How to take landscape photos for the beginner.
If you’ve just landed on this page then I want to take a moment to say a few very important items. Landscape photography is about being in nature and enjoying those moments under the stars or witnessing a beautiful sunset; remembering that when you get back to your computer to edit will make the process more enjoyable and continue to push you to create images that bring you joy. Landscape photography is about the moments in time, not the image itself; don’t forget that. I have spent several days, weeks, and months chasing down photos, and all that time was spent with friends and family. Those memories are worth more than any photo I’ve ever taken. Read on.
Whether you're a budding enthusiast or a curious beginner, mastering the art of landscape photography requires patience, dedication, and a keen eye for detail. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through the essential steps to help you kickstart your journey as a landscape photographer, from understanding composition techniques to mastering camera settings.
Equipment Essentials:
While fancy gear can enhance your photography experience, you don't need the latest and most expensive equipment to capture stunning landscapes. A basic DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses will suffice.
Invest in a sturdy tripod to ensure sharp and steady shots, especially in low light conditions or when using slow shutter speeds.
Consider carrying a range of lenses, including wide-angle and telephoto options, to capture diverse landscape perspectives. Don’t go crazy on this one; there’s no way you can have everything all at once, and having the wrong lens will actually teach you more than having the right lens at every location.
For clarity, I shoot on Sony and started shooting on a Lumix GH5 that was eight years old when I bought it. My images are much better now, not just because of the camera but because I have learned a lot about taking bad pictures. I always tell people to take 1000 bad pictures first because you will have learned valuable lessons that a blog can’t teach you.
Scout Your Location:
Before setting out to capture landscapes, research potential locations and scout the area during different times of the day to assess lighting conditions and potential compositions. This may not be possible if you’re visiting or on a trip. I do my best to check a spot out before I shoot, but if not, I rely on Google to give me as much information on a location as possible.
Pay attention to natural elements such as leading lines, exciting textures, and captivating foregrounds that can enhance your compositions. This skill takes time, so don’t beat yourself up if you miss a good opportunity.
Understand Composition Techniques:
Familiarize yourself with fundamental composition principles such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing to create visually engaging landscapes. Plenty of great videos on YouTube will provide you with in-depth information on these commonly used tactics.
Experiment with different perspectives and viewpoints, including low angles and elevated positions, to add depth and dimension to your images. Some of my best shots are taken from close to the ground. It sounds strange, but it adds interest to your image to see the world from just above the tall grass.
Use a subject. Using a subject to frame your shot can drastically change the outcome. Subjects can be anything: a person, a building, or a rock pile. Using the unique features of the landscape around you allows you to show more of the scene and create more drama within the frame.
Harness the Power of Light:
Light plays a crucial role in landscape photography, transforming ordinary scenes into extraordinary works of art. Learn to observe and harness the qualities of natural light, whether it's the soft glow of sunrise or the warm hues of golden hour. The most exciting and compelling landscape photographs I have seen or taken have been during these hours. The contribution of a golden light or a pink sky changes the scene dramatically. I suggest always using this to your advantage and practicing landscape shooting when the light is the softest and warmest.
Avoid harsh midday sunlight whenever possible unless you’re using that time to practice getting familiar with your camera. Daytime light is never a good time to take landscape photos. I cover this in more depth in my e-book, which you can download here for free.
One side note here. Shooting during the day is possible in the right conditions. Stormy days and cloudy days in the mountains can produce a dramatic scene that will look really good when you process your images.
Master Camera Settings:
Start by shooting in aperture priority mode (Av or A) to control the depth of field. This allows you to blur the background for a dreamy effect or keep everything in sharp focus. This is a common practice for anyone just getting started in landscape photography. I shot on aperture priority for over a year as I learned how my camera functioned. In the beginning, it’s okay to use functions like this to become familiar with shooting landscape photography. Using this technique will allow the camera to control everything else automatically, and you can control the depth of field and light with the aperture function.
Experiment with different aperture settings to find the ideal balance between foreground and background sharpness. An easy way to think of an aperture is a high F-stop, which will reduce light and allow more of the scene to be in focus. A low F-stop will increase the light and create a blurred background, keeping only the main focus point or subject in focus. Landscape photography is generally shot with a higher F-stop to allow a large scene to be entirely in focus.
Pay attention to your camera's metering modes and exposure compensation to ensure proper exposure, especially in challenging lighting conditions. This technique is a bit more advanced but worth noting for any beginner landscape photographer.
Fine-tune Your Focus:
Always use manual focus—that’s the big takeaway in this section. I highly recommend you use the peeking setting on your camera. Peeking is a setting all cameras have, and it overlays color on the screen to show you what is in focus. I use this every single time I shoot, and you should, too.
Focus will always be a top priority when shooting landscape photography. Having a beautiful scene that’s out of focus is a great way to ruin a day of shooting. I often find a composition, take several different shots to see what I like, and then zoom in on those shots in the camera to ensure perfectly sharp focus. I would suggest you get into the habit of checking your images for focus before calling it a day. Light changes fast, and missing a shot due to lack of focus is a huge bummer.
Experiment with Long Exposures:
Long-exposure photography adds a sense of movement and dynamism to landscapes, especially when capturing flowing water, moving clouds, or star trails. If you’re not at this point yet, that’s okay. The time will come for long exposures.
If you’re ready for long exposures, I suggest using a neutral density (ND) filter to reduce the light entering the lens. This allows you to achieve longer shutter speeds without overexposing the image. A 3-stop ND filter can get pricey, but generally, it will work for any beginner without breaking the bank. My choice for filters is Breakthrough Photography.
Post-Processing and Editing:
Once you've captured your landscape images, embrace the power of post-processing to enhance their visual impact. Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop offer powerful tools for adjusting exposure, contrast, color balance, and more. There’s so much to learn within these programs that it can overwhelm the beginner. Don’t let all the buttons and different options overwhelm you; start by moving the sliders around until you find something you like.
The only way to become proficient with Lightroom or Photoshop is to continue working at it and staying consistent. Luckily, YouTube has thousands of hours of editing tutorials to help you hone in on different skills and Ideas that will work with your images. I learned by watching YouTube and remaining consistent with my practice; I suggest finding a YouTube creator you enjoy watching and learning from them as much as you can.
Starting on the journey of landscape photography is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that allows you to connect with nature on a deeper level. By mastering the essential techniques outlined in this guide and embracing the creative process, you'll be well-equipped to capture breathtaking landscapes that inspire awe and wonder. Remember to stay curious, experiment often, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey of discovery as you explore the world through your lens. Nobody wakes up one day and becomes a professional landscape photographer; it takes time and dedication, which is hard for most people to keep up with. It’s ok if this process is slow for you and you don’t have hours a day to dedicate to the process. Keep showing up and spend time when you can on your craft, and I promise you will see results.
Until next time,
Josh