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The Importance of Patience in Landscape Photography
The Importance of Patience in Landscape Photography
by Keenan Hursh
Several years ago, some friends and I embarked on a road trip to Yellowstone National Park. We had wrapped up school for the year and were immensely excited to head up north to this pocket of pristine wilderness.
A few of us were in the early stages of our photography journeys and this trip was the perfect excuse to develop our skills and knowledge as photographers. We packed all our cameras, lenses, tripods, and spare batteries and started driving north.
Yellowstone is one of the premier destinations in the world for both wildlife and landscape photography. This would be my first time visiting America’s first national park and I was specifically excited about the many strange and unique geologic features scattered throughout.
A few of us were in the early stages of our photography journeys and this trip was the perfect excuse to develop our skills and knowledge as photographers. We packed all our cameras, lenses, tripods, and spare batteries and started driving north.
Yellowstone is one of the premier destinations in the world for both wildlife and landscape photography. This would be my first time visiting America’s first national park and I was specifically excited about the many strange and unique geologic features scattered throughout.
We spent several days traveling around the two main loops that make up the park, slowly checking off all the iconic landmarks and landscapes on our prospective lists. One of the main subjects I wanted to photograph was the iconic Grand Prismatic hot spring. I had seen so many incredible photos of this vibrant pool, especially aerial photos taken from above. I was determined to capture a print-worthy image of this other-worldly hot spring! “How hard could it be?” I thought.
I guess, in my naïveté, I didn’t realize we hadn’t rented a helicopter or plane, or that this is one of the most visited and crowded locations in the entire park. Second only to old faithful perhaps, which has rows of bleachers around it… Maybe this masterpiece of a photograph I strived to achieve would be more difficult than I initially thought.
After waiting about 45 minutes to get a parking spot on the side of the road and being slowly herded with thousands of fellow visitors along the boardwalks that wind around the Grand Prismatic, I struggled to take pictures. The photos I did get were either full of people, obscured by the rising steam in the air, or they just weren’t very interesting or pleasing to look at…
Upon exiting the loop, my friends and I regrouped and discussed how difficult it was for any of us to get images that really captured the essence of this place. We were at a loss and morale was low… Just then, my friend Josh happened to notice a group of people on top of a small hill set back from the spring. Perhaps this was the opportunity we had been looking for.
We hiked up to the top of this hill and noticed that many people hiking down were equipped with DSLRs, camera bags, and tripods. This was a promising sign. When we got to the top, the view of the hot spring was incredible. Of course, we weren’t the only ones aware of this as there were about 20-30 other photographers crowded around this small overlook.
It took some time for me to envision the shot I wanted. I had to patiently wait for other photographers to wrap up so that I could snag a spot in the lineup. I had to decide what composition would be the most appealing, and more than anything, I knew that I wanted to exclude humans from my photo. This last criterion was going to be difficult to achieve.
But I put the time in and started testing out all kinds of shots. After taking tons of pictures, at different focal lengths, with different camera settings, and a wide variety of compositions I was able to capture an image I’m still proud of to this day!
I guess, in my naïveté, I didn’t realize we hadn’t rented a helicopter or plane, or that this is one of the most visited and crowded locations in the entire park. Second only to old faithful perhaps, which has rows of bleachers around it… Maybe this masterpiece of a photograph I strived to achieve would be more difficult than I initially thought.
After waiting about 45 minutes to get a parking spot on the side of the road and being slowly herded with thousands of fellow visitors along the boardwalks that wind around the Grand Prismatic, I struggled to take pictures. The photos I did get were either full of people, obscured by the rising steam in the air, or they just weren’t very interesting or pleasing to look at…
Upon exiting the loop, my friends and I regrouped and discussed how difficult it was for any of us to get images that really captured the essence of this place. We were at a loss and morale was low… Just then, my friend Josh happened to notice a group of people on top of a small hill set back from the spring. Perhaps this was the opportunity we had been looking for.
We hiked up to the top of this hill and noticed that many people hiking down were equipped with DSLRs, camera bags, and tripods. This was a promising sign. When we got to the top, the view of the hot spring was incredible. Of course, we weren’t the only ones aware of this as there were about 20-30 other photographers crowded around this small overlook.
It took some time for me to envision the shot I wanted. I had to patiently wait for other photographers to wrap up so that I could snag a spot in the lineup. I had to decide what composition would be the most appealing, and more than anything, I knew that I wanted to exclude humans from my photo. This last criterion was going to be difficult to achieve.
But I put the time in and started testing out all kinds of shots. After taking tons of pictures, at different focal lengths, with different camera settings, and a wide variety of compositions I was able to capture an image I’m still proud of to this day!
Just like last week's article, the most important trait that allowed me to capture this image would have to be patience. I had to test out all sorts of photos and deal with the crowds before I found the right location. Once I did, I had to wait for other photographers to wrap up so that I could set up my tripod. And, even after all of that, I had to meticulously take my time to capture an image with a unique composition that captured the essence of the Grand Prismatic.
When it comes to landscape photography, patience is an absolutely essential skill that every photographer can most likely improve on. It’s so easy to rush ourselves and to want to move on to whatever is next, but when we slow down, take our time, and focus on the present moment the outcome can be very rewarding indeed. So let’s get into it and discuss the importance of patience in Landscape photography.
