11 Surere Landscape Photography Tips

11/15/2019 11 Sureﬁre Landscape Photography Tips
https://digital-photography-school.com/11-sureﬁre-tips-for-improving-your-landscape-photography/ 1/43
11 Sure re Landscape Photography Tips
A Post By: Darren Rowse
134.1K 54

My rst love in photography when I rst got my trusty old Minolta SLR as a teenager was landscape photography.
There’s something about getting out in nature with the challenge of capturing some of the amazing beauty that
you see. Perhaps it ts with my personality type – but I loved the quietness and stillness of waiting for the perfect

moment for the shot, scoping out an area for the best vantage point and then seeing the way that the light
changed a scene over a few hours.
By skoeber

While I don’t get as much time as I’d like for Landscape Photography these days – I thought I’d jot down a few of
the lessons that I learned in my early years of doing it. I’d love to hear your own tips in comments below.
Landscape Photography Tips
1. Maximize your Depth of Field

By Louis Vest
While there may be times that you want to get a little more creative and experiment with narrow depth of elds in
your Landscape Photography – the normal approach is to ensure that as much of your scene is in focus as
 

possible. The simplest way to do this is to choose a small Aperture setting (a large number) as the smaller your
aperture the greater the depth of eld in your shots.
Do keep in mind that smaller apertures mean less light is hitting your image sensor at any point in time so they will
mean you need to compensate either by increasing your ISO or lengthening your shutter speed (or both).
PS: of course there are times when you can get some great results with a very shallow DOF in a landscape setting
(see the picture of the double yellow line below).
2. Use a Tripod
 
Save

By Mike Behnken
As a result of the longer shutter speed that you may need to select to compensate for a small aperture you will
need to nd a way of ensuring your camera is completely still during the exposure. In fact even if you’re able to

shoot at a fast shutter speed the practice of using a tripod can be bene cial to you. Also consider a cable or
wireless shutter release mechanism for extra camera stillness.
Related Reading – Introduction to Tripods
Get more tips and tutorials like this one by subscribing to Digital Photography School via email or RSS
3. Look for a Focal Point

By luigi
All shots need some sort of focal point to them and landscapes are no di erent – in fact landscape photographs
without them end up looking rather empty and will leave your viewers eye wondering through the image with
nowhere to rest (and they’ll generally move on quickly).

Focal points can take many forms in landscapes and could range from a building or structure, a striking tree, a
boulder or rock formation, a silhouette etc.
Think not only about what the focal point is but where you place it. The rule of thirds might be useful here.
Related Reading – Focal Points in Photography
4. Think Foregrounds

By Eleder Jimenez Hermoso
One element that can set apart your landscape shots is to think carefully about the foreground of your shots and
by placing points of interest in them. When you do this you give those viewing the shot a way into the image as

well as creating a sense of depth in your shot.
Related Reading: Getting Foregrounds right in photography
5. Consider the Sky

By Trey Ratcli
Another element to consider is the sky in your landscape.

Most landscapes will either have a dominant foreground or sky – unless you have one or the other your shot can
end up being fairly boring.
If you have a bland, boring sky – don’t let it dominate your shot and place the horizon in the upper third of your
shot (however you’ll want to make sure your foreground is interesting). However if the sky is lled with drama and
interesting cloud formations and colors – let it shine by placing the horizon lower.
Consider enhancing skies either in post production or with the use of lters (for example a polarizing lter can add
color and contrast).
6. Lines

By Pierre Metivier

One of the questions to ask yourself as you take Landscape shots is ‘how am I leading the eye of those viewing this
shot’? There are a number of ways of doing this (foregrounds is one) but one of the best ways into a shot is to
provide viewers with lines that lead them into an image.
Lines give an image depth, scale and can be a point of interest in and of themselves by creating patterns in your
shot.
Related Reading: Using lines in photography (mini-series)
7. Capture Movement

By Toby Keller
When most people think about landscapes they think of calm, serene and passive environments – however
landscapes are rarely completely still and to convey this movement in an image will add drama, mood and create a

point of interest.
Examples – wind in trees, waves on a beach, water owing over a waterfall, birds ying over head, moving clouds.
Capturing this movement generally means you need to look at a longer shutter speed (sometimes quite a few
seconds). Of course this means more light hitting your sensor which will mean you need to either go for a small
Aperture, use some sort of a lter or even shoot at the start or end of the day when there is less light.
8. Work with the Weather

By luigi
A scene can change dramatically depending upon the weather at any given moment. As a result, choosing the right
time to shoot is of real importance.

