How to Photograph Plains and Prairies
photo by Scott Cressman via iStock
Rugged mountains, pristine coastlines, waterfalls, and canyons might get more love from photographers, but plains and prairies have a distinct beauty that’s certainly worthy of your time.
The rolling hills, the potential for wicked thunderstorms, and the weathered old buildings are among many varied features make the plains and prairies of North America a diverse and beautiful place.
Let’s discuss a few tips that will help you make the most of your photographs of these incredible areas.
How to Photograph Plains and Prairies: Place the Horizon Just Right
photo by tomofbluesprings via iStock
Though these landscapes have terrain that ranges from rolling hills to badlands to farmland, by and large, plains and prairies are flat. That being the case, there will usually be a definite horizon in your photos.
When considering where to place the horizon, think about what’s going on in the photo.
For example, in the image above, there is an abundance of interest in the foreground while the sky isn’t especially eye-catching. This being the case, shifting the horizon line upward allowed the photographer to highlight the details of the landscape while minimizing the “boring” sky.
photo by TomasSereda via iStock
In this example, the opposite situation is true - the sky is what’s the most beautiful aspect of the shot. Therefore, the photographer lowered the horizon line in the frame to maximize our view of the sky.
Sometimes, having the horizon line in the middle of the frame pays off too - such as when you’re photographing a reflection. Putting the horizon line in the middle of the shot accentuates the symmetry of the scene.
Quick Tip: The wide-open spaces of the plains is ideal for using a drone. By getting above it all, you have an opportunity to use perspective to your advantage to create an eye-catching shot.
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How to Photograph Plains and Prairies: Introduce Movement
photo by ImagineGolf via iStock
One of the best ways to increase the visual interest of a photo of plains or prairies (or any landscape) is to introduce movement by using a long exposure.
Long, ethereal streaks of clouds, in particular, are an ideal pairing with the rolling hills or flat farmland of the Great Plains.
As you can see above, the landscape is beautiful on its own, but the shot is taken to another level with the introduction of the movement of the clouds.
To get this effect, you need to use a neutral density filter to block out light, which allows you to extend the shutter speed to introduce motion blur.
Neutral density filters (like the Haida one shown above) come in various strengths, measured in stops. The higher the number of stops, the more light-stopping power the filter has.
The most common ND filter is a 3-stop, though there are many darker variations, from 4-stops to 15-stops (shown below). Obviously, the more you block the light, the longer the shutter speed can be and the more motion blur you’ll induce.
It’s important to note that not all neutral density filters are made alike.
Cheap filters often have color casts, which tints the image with unwanted colors. Likewise, cheap filters simply don’t hold up to usage over a long period of time.
This is why I use Haida Red Diamond neutral density filters.
Not only are they beautifully crafted with hyper-neutral results, but they are built to last for the long haul. Sure, there are cheaper alternatives, but in the end, investing in a quality filter like these means you’ll have a good set of filters for the long haul and you won’t have to keep buying cheap filters over and over again.
I particularly like Haida's Red Diamond line because they feature a shock and scratch-resistant design. When you're out and about in the wilderness, having tough gear is a must!
Additionally, Haida uses an ultra-thin Nano Multicoating that offers zero color casts and excellent sharpness, while being waterproof and resisting oils and fingerprints.
So, not only does this filter offer excellent results, it's beautifully made, highly functional, easy to clean, and best of all, affordable!
How to Photograph Plains and Prairies: Plan for Storms
photo by ImagineGolf via iStock
It’s no secret that the Great Plains is where to be to photograph storms.
What makes this area ideal for storm photography is twofold: first, it’s where storms occur in abundance, particularly in the spring, and two, the flat landscape gives you an unobstructed view for miles.
You also don’t want the landscape to compete with the sky in the shot, so a relatively featureless swath of farmland set below an electric sky makes for a beautiful shot.
photo by joebelanger via iStock
The key with photographing storms on the Great Plains is to plan ahead.
Not only do you need to figure out where storms are (or might develop), but you have to figure out how to get there, determine ideal vantage points, and have an exit strategy in case things get dicey.
As shown above, positioning yourself east of a storm and photographing it at sunset provides tons of visual interest for an appealing shot.
photo by ImagineGolf via iStock
Using tried-and-true photography rules like the rule of thirds is also advantageous.
In the example above, the lines created by the two-track draw your eyes into the shot, connect the foreground to the background, and give the image more depth.
photo by ImagineGolf via iStock
Quick Tip: Incorporating elements like abandoned buildings is another compositional trick you can use to create a more interesting image. Though plains and prairies have an inherent beauty, they can be a little monotonous without much change in landscape features. Abandoned buildings like the one above help break up that monotony for a more compelling photo.
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