Landscape photography can be incredibly rewarding, and it sure is one of my favorite genres. But if you’re new to it, there are plenty of obstacles and mistakes at first. In his latest video, Mark Denney points out some of the most common mistakes beginners make while also revisiting his older video from 2019. Whether you’re a complete novice or looking to refine your skills, understanding these common pitfalls can help you avoid frustration and start creating stunning landscape photos.

Rule of Thirds… Always?

In 2019, Mark advised relying on the famous Rule of Thirds for composing landscape photos. It was his go-to technique, which he believed would instantly elevate any beginner’s image.  However, after years of experience and countless landscapes captured, his perspective has shifted.

Now, Mark encourages you to experiment more. After all, it’s not interesting to have all the photos composed the same. While the Rule of Thirds remains a solid compositional foundation, Mark urges you to explore a broader toolbox of techniques. Leading lines, for example, can guide the viewer’s eye directly into the heart of the scene. Reflections can introduce a sense of symmetry and tranquility. Framing, like using a natural arch or a foreground element, can draw attention to your subject. And don’t forget foreground interest. A bed of vibrant wildflowers or a scattering of interesting rocks in the foreground can add depth and context to your landscape.

By embracing these various approaches, Mark argues, photographers can unlock their creativity and escape the monotony of relying solely on the rule of thirds.

New gear focus

Five years ago, Mark’s message was clear: gear acquisition syndrome is real. Aspiring landscape photographers shouldn’t get caught up in the endless chase for the latest and greatest camera. But this time around, his focus has shifted. Now, he emphasizes the importance of focusing on your gear… As long as it’s the gear you already own. Let me elaborate.

According to Mark, truly understanding your camera’s capabilities and limitations is the key to unlocking its full potential. Instead of obsessing about constantly fantasizing about the latest gear, become familiar with the one you already have and all of its settings. Only this way will you gain the confidence to tackle any lighting situation and capture stunning landscapes without feeling restricted by your gear. In essence, Mark is advocating for a deeper photographer-camera connection, where technical knowledge empowers you to translate your vision into reality.

Fundamental avoidance

One of the biggest mistakes Mark identified from his 2019 session was the tendency for beginners to overlook the fundamental building blocks of photography. This, he argues, is like trying to build a house without a foundation. The exposure triangle, the holy grail of capturing a well-lit image, is a prime example.

Understanding how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together to control light exposure is paramount.  Learning to “read” a histogram, a visual representation of your image’s tonal values, becomes crucial in ensuring your photos aren’t under or overexposed. Mastering these concepts empowers you to take control of the creative process. By building a strong foundation in these fundamentals, Mark emphasizes, you’ll be well-equipped to translate your vision into captivating landscape images.

Stop thinking, start doing

In his 2019 video, Mark acknowledged the importance of information for aspiring photographers. Back then, his focus was on providing a solid foundation of knowledge. He recommended watching photography tutorials, subscribing to educational channels, and soaking up all the technical details he could. But in his latest video, Mark recognizes a potential pitfall – information overload.

For beginners, getting bombarded with endless technical tips and tricks can be overwhelming. Mark now emphasizes a different approach: prioritize practice over information consumption. While a fundamental understanding of photography is still essential, the best way to truly learn is by getting out there and taking pictures.

Editing is a crucial step in landscape photography

In his 2019 video, Mark’s stance on photo editing for landscape photography was a little more reserved. Back then, the focus was on capturing the perfect image in-camera, minimizing the need for heavy post-processing. He advocated for mastering camera settings to achieve the desired results upfront.

However, in the new video, Mark seems to embrace the power of photo editing as a crucial step in the landscape photography workflow. You may not enjoy post-processing, but the more you learn about it, the easier and more enjoyable it will become. So, learn basic editing skills, like exposure correction, color balancing, and selective adjustments. It will allow you to fine-tune your images and bring out their full potential.

Conclusion

By embracing these insights and actively working to overcome these common rookie mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to capturing breathtaking landscapes that leave a lasting impression. Remember, landscape photography is a journey of exploration and experimentation. So, grab your camera, head outdoors, and put these tips into practice. And let us know – have these mistakes been in your arsenal, too? We won’t judge! 🙂

Blois, central France. A Gothic cathedral stands tall and proud, surrounded by chateaus filled with ornate decor and historic artworks of late kings, and lush gardens to rival Eden are set along the river Loire. It’s a picturesque city, one we might call typically French. What Blois doesn’t reveal is the country’s problematic approach to housing the country’s migrant populations, that 20,000 of its 50,000 inhabitants live in the fourth largest housing estate in France just a kilometer away.

On October 27, 2005, after the death of 17-year-old Zyed and 15-year-old Bouna resulting from a police chase, France’s suburbs, or banlieues, erupted in protest against the country’s systematic police violence and racism. Simon Wheatley didn’t intend to stay in France when he was sent on assignment to capture the mood of a nation characteristically in protest towards its authorities—he jumped on a train after hearing that no photographer was documenting the French estates at the time.

