Our September presentation by Nathan Barry entitled ‘Landscape Thought Process’ was a thoroughly engrossing wander through the creative process to achieve a stunning landscape photograph. Nathan uses the local area for inspiration but ventures further afield to Snowdonia, the Dorset coast and the Lake District. So why landscape? Nathan explained how calming he found this genre, how challenging it was to capture a view to treasure and the delight of discovering nature even on the wettest, most dull day.
Planning was the foundation for a good photograph; from ensuring a comprehensive kit bag was always in the car to researching the destination for practical considerations such as distances to walk, the terrain and the weather. Nathan felt by taking care of the practical stuff it allowed him more time to think and find synergy with his surroundings thus maximising the results. In a large rucksack he minimised his choice of camera and lens but did have a host of batteries, filters, rubber lens hood (for those rainy moments), the essential many micro fibre cloths for cleaning the lens and always a trusty tripod.
Whilst displaying some stunning photographs Nathan discussed the process he employed to compose and refine a shot, with the emphasis being on ‘less is more’, by minimizing the number of elements in a picture as well as considering the colour palette he wished to achieve. He advocated moving around rather than zooming when composing a shot and to look behind you because the better image might be there.
Nathan finally showed what post- production magic he used in ‘Lightroom’ to enhance the final picture by showing us before and after shots. Members felt that ‘a cracking presentation’ should be followed up by a Nathan run landscape workshop. Donald MacLellan with talk about portrait photography on Wednesday 4th March at 7.30pm at the Cartwright Hotel, Aynho – everyone is welcome.
Anne Hunsley
www.addphoto.co.uk