Mik Dogherty gives pro advice, talks about the challenges behind his winning image and his essential gear
'After the Fire' This image by Mik won the UK LPOTY 2023 title, a competition that seeks to inspire engagement with the British landscape through photography(Image credit: Mik Dogherty)
Landscape photographs aren’t just about the beautiful surroundings of our environment, they are a document of time. Natural phenomena, the elements and how the landscape changes around us is a fascinating topic. Due to the availability and aesthetics, plenty of creatives choose this as a subject.
“I entered the image ‘After the fire’ into the UK Landscape Photographer of the Year competition because of the way the heath fire had destroyed the character of this local heathland. It went from life to death and then the regeneration could begin,” Mik says. He passes this spot every time he travels through the New Forest National Park and when a local heath fire destroyed the landscape, he saw the photographic potential of the scene. “It needed to be a panorama to give a perspective of the size of the area affected,” he explains.
Shoot long-term projects
The landscape is constantly changing due to the time of year, weather and natural phenomena. It’s worth visiting the same location throughout the year to capture how these elements affect the scene. This will provide you with valuable experience and new challenges to overcome in terms of lighting and weather conditions, as well as help you develop your photographic style.
Since landscapes cover a large area, it is difficult to decide what to include and exclude in the frame. There may also be distractions that cannot be easily removed from the scene. Therefore, it is important to take time to observe and appreciate the natural environment before deciding on how to frame the shot. Alternatively, you could consider returning at different times of the year or in different weather conditions to capture the scene.
“I wanted to hide the view of the large Fawley oil refinery complex in the background, with its towers and chimney stacks. I had to consider that I would need to wait for a foggy or misty morning before I could get the shot I’d seen,” Mik says. This decision not only eliminated distractions but also added a layer of atmosphere to the photograph. Considering the atmosphere the natural environment gains through the weather is crucial to enhance the image’s mood, and distinguishes this image as a professional shot.
The most important ingredient of a pro landscape shot is the light. However, natural light is also the most challenging source to work with. “When that morning came with the great sunrise there was a low, thick mist. Shooting towards the sun could have been an issue, but the mist helped diffuse its brightness, allowing me to increase the exposure slightly to give more detail in the foreground,” Mik says. Waiting for the ideal weather and sun can be limiting, but it’s advisable not to wait too long. “Now, months later, the lone tree has fallen and most of the burnt skeletal remnants of gorse bushes have gone, mostly devoured by the grazing ponies. This picture no longer exists and the gorse is already growing back”.
Mik Dogherty
Mik Dogherty is an outdoor photographer, based in the New Forest National Park in southern England. Mik is self-taught and had been a keen film photographer in his younger years, although a career in the Royal Navy and then the petrochemical industry had put his hobby on hold. In 2010, the advent of digital cameras helped Mik to revisit his passion. After suffering from mental health issues, Mik took early retirement, giving him the time and mindfulness to follow his photography hobby with dedication. His recent win in the LPOTY competition for the image above is a new highlight of his career.
Pro Advice
Autumn leaves
Captured in the New Forest, this photo showcases a gradient of autumnal colours with green leaves on the left and orange on the right (Image credit: Mik Dogherty)
Weather can affect the mood of an image – and the lifespan of your gear!
1. Think about weather
“Once you have found a great shot, it’s always worth considering not just the composition, but the ‘atmospherics’. Try to think about what the best weather conditions could be for that photograph – whether that’s fog, a moody sky, sunset, rain, snow, diffused light, strong, direct light or flat light – and then maybe come back at another time to shoot when the conditions are perfect.”
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2. Take care
“Bear in mind the old phrase ‘Failure to prepare is preparing to fail’ so, once you get home, take care of your kit straight away by charging batteries and cleaning lenses and filters so it is ready to go for the next outing.”
3. Protect your gear
“If you have been using a tripod, when folding it away, don’t push the bottom legs all the way up but, instead, leave the width of a hand between the foot or spike and the bottom of the next leg section. That stops forcing mud, sand and moisture up into the tripod workings and causing the legs to jam.”
This lightweight lens (875g), provides effortless switching between wide-angle and standard angles of view, all while maintaining a constant f/4 aperture rating.
This lens is highly versatile and perfect for all types of photography, thanks to its optical image stabilization technology that provides up to five stops of stability.
The lens features two Super ED elements and an aspherical element that minimise chromatic and spherical aberrations while improving clarity as well as sharpness.
Kase Magnetic circular ND filters and Polariser
(Image credit: Kase)
ND filters control the light in bright scenes or when using long exposure times, while polarizers enhance colors and reduce glare, reflections and haze.
Benro Mach3 Series3 TMA38CL Tripod
(Image credit: BENRO)
A stable carbon fiber tripod with a maximum load capacity of 16kg. The tripod features detachable rubber feet and metal spikes, ensuring stability for use both indoors and outdoors.
Benro GD3WH Precision Geared Head
(Image credit: BENRO)
When composing, this geared tripod head allows for precise positioning thanks to three independent movement options and accurate leveling with three bubble levels.
This article originally appeared in Digital Photographer, a monthly magazine, and the kitbag essential for pros, enthusiasts, and amateurs alike!
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Kim is the Technique Editor of Digital Photographer Magazine. She specializes in architecture, still life and product photography and has a Master's degree in Photography and Media with a distinction from the FH Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences in Germany. While studying, Kim came to the UK for an exchange term at the London College of Communication. She settled in the UK and began her career path by joining Future. Kim focuses on tutorials and creative techniques, and particularly enjoys interviewing inspiring photographers who concentrate on a range of fascinating subjects including women in photography, the climate crisis; the planet, its precious creatures and the environment.
