Ryszard Lomnicki is a specialist in long exposure and landscape photography. His expertise allowed him to travel and spend time in the wild, which he believes to be one of the many positive aspects of being a photographer. 

I had the honour of interviewing him about his work and analysing his image created in Moravia, Czech Republic. During our discussion, we delved into the techniques he used to capture the photo and why it works so effectively…

1. Vivid colours

Landscapes undergo significant transformations throughout the year, influenced by the weather and the season, but Ryszard decided to capture this scene in spring. “I planned to capture this scene at this time of year as I really wanted to show nature coming to life,” he explains. “The lushness of the spring greenery is crucial in this photo.” 

Ryszard skilfully captured the light and shadow to highlight the different hues of green. This has resulted in a vibrant but harmonious frame that mesmerizes with its vivid colors. Furthermore, this all-green color scheme allows the tiny Chapel of St Barbara, found on the right of the frame, to stand out.

2. Leading lines

“The main challenge I faced when shooting in this location was the distance from the Chapel of St Barbara. Capturing the frame as I intended meant that I had to adjust the position of the tripod to align with the desired composition,” Ryszard explains. 

He opted to include leading lines in his composition, with the trees creating lines that lead towards the chapel, naturally guiding the viewer’s gaze towards it. “By placing the chapel in a strong point, the leading lines combined with the undulations of the terrain highlighted by the rays of the setting sun, result in a more interesting image overall,” he adds.

3. Excluded horizon

When creating a balanced composition, the horizon is usually placed in the frame and often adheres to the classic rule of thirds. However, Ryszard intentionally chose to break with convention here by filling the frame with the landscape instead. 

“I decided to isolate the scene with the fields, the trees and a chapel to focus the eye on the most important elements of this scene,” he explains. “Including the horizon and sky might have unnecessarily disturbed the clean composition.” By doing so, he has showcased the landscape to its fullest potential.

4. Light fall-off

By darkening the edges of the frame using a vignette, Ryszard achieved a visual spotlight on the subject. “The vignetting effect was used specifically to focus the
eye on the most important elements of this photo,” he explains. 

With the reduction of brightness, a visual leading part was created that skillfully draws the viewer into the frame while enhancing the narrative of the photograph.

Tech details

Camera: Sony A7R III

Lens: Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM

Aperture: f/11

Shutter speed: 1/80 sec 

ISO: 100

Ryszard Lomnicki

Ryszard Lomnicki is an award-winning photographer based in Galway, Ireland. He specialises in long exposure and landscape photography and is also the official co-photographer of Haida Filters and a brand ambassador for Leofoto, Shimoda and Blackrapid.

NewsChannel 9 contributor Richard Simms was among several writers who took top honors in a recent Southeast outdoor writing competition.

The Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America (OJEFA) hosted a reunion of the former Southeastern Outdoor Press Association. OJEFA sponsored an Excellence in Craft competition to celebrate the work of some of the top outdoor writers in the Southeast. Top winners included Jim Mize (South Carolina), Donna Bush (Louisiana), and Simms.

Simms was awarded first place in the People/Action photography category with Chasin’ the Sun. He took a second place writing award in the Fishing category with Charlie’s First Fish and second place in the Flora Photography category with Bracken Fern.

He took a third place in the Social Media category with Bobcat Kittens, along with another third place for Charlie’s First Fish in the Sharon Rushton Award for work about and/or for youth in the outdoors.

Mize took first place in the Fishing Story and Hunting Story categories, as well as the coveted Sharon Rushton Award for work about and/or for youth in the outdoors. His book, The Jon Boat Years, was awarded second place and he won third place in all three photograph categories. Bush took top place honors in the Fauna and Flora Photography categories and the Social Media Post and placed second in two other categories.

Three places were awarded in each of nine categories with a total payout of $7,900, courtesy of OJEFA.

The group explored the beautiful scenery of Fontana including a hike along Hazel Creek and a cooking demonstration at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center by the highly successful Appalachian vlogger and cookbook author Tipper Pressley.

Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association sponsored the awards dinner. Founder and CEO of Sporting Activities by Owner (SABO), Justin Neal, addressed attendees Saturday night to discuss his group’s efforts to provide access to outdoors enthusiasts who have difficulty finding places to hunt and fish.

“Access to fertile hunting grounds and productive waters has been a growing issue in our industry and the challenge seems to have intensified in the past decade or so,” Neal said. “Efforts to encourage traditional outdoor activities fall flat if we can’t offer affordable places to go. SABO can help. We work with landowners to provide short-term leasing opportunities for people who either can’t afford annual leases or are new to outdoors adventures. Making it easier to get outdoors is a huge part of our mission.”

