Knee Deep In Landscape Photography

I typed "landscape photography" in Google's image search engine and I get hundreds of beautiful landscape photos.  I looked at these inspiring images and places with awe and wonder.  Prior to learning photography, I asked myself, "How am I going to capture an image like that? Where is that place?  There's no way I can do something like that!  You need a super-duper high-end camera to take that shot!"

I've been shooting for a couple of years now and when I see these well composed and well exposed landscape shots, I tell myself, "I can do that!  f16...long shutter...on a tripod...nd grad filter...shutter release cable...etc.   That's easy to do.  It's just a matter of being at the right place and at the right time."  Hahaha.  Not so fast!  Being a landscape photographer is not as simple as it looks.

Not only do you have to find the right scenery.  You also have to think about the environment.  Is it foggy, dusty, windy, misty?

If it's any of those, get ready to clean your lens every other minute!  Or find a way to cover the lens prior to taking the shot!  It was a PITA.  I had a great spot to shoot but I deleted that whole set of images when I saw it in my computer.  I was looking forward to showing it to you! Oh well.  I'll do a better job next time...

Aside from the environment, you have to think about your gear.  Don't leave it in the car when you are parking in the middle of nowhere!  Cover it up.  In this case, don't flaunt it if you've go it.

It's also about timing.  Once you arrive to a spot that you like, take a deep breath and look around.  Think of the camera settings while you  assemble your gear.  Picture in your mind what you wanted to capture.

Do you know where I captured these images?  Well, do ya???  Maybe these will give it away.

I had a great time in Oahu.  Almost every evening, I walked around the city.  Carrying my camera bag and my aluminum tripod.  And each morning, my shoulders ached!  But it was all worth the hassle!  I finally took some pictures that I envisioned.  But I still have a lot to learn and gear to buy (Wifey, please let me buy it!).

Remember, don't forget to turn around or look down!  I was intrigued at what I found.

This is a great example of being unprepared...  I'm not going to tell you why!

And this is what happens when I'm bored...

And oh by the way, having the top of the line gear helps... If you have the money, get it.  I sure don't.  I shot these with my Canon 40D, 10-22mm, and 100mm.  Buy the top of the line lenses if you can.  You'll be buying camera bodies faster than replacing a high quality lens.  Lastly, here's my first timelapse.

Thanks for checking out my blog.  I haven't shot that much lately but I'm hoping this will change in the next few of weeks.  See you around!