Confused about the landscape composition.

[Copterdoc]

I'm working with a desert landscape mid-afternoon. The subject is obvious and it's pretty sharp all the way through. It just seems flat. R5, RF 15-35, F35, Shutter 1/200, ISO 1000. Not a lot to see in this flat wide-open landscape just thought the two Saguaros one a dead skeleton and one still quite alive were interesting together. Just seems that something is missing.

 

[Shotbycurtin]

Interesting shot, like the idea. For me the image isn’t balanced with too much empty space to the right. I’m not too sure what the image is about. Is it the desert or plants? I think a similar shot might work if it was one of the plants in isolation. Cropping this one, I would probably go portrait over the plants. There’s still enough desert to put them into context. The other option is a letterbox crop which I think adds a bit of drama to a shot, putting the bigger plant into the foreground. Hope you don’t mind, it’s easier for me to upload the crops rather than describe them, as below.

 

[slclick]

Overall I don't find the framing or the scenery all that interesting, however any single element might be very worthy of other shots if taken from other distances and vantage points. Macro or close focus on either cacti, worm's eye view might be cool. Or do what I learned long ago...don't spend too much time and energy on art if it's not there that quickly. There will be more, right?

We all shoot our share of drab shots and scenes and just keep telling yourself the Ansel adage - "Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop".

Also, perhaps mid day sun wasn't the best time for this and sunrise/sunset will give it color and interest.

 

[Copterdoc]

Interesting shot, like the idea. For me the image isn’t balanced with too much empty space to the right. I’m not too sure what the image is about. Is it the desert or plants? I think a similar shot might work if it was one of the plants in isolation. Cropping this one, I would probably go portrait over the plants. There’s still enough desert to put them into context. The other option is a letterbox crop which I think adds a bit of drama to a shot, putting the bigger plant into the foreground. Hope you don’t mind, it’s easier for me to upload the crops rather than describe them, as below.

View attachment 2973

View attachment 2974

I don't mind at all. In fact, I chose this image instead of the crop I already have as you have. The empty space on the right side was to show the mountain in the distance but with the 15-35 lens there is absolutely no compression so I think that may be one of the points that fail? I'm finding it hard to compose a landscape in this flat open desert environment. I appreciate your comments and examples.

 

[slclick]

Sorry if I'm adding too much commentary but I was reminded of this image. I took it stopped down and wide open, with everything in focus wasn't memorable but this version with shallow depth of field lent interest. Just like when I shoot macro, I tend to take at least two versions of scene, one wide open and the other at the diffraction point. I love the desert!

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[Copterdoc]

Overall I don't find the framing or the scenery all that interesting, however any single element might be very worthy of other shots if taken from other distances and vantage points. Macro or close focus on either cacti, worm's eye view might be cool. Or do what I learned long ago...don't spend too much time and energy on art if it's not there that quickly. There will be more, right?

We all shoot our share of drab shots and scenes and just keep telling yourself the Ansel adage - "Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop".

Also, perhaps mid day sun wasn't the best time for this and sunrise/sunset will give it color and interest.

Sometimes we shoot when and where we are. I now have this location to go back to and try new things. I agree that the golden hours would be best.

Thanks.

 

[Copterdoc]

Sorry if I'm adding too much commentary but I was reminded of this image. I took it stopped down and wide open, with everything in focus wasn't memorable but this version with shallow depth of field lent interest. Just like when I shoot macro, I tend too take at least two versions of scene, one wide open and the other at the diffraction point. I love the desert!



View attachment 2975

Don't mind at all. I like this photo. My goal was to take this basic scene and treat it like a basic landscape where the focus is from the foreground to the background. In my case, I'm not sure that there was enough detailed background structure to produce an image like the one above. Also, the top of the Saguaro was a good 10 feet tall or more making this type of shot difficult but it does suggest some other option that I may try again. Thanks.

 

[Shotbycurtin]

I get what you are saying with compression. I like that style of landscape shots, my 70-200 being my glass of choice. It’s surprising how little background/surroundings you need to anchor the shot and put the subject into context. As said perhaps move on from this composition and try a fresh go with a longer lens.

 

[slclick]

I get what you are saying with compression. I like that style of landscape shots, my 70-200 being my glass of choice. It’s surprising how little background/surroundings you need to anchor the shot and put the subject into context. As said perhaps move on from this composition and try a fresh go with a longer lens.

