Landscape, Nature And Travel Photography

Recently I was presented the question, “How does one improve as a photographer? This question came from a well seasoned photographer and it got me thinking of the things I’ve done in the past. While the things listed below worked for me they may not work for everyone. Which leads me to wonder what do you do to improve as a photographer when you feel you’ve hit a wall?

Viewing "99 Cents" by Andreas Gursky

10 Ways To Improve as a Photographer

1. Cut off participation on photo critique forums. Over time many of the submitted photos start to emulate each other converging into a common style versus diverging to original work.
2. Begin viewing art web sites more frequently to get inspiration from contemporary artists
3. Begin going to more museums and traveling exhibits to see the work of other artists (not just photographers)
4. Begin looking at and reading classic and contemporary art books
5. Force yourself to use different lenses
6. Intentionally avoided taking the same types of shots by recognizing one’s habits in the field
7. Identify and start personal art projects that you’ll find fulfilling even if they’re unlikely to resonate with others
8. Monitor new technologies (hardware, software or even things out of left field that are unrelated) to see if they might be creatively applied to make something new and never before seen.
9. Take a lot of iPhone photos as a creative white board to see things you might pass over otherwise
10. Ask yourself “What if…?” a lot and try to formulate something new from your basic curiosity.

As I see it this desire to continually improve is healthy and a great sign. I see far too many photographers (well known big names) fall into the habit of trying to reproduce work they had success with many years earlier. Photography is moving at such a fast pace that these older styles and techniques are now easily reproduced by lesser experienced photographers. The result is people losing respect for them or just becoming jaded by them. I wrote about this a bit here in The Subtlety of Greatness and Today’s Loss of Appreciation.

Now more than ever it really takes a lot of skill, self-discipline and motivation to dig deeper and push farther. Great photographers are always pushing the limits and having seen this in my study of photography over the years it has served as a very strong source of motivation.

Personally I can’t help but think if you’re not looking back at your older work and being dissatisfied you’re not growing as a photographer. This is why I run the Best of Photos 20XX blog project. Every year I look back and think I should trash my old photos. It’s not where I want to be. The day I lose that feeling is the day I know I’m done. There should always be new creative horizons to aim for and explore.

Earlier in the year I blogged about originality and the trend of taking photos of heavily photographed iconic subjects in Originality – A Matter of Perspective. I was reminded of this post when I saw a brief YouTube video titled “Out of Control Bridge” (see below). For some this scene induces a panic to head in the opposite direction, while for others it’s merely a reminder to get your spot early.

With so many people interested in photography I’m not surprised to see this mass flood of people on the bridge at Zion National Park. It’s a common sight in numerous parks in fact. I can’t fault anyone for wanting to get their version of a popular scenic vista, but I also can’t help but remind other photographers not to be blinded in the pursuit of the icons. Landscape and nature photography holds so much more potential than just these select vantage points.

That being said it would be interesting to see how similar or different the images turned out by all these photographers on this particular evening. With all the post-processing options available these days I bet there might still be a decent amount of variation, but you never know.

Technorati Tags: photography, time-lapse, Zion National Park, Zion, National Park, originality

There is a lot to be said for immersing yourself in Nature. In this day and age it is just too easy to lose yourself in the day-to-day of life. Ironically life out side of our day-to-day routine is the real world and we have to remind ourselves to visit it. Once you step out to see the world without distraction you can’t help but bond with the land, sea and stars. It is… liberating, in the truest sense. (more below)

Ecliptic Star Trails, Death Valley National Park 2011

Beyond liberating us from routine, Nature is a great catalyst of creativity. Being witness to amazing scenery, weather phenomenon and wildlife it is enriching to document our world in a photograph. Documentation alone is not creativity. Creativity is hinged on our ability to interpret and express an otherwise intangible connection to our subject. As I photograph Nature I continually strive to feel that connection and share a unique perspective in the process. As I was happy to learn recently, photography legend Edward Weston held a similar philosophy.

In a letter to Ansel Adams dated January 28, 1933, the photographer Edward Weston said, “photography as a creative expression — or what you will — must be ’seeing’ plus: seeing alone would mean factual recording — the illustrator of catalogues does that. The ‘plus’ is the basis of all arguments on ‘what is art.’”

I’ve never been keen to label my creative efforts and/or philosophies, but if I were “Seeing Plus” is the term that would be most appropriate.
What’s your take on “Seeing Plus” and how does it fit into your photographic efforts?

