Composition Still Rules
This year we were fortunate to experience the Fall colors in Arizona, New England and New Jersey. Photographing these colors on the trees can be challenging because it is easy to be seduced by their beauty and forget what it takes to create a great photograph. The art of photography is more than pointing a camera in the general direction of a nice scene. No matter what you are looking to photograph, how the photograph is composed is always important.
Landscape photography is the process of isolating a piece of reality. What was once a scene connected to the world around it in three dimensions is now limited to the size of the photograph. It has edges and is two dimensional.
Anyone viewing your photograph will not have the same point of reference as you did when you originally saw the scene. A well composed image overcomes this by inviting the viewer to enjoy that isolated piece of reality in a way that not only pleases the eye, but provides a sense of balance and perspective.
Arizona
Fall Aspens by Richard Lewis 2015
Glowing Aspens by Richard Lewis 2015
New England
Fall Trees in Southampton, Massachusetts by Richard Lewis 2015
Birch Grove in the Fall by Richard Lewis 2015
Fall Birches by Richard Lewis 2015
Breezy New Hampshire Birches by Richard Lewis 2015
Fall on Mt. Temple by Richard Lewis 2015
New Jersey
Ken Lockwood Gorge From Above by Richard Lewis 2015
Tree Arch At The Ken Lockwood Preserve by Richard Lewis 2015
Fall At The Round Valley Reservoir by Richard Lewis 2015
The Edge Of A Fall Forest by Richard Lewis 2015
Landscape photography is more than just finding a pretty spot and taking a picture. Once that spot is found, a photographer needs to figure out why it moves them and how to communicate that visually to anyone who looks at the image. While traveling around the countryside looking at this year’s amazing fall colors, there were many beautiful places that I passed on because I just didn’t see the photograph.
Enjoy
I’m not going to rehash previous comments by telling you again how much I love these looks into your surroundings by virtue of your celebrated images, nope not going to, just did, but there it is……………fabulous. I feel the need to see it for myself, but in the meantime settle for it on my screen in my loft. with a cup of coffee in my hand and the dogs nudging my leg, hey stop gazing, lets go human, we need to run there….sighs, dogs can dream too…right
Thank you, after a lousy weekend for many reasons, this lifts my spirit.
Thanks Rudi for your comments. I’m happy to have lifted your spirits by giving you a taste of the Fall in the US.
Very beautiful images (as always) Rich. I like what you say about landscape photography too. It is hard to pick a favorite from this set however I am especially drawn to ‘Tree Arch at Ken Lockwood Preserve’. It really gives me the sense of walking in an autumn forest and the red tree is a very nice focal point.
Thanks Denise. We liked that little arch so much that we stopped to have an early lunch so we could sit and admire it for a while.
Yep… being out in that changing environment is soul changing. Being able to do coast to coast is … priceless. Your wanderings and writing keep me coming back for more. I think the best compliment I could give, is that your pics weave in an out like a really good book. Keep it up my friend!!!!!
Thanks Mike. It is always nice to hear such kind words from a guy I have tremendous respect and admiration for.