Finding a Unique Perspective: Landscape Photography by Taylor Gray

Northern California photographer Taylor Gray is barely 18 years old. Gray, whose visual appetite favors the landscape genre, feels that images of the outdoors and nature evoke a sense of adventure, wonder and awe. He is inspired by the looks created by Corey Rich, Marcus Adamus and Chris Burkard. “Their work makes me want to travel to mysterious and inspirational locations.”

A Professional Evolution

When introduced to photography at the age of 14, Gray says that his initial goal was to simply learn how to take good pictures. He researched all he could about the craft: how to take various types of photographs, what equipment was necessary, how to retouch using post-processing programs, etc. “There is an infinite number of things to study. Presently I am focusing on ways to best incorporate leading lines, and I am studying advanced post-process techniques.” Another personal challenge is finding methods to invent an original composition when photographing popular subjects such as the Golden Gate Bridge or a Bay Area lighthouse. That practice is paying off: Gray is selling more and more fine art prints.

His first camera was the Nikon D5100, paired with kit lenses AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II and an AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G prime. “Those lenses are fine for beginner and intermediate photographers—small, lightweight and easy to use. They worked well for me during the first year, but as I became more knowledgeable I realized that to produce higher quality images I would need to upgrade.”

Fortunately both parents are avid photographers so he had access to their equipment. Noting, “I started using their AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G, a AF Zoom-NIKKOR 80-200mm f /2.8D ED, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR plus other pieces of glass. My mom eventually gave me her Nikon D7000.” As his skills developed, Gray began tossing more tools into his backpack, including an intervalometer, tripod, three axis time-lapse motion control system, neutral density filters and a camera rain cover.

Extra-Curricular Dawn Hours

A high school senior, Gray makes time to shoot after school, on weekends and occasionally during dawn hours. An average 10 hours a week goes to photography, and even more goes to planning and prepping. The steps before a shoot: format all memory cards, charge all batteries, clean all gear. He ensures that his backpack holds necessary equipment, and that granola bars, water and other essentials are inside.

“There were many times where I could have just rolled over and continued to sleep when my alarm went off at 3 AM. I could have just said, ‘That’s it. I’m never going out in the cold again’ or ‘I refuse to walk another step. I’m just too tired,’ but there is a part in us that strives to see beautiful things and wishes to explore the world’s wild places,” he waxes. “I am continually motivated by the idea that I can capture a moment of beauty and share it. My secret sauce is a combination of perseverance and hard work.”

Sidebar: Must Haves

“If I am shooting a sunrise/sunset or a moonrise/moonset I use The Photographer’s Ephemeris. This app lets me see exactly where the sun or moon will be rising/setting based on my location, plus it allows me to see the areas that will receive light. Light is key to forming compositions.”

For star photography Gray favors the Sky Guide app which shows position of the Milky Way, Polaris, the moon and other celestial bodies in the solar system.

Casting Light on Two Favorites

Gray shares two favorite images, the first of which was produced at Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California. “A friend from Finland was visiting so we decided to explore Point Reyes, waking early for the two hour drive.” En route they came across a tunnel of Cypress trees. “The morning sunlight cast a warm glow on the foliage as the light filtered through the branches, creating a pattern of light and shadow. I used a Nikon D7000 with NIKKOR 80-200mm lens to capture my friend walking through the trees.”

“This image works because having a familiar object in your landscape photograph can add a sense of perspective plus depth of field that attracts the viewer’s eye. The telephoto lens let me zoom in to focus on the thicker branches above. Had I used a wide angle lens, that sense of intimacy would have been lost; the bare branches overhead would have been too distracting.” Continuing, “It’s important to experiment with different focal lengths; you can create very different looks and moods. This image was created handheld, and because it was somewhat dark under the trees, I had to bump up the ISO to 800 to keep the shutter speed firing at a quick enough rate.”

A second image was created from the vantage point of Glacier Point. With the objective of showcasing the autumn fog blanketing regions of Yosemite National Park, the photographer and his father arranged an early drive to the overlook, located 3,200 feet above the valley floor. Gray says, “After grabbing several good shots from high up we began the return drive.” While keeping an eye on scenery, Gray became enthralled by a patch of fog as it was slowly drifting in and out of the trees—the morning sun providing an exceptional backlight.

“The live trees mixed with burnt ones create an ominous yet magical mood. I think two of the biggest strengths in this photograph are the contrast between lights and darks, plus the many textures throughout,” explains Gray, who experimented with different focal lengths until he found just the right one. “Zooming in too much prevented me from capturing enough of the surrounding environment. Zooming out made the photograph too busy. Somewhere in between is where the photo came to life.”

Photographer Communities as Sources of Education and Inspiration

Other than study and practice, Gray cites that shooting aside other photographers can be a really valuable experience. Not only does it give you a chance to increase your knowledge, but more importantly it provides a venue to express your own thoughts. “However, when working with a group it is important to preserve your own unique vision and way of shooting,” he stresses. “Rather than setting your tripod and camera aside a peer, find a unique perspective. There are tons of opportunities to invent a composition.” Photo walks are great for socializing, but he feels these gatherings are not always productive when it comes to capturing the kinds of landscape shots that he most likes to create.

For Gray, sharing is a pleasure. “I want viewers to feel the way I did when I first discovered landscape photography. I like how images of the outdoors help a viewer escape from reality for a few moments. They encourage the mind to wander, and sometimes even help the viewer picture themselves within that very scene.”

Social Media Pluses: Posting your work on social media sites can be both helpful and unhelpful. Two sites in particular have helped me connect with many talented photographers who share a love for landscape photography and the outdoors. From these individuals I have learned many different things—everything from shooting techniques to tips on business marketing.

Social Media Minuses: There is a downside to social media as well; in some cases it can hinder an artist’s creativity. For example, if a photographer sees a certain shot that he or she likes on social media that person may try to replicate it. Every photographer should try to have his or her own unique creative vision; there shouldn’t be holes in the ground where countless photographers have set up tripods in the same spot. I have been a victim of this. Once I realized this was happening I made it a goal to come up with original content wherever I go.