Many beginner photographers see a sunny day and think that it’s the best time to go out with their camera –
however an overcast day that is threatening to rain might present you with a much better opportunity to create an
image with real mood and ominous overtones. Look for storms, wind, mist, dramatic clouds, sun shining through
dark skies, rainbows, sunsets and sunrises etc and work with these variations in the weather rather than just
waiting for the next sunny blue sky day.
9. Work the Golden Hours

By Dominik
I chatted with one photographer recently who told me that he never shoots during the day – his only shooting
times are around dawn and dusk – because that’s when the light is best and he nd that landscapes come alive.

These ‘golden’ hours are great for landscapes for a number of reasons – none the least of which is the ‘golden’ light
that it often presents us with. The other reason that I love these times is the angle of the light and how it can
impact a scene – creating interesting patterns, dimensions and textures.
10. Think about Horizons

By Jon Martin
It’s an old tip but a good one – before you take a landscape shot always consider the horizon on two fronts.

Is it straight? – while you can always straighten images later in post production it’s easier if you get it right in camera.
Where is it compositionally? – a compositionally natural spot for a horizon is on one of the thirds lines in an image (either
the top third or the bottom one) rather than completely in the middle. Of course rules are meant to be broken – but I nd
that unless it’s a very striking image that the rule of thirds usually works here.
Related Reading: Getting Horizons Horizontal
11. Change your Point of View

By luigi
You drive up to the scenic lookout, get out of the car, grab your camera, turn it on, walk up to the barrier, raise the
camera to your eye, rotate left and right a little, zoom a little and take your shot before getting back in the car to go

to the next scenic lookout.
We’ve all done it – however this process doesn’t generally lead to the ‘wow’ shot that many of us are looking for.
Take a little more time with your shots – particularly in nding a more interesting point of view to shoot from. This
might start with nding a di erent spot to shoot from than the scenic look out (wander down paths, look for new
angles etc), could mean getting down onto the ground to shot from down low or nding a higher up vantage point
to shoot from.
Explore the environment and experiment with di erent view points and you could nd something truly unique.
Also check out our new Landscape Photography eBook.

134.1K 54
Read more from our category

Darren Rowse
is the editor and founder of Digital Photography School and SnapnDeals.
He lives in Melbourne Australia and is also the editor of the ProBlogger Blog Tips. Follow him on Instagram,
on Twitter at @digitalPS or on Google+.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...
 FEATURED IN TIPS & TUTORIALS
How to Plan the Perfect Landscape Photo

 RELATED POSTS
3 Tips to Take Better Landscape Photos ...
5 years ago
Weekly Photography Challenge – Landscapes
2 months ago
6 Ways to Easily Improve Your Landscape ...
9 months ago
4 Key Elements to Help You Create ...
2 years ago

54 Comments Digital Photography School Login1
t Tweet f Share Sort by Best
LOG IN WITH OR SIGN UP WITH DISQUS
Name
Join the discussion…
?
• Reply •
Nabeel Masood Khan • 5 years ago
Tried some tips.
⛺
42 △ ▽ 1
• Reply •
Peter Ombedha • 5 years ago
Hey everyone, am a citizen journalist working from Kibera. I took this photo some two day ago
and I would like to know the corrections.
⛺
20 △ ▽
Recommend 42
Share ›
Share ›

• Reply •
karmakazi • 2 years ago> Peter Ombedha
definitely want to work on the white balance, in general select tungston or some other
warming white balance if you are taking shots under street lights and other overly warm
light sources... also keep iso as low as you can possibly get away with.
8 △ ▽
• Reply •
John Roberts • 3 years ago • edited> Peter Ombedha
I raised the flare-horizon in the scene and aligned it along the upper third line, to follow the
Rule of Thirds. For me it brought me more into the scene and made it feel spooky and
lonely. It also brought out the angle of the dark ditch that reaches from the bottom right of
the image, deep into the upper left corner into the brightest flares.
⛺
2 △ ▽
• Reply •
Tanner • 4 years ago> Peter Ombedha
It is a fairly dark image and all of the light flares are a bit distracting. There is also not a
very clear subject.
2 △ ▽
• Reply •
Denise Belanger • a year ago> Tanner
The scene could use a touch of red somewhere. Maybe coloring one of the flares
would help,.
△ ▽
Leon Lumus • 5 years ago • edited
Great article as usual. Always enjoy the lovely photos that go along with your posts on here. The
more people can learn and read about photography the better they will become. I just wrote a
post on landscapes which might help a few of you out over at lumusphoto.com there's a sneak
peak of an image below...
⛺
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›

