A Step by Step Approach to Landscape Photography by Dom Haughton Step 1. Drive to the Travelodge at
A Step by Step Approach to Landscape Photography by Dom Haughton Step 1. Drive to the Travelodge at the old Severn Bridge after work on Thursday evening. On the way make a mental note that you don’t need to order large chips from Francines at Launceston if you pass that way again. The portions are very generous and a medium serving would still have been plenty. Take so long trying to finish them that Lee eventually decides to start driving while you’re still having your tea. Step 2. Discover quite early that it takes even longer to cross Wales from Chepstow at its South East corner to Anglesey in the North West than even your most conservative estimates allowed for. Everyone knows that the more beautiful a place is, the longer it takes to pass through it. A brunch stop at Rhayader and a couple of very brief interruptions to get out of the car and stare at the wilderness with a huge grin on your face don’t really account for the 175 mile journey taking more than 7 hours. My goodness Wales is a beautiful country though. Step 3. Arrive at Newborough Beach and discover that it costs a fiver to park there. Step 3a. Discover a while later that your mate Chris, who you haven’t seen for more than 30 years has a key to the place, a perk of living nearby. Step 4. Don’t hang around wondering what Dave and Lee have got so excited about on the beach and head directly across it for Llandwyn Island and Twr Mawr Lighthouse before the mountains of Snowdonia disappear into the distant clouds for the evening, taking the backdrop you planned along with them. Now that’s a brisk walk if ever you feel the need. Step 5. Struggle to make any sense of the subject you came here to photograph. The light isn’t helping, but the strong winds that precede the arrival of Storm Ciara seem almost deliberately obstructive. Wonder why landscape photography is always so infernally difficult. Step 6. Give up on the lighthouse and wander around Llandwyn Island with a general feeling of deflation and little sense of direction. Discover a new composition. Notice that the outline of Snowdonia still hangs about vaguely in the background. Set the tripod up and form a human windbreak. I don’t often do the sea without a six stop filter attached. Step 7. Forget to tell the other two about this engaging scene accidentally on purpose. Discover later that Dave found it for himself in any case and managed an Explore with the result. Underhandedness never pays off. https://flic.kr/p/2j9Gxtn -- source link
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