I'll kick it off with a new post about putting people in your pix in the backcountry.
I've always tried NOT to get people in travel pix over the years, and that often meant getting up early to set up in a beautiful spot, like Siena, and getting shots of cathedrals and towers BEFORE the throngs arrived. I'll do anything to get the mob outta the picture when shooting urban scenes, UNLESS the person(s) themselves were the subject of the shot.
Lot easier doing images sans people in the backcountry since the mob got left within a mile or two of the trailhead. But people can add a lot to a shot at times, such as giving the photo perspective. I'll illustrate that with an example that also nicely dovetails in with the "favorite photos" part of this new topic.
Took this 3 years ago in Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park in BC. We'd set up camp near the lake below the famous "Canadian Matterhorn" and I got Debbie to trudge ahead and hold the pose of her looking at the famous peak.
A variation of the "rule of thirds" comes into play. That rule is to divide the image into thirds horizontally and vertically and place the person at one of the points where the dividing lines intersect. That gets the person out of the center, and the landscape reigns supreme. With the person looking (away) in awe at the peak, the shot is no longer a family snapshot (although it still is to the photographer), but acquires more widespread appeal.
I believe the last time I had this discussion with someone - that people shouldn't belong in on-trail photos - was on the trail with three others. I personally thought there was nothing wrong with having people in them and they disagreed. So I dropped my pants and mooned them. The hypocritical turkeys took my picture. Well, I proved my point.
The pics without people become my favorites, the ones with people, become the favorites of the people in them! Either my friends are vain or...
Seriously, though, I think it depends on the moment being captured. If I'm on a weekend trip with a bunch of friends, then I love the photos of people, or of scenery with people in it. If I'm on a solo trip, or if I'm trying to capture a specific view or spot or serene moment, then people are either not even there to photograph or are out of frame. The subject is everything. Sometimes the subject is people, sometimes the subject is nature. Though occasionally an anonymous backpacker or a person who isn't the subject can lend some perspective or serve as a reminder to the viewer of the photo that this place is somewhere to be WALKED to.
Really like that pic, kevonionia, for the last situation I mention, the person lends perspective and serves to remind the viewer that this photo was not taken from a roadway overlook. Someone had to work to get there.
In a backpacking gallery, I usually go to the ones with people in them first. I’m so engrossed with what gear they are using in the purple mountains majesties and in the fruited plains. I love to see what tools helps them enjoy Mother Earth.
I get turned on when I see a Tarptent in the Rockies, a Z-Pack in IL, A Western Mountaineering in IN, a Jacks R Better in WY… I just can’t help it.
sorry for not posting each one here in the forum but just don't have the time right now to do that.... besides that would be alot of time spent to not even get any comments like my previously posted pics
People turn those incredible shots into REALLY incredible shots!
Brett (4X4 dragon). Liked those pix, too, not just for their beauty, but as BarryP said, to check out the gear on the hiker's back. (And no comments doesn't mean not appreciated.)
What kind of photography equipment is being used here? Some of the shots look high quality. Does anyone still shoot film? I have a Nikon N80 that I like to toy around with.
Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:
Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!