In real estate they say it is all about "Location, Location, Location"

[ucci]

Okay, so I led you on a bit there, riding in on the coat tails of Loose Canon's post. Of course it was sneaky. I am well known for this sort of underhandedness.

Anyway, what this is really about. Been reading up on techniques, a very dangerous thing to do. And I thought I would have a go at a recommended exercise. It was to frame shots by physically moving the old body from spot to spot, rather than relying on zoom lens fiddling static in the one spot like a frozen turnip. So, here is a sample of my physical exertions, stressing the old bod out, moving around to frame shots, all in the name of Art, or whatever.
The question is of course is whether or not such effort is really worthwhile. Zooming and cropping is so less tiring.

Thanks for viewing and for any comments you might like to post, if only just to pull me back into line and rain on my parade, as they say
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain.

[Kris V]

#1 Really appeals to me - Gorgeous sky colour!

[KimC]

Looks like a worthwhile exercise Ken. That sky is just gorgeous. My favorite is the 2nd; I like the simplicity of the single tree without the bush in the foreground, or the other portion of tree on image right.

[Mike Buckley]

It's always worth the time and effort in my mind to work the scene and the various viewpoints you captured prove the point for me. I especially like the balance between detail in land and sky of the first one. Consider cropping the last one to about an 8 x 10 aspect ratio to eliminate the tree on the right.

[xpatUSA]

A most philosophical post, Ken, and what a scene to behold!

I had a similar scene here in Texas a couple weeks ago but nowhere near as spectacular. My movements were restricted to about 10ft sideways and maybe 6 ft fore and aft - with power poles and tin barns in the scene and foliage each side and over the foreground. So, in the end, zooming and panning did most of the work but it was surprising how much difference even a bit small bit of movement could make.

[chauncey]

IMHO, ya gotta ask yourself "how important is this image/is it gonna be worth printing big?"

That being the case, as Mike said, "work that scene", keep moving your feet, and use long
glass to overshoot using numerous images to photomerge later. It's a lot easier to
compose/crop/adjust a big image than one small one that may have un-editable problems.
Read 300mm in my workflow.

[Donald]

I think that this is a very useful post for people who may be quite inexperienced, as well as the more experienced. It's a good lesson in, as others have written, 'working the scene'.

I am always struck by how moving just a few feet or yards/metres in one direction can dramatically alter the composition. That's why, I think, particularly in the case of landscape, photography you have to take it slowly and really study what you are looking at and how to get the best picture from that scene.

[tbob]

Good point Ken and I think moving to recompose is worth the effort. In your example the tree, horizon and mountain interaction would not be the same if cropped/zoomed from location one versus the others.

I try, emphasis on try, to move about to work the scene. All too frequently though I find myself rooted to one spot waiting for the light/clouds to change to create the shot I have created in my mind. I have to force myself to walk away from the camera on tripod and look at other angles. Despite the frequency of finding better places while ambling about, I still find myself rooted far too often.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Ken, I like them all

#1- I would crop it from the RHS a bit to eliminate the empty part of teh slope. Then the trees wouldn't look so central.

#2- I like the composition as is. I would lift the shadows in the FG a bit.

#3- I would clone the tree next to the right frame if possible, if not I would crop it .

[dje]

Very nice Ken. I prefer the first but I think that's a matter of timing with the light in the sky rather than framing.

Don't give up on zoomimg though, your ageing fingers need excercise too ! You want to be able to sign your cheques properly when you get old.

Dave

[Max von MeiselMaus]

That really is some sky. Great shots.

And couldn't agree with you more. Until now, I have handheld outdoors so have no reason not to amble about, lie on the floor, climb on top of the park benches etc. However, I now have a travel tripod and suspect I will be far more likely to grow roots and stick to one spot. A timely reminder to me to keep it moving (but not mid-exposure, hence the tripod).

What I enjoy after an afternoon spent shooting is that it is so difficult to switch off the impulse to frame a shot that I find myself stopping on the way to the bus stop, thinking "There! That window with the tree in front at just that angle is the shot". I never take those photos, but it is all good practice.

[Shadowman]

The first image couldn't be cleanly composed unless you moved, shot from an elevated position, or cloned out the foreground brush, so in a sense perhaps doing a little walking helped. Did you notice any lens distortion in either of the captures (zoomed or physically moved)?

[Wandjina]

Hi Ken, I like them all

#1- I would crop it from the RHS a bit to eliminate the empty part of teh slope. Then the trees wouldn't look so central.

#2- I like the composition as is. I would lift the shadows in the FG a bit.

#3- I would clone the tree next to the right frame if possible, if not I would crop it .

+1 from me ... maybe like this!

[ucci]

Thank you all for taking the time out to view and comment. Very much appreciated and your comments have been taken on board. Hey, tomorrow I am even going out with my trusty chainsaw to 'clone out' the offending tree on RHS of frame, which has to go, as many have suggested. Okay, small point, I grant you. When I say "me and my chainsaw" I really mean I am sending Mrs Ucci to take care of it. Hey, I didn't buy her a chainsaw for her birthday and spend all that time teaching her how to use it without expecting some return on my investment.
I hope that my post has been of use to some. Thank you all, once again.

[Wandjina]

I'm sure Mrs Ucci will have mastered the clone tool by the time she has cleared that valley below .. *laughs*

[IzzieK]

All very nice shots, Ken...Cheeky of you to give her that kind of birthday present. I thought I am the only one who thought of giving my partner a birthday present I myself like ...

Anyway, I like the texture of the clouds in all of them, mate!

[Rob Ekins]

Ken,
The title grabbed me no doubt

But then I remembered a moment earlier in the year where I was driving Melb->Albury->Syd Having left Melbourne mid to late afternoon, I saw an exit sign pointing to Seymour, I remember thinking what a beautiful environment.... AND no wonder Mr and Mrs Ucci love this place.

Can't help with the images but WOW that is amazing country