• Reply •
⛺
6 △ ▽
• Reply •
Andi • 6 years ago
I think you written down nearly every point that is important in Landscape Photography. For me
the most important point is the golden hour. If you compare pictures you will see that most of the
really good ones are taken at the golden hour. But this is also the most difficult part. You need to
be in the right spot at the right time :p
Only in this sample pictures are 6 out of 12 captured in the time of the golden hour.
8 △ ▽ 1
• Reply •
Piskwinchy • 6 years ago
Leems segit.
4 △ ▽
• Reply •
George Johnson • 5 years ago
I think these are good starting points that will lead people to achieve some good results but like
any "tips" they should never be taken as rules. The "Golden Hour" rule always bothers me. I used
to follow it religiously but found it was limiting my ability to think outside the box. I'd stop shooting
once the colour started to fade at dawn, bad mistake. It's perfectly possible to shoot landscapes
at any time of day. For example I find shooting frosty scenes sometimes works better in post
sunrise harsh light when the last orange glow has gone from the dawn, the white daylight helps to
lift the bright white of frosty scene and exaggerates the contrast between the dark trees and
bushes and the frost on top of them ( example below was shot about 90 minutes after sunrise ).
I've shot landscapes at all times of the night and day, it's a case of studying the light and using it
to best effect for the subject you have at hand. Some subjects can look poor at "golden hour" but
may come alive at other times of the day. Photography is not a race to take shots, it's a lifelong
journey of making great images.
⛺
6 △ ▽ 1
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›

Reply6 △ ▽ 1
• Reply •
Steeny Lou • 5 years ago
I'm not seeing a picture of a double yellow line, which you mentioned was below. Where is it?
3 △ ▽
• Reply •
Ty • 5 years ago
great site
1 △ ▽
• Reply •
Olga • 6 years ago
The horizon thing simply kills me! I noticed some years ago that horizon in my picture is never
straight, not on a single photo. Even when I started to pay attention to it and even after I switched
on the thirds grid, I still managed to screw it. It took me about two years (of amateur photography)
to fix it. Now I have a bubble on the bottom of the camera so that I can check it with side view
while looking through the viewfinder. And now I even don't need it that frequently. It just amazes
me how this simple thing can take so much time to work out.
Thanks for this great post and valuable info on the website!
1 △ ▽ 1
• Reply •
Lyn • 5 years ago> Olga
Olga, another way is to gave the grid display in your LCD screen, and line up the horizon
with either top third line, it bottom line....
1 △ ▽
• Reply •
Destin • 6 years ago
Some great scenes here, would love to see some jungles and waterfalls though for a bit of
diversity. Whats the possibility on doing a specific panoramic photography article?
1 △ ▽ 1
• Reply •
Madisyn McClean • 7 months ago> Destin
how many photos did you take
△ ▽
Fotografie, Kampfsport & Fitne • 2 months ago
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›

• Reply •
Fotografie, Kampfsport & Fitne 2 months ago
Cool pics; great tutorial!!!
△ ▽
• Reply •
dodod • 10 months ago
whats up photographere dudes mans and womans, yall like a little corn.
△ ▽
• Reply •
oldclimber • a year ago
Random ideas: Never mistake exotic places for exotic, or superior, photos. Photography is about
light and composition, where and when relating to subject matter, conspire to make resonant
images. The mechanics of hiking to an obvious setup spot, waiting for the golden hour shot,
milking the hell out of photoshop, to create impressively generic images, is so worn out that
aspiring "landscape" photographers should aggressively avoid that trope. Landscape to me is
outdoors - urban, parks, landfills, wilderness, closeups of broken bottles in the weeds, etc.
Explore with a zen mind, i.e. open and blank; be sensitive to what catches your eye, and learn
how to capture and enhance what your instincts find interesting. Digital has freed us from the
strictures of film, so play with all sorts of shots, zooms, close-ups, tilts, goofy subjects and
compositions. Study later, what and why some shots seem preferable, and develop a critical eye
you can take back into the field to repeat with more acuity your quest for your personal artistic
mission.
△ ▽
Anpu • a year ago
Great article. Thank you.
I have Nikon D5600 and still learning. What kind of metering and what kind of focusing single
point or area?
This photo was taken more than an year ago. At that time I did not know anything about rule of
thirds and the rest.
Would appreciate to hear suggestions to improve my photographic skill.
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›

