The Big Picture Blog shares my thoughts, techniques, and philosophy on landscape photography, with a particular emphasis on fine art printing, print display options, and Medium Format photography. Be sure to subscribe to the blog for regular updates.
I was recently interviewed by Fred Weymouth on the Lens and Landscape podcast. Here is Fred’s writeup and a link to the interview: + In this episode I’d like to introduce you to photographer and gallery owner Elizabeth Carmel. If you’re a photographer you’re probably familiar with Liz or have seen her name over the years … Continue reading Interview on Lens and Landscape Podcast
By Elizabeth Carmel Labels: Fleeting Vistas The Vista Channel Combines Stills and Video to Create A Video Art Experience The advent of digital photography forever changed how we capture and develop our images, and made it possible to share photographs with the world via the Internet. Making prints of our images has never been easier thanks to … Continue reading The Next Display – New Opportunities on the Horizon for Photographers
Wildflowers at sunset, Lake Tahoe, California. What separates the photos that clients will purchase as prints or for licensing from the zillions of photos taken daily by everyone with a smartphone? I’ve created a list of what I think are a few important distinctions that separate a professional-quality photograph from a snapshot. I’ve developed this … Continue reading 5 Steps To More Professional Photographs – Try these tips to get photos that will stand out from the crowd
Napa Valley Rainbow, California. This photo has been developed to create a print in keeping with my experience of the moment. If you stumble about believability, what are you living for? Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe, ask any scientist. God is hard to believe, ask any believer. What is … Continue reading But is it Real? – by Elizabeth Carmel
“Autumn’s Grace” – Example of Telephoto Lens Compression Some of my favorite portfolio images have been taken with my telephoto lenses. Zooming in on the landscape compresses features together and can enable more abstract and artistic compositions. When I was out photographing in the autumn of 2013, I used my 300mm lens as often as … Continue reading Telephoto Landscapes – Use your longer lenses for new perspectives on your scenics
On May 5, 2012, the moon was almost as close to Earth as it ever gets. Nikon D800E, AF-S VR 70-200mm ƒ/2.8G IF-ED at 112mm, ISO 100; exposure for the moon was 1⁄30 sec. at ƒ/4. In 2012 I had the pleasure of giving the keynote presentation at the Moab Photography Symposium, which happened to coincide … Continue reading Cosmophobia…Really? Media-driven, irrational fear is keeping too many of us from enjoying nature
Martis Valley, Sierra Nevada, Calif. This image helped raise awareness and funds to save undeveloped land near Elizabeth Carmel’s home. I’ve been reading Outdoor Photographer long before I ever entertained the dream of being a landscape photographer. This magazine has helped me learn valuable photographic techniques, develop an eye for good photography and inspire me to … Continue reading Using Photography to Protect the Environment
Sunrise on the Whitney Massif, Sequoia National Park, California. An endless supply of unique, never-photographed locations awaits all of us in the more remote areas of our country. Getting to these locations is the challenge. I know that in my region of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I have barely scratched the surface of photographic … Continue reading Be An Outdoors Person – Improve your nature skills to improve your photography
Fog can transform a common composition into an extraordinary image; “Morning Frost,” Yosemite Valley, CA. I love the way winter fog and mist can simplify the landscape and lend a tranquil mood to a scene. Nature is inherently messy most of the time so the ongoing challenge for landscape photographers is to find ways to … Continue reading Fog: Nature’s Mood-Enhancing Filter For Landscape Photos
