Take Better Landscape Photos

I got my start in photography by shooting landscapes and nature. There is something almost magical about being out in nature and capturing the perfect sunrise, unique landscapes, and beautiful creatures. Here are some quick tips to help you get the most of your time out with your camera.

When it comes to any photograph, don't just settle for "good" or "average"; if you can do it better, then you should. I know many times people often only have a limited time, but if you can spare the time you should always try to photograph anything at the best possible time, in the best possible way, even if that means waiting or coming back later.

1. Scout The Location

It's always a good idea to go check out where you want to shoot at and make sure you can actually get there and check the crowd levels etc. By planning your exact location, you will be able to maximize your time there, and ensure not only that you get to your location safely and in plenty of time, but also that you find your way back (usually after sunset).

2. Be patient

I have to remind myself of this all time-Because I like to work quick. The key is to always allow yourself enough time at a location so that you are able to wait if needed. Make sure to check weather forecasts before leaving, maximizing your opportunity for the weather you require.

3. Shoot in the early morning, or just before sunset.

Light is one of the most important factors in any photograph, but even more so in landscape photography. It really doesn’t matter how great the location, is or how you compose your photo – if the light doesn’t do the scene justice, then the image won't be great. The best light for landscape photography is early in the morning or late afternoon, with the midday sun offering the harshest light.

4. Be able to pivot

Sometimes (many times) nautre will just not cooperate. Part of the challenge of landscape photography is about being able to adapt and cope with different lighting conditions; for example, great landscape photos can be captured even on stormy or cloudy days. The key is to use the best light as much as possible, and be able to influence the look and feel of your photos with it. Always be on the lookout for how the light can affect your photo!

5. Bring a tripod

If you want to capture the best photographs, at the best time of the day, at the highest quality possible, then a tripod is an essential piece of equipment. Photography in low light conditions (early morning or early evening) without a tripod is typically not advised due to possibilty of camera shake due to the low shutter speeds necessary to properly expose your shot. If you want to capture a scene using a slow shutter speed or long exposure (for example, to capture the movement of clouds or water) then without a tripod you simply won’t be able to hold the camera steady enough to avoid blurred images from camera shake.

I use a Benro travel tripod. It is lightweight, compact, and sturdy.

6. Increase the depth of field (F-stop)

Choosing your depth of field is an important part of capturing stunning landscapes. Landscape photos usually require the vast majority of the photo to be sharp (the foreground and background) so you need a deeper depth of field than if you are taking a portrait of someone. But a shallower depth of field can also be a powerful creative tool if used correctly, as it can isolate the subject by keeping it sharp, while the rest of the image is blurred. As a starting point, if you are looking to keep the majority of the photo sharp, set your camera to Aperture Priority (A or Av) mode so you can take control of the aperture. Start at around f/8 and work up (f/11 or higher) until you get the desired effect.

7. (advanced) Use neutral density and polarizing filters

Neutral Density filters and polarizers will take your landscape photographs to the next level. For example, if you are taking photos which include water, you may find you get unwanted reflections from the sun, which is where a polarizing filter can help by minimizing the reflections and also enhancing the colors (greens and blues). But remember, polarizing filters often have little or no effect on a scene if you’re directly facing the sun, or it’s behind you. For best results position yourself between 45° and 90° to the sun.

One of the other big challenges of landscape photography is getting a balanced exposure between the foreground, which is usually darker, and a bright sky. Graduated ND filters help to compensate for this by darkening the sky, while keeping the foreground brighter. This can be replicated in post-production, but it can save a lot of time by photographing it correct in camera.

Since 20I4, I have used B+W circular polarizers because they are among the best and built really well.. Be sure and check the filter size on your lens so you get the right size! Slim mount is used for ultrawide lenses (less than 24mm usually) and normal mount is used for 24mm and longer focal lengths.

8. Shoot RAW (not jpg)

In order to maximize the impact of your landscape photos, they will need some post production work done when you get home. RAW files allow you the ability to correct anything that may have not quite gone right during the shoot. Note, you can always save RAW files in other formats but you can never save JPEGs as RAW files, so ultimately you are limited to the quality at which the JPEG was shot.

9. Have Fun and Experiment

There are lots of rules in photography, but the most imporant is have fun and play around! Since this is all digital, it's not like it use to be where taking pictures actually cost you money (film + devleop costs). Get out there and try something new next time you're out!

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Do you have a big trip planned where you know you’ll want to be taking landscapes photos? If you’re looking to really up your landscape photography, I highly recommend this book by Scott Kelby! I’ve been following Scott for years and have read many of his books. You can’t go wrong with this one!