Some photos and lessons from New Zealand...

[frannymac]

I've just come back from a two week jaunt to New Zealand. It was perfect time to go - ski season still open but the beauty of spring starting to show its magic. What an astoundingly beautiful place! Everything is so... magnificant on a grand scale... think Lord of the Rings and you will know what I mean.

So lesson #1- I am no landscape photographer. I wish I was but the truth is - I don't have the eye for it that I would dearly love to have. Now this photographer is - www.cleangreen.co.nz - by my standards anyway. Is this something I can learn? Not sure but as I am a keen traveller it is something I will continue to struggle with.

Lesson #2 - (and maybe this is more a question than a lesson) sometimes I feel that the scenery is just too beautiful to capture - too big and majestic, too spectacular for what my little camera (and my vision) can offer it. How can one photo (or many for that matter) capture the sheer 'awesomeness' of the landscapes I have seen.

I'd be really keen to hear what others think about lesson #2 particularly...

And if anyone is interested in a photo tour of New Zealand in the future I will be the first to put up my hand - I can't wait to go back and try again!

Fran

[brianc]

Not that I'm a great landscape photographer, but my answer to your question would be to use the same "rules" for any great photo. scan the scene and find what you want to related in your image. With epic landscapes this can seem daunting and a bit overwelming. So as you point out, the feeling of how do I fit this all in gets in the way. when this happens, take a big step back and take a series of "simple" images that focus in greater detail the various important features in the scene. by doing this you'll begin to develop the eye you area looking for. the "final" result, or a trick that I use is to frame one of these important elements with the surrounding landscape. In this way the intresting feature graps you, then the surrounding landscape, if framed right, will draw you into the scene. lines that lead you deep into a scene, give me the "I want to be lost in this place" felling. making a great landscape. IMO.


I really like your photos. the one with the pond/river and cloud topped mountians is especially.

[megan]

ILesson #2 - (and maybe this is more a question than a lesson) sometimes I feel that the scenery is just too beautiful to capture - too big and majestic, too spectacular for what my little camera (and my vision) can offer it. How can one photo (or many for that matter) capture the sheer 'awesomeness' of the landscapes I have seen.

One photo can! Get thee to your nearest chain bookstore because they are more likely to have this magazine: Black and White Photography. I think you need to go large format! Okay, maybe not. But check out the work in this issue by Ken Griffiths [born in New Zealand] and Bruce Barnbaum - and you'll see why I say "large format."

The photos you attached are nice, thanks for sharing.

Megan

[frannymac]

Thanks for your responses Brian and Megan,

I am going on a road trip this weekend so I will print out your response Brian and put the tips into practice. I'll post some results.

Megan - I would LOVE to go large (or even medium) format. It is something I have been interested in for some time - might just have to take the plunge. I will attempt to locate the mag tomorrow. Do you know what edition it is? I wonder whether it is the same in Aust? Will do some investigating anyway.

Thanks again for your help,

Fran

[opus]

maybe think about panoramic...stitching photos together?

[megan]

Hi Fran!

While I personally have only used a 10X8 [8X10 in the States] once, I do know that it will take a bit of an investment! 5X4/4X5 is probably easier to come by. There are kits available to make your own, and I'm sure you could pick up a used one from the 'net. I've got a pal who made his own, and even found a pattern and made his own bellows! I shot 4x5 for a year in college, it was part of the curriculum. It takes some getting used to - you work slower, shoot even less than you do with medium format, and you've got to carry around some pretty heavy equipment, but it can be worth it.

The issue I am referring to is issue number 38 - Autumn 2004, and, conveniently, billed the "Large Format Special." I hope you can find it down there!

Enjoy!

Megan