Stunning Landscape Photography

Col.Kurtz · #1 (**permalink**) 22-06-07, 10:37

Check out this fantastic gallery of landscape scenes in Scotland, they blew me away with their colours and are inspiring in their beauty.

http://www.pbase.com/hwatt/scotland

...Film's not dead!

WillowTheWhisp · #2 (**permalink**) 22-06-07, 20:21

Those are amazing images aren't they? Almost makes me just want to pack up my camera and give up trying! :biggrin1:

Magpi 47 · #3 (**permalink**) 23-06-07, 17:48

They are really beautiful, I wish i could emulate this chap.
I suppose you just have to keep on trying.....and of course hope that nature will lend you a helping hand with the lighting and scenery.

Sweetpea · #4 (**permalink**) 23-06-07, 18:13

Have a look at this site. Been pinching wallpapers for a while now.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...per/index.html

WillowTheWhisp · #5 (**permalink**) 24-06-07, 23:10

Surely he does a bit of photoshopping with those images. I can't believe they are all entirely natural.

Col.Kurtz · #6 (**permalink**) 25-06-07, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Surely he does a bit of photoshopping with those images. I can't believe they are all entirely natural.

Lol, there's a bit of a debate about that on the forum I found the link on. Personally I don't think there is any jiggery-pokery going on, Let's look at the evidence:

He's using Velvia slide film which is 50asa (fine grain but slow) and if well known for bringing out deep, rich colours. It's also very unforgiving, with not much leeway for under or over exposure.
He's using an aperature of around f22 for most of the shots - that's the smallest aperature, probably using hyperfocus technique. This gives the sharpest possible focus on a scene.
He's using a polarizing filter (which enhances colours and cuts down reflections).
He's using a neutral density grad to cut down the light coming from the sky in order to expose the landscape without burning out the sky.
No two ways about it, the guy knows how the light can work to make a snapshot into a photograph. He must have had to wait around for some of those shots, and lots of early mornings.

My thoery is that there are a lot of people around with fancy digi cameras who don't know how to use them properly, don't know the theories of photography or just don't know how to see properly and can't believe that someone using 'old technology' can make brilliant images.

Not having a dig or anything, I'm just passionate about film photography and respectful of photographers who really know what they are doing.

Magpi 47 · #7 (**permalink**) 25-06-07, 11:53

I think I might fall into the 'messer' category......I have never been taught anything about photography......I have learned by trial and error...mainly error. I am not calculating at all when I take a picture......if I see something I like then I will take a picture, I suppose you really have to know about the technicalities to get the kind of photo's that this guy gets.
Half of the stuff you mention, I have never heard of...so I guess that puts you in the relam of the professionals......and me with the rank amateurs.

WillowTheWhisp · #8 (**permalink**) 26-06-07, 16:13

I understand what you're saying about the principle of the polarising filter which I've often used myself to bring out the rich blues in the sky, and the depth of field obviously plays a big part of what this guy does, but there are colours in some of the photos which I have never seen in nature so find it very hard to believe that they haven't been enhanced in some way.

Many of the images look surreal.

Col.Kurtz · #9 (**permalink**) 26-06-07, 18:09

I'm happily just an amateur when it comes to stills Magpi but I'll take that as a compliment anyway.

I definitely know what you mean Willow, but there are some unusual weather/light conditions being captured there and the guy certainly knows the best time to shoot.

...or maybe I just need my monitor re-calibrating lol

WillowTheWhisp · #10 (**permalink**) 26-06-07, 21:20

He knows the best angle to photograph from too and exactly where to crop.

burnley0 · #11 (**permalink**) 31-08-07, 20:19

EXCELLENT PICTURES........ USED ONE FOR MY PC BACKGROUND:Banane01:

Sweetpea · #12 (**permalink**) 31-08-07, 20:22

Me too, I have had a few now. Like to chop and change.

spuggie j fk3 · #13 (**permalink**) 31-08-07, 21:00

Some of the locations I know. Some well some not so well but to find one that is on my doorstep and see every day and night is in a way eerie. Brilliant photography that puts digital to shame though I will stick to my little digital for now.