Often times in landscape photography the goal is to capture the “big” landscape. You know the wide angle, f16 depth of field images that contain dramatic lighting with foreground wildflowers and distant mountain peaks all in focus. These type of images are often the prize shots and the ones that end up gracing calendar or book projects. But it also wise to concentrate on the detail or more intimate shots. They are often found right at your feet. I usually start wide looking for the “prize” shots and then quickly focus more on my immediate surroundings. My recent trip to the famed “Wave” in the southwestern desert proved a prime example of looking closer. I really loved the detail shots that I came up with as they complemented my bigger, more encompassing shots and really told the story of visiting this fascinating area.
Love the striping! Taken in the shade for better details with the Canon 24-70mm lens.
You do not need to shoot details shots with a macro lens. I used my 14mm super wide angle on some of the shots (just get really close…) and then the 24-70 and 70-200mm took care of the rest.
Here I got really close with my Canon 14mm wide angle to capture the details and glow on this sandstone wall.
To learn more about these techniques, I would encourage you to take one of my photography workshop classes. not only do we go to great locations, there is so much that you can learn and benefit from. http://www.chuckhaney.com/workshops/
Stromatolites in the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona, USA
Here while hiking down the cliffs, I noticed the great colors and patterns in the wall. Shade (or overcast) light worked best to bring out the color and form. Canon 70-200mm lens.
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