Planning a landscape photography session doesn’t always guarantee ideal conditions. The weather changes, plans fail, and sometimes, the scenery isn’t what you expected. How you handle these situations can make a big difference in the quality of your photos.
Coming to you from Christian Irmler – Landscape Photography, this insightful video explores the challenges and joys of improvisation in landscape photography. Irmler shared a recent experience in Italy, where his plans were hampered by a lack of wildflowers as expected. Instead of the bright fields he expected, he found only green fields. Instead of giving up, he adjusted his plans and focused on the nearby ancient town and castle, demonstrating the importance of flexibility.
Irmler explains how he uses conditions to his advantage, such as hiking up mountains to get a better vantage point. He captures unpredictable light by combining shadow and light to add depth to the image. This video emphasizes the importance of making the best of a situation, even if it’s not what you planned. Improvisation is not just about finding new themes; it’s also about technical adjustments. Irmler discusses using one black fog filter to soften the harsh sunlight and enhance the quality of his photos. This tip is especially useful when dealing with unpredictable lighting.
Irmler also mentioned the importance of handheld photography in certain situations. While a tripod provides stability and precision, there are times when quick handheld photography is needed to capture fleeting lighting conditions. In addition to the technical aspects, Irmler also shares valuable insights into the spiritual approach to landscape photography. He emphasized the importance of not giving up when things don’t go as planned. Landscape photography often involves dealing with unexpected situations, and having the right mindset can yield surprising results. Irmler’s ability to find beauty in unexpected places is a testament to this philosophy. Check out the video above for the full list from Irmler.
And if you really want to dig deeper into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial,”Photographing the World: Japan with Elia Locardi!”
