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Camera support is as important in
landscape photography as in any other specialization, but the landscape
enthusiast faces an unusual dilemma. The stability of a tripod
generally rises in proportion to its weight, but so too does the
reluctance to carry the thing more than a few yards. Photographers have
found various partial solutions: for example, some pile rocks into a
bag slung between the tripod legs to add weight and equilibrium, but
essentially the problem remains. If you want to use slow film/low ISO
or long exposures, you must be prepared to carry the weight of a
tripod.
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When preparing for a landscape trip,
everybody packs a number of other essentials besides lenses, cameras
and film. For critical work with transparency film, an incident light
meter is a prudent precaution: it also provides a handy way of checking
that the meter in your camera is functioning properly. Spot meters
require very methodical use, but give pin-point accuracy.
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Using filters can be available in a
variety of forms. The popular square system filters fit all sizes of
lens, but are made of plastic and scratch easily. Glass filters are
optically superior, but more expensive. When weight is critical, choose
wafer-thin gelatin filters and a suitable holder.
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If you take a lot of night landscapes,
you'll find a small flash unit a valuable ally. Use it with a
wide-angle lens, and you can light the entire foreground of the scene.
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A small flash might seem useless when
you're photographing vast landscapes but could still be capable of
lighting subjects up to 10 feet (3m) from the camera. It can be useful
when you are taking photo against sunlight; flash can be used to reduce
contrast by throwing light into the shadow areas of subjects that are
nearby.
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