How to master the subtraction principle in landscape photography

Introduction: Photography is the art of subtraction, which is a classic rule that has always been mentioned in photography. Subtraction in photography, to put it simply, is to remove redundant scene elements in the lens, making it easier for the viewer's eyes to focus on the subject that the photographer wants to express. This also reflects the eternal truth that simplicity is beauty. Let’s take a closer look below!

It can be said that there are many differences between what we see with the naked eye and what appears in the camera. Our lens is not as comprehensive as what we can see with the naked eye, which requires us to make choices when shooting. We take what we need and leave out what we don’t need. In the end, what is presented to the viewer is a subtracted image. Since ancient times, China has had the word "giving up". What does giving up mean? Only when you give up can you gain something. I think this word coincides with the concept of subtraction in photography.

Many people think that in landscape photography, as long as you have a wide-angle lens, you can take good photos. Personally, I think this is a misunderstanding. Because in landscape photography, subtraction is especially important. Refuse to be the same, how should we find your own perspective in the same scenery, how to photograph your own artistic conception in the same scenery, is a problem that each of us encounters.

In landscape photography, some people always like to use a wide angle, and even take N pictures to connect the pictures, always trying to capture everything the eyes see into one picture. It is undeniable that wide-angle or joint lenses can indeed allow the screen to accommodate more content, but many people often ignore the importance of medium and telephoto.

Wide-angle lenses are beyond reproach and play an important role in landscape photography. But if a group of us are in the same scenic spot, and everyone shoots with a wide angle, no matter how you change the camera position or the composition, the final film will be similar. If we change to a medium-long focal length lens at this time, we can avoid the appearance of similar photos and capture our unique vision. Landscape photography does not mean being comprehensive. If we make good use of medium focus or telephoto to shoot scenery, grasp the local area, and use the small to make the big picture, we can make your pictures appear grand and unique.

Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Focal length: 70.0mm

Shooting location: Bashang

Shooting instructions:

< p> The dam is so vast that people’s minds will be wide open if they look around. Since ancient times, the grassland has given birth to countless heroes. The dam was also a hunting paddock for ancient emperors, so that future generations would not forget the tradition.

Everyone who goes to the dam will always be fascinated by the beautiful scenery in front of them. How to choose between the beautiful scenery in front of you is a problem that everyone who goes to Bashang to take pictures must face. This photo was taken at 70°, which effectively compresses the picture space. The sheep are used as the main subject, and the woods and grass behind them are used as the background, which better highlights the sheep. In particular, the dust raised by the sheep under the backlight is dyed golden yellow. The interlacing of light and the contrast of warm and cold tones can immediately catch the viewer's attention. It's a pity that the grass in the lower right corner cannot be avoided.

Shooting location: Jilin Wusong Island

Shooting description:

Wusong Island is a pure and pure place. Every winter, heavy snow covers the earth, making this place It becomes snow-white, and the mist on the river will rise at night, forming rime on the trees by the river, like a fairy tale world. People who come here will always get lost in this beautiful fairy tale.

This photo was taken with the 200MM telephoto end. The setting sun shines on the ice, and only partial lines are taken. The smooth ice surface reflects the warm tones contrasting with the cold tones elsewhere, like an abstract painting. Personally, I think the shortcoming is that the dark part in the front could be less highlighted, and the reflection of the tree above may be added to make it look better.

Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Focal length: 200.0mm

Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Focal length: 200.0mm

Shooting location: Yuanyang, Yunnan

Shooting description:

Yuanyang is a dream place for countless photographers. Not long ago, the Yuanyang Rice Terraces were successfully included in the World Heritage List. Yuanyang terraced fields are the melody of the earth and the crystallization of the wisdom and labor of the Hani people. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful and spectacular terraced fields, and if you are lucky, you will also encounter a misty wonderland. Unfortunately, I went there twice and had no luck.

This photo was taken in Yuanyang Aicun, using the 200MM telephoto end. Partial lines of the terraces are intercepted. The blue terraces show their charm in the beautiful lines, and a little duck accidentally walks into the picture, adding more vitality. Since you can't come across the spectacular cloud and mist terraces, you can still take pictures of the beauty of the terraces by looking for some local close-ups.

Shooting location: Weizhou Island, Guangxi

Shooting description:

Weizhou Island, Guangxi is a young volcanic island and a tourist destination for countless people.

But I personally feel that this island has become too commercialized and the consumption is too high. Of course, the beach is beautiful.

During this period of time, I have been reflecting on my own photography philosophy, whether I should incorporate some humanistic feelings into landscape photography, so that the film may be more full of ideas. This video was taken with the 200MM telephoto end. At sunset, these fishermen will use a small floating board to paddle to the boat, then get on the boat and moor the boat back to the shore. The sunset is beautiful, and the fishermen's posture is like pulling the sunset below the sea level. There are also regrets, that is, there is a boat on the left that overlaps a bit and cannot be avoided well. Also, the position of the sunset should be moved a little to the left to be more reasonable.

Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Focal length: 200.0mm

Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Focal length: 200.0mm

Shooting location: Baisha Village, Yanzhou, Huizhou

Shooting description:

Yanzhou Island is a small island with a history of more than 400 years. The villagers here feel the same as There is no fight in the world. However, with the opening of the Yanzhou Bridge and the construction of the Mangrove Park, how long can this tranquility be maintained?

This photo was taken with the 200MM telephoto end. There are not many clouds in the sky, but the sunset is also The sky is dyed with beautiful colors. Just as a line of birds flew by, I quickly raised my camera to capture this beautiful moment. Telephoto can effectively highlight the sunset and allow the sunset to be behind the treetops before shooting. To prevent the sun from being too strong, the flying birds just embellish the picture.

Written at the end:

Some time ago, I watched a life-long film exhibition at the Beijing Academy of Photography, and one of the people had a group of works that made me reflect for a long time. He used PS to combine dozens of photos of the same location at some famous scenic spots. As a result, many of the photos were basically the same. This exhibition of works is titled All Masters. I'm not a master, I'm just a newbie on the road to photography. Rejecting sameness may be what I should do now. The above are just some of my little thoughts on mid-to-telephoto shooting in landscape photography. I wrote them down for discussion with my friends. I also welcome your criticisms and corrections. Thanks.