Shooting on location requires an element of evaluation; to do so effectively you must identify what is important, what to leave out or avoid, the direction and quality of the light, where the shadows are, where the hot spots are, what is in the background, and most importantly, what to accomplish here. Many novice photographers see the big picture and snap away without seriously contemplating what the potential of the location offers. Instead, take some time to think through the photographic problem and evaluate what the potential is.
I will often just sit and enjoy the moment if I am alone in a new outdoor location. Often this will slow down time and potential things to photograph begin to reveal themselves. Remember too, evaluation of a location means to think beyond what you are currently seeing and think in terms of what might be if you return to this same spot later in the day, or early before sunrise, or even a different season.
Some locations are simply filled with clutter often making it difficult to weed through and line up your shot(s) in such a way as to avoid including things that detract from your image story. When working in a cluttered location try to narrow the scope of your shot by focusing in on a smaller portion. Many times, this condensed portion will tell the larger story from a smaller perspective, and that in most cases is all you need to do. Oddly enough, the clutter itself can become your story, so keep an open mind about what you are shooting.
Some locations are just very bland in nature not presenting much in the way of an interesting story. When faced with this kind of dilemma you may need to shake up your composition by changing the angle from which you are shooting. Get down low, all the way if necessary, and include something small as part of your foreground. Also, c limb higher if you can, maybe even stand on top of your vehicle, a fence or wall, or simply raise your tripod as high as it will go, anything to change the perspective of your shot. This will often shift your view enough to allow the bland nature of the location to take on an entirely new and exciting look.
One location I have always enjoyed shooting when I can make it over that way is the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve located in north central Oklahoma. I've been there enough times to have identified several locations that potentially offer great photo opportunities. Even so, with each visit, the conditions have been so different they required a new and often changing evaluation of the situation.
The prairie possesses many changing moods and because of that when I am there I am constantly adjusting what I am doing. Early morning light on the prairie is fantastic with the rolling hills and shallow canyons often laced with mist or fog. By mid morning the light becomes much more harsh and direct which carries over well into the late afternoon. As the sun rolls closer to sundown, the angle of the light changes again casting shadows and creating shapes only seen during this magical hour. Factor in clouds and everything changes again. For each of those situations, a new evaluation of the conditions is required. Mid-day shooting means you have to focus in on details or capture the essence of a location through the use of contrast, color, and composition. Late afternoon means you need to find a different angle to shoot the same subjects you shot during the morning light. Near sundown, a large vista is required where you can capture one of those legendary prairie sunsets. In short, anticipate the potential of any given location and plan your shot accordingly, but leave yourself an opening to adapt to the changing conditions.
Location shooting requires a constant adjustment of what is required to capture the moment. Constantly looking for opportunities also requires you to see and look beyond the obvious and recognize how the dynamics of a location might change with a change in light. Effectively evaluate your situation and odds are you will capture some amazing photographs.
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