the day and if the weather was against me (dull/overcast) leave the camera in the bag and treat the trip as a 'reccie' for a return trip.

It can be extremely frustrating, especially if you've travelled some distance in spite of doing your homework on weather forecasts etc, but if the light isn't right, Bachs don't bite.

Trying to get some interesting foreground is another priority, not just a strategically placed rock in the lower right third for the hell of it.

Good lead in lines help too to guide the eye through the shot.

In my opinion, the light is the single most important factor though and can transform a mundane scene into something really special.

As someone else has mentioned, what makes you go WOW?
Try and analyse an image that gets you excited and use that factor in your own technique.

I'm hoping LesMac will join in this thread, he has got it nailed and has far more experience than me.
Click to expand...
 
I just looked at your landscape gallery and you have some great compositions.
In general it is the skies and light that have the missing element.

You are right, it is the preparation that makes the difference.
I research weather reports, tidal tables, sun position calculators and if possible, access a local(ish) webcam to get a realtime view of skies.

I once postponed a trip to Glencoe 3 weekends on the trot after accessing a webcam at a nearby hotel as I could see the sky was just yuk and uninspiring.

I ended up going on short notice and came back with some stunners as everything fell into place.

It never ceases to amaze me how the whole day can be grotty following a couple of glorious hours at/shortly after sunrise, so yes, there is some hard work involved getting up at silly o clock for the WOW factor.

Coming back empty handed is also par for the course.

A golden rule LesMac taught me was the 'Rule of Turds'...
'If its' crap, it's crap...delete it!'
 
I think also I'm hard to please!!!

I just had a look through a few landscape photographers websites... just googled landscape photography... and was surprised how many of their shots did not WOW me either... quite a few I like thats... but few WOW's...

Water tends to be a WOW factor for me... or dusk or night landscapes... and Extreme weather... lightning id like to try shooting!

If i'm going to get serious on shooting landscapes shout I think about selling my Sigma 15-30mm and go for something like a 20mm prime?

I find the zoom a distraction at times... and find the 15mm almost gives to wackey a result. Not that I can aford it just now as just bought a 24-105mm to replace my 28-135mm
 
markelliot said:
I think also I'm hard to please!!!

I just had a look through a few landscape photographers websites... just googled landscape photography... and was surprised how many of their shots did not WOW me either... quite a few I like thats... but few WOW's...

Water tends to be a WOW factor for me... or dusk or night landscapes... and Extreme weather... lightning id like to try shooting!
Click to expand...

Looks like you've "hit the nail on the head"... as with all "art" landscape photography is completely subjective, what WOWs one person might not impress another at all,

I've seen landscape photographs that have won major competitions and been completely underwhelmed by them, sometimes even a little bemused, the judging panel however must have seen something in the shot to choose it over thousands of others :shrug:

The best thing you can do is keep getting out there and keep trying...don't completely dismiss daylight hours either as every now & again something special happens, which may well be that WOW you're looking for !!

Simon
 
Just as a postscript to this, I worked out (guesstimated) a while ago that on average I would expect to do about 1.5 days photography a week during the season (say April -> November). For the other 5.5 days the light just wasn't good enough.

If your photography is restricted to weekends you'll be quite lucky if your free time co-incides with "good light".

We may not all agree on what good light actually is but you get my drift?

jerry
 
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