Chapter 12. Landscape and Nature Photography

In This Chapter

  • The EOS-1Ds Mark III system for landscapes

  • RAW versus JPEG

  • Maximizing dynamic range

  • Stitching images

  • Vibrationless shooting

  • Lenses

  • Filters

  • Post-processing work

One thing I've learned is that the more time you spend in one place, or keep returning to one place, the more is revealed to you. I'm fortunate to live in San Francisco, and so every day offers a continuing lesson in how each day is visually wonderfully unique.

Although many think of landscape or nature photography as a relaxed and slow type of experience, which it certainly can be, chasing the light is always an adventure, not to mention the physical work often involved in getting to the right location. Particularly during the golden hours of dawn and dusk, the light is changing second by second. You can go through a world of lighting in 20 to 30 minutes, from deep dawn to sunrise and then to bright sky, or from sunset through darkening dusk and into night. Thus, strong skill sets are required in terms of knowing your gear and having the ability to operate quickly.

The EOS-1Ds Mark III System for Landscapes

The EOS-1Ds Mark III sensor, along with some of the great Canon L lenses, allows for prints up to 16 × 20 inches at 300dpi, although I'd guess that in reality, they could be up to 24 × 30 and beyond. The system's ruggedness and reliability are real factors to take into account as well.

Figure 12.1. San Francisco dawn. ISO 200, 1/1000 second at f/2.5, 135mm 2.0 L lens.

The ...

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