A SENSE OF SCALE

SIZE RELATIONSHIPS TELL A STORY

One key compositional technique in landscape photography is the use of scale. By including foreground subjects such as rocks, trees, or flowers in front of mountains, the photographer can convey depth in the scene, giving a stronger sense of the locale, and of “being there.” In many editorial uses for photographs, it is important to clearly describe the subject. Objects of known size give us clues as to the scale and depth.

A sense of scale in an image can be affected in several ways. One way relates to how we arrange objects within the frame, such as the foreground and background in the example on the opposite page. Another method to convey scale is the choice of lens. If you use a telephoto lens to photograph a range of mountains, they look taller. Put on a wide-angle lens for the same scene, and the mountains shrink in scale.

In the photograph shown here, Giant Sequoia and Fir Tree in the Fog, I chose a normal focal length 150mm lens for the 4x5. I composed the image so that the tree filled more than half the frame.

Morning Mist Rising | Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California | 2016

The small fir tree is dwarfed dramatically by the huge sequoia. Only a small part of the huge tree is included in the photograph, yet its presence is felt. The forest floor was cluttered with fallen branches, so I raised the front standard of my view camera to eliminate the distraction. This movement also served to keep the lines of the trees parallel. By not settling for the obvious approach—describing the whole tree—I discovered a fresh viewpoint, one that leaves the viewer to imagine the rest of the picture outside my frame.

When describing the subject is not the main objective, but rather creative interpretation is the primary goal, the need for scale is less important. Done skillfully, a lack of scale can create a wonderful sense of wonder and mystery in your photographs.

These two photographs of the same misty morning were taken at nearly the same time at different focal lengths, which changes the sense of scale between the trees and Bridalveil Fall.

Remember to think about the use of scale in your landscape images on your next trip into the field. Experiment by including interesting foreground elements, contrasting large and small objects, or removing content that suggests scale. Try all of these ideas and any variations that come to mind. The thrill of creating photographs, at least for me, is when a landscape—with all its aspects, such as light and graphic elements—becomes a work of art when translated through the photographer’s imagination.

Rising Mist at Sunrise | Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California | 2016

Tiger | Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India | 2004