noma
Four principles to capture the vastness of grand landscapes in your photos! With @joshua.mallett - Winner Best of the Week 38 at #nomadict 2024 / “I captured my winning photo (pic. 1) just a few hours after arriving in Pokhara. The bus pulled in much earlier than expected, around 3:30 am, so I had some time before I could check into my hostel. I spent those early hours by Phewa Lake, watching the sunrise in solitude.
Though the sunrise was stunning and peaceful, exhaustion soon set in, and I made my way to the hostel. Still too early to check in, they invited me to chill on the rooftop, where the incredible mountain views left me in awe.
1) I used my telephoto lens to capture the mountains as the morning light played on them. I spotted a watchtower perfectly aligned with Machapuchare (‘Fishtail Mountain’) in the background, creating an irresistible scene. The telephoto lens allowed me to frame the foreground against the background, expanding composition possibilities.
2) In this shot, I noticed the watchtower and the peak of Fishtail Mountain, so I moved around until I positioned the peak perfectly in the center. In post-production, I applied the rule of thirds to crop the image, leaving enough negative space above the mountains to balance with the fog below, giving the image a sense of openness and depth.
3) I chose blue as the dominant color. I thought it would match the overall calmness of the image, and I enhanced it through split toning while desaturating most other colors. This step helped me bring out the natural hues, create a cohesive look, and convey the scale and atmosphere of the landscape, making it feel even more expansive and unified.
4) In addition, masking also plays a crucial role in conveying the vastness of a landscape. This technique allows me to shape my vision by selectively brightening or darkening areas, guiding the eye for added emphasis. It enhances my subjects while reducing distractions.” You can read the original article with @joshua.mallett by visiting the link in our bio!