Camera: Fujifilm GFX
Lens: 63mm
Info: 1/15 sec; f16; ISO 100
Notes: Shot on tripod at end of day for dramatic light. Water was used to mirror the scene for added interest.
this shot of a little pagoda in
the water. It was only about 2
feet high, but from that vantage
point, it looked monstrous. It
didn’t look out of proportion, it
just looked bigger. When I was
finished I stood up and walked
away. As I turned back there
were 3 Chinese men lying on
the ground. I lie down to take
pictures. A lot. What I’m also
looking for all the time are little
puddles. It could be a puddle
that’s only 6 or 7 inches wide but
if you put your camera lens down,
so it’s right at the puddle, it looks
like a large expanse of water,
45
and you can get a mirror image
of what you’re shooting. If it’s
night or dark and there are lights,
those lights are then reflected in
the water, which fills up the frame
with more light. Low angles are
a great way to get a different
take on a landscape, as is a high
vantage point. I don’t typically
take portraits for instance from
a low angle because you don’t
want to be looking up someone's
nostril. But for landscapes, a
low angle is great because you
can bring the viewer right into
the scene. There might be some
grass or some weeds and you feel
like you’re connected right inside
the photo.
THE WEATHER IS PERFECT. AM
I SCREWED?
If you're shooting in the middle
of the day it can be too bright. I
always take a few different filters
with me. I have a 10 stop neutral
density filter and if I put that in
front of the lens it’s like putting
welding glass in front of the
camera. It can turn the daytime
into night. Then you have a lot
more latitude to underexpose
a bright situation. If you have