Calming Landscape Photography
Show Notes
The day had been wonderful weather, a change from the constant wind and rain that had been battering me for the last few days, so I decided to go for an evening walk at a location that has a great viewpoint with the hope of a colourful sunset.
My friend has recently arrived to the area on holiday, so we are making various walks and that’s giving me plenty of opportunities to make new videos and to get some good landscape photography. So, you may see him in the background walking around.
Exploring around the forest and lochans, I had a great day. It was one of the best days of photography that I have had recently. Slowing down, taking the time to enjoy the landscape, and releasing the pressure of photography.
I was in such a good mood that I found several compositions, all slightly different in style and technique, before eventually finding myself at the viewpoint that had been the goal of the trip. Sitting there waiting for the sunset, hoping for some colour, but being plagued by midges was a nice evening.
I had photographed this viewpoint at sunset before, I had hoped for colours above the mountains then but had been disappointed, but I had returned and I was hoping for some colours yet again. Would they come or would they not?
In the end, the colours of sunset didn’t happen but I still took the photo, I'm going to keep persevering and eventually I will get this view with a colourful sunset! Overall a great day of Landscape Photography!
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Onto the Images
The beautifully still evening lent itself naturally to loch reflections. I was looking for the composition that I liked and having chosen it, I was setting up the camera when a breeze brushed away all of the wonderful reflections! Just my luck!
I waited a few moments, and the breeze eventually subsided, I actually preferred this slightly broken reflection to the perfect reflection that was visible before.
As I am a big fan of impressionist painting, especially Claude Monet, I really enjoy the way the reflections are rippling creating and effect similar to the painter.
I chose this composition because of the sensationally bright green tree in the corner. It contrasted with the more mature pines that surrounded the loch and gave a focal point to lead the eye.
A little bit abstract but I like it! As the weather was so enjoyable, I was making my way around the paths slowly. And as I was passing this tree I noticed the reflections and loved the contrast of the shadows and the reflection of the clouds in the sky.
As I was taking the picture I knew that I was going to crop it square to really concentrate on the patterns of the subject. I also knew that I was going to convert it to black and white to focus on the contrast of the shadows, the tree and the cloud reflections.
Yet another ICM (intentional camera movement) image, if you’ve seen some of other videos or looked through my abstract photo gallery then you will know, I love an ICM image! It’s a fun and interesting way to make an image.
The best ICM images are made with repeating patterns, so the pine forests of Scotland that have these wonderfully straight, branchless, pine trees are the perfect subject for an ICM image. And as I was walking there was a wonderfully soft golden light illuminating the forest.
The colours and pattern of trees are what make this an interesting image for me.
The last image from this excursion, a classic composition from this viewpoint. You can see the various lochs formed in the last Ice Age from a glacial melt.
I’ve photographed this view point a couple of times before. The first time was a just a location scout and I got a quick image. The second time was in winter and I went up for sunset with the hope of having some colours above the snowcapped mountains, unfortunately that didn’t happen.
So, I went up a third time, this time. Again with the hope of some sunset colours illuminating the skies above the mountains but again no luck! I’m going to keep trying and eventually I will capture this viewpoint with a beautiful sunset!
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About the Film
Just a little information about the film and how I made it, as well as some links to equipment.
I edited the film using the Free Version of DaVinci Resolve. It’s an incredibly powerful piece of software that I am still trying to understand and will possibly write an article about in the future.
The tracks featured in today’s film were licensed via a subscription with Epidemic Sound. (By following that link, if you purchase a subscription then I will be gifted with a month free for referring you to their services)
We Fade Away by Deanz
Go All In by Deanz
Dive Too Deep by Deanz
Hypnotized by Deanz
A short Kit List
These are affiliate links, which means if you follow them and make a purchase I will earn a small commission for referring you to Amazon UK. You can find out more about affiliate links here.
Main Vlog Camera is a simple Panasonic G80 with the kit lens, its a great little mirrorless camera that I got for the sole purpose of creating YouTube videos. It’s capable of filming in 4k and seems to do everything that I want it to.
Rode Mic, I got this little microphone to boost the audio quality from the inbuilt microphone.
Action Camera, I use this to film myself when walking. It’s a simple DJI Pocket Osmo camera that has a motorised 3 axis gimbal head, which means that I stay in focus and static while the landscape around me moves. It’s also capable of filming in 4k and the audio quality is quite good.
Voice Recorder, to boost the audio quality when it’s windy or I’m using the action camera I use this handy little voice recorder with a lapellier microphone to record audio.
For a complete Landscape Photography Kit List you can read through what equipment I take with me when I go out here.
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Written by Daniel Long
Daniel Long created DRL Photography as a place to showcase his work as a photographer. Daniel has learnt a lot about photography and wishes to impart this knowledge with you, although the world is an ever changing place and he always says “you can never learn everything.” So as he makes his way, he continues to learn knew techniques, skills and information about photography. He focuses on Landscape and Wildlife photography and Daniel has a special focus on Scotland, his home away from home. As well as writing about photography and taking pictures out in the field, Daniel offers guided photography days so he can share his knowledge and locations in an effort to give his clients the best opportunities possible. Have a browse around this website to see his images, guided experiences and articles about photography. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in contact.
