What is a “Wildscape” – It is a term that I use when photographing wildlife that includes a sharp focus landscape. This informs the viewer of the location of the photograph.
Wildlife photographers often use the opposite of this technique. We shoot the wildlife subject wide open, with a small aperture number (large lens opening) for a tiny depth of field. This throws the background out of focus and blurs the landscape rendering it unrecognizable.
I stumbled upon the “wildscape” technique a few years ago on my first visit to the Grand Teton National Park. I wanted my viewers and clients to see both the wildlife and the landscape sharp in a single photograph or print. I’m sure that I didn’t invent the technique, but it was like a Christmas gift when I figured it out myself for the first time. Now I include it in presentations and lectures, plus I teach it to my workshop participants. By having the wildlife and landscape sharp the image conveys a story of the entire scene not just the wildlife subject.
Experience a small group workshop or private guided tour with Spruce Photo Tours. Explore nature in the Great Smoky Mountains, Florida, New England, or the Tetons with Barry Spruce as your guide and instructor.