Being a landscape photographer isn’t just about going outside and taking pictures of the beautiful scenery. For me, I knew that if I looked back at the pictures I took four years ago, I would not be satisfied. Sometimes I looked back at the pictures and thought, maybe I could have lighted or framed it better. It made me want to go back and do better. The good thing is that I can provide tips for landscape photographers.
It is also important to know that you will continue to learn new tips through personal experiences of photographing landscapes.
KEEP THE HORIZON LEVEL STRAIGHT
I can’t stress this enough. In landscape photographs, it is important to keep the horizon level straight. When the horizon level is tilted, it really distracts the viewer from seeing a beautiful image.
Depending on the scene, a straight horizon is extremely important. For example, in this picture, there is nothing but water. I usually photograph scenes like this in landscape orientation because I have a hard time leveling my camera when it is in portrait orientation.
Patience is key.
BE POSITIVE WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS BAD
We all like that big yellow egg shining on top of us, but not every day is going to have the perfect weather. As a landscape photographer, I learned to accept the fact that not everything goes as planned.
When the weather goes bad, our first instinct is to put our cameras away. Unless you are a storm chaser. Hook me up if you are! The key here is to be positive, protect your gear, and take pictures!
I planned a day to explore Canyonlands National Park in Utah, but when I got there, it was cold, windy, and rained ice pellets. I had a great hike planned and I was disappointed. I waited for the weather to get better before I went outside to do an easier hike.
ADD A FOREGROUND ELEMENT
A great way to add a sense of depth to your landscape photographs is to include a foreground element. Framing your landscapes with trees and branches is a good element.
SHOOT DURING THE GOLDEN HOURS
The golden hours refer to early in the morning and late in the afternoon. During those hours, the sunlight is warmer compared to pictures that were taken during midday which had a cooler sunlight. Photographing during the golden hours will also create silhouettes and shadows. This will add a sense of depth and dimension to your images.
Fionn is an adventure seeker that is attracted to danger. She is always on a mission to wander around the globe curiously. Whether it will be hiking to the bottom of Grand Canyon, swimming with whale sharks, or finishing the World’s Toughest Mudder, she will always be there with her camera(s) in her hands, a smile on her face and butterflies in her stomach. Oh, and did she forget to mention that she is also a foreign Piña Colada drinker?