This is a good idea. Many times shooters get stuck on the idea of landscapes being wide angle shots and truth is you can use any focal length. I do a lot of landscape and nature images with a 135L. Love the compression, the colors it renders and the creamy OOF.

 

[Copterdoc]

I get what you are saying with compression. I like that style of landscape shots, my 70-200 being my glass of choice. It’s surprising how little background/surroundings you need to anchor the shot and put the subject into context. As said perhaps move on from this composition and try a fresh go with a longer lens.

Actually, I think I can get the depth of field control I need because the background is so distant so my next attempt will be with the 100-500. It seems to me I end up with better landscapes using the long lenses than with the wide-angle. I have some landscape posted in the gallery and they were all shot with the 100-500. Seems like a trend but I want to expand my skills with other lenses. Thanks for the comments I really do appreciate them.

 

[Copterdoc]

Sorry if I'm adding too much commentary but I was reminded of this image. I took it stopped down and wide open, with everything in focus wasn't memorable but this version with shallow depth of field lent interest. Just like when I shoot macro, I tend to take at least two versions of scene, one wide open and the other at the diffraction point. I love the desert!



View attachment 2975

I shot this perspective last night, late, and the light was almost gone. Used the RF 100-500mm and the compression is very evident. I would crop even tighter but I needed the complete top of the skeleton Saguaro. Not getting the aspect ratio I would like but the lens is defiantly doing its job.

 

[GeraldHerd]

It isn't very scientific, but sometimes just a lot of Trial and Error is called for. Even though the length of shadows imply very early or late in the day, it strikes me as the sun too high. Maybe just circle around and take shots every 30 degrees and see if any sings to you. I'd try a vantage point lower to the ground so the cacti would have more sky for background and maybe pick up some more detail and texture from the stuff on the ground. Include the setting or rising sun, maybe?

 

[Copterdoc]

It isn't very scientific, but sometimes just a lot of Trial and Error is called for. Even though the length of shadows imply very early or late in the day, it strikes me as the sun too high. Maybe just circle around and take shots every 30 degrees and see if any sings to you. I'd try a vantage point lower to the ground so the cacti would have more sky for background and maybe pick up some more detail and texture from the stuff on the ground. Include the setting or rising sun, maybe?

I appreciate the comments. It's next to s housing development and an open-pit mine so I'm limited on the directions I can shoot.

 

[JayAy]

I appreciate the comments. It's next to s housing development and an open-pit mine so I'm limited on the directions I can shoot.

This is something that I always find fascinating about the photos people post in this and many other groups; where was this image taken? what's just out of shot? what's happening behind the scenes? This image to me looks like it's miles form anywhere, with a long trek to reach it - may be a helicopter flight in your case? It's certainly beyond my travel experiences as I've never been in a hot desert like this. Yet with the new information you posted I'm now imagining it's just around the corner. Probably neither the the long trek nor the local neighbourhood is right, but the physical shooting constraints do have a big impact on what can be achieved and are often the fun part in getting to see something that other's have missed. I'm looking forward to seeing the next iteration.

 

[Greg]

I'm working with a desert landscape mid-afternoon. The subject is obvious and it's pretty sharp all the way through. It just seems flat. R5, RF 15-35, F35, Shutter 1/200, ISO 1000. Not a lot to see in this flat wide-open landscape just thought the two Saguaros one a dead skeleton and one still quite alive were interesting together. Just seems that something is missing.

It is very difficult almost impossible to get a shot like that in the UK, hot dry, empty. You might envy us for the constant rain we are having .

I'm trying to comprehend using an extreme telephoto for a landscape. Most of the UK is too close or there is something in the way to make that work.

Now I understand your neighbourhood I think it would be easier to capture the juxtaposition of the natural habitat and the intrusion of industry and urbanisation. We get a lot of that in the UK, to the point it is sometimes difficult to avoid it.

Stop letting your brain see the view. The human eye equates to about 45mm lens its your brain that narrows the view. You know that thing some do with their fingers to make an oblong to frame a view? if you have a frame with a 4x3 inch hole and hold that up to your eye you don't get distracted by the surrounding area. Gives you time to really look at the scene to see if there is anything of merit in it

Just one thing about your picture. The horizon is almost in the middle of the frame. In this case it just doesn't work for me. I would like to see the dead and live cactus with the nearer hill as the picture. You might need to get low to emphasis the hill, and a 200mm lens, but that's a guess on my part