Landscape Tutorial 1

[digidark]

One piece of equipment that is essential to Landscape photography(excluding the camera) is a good sturdy tripod.Hand held Landscapes are fine in bright conditions.

You also need an understanding of the RULE OF THIRDS. This technique has been around for a long time,long before photography was invented.Artists use it a lot.

Most Compact and Bridge camera's have the grid on board but most DSLR's do not.Usually to access the grid on a non DSLR you need to press the display button a few times.This technique is used in all forms of photography,not just Landscapes so its worth Knowing.What you are looking for is shown in the first image.

Your horizon should be on the top horizontal line or the bottom horizontal line and it should be level.Never have you horizon accross the centre of the frame.

The four red crosses in the second image signify the points that the human eye automatically goes to,so placing any important feature on one of these points will give your image immediate impact.

In most graphic programs it is possible to set up this grid formation. In Adobe software its EDIT-PREFERENCES-GUIDES,GRID,SLICES,When the window opens look for "Guideline Every" then type 33.33 and from the drop down select percent.Below this is the title Subdivisions, in here type 1 and then click OK.This will give
you your thirds grid.
Other graphics programs will be very similar.

Next time Focus and Exposure and remember this is Landscape photography,take your time,the Landscapes not going anywhere.Enjoy

[Chocky]

Thanks. That is really good information

[Chocky]

I am guessing that the Rule Of Thirds is some thing similar to the golden rectangle in art (Oil painting ) ?

[digidark]

You are chocky.The proceedure has may names but the aim is the same

[Chocky]

Thought so. Thank you
In all of the great paintings you will always find the golden rectangle.
It's mathematical. It has to be there if the painting is in proportion

The actual ratio is in fact the same for both Golden rectangle and the rule of thirds
1•61803 39887...
So I'm getting there. I will look for this when I next take photos.
I will try some landscapes too..
Your tutorials are good

[Blue Jay]

Your tutorailas are very useful. Thank you

[digidark]

Thank you Blue Jay.I am preparing a Tutorial on Silhouettes. If you have a look at my "Making a silk purse out of a sows ear" in the landscape section,it will give you some idea as to what it will be about.