Use Contrasting Elements to Capture Outdoor Photos with Maximum Impact (VIDEO)
One foolproof method for capturing amazing outdoor photographs is to include contrasting elements in a composition to boost visual impact. According to instructor John Pedersen, this technique is “a sure-fire way to grab interest and create stunning photographs.”
Pedersen is a full-time photographer, author, and workshop leader based in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The contrast techniques he demonstrates today go way beyond the common notions of light versus dark.
It turns out there are other forms of contrast that many photographers ignore to their detriment. These include contrasting colors, texture, patterns, and other such elements that can really draw the viewer into a scene. The best part is that leveraging this technique doesn’t require any special gear or advanced skills. In fact all you have to do is open your eyes and broaden your mindset.
Pedersen begins with a quick explanation of why contrast works so well. As he says, “it goes into our subconscious because we’re all conditioned to look for irregularities in our environment.” His theory is bolstered by an interesting fact that harkens back to when we were cave people.
He notes further that “contrast is one of the biggest irregularities that we as photographers and artists can use.” Pedersen pulls up several dynamic images to illustrate various ways to employ this game-changing style of composition. His first example demonstrates the power of color contrast.
Pedersen says that “anytime I can find colors that contrast against one another I immediately create a composition around them.” All you have to do is carefully scrutinize a scene, find the appropriate elements, and proceed accordingly. Pedersen’s first example is a stunning image of a brilliant green anemone against a really dark background.
The next form of contrast Pedersen looks for when shooting in the field involves the juxtaposition of varying textures. Here he demonstrates how to compose a shot with the intersection of these contrasting attributes in mind. One example is his photograph shot on a rocky beach in which he split the scene in half with smooth driftwood in the upper portion and clearly defined pebbles below.
As the lesson proceeds you’ll learn how to employ other types of contrasting elements in a way that really grabs attention. It’s all about using these simple techniques to boost the visual impact of your imagery. Once you’re done watching pay a visit to Pedersen’s instructional YouTube channel where there’s much more to learn.
We also recommend watching a tutorial we featured with another accomplished outdoor photographer who demonstrates how he captures spectacular landscape photographs with lenses of different focal lengths. Here’s a clue: Don’t always go wide.
