P#17 Q6: What Are Some of Your Secrets for Getting Such Amazing Landscape Photographs?

Passion is Key

Bill Neill: As I have mentioned earlier, I think it's important, first and foremost, to photograph what you feel deeply about. For me, that is the key "secret" if you want to call it that.

I think another secret is the secret of practice. I mean, with anything, you have to get out there, stumble around, make mistakes, and push yourself to the point where the skills you need are fairly internalized. Get to the point where you're not sitting there thinking about all the technical issues while you're photographing -- they just come naturally.

The more internalized the technique, the fewer obstacles between the artist and the subject. That's my belief. With fewer obstacles, the purer the connection is to the artist's intent and the more vibrant the expression.

Photographers tend to get too wrapped up in technique, especially if the commitment to practice hasn't been there so when they're behind the camera, they're not focused on the creative side as much as the technical side. That's simply a matter of getting out there.

Don't Be Perfect

Make mistakes. You have to be willing to take chances. Go out and take workshops. For example, I live in a beautiful place but I don't travel as much as I used to. I have a few resources around my home that I use to keep my vision fresh and my skills in tune and practice.

Right now I have sunflowers blooming in my backyard. I go out nearly everyday and set up a camera, and see what I can do with it. That is creative stretching. It's also practice. I may come up with something, I may not. I don't force expectations on myself. I just get out and do the work.

I hesitate to call it work because I love what I do, but it is work in the sense of any skill, what you do for a living. You've done it a lot and it becomes easier the more you do it, generally speaking anyway.

Keep it Simple

You asked about composition. The secret again is to keep it simple, to take anything out of the image that doesn't contribute.

If you have any doubts about it, cut it out.

For example, a bright flower on the edge of the frame that's otherwise fairly dark will pull your eye away from the main area of the image. That's a major aspect. Watch your edges, watch background carefully.

In Summary

What are Bill Neill's secrets for such amazing landscape photography work? According to Bill, amazing landscape photography is a combination of passion, experience, practice and simplicity. That's actually pretty simple. ;-)