Photo Details:
Taken on my Death Valley Photo Tour – October 27, 2011
Canon 5D Mark II, EF24mm f/1.4L II USM via Borrowlenses.com
3 hour exposure created from 300 exposures

Curious to learn how to take and make star trail photographs?
Sign up for my newsletter. I’ll be releasing an eBook shortly covering numerous techniques including the star trail technique behind this image.

Technorati Tags: photography, art, philosophy, Death Valley National Park, national park, desert, star trails

One thing I’ve come to terms with over the years is that when in the field no matter how psyched or enthused I am, I end up having a comical internal conversation with myself to wake up for a sunrise photo. Mind you this isn’t all the time, but the frequency is greater when I’ve been putting in long hours the day before. Case and point was my recent trip to Montana and Wyoming where I was frequently putting in 20-22 hour days that included driving, research, hiking, setup, shoots, file transfers and file backups.

Logically I know the time, place and gear to use for sunrise photo shoots, but that doesn’t make getting up any easier. For your entertainment here is a window into one mental conversation I had with myself for the following subject/goal:

Subject
Wild Goose Island, Glacier National Park

Goal
Photograph sunrise for single still images and time-lapse. If circumstances permit shoot short video sequences.

Gear
(2) tripods with tripod heads, (2) Canon 5D Mark II cameras, (2) cable release/intervelometers, Zeiss f/2.8 21mm lens & Canon f/2.8 24mm tilt- shift lenses via Borrowlenses.com, Singh-Ray polarizer and my camera bag with a few other spare lenses just in case.

How the Inner Conversation Unfolded
Alarm clock goes off at 4:30 and I quickly turn it off.
(Note: I set my alarm at 3 different times 15 min apart just in case. I do this to make sure I get up if I’m tired from consecutive long days.)
My eyes open and I instantly get a view of the pitch black sky to see what the weather conditions are so as to evaluate whether the days photo shoot is a wash or not. This always prefaces my inner morning conversations.

Good Jim: Hmm weather looks good.  It’s clear to the west for morning light to pour into the valley, but there is wind. Looks good albeit not perfect for the shot I envisioned.

Bad Jim: Oh man! It is way too early, dark, cold and I’m exhausted. That wind is going to blow any chance for a glass reflection this morning. Let’s do this tomorrow.

Good Jim: Dude! Weather conditions are going to be dramatic with the weather front coming in, especially seeing that it’s clear to the west. Looks likely clouds are going to be hugging mountain peaks that will glow during the blue and later golden hour. No sunrise is ever exactly the same. Let’s go.

Bad Jim: Let’s see how things look in another 15 minutes.

Good Jim: Dude we have no time to waste.
I run a quick mental calculation run to figure out travel and setup time.
I can’t leave any later than 5am if I’m going to get 1st choice in location and properly setup.

Bad Jim: Seriously I can get this in tomorrow. Just a bit more sleep…

Good Jim: I did not come all this way flying 1000 miles and driving 9 hours yesterday to miss an opportunity to photograph this sunrise or the next at Glacier National Park. Get the lead out. There will be no missed opportunities on this trip!

At this point I snap into gear and quickly get my pre-prepped equipment together, run a double check on gear and clothes and drive out to the lookout point. As it turns out there is one car already at the lookout with a photographer resting inside.

Good Jim: Dude! I could have been here first if I wasn’t wasting time debating with myself first thing this morning.

I quickly collect my gear, locate a spot for the best view, set up, take test shots to fine tune focus and exposure, and wait for the light.

Sunrise at Wild Goose Island, Glacier National Park - via my iPhone
dSLR photos coming soon

As I knew conditions were perfect and sunrise was unbelievably beautiful. Everything went perfectly. I got great stills, a time-lapse and short video sequences.  Thinking back that I’d have opted for sleep rather than being there to photograph this amazing sunrise is beyond me and a reminder that I can be my own worst enemy. The key is not to let that happen with a great deal of discipline.

Sadly I’d like to say this is a one off situation, but it’s not. This type of inner conversation happens more times than I’d like to admit. Fortunately from experience I know that great things happen when you push yourself, get out of your comfort zone and remain disciplined.

Looking back at many of my images I don’t just see the photographed subject, I see the experience and remember back to similar early morning thoughts that I could capture this another day. Nature never shows reruns, every show is one of a kind. I remind myself of that often particularly on cold dark mornings when I’m dead tired and a new sunrise awaits being photographed.

