So, I came across this name, Stephen Schutte, a while back. Can’t exactly recall where, probably just browsing online, you know how it goes. What stuck with me was the look of his photos. Something about the mood, the way the light hit things. It wasn’t flashy, just… solid. Real.
I looked at my own shots, and they felt kinda flat in comparison. Always trying too hard, maybe? Anyway, I figured, why not try and see if I could capture some of that vibe? Wasn’t about copying exactly, more like learning a thing or two.
Getting Started
First thing I did was just look. A lot. Pulled up a bunch of his images – landscapes, I think mostly? – and just stared at them. Tried to break down what made them work.
Key things I noticed:
- The lighting felt very natural, often soft, like early morning or late afternoon.
- Compositions seemed simple but really deliberate. Nothing felt out of place.
- Colors were often muted, not super saturated, which added to that calm feeling.
Didn’t look for guides or anything. Just wanted to see if I could figure it out myself by doing. Grabbed my camera, didn’t even bother with fancy lenses at first, just the standard one.
First Attempts & Struggles
Headed out early one weekend morning. Thought I’d catch that soft light he seemed to use. Found a decent spot, some fields near my place. Started snapping away.
Well, let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. My first batch? Looked nothing like his stuff. Either the light was too harsh even early on, or my compositions were just messy. I was focusing too much on the subject and not enough on the whole scene, if that makes sense. The photos felt empty, lacking that mood I was after.
It was frustrating. You see something, you think you understand it, but then making it happen with your own hands… totally different story. Realized I wasn’t patient enough. I was rushing, trying to get the shot instead of waiting for the right moment, the right light.
Adjusting and Trying Again
So, next time out, I changed tactics. Slowed right down. Found a spot and just sat there for a bit. Watched how the light changed, how shadows moved. Started thinking more about the edges of the frame, not just the center.
I also messed around with camera settings more deliberately. Tried underexposing slightly to keep the highlights from blowing out, which seemed to help get that softer feel. Paid more attention to the background, making sure it wasn’t distracting.
It took a few more tries. Some days were better than others. Weather played a big part, obviously. Foggy mornings turned out to be pretty good for capturing that muted, calm atmosphere I saw in Schutte’s work.
Getting Somewhere
Slowly, very slowly, I started getting shots that felt… closer. Not identical, didn’t want that anyway, but they had a bit more of that quiet depth. One shot I took of an old fence post in the mist – yeah, that one felt like progress. Simple, muted colors, soft light. It wasn’t technically perfect, but it had the feeling I was aiming for.
It’s funny, you start by trying to emulate someone else, but through the process, you end up learning more about your own way of seeing things. I still wouldn’t say my photos look like Stephen Schutte’s, but trying to understand his approach definitely added some tools to my toolbox. Made me more patient, more aware of light and composition. Still practicing, always learning.
