How to Shoot Landscapes - Summer Landscape Extras

Alternatives

Craig Roberts

Although not strictly a landscape shot, this image does illustrate an alternative shot you can get as you work through the day. The picture still shouts summer to you and the unique viewpoint makes a dynamic and creative image. The low-angle framing was achieved by holding the camera close to the ground and guessing the viewpoint. After a couple of practice shots, I was able to get exactly the composition that I wanted, simply by checking the results on the rear LCD screen. The blue sky adds the ideal plain, uncluttered backdrop to the flowers, while the partially hidden sun adds a sparkle to the image. I switched to manual focus and worked out the distance by focusing on the ground from the height of the top of the flowers, thus giving me correct focus in reverse. Exposure was done manually, by overexposing from the metered reading until I got a nice even shape on the histogram.

Before You Go

• Have a number of locations noted that you want to visit. Keep a notebook with you at all times so that you can jot down the location of fields that look like there are crops growing to return to, especially rape seed and poppy fields.
• Be sure to pack a polarising filter to make the most out of a blue sky.
• A compass and sunrise/sunset table will ensure you are prepared for the last shot of the day.
• Take plenty of water if you are out all day in the summer as the exertion and warm weather will dehydrate you quicker.
• Sun cream and a hat are essential if shooting landscapes throughout the day.

Black & White

A dark and moody landscape can often benefit from being turned into black & white, as often they contain only muted colours in the first place and the texture and tone in a mono image can be pushed further to allow the image to really come alive. There is a multitude of ways to convert your images to black & white, ranging from a simple removal of colour to a fully controllable multi-filtered approach. From Photoshop Elements you can use the remove colour tool or Desaturate in Photoshop (by pressing Shift+Ctrl+U on the keyboard). The Hue/Saturation palette, accessed via Ctrl+U, uses a slider to reduce saturation, which is useful should you wish to leave a hint of colour. The most advanced process uses a dedicated Black & White conversion tool from the Adjustments/Enhance menus in Photoshop/Elements, which offers presets for types of filters and effects, as well as sliders for custom conversions. Photoshop's Channel Mixer also does a similar job as an alternative and features in older versions of Photoshop, pre-dating the Black and White conversion tool. Once converted, most images will also require a Levels adjustment and some careful use of the Dodge and Burn tools to really get the most out of them. If working from a Raw file, keep the image as a 16-bit file throughout, as it will allow more detail.
	Photoshop's Channel Mixer
	Hue/Saturation palette
	Black & white conversion tool

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