5 of the Most Overused Landscape Photography Techniques

Theo Sulphate

Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2014
Messages
6,489
Location
Gig Harbor
Format
Multi Format
About 10 years ago one UK magazine had a wildly huge rant against hedgerows in photos. I suppose it's overused there? - not that I see that sort of thing here. I could look at landscapes with hedgerows for hours.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,359
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format

I speak clearly and distinctly with an accentless sound, like US news reporters, but a girl friend from Calgary claimed I have an "American Twang". I ain't go no stinkin' twang no how.
 

Theo Sulphate

Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2014
Messages
6,489
Location
Gig Harbor
Format
Multi Format
I speak clearly and distinctly with an accentless sound, like US news reporters, but a girl friend from Calgary claimed I have an "American Twang". I ain't go no stinkin' twang no how.

Having linguistics as a hobby, I find accents fun. You are correctly describing what's referred to as standard American English which is indeed ubiquitous throughout the country thanks to coast-to-coast radio and TV networks since the 1940's.

Several times I've driven across the U.S. from Washington state all the way to Maine (visiting relatives) and back, staying in small towns to hear accents. Sadly, standard American English was dominant everywhere: local radio, in restaurants, in stores - even in Massachusetts and Maine. The only stronghold of distinct regional accents was among older people. Young people had grown up with TV, movies, YouTube, etc., so their regional accent never developed.

Yet there are places in Texas, Louisiana, and especially South Carolina, where I delightfully cannot understand a complete sentence.
 

alanrockwood

Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2006
Messages
2,185
Format
Multi Format

Can we add "rule of thirds" to the list and make the list six items rather than five? I'm not saying to ignore the rule of thirds, but it might be over-used.
 

KN4SMF

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2019
Messages
334
Location
US
Format
Traditional
I didn't find his speech to be particularly extreme. But what do you expect, since he's not an American and therefor could not be expected to have learned correct English?
 

Helios 1984

Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2015
Messages
1,846
Location
Saint-Constant, Québec
Format
35mm
I didn't find his speech to be particularly extreme. But what do you expect, since he's not an American and therefor could not be expected to have learned correct English?

This bait is so big that we'll need a pickup to carry it to the boat. Loll
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,879
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
I didn't find his speech to be particularly extreme. But what do you expect, since he's not an American and therefor could not be expected to have learned correct English?
Fixed it for you.
 

Peltigera

Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
902
Location
Lincoln, UK
Format
Multi Format
These days you hear more about breaking the rules than about what the rules are. Be different and follow them.
I like Terry Pratchett's exhortation: 'learn all the rules, make sure you understand them well - and then break them good and hard'
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,879
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
I like Terry Pratchett's exhortation: 'learn all the rules, make sure you understand them well - and then break them good and hard'
I prefer: 'learn all the rules, make sure you understand them well - and then circumvent them!'
 

Arvee

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2006
Messages
976
Location
Great Basin
Format
Multi Format
I prefer: 'learn all the rules, make sure you understand them well - and then circumvent them!'

I believe he is trying to say that the typical ‘record shot’ with applied ‘window dressing’ is cliché; a simple attempt to try and dress up a dull and uninteresting composition that has no compelling subject, message, or story.

He, like all Nat/Geo photographers et al, recommends putting the emphasis on message/story paramount to the gimmicky enhancements that further detract from the basic intent of the composition.
 

StepheKoontz

Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2018
Messages
801
Location
Doraville
Format
Medium Format
The "golden light" one hits home with me. I've read so many photography books talking about getting up super early, shooting, then go back to the hotel until late in the day. Like there is only an hour of two of usable light in a day. I shoot at all times of the day and while for certain subjects you need to be there when the light is right, you simply look for other subjects if the light on one of them isn't right.
 
Joined
Jul 2, 2017
Messages
804
Location
Michigan, United States
Format
Multi Format
I say it's not the techniques, but how you use them.

I see a lot of photographers copying, instead of innovating.

And of course, the problem can be the copier not knowing the full extent of the original.
 

markbau

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
867
Location
Australia
Format
Analog
I like Terry Pratchett's exhortation: 'learn all the rules, make sure you understand them well - and then break them good and hard'
This reminds me of a doco I once saw about a famous Australian painter Brett Whitley. He was asked what advice would you give to an aspiring painter, his reply was "Draw something simple like a chair and keep drawing it until you get it perfect and then keep drawing it until it no longer looks like a chair"
 

removed account4

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
29,832
Format
Hybrid
These days you hear more about breaking the rules than about what the rules are. Be different and follow them.
couldnt' agree more, its better to swim upstream !
polar opposite of what influencers say.
 

foc

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 30, 2010
Messages
2,519
Location
Sligo, Ireland
Format
35mm
I think no matter what you do or how you do it, someone, somewhere will criticize it and say it has been done ad infinitum.

I also think the technique of using light in photography has been done to death.

Now there is a challenge.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,359
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Actually Selfies are the most overused landscape technique. Please take one or two more steps back towards the edge ...

....
....
....
...
...
...
...
..
..
..
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.



.


.

 

Theo Sulphate

Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2014
Messages
6,489
Location
Gig Harbor
Format
Multi Format
...
I also think the technique of using light in photography has been done to death.

Now there is a challenge.

How can I capture X-rays or cosmic rays with my camera in a non-laboratory environment?
 

Arklatexian

Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2014
Messages
1,777
Location
Shreveport,
Format
Multi Format
Well, let's see now. DO NOT EVER use a slow shutter speed to shoot "running water" or better yet "moving water" even when they is the best way to make a "static" water scene "interesting" and for gosh sakes DO NOT INCLUDE interesting skies that might make the image "more interesting". Why not save time and DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT MIGHT MAKE THE IMAGE "INTERESTING AND NOT BORING TO LOOK AT". Thanks F64 and I'll have you know that I am NOT feeble minded, only old, real old Thats why I know when and where to use sarcasm........Regards!
 
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…