Landscape Photography

Definition and theory:

• Landscape- all the visible features of an area of land, often considered in terms of their aesthetic appeal.
• In landscape photography, depth of field is a critical component of every image. Some photos require minimum depth of field to place more emphasis on a single element of the scene. Classic landscape images have extensive depth of field to provide front-to-back sharpness.
• in landscape photography, you'll typically want to use a higher f stop, or narrow aperture, to get more of your scene in focus. Generally, you'll want to shoot in the f/8 to f/11 range, topping out at around f/16.
• You should use a tripod,filters.
• the depth of field is the amount of the photo that is in focus.

Image Bank:

Artist Research:

James Ravilious was born at Eastbourne, England, the second son of Eric Ravilious, the war artist. Ravilious takes black and white photography of rural life and landscape from the 1970's to 1990's - mainly taken in the west of England, but also in France, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and the English Lake District. In the early 1970's James took up photography (self-taught), What started as a short-term project grew into a seventeen year obsession. In that time James took over 80,000 black and white images of all aspects of local life: landscape, farming, everyday life in the local towns and villages, and their special occasions. He also borrowed and copied over 5,000 early photographs of the same area.

Taking inspiration from Ravillious:

Here i took pictures that were influenced by Ravillious' photo of the man on a dog walk. The photos turned out as i expected and to make them more like the photo i would turn them into black and white as shown below.

Contact sheet :

Best Images:

Images that need Improving:

     AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

       My idea for recording Landscapes was to capture the countryside views and show fields and trees. I was inspired from my research of James Ravilious. Ravilious' images of countrysides inspired many of my best images. For example, the Tree in my research came into my mind when i walk around the fields and saw the windy tree in my edited photos. I tried making these black and white the tones were enhanced and the photo looked more like Ravilious' work.  However i wanted my photos to look more dominated in tones and to create a strong atmosphere when you see them. However the back and white photos presented connotations of calmness.

Best selected images...
The image of the sky was taking out of the window on the Third floor of my house to show a high view of the tree with the sunrise. I wanted to create shadows with the image and attempted a depth of field. However i'm not sure i fully got the effect right.

      Another image in my best images, is the photo of the Gate and bushes which was inspired by Ravilious' images above. I then went on to edit this picture to enhance the tones and levels. I wanted this photo to show the countryside look with the torn down barn behind the fence.
With regards to some of the images that did not come out as I expected, my camera could not allow me to get up close to the details with the zoom as the lens is a simple 18-55mm lens.

      AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops. 

       I used my Nikon D3500 camera to take these photos. I tried to adjust the camera setting, like shutter speed, aperture and ISO to make the photos look their best. 

I       I used my research of Ansel Adams and the Zone System to create negative space and using editing to enhance the zones in different parts of the image.

                                                      The settings of my best images are:

         Photo 1:

Shutter speed= 1/125

Aperture=f/5.6

Zoom=55mm

photo 2:

Shutter speed= 1/250

Aperture=f/4.5

Zoom=32mm

Photo 3:

Shutter speed= 1/160

Aperture=f/4.5

Zoom=32mm

Photo 4:

Shutter speed= 1/80

Aperture=f/5.6

Zoom=55mm

Edits:

For these photos i edited them using curves, levels and saturation.
For certain images, like the first one, I wanted to enhance the colours in the sky to show the unique sunrise, to create a depth of field and to create negative space within the shapes of the buildings. For other images, I used burning and dodging the make certain trees darker and to enhance shadows at certain places. As I carried on editing I wanted to see how the photos would look in black and white, which was inspired by my research of James Ravilious. Although the images looked good this way, and looked more like Ravilious' work, I didn't like how the photos looked bland and doesn't show different tones in the image.

   AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

The artist research was helpful as it helped me focus on countrysides and inspired me to look for certain places to take my Photos.  The research of James Ravilious also helped me realised that the black and white images were not the route i want to take. For example when editing the photo of the field, it looked too bland and non interesting.

       AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.  
I believe that I have produced a strong series of images inspired by my research of landscapes and the images of James Ravilious' work.  The final images I have edited to changed the levels and curves to enhance the tones.

The Final Images: