Have you ever gazed upon a vast, open vista, feeling the immensity of nature, only to find it impossible to convey the true scale in a photograph? The breathtaking American West, with its expansive landscapes and majestic mountains, is a prime example. However, there is a secret ingredient that can bring life, depth, and perspective to your landscape photographs: people. In this blog, we'll explore the art of incorporating human figures into your landscape photography, and how they can help convey the true grandeur of nature.
The tiny figure of the photographer in the distance puts the entire shot into perspective
A Journey through the American West
Imagine standing in Death Valley, the sun casting golden hues on the colossal rock formations and a cool breeze brushing against your face. It's a moment that leaves you breathless, but when you raise your camera to capture the scene, you're faced with the challenge of translating its immense scale onto a two-dimensional plane.
During my recent journey through the American West, I found myself grappling with this very dilemma. It was on the very first day when the realization struck me. I was taking a photo of the vast expanse before me, yet it felt incomplete, lacking a sense of scale. That's when I noticed a group of hikers approaching the scene. Seizing the opportunity, I composed my shot, allowing the hikers to become part of the frame.
Adding people can be a great way of showing scale, even if you don’t know them. I never show the faces of people I don’t know.
As I reviewed the photo later, I was thrilled to find that the addition of those tiny human figures transformed the image. Suddenly, the towering monoliths were no longer abstract geological formations but tangible giants, their true size revealed through the presence of people. The photograph had come alive, and I had successfully conveyed the awe-inspiring magnitude of the landscape.
The Power of Perspective:
Using a model that you happen to be married to, makes it easier to ask permission.
Including people in landscape photography has a profound effect on the viewer. Our brains are wired to understand and relate to the human form, allowing us to gauge size, distance, and proportion intuitively. By placing a person in your photograph, you give the viewer a relatable point of reference, a scale to comprehend the immensity before them.
Tiny figures in an open scene like this help to tell the story. If you don’t want them in the subject either wait for them to move or simply remove them in post production.
Moreover, human figures in landscapes add a sense of narrative, evoking emotions and stories within the frame. A lone figure standing atop a mountain peak can embody adventure and triumph, while a group of friends enjoying a sunset on a beach can convey a sense of camaraderie and serenity. People add a human element that invites viewers to immerse themselves in the scene and create their own stories.
Tips for Incorporating People in Your Landscape Photography:
1. Compose thoughtfully: Pay attention to the placement of people in your frame. Experiment with different positions to enhance the composition and draw attention to the vastness of the landscape.
2. Utilize scale: Place people at varying distances within the frame to highlight the depth and expanse of the scene. A person standing close to the camera can emphasize foreground details, while those farther away emphasize the vastness of the background.
3. Capture interactions: Include people engaged in activities that interact with the surroundings, such as hiking, exploring, or even just gazing in awe. This adds a sense of dynamism and immersion to your photographs.
4. Timing is crucial: Consider the lighting conditions and the movement of people. The golden hour, when the sun bathes the landscape in warm light, can enhance the visual impact. Additionally, capturing people during moments of action or contemplation can create more compelling images.
Pay attention to composition. This image doesn’t work for me because the figure crosses the line between the salt flats and the mountains in the distance. Shooting this when the person was 100% inside the salt flat would have made it a better image.
Selfies
Some of our best selling stock images are photos of my wife taking selfies. Even a closeup like this puts this slot canyon into perspective.
Conclusion:
Landscape photography is an art form that strives to capture the beauty and vastness of nature. However, without a sense of scale, these photographs may fall short of conveying the true grandeur that inspired us in the first place. By including people in your
Enjoy the Moment
We were still on East Coast time when we pushed ourselves to drive out to Zabenski Point for sunset. You can easily see the exhaustion on our faces even so, we always try to put the camera down and just take it all in.