Walk from Cap D'ail to Monaco.

I took my k-5 + Tamron 17-50 on one of my dog walking routes and I find that I am struggling with how to make photographs of tourist beautyspots not look like holiday snaps, any advice and CC most welcome.

The walk in the direction of Maya Plage




I love the colours from the algae going into the sea










The one perspective that I felt was interesting




Thanks for looking and for any comments and suggestions. I feel like I live in this gorgeous part of the world but can't do it justice!

Hi Jemma

Thanks for posting the pics and asking for feedback. What I would do is focus more on the details rather than the wider views, to isolate individual elements of the landscape and architecture. Most tourists will not do this, so by definition you will end up with shots that look different.

Also, try using depth of field creatively, maybe include some strong foreground interest (wild plants, rocks, sea shells etc.) and use a wide aperture to blur most elements of the image, leaving only the desired parts in focus.

Finally, shoot in the early morning or the evening, when the light is softer and less directional.

There is nothing wrong with the shots you've posted from a technical point of view, but they look a little 'flat', especially 2, 3 and 4. The first has depth and to me is the most successful, as it leads the eye along the distant shoreline.

Hope this helps.

Regards
David

Hi Jemma

Some very sound advice from David.

I would also add - don't forget that the 'crop tool' is our friend. With these sort of shots, it is often possible to see a picture within the picture (if that makes sense).

I make no claims that the following in any way improve your shots but just as an example of how you can totally change the look and feel of an image by cropping them differently.

Carl

Thank you David and Carl, that was exactly what I was looking for. Landscapes are a new game for me (as I think we can see!) And it seems that the principle of cropping tighter is usually better applies in landscapes as well!

I also love a shallow depth of field in my usual photography but I get out into landscapes and obviously feel the need to cram every little thing around me in at all times.

David, the photos you mentioned were taken down, from a raised path, onto the rocks below, which now I can see have flattened any perspective.

Thanks again guys, I do that walk around once a month so hopefully next time I can produce a stronger set of images, every time is part of the learning curve!

Not bad at all!!!! Good efforts and intersting results...You're lucky to have beautiful places between Monaco and Nice up to Marseille. Please don'te forget Vence and S. Paul de Vence.............

2,3 and 4 do nothing for me.

I do like 1 and 5. Especially 5.


I agree with looking out for details in the area to photograph, but don't forget to take lots of wide shots like #1 as well, you'll regret it in years to come if you don't.

If you want some inspiration for taking location pics learn from the master, the late Vivian Maier


http://www.vivianmaier.com/gallery/street-1/

She was the genius in doing exactly what David suggested when he said

"What I would do is focus more on the details rather than the wider views, to isolate individual elements of the landscape and architecture"

Walk around and keep a keen eye out for quirky situations or scenes. When you see one, don't linger on it, snap it with gut instinct, move on and look for the next one.

I'm a shallow DOF Fan.


Try taking landscapes with a shallow DOF

I like 5 also. Well executed and a great contrast.

Sometimes you want to remember the view you were enjoying. There's a place for that as well as Gallery hangings. For this purpose alone No.1 succeeds. I guess that's why it looks like a Holiday Brochure picture, cos it works.

These are fine, Gemma. I must say I find coastal landscapes and sea-scapes difficult to do well. All the elements are there but somehow I never manage to get the best out of the locations, home or abroad. Inland is different and easier.

I think it's something to do with always having the sea one one side or the other or in front with often a wide, straight, featureless horizon. The light is also a problem, often bright but not necessarily in a good way for photographs. Big clouds help and, as noted above, early or late long shadows.

I suppose this doesn't help much but at least you know I share your pain.

Got to love Vivian, though.