How do you define scenic photography?

Question

Many times people come here and ask, "What's a good lens for scenic photography?" They get the standard answer that pretty much says, "The wider, the better." Yes, I admit that 12-24 is a "classic" scenery lens, but is that the only answer?

Here's a new composite that I made for consideration in this question. I didn't spend hours getting rid of the haze, so I apologize for that, but that's not the point of this exercise.

OOPS!!! Yes, there is supposerd to be a link, but I kind of like the fact that this didn't stop you pros from answering the question. (Seriously!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/1245831147/

Yeah, Ryan, I am in a sleep deprived state myself - evidenced by forgetting to include the link - so I know what you mean!

Yeah, Antoni, they are really rough! It was a rainy day in the mountains of New York and the haze was rising off the ground like crazy. When I took the pics, I was really thinking only about a focal length comparison composite, as the haze was not uniform at all. I have a couple that I cared about that I'll probably post later on. The Frog Pond Farm right next to this one is also not great as an original, but the place was too cool not to photograph. I may never be on that detour again! It was 7:30 or so and the sun had been officially down for about half an hour, so there was not a lot of color left.

Same general area - same time of day - only 3 adjustment layers, so far...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/1250011561/

Terisu, is this the kind of "tanned bum" you are talking about? I can't think of any other kind that might get me excited...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/1078358113/

Answer 1

Good question. I like answering the theory questions every so often rather than answer the old "what's the best camera for x dollars?"

Anyways, to me scenery is about environment. The focus of scenic photography is on capturing the essence of the environment, and show how the various parts make up what we see in the big picture. This definition allows for more flexibility in the operational aspects of photography which doesn't limit its approach to using a standard group of lens (i.e. wide angle lens).

The term landscape is naturally associated with scenic photography since environment is implicit in the picture. Now the lens used in landscape has traditionally been wide angle lens because we normally want to show the grandeur and magnificence of the landscape. Someone looking at the picture would be able to relive the photographer's experience of seeing the entire landscape if the lens used was wide angle. This has been traditionally the more successful approach to showing a landscape.

If we were to use a telephoto lens, naturally the picture will show less of the landscape and so many of the interacting elements of the landscape are not shown. This approach is selective and we would do this to isolate an element of the environment and show how it fits in to the big picture.

I think scenic photography has been closely linked to landscape photography and it has been closely linked to representing objects on a grand scale. This has often been to replicate what the human eye can see if the viewer were to be standing in that spot where the picture was taken.

Your images show that a scenery can indeed be shot with various lens lengths. The telephoto lens extends the limits of the human eye so that we see a scenery not just as what is laid out for us, but also what is further away beyond the reaches of the human eye.

The wide angle lens may be the most common lens to reach for when you want to shoot scenery, but as you clearly demonstrated, it is often wise to think outside the box and reach for the telephoto lens. You don't know what you're missing if you continue to use the same wide angle lens, and often you will be surprised to find a better picture can be taken with the less used lens.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Scenic is a very broad term.

Ummm, is there supposed to be a link??

Anyway. Scenic, to my mind, is anything that isnt blocked up close. Landscapes, cityscapes, nature shots, the moon in the sky, etc...

I dont think you need a wide angle, though it doesnt hurt.

If your stuck in a room, or a corner of an alley, and your view is otherwise limited to something small, thats not scenic.

But, I have been wrong before, and I am really behind on sleep this week, so I may have even read the question wrong... I may have to go back and edit tomorrow.

I think I was kinda crabby with some of my answers today, but mostly I will get over it.

Yeah, I need sleep. Boy, am I getting off topic. I will check back on this Q tomorrow.

Answer 4

Scenic Definition

Answer 5

For scenic, definately not. Now, for a landscape like that, which vonveys a wide, stretched area, wider is better. Now if you had a forest or waterfall or just something that a lot of people usually think of as a horizontal photograph, try a different angle-diagonal, vertical, whatever you want.

Some of the most unique images come from an ordinary, common subject bu a unique angle, so try everything from multiple angle and lenses and etc.

Answer 6

I think it depends on how much you want to take in of a given view. If at the Grand Canyon then I would like a wide angle lens so that I can take in as much of the landscape as possible to show how "big" it is. But then again I could do that with a 50mm lens on a tripod and make a panorama out of 3-5 shots.

I think it is personal choice and everybody sees the subject differently. When you are with a group of photographers and you later look at each others pictures you will see how they shot the same thing you did and why they did it that way.

Hope this helps,
Kevin

Answer 7

I think they mean landscapes?

Most people already have say a 18-55mm and a mild tele, so thats why the answers are usually for ultra wides.

I know where you are going, sometimes a 600mm might be the right lens for a "scenic shot"


Oh was there meant to be a link?

EDIT: ok now i have seen the shots i agree with me, you and Ryan. Dr those exposures are a bit rough?


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Answer 8

Hmm, well, I define "scenic" as a beach scene, with buff, tanned and oiled men.

Hey, you've got your scenic and I've got mine, right? tee hee.

Anyway, you're very right, Dr Sam! That's the nice thing about a good zoom lens. You can crop out just what you don't want, and zoom in on just what you do. Or go wide and get it all, which is great for panoramic vistas. But when I'm zooming way in, it's usually for nature shots (birds, butterflies, tanned and oiled beach bums, etc).

Answer 9

You might say that any photo of a valley, mountain, desert, from far away....is a "SCENIC" PHOTO. However, they type of lines is a choice. NOT mandatory....YOU might wish to photograph A 10 mile wide stretch of the Rocky Mountains with a wide angle lens. Or, you might want to just capture twin peaks which are 100 ft apart. So....a "Complete" photographer must have different lenses for different situations..
Good luck.

Answer 10

define scenic photography