Monday 16 January 2017

Secrets to Taking Great Landscape Photographs


Many of us love to be out in the great outdoors and experience that wondrous feeling of being one with nature.  Others appreciate the more man-made landscapes of the modern world we live in.  We want to capture these moments so we can re-live them over and over, but just how do you get that perfect landscape photograph?


Here are a few tips on some of the most important factors to take into consideration when photographing landscapes:


Sharp focus

Unless you’re attempting a special effect, the majority of landscape photographs should be as clear and sharp as possible.  If you’re holding a camera by hand to take landscape photographs, it can be really difficult to achieve the sharp focus you need.  You may think you have a steady hand, but the camera doesn’t lie!   Whenever possible always mount your camera on a sturdy tripod and use a cable shutter release or a wireless shutter release to prevent camera shake.


Depth of field

With landscape photography it’s very important to use the greatest depth of field possible to ensure even the furthest away scenery still appears sharp in your photograph.  For this purpose you will need to use a small aperture (i.e. a large f/stop number).  Because a small aperture lets less light into the camera, you will need to combine this with a longer shutter speed to ensure you get the correct amount of light.


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Composition

Think about the composition of your landscape photograph.  Many people just shoot away without thinking about how that landscape is going to look in a picture.  Try walking around, turning your camera at different angles, crouching down or getting to a higher point to get a different view-point.

Many people always put the main feature of the landscape straight in the middle of the shot, but this is not always the best looking view.  It’s good to have a focal point in a landscape, but try focussing the main feature to the side of the picture or change your camera angle.  For example, the main focal point of a landscape could be a building or a tree or a rock. By having a main focal point, you emphasise the expanse of the landscape in comparison to it.

Including an element of the foreground in your picture can also add to the scale and depth of the scene.  The foreground could be anything you like such as long grass, a tree branch, a flower, etc. Don’t be afraid to take your time and experiment.


Time of day

With landscape photography it’s best to avoid the middle of the day if you can, as overhead sunlight will make your picture look flat and could give harsh shadows.  Think about when the landscape looks at its most dramatic – it’s usually first thing in the morning or in the evening, when the sun is either rising or setting.


The weather

Bad weather doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t go out and take great landscape photographs. In fact the weather can have a positive impact on your scenery.  Snow, fog or mist for example can give a dramatic look to what would normally be a bland landscape.


The sky

 Be aware that if you leave too much PLAIN sky in your picture, it can leave your scene looking flat and boring.  Clouds can sometimes help to give a dramatic look and feel to your photographs.


Have fun experimenting!


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