Composition and lighting techniques that must be mastered in landscape photography

Composition is the skeleton of the photo, light and shadow are the soul of the photo, and composition angle and light are the two major elements of landscape photography. In landscape photography, whether it is ordinary or majestic, it contains infinite visual beauty. Sometimes it only exists for a moment and is fleeting. Sometimes it is hidden under a very ordinary appearance, unremarkable and difficult to recognize. In fact, this hidden visual beauty is what is truly magical and interesting. Let me take you through it below.

Composition and lighting techniques that must be mastered in landscape photography 1. The art of light and shadow

The importance of light to photography is self-evident. In landscape photography, with the illumination of light, the picture will produce light and dark levels, lines and tones. The seasons are different, the position of the sun is different, and the intensity of the light is also different. At different times of the day, the light intensity will also change, that is to say, the color temperature at different time periods is different. Under different lighting conditions, the landscape will appear in different colors. Therefore, it is necessary to use suitable light according to the purpose of expression. For example, in autumn and winter, use backlight and side light to shoot vehicles, etc., there will be shadows on one side of the subject, which can express its strength; in spring and summer, use backlight through light and side light. Photographing flowers can express the texture and three-dimensionality of the subject; using soft light in the morning and evening can express the scenery full of quiet atmosphere.

1. When shooting scenery, the sun is mainly used as the light source.

Different positions of the sun will produce different effects on the scenery. In landscape photography, shooting scenery with smooth light can give people a bright and clear feeling. However, when the scene is illuminated by direct light, the scene is too flat and the distinction between light and dark is not obvious. This often causes the main body of the scene to blend with the background, and the picture lacks a three-dimensional sense. However, the use of smooth light is relatively simple for beginners. Photographers can basically take satisfactory photos as long as they use the evaluative metering mode of the camera.

2. Side light is a frequently used form in landscape photography.

Especially the 45° front side light can not only make the scene have a certain contrast between light and dark, enhance the three-dimensional sense of the scene and the shadow pattern layer of the picture, but also ideally restore the color of the picture. The side light at an angle of 90° can make the scene half light and half dark, and the contrast and three-dimensionality of the picture are very obvious. Especially when representing objects with uneven surfaces such as buildings, the effect is even more prominent. When shooting with side light, photographers should pay attention to metering the bright parts of the picture as much as possible to avoid overexposure of parts of the picture.

3 Backlight is the most unique light in landscape photography.

Backlighting means that the sun shines from the opposite side of the camera. The parts of the scene that are illuminated by the light will produce a bright outline, and the subject and the background can be clearly separated. Backlighting is most suitable for expressing scenes with many levels in the front and back. Behind each scene, exquisite outlines of light are outlined, creating a strong sense of spatial distance and a good perspective effect between the front and rear scenes. When shooting backlit scenes, the picture is often underexposed due to sunlight and the bright outline of the scene. Therefore, when photographers take photos of backlit scenes, it is best to determine the exposure time based on the dark parts of the scene, so that the layers of the scene can be fully displayed. If the photographer wants to get a silhouette effect, then he can focus on the bright parts when shooting.

44. In the process of photography, light and shadow exist at the same time.

But in photography, especially landscape photography, the role of shadows is often ignored, and some photographers even deliberately avoid shadows during the shooting process. However, it is still an indispensable part of many excellent photography works. As long as the photographer properly grasps the contrast between light and dark in the picture, he can get a good picture effect. The nature of shadows depends on the nature of light. In general, diffuse light is difficult to form strong shadows. If there is an extremely obvious contrast between light and dark in the picture, then the light at this time is mostly direct light. For landscape photography, if you shoot in the early morning or evening, you will also get the effect of long shadows, and the stronger the sunlight, the darker the shadows. At this time, if you choose a high point to shoot, you will get great light and shadow works.

Composition and lighting skills that must be mastered in landscape photography 2. The charm of composition

Composition is the skeleton of a photo. When composing a photo, if a certain subject and the background are evenly distributed, The picture won't look very good. When shooting landscapes, the composition should focus on the landscape and use a subject in the landscape as a foil. For example, when photographing the blue sea and snow-capped mountains, you should give priority to the sea and snow-capped mountains when composing the picture, so that they occupy a prominent position in the picture. To do this, you need to choose the right shooting angle.

1 Use angles to express the depth of the picture

For example, when shooting a road, a very important point in the composition is to clearly explain the position and scale of the road. On this basis, in order to express the depth of the road, a suitable angle must be chosen so that one end of the road stretches straight or winding into the distance, and the viewer's sight is also directed to the far end of the road and the end of the sky. Only such a picture can be unique. attraction.

If only the middle section is cut out in the composition, the viewer will not be able to see the depth of the picture, and there will be no elements to attract the viewer's attention.

2. Don’t let the middle shot block the long shot.

When adopting a vertical composition, pay attention to the proportion of the sky and ground scenes in the picture. If you want to express the sky, the sky should be the focus of the picture. Generally speaking, it can account for about 3/5 of the picture, and the ground scenery can account for about 2/5. In addition, there must be a small part of the ground scenery with vague distant views, and avoid only close and middle shots. In other words, don’t let the mid-ground outline completely obscure the distant view. The ground scenery in the picture has a vague distant view, so that it can echo with the vast sky, and the sky and the earth are connected, giving the picture a strong sense of depth. To achieve the above purpose, it is necessary to choose a suitable angle. If the angle is too low, there will be only near and medium shots in the picture, but no distant views. Generally speaking, a suitable angle should be adopted so that the distant view on the ground enters the picture. In order to express the three-dimensional sense of the ground scene, it is advisable to use side light when shooting, so that shadows of varying degrees appear on one side of the scene.

3. Appropriate? Vivid point?

When taking pictures of scenery, you should also pay attention to the relationship between movement and stillness. Although landscape photos can be taken without people or vehicles, such as inaccessible snow-capped mountains, deserts, peaks, etc., these are consistent with the natural environment of the subject. But if you are shooting in a populated area, it is best to have subjects such as people and moving vehicles in the picture. Without these subjects, just showing simple scenery will look a bit dull and lack of vitality. When shooting similar scenery, people and vehicles are the background of the scenery. When composing the picture, these subjects should be arranged in the mid-ground position and occupy a small proportion of the picture, so that they are between the close shot and the distant view. This composition not only fits the environment of the characters or vehicles, but also makes the viewer feel more comfortable.