Technique
Shoot summer scenics Taking landscape photographs to be proud of means being there at the right place, at the right time – and having the right kit tomake themost of the vision in front of you. Here’s our guide to kit every scenic shooter should have
Keep it still
The tripod is one of the most useful accessories a landscape photographer can have, allowing you the freedom to use slower shutter speeds. Equally, it’s also the easiest to leave in the car. The moral of this is to have a tripod you are happy to carry up hill and down dale. As a guide, the bigger the camera or lens, the bigger and heavier the tripod you’ll need, especially if you’re shooting long exposures in windy conditions. However, this is only a guide and smaller, lighter ‘travel’ tripods can be excellent in most situations, although some small but cheaper tripods are not worth the money. Tripods that come with pan and tilt heads using plastic quick- release plates, for example. Tripod legs are either aluminium alloy or carbon fibre and some brands offer identical models in both materials. Carbon fibre is strong and lighter so ideal for toting around, but more expensive, while alloy can be more stable due to its increased weight. Legs can be three-, four- or five-section, offering varying maximum and minimum heights, and the legs are held in position with lever locks or twist locks. Lever locks are quick to use but can loosen over time, and while twist locks are slower they can securely lock a leg without much effort, are lighter and can be easier to clean. Many tripods are sold as legs only
lets you lock the camera at almost any angle quickly, while the pan and tilt head lets you pan and tilt the camera independently and is locked in place with a twist grip. Pistol grip heads have a similar action to a ball head and are quick to use, but many don't lock as firmly as a ball head, especially with a weighty load. Cameras mostly attach to the head via a mounting plate, and the most widely used is the Arca-Swiss fitting, which is used on ball heads and L grips. You get the best rigidity with metal plates that are secured to the camera with the help of a hex key. Maximum height, minimum height, centre column design and feet options are other key factors to ponder, so let’s take those points in turn. A tripod that can get a camera to your standing head height with minimal use of the centre column is probably ideal, but not essential, and you can get away with less height if you prefer to use a lighter travel pod. Making use of the centre column to give you more height can be risky, especially if there’s a breeze, but it should be fine if you take care. Use a remote release or self-timer and allow the camera to settle before taking the shot. Being able to splay a tripod’s legs for a low shooting position is a useful feature. An alternative is a reversible centre column, which means you can get a worm’s-eye view of the world, although using the camera is made more awkward. Most centre columns are
ABOVE The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CGHT carbon tripod features a multi-angle central column
even more flexible. The Manfrotto Befree GT XPro has a centre column that can be fixed at 90° for perfect flatlays, while the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263 has a multi-angle centre column. Finally: feet. Some pods offer the option (either supplied or as optional extras) of different feet. Most pods come fitted with rubber feet and many experts prefer spikes, so this is an option to consider. Benro andMefoto: eu.macgroupus.com Cullmann: transcontinenta.co.uk FLM: snapperstuff.com Gitzo: gitzo.co.uk Kenro: kenro.co.uk Manfrotto: manfrotto.co.uk Slik: intro2020.co.uk Vanguard: vanguardworld.co.uk
and then you add the head to suit your needs and budget. The
basically lockable tubes that move up and down to vary camera height. Some are two- or even three- sectioned for extra height, some divide in two to allow low shooting and few are
most popular head type for stills is the ball head, which
RIGHT The Manfrotto Befree GT XPro’s centre column can be set at 90° for flatlays
LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY IS a challenge in normal times and it’s not going to get any easier in the middle of a pandemic. Even as this issue of Photography News goes to press, some areas of the country are in lockdown and, with the situation very fluid, you need to take note of the current guidelines. At least you can enjoy the outdoors without a face mask, although if you don’t have one stashed in your camera bag right now, perhaps you should, in case you need to pop into a shop for a bottle of water. Experienced landscape photographers will tell you that summer is probably the least productive of the four seasons, and they are probably right. Because the sun is high in the sky for much of day, the lighting is harsh and cool, and you’ll either have to get up very early or stay out late for more a photogenic look. On the other hand, it’s a great season for dramatic cumulus clouds and, with the help of the ever-useful
polariser, you can cut down glare and enhance colour saturation to make the most of scenes. Summer is great time to experiment – it’s warm and there’s lots of light around. Perhaps it’s the time to try those creative or art filters your camera has, or its multiple exposure mode. With some extra kit, you could try infrared shooting with an infrared filter, because there’s more IR around when the sun is strong, or buy or make a pinhole for your camera – all you need is a spare lens cap, a small piece of aluminium foil from a drinks can and some basic DIY skills. And if DIY appeals, taking a plain filter and selectively covering it with Vaseline can make for an interesting soft-focus filter. If you’ve the budget, then look at Lensbabys and ‘art’ lenses like those from Petzval. Summer is a great season for your camera and you’re only limited by your imagination, so get out there and see what you can create.
In the bag
While shoulder bags are great in an urban setting, a photo backpack is the better choice when it comes to location shooting, especially if you have to walk any distance. Weight is evenly spread on each shoulder, a waist strap puts weight on your hips and a sternum strap helps with comfort. Quick access to contents is usually less of an issue, and while there are backpacks that allow you to get at the contents without taking it off, the ideal backpack for scenic photography needs to be big enough to get your kit in while protecting it, and with space for water, snacks and waterproofs, and comfortable to carry for a long time. It should have a rain cover
(built-in or separate) and the facility to take a tripod would be good. So basically, everything you need for your location shoot is on your back, which leaves your hands free. Manfrotto: manfrotto.co.uk Lowepro: lowepro.com/uk-en MindShift andThinkTank: snapperstuff.com PeakDesign: transcontinenta.co.uk Shimoda andTenba: eu.macgroupus.com Tamrac: intro2020.co.uk
ABOVE The MindShift FirstLight 30L backpack costs £260. It has an adjustable torso to suit different heights and the main compartment can take a 500mm lens on the body
12 Photography News | Issue 80
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