Above: Mount Rainier, 2011. Click image to enlarge.

If you like landscape photography, I think you will like myMaster Landscape and Seascape Photography on-line class.

In looking at this image, I thought I'd try to give as many tips as possible. Here goes.

1) Use a slow shutter speed to blur the water. 1/4 sec. used here.
2) Expose for the highlights - always shoot with your histogram and highlight alert activated.
3) Get max depth-of-field. Use a wide-angle lens, small aperture and focus 1/3 into the scene.
4) Crop creatively, and know that cropping gives us a second chance at composition.
5) Use a foreground element to add a sense of depth to an image.
6) Keep a micro-fiber cloth handy to clean your lens around waterfalls.
7) Keep your camera dry by using a rain cover.
8) Use a sturdy tripod to steady your camera during long exposures.
9) Process creatively to create a mood - the more important element in a photograph.
10) Work with a good guide who can offer suggestions on where to make good images.

For hands-on training in landscape photography, check out 2016 photo workshops.

Explore the light,
Rick

What's new? My 36th book: Creative Visualization for Photographers.

I am gearing up for my June 2015 Casper, Wyoming Old West Photo Workshop.

In going though my files from past workshops, I came across some of my favorite photographs of the Old West, and decided to add some captions. Here ya go, pardner.

Opening image: Waiting for you. The longing eyes of this cowboy are the main subjects of this photograph. As in many of my images, I try to capture the mood and feeling of the subject – the most important element in a photograph.

Above: Riding hard, riding the herd. Cowboys don’t just ride hard, they ride herd – riding along with the cattle or horses. I feel as though this image captures that togetherness.

Above: Boot and spur. Detail shots help to tell the story, and as a photographer, I am a storyteller.

Above: Trail boss and greenhorn. To me, the ruggedness and confident posture of the cowboy in the foreground says, “trail boss.” The silhouette of a younger and thinner cowboy in the background says, “greenhorn.”

Above: Yee-ha! This cowboy’s “yee-ha” said it all! Putting him slightly out of focus adds a sense of mystery to the image.

Above: End of the day. I actually took this picture at the end of a long day of photographing this cowboy and cowgirl. They deserved a break, alone and quite by a pond.

Above: Mystery cowboy. By including only the shadow of the off-camera cowboy in my frame I added a sense of mystery and drama to the image. Not being able to see the cowgirl’s eyes also adds a sense of mystery to the image.

I hope to see you on my Capser Photo Workshop!

Explore the light,
Rick