4 Quick Tips Tips On Shooting Graphically In The Landscape & In Towns

 

1. What Does Graphic Mean?

A landscape that’s considered graphic can feature lines, curves, obvious shapes and distinctive contrast from either colour, shadows or reflections. It may be a long list but graphic landscapes are something you can find just about anywhere if you take the time to look. Instead of looking at a city scene, for example, as roads and buildings see it as straight, strong lines and shapes. Throw strong shadows into the mix and a few spots of interesting colour and you’re well on your way to creating a graphic shot.
 

2. Shadows And Highlights

Strong light can add emphasis to shapes and help cast shadows which work well in graphical style shots. Using shadows to your advantage works particularly well on metalwork and buildings but can be used in nature too, especially if you have a bird’s eye view of a scene.

3. Strong Lines And Contrasting Colour

As already mentioned, strong shapes such as hills overlapping create great graphic landscapes particularly if they differ in colour. Misty, hazy or cloudy days can be good for exaggerating the shapes and while an interesting overlapping background can strengthen the effect, low rolling hills can easily work as well as mountains, so many locations are suitable.

4. Change The Ordinary Into The Extraordinary

Look at the ordinary and play with the composition so the viewer doesn’t realise what it originally was. A close up of a rock face, for example, that had deep shadows along the ridges created by the high sun will work well.