Landscape photography is basically the capturing of the earth and the different facets of the world that make it what it is. It can range from large, vast areas to microscopic things and although it usually involves nature of some sort, it can also be of man-made structures. This type of photography generally avoids any human involvement in the images and speaks of an almost untouched place.
The composition of a landscape photograph is extremely important and the photographer needs to realise the importance of depth and a foreground and what focal points there are in the image. Parts of the natural environment can be the make and break of a brilliant photograph and these things should be considered. Ensure that you work with the weather and use it to your advantage. The relationship between the sky and the lines of the land can create amazing contrasts and compliments. The other thing that comes into play is the hours that you use to take pictures. The time of day can have a major effect on how the landscapes look and how the light affects the outcome of the image.
Ansel Adams, a landscape photographer and environmentalist once said that “to the complaint, ‘There are no people in these photographs’, I respond, there are always two people: the photographer and the viewer”. This is one of the most simplistic and beautiful parts of landscape photography. It is exactly because there are ‘no people in these photographs’ that they are relatable, transferable, and universal. The impact that the photograph has will be different for each person, which makes this style so rich and interesting.
As with any art style, landscape photography has many different movements and origins. There are many South African landscape photographs that speak of the deep history of the country, or reveal the vast differences that the country offers from oceans to deserts. With such a rich pool of changing landscapes and environments, South Africa offers one of the best places for a landscape photographer.
All in all, it can be said that this type of work is highly personal while at the same time universal. Perhaps this is where its power lies. Landscape photography may be one of the best types of pictures that ‘speak a thousand words’.
