Perspectives on Place provides an inspiring insight into the territory of landscape photography. Using a range of historic and contemporary examples, Alexander explores the rich and diverse history of landscape photography and the many ways in which contemporary photographers engage with the landscape and their surroundings.Bridging theory and practice, this book demonstrates how mastering a variety of different photographic techniques can help you communicate ideas, explore themes, and develop more abstract concepts. With practical guidance on everything from effective composition, to managing challenging lighting conditions and working with different lenses and formats, you'll be able to build your own varied and creative portfolio.Each chapter concludes with discussion questions and an assignment, encouraging you to explore key concepts and apply different photographic techniques to your own practice. Richly illustrated with images from some of the world's most influential photographers, Perspectives on Place will help you to explore the visual qualities of your images and represent your surroundings more meaningfully.
Introduction Where is the Landscape? Distinction as a Genre Why Explore Landscape Art? Health/Safety/Law/Ethics Advice on Giving and Receiving FeedbackChapter 1: TAMING THE VIEWGeography, Metaphor, AutobiographyFrames and FormatsLenses for LandscapesTripod or Handheld?The Zone SystemManaging Dynamic RangeCompositional ConventionsLandscape NarrativesAssignment 1Chapter 2: DEFINING NATUREWhat is 'Beauty'?The Pastoral and the PicturesqueThe Qualities of LightThe SublimeWhere is the Wilderness?Voyages in the LandscapeAssignment 2Chapter 3: SYNTHETIC VISIONSDepth-of-field and Focal PlanesThe 'Temperature' of LightAnalogue and Digital FiltersInfrared LightLighting the LandInterpreting TechnologiesPictorialism vs. 'Straight' PhotographyAssignment 3Chapter 4: LANDSCAPE, POLITICS and POWERLandscapes of IndustryNew TopographicsEnvironmental PoliticsGender and the LandscapePersonal and National IdentitiesAssignment 4Chapter 5: The PRESENCE of ABSENCELandscape and MemoryLandscapes of ConflictThe AftermathLiminal SpacesFrom Spaces to 'Places'Assignment 5Glossary; Bibliography; Webography; Index
