landscape | alan frost photography

Posts from the ‘landscape’ category

The appeal of ‘light on dark’ in Snowdonia

Burning mist

What makes a good black and white photograph? There are of course many answers to this question, so for this post I want to concentrate on one particular aspect and that is the use of a light subject set against a dark background. Put another way it is the natural contrast between two key elements of a composition. Finding suitable subjects in the landscape is not necessarily that easy and may require side lighting or even back lighting to give the desired effect. I have chosen four images for this post all taken on my recent trip to Snowdonia.

Blessed on a number of days with lovely sunshine, the chances of capturing a ‘light on dark’ image were improved as the bright light increased the amount of contrast. Exposing in such conditions can be a challenge, as it’s vital not to blow the highlights but I still wanted some shadow detail which I could bring out later in post processing. There are though occasions when I don’t want any shadow detail and the blacks can be deep, dark and even mysterious as they provide no information to the viewer whatsoever. This technique may not always be appropriate for a landscape image but even so, the contrast between light and dark can be enhanced when required from a purely artistic point of view.

The first image at the top of this post was taken as the last of the early morning mist was being burnt off by the strengthening sunshine which was still low in the sky. The light is coming from about 10 o’clock (from where I am standing and pointing the camera), but had the sun been behind me this shot would not have worked. It totally relies upon the light coming from a certain direction to illuminate the autumn leaves on the tress, so they stand proud of their darker background. Do click on the image to view a larger version as you will see there is still detail in the back drop of trees which are shrouded in mist.

Llyn Dias reflections

In the second image the light is coming from the left. Like the first shot it was taken fairly early in the morning. The sun lights up the fence and the trees, which like the first image stand out against the dark background. The water in the foreground is reflective adding another dimension to the picture.

Tree of light, Nant Ffrancon

The third image, above, is I think a very good example of ‘light on dark’ and why this type of shot makes a good monochrome photograph. Here I have focused on the tree in the top left of the frame. The yellow leaves catching the bright sunlight, creating virtually a silhouette of light against the darker tree behind it. The wire and slate fence leads your eye into the picture but being out of focus and dark does not detract from the brightness of the tree. This time the light was coming from about 2 o’clock. Personally I like the chimney, it just adds another point of interest but is still secondary to the main event.

Lastly I had to include a picture a sheep. How could I visit Wales and not have a sheep shot? Not literally of course, just photographically speaking! It’s not the greatest image taken on my trip but it does once again illustrate that the natural contrast between the subject and the background works in black and white. In colour this picture really wouldn’t be very pleasing to look at. What is critical to this shot is the detail which has been retained in the highlights in the sheep’s coat. A minimal depth of field has also been used to blur the background.

Welsh sheep

As mentioned earlier, all of these images are worth viewing ‘large’, so do click on each one to see the photograph in a new window.

Tryfan – a majestic mountain in Snowdonia

Tryfan

Never having been to Snowdonia in Wales before, my mind conjured up an image of what I might expect to see. Mountains certainly, deep valleys, yes of course, brooding clouds and light casting its spell on the landscape; well hopefully all of these combined in one picture.

With this imaginary view in my mind, I was delighted to make this photograph of what must be one of the most majestic mountains in Snowdonia, apart perhaps from Snowdon itself. Tryfan is just over 3,000 feet high and its dramatic profile leads the eye down towards Llyn Ogwen, a lake which lies at the foot of this rocky peak.

From a vantage point on the northern side of the valley I waited for the morning light to break through the clouds, illuminating the lake and the valley in the distance – and the view I had visualised became a reality.

At the mountain’s peak there are two monoliths, which from the valley floor given the appearance of two people who have reached the summit. They are called ‘Adam and Eve’ and are only 1.2 metres apart. For those brave enough to step from one rock to the other, it is said that you gain the ‘Freedom of Tryfan’.

I’m no climber so I am just happy to admire ‘Adam and Eve’ and Tryfan from a distance!

To view a larger version click on the image.

Snowdonia – It’s all about the light

Llyn Dinas

I have just returned home from Snowdonia in Wales, having been on an excellent, inspiring and very enjoyable workshop lead by Andy Beel FRPS and David Mills FRPS, together with three other participants.

The workshop was called – ‘It’s all about the light’ and it couldn’t have been a more apt description. We we were incredibly fortunate with the weather. Apart from some overnight rain we were out and about all week, stayed dry, and towards the end of the week it was quite simply wall to wall sunshine; not a cloud in the sky and very mild given the time of the year. This did mean that occassionally we had to work in high contrast conditions, which is not always ideal for photography, but my philosophy is that you make the best of what you are given, and who could complain when you are surrounded by such a truly beautiful landscape.

Selection and post processing of the best images now begins, but this may run for many weeks and probably months, given that I only have a limited amount of time to sit in front of a computer screen. As we discussed on the workshop it can be a good thing to give this time, and come back to the images later when you may see things differently. That’s not usually my style but with so many images to consider, it may have to be this way out of necessity and not out of choice.

For the time being here is one image taken by the shore of Llyn Dinas.

Do click on the image to view a larger version.

‘Break through’ – (the 200th blog entry)

Break through

I started this photographic blog in June 2012 and whilst I am not a prolific blogger this just happens to be my 200th post. I recognise this is a very small number compared to many other users of WordPress but for me it’s quite an achievement. Over three years ago I never thought that I would still be updating this site five or six times a month. This partly demonstrates how much I enjoy sharing my images and my thoughts, but even more importantly it is testimony to how much pleasure I derive from making images and the art of photography.

When you reach any milestone, however small or large, it’s an opportunity to reflect and consider what lies ahead.

In the past three years I have become more critical of my own work and tried to be more discerning about what I do and don’t share on this blog. This is certainly true of what I upload to Flickr. I now only upload a handful of images a month, whereas previously almost anything and everything would be shared with the ‘online world’ – if only to increase the number of views and favourites! Don’t get me wrong I welcome all feedback but the photographs I make are first and foremost for me; they are my vision of the world in which I live. If they give pleasure to others then that’s a bonus for me, and quite naturally I hope they do.

I am fairly confident that in the future my photography will be more ‘project based’. I believe this will be a positive step leading to more considered and specialist work, with the aim of achieving a clear objective or outcome. I have a number of ideas, and these will evolve given time. I also recognise that my photographic skills and processing techniques can be improved. After all it’s never too late to acquire more knowledge about a particular craft or skill.

And maybe, just maybe, a photographic ‘break though’ lies ahead – who knows what that might be? One thing’s for sure, only time will tell.

If you are a regular reader of my ‘blog’ can I just thank you for taking the time to look and read what I have to say.

And finally…… here’s to the next century of blog entries!

Lake District – A new gallery page

In February 2013 I stayed in The Lake District for a few days in the company of Paul Gallagher, a very well renowned black and white UK photographer. I spent three days in the field, followed by a fourth day in his studio learning post processing and printing techniques.

We were fortunate with the weather given the time of year. It was cold but dry and there were some snow capped mountains, not to mention of course the beautiful lakes themselves.

I have just added a new gallery of Lake District images to this website. In this entry there are a few photographs which were taken on this trip but I hope you will click on the link below to view the full gallery.

Lake District Gallery Page.