A path to the discovery of self. We’ve all seen it. Photographs pour fourth like a never-ending stream as wave after wave of photographers visit the same tired spots trying to put down their mark. Every photo seems to literally vibrate with dramatic lines, amped color, and skies ablaze with...
Composition and Art Category Archive - Page 9
A Study in Light, Directionality and Mood
In the first of a series of follow-up articles to The Quality of Light, I have posted this article to share a series of photographs (along with the thought processes behind them) that I hope will accentuate the interplay of light, directionality, shadows, and mood in landscape photography. As previously discussed,...
What is Fine Art Photography?
People frequently ask me what exactly is fine art photography? Before I answer, I usually take a big breath and brace myself to answer the question in the time it takes to ride a few floors in an elevator as they usually expect a quick answer. And, despite my apprehension...
Rule of Thirds: Does It Really Work?
Perhaps you read our composition tips for landscape photography and realized something interesting: It never mentions the rule of thirds. If you aren’t familiar with this technique, you’re rare — the rule of thirds is, by far, the most common rule of composition you’ll find in photography. But does it actually...
What is Landscape Photography?
The most fundamental part of taking good landscape photos is knowing what landscape photography is in the first place. I'm not talking about dictionary definitions here, either - what matters is how it works in practice. So, what is landscape photography, and why is it so amazing? Landscape Photography Definition...
The Quality of Light
In a follow-up to a previous article, “A Study in Vision, Light, and Shadows”, I decided to share my thoughts and experiences on my most inspiring topic in photography - light. For simplicity, I decided to write about light in a narrow context from the perspective and experience of a landscape...
The Question of “Good Enough” Image Quality
One of the largest debates in the world of photography is split into two main camps. On one side are people who strive to take photos with the highest technical level of image quality -- in everything from their equipment to their camera settings -- for most of their photos. The...
Why Good Photographers Take Bad Photos
Have you ever seen a spectacular image and been flabbergasted when you saw that the photographer was an amateur - and they used their phone? Or looked at the website of a pro only to be disappointed by a slew of boring photos? Maybe you know someone who knows everything...
A Rainbow and a Waterfall at Sunrise: The Making of a Photograph
After a week in Ireland, I have seen some incredible sights. This is a beautiful country, and the people are incredibly warm and welcoming. Although most days here have been rainy, I've tried to make the most of foggy landscapes and simply enjoy my time in such a unique place. However, the weather...
Dissecting My Favorite Photos from 2015 – Part III
In the previous two parts (I & II), I describe the careful planning involved in creating those images. Sometimes, however, with some luck, elements and light come together in several ways, (often unexpectedly), and create lasting, memorable moments. During those moments, it helps to stick to the basics, follow the...