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Where is the light
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Sep 13, 2018 13:15:06   #
SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX
 
I watch considerable youtube professional landscape photographers demonstrate various techniques. The vast majority of these landscape photographer when they are venturing out, in the field, often announce that the "light" is not right or there is no light and they do not take any photos to return to the same location at a later date. Most of these youtube landscape photographers are attempting to take photos during the dream hours during sunrise and sunsets.

The question is how many of us deal with the lack of light the same as many youtube photographers or do we try to shoot anyway even though there is no light. Personally, I have been in many fairly remote areas and since I am there I always take my landscape shots anyway although usually I am disappointed with my results.

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Sep 13, 2018 13:24:38   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
I visited The Grand Canyon a few years ago and didn't take one photograph due to the light. It just didn't suit the vision I had when I left for the canyon. Things changed on the say home and I took a photograph of the north side of The San Francisco Peaks. Some days the light's right and some days the light is only sufficient for a trip out of town.
--Bob
SteveLew wrote:
I watch considerable youtube professional landscape photographers demonstrate various techniques. The vast majority of these landscape photographer when they are venturing out, in the field, often announce that the "light" is not right or there is no light and they do not take any photos to return to the same location at a later date. Most of these youtube landscape photographers are attempting to take photos during the dream hours during sunrise and sunsets.

The question is how many of us deal with the lack of light the same as many youtube photographers or do we try to shoot anyway even though there is no light. Personally, I have been in many fairly remote areas and since I am there I always take my landscape shots anyway although usually I am disappointed with my results.
I watch considerable youtube professional landscap... (show quote)

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Sep 13, 2018 13:35:45   #
rcdovala
 
I have traveled to many locations that I knew I would not have another opportunity to revisit. So, I take photographs whether the light is "right" or not. I regard these as "record shots" that go into an album for me to peruse at some later date to remind me of the wonderful times that I had on that trip. Not every image that I capture has to be a "hero" photo. Nonetheless, they are important to me.

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Sep 13, 2018 14:20:44   #
Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas
 
rcdovala wrote:
I have traveled to many locations that I knew I would not have another opportunity to revisit. So, I take photographs whether the light is "right" or not. I regard these as "record shots" that go into an album for me to peruse at some later date to remind me of the wonderful times that I had on that trip. Not every image that I capture has to be a "hero" photo. Nonetheless, they are important to me.



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Sep 13, 2018 14:36:27   #
RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia
 
rcdovala wrote:
I have traveled to many locations that I knew I would not have another opportunity to revisit. So, I take photographs whether the light is "right" or not. I regard these as "record shots" that go into an album for me to peruse at some later date to remind me of the wonderful times that I had on that trip. Not every image that I capture has to be a "hero" photo. Nonetheless, they are important to me.


I also agree.

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Sep 13, 2018 14:52:42   #
juan_uy Loc: Uruguay
 
In similar situations there are several things that I take in consideration:
- If I am traveling far away, there is big chance that I won't be able to go back there, so is that day or never. I try to get the best I can with the conditions.
- If I am near home or somewhere I visit frequently (or during a trip a place I will be able to re-visit), then it depends of my options with the needed time. If I don't have anything better to do, I will take some pictures. I am there and using digital there is no cost in taking pictures that probably will be discarded. At least they can be useful to practice, try new things, etc.

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Sep 13, 2018 14:57:13   #
kenievans Loc: Dallas
 
I take the shots anyway for multiple reasons. One, as other have said I don't know when or if I will ever get the chance to return to some places and two, you can do amazing things in post processing to capture the vision you had in your mind. That is assuming you are into creative post processing. Not all are and that's ok too. To each his own.

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Sep 13, 2018 15:05:59   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
There are many ways to deal with harsh or flat light, including some mentioned in chapter 3 of a four-part series we did in For Your Consideration: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-531762-1.html

One is to consider shooting for a black and white composition. Assess the conditions and don't try to fight "what is." If you don't like cloudless blue skies, don't include the sky. In flat light, consider smaller stories (close-ups) rather than vistas. Embrace haze and fog as mood setters. Check this article: https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/fog-photography.htm

I just looked at some of the photos you posted to UHH. You don't need any advice, lol. Particularly with your eye for b&w subjects. You'd better post some of those disappointing landscapes so we have a set point

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Sep 13, 2018 16:02:23   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
You can set out with the idea of the shot you want, then shoot what suits the season or weather. The shot you want will probably be emulating something someone else has taken. Therefore you need to be choosey as to the conditions when you arrive. Yes you can do some things in photoshop, But is that what you really want?

I have seen night shots taken of standing stones on Dartmoor with different constellations above the subject. Those will have taken many years and many fruitless journeys - THAT is what makes them memorable.

If it was easy.........?

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Sep 13, 2018 16:11:39   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
SteveLew wrote:
I watch considerable youtube professional landscape photographers demonstrate various techniques. The vast majority of these landscape photographer when they are venturing out, in the field, often announce that the "light" is not right or there is no light and they do not take any photos to return to the same location at a later date. Most of these youtube landscape photographers are attempting to take photos during the dream hours during sunrise and sunsets.

The question is how many of us deal with the lack of light the same as many youtube photographers or do we try to shoot anyway even though there is no light. Personally, I have been in many fairly remote areas and since I am there I always take my landscape shots anyway although usually I am disappointed with my results.
I watch considerable youtube professional landscap... (show quote)


If one is shooting just to document where they’ve been, then no light is necessary. Just some snapshots to show the location.
If one is shooting for publication or sales/shows, the light must absolutely be there.
Last year I went up the coast on my way to somewhere esle but with the goals of photographing bowling ball beach and glass beach. It turned out to be foggy, I didn’t even take my camera out.
It all depends on the end goal!
SS

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Sep 13, 2018 16:18:00   #
SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX
 
Thanks Bob for your comments.

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Sep 13, 2018 16:21:36   #
SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX
 
RC:

Thank you for your reply and I agree that often to show where you have been is all important.

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Sep 13, 2018 16:24:21   #
SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX
 
Juan:

I know what you mean sometimes just to have memories of where you have been is important.

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Sep 13, 2018 16:26:23   #
SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX
 
Kenievans:

I think we all take snapshots to remember where we have been.

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Sep 13, 2018 16:28:03   #
SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX
 
Linda:

As usual you have come up with good solid evidence that you can make any light work for you. Thanks.

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