The SKY in Landscape Photography

The SKY in Landscape Photography

by Guest Author Michelle Alton

Did you have a chance to meet Michelle last week?

If not, check out her interview here.

Here are Michelle's suggestions for considering the sky when photographing landscapes.

*****

Since everyone loves to capture scenery, 

especially on vacations, 

these tips will center around landscape photography, 

in particular, the role that the sky plays in landscape photography.  

The tips borrow extensively from Darren Rowse, 

the founder and chief blogger of digital-photography-school.com (DPS). 

The photos that are used to illustrate the tips will be mine unless otherwise stated. 

You can read Darren's article at here.

Most landscapes will either have a dominant foreground or sky. 

Unless you have one or the other your shot can end up looking boring. 

(PS  That's why we try not to put the horizon through the center of the photo.) 

If you have a bland, boring sky don't let it dominate your shot. 

Place the horizon in the upper third of your shot making sure your foreground is interesting. 

 Horizon is raised for this pretty waterfall in Petit Jean, Arkansas.

However if the sky is filled with drama and interesting cloud formations and colors,
 let it shine by placing the horizon lower.

 A great sky needs to be shown off by lowering the horizon.

 Another Great Sky to Showcase.

Another great way to take advantage of a great sky is to try to capture some movement in it.  

Adding a bird or a few birds in flight is a terrific way to do that, 

if you’re lucky enough to have them visit your sky.

The birds and blowing clouds convey movement in this scene at the

 Howell Living History Farm in Lambertville, NJ.

I hope this short tutorial has provided some delicious food for thought 

the next time you’re out shooting landscapes.

*****

Now it's your turn to capture the sky!  

Beginning on Monday, March 19 thru Friday March 23

you can link your sky photos for our March competition. 

Michelle will be the judge! 

You can visit Michelle at 

“Your Best Shot” ( www.maltonphotos.zenfolio.com )

“Tales of Relentless Pursuit” ( http://talesofrelentlesspursuit.blogspot.com/ )

The SKY in Landscape Photography

The SKY in Landscape Photography

by Guest Author Michelle Alton

Did you have a chance to meet Michelle last week?

If not, check out her interview here.

Here are Michelle's suggestions for considering the sky when photographing landscapes.

*****

Since everyone loves to capture scenery, 

especially on vacations, 

these tips will center around landscape photography, 

in particular, the role that the sky plays in landscape photography.  

The tips borrow extensively from Darren Rowse, 

the founder and chief blogger of digital-photography-school.com (DPS). 

The photos that are used to illustrate the tips will be mine unless otherwise stated. 

You can read Darren's article at here.

Most landscapes will either have a dominant foreground or sky. 

Unless you have one or the other your shot can end up looking boring. 

(PS  That's why we try not to put the horizon through the center of the photo.) 

If you have a bland, boring sky don't let it dominate your shot. 

Place the horizon in the upper third of your shot making sure your foreground is interesting. 

 Horizon is raised for this pretty waterfall in Petit Jean, Arkansas.

However if the sky is filled with drama and interesting cloud formations and colors,
 let it shine by placing the horizon lower.

 A great sky needs to be shown off by lowering the horizon.

 Another Great Sky to Showcase.

Another great way to take advantage of a great sky is to try to capture some movement in it.  

Adding a bird or a few birds in flight is a terrific way to do that, 

if you’re lucky enough to have them visit your sky.

The birds and blowing clouds convey movement in this scene at the

 Howell Living History Farm in Lambertville, NJ.

I hope this short tutorial has provided some delicious food for thought 

the next time you’re out shooting landscapes.

*****

Now it's your turn to capture the sky!  

Beginning on Monday, March 19 thru Friday March 23

you can link your sky photos for our March competition. 

Michelle will be the judge! 

You can visit Michelle at 

“Your Best Shot” ( www.maltonphotos.zenfolio.com )

“Tales of Relentless Pursuit” ( http://talesofrelentlesspursuit.blogspot.com/ )

Introducing Photographer Michelle Alton

Michelle says...

Oh gosh, I’ve been taking photos for as long as I can remember...

starting with the birth of my “little” brother in 1962.  

Chucky Mills by Michelle Alton 

I guess I was using one of the Kodak film cameras that were available cheaply 

and were popular way back then.  

