We have talked about the many different photography styles for you to choose from. We’ve discussed portrait photography and how to get better shots of people… Now, let’s dive into landscape photography. Today I have compiled 8 landscape photography tips for you to practice.
Just like we talked about what portrait photography is, I first want to talk about what Landscape photography is. Wikipedia defines landscape photography as “commonly involves daylight photography of natural features of land, sky and waters, at a distance.” Essentially landscape photography is capturing and setting a mood of a location.
Your goal as a landscape photographer is to capture the beauty of your location in a way that resonates with the viewer. You know, to make them want to go there!
Now, check out my 8 landscape photography tips to improve your photos today then head over to the Learn Photography with Dena Facebook Group and share your shots with us!
Understanding Your Camera
Number one of my 8 landscape photography tips is Understanding and controlling your camera. This is so important in all styles of photography. Knowing how to change your settings and what to change them to, lets you control where you want your focal point to be, if you want to over or underexpose your shot, and how much light you want to let into the camera. Manual mode will change your landscape photography for the better, so follow tip number one and understand your camera and its settings.
Know How To Find The Light
Once you learn how to control the settings for your shot, understanding and knowing how to find amazing light is tip number two in my 8 landscape photography tips. We’ve all seen those amazing shots with that perfect soft light. Often times they are shot during golden hour. Golden hour is a great time to shoot landscape photos, and here are some great apps to help you find that magical light.
Have The Correct Equipment
Like any other type of photography with landscape photography, you need the correct equipment. You will want to get a standard or wide-angle, zoom lens with a fairly long minimum focus distance to capture the best landscape shots. A tripod for those times when you are shooting in low light and a slow shutter speed. A remote release to help reduce all camera movement and various filters.
Use The Rules Of Composition
Tip number three on my 8 landscape photography tips is to understand the rules of composition. Composition is the arrangement of elements used in an image. A well-composed image makes the viewer want to spend more time looking at the image. It doesn’t have too many elements to avoid confusing the eye, and it follows one or more rules of composition.
You can have a perfectly exposed photo, but your image will always be average, never extraordinary if the composition lacks. Remember to use the rule of thirds, or leading lines to bring your viewer’s eye directly to your subject. And always remember to simplify your image so that the viewer’s eye falls easily on the subject.
Don’t Center Your Horizon
On the note of composition, avoid having your photo chopped in two and avoid centering your horizon. Use the rule of thirds and either have it on the top third of the image or the bottom third.
Plan Your Shot
A really important tip on my 8 landscape photography tips is to plan. Like any other photography style, you need to have a plan for your shoot. Know when the sun hits your location perfectly. Understand when the fog is just lifting from a field, and know that often the best shots are during the calm after or before a storm. Remember to plan your shot accordingly to get the best landscape shots.
Focus
Understanding what exactly to focus on in landscape photography can be confusing, but it is an important tip. If you have a defined subject in mind for the shoot; an animal, a pier on the lake, a mountain, then you need to set your focus there. If not you can always focus on the foreground as a good way to connect your viewer to the image. If you don’t have a defined focal point in the shot, a good guide is to focus about 1/3 into the shot.
Bring Extras
This may be the most important on the list of 8 landscape photography tips. Landscape photography takes patience and sometimes requires long hours waiting for that perfect shot. Don’t forget to bring extras with you. Extra batteries, SD cards, snacks and layers to stay warm you do not want to be caught unprepared.
I hope these 8 landscape photography tips have helped you! If you want to learn even more about landscape photography, light and composition. And make sure to check out The Beginners Photography Essentials Class to help you reach your photography goals even faster!
