Martin's Cove, WY

[Esoterra]

My wifes family had their annual family reunion. This year it was at Martin's Cove. Even though the drive was terrible, it was worth it. There were a lot of photographic opportunities. For the sunset shots I used a Cokin Tobacco GNDF. Here are a few of my favorites. And as usuall, you can see the entire gallery here (http://chrisross.smugmug.com/gallery/3019237#163991081)

http://ChrisRoss.smugmug.com/photos/163997570-L.jpg

http://ChrisRoss.smugmug.com/photos/163999936-L.jpg

Devil's Gate
http://ChrisRoss.smugmug.com/photos/164001927-L.jpg

http://ChrisRoss.smugmug.com/photos/164007563-L.jpg

http://ChrisRoss.smugmug.com/photos/164005172-L.jpg

[AdamW]

Chris--I really like that first shot. The colored filter is an effect I usually don't like, but man, you nailed that one!

[iamaelephant]

Very nice! I love number 2, but they're all great.

[toriaj]

Chris, I love it when you come near where I live, you inspire me about my own area! Your landscape compositions are awesome. And you brought beauty from the drab landscape! I love #35 in your gallery. And great pronghorn shots! You must have been really close! Beautiful lighting in the shots of the children. Any tips for the rest of us?

[Esoterra]

Chris, I love it when you come near where I live, you inspire me about my own area! Your landscape compositions are awesome. And you brought beauty from the drab landscape! I love #35 in your gallery. And great pronghorn shots! You must have been really close! Beautiful lighting in the shots of the children. Any tips for the rest of us?

Thanks for the kind words Tori. Funny you should ask, I was just reading in the July issue of Popular Photography and read an article on Page 28 that gives you blueprint templates to instant success with landscape photography. Here are the following guidelines

1) Juxtapoisition Template: look for 2 equally detailed landscape features that compliment one another. Try using long telephoto to flatten the perspective.

2) Deep Space: look for several similar components to compose frame. Choose angles that seperate the objects, and put the nearest object in the bottom of the frame.

3) Reflection: Look for a still body of water and use a 1-stop ND Filter.

4) Window Frame: Look for natural elements to frame the scene. try using sidelighting and use a small aperture.

5)Texture Squash: use a telephoto lens to compress unique landscape features together.

After reading the article and studying my photos, I find that I use some of the templates naturally, and others I forget to try. SO, my tip would be to carry around 3x5 cards with landscape template ideas (guidelines) and when you come to a spot that cathes your eye, go thru the 3x5 cards (or what ever method suits you) and try the different templates. Try different angles, and try different postions. Another helpful tip that has really helped me, is to avoid the temptaion to just snap pictures right when you get to an interesting scene (if you can help it~ e.g you might have an impatient spouse or friend not wanting to stick around). Instead, take a good 30-45 minutes to study the area and contemplate what exactly in the immediate surroundings tells some type of a story. Then, think of the photographic process and creativity you want to take the viewer thru in your photo. Refine your idea you started with as you continue to take pictures so that the image at the end of your photographic journey is the winner.

I know this is a lot of information, but it has helped me take better pictures. I still have a lot of improving to do, as I have a low keep-to-delete ratio~ for every good shoot, I take 30 or so duds.

[toriaj]

Thanks for the tips, Chris! They go over my head without lots of pictures to explain ... :rolleyes: I need to check out the print version of Popular Photography to see if it contains more demo pictures than the online version ... :D

[Esoterra]

I hear ya! good idea.