The 3-day gathering at Fontana Resort was held, in part, to commemorate what would have been the 60th anniversary of SEOPA’s founding in May of 1964 at the same resort. While much has changed in the 60 years since that first meeting, the kindred spirit of those who enjoy the outdoors and revel in telling its stories remains.

AWARD WINNERS LIST

FISHING STORY

• 1st Place: Fishing Fables by Jim Mize
• 2nd Place: Charlie’s First Fish by Richard Simms
• 3rd Place: What is Your Favorite Wildlife Recipe? By Whit Gibbons

HUNTING STORY

• 1st Place: Cold Cocked by Jim Mize
• 2nd Place: Epitaph for a Turkey Hunter by Jim Spencer
• 3rd Place: The Big Reveal by Tes Jolly
• Honorable Mention: New Hunter Learns to Thrive in the Wild Brent Frazee
• Honorable Mention: Bird Dogs Don’t Lie by Jimmy Jacobs

NON-CONSUMPTIVE

• 1st Place: Corn Snakes Make Colorful Windshield Wipers by Whit Gibbons
• 2nd Place Tie: Southern Girl Meets Northern Lights by Donna Bush
• 2nd Place Tie: Rain, Tin Roofs, and Restfulness by Jim Casada
• 3rd Place: Growing Gobblers by Jill Easton
• Honorable Mention: The Poult Days of Summer by Tes Jolly

PHOTOGRAPHS – FAUNA

• 1st Place: Osprey by Donna Bush
• 2nd Place: Quality Whitetails Cover by Tes Jolly
• 3rd Place: Hidden Hellbender by Jim Mize

PHOTOGRAPHS – FLORA

• 1st Place: Fall Colors by Donna Bush
• 2nd Place: Bracken Fern by Richard Simms
• 3rd Place: Autumn Stream by Jim Mize

PHOTOGRAPHS – PEOPLE/ACTION

• 1st Place: Chasin’ the Sun by Richard Simms
• 2nd Place: Aurora by Donna Bush
• 3rd Place: It’s a Bass by Jim Mize

BOOKS

• 1st Place: Lords of the Veldt & Vlei: Africa’s Pioneer Hunters by Jim Casada
• 2nd Place: The Jon Boat Years by Jim Casada
• 3rd Place: Bad Birds 3: Yet Another Collection of Mostly True Stories … by Jim Spencer

SOCIAL MEDIA

• 1st Place: Southern Girl Meets Northern Lights by Donna Bush
• 2nd Place: Jumping Buck by Tes Jolly
• 3rd Place: Bobcat Kittens by Richard Simms

SHARON RUSTON AWARD

• 1st Place: Squirrel Hunting: The Right Game for Young Hunters by Jim Mize
• 2nd Place: Fisherman Helps Children with Disabilities Cast for Joy by Brent Frazee
• 3rd Place: Charlie’s First Fish by Richard Simms

For more information:

Outdoor Journalist Education foundation of America

Fontana Dam Village Resort

Visit Graham County

Exploring new places with your camera can be incredibly fulfilling, especially when you’re trying to capture unique moments and invigorating shots. 

Coming to you from Mike Chudley, this engaging video explores the art of composition. Chudley shares his experience of wandering through Riva, Italy, focusing on how to creatively capture the desolate beauty of this summer resort during the quieter months. 

Chudley starts by discussing his approach to composition. He emphasizes the importance of aligning elements within the frame to create visually pleasing images. For instance, he points out how the top of a swing aligns with the roofs of nearby shacks, creating a harmonious flow within the photo. This technique is particularly useful when there are no obvious subjects to photograph, allowing you to find interest in otherwise mundane scenes.

Another interesting point Chudley makes is about playing with colors and light. In Riva, the off-season atmosphere offers a unique palette of muted tones and soft lighting. Chudley experiments with these elements, finding beauty in the abandoned water parks and empty streets. He encourages leaning into your surroundings and making the most of what’s available, which can lead to surprisingly beautiful results.

Chudley also touches on the idea of gamifying the photography process. By treating composition as a puzzle, he challenges himself to find the most creative and pleasing ways to frame his shots. This approach not only makes the process more enjoyable but also sharpens your skills as a photographer. It’s about seeing the potential in every scene and pushing your creative boundaries.

One key takeaway from Chudley’s video is the importance of having fun with your photography. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a quiet coastal town, finding ways to enjoy the process can make a significant difference in your work. Chudley suggests embracing the environment you’re in and allowing it to guide your photographic style. If you’re in a vibrant, busy area, look for dynamic, bustling scenes. If you’re in a serene, quiet place, focus on the tranquility and simplicity of your surroundings. The key is to enjoy the process and let your surroundings inspire you. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Chudley.