A Beginner’s Guide to Landscape Photography

A Beginner’s Guide to Landscape Photography

The essence of photography often gets lost in the complexity of technology and techniques. However, the key to becoming an exceptional photographer might be more straightforward than you think: it’s all about simplifying every aspect of your craft. This principle holds the potential to not only streamline your process but also to enhance the quality of your work.

Coming to you from Craig Roberts of e6 Vlogs, this excellent video emphasizes the importance of simplicity in photography. Roberts argues that the art of photography, inherently simple, has become unnecessarily complicated over the years. By returning to basics, photographers can avoid distractions that hinder progress. A standout point in the video is the recommendation to start with a simple camera setup. The choice of camera brand—be it Canon, Nikon, Sony, or others—is secondary to understanding and mastering the device you choose. Every camera fundamentally operates the same in manual mode, underscoring the idea that simplicity reigns supreme in the realm of photography. Roberts also advocates for the use of prime lenses over zoom lenses, particularly for beginners. While zoom lenses offer versatility, they also introduce a complexity that can be too much at first. A prime lens, like the classic 50mm, provides a straightforward approach to everyday shooting and helps photographers focus on composition and technique without the distraction of multiple focal lengths.

Furthermore, Roberts suggests practical settings like using a 50mm lens at an f/8 aperture and setting the ISO to 400 as a baseline for sharp, focused images. This approach demystifies the technical aspects of photography, allowing photographers to concentrate on creativity and composition. He also touches on the importance of understanding basic composition rules, like the rule of thirds, and recommends local exploration for photography subjects. By simplifying the process and focusing on accessible subjects, photographers can develop their skills more effectively and without prohibitive cost or time investments.

Check out the video above for the full rundown from Roberts.

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, “Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!” 

2023 Year in Review: Designer Desktops

2023 Year in Review: Designer Desktops

This year marks another 12 months of Designer Desktops, one of our oldest columns on the site. We love collaborating with different artists, brands, and creatives to design free downloadable desktop wallpapers that showcase a range of artistic styles, from graphic design to textiles to wallcoverings. If you missed any of 2023’s designs, be sure to check them out below for a ton of inspirational quotes and eye-catching backgrounds for your tech devices.

The Trave Chair Bends the Boundaries of Design

The Trave Chair Bends the Boundaries of Design

“Initially, we designed lots and lots of chairs,” said Alberto Brogliato of the development of the Trave chair. “Some were even aesthetically pleasing and beautiful, but none had that special something that would have secured its place in the Magis collection.” In other words, it wasn’t easy to create a steam-bent wood chair that’s contemporary in design but employs age-old technology. But once BrogliatoTraverso embraced Magis’ mindset of pushing the boundaries of design, things started falling into place.

Modern design is oftentimes about taking away until you can’t. The Trave chair features a simple bar of solid ash, which the entirety of the design is focused upon. It’s also where the legs, seat, and backrest are attached – quite literally the piece’s backbone. The addition of a large, padded seat and backrest increases comfort without compromising on aesthetic or craftsmanship.

two dining chairs with pink and blue padded, upholstered seat and back in front of a white curtain

Trave’s production pushes solid wood bending technology to its limits. “It took a great deal of trial and error before we managed to bend a piece of that size with this kind of curve,” BrogliatoTraverso share. It takes seven days to create the central curved beam, during which time it’s soaked in steam, immediately bent, then placed in a drying kiln. Once dry, it’s prepared to be joined with the legs and cushions.

two dining chairs with pink and blue padded, upholstered seat and back in front of a white curtain

The solid ash frame is available in a natural finish and two stained options, oak and black. There’s also a wide variety of fabrics to choose from for the upholstery. Thanks to this versatility, the timeless Trave chair can be suited to any setting, residential or commercial.

two dining chairs with pink padded, upholstered seat and back t a round dining table in front of a white curtain

dining chair with dark grey padded, upholstered seat and back

dining chair with orange padded, upholstered seat and back

dining chair with black and white patterned padded, upholstered seat and back

dining chair with black padded, upholstered seat and back

dining chair with navy blue padded, upholstered seat and back

dining chair with light grey padded, upholstered seat and back

dining chair with black and white patterned padded, upholstered seat and back

dining chair with red padded, upholstered seat and back

dining chair with light grey padded, upholstered seat and back

detail of dining chair with pink padded, upholstered seat and back

detail of dining chair with black and white patterned padded, upholstered seat and back

To learn more about the Trave chair, visit magisdesign.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she’s likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.