Do you find that you have limited time to do landscape photography? I do, and at the time when I am able to get out a few hours, when I reach my chosen place, the light is terrible. And disappointment quickly sets, because I wanted to create a beautiful image. So now, I have changed my approach to landscape photography and focus on looking for a story instead.
I have been doing a lot of street photography in recent years, where the story I want is the important component. I have found myself in search of a story in all the styles of photography, and it is proving particularly useful for landscape photography on dull days.
Chase light
Great light is one that stimulates and drives most landscape photographers, which is why we see a lot of amazing expansion with dramatic low lights on social media and websites. The word “chasing light” is used all the time. I think I am looking at the same types of photos repeatedly, and they are becoming – if I say it – Clich and Boring.
Chasing light allows us to develop skills to see and communicate beauty. I am asking myself recently, everyone is doing this – often in search of choice on social media – is it enough?
Staring at the story
So my approach now is to look for small stories – scenes that can be more intimate, where lighting is not so important. I have found that dull light can actually be a fresh change. Of course, if the great light presents itself, I will hug it as a good bonus.
Recently on an outing, I gave myself a purpose. A project: To take a picture of a large granite outcrop, where I saw a small tree growing out of a crack on the previous outing. It was on the edge of a large lake and was in touch with very harsh situations throughout the year. Nevertheless, despite all the obstacles against it, this small tree was getting rich. I decided to tell its story with a series of photographs.
This purposeful approach was pleasant for my photography. After having a specific intention, I think, I work hard to get better compositions. To leave a subject, and a few hours, allowed me to detect many options, and I was emotionally attached to my subject because I tried to understand it, which helped a lot. I found that through my photos, I have developed the need to make the need to experience by spending time with this small tree.
A revelation
By spending time with the subject in bad light, I realized that beautiful light would please this subject, but telling a story people would feel something. A story develops curiosity and can move people. A story can stop and think of people.
Landscape photographers shoot the same place repeatedly, purely due to their beauty. Add beautiful light, and it is clear why the famous Honeyipot scenes are repeatedly photographed. Looking for a story allows us to create photos that stand out of the public – some different, even original.
When you only chase light, you narrow the window of your opportunity and at the time you can spend outside. With the story, the day’s time becomes less relevant. I like that. It is really good that it is not to get up in the hours of the wee to reach a place in the morning. I can take time out to have a good breakfast and spend the whole day out.
final thoughts
On this recent outing, in search of a story and not troubled by weather conditions, I finished one of the most full landscape photography outings over the years. And I ended with some of the best pictures that I think I have ever made. I love the fact that this is a simple, unmatched view with a story.
A series of images that tell a story, can be a harmonious body of work and will perform a beautiful book or perform. I believe it is much better than the random collection of beautiful pictures.
Most importantly, I think the storytelling makes the photography process rich and more complete. I only like a purpose beyond capturing beauty beauty. As mentioned earlier, this mentality has developed from street photography.
Finally, it is worth remembering: sometimes small, simple things make the best theme.