We are often drawn to features in the landscape, from the ancient to the contemporary. They may sit in isolation, inviting the photographer to capture them in dramatic light, in mist or maybe at night under the stars. Many are deliberately created, either as historic monuments or as part of our infrastructure, such as power, rail or road network, or simply the result of an accident, such as a shipwreck. Wherever you live, you’re never far from photographic opportunities. But how far can we use our imagination and create images from the unexpected? We’re all attracted to coastal castles at sunset or a lighthouse with crashing waves, but these are frequently photographed, and you’ll often find yourself lined up with other photographers. It’s difficult to capture anything ‘different’ in these situations.
Why not try to explore the less obvious and look to produce your own unique images? This can be through exploring a little-known subject itself or the use of photographic techniques such as night photography or long exposures. You can look to take advantage of our ever-changing weather conditions, or use your imagination and look
“A key problem with many historic monuments is that they are photographed ad infinitum”
The techniques here are not an exhaustive list, but more an overview of things that I’ve picked up over the years. You’ll also see that the tips are divided under headings defined by the type of man-made feature or landscape. But see these as cross-cutting rather than compartmentalized: this is far from a precise science!
HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS
Many of Britain’s most iconic historic buildings – such as castles, abbeys, churches and ancient monuments – are best captured in isolation and in all their beauty, unobscured by surrounding detail or clutter. They often sit on hilltops, prominent coastal locations, protected ground or nestling in open valleys, enabling them to sit majestically in the landscape. They are also often illuminated at night.
All of these attributes make them ideal photographic subjects. They can be captured day and night from dawn to dusk, often from a wide range of viewpoints. No wonder they are so popular among photographers!
Isolate your subject
Many of our great
