On location and I’ve brought my trusty 1950 Bedford delivery van with me.
We’re on assignment because I’ve just started Ben Hawkins’ The Complete Beginner’s Photography Course, A Modular System for Success and the park at Nostell Priory is an ideal location to complete the Landscape section, including this attempt at ‘forced perspective’, creating an illusion with a toy car.
It worked better on the lichen encrusted capstones on the old park wall than it did in the sunlit courtyard at the stables because I couldn’t get the camera down far enough to get ‘eye level’ at about the height of the van roof.
The Rule of Thirds
But there’s more to landscape photography than toy cars – or as Ben suggests we call them ‘the right props’. He starts with the rule of thirds.
Then adds a focal point – again, to have most impact, at a junction of thirds.
Lead-in Line
His next suggestion is to create depth by adding a lead-in line, such as a path or shoreline.
Framing
And of course you can frame a landscape with an overhanging branch, a tree trunk, a bench or even a Robert Adam bridge.
The only shot that I struggled with for technical reasons was one which showed a still landscape with one element moving and blurred – such as cascading water or windswept grasses.
I need to try again with a tripod and, as a long exposure is needed, on a duller day.
Intentional Camera Movement
This was my attempt at ICM – intentional camera movement – a rowan with plenty of ripe berries. It’s intended to give an impressionist effect.