Objective

• To understand that the difference between a mundane landscape and a great landscape is most often composition.
• To develop an appreciation of how compositions must be developed in landscapes the same way they are for still-lifes. 

Remember: All projects require documentation of your design process. Be sure you are very familiar with the design process before beginning any Epic Quest.

Create your new project page titled Landscape. Now copy and paste the following as you will need to complete and correctly document these 7 steps on the your design process:

1. Understand the Problem
2. Research and Investigate
3. Generate Possible Solutions
4. Select AND DEVELOP Best Solution 
5. Model and Prototype (Create)
6. Test and Evaluate
7. Produce

• 3  final Landscape compositions (3 x 30pts) that meet required criteria below
• Fully documented creative process (30pts)
• Use different “basic compositional methods” as learned from the in-class lesson
• Develop an understanding of how to use the Element of SPACE in Landscape compositions
• Utilize digital developing to fully enhance the Landscape Comp to its full potential using both local and global edits

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS & INSTRUCTION

Requirements

• Requirement 1: Use an S-Curve
  S-Curves can be used in photographs for a variety of purposes. They can lead the viewer’s eye to the subject, convey a sense of depth (eg a road or stream winding into the distance), or they can be flat compositional elements that create a balanced scene. At least one of your photos this week should use an S-Curve for one of these purposes. Describe in your process what purpose the S-curve serves compositionally.
• Requirement 2: Improve on Nature with digital development
  For at least one of the landscape photos you take, develop it further than you might initially deem necessary. Make at least one local edit, like dehazing a region with a judiciously painted on curves layer, or removing an eyesore with the healing brush. Additionally, make at least one global edit, like color-correcting or changing the compositional format. Post the before and after photos to your process page. The difference can and probably should be subtle, but there should be a clear improvement.
• Requirement 3: Texture
  Take at least one shot in which the main, or even sole compositional element is a natural texture. Use a small aperture to get everything in focus. Interesting natural textures include grass, rock, sand, and clouds. Use Lightroom to take advantage of the full tonal range available to you, from black to white. You’ll find that textures under grazing light appear richer, which leads us to the next requirement…
• Requirement 4: The Golden Hour
  Landscape photography is often best done in the golden hour. This is the hour after dawn or the hour before sunset when the light is a rich golden color and strikes the earth at a grazing angle, emphasizing details. At least one of your photographs for this project must be of a landscape taken during the golden hour. Dawn is definitely preferable, as the air is much clearer, but if your sleep schedule makes dawn either too late or too early, sunset is also acceptable. Check the news for the current time of sunrise and sunset

     Design Process STAGE 1: Understand the Problem

1. Consider what is needed to successfully create a landscape photograph.

• What is a landscape?
• Who are some great landscape artists?
• What is important for a great landscape photo? Why?
  

     Design Process STAGE 2: Research and Investigate

Always record every resource either as a cited source or a linked resource with documentation on your project page.

2. Research thoroughly

Look through this gallery thoroughly for compositional references

• What common mistake should be avoided 1 | 2 | 3
• What techniques or methods of Composition should be considered or addressed?
• What is so important about SPACE?
• How do you see or show depth?
• Does Color matter?
• What artists styles do I appreciate most and why?
• How should foreground, middle and background be used.
• What’s so important about balance.
• Negative space Matters!
• How do you create texture (hint: its a kind a light)?
• Do I need a focal point?
• What kind of digital alterations can be done with landscapes?

Quickstarter Guide to Outdoor Photography

Resource Starting Points:

Justin Reznick – Lynda.com Landscape courses

Ansel Adams, Lars Van De Goor, Joseph Holmes, Charlie Waite, Marc Wilson, Niel Weaver, Steven Huyser-Honig, Galen Rowell, Ted Gore, Daniel Kordan, Max Rive, Callum Snape, Sean Bagshaw, 

• https://www.lightstalking.com/landscape-photography-composition/
• https://contrastly.com/landscape-composition-tips/
• https://www.outdoorphotographer.com/assignments/
• https://digital-photography-school.com/what-everybody-ought-to-know-about-landscape-photography/

     Design Process STAGE 3: Generate Possible Solutions

3. Brainstorm ideas for visual imagery representing elements of your topic — Show your brainstorming as idea webs, clouds, lists, found imagery, small sketches of elements (at least 25 ideas, words, elements required)

• Brainstorm: Where could I or should I travel to shoot my landscapes
• Brainstorm: Subjects or Props that could be used or pursued in a landscape composition
• When: Day and TIME are you going to shoot?
• Could or should you use a different lens? WHY?

4. Begin sketching thumbnail ideas for shapes space in your composition.

• Sketch at least 3 completely different composition ideas you want to pursue.
• Thumbnail sketches should be about 3″ sketches in a sketchbook.
• Designs should be considering your research and lessons covered.
• Consider possible color schemes that you can control or pursue.

     Design Process STAGE 4: Select and Develop Best Solution

5. Select the best solution

• notate why you have chosen it
• Finalize a new detailed sketch of best solutions
• sketch the composition of entire design plan
• Detail possible color schemes
• Document what Principles and Elements you will utilize

      Design Process STAGE 5: Model and Prototype (Create)

6. Begin the shooting

• Practice, develop or refine your composition and style.
• Execute your Plan.

     Design Process STAGE 6: Test and Evaluate

7. Self-reflect on your design

• Evaluate and develop your images
• Consider digital techniques to further develop your composition
• Do you need to reshoot?
• Reflect of how your composition and concept is developing into a final product.
• How could you take it further?
• Ask others for their opinions and document the suggestions whether you agree with them or not.
• Refine or develop elements of the design that can be improved

     Design Process STAGE 7: Produce

8. Export and Turn in the final high res compositions to print.

Publish the final images at the top of your Behance page and below each Image justify your choice of camera settings and comment on compositional attribute of your scenes.

• Turn file into the Coulson’s server
• Get final printed and matted
• Finalize Project Page with a full self-reflection
  • successes
  • struggles
  • improvements
  • what you learned
• Fill out and turn in your grade sheet

COMPLETE: You need a fully finished project page included all scanned sketchbook work with captions. Turn your your finished artwork to the Captain’s Server. Finally Paste the URL to your project page below and you may then click complete.

Great Work Visitor.

Amazing work, Visitor.

Be Proud.

Go hang the finished piece on the Critique wall at the front of the classroom. Other’s need to see what you have accomplished.

• Matte or Mount for BONUS LOOT: Matte or Mount Bonus

BONUS Self Assessment Loot:

After completion of your project and project page documentation choose one of the appropriate self-assessments for yourself. Consider the skill, craftsmanship, originality, and composition of your final Product:

Over The Top Nailed It Good, But… At Least I Finished It