• Reply •
see more
⛺
△ ▽
• Reply •
oldclimber • a year ago> Anpu
I take Rules, like thirds, more relaxed, but as a reminder that asymmetry and multiple
zones create tensions and counterbalances that make a more energized composition. This
image has the exact center point in the base of the tower, nearly driving a nail into the
photo and locking it in place. It reads like a basic "picture of a thing." More foreground
might provide other focal interests that draw and move the eye around; moving the
lighthouse to the right third might add the extra details cut off here on the left, and
zooming in might magnify the impact of the interesting sidelighting, and satisfy the
viewer's craving for more details on the island and left of it, versus too much water and sky
which is not that interesting here. Every "thing" contributes to a composition, even blank
sky areas that can read as masses, but here it feels as if the sky and even the water are
just taking up space, rather than either being used creatively, or otherwise edited out by
zooming or cropping.
△ ▽
• Reply •
R.G.Menon • 3 years ago
I find the tips very useful. One point I had been stressing is to analyse the photo with respect to
the points made and give some back side activity like placement of camera, camera setting etc, It
would help absolute bigners like me to understand the finer points.
△ ▽
Daimon Walker • 4 years ago
I've just been introduced to this site and I'm really enjoying the topics being covered. I'd love to
improve my technical abilities. Could I get advice on does/don'ts please? This is a 'typical'
landscape I've shot. Many thanks in advance!
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›

• Reply •
⛺
△ ▽
• Reply •
John Roberts • 3 years ago> Daimon Walker
You're "cute". This 'typical' shot is technically outstanding. Unfortunately the only
improvement u probably can make as a photographer is a bit of modesty. :P
⛺
△ ▽
• Reply •
ashish pokharel • 3 years ago> John Roberts
not bad for a RAW IMAGE..now get yourself a basic version of lightroom
△ ▽
• Reply •
Jarrod Castaing • 4 years ago
Nice photo tips.
△ ▽
• Reply •
Britten Adams • 4 years ago
Great
portrait photography
△ ▽
John Rich • 4 years ago
Most landscape photographers will have a circular polarizing filter in their kit bag. There are many
uses for filters like this, but for the landscape photographer the two key characteristics are their
ability to cut out reflections and nasty glare from a scene and the increased color intensity,
saturation and contrast they create.
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›

• Reply •
John@MapDestinations
△ ▽
• Reply •
grandmaslake • 5 years ago
Wow, Darren - I started in 7th grade with an old Minolta SLR camera, too. I still have it
somewhere. I managed to sneak it into a couple of really good concerts way back then...
△ ▽
• Reply •
Bill Skinner • 5 years ago
Thank you, Darren
I am a beginner and your explanation of the landscape photography is very helpful!
I am also going for a ten day wild animal outback photography trip in our Kruger National Park,
South Africa--I have a Canon 650D and my telephoto lens is a 75-300mm. Do you have some
good reading material for shooting animals and birds---moving and still shots?
Kind regards. Bill Skinner
△ ▽
• Reply •
Gregg Hasenjaeger • 5 years ago
Capture movement...
⛺
△ ▽
• Reply •
summer • 2 years ago> Gregg Hasenjaeger
is this fumee falls in iron mountain michigan
△ ▽
Faith Jones • 5 years ago
I love landscape! One of my favorite types of photography :)
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›

• Reply •
⛺
△ ▽
• Reply •
Elias • 3 years ago> Faith Jones
Best method as I learnt is : by take 1 photo by moving camera focus point (square) to the
Sun take the photo, then take another one by letting the focus point to the landscape or
trees... use photoshop by getting the brighter landscape with less brighter of the sky
(actually less Sun brightness, you can edit only the area of the Sun to reduce its light). this
method reduce Sun flare.
△ ▽
• Reply •
Pepsi Forest • 5 years ago
And thanks for the great tips I'll be out taking lots of photos. Can't wait until winter to get some of
those amazing winter frosty mornings.
△ ▽
• Reply •
Pepsi Forest • 5 years ago
Yeah I like to get interesting clouds into my photos cause it adds to the effect
△ ▽
• Reply •
Rob • 5 years ago
I didn't see any points about using a neutral density filter to control the lighting. For example one
of the seascape shots I am certain that you used an ND Gradient filter to darken the sky and get
the incoming wave.
And yes changing the POV is such a simple thing. I was once told that the most affordable zoom
is 2 feet. Try walking closer to the subject. those words stick out in my mind.
△ ▽
• Reply •
nic • 5 years ago
Brianna says hi #welove #photographyclass !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
△ ▽
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›

