Image credit: Daniel Casson

This summer, we’re on the search for Britain’s Favourite Path. Whether it’s a path that you’ve been walking since childhood or one that has breathtaking views, we want to hear about what makes it great. 

To grab the attention of our judges, you will want to take a great photo. Focusing on the path is an excellent way of communicating the connection we have with our surroundings. Paths connect us to history, to where we come from and remind us that we are part of nature. A great photo will help you tell your path’s story whether that’s one of adventure, love, drama or emotion.   

We asked expert landscape photographers Daniel Casson and Lilly Husbands to share their top tips to help you tell the story of your favourite path through a powerful image. Follow their advice and your photo will not only depict what you see, but it will evoke the feeling of being there.   

 

How to frame a shot

Daniel: “A lot of landscape photographers will mention the rule of thirds. This is so it’s more appealing to the eye. This ties in nicely with paths, as they can provide an appealing leading line in the middle, or you can choose something else that stands out. This could be a cottage in the centre of the image or a long path that draws the eye in. It’s also fun to be creative and step away from the normal rule of 3 but always remember to have something that captures the viewer's attention immediately.” 

Image credit: Lilly Husbands

Lilly: “Pathways are excellent subjects because they invite the viewer in, giving them a sense of taking that next step alongside you. They naturally lead the eye, directing the viewer’s gaze, so you’ll want to think about how the line of the path moves within the landscape and the frame. Does the pathway stretch out before you, creating a triangular shape to a vanishing point on the horizon? Does it curve across the frame, making a pleasing shape? Does it lead to a point of interest? Consider how much of the pathway you need to include to achieve the best effect in your photo. I would also try to look for natural frames in the scene before you. Arcing branches, hedges, hills and streams all can help frame the line of your pathway, creating symmetry and balance in your image. If there are people or animals in your image, are they adding to the balance or are they disturbing it? Don’t be afraid to try new vantage points; crouch down or place your camera on the ground and take your photo from a bug’s eye view. Changing perspective can lend an interesting graphical quality to your image.” 

 

When to capture the best use of light

Daniel: “In landscape photography, light is the number one thing you should be focusing on. I always try to shoot in the ‘golden hour’, which is usually sunrise or sunset. The light at this time, provides those rich oranges, yellows and reds that really transform a landscape from being pretty ordinary to something truly amazing. When capturing light, the final image should have a feeling of warmth. This is so the viewer can look at an image and imagine the warm sun hitting their face and transporting them there.” 

Image credit: Daniel Casson

Lilly: “An irony of landscape photography is that nice weather for walking is not always the best for photographing. Sunny days tend to result in high-contrast photographs, where deep shadows and blinding glare can make your photograph lose detail. If you’re photographing on a sunny day, take cover in a wood or wait for a passing cloud to shade your subject from the sun’s harshest light. You can, however, use sunlight as a point of interest in your photograph, for instance by catching a starburst as the sun glints through the trees or hovers above the horizon. Overcast and rainy days are great for creating an even tone in your image, and stormy skies can add a dramatic backdrop to your photo. ‘Golden hours’ are best for soft light and warm colours, and you might catch some mist or fog, which always add a bit of magic to a photo.” 

 

How to choose a focal point

Daniel: “As when framing a shot, we need to look at something that captures the viewer's attention and make them look again and again, so that the photo can change every time they look at it. For example, a lake photo with a house in the middle would draw the eye but then try to capture what is around this too, which could be a path, mountains or animals around. It creates more of a story and a feeling that the viewer can imagine being there with you.” 

Image credit: Lilly Husbands

Lilly: “There is often more than one focal point in a good landscape photo (for instance, flowers in the foreground, a figure in the midground, and sky or larger landscape features in the background).  A pathway in an image can help lead the eye from a primary point of focus to secondary ones. Choosing a point in the middle distance while keeping the foreground and background in focus will give your photo a sense of depth, moving forward into the scene. Smaller apertures, from f11 onwards, will keep more of your image in focus. Alternatively, focusing closely on a subject in the foreground whilst keeping the background in view will centre the viewer’s attention without losing a sense of context. Contrasts in light and splashes of colour often make good focal points in landscape photos, and focusing on a subject like a figure, building or tree can help provide interest and scale in a vast landscape.”