📖 GOOD READS

The Final Touch: Elevating Your Landscape Photo Edits

In this rundown, I'll walk you through the last seven steps I take to polish my landscape photographs. In essence, these are the finishing touches I apply to transform a dull and lifeless RAW image into a captivating photograph with soul. From softening details to adding a subtle white border, each move plays a crucial role in shaping the final outcome.

Step 1: Soften Larger Details: Art of Subtlety

I’m often asked why I choose to soften my photographs since I shoot with such a high-resolution camera, FujiFilm GFX100s. The short answer, I find that digital cameras today create overly sharp and detailed photographs that often results in a crunchy or sterile look. By delicately reducing clarity, which softens large sized detail, my aim is to achieve a more rich and painterly effect while enhancing the overall appeal of the image. For me, this is a great way to get away from the overly sharp and digital feeling many modern cameras create.

Step 2: Balance Softness & Definition

Now, onto enhancing the smaller details. While it may seem counterintuitive after softening the larger detail, it's all about striking the perfect balance. By delicately increasing texture, we bring out those intricate details without sacrificing the softness achieved earlier. It's a delicate dance between clarity and texture, each contributing to the final aesthetic. This meticulous approach ensures that every element of the landscape is accentuated, from majestic mountains to delicate foliage. >> Read More​

📖 GOOD READS

Guide to Landscape Photography Composition

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been running a survey asking photographers to identify the most crucial aspect of a great landscape photo. The options to choose from were Light, Composition, Subject, or Conditions with "Composition" emerging as the overwhelming favorite.

This general consensus also resonates with me as composition is indeed a critical factor in creating captivating landscape photographs. However, it’s also a topic inundated with countless tips, techniques, and best practices. Today, I want to share a method that has profoundly impacted my photography. This four-step process simplifies the art of assembling an attractive landscape composition and will help you find your creative flow the next time you're out in the field.

✅ Step 1: Stop & Stare

The first step is what I like to call "stop & stare", and it's one of my favorite parts of the photographic process. See to me, photography isn’t just about the final image; it’s about the entire process and the memories you create along the way. Whether you’ve hiked 10 miles or just a few feet to your location, take a moment to stop, put down your gear, and absorb your surroundings. Watch how the landscape unfolds before you. Notice the movement, the light, the subtle details. This can be a brief 10-minute pause or a more extended 30-minute reflection - totally up to you. The key is to engage deeply with the scene without your camera. This mindful observation lays the groundwork for a more intentional and inspired composition. >> Read More​

🤓 PHOTO NERDS

• 📸 Since the initial introduction of the camera, humans have taken over 3.8 trillion photographs.
• 📷 The very first digital camera went on sale in 1990.
• 💰 The 1st DSLR, produced by Kodak, went on sale in 1991 for $20k

✨ INSPO

🌳 FINAL WORD

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