The Art of Exclusion

Professional landscape and nature photographer Ian Plant discusses using a telephoto lens to exclude extraneous visual elements and simplify compositions, which he calls the “art of exclusion.” He also talks about using a wide-angle lens, which requires mastery of the “art of inclusion,” where the photographer must find a way to successfully work with more visual elements and complex scenes. Ian demonstrates how he uses his 70-200mm short telephoto lens to simplify complex compositions and to zoom in on distant landscape details and patterns. Ian also discusses how light reveals textures of the landscape.

See all videos in our Photographing the Badlands Course:

• Photographing the Badlands—Course Preview
• Photographing the Badlands: Course Introduction
• The Best Lens for Landscape Photography
• Photo Scouting in Landscape Photography
• Advanced Scouting in the Badlands
• Assessing Your Scene
• Working the Scene to Get the Best Shot
• The Importance of Clouds in Landscape Photography
• Photographing a Sunrise Landscape
• Lighting Direction for Your Photos
• Midday Photography Light
• Photographing a Sunset in the Badlands
• The Art of Exclusion
• Identifying a Visual Anchor for Your Shot
• Photographing Rain and Lightning in the Badlands
• Using Leading Lines to Create Compelling Landscape Compositions
• Photographing the Badlands: Wrap-Up