Nature Films on YouTube
I am always scouting out new locations and areas that make unique portrait backdrops. While on my explorations I often document these settings by filming them and posting them on YouTube. I really enjoy solitude and my simple films are made to help one reflect and be at peace.
YouTube Channel (@burk)
YouTube Channel (@CalmRelaxedPeace)
Photographing landscape and nature photography can profoundly enhance your skills as a portrait photographer in several ways. While seemingly distinct genres, they share fundamental principles that can cross-pollinate and enrich your artistic vision.
Here's how immersing yourself in landscape and nature photography can make you a better portrait photographer:
Understanding Composition: Both landscape and portrait photography require a keen eye for composition. In landscapes, you learn to frame elements within the scene to create balance, leading lines, and visual interest. Translating this skill to portrait photography, you can compose your shots to highlight your subject while considering background elements that complement and enhance the overall image.
Mastering Lighting: Nature photographers often work with natural light, understanding its nuances throughout the day. Learning how light interacts with landscapes—casting shadows, creating highlights, and setting moods—equips you to manipulate light effectively in portrait photography. Whether using natural or artificial light, you'll learn to sculpt and shape light to flatter your subjects and convey the desired mood.
Developing Patience: Landscape photography often requires patience and persistence to capture the perfect moment. Waiting for the ideal lighting conditions or for elements within the scene to align teaches patience—a valuable virtue for portrait photographers, especially when working with subjects who may be nervous or uncooperative. Patience allows you to build rapport, wait for genuine expressions, and seize fleeting moments in portrait sessions.
Exploring Storytelling: Nature photography often aims to tell a story about a place or moment in time. By honing your storytelling skills in landscapes, you can bring a narrative approach to your portrait photography. Consider the environment, props, and poses to convey a narrative about your subject, their personality, or the emotions they're experiencing.
Embracing Creativity: Immersing yourself in landscapes and nature encourages creativity and experimentation. From exploring different perspectives to experimenting with post-processing techniques, you develop a creative toolkit that can breathe new life into your portrait photography. By thinking outside the box, you can infuse your portraits with unique concepts, styles, and visual flair.
Connecting with Nature: Spending time in nature fosters a deeper connection with the world around you. This connection can inspire empathy, curiosity, and a heightened awareness of the beauty in everyday moments. As a portrait photographer, this deeper connection with nature can translate into a greater appreciation for the beauty and complexity of your subjects, leading to more authentic and compelling portraits.
Landscape and nature photography serve as valuable training grounds for developing the technical skills, artistic vision, and emotional intelligence necessary to excel in portrait photography. By immersing yourself in both genres, you expand your creative horizons, enrich your understanding of visual storytelling, and ultimately become a more versatile and accomplished photographer.
