Ossian's Quick Tips - Great Skies, Composition and Creativity

Intro by Skip Cohen

I love the way Ossian always brings us back to the basics of creating great images. Seriously, it's not rocket science, but so often we're rushed to get the image we want and so many photographers don't think things completely through. 

Ossian has another tour coming up in November to Argentina. It's the Vision and Vine Tour and one of National Geographic Traveler's 2015 50 Tours of a Lifetime. Travel Vision Tours, thanks to their founder Lauren Hefferon has also put a special FOS (Friend of Skip's) discount out there of $1000 per couple. To find out more, just pick of the phone and give her a call.

An incredible tour with a small group, the Argentina landscape, great accommodations, food, wine, new friends and time with Ossian as your guide and instructor when you need help - it's a "tour of a lifetime". Just click the link below for more information or call Lauren Hefferon directly at 617-640-4837.

Vision and Vine

f/20 1/15 ISO 100 17mm

by Ossian Lindholm

We've all tried to photograph landscapes when the sky is simply blue. Sometimes the images are still great, but when a few clouds roll the scene becomes so much more dynamic. Put a few clouds in any landscape and it becomes more interesting. 

But, I want to share a key point with today's tip: If those clouds in your image are spectacular, take the time to feature them in the most creative way.

Remember one of the basics rules in landscape composition: avoid putting the horizon in the middle of the image. It's the old Rule of Thirds and it's so appropriate here. Divide your frame into thirds and put the horizon in the upper third or in the lower third.  I know this is basic to so many of you, but I've seen so many images when the artist forgot the rule.

With the image above, putting the horizon in the lower third gave me the ability to make the clouds the star of the shot. Then, I used a polarizer to increase the contrast of the clouds against the deep blue sky.

This image was taken in the Colome Winery located in Salta province in the north west of Argentina. Located at almost 7000 feet above sea level, it's one of the highest altitude vineyards in the world. Here they produce some exquisite wines:  an outstanding Malbec and the famous Torrontes white wine. That's also a fun part of our Vision and Vine Tour, tasting these incredible wines and visiting the vineyards!