Technorati Tags: photography, philosophy, real-life, inner voice

Paul Rand was an incredible American graphic designer and in this video he shares some of his wisdom that is easily applicable to other art forms including photography. I highly recommend watching this video multiple times as he talks about the confusion created by some teaching efforts versus just creating (10 min), solving complex problems with simplicity, and his view on the merits of interactivity in design .

My favorite quotes:

Don’t try to be original. Just be good.
- Paul Rand

Very fitting to hear this this week as I just conveyed the same sentiment to a friend who is in a rut. My broader recommendation to my friend  throw it all to the wind and take photos you like just to get out and get one’s creative juices flowing. More simply put by Mr. Rand…

If you think it’s good, you feel good
- Paul Rand

Now I need to rewatch this again.

Technorati Tags: art, design, Paul Rand, photography

So many times I’ve read that photography is the art of light, but in my experience first and foremost photography is an art of observation. Observation of light and shadow, color and texture, pattern and shape, and of course subject. What has most energized me creatively over the years is the charge I feel when I see and create something that so many others look past with indifference.

Submerged Grass - Yosemite National Park, California

I’m a firm believer that great photos start with great observation skills. Technical knowledge will only take you so far.  Improving your observational skills is akin to removing mental filters. Once you discover how much of your surroundings you mentally filter out creative doors begin to open. Removing mental filters is a learned process for most, but with regular practice looking for subjects and elements of a photograph, whether you have a camera in hand or not, you’ll find that new visual opportunities begin to appear.

Emergence - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Technorati Tags: photography, intimate portrait, observation, creativity, stock photo, fine art

One of photography’s great paradoxes is that it’s the journey that matters most not the end result.

The majority of what we read in relation to photography is how to capture an amazing image.  A goal we all have no doubt, but…

1. For every outing to a particular location to get “the” photo I find numerous other great subjects to photograph.
   If I can’t squeeze in a shoot of these new subjects then I’m making note of them for future outings.
2. Every great photo captured leads me on a journey of experience that allows me to think of new ideas for future photos.
   With out the experience of seeing new environments, lighting conditions/phenomenon, affect of various lenses, etc. I might never find new avenues for my creativity to spill into.
3. For every photo outing taken if i’m not having fun in the process why continue on to the next?

The end result matters. It always does, but the path to that result matters most. Fueling creativity, building experience and having fun is what makes great photos even if upon first try you come back empty handed.

Egg Factory – Bisti Badlands, New Mexico
Neither the composition or conditions I had hoped for in my visit to the Egg Factory in the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico. My longer than planned search for this formation enabled me to find other great subjects and photo ideas for my next visit. Video of my experience here found in my write up Mother Nature Seldom Works on Your Schedule.

Jay thanks for getting lost, your write up pushed me over the edge to publish this thought.

Technorati Tags: photography, philosophy, Bisti Badlands, New Mexico, desert, stock photo

The video below “Chladni Singing” is exceptionally cool where by an artist sings certain tones to create patterns in salt on a Chladni plate. Beyond the cool factor of this what struck me is that this is a great visual example of an artist not just creating art, but imposing an impression of themselves in their work. If it were a computer generated tones the patterns would snap to exact formation, but this is inexact human tone where it is unique to the singer. Transitions between tones are inexact, pitch of tones vary and sequences of tones vary based on artistic choice. Now think of this in terms of photography where this is also true, but in a less obvious fashion. More after the video…

Chladni Singing from meara o’reilly on Vimeo.

Let’s take a common photograph of Tunnel View in Yosemite, arguably one of the most common photographs of Yosemite you’ll find. The great thing about taking photos of this view is that its clearly amazingly beautiful, but every person who takes a photo of this view captures their own unique version. Capturing a unique version is not just a reflection of weather variation, seasonal differences, different camera gear, different photographic experience levels, etc. By definition we as photographers and artists place an impression of ourselves in our photographic work. We do not capture a clinically sterile view of the world around us. We inject our own unique perspectives, styles, areas of focus, life experiences and personalities into our work.

Yosemite Sunset Breaking Light, Yosemite National Park

Artistic styles or subject niches may be the more obvious forms of an artist’s impression in their work, but an artist’s impression can also be very subtle. As you view the work of other photographers see if you can observe the impression of the artist in their work. A finer eye or perhaps a longer term familiarity with the photographer’s work may be necessary to detect their impression. Conversely as an artist/photographer be aware even the photos you take from the most intensely crafted to the generic always contain your impression. What passions stir in your creative mind that are leaving an impression of who you are in your work?

Technorati Tags: photography, philosophy, impression, style, Yosemite, California, landscape, nature