Ways of dramatising a landscape (37)

Requirement

• Identify types of 'dramatic' image

Purpose

• Appreciate the difference between the 'dramatic' and 'quiet' landscape image

 

Technical learning

• Dramatic or quiet Landscape?

Dramatic

• The dramatic landscape is a moment that seems like a unique combination of spectacular elements (usually light): the photographer gets credit for the graft, patience or luck to be there

Quiet

• The quiet landscape conveys the essence of the scene by presenting the typical in a subtle way 

Dramatic landscapes - examples

• Spectacular subjects 
• Extreme focal length, wide or telephoto
• Rich colours
• Back lighting
• Unusual composition

Exercise instructions

 

Provide examples of the above and add to them

Images and Review

Spectacular subjects

• Pick sublime subjects, ones that inspire awe by scale or by menace, and use composition to emphasise these characteristics 

Extreme focal length, wide or telephoto

• [to follow]

Rich colours

• Strong colours, especially contrasting warm and cool ones, exerts a emotional pull

Back lighting

• Creates a high contrast: high energy image
• Choose between exposing for either the foreground (burnt out background) or background (silhouette in foreground) - reduced detail creates mystery, invites imagination

Unusual composition

• [to follow]

Narrow depth of field

• Contrast between detail and blur creates mystery

Motion Blur of moving object especially water

• Use ND filter to slow down shutter speed without overexposure

Use monochrome and sharpening

• If colours lack impact and image has strong textures,  convert to black and white and sharpen to heighten effect.