There are three core elements to a good photograph:

good light
good composition
good exposure

Probably in that order.

If you get those three core elements in one picture, then you’re almost done. Of course, cameras don’t see the way we see, so I always think that a degree of editing or ‘grading’ is required to bring out what we envisaged. But the same rule holds true for this also: if the material you’re editing is good, it will tell you clearly how it needs to be edited, and you shouldn’t find yourself working so hard.

I believe that if we find ourselves ‘striving’ or ‘struggling’ or ‘putting a lot of work’ into trying to get something to look right, we’re probably working with something that isn’t such a great idea to start with.

That goes for editing, but it also goes for what I choose to shoot out in the landscape also. If it isn’t working, your creative flow will jam up, and you’ll just find it’s like pulling teeth. If the idea is a good one the composition should just flow and it should come together easily.

In the past twenty years we’ve seen a lot of developments in technology. But one thing has remained constant:

Garbage in = Garbage out.

A great idea (read that as a great composition, with great light and a good exposure) is still at the core of good image making.

Nothing has changed. Thankfully.