Landscapes and Streetscapes

This was taken near Hue which saw heavy fighting during the American War. Not really a landscape but more of a streetscape. The light was very hard so it must have been around lunchtime. I don’t care about what light is there as long as the image is interesting; I’ll shoot it.

This is a shot that I don’t usually take unless there are people of an object in the foreground. But I suppose the reason I like this is the light on the water, that’s about it.

These people made me stop and get off my motorbike. The light was very nice, and we’d been on the the bikes for about 6 hours. I love using black spaces to highlight people or gestures.

Walking is a big part of being a photographer. If you don’t like walking you’ll never be a good photographer. This photo I think would be a street scape. I think I took this picture the way it caught my eye, when passing I said what’s that in the background.

With landscapes I usually wait if there is nobody around. If people arrive, I’ll usually start shooting. If it’s the opposite I’ll try to use an object in the foreground to make the landscape look more interesting. I find it difficult if I haven’t got either.

I remember Matin Parr’s book, Bad Weather and this sort of idea that I’d like to work on. Instead of going out when it’s nice go out when it’s raining or foggy. I try to think outside the box as landscapes are concerned.

I don’t think my landscapes are beautiful, I’m looking for something completely different. People think nice light makes a good landscape but that’sr only a very small part of it. I always try to see landscapes everywhere and in any light. Restricting your photo taking to certain parts of the day is suicide for me.

This photo was taken in the early evening and the rock in the foreground was lit up by the falling sun. I positioned myself so those rocks filled up the sea. I think it’s missing something though, a fishing boat or a person to give the whole picture some scale.

I love when man has a heavy involvement in my landscapes. I know this doesn’t really look like a great landscape, but the context is probably more interesting in that this road was an old American runway. There are many of these in southern Vietnam and there is even a city built around an old army airbase.

We were traveling around in a group of Vietnamese families and we stopped at a restaurant for lunch. This woman caught me eye because she was the only one on the beach and lying in the sun. The Vietnamese never go out in the sun at mid-day. They cover themselves from head to toe with clothing.

I think I took this photo because I just loved those trees. They remind of the tree in Waiting for Godot by Beckett. I know that sounds a bit much but I think the tree in the play resemble the ones here.

I’m not really into “nice light” or the “golden hour”. I think that’s a lot of bull. I am really at when the light is difficult. Early morning mist or rain is an ideal time to get out and get some landscapes.

We stopped here because the road forked into two. So we checked what road to take. I noticed the sign and just loved the Z on its own. There was a big battle here with the Vietnamese and the Americans, but I don’t which one. This was months before the invasion of Ukraine.

I went on a bike trip with a couple of friends and they stopped for cigarette break. Couldn’t have stopped at a better place. I love landscapes where man is heavily involved.

I saw these children turn of the road and they started walking down this small mountain path. I had to follow them until the background which I wanted was just right. An added bonus is they are both in step at the same time.