If you love landscape photography, you probably know a lot about camera equipment, settings, and the most common rules and techniques of composition. But landscape photography isn’t always about that. I have six important tips that are often overlooked.
There are many articles on landscape photography available. Most of them talk about equipment and settings that can be used for this type of photography. While most of us know these things by heart, it’s always nice to read something that validates the knowledge you already have.
But there are some things that are often forgotten when it comes to landscape photography. Or better said, these are not forgotten but ignored. With all that said about raw or jpeg photography, using manual or aperture priority, and using exposure bracketing or not, there are a few things we should do more often. .
In this article, I want to give you six important tips for landscape photography, which may not improve your use of your camera or settings, but will result in more satisfaction from your landscape photography. you in general.
1. Sit down and take some time for yourself
We live in a fast-paced world where it is hard to find a moment of calm. We don’t live in the present moment and often think about what still has to be done. I think landscape photography is a great way to get out of that fast-paced world. At least for me.
When you get to a great place, forget about the things you need to do. Just sit down and enjoy the peace of that place. Just keep calm and look around. Don’t start taking pictures right away, but put the camera on your tripod and admire the beauty of the landscape you’ll be capturing in a minute.
The benefit of this moment to yourself becomes apparent as you begin to see the details of the landscape. If you don’t relax and take the time to review, you’ll miss it. Perhaps you will be inspired.
2. Go out to scout
Are you a photographer who likes to plan ahead? Or do you prefer to go out and be surprised by what you encounter along the way? If you are the latter type of photographer, the previous tip of this article will be perfect for you.
If you’re someone who wants to plan a set of photos, you’ll need to do some scouting. Find out about the area you want to photograph. Not by looking at a website or Google Maps. No, you need to go out there and see things for yourself.
It is not always necessary to travel long distances. Often the most surprising landscapes can be found relatively close. Go scout in daylight and find the best locations and angles possible. Usually, an app like Photopills can help you plan the best spot for a beautiful sunset or sunrise.
Take a simple photo with your smartphone. Enable GPS logging and make a note of what type of situation would work best for that location. Compile a list of locations, along with coordinates and sample images. If the right situation arises, you know exactly where to go.
3. Don’t Be Afraid of Daytime Photography
There are golden hours and blue hours. Sunrise, sunset or sunset are great moments for capturing landscapes. We are so focused on these moments that we forget about other great opportunities.
It can also take great landscape photos during the day. Perhaps not with clear blue skies, but a beautiful cloudy sky can do wonders. Look for good spots, like explained in the second tip in this article.
Since most photographers only go out shooting during the golden and blue hours, you will create something unique. Use shadows under intense sunlight and find places with the best sunlight. I know for a fact that these landscape photos can turn out great.
4. On time
Don’t like daylight as mentioned in the third tip? In that case, sunrise or sunset is the time for you. But if you are going to shoot during these moments, make sure you arrive on time. You want to be in a position when the light gets great, not after that moment.
I always recommend getting to the venue an hour early. So you need to know where you want to take pictures. Take note of tip number two and go look for the best positions for that particular moment.
Timing will allow you to capture the best light when that happens. The clouds above will light up half an hour before sunrise or after sunrise. Low clouds before sunset or after sunrise. Are you hunting for a rainbow? Arrive at the location while it is still raining. You want to be there when the sun breaks through the clouds.
5. Don’t be disappointed if it’s not what you expected
If you’re having a good time at the venue, as explained in the previous tip, don’t be disappointed when the timing isn’t what you expected. Although much can be predicted, the weather is still quite unpredictable. You never know if the sky will have a beautiful color or not.
Taking pictures is not an obligation. You do not need to take pictures when you are in position. If the weather isn’t nice or the light is what you’re expecting, come back another time. No one is forcing you to take pictures. You may return home with no pictures on the memory card.
However, if you still want to shoot, try everything. Experiment with settings, composition, and find new ways to capture the landscape you’re in. This can be useful the next time, when the light is great. Just remember the first tip, it’s important to enjoy your time at the venue. Do not give up.
6. Chimpanzees are fine, but don’t delete pictures too soon
For those who don’t know, chimpanzees are looking through your image on the back of the camera. It’s something we all do, in one way or another. That’s okay because when you’re excited about the moment and the images you’ve captured, you’ll be eager to see how you captured it.
But don’t be the photographer who is deleting the image at that location. There is absolutely no reason to do this. How can you determine if the picture is not good on the small three-inch LCD? Or you need more space on the memory card. Are you afraid to come home with bad pictures?
When you’re at the location, enjoy your time there. Enjoy the images you have taken by viewing them on the small LCD monitor, but do not initiate the selection. There will be enough time when you get home. Just enjoy the scenery, the moment, the wonderful light. Remember the first tip.
Do you have any other tips for landscape photographers that aren’t on this list? Please share it in the comments below. I’d love to see any additions to my six key takeaways about landscape photography that are often overlooked.
