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Good composition is a must for any image.  There are many different elements of composition to think about when determining your final image.  Where to place the subject?  The horizon? Are my colors complementary or analogous?  How much negative space should my image have?  These are just a few.  If you have studied composition then you know about some of the "rules" of composition such as the rule of thirds, use odd numbers over evens or leave breathing room for animals.  Today I am going to give you three "rules" to break to make your images stand out from the crowd.

Rule Breaker #1

Both rule breaker #1 and #2 have to do with moving away from the rule of thirds.  This is the easiest to break since it has the word "rule" it in it makes you feel more naughty when doing so.  First, let's look at what is the rule of thirds:

Rule-of-thirds

The rule of thirds essentially breaks your frame into three parts vertically and horizontally.  Each line represents a place where you might want to place your horizon depending on the scene.  This works both vertically and horizontally.  If the sky is more important, you place the horizon on the bottom third line.  If the foreground is more important you place the horizon on the upper third line.  Remember that you don’t have to be exact, anywhere close will do.

The intersection of the lines is a great place to place your subject.  Whether that is a rock, a person, a building, anything that you are placing emphasis on in your photo, you can place at one of the intersections.  

Rule breaker #1 is to place your subject right in the middle and not on one of the intersections.  This says to the viewer that this is the subject that counts and "look at me!".  In the image below I placed the sea stack in the middle of the frame.  Take that rule of thirds!

20170919_JMS_Iceland_677-336View from Dyrhólaey, Iceland

Placing your subject in the center of the frame.  

Rule Breaker #2

Again, let's break the rule of thirds.  This time by placing the horizon line in the middle.  The easiest way to do this is when photographing reflections.  When placing the horizon in the middle with reflections you get symmetry, another powerful composition element in its' own right.

Silkstone-140925_0333Reflections just off of Route 1.

Placing the horizon in the middle of the frame

Rule Breaker #3

And finally, most people will tell you that an odd number of objects in an image looks better and more pleasing to the viewer than an even number of object or subjects.  This is not always the case as the image below demonstrates.  In this image two trees make a well balanced and well composed image.  I guess no one ever told them to add a third.

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Using an even number of subjects as opposed to an odd number

Compositional elements are used for a good reason.  They create compelling images and help the viewers' eyes to wander around the frame.  But if anyone tells you you must use them then just remember the three "Rule Breakers" mentioned here and create a little mischief!

Explore | Compose | Capture | Publish

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is truly a great place to visit and photograph in the springtime.  The leaves are new, the rivers and streams are a little more full and the wild life is active.  This year was no different.  

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Young bear on alert

There were 23 sightings of bear over the three day workshop.  We were literally able to photograph them at every place we visited. 

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One of many cabins in Cades Cove 

And no one can go to Great Smoky Mountains National Park without a visit to Cades Cove.  There we were able to photograph old cabins, sunrise over a country road and some more bears.     

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Moon sets over the Smoky Mountains

The last morning of the workshop we headed up to catch the sunrise at Clingmans Dome.  Luckily, we witnessed some wonderful color along with a setting moon.

For more of my images from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including this workshop, click here.  For a list of Jennifer King Photography workshops where I am instructing please click on the WORKSHOPS menu at the top of the page.  If interested in other workshops by Jennifer King Photography just click here to check out all the wonderful destinations listed for 2019.

EXPLORE | COMPOSE | CAPTURE | PUBLISH

TipsandTricks_Slide

Photography tips.  They're everywhere.  So I thought I would add a couple of my own.  Here are five tips that I have learned from experience that will help you be a better landscape photographer.  These are not tips on camera settings, locations or specific gear but are tips that deal with being efficient so you can spend more time photographing and less time setting up. So let's get started!

TIP #1 Leave your tripod bag at home!

I get it.  You paid a lot of money for that tripod and ballhead and you hate the idea of it getting wet, scratched or dirty but carrying it in its bag isn't really going to help.  You still have to pull it out in the elements to take the shot and now you have an extra bag you have to worry about being blown away in the wind.  Leave it in the car, bus, van or hotel room!  I know some will say that they love the bag because it has a strap that makes it easy to carry but then you are carrying two bags, which leads me to tip number 2.

TIP #2 Find a bag to carry ALL of your ESSENTIAL gear!

See what I did there?  I emphasized "all" and "essential".  That doesn't mean a bag that holds all your gear, but holds all your essential gear.  See the difference.  I have seen people carrying bags bigger than they are because they feel the need to carry all of their gear. They are afraid they might miss something if they don't bring all their gear with them wherever they go.  This can be tricky because sometimes you are photographing two things that require different equipment (think landscape and nature) but try pairing it down to a minimum and then find a bag that can hold it all. Sometimes you can use equipment you already have to get the shots you want.  Like macro?  Try your long lens at the minimum focus distance.  Like wide angle?  Use a standard lens and shoot a panoramic.  Like to photograph animals?  Instead of that 400mm lens look at purchasing a teleconvertor to use on a 70-200mm lens.  The less equipment you have the lighter your bag will be and easier you will be able to move.  Be sure that the bag includes a way to attach your tripod if you don't want to carry it by hand.  Other things to think about are whether it can carry your water bottle, clothes, jacket and food.  Different types of photography may require different types of essential equipment and thus different types of bags but once your know your style of photography you should be able to narrow it down.  Once you have your essential gear in your bag you are ready to go....which leads me to tip number 3

TIP #3 Don't wait until you arrive at your location to pack your gear in your bag!

Once you have determined your essential gear for your location your bag should be ready to be grabbed straight out of the car so you can hit the trail.  Time and time again I see photographers in the pitch black of the morning putting their gear into their bag.  While your getting your gear ready I just beat you to the best spot.  Enough said.

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Places like Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park can get crowded quickly.  

TIP #4 Practice setting up your tripod and changing lenses!

You practice changing your setting on your camera.  You practice your techniques for getting the right shot.  Do you practice pulling your camera out and getting your tripod set up?  Do you practice changing lenses?  Probably not.  You should.  How long does it take you to set up your tripod and put your camera on it and be ready to photograph?  Less than 1 minute?  Less than 30 seconds?  How about changing your lens?  With light changing quickly sometimes 10 seconds can be the difference between getting the prize photograph or not.  Practice.  Practice.  Practice.  And finally

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Light changing quickly over Banff, Canada

TIP# 5.  Dress for success!

No, this is not an interview.  Simply put, know your environment and the weather forecast and dress accordingly.  Nothing is worse that photographing when you are miserable because you didn't dress appropriately or bring the correct clothing to keep you comfortable.  Good chance of rain or snow?  Make sure you have waterproof pants, jacket and boots.  Good chance of pop up showers?  Pack your rain gear in your backpack (see Tip# 2).  If it is going to be cold I usually subtract 10 to 15 degrees and dress in layers to meet that temperature.  So if the forecast is for 40 degrees F then I might dress like it's going to be 30 degrees F.  Why?  The longer you stay out in the cold the colder you get.  Makes sense, right?  If I plan on being in the cold for one or more hours I know that dressing for even colder temperatures will allow me to stay warm for a longer period of time.  And dressing in layers allows you to remove clothing as needed if you get too warm.  Be sure to have a light jacket with you even if the temperatures are warm, especially at high altitudes or places where the wind blows a lot as it may feel colder than the actual temperature and may drop quickly once the sun goes down!

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Dressed for success in snow - with my bag that carries all my ESSENTIAL gear

So there you have it, 5 quick tips on how to be a better landscape photographer.  What are some of your tips?  Leave them in the comments section below as I would love to hear about them!

Explore | Compose | Capture | Publish