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Compelling Landscape Photographs – Six Essential Ingredients
Frank Comisar • July 16, 2015
There are basically two types of customers who visit my Durango gallery. The first are seeking artwork for their home or office. The second describe themselves as aspiring photographers seeking inspiration or advice. Whether they are interested in purchasing an image or creating their own, both types are interested in compelling landscape photographs.
Invariably, I find myself engaged in a conversation about what what goes into making compelling landscapes. Of course there is no definitive answer. However, there is a basic recipe successful photographers use, in addition to their creative vision and judgement, to make those attention grabbing images to which people are naturally drawn.
Compelling Landscape Photographs
First and foremost, great landscapes convey a strong feeling or mood. My overarching goal as a nature photographer is to capture a moment in time that, when viewed in years to come, recalls the excitement and emotion of that moment. I know I’ve made a relevant photograph when it elicits a positive and emotional reaction from others.
A “feeling” or a “mood” is an abstract concept that can be difficult to define. It can be even more difficult to capture in a two-dimensional medium such as a photograph. Ask ten photographers how it is done, and you’ll get at least ten different answers. However, there are a few basic ingredients, when combined with the photographer’s creative vision and technical skills, that are inherent in compelling landscape photographs.
Six Ingredients
Here is my checklist for creating compelling landscape photographs. These are the six essential ingredients:
- Gear: Photography gear is where it all begins and is therefore important. However, the photographer behind the camera is much more important than the gear itself. Cameras and lenses are merely tools. As with any craftsman, the photographer must understand the potential and limitation of his tools.
- Technical execution: This is really the foundation upon which all great photographs are made. It starts in the field with a properly exposed and well focused image. It ends in the digital darkroom where we finish (I said finish, not fix) a well executed image. Just like the old masters of photography such as Ansel Adams and Edward Curtis who finished their images in the darkroom, today’s landscape photographers finish their images in the digital darkroom using computers and software.
- Image sharpness: Whether an image is sharp front to back or has a sharp foreground element with a creamy out-of-focus background, image sharpness is a prime consideration in landscape photography. It contributes greatly to the mood of a photograph. I love a tack-sharp image but there are times when the mood is best captured with a soft focus or shallow depth of field.
- Composition: Composition is critical to great landscape photography. When you boil it down, composition is nothing more than arranging objects in space. The photographer does this by moving the camera’s point of view. The arrangement of those objects, if done well by the photographer, is a big part of capturing the mood and feeling of the moment. I believe my previous career in architecture helps me find compelling compositions. Some feel you are either born with a good eye or you are not. I disagree. Some people have an innate ability to find great compositions but I firmly believe it is a skill that can be acquired through study and practice.
- Color: Color has the greatest emotional impact of any graphic element. Dark tones are somber. Light tones are happy. Red and black convey mystery. Blue and green are tranquil. Orange and yellow suggest warmth. As nature photographers, we are limited to the colors provided by mother nature. However, we should strive to understand the psychological implications of the colors we photograph and how they affect the feelings and moods conveyed by our images.
- Light: Without light there is literally no photography. The successful landscape photographer considers three variables of light; quantity, quality, and direction. In my humble opinion, light direction contributes the most to the mood or feeling conveyed by a photograph. Front light is peaceful and soft. Side Light accentuates textures and details. A backlit scene is dramatic and sometimes abstract.
So there you have it; six ingredients to compelling landscape photographs. I don’t mean to suggest the photographer’s artistic creation is made by merely following a simple formula. However, next time you see a compelling landscape photograph, ask yourself why is it that you like it. It can be hard to articulate. You probably like it because the photographer successfully utilized these basic ingredients to communicate a feeling or mood that resonates with you. If so, you have obviously connected with the photographer and likely, have shared the feelings he experienced.
Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Although our Durango gallery is temporarily closed to help minimize the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we are open for business online and by telephone or email: Browse our online fine-art nature photography galleries Schedule a video chat with one of our art consultants Request a free digital mockup of our art on your wall Purchase fine-art nature photography prints Register for photography workshops and tours Send us an email or call 970-385-5853. Purchase any fine-art nature photography print and we will deliver it right to your doorstep for free. Use coupon code FREEDELIVERY.
Visiting Durango? How about a private half-day or full-day photography tour with Frank Comisar, Durango’s own internationally collected fine-art nature photographer: Shoot with a pro Private and customizable Photograph some of Frank’s favorite local spots Learn to make better photographs Develop your creative vision Beginner or advanced Tailored to your specific interests Learn to take control of your camera Fun and inspirational Private photography tours are a perfect for the beginner or advanced photographer. Join Frank to shoot some of his favorite places while learning to make better photographs. Contact Scenic Aperture to check availability or to book your tour now! Sample Itinerary Depart gallery 1/2 hour before sunrise 2-3 hours photography Return to gallery 1-2 hours digital darkroom (optional) What’s Included Transportation to photo shoot In-field photography instruction Digital darkroom Fun and inspiration Cost Half-Day: $400 USD Full-Day: $800 USD Non-photographer guest – Free Group rates available Required Gear Digital camera Lens Tripod
A local icon; Engineer Mountain rises to 12,968′. It dominates your view as you drive US Highway 550 between Durango and Silverton. Our newest release is available in multiple sizes and finishes. Click here for more information.
Scenic Aperture is proud to announce the release of Canyon Clearing – a pristine winter scene at the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Dye sublimation prints on aluminum of Canyon Clearing are available in three sizes. Prints arrive ready to hang; no frame necessary. Canyon Clearing is available for purchase at Scenic Aperture’s Durango gallery or online. Order your print today!
Scenic Aperture is pleased to announce two new fine-art photography prints for summer 2016. Both are available in three sizes and three finishes. Visit our Durango Gallery or shop online. Flat rate shipping available for any U.S. address.
We would like to thank our loyal customers, friends, and neighbors who made the first year of our Durango Gallery a resounding success. Without you, it would not have been possible. Please join us for a reception and unveiling of “Guarding Shiprock” from 6:00 to 9:00 PM on May 28, 2016 at 708 Main Ave. in Durango. To commemorate our anniversary, we are proud to announce the release of “Guarding Shiprock” by nationally and internationally collected photographer, Frank Comisar. This 24×36 fine-art dye sublimation print on aluminum will be limited to an edition of only 50 prints. Guarding Shiprock is available for pre-order now at the gallery, online, or by calling 970-385-5853. Pre-orders may be picked up at the gallery on May 28, 2016 or shipped upon request.
Two spots have opened up . . . Unfortunately, a workshop client has just been diagnosed with a serious illness and has had to cancel their workshop reservations. This has opened up two spots in each of our 2016 Ancient Migration and 2016 Exotic Birds of the Prairie workshops. Ancient Migration runs March 29-31 and Exotic Birds of the Prairie runs March 31 to April 3. Package deals are available. Shoot me an email ASAP if you’re interested – or go online to register.
Scenic Aperture is pleased to announce the release of four new fine-art photography prints. Each is printed directly on metal and available in three sizes. Prints arrive fully assembled and ready to hang on your wall.
Our 2016 workshop calendar has been published over on our workshop page. Check it out! It’s not too early to book your 2016 workshops.
May 29, 2015 | 5-9 | Ribbon Cutting at 5:15 708 Main Ave. Durango, CO 81301 Please join us to celebrate the grand opening of Scenic Aperture’s Durango Gallery! Scenic Aperture features fine-art nature photography of the four-corners area of the American Southwest. The gallery showcases landscape, wildlife, and nature photography of Durango photographer Frank Comisar.