So, I was the official chronicler of the life and times of the third-born child.  

Mom and Dad had kept a good photo record of their first two kids, 

but the novelty had worn off by the time poor little Michael arrived.

Forlorn Redux by Michelle Alton

It wasn’t until the last 20 years that my photography really became a passion.  

My first REAL camera was a Canon AE-1 Program 

and most of my photos were just plain awful. 

But there were enough decent ones to keep me interested.  

And when digital photography came along, I was on board immediately.  

There is no way to count or list the cameras I’ve gone through since then.   

Grunge Jazz by Michelle Alton

But what is really important, I believe, is NOT the camera 

(though it’s GREAT to have wonderful equipment), 

but the photographer’s LOVE of the art, 

his/her instinctive (or learned) “eye” for composition, 

and an innate sense of what makes a photo interesting.   

A key in the equation is the sheer 

LOVE of the art 

and the desire to keep growing and learning—forever!

 The Corral by Michelle Alton

Today my subjects are eclectic—

I’ll shoot anything that sparks my interest.  

My biggest joy comes from hearing the word “Wow” 

issuing from the lips of someone viewing one of my photos!  

Nothing can beat it!  

Deafening by Michelle Alton

I also enjoy dabbling in digital post-processing 

and am always willing to share my techniques with other photographers.

Laundry Day by Michelle Alton

You can see more of Michelle's work at her website,  

“Your Best Shot” ( www.maltonphotos.zenfolio.com )

and you might also enjoy the stories and photos in her blog, 

“Tales of Relentless Pursuit” ( http://talesofrelentlesspursuit.blogspot.com/ ) 

which features stories, mostly by photographers—true, fiction, touching, humorous.  

She is always looking for new stories to post there.

Bridge Gull by Michelle Alton

Next week...a tutorial by Michelle on Landscape Photography,

Followed by a Competition on the tutorial's theme! 

Michelle will be the judge of the competition. 

Stay tuned!

Introducing Photographer Michelle Alton

Michelle says...

Oh gosh, I’ve been taking photos for as long as I can remember...

starting with the birth of my “little” brother in 1962.  

Chucky Mills by Michelle Alton 

I guess I was using one of the Kodak film cameras that were available cheaply 

and were popular way back then.  

So, I was the official chronicler of the life and times of the third-born child.  

Mom and Dad had kept a good photo record of their first two kids, 

but the novelty had worn off by the time poor little Michael arrived.

Forlorn Redux by Michelle Alton

It wasn’t until the last 20 years that my photography really became a passion.  

My first REAL camera was a Canon AE-1 Program 

and most of my photos were just plain awful. 

But there were enough decent ones to keep me interested.  

And when digital photography came along, I was on board immediately.  

There is no way to count or list the cameras I’ve gone through since then.   

Grunge Jazz by Michelle Alton

But what is really important, I believe, is NOT the camera 

(though it’s GREAT to have wonderful equipment), 

but the photographer’s LOVE of the art, 

his/her instinctive (or learned) “eye” for composition, 

and an innate sense of what makes a photo interesting.   

A key in the equation is the sheer 

LOVE of the art 

and the desire to keep growing and learning—forever!

 The Corral by Michelle Alton

Today my subjects are eclectic—

I’ll shoot anything that sparks my interest.  

My biggest joy comes from hearing the word “Wow” 

issuing from the lips of someone viewing one of my photos!  

Nothing can beat it!  

Deafening by Michelle Alton

I also enjoy dabbling in digital post-processing 

and am always willing to share my techniques with other photographers.

Laundry Day by Michelle Alton

You can see more of Michelle's work at her website,  

“Your Best Shot” ( www.maltonphotos.zenfolio.com )

and you might also enjoy the stories and photos in her blog, 

“Tales of Relentless Pursuit” ( http://talesofrelentlesspursuit.blogspot.com/ ) 

which features stories, mostly by photographers—true, fiction, touching, humorous.  

She is always looking for new stories to post there.

Bridge Gull by Michelle Alton

Next week...a tutorial by Michelle on Landscape Photography,

Followed by a Competition on the tutorial's theme! 

Michelle will be the judge of the competition. 

Stay tuned!