SYLVANUS URBAN Sylvanus Urban - The Edge Issue | Page 46

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