Over the Spurn from Perfect Waves Avalon Beach

So what draws you into this photograph, what makes it work?

One of the most important tools, for a landscape photographer, is the fall of light. Landscapes are static and, for a photo to work, consideration needs to be given to many things including the basics of balance and composition. An artist, on canvas, can move things around for best advantage. A landscape photographer can't..... So the play of light and shadow are critical.

Before I take a photograph, I do a light study, over an extended period, and choose the best time to achieve a balance between light and dark - "The Notan". Other factors worth consideration and apparent in this photograph are: The subject matter and the composition -"The Music", "The Colour Harmony", Curves -"The Rhythm", Parallel Perpendiculars -"The Drama", Visual Comfort - "The Rule of Thirds", "Viewing Guides , "Visual Links", "Depth and Perspective" and, to draw you in and keep you in the photograph - "Corner Pointers". There is also a wonderful feeling and emotion - "The Poetry", and for me, these factors represent a measure of quality.

One of the challenges for a landscape photographer is that you need to work outside generally accepted photographic protocol. In that there is no "Key Subject" to focus on. The landscape within itself, is the total subject. The object then, is to keep you in the photograph and guide you through the entire scene.

Understanding these things improves photographic appreciation and viewing enjoyment.