“Always and Forever There,” his book published late 2023 (18 years after the photos were taken) is a tale of youth pushed to the margins of French life, as Simon says in the book, “lumped on the edge of town.” Wheatley photographed Blois and its inhabitants in 2005 after being commissioned by Magnum. “It was a bit of a media tour,” he says of when the journalists first arrived. “We saw some burnt out trucks and cars. I made a few photos but it seemed like a very pointless exercise. It was almost tourist journalism.”

March 24 | Hebron, West Bank

Israeli soldiers guard Jewish settlers, wearing costumes, as they celebrate the holiday of Purim during an annual parade. The Jewish holiday commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther.

Heidi Levine for The Washington Post

Canon, VCCP and Alight Media partnered to celebrate the talent of students from creative arts students currently studying at Stoke on Trent College and Stoke Sixth Form.

Five stunning images produced by students from Stoke on Trent College and Stoke Sixth Form College have been chosen to feature in a “virtual photography exhibition” on eight digital billboards around Stoke-on-Trent.

The images were chosen following four workshops which were hosted as part of a collaboration between Canon’s Young People Programme and VCCP Stoke Academy. The images will be seen by thousands of people across the city everyday thanks to the generous donation of media space by Alight Media.

The workshops, led by professional photographer and Canon Ambassador Clive Booth and facilitated by 10 senior creative experts from VCCP, the UK’s largest creative agency by billings, were run with more than 100 students pursuing courses in photography and the creative arts. 

Award-winning fashion photographer Ben Farr, who is based in the Acava Studios on the same Spode Factory site as VCCP Stoke Academy’s office, was also one of the group leaders. 

Over four days, students were taught essential craft skills such as lighting and framing, whilst working to a one day creative brief set by VCCP, to give students a flavour of the typical projects they would expect to work on in a creative industry career. 

The five images are all related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and were the winning entries chosen from an exceptionally high standard of work produced in a matter of hours by the teams of sixth form students who conceived, shot and edited the images themselves with guidance and support from VCCP and Canon professionals. 

The images can be seen on rotation for two weeks at Alight Media-owned outdoor locations across Stoke-on-Trent.

Adam Pensotti, head of the Canon Young People Programme & social initiatives at Canon EMEA said, “We were all incredibly impressed with the standard of creative work. Through our collaboration with VCCP, the Canon Young People Programme gave students the opportunity to work with and learn from Canon Ambassador Clive Booth and VCCP Executive Creative Director Jim Thornton and his team. In Stoke there is an abundance of talent amongst these students and our responsibility is to give them the confidence, skills and valuable work experience, massively helping them improve their prospects and self-belief to secure a career in the creative industries.”

Jim Thornton, executive creative director at VCCP, said, “The winning ideas stood out because they were distinct, memorable and brilliantly crafted. The partnership we delivered with Canon is great proof of how we can transform the confidence and progress of creative students even in the space of one day. We very much look forward to continuing our Canon partnership and working closely with Stoke on Trent College and Stoke Sixth Form College.”

Ged Glover, chief revenue officer of Alight Media, said, “We’re delighted once again to be able to support the work of VCCP Stoke Academy by showcasing through our digital billboards the incredible creative talent of young people in Stoke-on-Trent. We are on a mission to build positive connections with communities out-of-home and I hope the teams will feel extremely proud when seeing their winning entries across the city.”

Lifelong Rochester resident Emma Jeanson identifies as many things, but a new mom and passionate photographer are two that stand out. Prior to her taking on photography full time, Emma was a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic for nine years.

“I have been a photographer for about 13 years now,” she says. “This past year I purchased a photographer studio space in town.”

In her free time, Emma enjoys going to the gym and has an affinity for weight lifting. She lives by the motto, “If it bothers you, do something about it.”

How would you describe your style in three to five words?

Practical, athletic, sporty.

How does your role as a photographer impact the way you choose to dress?

I can’t wear red or pink to shoots, so that the color doesn’t reflect onto the subject. I also don’t wear skirts as I need to be able to move around and get down low for certain shots. I feel that I need to dress professionally but yet comfortable and so I pick pieces that fit that mold.

What makes your style true to you?

I will not wear sweatpants or flip-flops in public, and I try to look as professional and put together as I can at all times. I like to wear athleisure pieces that are tighter but still comfortable, and I tend to stay away from baggy clothing.

What do others often comment on or say with regards to your style?

I wear a lot of hot pink on days I don’t photograph, so many people comment on that.

How would you describe today’s style scene? Thoughts on trends?

The style scene right now includes a lot of 90s vibes. I don’t like how there are a lot of satin tops on trend because I don’t feel like I can rock those, but I know that teens are loving them. I see a lot of new styles when doing senior photos as I think that’s fun to see what kids are wearing. I also don’t wear jeans.

Favorite kicks?

