TAKE THE WEATHER WITH YOU
Landscape photography depends on many elements coming together in order to make a great image.
A beautiful location is clearly important and having great light can occasionally turn an average photo into a portfolio keeper. The clincher, however, is alluded to into the title of this blog.
WEATHER.
I’ve mentioned in previous blogs that I spend a lot of time planning shoots. Its time well spent and pays dividends more often than not. I use Google Maps and Google Earth to learn how light will effect the landscape I’ll be visiting, and always make use of my online Ordnance Survey subscription (£20 a year - well worth it !) to make sure I know which path to follow and what distance needs to be covered. I use Photographer’s Ephemeris to make sure I know sunrise/sunset times and a couple of tide timetable apps if I’m visiting the coast. All of the information gained from these sites is a given, a constant if you like, and is unlikely to change prior to my visit. It can therefore be relied on.
Which brings me to the landscape photographer’s biggest challenge. The weather - it can be your friend or your enemy and often both in one day ! Predicting the weather with consistent accuracy is like trying to pick the winning numbers on the National Lottery (rollovers not withstanding !).
At the last count, I use four different apps to try and get the best picture of what tomorrow’s weather is going to look like. I check them for days prior to a shoot and then last thing at night the evening before. I also make sure I allow time to check again before setting out ! All a bit anal you might think, but even with 40 + years experience of enjoying the great outdoors, I still don’t fully trust a weather forecast.
It’s fair to say that landscape photographers are seldom happy with the weather. It’s either too windy, too overcast, too wet, not cloudy enough, not bright enough etc etc. This past Summer, when restrictions were lifted and things like travel started to open up again, should have been a great time to get out with a camera but it was all a bit of a washout. It’s a great example of the weather deciding that too much sunshine isn’t good for us!
So what’s prompted this old man rant I hear you ask?
Firstly, it’s my favourite time of year. Leaves are starting to turn beautiful shades of gold, red and yellow and woodland photography is occupying my time. For the past week the forecast has predicted fog in my part of the world - the final photographic piece of the Autumnal jigsaw, but I’ve covered nearly 200 miles in pursuit of elusive mist and have come up empty handed. I’m not completely downhearted though as I’ve spent time in the Forest of Dean and the Brecon Beacons National Park and I’m fortunate to have captured some lovely images that I’m really happy with. But they’d have been oh so much better with a bit mist in them !!
The second rant-inducing issue is the cancellation of a break in Norfolk next week. It’s been planned for some time as I wanted to spend a few days photographing the stunning Thetford Forest in its Autumn colours. I had visions of windmills alongside the Broads on a misty sunrise or the River Little Ouse trickling through a shady oak woodland. A couple of trips to the coast were also planned. Not a chance ! Rain, rain and more rain mixed with gale force winds has scuppered all dreams of idyllic scenes leaping out at me from every corner. Imagine if it turns out to be a beautifully calm week with no wind or rain !!! Aaaarrrggghhhh !!!!
So there we are. I’ve unburdened and feel better for it. Don’t get me wrong, I have had many days when the unpredictable weather has delivered beyond my expectations so I’m not completely in the “never trust the UK weather” corner. Being one of life’s optimists I know there will be more great days to come, when the factors all slot into place for a couple of hours and I get what I’m wishing for.
As I’m writing this blog, the forecast is predicting mist on Saturday morning in one of my favourite woodland locations. No Friday night beer for me this week then as it’s a 60 mile round trip. Will it be worth the sacrifice? Watch this space but most of all wish me luck !!
And remember, “everywhere you go, always take the weather with you.”
WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER !