Landscape is an active principle.Its existence is the result of human actions and natural processes in ever-changing combinations, and its understanding requires that the senses, the mind, and the imagination be fully engaged with the facts in front of us. My study of landscape began when I asked, "Why do these things look the way they do?"
Thoughts on Landscape
Frank Gohlke
2 comments:
I consider landscape photography to be the most difficult of all. It is not by any means a foregone conclusion that you can have great landscape shots even when standing in exquisite and photogenic places (even when standing directly next to a master landscape photographer). The prescence of mind necessary to compose harmonious order out of a chaotic scene alone takes years of practice and thousands of hours peering through viewfinders. Every really good shot in my collection I treasure as a victory and indeed a celebration of this mysterious skill.
Oh, I wouldn't dare assign degree of difficulty valuations on different genres of photography. Pet and Baby photographers would certainly have something to say about your opinion. (at least landscapes stand still!)
You need to get this book. It has much to say on the topics of landscape vs. scenic photography. Scenic photography being primarily about composition and other painterly qualities. "Landscapes" being more about what Gohlke refers to as the 'active principle'... the when, why, and how the land looks the way it does in context to humanity.
That was what I was referring to in my 'realism' vs, 'tourism' comment.
Get cracking on the thesis!
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