My favorite shoes are high-top Skechers. So many people compliment them and when they find out they are Skechers, they are surprised.

Any sentimental items you own?

I have a few pieces that my grandma has given me. She is no longer living, so I am holding onto those even if they may be out of style now.

Repeat purchases?

I own two tops from Old Navy in about 20 colors. They fit so well, and I just haven’t found anything that fits like they do so every time they come out with a new color, I get it.

What items do you find yourself grabbing for most often?

Leggings with pockets, a crop sports bra, and an open-front cardigan is my go-to look.

Do you prefer old stand-bys or infusing your wardrobe with new items?

I definitely find joy in going through my closet and getting rid of the old and refreshing my look.

Favorite season as it relates to clothing?

Summer. You just need a pair of shorts and a shirt with a built-in bra. Makes it pretty easy to get dressed.

Whose style do you admire and why?

My sister is a good dresser. I like that she isn’t afraid to wear certain pieces that I would never feel comfortable wearing.

How does your wardrobe change to embrace varying weather in Minnesota?

I just add more layers in the cooler months. Biker shorts become leggings, and I add another top — layers on layers.

Thoughts on comfort as it relates to clothing?

There is no need to sacrifice comfort for style. People can do athleisure and make it professional. There are so many sites out there that advertise stretchy dress pants, blazers and dresses.

Do you know someone who has unique style? Send nominations to

life@postbulletin.com

with “Your Style” in the subject line.

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A photography expert has shared some vital techniques and practices to capturing the upcoming total solar eclipse in stunning fashion. The April 8th event will be Stan Honda’s third time photographing a total solar eclipse.

Stan Honda, who has worked 34 years as a photojournalist, will be in Fredericksburg, Texas with friends on April 8, 2024 during the total solar eclipse. His plans are to capture images of the event on behalf of the international news agency, Agence France-Presse. The seasoned photojournalist, who also captured images from the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, has offered up some tips and techniques to help everyone take images of the upcoming event with only a digital camera and ordinary lenses.

Honda remarked that the first step in taking images of the event is to plan ahead. He recommends utilizing the TimeAndDate website, which has great maps and information on the event, to find the ideal location. Another aspect of planning ahead, according to Honda, is to simplify your approach by choosing just one camera and lens for capturing the event. This will allow the photographer to not only focus on capturing a remarkable image, but also allow them to fully take in the celestial event themselves.

Perhaps the most important part of viewing the eclipse is to ensure eye safety. Everyone will want to pick up a pair of eclipse glasses that have the ISO 12312-2 standard written on the side. Honda explains, “Safe filters block out a huge percentage of visible light and most importantly the UVs and UVb rays that can cause permanent retina damage and infrared radiation.”

Another important step in planning ahead is to buy a lens filter for the chosen camera lens for taking photographs of the partial phase of the eclipse. Honda recommends checking out brands Baader, Celestron, and Thousand Oaks Optical. He adds that Baader and Thousand Oaks Optical also offer small solar filter sheets that can be cut to fit a lens, and are relatively inexpensive.

For camera choice, Honda says any DSLR or mirrorless camera will allow for taking good eclipse photos. Lens choice will be the determining factor in what kind of image is wanted, with a telephoto lens being the most popular for capturing a shot of the sun and corona. Long telephoto lenses, like a 100-400mm, or 200-600mm, will give a larger image of the eclipsed sun, but are bulkier and harder to manipulate. A wide angle lens, or the kit lens the camera came with, can produce a dramatic shot of the surrounding environment and the eclipse.

Honda also recommends having at least one spare battery for the camera, and an extra memory card. No one wants to be snapping photos leading up to the total solar eclipse, only to find out their battery has died, or they have run out of storage before the eclipse happens. It is also recommended to have a sturdy tripod, especially if anyone is planning on using a telephoto lens.

A few photography tips Honda shared include knowing the camera being used. Practice taking shots with the camera in the days and weeks ahead of the event. Become familiar with the various settings, such as focus, exposure, and the spot meter mode. Practicing will also give photographers a good idea of how long their battery will last.

For taking pictures of the eclipse, Honda remarked, “A good starting point for the camera settings is: ISO 400, 1/1000 second, f8.” He added, “You may have to adjust this to fit the conditions in the sky as well as your equipment.” During the total eclipse, and when the moon is almost covering the sun and there is a sliver of the sun through the filter, Ford remarked, “Filters off!”

As far as changing settings during the total eclipse portion, Honda says if someone is shooting at 1/1000 sec, lower the shutter speed to 1/30 sec, or even 1/15 sec. This will allow more of the corona to show. Once direct sunlight can be seen again, be sure to put the filter back on, and readjust the shutter speed to 1/1000 sec, especially if the plan is to continue photographing the event.

Anyone wanting more information about Stan Honda, or his advice on taking total solar eclipse images, can visit his website. As Honda poignantly points out, don’t get lost in the moment of taking photographs, and be sure to take in the full experience.