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Local Knowledge

Knowing a location well can get you into the right place at the right time

This Article Features Photo Zoom

Oaks near Yosemite Valley, California.

I’ve said it before, and I’m here to say it again. Get to know a landscape! Get to know your landscape, a favorite location where you can return often in all kinds of light and weather and season. Hopefully, this will be a place nearby where, by looking out the window and checking the weather, you can best anticipate the chances of good conditions. If you want to become a better landscape photographer, study a favorite location.

Sure, traveling to new or popular places is great fun. It’s energizing to explore the deserts of the Southwest after a long winter on the East Coast or wander in the glorious, autumn forests of New England, but there’s no substitution for immersing oneself in one, or even a few, special landscapes.

As I’ve written here and in my photoblog, I’ve been creating a body of images that were taken around my home here in the Sierra. Of course, I’m so lucky to live here, and so close to Yosemite itself. When at home, I often can find good opportunities.

The tree photo shown here provides a good example. Last spring, I watched the valley oaks in my front yard as the leaves began to open. I watched the lighting and waited until the leaves and their glorious spring green showed clearly. I just happened to have a new lens from Canon, the 16-35mm L series lens, which would allow me to capture the full breadth of the oak’s spreading branches.

Since I can see this tree from my office window, I selected a day with blue sky to contrast against the green leaves. I set up my camera when the sun was high in the sky, but behind the tree for a strong backlit effect. Compositionally, I was already familiar with the image design I wanted since I’ve photographed from the same position before, especially for winter sunsets.

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