Seven Tips for Beginning Landscape Photography Enthusiasts

In the last part of the series How to photograph landscapes? we will focus on discussing the tips for taking photos outdoors. Here are 10 tips to help you find your way around the subject of landscape photography:

1. The best camera

We start with Chaves Jarvis’ sentence , which has become a permanent part of the canon of photography quotes. A trivial truth that very often proves true during vacation escapades. Not everyone is a professional photojournalist and carries a camera everywhere. Let’s not be under any illusions – in the era of universal access to mobile devices, most often a smartphone is the only camera we have with us. In no way should we take this fact as an insult to the honor of a flesh-and-blood photographer. This opinion seems to be confirmed by the development of the so-called mobile photography . Nevertheless, it would be better if the tool that we use to photograph landscapes was a typical camerawith a matrix of at least 4/3. Why so? Well, the larger the matrix, the better it will cope with worse lighting conditions. Let’s add to this the possibility of using various lenses, filters or photo editing in a graphics program without compromising its quality.

2. Shoot in the best possible format

If possible, save photos on the memory card only in RAW extension (ORF, CR2, RAF, NEF, etc.). What is RAW? In short, it is a digital negative that needs to be properly developed in a digital darkroom– read to process in a graphics program (eg Adobe Photoshop Lightroom). In professional terms, RAWs are files with uncompressed data from the camera matrix. They are characterized by a wide tonal range and richer color depth (12 or 14 bits) than standard JPGs. This has a measurable effect on the reproduction of details in the bright and dark parts of the image, and in addition, RAW allows you to make adjustments to white balance, contrast, etc. without losing the quality of the photo. It is worth adding that all these advantages are related to the relatively high weight of such files (depending on the camera, files can weigh at least several or several megabytes). Nevertheless, the RAW format should be treated with the conviction that it gives us almost unlimited possibilities to work on the recorded image without fear of deteriorating its quality. But let’s remember

3. Plan your place

Another tip is to choose the right location and time of day, and even a specific time. It is a good idea to visit the place where we want to take photos earlier – a calm reconnaissance in the field will allow you to properly plan the frames. Without rush, we can look for interesting motifs or a place for e.g. camping (landscape astrophotography will require it). Such reconnaissance will also help to assess the travel time to the selected location.

We should also remember to check the current weather forecast. Landscape photography is not only about capturing the beauty of the views that surround us, but also the forces of nature associated with changes in weather conditions. A black shelf cloud can turn a boring frame of a wheat field as flat as a table into a spectacular shot. Therefore, let’s observe the directions of atmospheric fronts, storm alerts or information about unusual phenomena in the weather.

4. Take photos during the golden and blue hours

In landscape photography, two concepts of the best moment to shoot outdoors are adopted: they are the golden hour and the blue hour . The golden hour is the time during sunrise, immediately after it and sunset and just before it. Just then, the sun emits warm light, casting long shadows. In Poland, the golden hour may last from 30 minutes in December to 120 minutes in June. In turn, the blue hour is the time before sunrise and after sunset, it makes it easier to photograph landscapes after dusk, when the night sky gently blends with the sun’s glow. Unfortunately, contrary to its name, the blue hour lasts about a dozen or so minutes. To hit well with the ratinggolden hour, we can use dedicated applications for smartphones .

5. Take care of good exposure

To understand the essence of correct exposure, we need to know what influences it, they are three factors: aperture, shutter speed and ISO value. Each of them is dependent on each other, which in photography is called the exposure triangle . In a nutshell, one factor compensates for the value of the other, and the Exposuretool tool will help to understand these relationships. Another way to judge correct exposure is to use a histogram, which is a graph divided into three sections (shadows, midtones, highlights). The first thing we should pay attention to is whether the lines on the left (shadows) or right (highlights) do not touch. If this is the case – then we are dealing with overexposure and / or underexposure of the image (yes, they can occur together, in other areas of the image). Delicate blacks and x-rays can be eliminated in post-production. However, high underexposure (unless we assume such) during brightening in the graphics program will leave unsightly colored artifacts or their brightening will not be possible at all.

We must be aware of the fact that landscape photography should have low noise. Setting the ISO value as low as possible will help to obtain the best possible image quality. Raising the sensor’s sensitivity may result in a very visible effect of grain and colored artifacts in the dark parts of the image. So what remains is the balance between the shutter speed and the aperture. We should remember that these two variables will largely depend on our concept. A high aperture value will make the image sharp not only in the foreground, and a long exposure time will blur the sea waves on the beach shore.

6. Don’t forget about the composition

Sixth out of ten tips is to use the correct composition. As in any field of photography, also when photographing landscapes, we should stick to certain rules that will help us organize the frame. Even the most beautiful view can be spoiled by unskillful framing or too much distracting motives. A simple procedure is to stick to the basic principle in photography – thirds. Thanks to it, we can easily focus the recipient’s attention on a specific element and correctly emphasize the horizon (it must be horizontal). Let us remember about the leading lines, i.e. natural landscape elements (e.g. roads, watercourses, etc.) that guide the viewer’s eyes towards the main theme. An interesting subject that organizes the composition are repetitive elements such as rows of trees, hills or furrows in the field. To give the photo depth, we should set the focus point approximately 1/3 of the depth of the scene – preferably using the viewfinder or on the display in live view mode . Magnifying viewfinders can be helpful when working with a telephoto lens .

7. Use additional photo accessories

In addition to a camera with lenses, a tripod and ND filters, what should a landscape photographer’s inventory include? Regardless of whether we are going to go outdoors, several dozen kilometers from the house, or it will be just a walk around the area, we must remember about a few absolutely necessary things. First, the batteries , preferably one in the camera, and the second in spare – of course, fully charged and tested before leaving the house. The next thing are memory cards , where the capacity will depend on our work style – it is also worth having something in reserve. The third very important element of the equipment is a rain cover for the camera . In late autumn and early spring, the weather can play tricks, then it is worth wearing itjust in case . During a rainfall, we may not be able to evacuate to a tent or car.

Other photographic accessories that will make life easier for us outdoors are, above all, all shutter triggers. Drain hoses and radio remote controls will work best . A teleconverter will be required to capture further plans . To protect the tripod against strong wind, we can use a textile weight . In the open air, there will always be some aggregate to fill it, and in the end it can be the backpack itself.

When thinking about going into a further setting, we should remember not only about strictly photographic equipment. We can also pack a compass or a map of the area in which we are going to the backpack or bag. A powerbank with a smartphone charging cable will also be useful. Remember about a powerful flashlight, it will help us get to the shooting location before dawn. When choosing a mountain outdoors, do not forget about appropriate clothing and comfortable trekking shoes.