Landscape photography. Generally, when someone imagines landscape photography, it usually conjures visions of large, beautiful color scenes of mountainsides; lush forests; rich blue lakes; etc…
Landscape Photography with Shallow DOF!?
In landscape photography, more often than not, the photographer works to get everything in focus. Corner to corner focus. (iPhones are great for that!)
Landscape Photographer? Me?
I’ve never considered my self a landscape photographer. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE NATURE. I love being out and hiking, climbing and breathing in the fresh air, being away from any city. But although I am amazed by the wonder and beauty of nature, it’s not a subject I’m drawn to when I consider my photography.
A short tour of any of the galleries on this site will clearly show that there’s not much landscape or nature photography here. I like moodiness, passion, scenes from the past. And I love shallow DOF (depth of field). I love selective focus and let the rest of the scene fall away.
A New Direction
I’ve often talked about how it’s good to mix things up now and then. Shoot something completely different than your normal subjects. For me, landscape photography would definitely be something different.
But how can I shoot nature and landscapes so that it still includes the mood, the feel and the story of what I normally try to capture?
Ah ha! Black & White Shallow DOF Nature Photography
Black and white photography always has been my favorite. I have been enjoying shooting some color lately, but B&W will always be my passion, obsession. I love the mood and instant nostalgic feeling that can be created with B&W. Shooting nature photography and landscapes in B&W would be interesting to me. That’s really nothing new. Just think of Ansel Adams or Sebastiao Salgado. Brilliant photographers.
Shallow DOF is the way I love to shoot. For my purpose, it helps me better tell a story with my photos. It allows me to focus on the hero of the photo, letting the viewer know that the subject in focus is the hero of the shot. It’s their story.
I’ve often thought of the Yucca and Joshua Trees in the desert seem more like another species of sentient beings that live in the desert. I love the way I can make them the hero of the shot. Build the story around them. Give more mood and feel to the story.
Probably Just A Phase
I don’t know how long I’ll be photographing this subject. But for now, I’m having fun with it. Black & White shallow DOF nature and landscapes. I love it.
How About You?
Do you shoot landscapes and nature? What do you think of my thoughts on this? Do you know other photographers who like to shoot this style of photography; incorporating both B&W and shallow DOF? If so, let me know in the comments. I’d love to see this kind of work from others.
Color Night Photography