Landscape Photography

Nature offers some of the best opportunities for the amateur photographer. That’s why most photographers begin by shooting landscapes—a sprawling green field, a winding road, a clear blue sky. But while these scenes make excellent pictures, not everyone can capture them in a way that best brings out their beauty. If you think landscapes are a beginner’s forte, you’re in for a surprise.

Landscape photography requires a different set of skills from wildlife, still-life, and other photographic genres. It also comes with its own set of challenges. But with enough practice, even first-timers can take professional-looking landscapes. Here are some tips to help you take better landscape photos.

Increase your depth of field. In photography, depth of field is the maximum distance at which your image remains sharp. Since you’re shooting over long distances, you need a high depth of field to capture clear landscapes. You can do this by setting a higher aperture, or a smaller lens opening. However, there’s a tradeoff here: since the opening is smaller, less light comes in and your picture gets darker. To compensate, choose a slow shutter speed so that the lens stays open longer.

Steady your camera. At slow shutter speeds, your camera captures even the slightest shake. This is why landscapes often turn out blurry. To prevent shake, get a high-quality tripod and carry it around during shoots. A rock or any steady surface will do the job, but they don’t offer the same range of movement as a tripod.

Shoot at dawn and dusk. Why are sunrise and sunset photos so popular? It’s not just because they’re pretty—it’s also because dawn and dusk offer the best lighting conditions for landscape shooting. It’s when the light is most flattering, and when the colors seem to come alive. Avoid shooting in bright daylight—the sun tends to cast harsh shadows and obscure your subject.

Fill in the foreground. If you know basic composition, you’re probably familiar with the three layers of an image: the background, the mid-ground and the foreground. The background, of course, is your landscape; your job is to place something in the other two layers to fill out your image. Try placing something in sharp focus on the foreground to give your photo a different perspective.

Find a focal point. All pictures need a focal point, and landscapes are no exception. In fact, a landscape without a focal point ends up being plain and uninteresting. Find something that breaks the monotony of the horizon, whether it’s a lone rock or a cat crossing the road. Your first instinct will be to place it at the center, but that’s almost always a bad idea. The rule of thirds can help you position your subject: split your screen into three parts vertically and horizontally, and place the focal point at one of the intersections.

Create lines. An ordinary landscape follows the line of the horizon; that is, a plain, straight horizontal line. Landscapes that stand out often incorporate other lines in the image, such as roads, power lines, or bridges. Look for these lines in your composition to direct attention away from the steady horizon.

Look for other points of view. Instead of taking the photo from your porch, get out there and experiment with angles. You’ll be surprised at just how different it looks from just a few meters away. For example, shooting from a high place (such as a balcony or rooftop) gives you a commanding view of the landscape you can’t achieve from your usual spot.

Stock up on gear. True, you can take good landscape photos with just your point-and-shoot camera. But if you’re serious about your craft, you may want to invest in a few accessories to help you along. Besides a sturdy tripod, consider getting a wide angle lens for better scope, a polarizing filter for better contrast, and a cable release so you don’t have to hold your camera all the time.