| p>The word photography comes from the | | | | may not be everyone's idea of the perfect day |
| French photographie and is based on the Greek | | | | but for the landscape photographer it can be |
| for light and stylus or paintbrush or graphe (a | | | | perfect, providing both mood and drama. |
| representation by means of lines or drawing), | | | | Light can change very quickly, the scene in front |
| basically meaning "drawing with light". With that in | | | | of us literally changing before our eyes. |
| mind landscape photography is a combination of | | | | Sometimes the changes are quite subtle, other |
| drawing light across the land. Light in particular is, in | | | | times they can be dramatic. With a strong |
| my opinion what the landscape is all about, light is | | | | composition it is often good to wait and see what |
| what makes the scene, transforming it | | | | happens. Being in the right place at the right time |
| throughout the day. The ability to consider light | | | | is not just about luck, keep an eye on the |
| first and foremost is what sets one photographer | | | | weather forecast a day or two before your |
| apart from the other. | | | | planned photoshoot to see how the weather will |
| There is no such thing as bad light and we can | | | | unfold. |
| take our photographs in virtually any light but the | | | | Even at times of flat un-directional lighting that is |
| intensity, direction and colour of the light will have | | | | less than ideal for the grand scenic we need not |
| an enormous influence on how the scene looks in | | | | despair, we can always concentrate on inner |
| front of us. We may find a stunning location but | | | | landscapes, those small details within the great |
| know we will have to come back at another time | | | | outdoors that are often overlooked. This kind of |
| to ensure the direction of light is just how we | | | | lighting is perfect for these details, removing harsh |
| would like it to be, this may be a different time of | | | | shadow so the intricacies and fine details can be |
| the day or indeed a different time of the year. | | | | recorded. |
| Whilst the time of day has a significant bearing on | | | | Weather will always affect the quality of light, |
| the quality of light so too does the time of year, | | | | dark and sombre or bright and cheery we should |
| the position of the sun is significantly higher in | | | | try and see the potential of every occasion. |
| summer than in winter at the same time of day. | | | | Showery days can be interesting as changes |
| So for example if we want the light on part of a | | | | occur constantly with the possibility of rainbows. |
| particular landscape scene we may only be able to | | | | So as photographers we need to be very aware |
| shoot it at a certain time of the year. | | | | of changing light, be alert to potential changes |
| There is no such thing as bad light for landscape | | | | when out in the field. Look ahead for breaks in |
| photography, there is only changing light and our | | | | the cloud that may provide a shaft of light and be |
| ability to make the most of it. Dark, heavy cloud | | | | ready for it. |