Hiking to Brunate and Location Scouting for Landscape Photography
Show Notes
I was fed up of being stuck in the apartment and thankfully the restrictions in Lombardy changed, which meant that I was able to leave the city of Como for other areas. Because this area is new to me and I haven’t had an opportunity to explore I needed to do some location scouting for future landscape photography shoots. One place I had been curious about visiting since I arrived in Italy was the little village of Brunate that sits on the hill overlooking Como.
I studied maps of the local area and found a hiking trail that leads to the village and ascends the hill through a forest. That looked like a promising walk. The map also showed various view points from where there ought to be a nice vista of the city of Como.
I filmed the hike as a point of view, taking you along the walk with me and while I progress up the hill I talk about my location scouting technique. As I made my way to the village I was considering when to return for some better images and taking test shots along the way.
It was a great day out exploring and I’ve got to return to some of the viewpoints for some excellent landscape photography.
Onto The Images
View Point 1
View Point 1
From studying the maps I found a hiking trail from my home up the hillside to the village that overlooks the city of Como. It was a very well maintained path that wound up the hill through a forest adorned with poetry plaques. Many people were on the trail and when I came to this first view point at the San Donato Convent, I was able to grab this quick picture but I couldn’t work the scene because there were some people trying to get passed me with a dog that kept barking at me, so I decided to continue on the trail.
This view point has a great view of the Cathedral. I like how prominent it looks in the frame. But there are a couple of issues…
The trees encroaching into the composition are ruining the image. I think I will return to that viewpoint to try and see if there is a way to remove them from the composition by standing in a different position. However, on this day I had to move on because of other people. To the village of Brunate …
Religious Painting
Religious Painting
Just as I was entering the village, I noticed this religious painting. All around Italy you can find these public artworks and so continuing my documentary photography experiment I snapped this image before entering the village.
View Point 2
View Point 2
This is the view from the village of Brunate, an uninterrupted view of the city of Como and the snow laden Alps beyond Lake Como. The only issue with this view is the somewhat boring foreground, but the panoramic view more than makes up for this.
From this view point I think that a sunset panorama image would be the option. Excluding the bushes in the foreground and capturing more of the mountain range beyond. As we are looking west, if there is a colourful sunset then this image would be amazing. Definitely a spot to return to on another day, and the perfect example of location scouting.
Funicular View
Funicular View
On the way down I decided to go a different route that weaved along the funicular track. I stopped for lunch beneath the funicular with this view out to the lake. I liked the leading line of the funicular track leading to the lake, but the electrical cable cutting through the view is quite distracting, although it does provide another leading line. Maybe not a perfect landscape photo but a nice documentary style image.
View Point 3
View Point 3
The very last view point when I was nearly back in the city. The lack of foreground actually makes this view point stand out more, it’s a little simpler and the cathedral of Como is more prominent in the frame. The only issue for this image is that I was looking directly at the sun and there is a terrible sun flare, which I didn’t notice in the field because I was grabbing a quick image before moving on.
This spot could be good for either a sunset or, with the right conditions, a sunrise image of the city. Definitely a shot to try for because the composition is quite good and it would be a great travel image.
Conclusion
This vlog was about location scouting, I wanted to get out of the apartment and explore a new location for the possibility of landscape photography in the future. The images that I managed to get on the day are not brilliant but they are test shots for what I could possibly try and get in the future.
When I location scout I look on maps for features or view points that have the possibility of good images. I then plot a route to follow and I try and choose a day where the photography will not be good. This way I don’t feel pressured into producing amazing images and can instead focus on looking and enjoying my journey.
This was the perfect example of that process. I found a path that I wanted to walk and I walked it. I was able to see many different possibilities for me to return when the conditions are correct. I got to know the path better and I also know which view points will produce good images and which will not.
Now, is when the hard part of landscape photography begins, waiting for the correct conditions to return to the same locations to. hopefully, get amazing images. To follow my journey with photography, subscribe to my YouTube channel.
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)
Stay Near by Luwaks
Play and Create by Johan Glossner
Sidney by Luwaks
Know About Us by Sionya
Hypnotized by Deanz
We Fade Away 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.