Taking a great landscape photo is more than just pressing the shutter button. To really elevate your work, you need to understand the entire process—from planning the shoot to crafting the final image.
Coming to you from William PatinoThis informative video walks you through the entire landscape photography process, from initial setup in the field to final editing on your computer. Patino emphasizes the importance of having a location and a plan in mind, especially for sunrise and sunset photography. While he often works spontaneously, he notes that beginners should focus on preparation. By scouting locations and understanding light conditions, you’ll be better equipped to make the most of those fleeting moments when the light is just right.
Patino discusses his approach to composition, which starts with a focus on observation rather than thinking immediately about photography. He recommends taking the time to appreciate your environment, paying attention to what naturally catches your eye. Once you’ve identified your main subject—like the snow-capped mountains in his example—you can then consider how to compose the shot to do it justice. This involves deciding on the lens and framing that best accentuates the scene. He also touches on the importance of layers in creating a three-dimensional look, using elements like rocks in the foreground and mountains in the background to add depth.
The video also covers the technical aspects of the workflow, including camera settings and post-production. Patino shares his method for ensuring optimal image quality by keeping the ISO low and adjusting the f-stop to maintain sharpness throughout the frame. He uses a histogram to guide his exposure decisions, ensuring that highlights aren’t blown out. After taking the shot, he encourages you to explore different compositions rather than just taking one shot. This approach allows you to maximize the potential of the location and the changing light.
Finally, Patino walks through his post-processing workflow, offering practical tips on file management and editing. For file viewing and basic editing, he uses Adobe Bridge and Camera Raw, although he notes that similar results can be achieved with Lightroom. One key piece of advice is to let your images sit for a few days before doing any serious editing. This allows you to view them more objectively, reducing the emotional impact of the shooting experience on your editing decisions. Check out the video above for Patino’s full rundown.
And if you really want to dig deeper into landscape photography, check out our latest guide, “Photographing the World: Japan with Elia Locardi!”