• Reply •
samran • 5 years ago
see more
Tip 1: work with the weather
Explain your tip: Work with the weather shows spaces within the world, sometimes vast and
unending, but other times microscopic. Landscape photographs typically capture
the presence of nature but can also focus on man-made features or disturbances
of landscapes.
Provide an example that you find online (from a different
website of the link).
Tip 2: Consider the Sky
Explain your tip: Consider the sky whether
it’s a dark, stormy, cloud-covered sky or a panorama of pure blue, the sky is
an important component of landscapes and should be given the treatment it
deserves.
Provide an example that you find online (from a different
website of the link).
△ ▽
nargis A • 5 years ago
Tip
1: Maximize
your Depth of Field
Explain
your tip: Use a smaller aperture. The first and most obvious way to increase depth
of field is to decrease the aperture setting on your lens
Tip
2: Use a Tripod
Explain
Share ›

• Reply •
see more
Explain
your tip: To
help you capture the ideal shot in all diﬀerent circumstances. A tripod only
takes seconds to erect and adjust, yet it can support your camera in the
perfect position for however long you wish, helping you to take great images
Tip
3: Look for a
△ ▽
• Reply •
Sobhan Doorco • 5 years ago
Until now I did not notice these things. I'm glad you've mentioned. I
understand what you mean. I must thank you for this articleminnet bozdemir
△ ▽
• Reply •
Jim • 5 years ago
Hi Darren. Great tips! I have posted your article on our website http://www.wheredidyoutaket... as
well as on our FB page https://www.facebook.com/wh...
You do an awesome job of educating photographers. I am a big fan of you FB page, so much
helpful information. Thanks
△ ▽
• Reply •
Sean • 5 years ago
Thank you so much, this is a great help.
△ ▽
• Reply •
otomatik kapilar • 5 years ago
I'm adding a ﬂashlight to my camera bag for those pre-dawn excursions!
galeri selguk - galeri Selçuk - minnet bozdemir
△ ▽
• Reply •
Marianne Frigerio • 5 years ago
very very helpful tps thank you
△ ▽
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›

Load more comments
11 Great Songs About Photography (includes
link to playlist!)
30 comments • 5 days ago
Avatar
sofarsogood — I think a song that shows the
power of a photograph is Jackson Brown’s
‘F t i f S ‘ Th li i ‘L ki
The Olympus TOUGH TG-6 Camera Review –
A Perfect Adventure Companion?
Avatar
C. Mallon — I just purchased the TOUGH to go
to Mexico as I didn't want to haul all my lenses
d d l t ki ti b I h
ALSO ON DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOL
△ ▽
• Reply •
DAN • 5 years ago
Great tips for Photography
△ ▽
• Reply •
Mel Dawn • 5 years ago
Great tips, thank you! It takes talent to create the best digital art before trying to have a
digital abstract pictures sale
△ ▽
• Reply •
Renuka Singh • 6 years ago
Great tips! i'm going to use these tips on my next trip. Thanks so much.
△ ▽
• Reply •
Sricharan • 6 years ago
Great tips.. wonderful article.. Can you please add a section for the Blue hour photography.. some
of the stunning landscapes are on the blue hour of a day..
It probably ﬁts into the golden hour of photography..
△ ▽
• Reply •
Amore Vita Photos • 4 years ago
Amazing.. Top Wedding Photographers Charlotte
△ ▽ 1
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›

‘Fountain of Sorrow ‘. The line is ‘Looking and dslr taking up an entire carry on bag. I hope
Weekly Photography Challenge – Black and
White
Avatar
Russ Westﬁeld — Met this chap as I was
heading to a seafront jazz concert in Valetta,
Malta by Chick Corea. He is a hobbyist boat
Your Posing Guide for Maternity Sessions
1 comment • 12 days ago
Avatar
Mehedi Hasan — This article is very important
for maternity seasons. I get valuable idea
through read the post. I think it is very helpful for
Subscribe✉ Add Disqus to your siteAdd DisqusAddd Disqus' Privacy PolicyPrivacy PolicyPrivacy🔒
Some Older Comments
Join over 1.6 million Subscribers!
     
I need help with...

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
PHOTO COMPOSITION TIPS BEGINNER PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
PHOTO POST PROCESSING TIPS GET STARTED WITH CAMERAS AND GEAR
About dPS / Write for dPS / Advertise on dPS / A liate Program / Terms and Conditions / Privacy Policy    
© 2006 - 2019 Digital Photography School, All Rights Reserved / Disclaimer

11 Surere Landscape Photography Tips

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (11)

Similar to 11 Surere Landscape Photography Tips

Similar to 11 Surere Landscape Photography Tips (20)

More from Janique Goff Madison

More from Janique Goff Madison (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

11 Surere Landscape Photography Tips