Medium format landscape photography is a type of photography that attempts to capture the grandeur and essence of a landscape from a distance. Though the term is rather ambiguous, it generally refers to any shot which is neither small nor large, but rather some combination of the two. This type of photography is truly spectacular, as it leaves the viewer with the feeling that they are "at" a real location rather than merely viewing a photograph on a screen. It can truly be said that medium format landscape photographs are a genre all their own, and can even encompass many of the traditional photographic subjects.
One of the key features of medium format landscape photography is that there is great variation in composition between shots. These pictures can be as static as a mountainscape or as dynamic as a moving scene in the rain. Still, regardless of how dynamic a scene may be, there will usually be identifiable elements which separate the different scenes. In some cases this may simply be a distinction in the foreground, such as a small clearing between two groups of people, but in other instances it may be the change in scenery or the size and shape of objects within the scene. There may also be a strong color scheme and a signature taste of the photographer. Yet, another common characteristic of this type of photography is that, because of its nature, it tends to be slightly more expensive than many other types.
The medium format digital camera has opened up possibilities previously unavailable to landscape photographers. Today, you can purchase a compact camera that will easily fit into your pocket, enabling you to capture beautiful images anywhere that is within reasonable walking distance. You can take medium format digital photos of nearly any subject, which makes this format truly versatile. Still, while digital medium format cameras have certainly given amateur photographers the ability to capture gorgeous images on the cheap, they have also increased the costs of professional photography equipment for the more experienced photographer.
Digital medium format landscape photography has become very popular for several reasons. For one thing, the cost of large professional cameras like those found in most major professional studios is very expensive, particularly for the entry-level models. Furthermore, there are no film or chemicals needed for photo processing, and therefore a much larger cost savings in the long run. It is also easier to update digital landscape photos once they are printed out because there is no need to develop them.
One of the most attractive benefits of digital medium format landscape photography has been its ability to appeal to a broader customer base than would have been the case if medium format camera manufacturers had not designed these cameras. This means that customers who might not have considered themselves landscape photographers prior to purchasing one now have more options available to them. In addition, the availability of advanced features such as a zoom lens has meant that even those with less than the most sophisticated digital photography equipment can now produce stunning images from their camera. Digital landscape photography is quickly becoming a truly valid choice for anyone looking to take photos of both nature and human subjects.
As technology improves, the quality of the image produced by digital medium format landscape photography is improving as well. The arrival of easy to use software and a variety of different lenses has meant that photographers no longer have to be concerned with expensive and complicated film SLRs. They can simply utilize a computer's imaging software to get the job done, and thanks to the low cost of modern SLR cameras many people are choosing to do so. Taking landscape photographs does not have to be a very expensive proposition any longer.