Some days, while practicing landscape photography, I pause to reflect. Thoughts often drift to the pursuit of landscape photography. With the unique blend of elements it brings together and the hobby's impact on me, landscape photography may be the perfect hobby.
That may be a bold statement: landscape photography is the perfect hobby. But I talk a lot about landscape photography with people attending workshops, comments on videos, and online communities like this one. Through these discussions, I have four main elements of landscape photography that combine to make it a worthwhile pursuit and possibly the perfect hobby.
Technical
Photography has a technical side to it. For some, this comes easier than others. Photography can be technical, from learning the basics of the exposure triangle to more advanced concepts like focus stacking or exposure bracketing.
Related to the technical is the camera gear itself. It lends itself well to people who lean towards the technical side. New camera releases to read and talk about new lenses with varying levels of image quality to debate. Even the accessories for practicing landscape photography - tripods, filters, even camera bags - all things to help feed the technical side of a photographer.
Creative
Photography has a creative side to it. Finding unique and interesting compositions to tell a story takes creativity. Seeing things in a different way and helping show others through the images what the location was about takes craft.
The creativity extends to post-processing as well. Using photo-editing tools (back to the technical again) to help turn the original file into what you saw and felt at the scene takes skill.
Get Outside
Landscape photography gets the photographer outside and enjoying nature. The experiences outdoors can be enriching. Enjoying the light, the breeze, the smells - all of it helps enhance the human experience.
It is very easy to fall into the habit of coming home, sitting on the couch, and watching TV. But a hobby like landscape photography helps motivate you to get outside to capture some sights, drawing you outdoors for these experiences.
Beyond just getting outside locally, it can also be a prime motivator to travel and go to interesting places you might not have considered before. I have planned many a trip to areas across the US directly attributable to the hobby of landscape photography. This year alone, I’ve been to multiple national parks in all types of weather, from sub-zero to triple-digit temperatures and everything in between!
Get Exercise
And finally, landscape photography helps contribute to getting some exercise. Hiking to locations helps keep a person active and healthy. Doing it with a camera bag full of gear does wonders for physical fitness.
Additionally, even when not out hiking for the pursuit of landscape photography, it can be the motivating factor to stay in reasonable shape so future hikes are just a little easier.
Bringing It All Together
Each of the above elements in and of itself is a positive thing. Bring them all together, and it makes the hobby of landscape photography a very positive experience with much more benefit for a person than just taking pretty pictures.
While I enjoy the excuse to get outside and the exercise all the hiking brings, my favorite aspect of the hobby is how photography blends the technical and creative.
I consider myself more technical than creative. The technical side comes a little easier to me, the camera settings and techniques. But I wholly enjoy the creative side and the work it takes to work on that side of landscape photography. The fact I can pair my weaker creative side with my stronger technical side is a perfect pairing to keep me working and moving forward.
What do you think? Which elements combined make landscape photography your hobby? Is landscape photography the perfect hobby?
I'm reading this on the last day of a 10 day, great Northwest photo trip! I hiked between 7,500 and 17,000 steps a day, up to altitudes of over 7,000 feet. I agree. It's the perfect hobby. Banff and nearby places were gorgeous. Vancouver Island was amazing. At 65, this really gets me out and stretches my mind and body! Thanks for the thoughts!
Ken
That sounds like a great trip! I have yet to visit that area, but would love to!
The getting outside and away from things aspect is the best part. And every middle-aged guy needs a hobby that he can spend tons of money on and still have a list of 5 things he wants to buy.
Ha! I fit that description! Lots of money spent and still a list of at least 5 things to buy!
This hits the nail on the head for me -- exactly what I like and enjoy about landscape photography, even if I'm at most barely competent at it.
Even when I come back with terrible pictures, I've usually had at least a great experience! Makes for a very handy excuse to head outdoors and explore new places!
Thanks for this article! I totally agree landscape photography is the perfect hobby, even when my camera is my Galaxy S23 phone and my transportation is my mountain bike. I live in Colorado and go cycling most every day, all year long. My phone rests at the top of my handlebar bag for quick access. With apps like Keepsake available, I can get my fav photos developed and framed easily for either myself or as gifts. That frees me up to focus on the creative aspect of the process, which is the part I enjoy most. Kathy Gregg
Phones can make for some really great photos! Sometimes my phone photos make it to my social media before the ones I edit from my main camera - depending on the situation!
Cycling, Colorado, and photos sounds like a great experience!