Situation Advice

[JasonS]

So, here I am in Afghanistan, Zabul Province to be exact. Just got my new Canon 70D with a 17-55mm lens and a 75-300mm lens, and some very nice mountain ranges around. My situation can be seen in the picture below - too much foreground clutter and no way to really take a picture without it getting in the way. This mountain range is to the west and I have seen quite a few sunsets that would make for a great photo opportunity. How would you go about composing a picture without the foreground clutter? Or would it all have to be done p/p in cropping?

[Mike Buckley]

You explained that there is no way to make a photo that doesn't include the foreground clutter. It seems to me that you have only two choices: Make the best composition that you can while planning to crop the image to eliminate the foreground or make a sunrise or sunset image that attractively includes some of the foreground as an interesting silhouette.

[zen]

My first thought would be to get up high somewhere. Can you stand atop one of the structures? Even getting 10 feet off the ground would clear some of the clutter.

But getting up atop the structures might make you a better target . . .

Thanks for your service and stay safe. Good luck.

Zen

[IzzieK]

Thank you for your service, Jason. I think you should take advantage of taking other shots that will not put your life in a sticky situation. Maybe some shots of your friends having fun on your rest time? If you make your shots a little bit tight in the crop it will not easily reveal where you are really situated and you won't get into trouble with the higher ups...or a close up of stuffs around you...people, your friends...etc. there are a lot of photo opportunities around no matter where you are. Something that caught your eyes is always a good start...

Hope this helps a bit...

[Paniaa]

Getting up higher would seem the only way to capture those grand mountains - BUT - you know. Best of luck, blessings too.

[JasonS]

Thanks for the advice. I am trying to find a good place to climb to get better vantage point, thanks to a gentle downhill slope towards the mountains.