Landscapes - Archive

[Peter Ryan]

I am interest in whether others consciously use triangles in their composition. I took the following shot while in the mountains recently and analysed it to see why I liked it. On review I noted how the foreground was made up of many triangles of varying sizes and shapes. These give the shot a lot more interest as each seems to have it own foliage/growth and hence pattern and texture. I have been looking to see if this is repeated in other landscapes where different slops give way to different light and shade and hence different vegetation.




I tried this on another location where I have tried to photograph the rolling hills of the Otway Ranges and it was not until I tried seeking out triangles that I was starting to get somewhere. See image below. While this is not the best possible shot I feel the use of triangles has strengthened the composition. Just photographing rolling hills gives a sombre layered affect while the triangles give much more dynamic base to the composition.



I would welcome any comments and see other's images using triangles.

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Rob,

I actually like the 'disturbing' perspective. Great vision.

[carregwen]

Hi Rob,

I actually like the 'disturbing' perspective. Great vision.

Thanks, Peter. I used the Panasonic G1 (four-thirds) camera for this. Because it has an electronic view finder (EVF they call it) you can switch on a rule-of-thirds grid when you are composing the shot. The grid lines are great for getting things level, both horizontally and vertically. In this case I used them to get the rail lines at just the right angle. I don't think I cropped this at all, it's pretty much as shot, composition-wise.

[arith]

[carregwen]

I am interest in whether others consciously use triangles in their composition. I took the following shot while in the mountains recently and analysed it to see why I liked it. On review I noted how the foreground was made up of many triangles of varying sizes and shapes. These give the shot a lot more interest as each seems to have it own foliage/growth and hence pattern and texture. I have been looking to see if this is repeated in other landscapes where different slops give way to different light and shade and hence different vegetation.

Yes, I like this composition very much. Lots of triangles as you say, and that causes the viewer to start (probably in the BL corner) and to segue through the shot to the rear. It would have been a lot better had you used an ND grad filter for the sky. Do you have any?

very good shot.

[arith]

Hi Rob,

I actually like the 'disturbing' perspective. Great vision.

It is only a disturbing perspective if the power fails in your airplane when you are doing it. However, that line is used both ways so ya wouldn't catch me doing that.

[carregwen]

It is only a disturbing perspective if the power fails in your airplane when you are doing it. However, that line is used both ways so ya wouldn't catch me doing that.

I had my wife with me, who was looking behind me for the frequent trains that run along there. But after about 15 seconds the thought crossed my mind "What if she ....."

[arith]

I had my wife with me, who was looking behind me for the frequent trains that run along there. But after about 15 seconds the thought crossed my mind "What if she ....."

My ex would, in fact, she did. but I never trusted her anyway.

[Donald]

I am interest in whether others consciously use triangles in their composition.

'No' is the answer. But the illustrations you present (Post #274) in these images alerts us to the concept and raises awareness that we should be thinking about it on much more conscious level. Like 'rule of thirds' it's an artistic rule that we would do well to understand and practice with so that, once mastered, we can then use it as and when appropriate.

[triggerhappy]

Hello everybody
I have Mark a third option: Bracketing exposures. I could remember this after I wrote about your picture but I couldn't do it or didn't feel like because I was a little tired.
On the second paragraph I told you to "Measure partially the light to the sky and to the "land" looking at the histogram and adjusting accordingly." and I will explain what I usually do in situations like these.
In fact, I do it by guessing. I frame half sky / half "land" and I push the button to lock the exposure.
I frame correctly, shoot and chimp.
If the sky is flashing then the picture is over exposed for the sky and it will be burned in the final.
I begin the process again but framing less sky.
Again, I frame correctly, shoot and chimp.
I do it over and over until I get a picture where the sky is not flashing and I have a decent histogram.
As I am used to do this I guess at sight the amount of sky to frame for the measurement.
However, I sometime leave the sky flashing a little bit because I have learned that it comes out OK in the software. Just a bit of flashing, not too much. Careful.
Bracketing is another different story which requires a tripod.

I will try it next time around Antonio. Thanks for the tips.
And to those who contributed. Thanks.

some pics I've taken last weekend hiking in Mt Takao.


Mark

[Crovean]

[Peter Ryan]

Thanks Rob,

Yes Rob I do have GG filters but it was freezing, the wind was howling and I was shooting almost into the the sun and I rushed a shot. No excuses, I know. I came across a great blending technique rcently so I am going to run two exposures in ACR and see if that helps.

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Donald,

If this is not something that has been looked at before the I will start a special thread on using triangles where others can post and we can learn. I am still experimenting with this and trying to see opportunities to use it.

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Rob,

I am drawn back to this image again. The rail line on the right with darker shadow takes your eye away from the image edge and the strong diagonals create triangles that divide the image. I find myself tilting my head when I view it. What focal length did you use for this shot? I assume it was a wide angle lens.

[arith]

A Danish lady who knew I had a camera and lived in Burton asked about this place since she wanted to retire in the uk. So I did some snaps mostly twelve of them and a few slightly better; she decided it wasn't for her after all

Is it my imagination or are these soft in some areas away from edges, of course I suppose PP could do that.

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Steve,

Can you let us know what lens you used here? BY the way, I like the mounting effect you use.

[arith]

cheers I replied here:

Barrel or Pin Cushion Distortion

[Antonio Correia]

Shot this morning under very harsh light and worked on the usual programs.
I did not use any polarizing filter. May be I should as the water has a lot of reflections...

The "carving" you see at the far right is a cement factory which is gradually eating the mountain (Serra da Arrábida).

This picture is also posted here

[arith]

Shot this morning under very harsh light and worked on the usual programs.
I did not use any polarizing filter. May be I should as the water has a lot of reflections...

The "carving" you see at the far right is a cement factory which is gradually eating the mountain (Serra da Arrábida).

This picture is also posted here

Nice view; it would be even better if it was bigger Antonio. I can't see the cement works.

[Antonio Correia]

Nice view; it would be even better if it was bigger Antonio. I can't see the cement works.

Thank you Steve. I hope to be able to go and shoot the cement factory today.

I think you mean larger when you say big. Right ?

I was using the 24-70 on the 5D and I didn't thing of a larger version on the spot.
I hope to be able - again - to re-shoot today on the way to the cement factory but later in the evenning. It's very hot now... some 37-40 Centigrade