When it comes to landscape photography, patience is an absolutely essential skill that every photographer can most likely improve on. It’s so easy to rush ourselves and to want to move on to whatever is next, but when we slow down, take our time, and focus on the present moment the outcome can be very rewarding indeed. So let’s get into it and discuss the importance of patience in Landscape photography.
Patience and Landscape Photography
One of the primary ways patience can play a role in landscape photography is that we can’t control the environmental lighting and overall conditions around us. As photographers, we are at the mercy of mother nature. Of course, we can look at overarching trends in weather, and can estimate when the golden hour will occur but there’s only so much, we can do. Sometimes I’ll arrive at a shot location over an hour before I think I need to be there to increase my odds of getting the perfect lighting. Sometimes clouds, precipitation, or harsh sunlight will prohibit me from capturing an “ideal” photo and I’ll have to come back later. Or perhaps I’ll plan to go somewhere on a given weekend only to realize that it’ll be raining the entire time… When it comes to landscape photography you will have to be patient with and work around the environmental conditions you might be faced with.
Another part of landscape photography that requires some patience is the process of planning your shoot. Just like with wildlife photography, if you randomly go somewhere to take photos without any prior planning, you’re likely to be disappointed. You’ll want to research an area of interest to identify subjects or specific landscapes you may want to photograph. In addition, you’ll want to know where and when you should be at each location on your list. Make sure you know how to effectively and safely navigate to each spot. You’ll also want to think about what gear and accessories you may need. Do you need a telephoto lens to capture a faraway mountain, or perhaps a wide-angle lens to capture a larger field of view drawing both the foreground and background into focus? It’s essential to take your time and practice patience when planning your shoot.
One of the primary ways patience can play a role in landscape photography is that we can’t control the environmental lighting and overall conditions around us. As photographers, we are at the mercy of mother nature. Of course, we can look at overarching trends in weather, and can estimate when the golden hour will occur but there’s only so much, we can do. Sometimes I’ll arrive at a shot location over an hour before I think I need to be there to increase my odds of getting the perfect lighting. Sometimes clouds, precipitation, or harsh sunlight will prohibit me from capturing an “ideal” photo and I’ll have to come back later. Or perhaps I’ll plan to go somewhere on a given weekend only to realize that it’ll be raining the entire time… When it comes to landscape photography you will have to be patient with and work around the environmental conditions you might be faced with.
Another part of landscape photography that requires some patience is the process of planning your shoot. Just like with wildlife photography, if you randomly go somewhere to take photos without any prior planning, you’re likely to be disappointed. You’ll want to research an area of interest to identify subjects or specific landscapes you may want to photograph. In addition, you’ll want to know where and when you should be at each location on your list. Make sure you know how to effectively and safely navigate to each spot. You’ll also want to think about what gear and accessories you may need. Do you need a telephoto lens to capture a faraway mountain, or perhaps a wide-angle lens to capture a larger field of view drawing both the foreground and background into focus? It’s essential to take your time and practice patience when planning your shoot.
So now that you’ve planned your shoot you’ll also want to make sure that you properly know how to use your camera and gear. If you're spending lots of time fiddling with your settings or setting up your tripod you might miss the ideal shot. The more familiar you are with your equipment the more time you will spend actually taking pictures. You should have a solid understanding of the exposure triangle and how your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO will affect the photos you’re taking. Mastering your gear takes time and patience, but it’s better to put the time in beforehand so that you can focus on things like composition and lighting when you’re in the field.
And speaking of composition, this is an element of photography that is critically important when shooting landscapes. There have been many times when I’ve been in a rush and just snapped a few quick images without thinking much about composition or framing. Or I haven't put much thought into where I decided to place myself and my camera relative to the scene in front of me. When you’re shooting landscapes, you should always give yourself enough time to create a compelling and pleasing composition. Perhaps if you move 100 feet to your left you can expose more of your subject, or maybe if you frame your image with some foliage in the foreground you can add some depth. You should constantly be asking yourself, is this the best composition I can create, if the answer is no, you should explore some alternatives.
And speaking of composition, this is an element of photography that is critically important when shooting landscapes. There have been many times when I’ve been in a rush and just snapped a few quick images without thinking much about composition or framing. Or I haven't put much thought into where I decided to place myself and my camera relative to the scene in front of me. When you’re shooting landscapes, you should always give yourself enough time to create a compelling and pleasing composition. Perhaps if you move 100 feet to your left you can expose more of your subject, or maybe if you frame your image with some foliage in the foreground you can add some depth. You should constantly be asking yourself, is this the best composition I can create, if the answer is no, you should explore some alternatives.
In conclusion, patience plays a very important role in any style of photography, and this is especially true when it comes to shooting landscapes. If you take your time, slow down a bit, and set yourself up for success you will likely capture better images and walk away happier and more satisfied. I hope this article has been helpful and that it has inspired you to practice patience in your own photography journey.
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AUTHOR
AUTHOR
Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.
When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.
At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.
Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.
Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.
You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshphoto.com
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BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
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All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.