When I learnt photography a few purists attempted their best to instill in me the principle of not every including any man-made object in the image. If you did, they would not classify the image as a landscape image. I still know some photographers that will not photograph any scene which includes any man-made object. To each his or her own; after all, it is a free country. To some extent these purists did succeed to get me to mostly make images of landscapes that do not include man-made objects. From time to time though, I deliberately include man-made objects in my landscape photographs because that object adds interests or suits the composition well or simply because it provides scale or the human element. Since it is my photography I still call it a landscape photograph even though others may refuse to see it as a landscape image.

Would this image have the same feel, the same impact without the lighthouse? Does the lighthouse not add a human element that is interesting? Does the lighthouse not help to make the viewer raise questions such as; how does a person get up there? To me the lighthouse, though be it man-made is a valuable part of this image.

          So what did I think through when photographing this image? Firstly, the cloud above the lighthouse moved reasonably fast. Secondly, the cloud bank in the background also moved, just slower. I waited for the clouds to move into such a position as to aid the composition. When clouds move wait for them to end up where you want them (if they are moving in the right direction). Sure, make your image before the clouds get to the ideal location just so that you have the image in case the clouds do not cooperate.

          I included enough of a base in the foreground to anchor the image and not to have anything distracting on the bottom edge of the image. You will also notice that bright light is hitting the ocean. When clouds move the intensity of that bright light will change. If it is too bright just wait a bit as the clouds may get in front of the sun a bit to take off some of the brightness. However, we are now watching the movement of three things: the cloud above the lighthouse, the background cloud bank and the bright light on the water. Nature very seldom does exactly what you want it to do and the chances of that happening when there are three variables is rather slim. So you may need to compromise with one or two of the elements. Just do the best you can. Take a few images because you never know when the bright light will totally disappear.

          The point is to really watch your scene and to pay attention as to what is taking place. Anticipate what is going to happen and wait for it while you take the odd image here and there just for in case things do not work out.