I have been in love with, addicted to, obsessed with, and motivated by photographing nature for 14 years now. In 2007 it became a part of my life, and the excitement and love for it hasn’t changed - it turned into a career. It dictates my decision making when it comes to travel. It influences my state of mind. And when I miss an opportunity, it can burn me to my core. However, this only motivates me more.

1. 3 lesser known landscape
photography tips
By Dylan Fox | 26 October 2021

0 Comments
I have been in love with, addicted to, obsessed with, and motivated by photographing
nature for 14 years now. In 2007 it became a part of my life, and the excitement and
love for it hasn’t changed - it turned into a career.
It dictates my decision making when it comes to travel. It influences my state of mind. And
when I miss an opportunity, it can burn me to my core. However, this only motivates me
more.
During these last 14 years there have been a few things that have really assisted in my
growth as a photographer. These aren’t technical camera skills or secret photoshop
techniques as such. These are real things that I use to make better photographs. They have
helped me a great deal and I hope they can help you too.
1) Create a mental showreel
When I first started looking at landscape photographs, I obsessed over them - I couldn’t
get enough. I was looking at photos of places I was familiar with and seeing them
photographed in a way I had never seen before.
Layer Cake. While photographing Tasman Lake in New Zealand’s South Island, I was fortunate enough to have these two
large chunks of ice perfectly frame the snow covered mountain in the background. This photograph came together quite
easily. One exposure, which I double-processed in Lightroom. Once for the land and another time for the sky. This meant
the blending process in Photoshop aligned perfectly. Sony A7R Mark II, FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS lens @ 122mm. 1/60s @
f16, ISO 100.
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Ok Peggy
Gregory Short on Photo Tip of the Week:
How To Shoot a Photo Essay
(http://www.australianphotography.com/ne
tip-of-the-week-how-to-shoot-a-photo-
essay)
Great article Mitch. I especially like
and can relate to the section on
expectations. Too often I ha...
Jerry Marshall on Lessons for Life: The
philosophy of landscape photography
(http://www.australianphotography.com/photo-
tips/lessons-for-life-the-philosophy-of-
landscape-photography)
Very interesting insight. I believe in
professionals so this is a very useful
article for everyone. ...
Lula Finch on Melbourne photographer takes
home international photography award
(http://www.australianphotography.com/article/F
7D77-11EB-A854AA1CF78837BB)
Nice post. Such an amazing article.
Great share. Thank you . Loved it
very helpful.
Rosie on 5 indoor photography ideas for April:
Week one
(http://www.australianphotography.com/photo-
tips/5-indoor-photography-ideas-for-april-
week-one)
What a wonderful read. Took a few
pointers from this great article.
Rosie on Australasia's Top Emerging
Photographers 2021: Call for entries
(http://www.australianphotography.com/news/au
s-top-emerging-photographers-2021-call-for-
entries)
(/)

2. On my very first landscape shoot I went out with some of the images I had in mind and
tried to replicate them, which is something I think we all do in the beginning. Not very
creative of me I know, but I was new!
Although I was lacking the most important part, the creativity, this did teach me a different
lesson that I still employ to this day. The importance of studying the work of
photographers that you admire. This doesn’t mean the most popular photographers, or
your friends’ favourite photographer necessarily, but the ones whose work really holds
your attention.
Simply spend time looking at their work. Figure out what it is that separates it from the
pack – whether it’s the compositional techniques, the light, or the use of colour (or lack
thereof).
But even more importantly, memorise your favourite images. Having a gallery of images in
your mind that you can accurately call on at any time is incredibly useful.
It will help you see things in the field when you are scouting a location. You may recall a
mountain scene that has a striking resemblance to the rocky coastline you are scouting.
Yes, they are different scenes, but the compositional elements, or light may be remarkably
Mount Lofty. Is there anything better than Autumn colour? The hills outside of Adelaide were showing off these colours
during an overnight visit. Finding compositions in the chaos of forests and trees is challenging, but it can produce such
beautiful results. Sony A7R Mark IV, FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS lens @ 200mm. 1/40s @ f16, ISO 800.
Sugarloaf Rock. A stunning display of light over one of Western Australia’s icons. Shooting handheld allowed me to get
this composition which I would have struggled to capture otherwise. I really enjoy shooting handheld as it allows me to
move with the rapidly changing lighting conditions. Sony A7R Mark IV, Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G lens @ 12mm. 1/40s @
f11, ISO 400.

3. similar.
Furthermore, this will trickle into how you process your images. This becomes a
subconscious thing. Your work will, over time, begin to develop a style, inspired by the
work you love, with your own creative elements thrown into the pot as well.
2) Less is more
‘Less is More’ is a phrase I was fortunate enough to hear very early on in my landscape
photography career, and its one that holds true to this day and something I constantly
remind myself of.
You may have heard other phrases such as ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’ or
‘good design is as little design as possible’.
Although it is still something very important to me and how I compose photographs, it is
even more important when you are just learning the ropes. This is because as you progress
in your photographic journey, many aspects of shooting become sub-conscious.
You no longer must think about what camera settings to use to get a desired look, or what
tools you can use in post-production to enhance the feel you are searching for.Like how
someone in their first year of playing guitar must actively think about where the notes are,
whereas a seasoned professional can just play by feel.
This is exactly what will happen with how you compose your photographs if you put in the
time. You will be in the field and compose a photograph with a fantastic composition by
feel. Simply moving the camera around until all the elements ‘feel’ right, rather than having
to use a camera’s guidelines to see if you are following the rule of thirds, for example.