Desert | Russ Bishop Photography

April 5, 2024April 5, 2024

Landscape Tip: What’s Your Angle?

Landscape Tip: What’s Your Angle? Captivating landscape photography typically includes one or more elements that make it stand out from the crowd. Magical light, richly saturated colors, and dramatic vistas can all make for great images, but sometimes we’re not rewarded with these sure-fire conditions even after the long hike or braving the inclement weather.

Fortunately there are other ways to create visually dynamic imagery when mother nature is not cooperating – namely your lens and your eyes. Perspective is a powerful tool that is limited only by your choice of focal length and framing.

A wide-angle lens with both excellent depth of field and a wide field of view can be used to emphasize a foreground element such as a plant or rock within the context of its larger mountain or desert environment. In most cases this also creates visual tension within the frame by directing the viewer’s eye from near to far elements, which in turn adds drama to the composition.

So the next time the elements aren’t working in your favor try adding a little visual spice to the scene with this simple technique. A subtle change in perspective through lens selection or camera position can entice your viewers to linger within the frame and might just turn a good image into a great one.

March 16, 2023March 16, 2023

Canyon Light

For all the equipment I’ve purchased over the years, from camera bodies to lenses and filters, the most important tool of my craft is one I’ve never had to buy. The world of natural light provides landscape photographers with a constantly varied selection from soft light to lightning and everything in between. Here canyon light illuminates the subtle hues of Antelope Canyon, and best of all there’s never a cost.

Unlike a studio strobe, it’s sometimes a challenge to harness the light Mother Nature provides. But therein lies the art of outdoor photography – knowing how to work with what you’re given or having the patience to wait for something better.

In previous posts I’ve mentioned various ways to work with challenging conditions, but there is one place where the light is constant and never leaves you wishing for more – the indirect, reflected light found deep in the canyons of the Southwest.

Its consistent, ethereal glow could easily be mistaken for artificial light, and its true colors can hardly be discerned by the naked eye in the dark recesses of a slot canyon. In sharp contrast to magic hour, the best time to experience this light is when the sun is high overhead and able to penetrate these deep fissures in the earth’s crust. And only when the scene is revealed on the sensor or emulsion do you see the true beauty of the canyon light.

December 1, 2021December 1, 2021

A Sense of Place

Compelling landscape images stand on their own and connect the viewer with a sense of place or time. They can be displayed alone or in a series to tell a story, but they all have one thing in common. They make a statement about a location that defines its uniqueness.

The use of color or form in a composition can provoke an emotional response. Leading lines draw the viewer into the frame, creating tension that guides your audience towards the important elements you’re presenting. Shutter speed can illustrate the passing of time to create mood. These are all-powerful creative tools that when applied thoughtfully can result in strong imagery.

Another technique is the silhouette, which uses a graphic approach to convey an idea. Any object or scene that is backlit and appears dark against a lighter background will work, but the key is to find a subject with highly defined edges. A diffused yet colorful background like a sunrise or sunset often works best as it compliments the scene and reinforces the message.

Try adding this technique to your visual toolkit to create powerful images that stand on their own and strengthen your visual storytelling.