Sometimes the simplest compositions are the most effective. This image comprises nothing more than a diagonal strip of green grass bisecting a backdrop of brown earth. The strong sidelight has cast long shadows from the rows of trees on the strip and highlighted the texture of the ploughed earth around it. Great composition lovely light – sublime!
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Landscape photographers have mixed opinions about wind turbines, but the drama and beauty of this shot is undeniable. These giant structures are now very much a part of our landscape, and including them in our images is one way of acknowledging the impact we are having on our natural resources. The clouds are the main focus here, but the lights of the houses on the left hint at the job the turbines are doing.
254,350 Ratings
Its great when you see a landscape you really haven't seen before. This one really jumped out from the rows of thumbnails and demanded attention. Its an unusual composition, but it works.. The icicle-fringed cave makes a great frame for the scene beyond. The orange-red pillar in the centre provides a focal point and divides the background into two halves. The only bum note are the unrealistic blue patches of sky and water on the left, which jar a little. But it's otherwise spectacular.
Some landscapes are just a record of the place, but the best ones transcend that and almost take you there, giving you a sense of how it felt to be in that spot at that moment. This image does just that. It may be rush hour for the birds but the feeling it evokes in the viewer is one of tranquility and serenity. This is enhanced by the restrained and muted processing, in keeping with the soft light.
Good landscape images communicate a clear sense of place, and there’s no doubt that this location is both extremely remote and bitterly cold! The detail in the snow creates lines for the eye to follow towards the buildings, while the tracks of an Arctic fox emphasize the wildness. The image was created from a series of seven vertical shots merged in post processing, which has resulted in plenty of detail. It is a testament to the photographer’s digital darkroom skills that the blend is so successful.
This is a wonderfully observed shot, where perfect sidelight and a mirror-like reflection combine. At first the triangle of colour at the top and bottom make it hard to work out what you’re looking at, but the more you look, the more you see. The way the top of the tallest tree pierces the sloping tree line is perfect, as it joins the key elements together. Managing the vast dynamic range of the scene must have been tricky, but the photographer has risen to the challenge.
Brief
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For this round, we want to see your **landscape photographs**. Landscapes require the application of the most fundamental rules of photography. The scene is made or unmade by the light and requires that you learn to break down the scene, and mentally reduce it to its most essential components in order to make sense of chaos. No matter what kind of location you’re shooting, planning is a must, so make sure you know the area. Are you in the best position relative to the light and composition? How does the weather affect the scene? And try to shoot in raw as you’ll have a lot more information to work with in post-production. While a shallow depth of field can look beautiful, also try maximising your depth of field. There’s nothing more breathtaking than a sharply focused landscape.
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Finding order in a seemingly chaotic scene is never easy, and to the human eye the scrubby areas in woodland are about as visually chaotic as it gets! The photographer has done a good job of selecting an interesting area here, but the image still lacks a little balance. The mood created by the restricted colour palette is excellent, but it would have been nice to see even more light on certain twigs and branches to guide the viewer’s eye through the frame.
There is a stillness to this image, which really describes how being by the coast can calm our busy minds and enhance our sense of wellbeing. The shape created by the sand ripples is essential to the composition and stops the sky from completely dominating the frame. The lighthouse has been perfectly positioned, and there is just enough detail in the sky to hold our attention.
Sometimes the most basic natural elements can create a striking picture, and this shot of marshland at high tide is a perfect example. Reminiscent of a pen and ink drawing it has wonderful balance and is an exercise in restraint. If the photographer had included just a touch more colour, or one more element it would have destroyed the wonderful minimalism.
