Forest Landscape

[utsuri]

In my head, I see this amazing landscape shot: green forest, light streaming through the trees and lighting up the leaves. Or maybe a wide open prairie with the grass moving in the wind.

For the first, this is what I get. For the second, I got it nicely after a lot of editing and panorama stitching, but only one pic per post in this forum.



Camera- Nikon Coolpix L22
Exposure- 1/250
Aperture- f/3.1
Focal Length- 6.7 mm
ISO Speed- 80

And I like it (primarily due to the perspective), but it feels as if it is missing something, that my eye doesn't really know where to look. My husband likes it because it's bright right in the middle and that's the only place he ever looks in pictures. So I guess what I'm missing is a focal point but I always see one when I'm shooting. I can see it and enjoy it, but others who look at it don't seem to. And that happens with the majority of my landscapes. I want to blame it on my P&S camera not ever picking a narrow aperture, but it's also the camerawoman. I've read that you need a focal point in landscapes or they leave you feeling bleh, but how do you see that? How would I make this pop more?

And I'm sure a narrower aperture would help make everything look sharper, and that is generally my primary complaint, but that isn't an option currently. I'm just always happier with my close-ups.

[theeventof]

Focal points are key to landscapes - It's all about finding a place for the eye to rest.

Sometimes finding a trail, river or rock wall to use as a leading line helps lead into the photograph kind of guiding the eyes as to where they are supposed to go.

I wouldn't blame your camera, as there are people on this site, flickr and other photo blogs that I've seen do amazing things with just a measly little cell phone camera.

To me I think that the sky is a little too bright, maybe try shooting later in the day?

The other thing that's kind of hard about shooting in the forest is the lack of diverse colors. You're entire landscape is green, or sky. If you find areas with some extra colors you'll be able to use color to make your shot pop.

Overall I don't hate the perspective. I think that shooting low below the grass and looking up is kind of a cool look. If there was more detail in the sky you might have had a more "interesting" photograph, but that's hard to tell.

Hope this helps - Goodluck!

[utsuri]

Yes it does, actually. And I'm not blaming my camera because it is actually a pretty nice little thing. Thank you very much for your advice!

[Krusty79]

I started a thread a while ago on this topic - Is a compelling subject required?

[utsuri]

Thanks Krusty79. Your thread was pretty helpful. Not knowing the area around here has been a hindrance in finding things that really stand out, but it is slowly coming along.

[Michael_2010]

Originally Posted by utsuri

Thanks Krusty79. Your thread was pretty helpful. Not knowing the area around here has been a hindrance in finding things that really stand out, but it is slowly coming along.

I frequently use Google Earth and The Photographer's Ephemeris to preliminarily scout interesting landscapes from the comfort (and air conditioning) of my home. Then when I have free time and the lighting is right, I will make the drive to the more promising ones. A lot of them won't look as good when on the ground sizing up the location, but it is a low effort starting point.

[utsuri]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

I frequently use Google Earth and The Photographer's Ephemeris to preliminarily scout interesting landscapes from the comfort (and air conditioning) of my home.

Way cool idea. I'm going to have to try that out. I've used Google Earth for other things and now there's another reason to love the internet. You guys are really helpful.