Give your eyes a destination and a route to get there. Our job as artists is to find a place we want to direct the viewer’s eye to, find a way to direct them there, and then to show them what it is we want them to see. Everything else is just visual clutter.
Do you find yourself scrolling social media, admiring wonderful photos from exotic locations with a bit of jealousy? Or maybe you are frustrated with not being able to travel frequently? You may have fallen into the trap of thinking you have to travel to take great landscape photos. It doesn’t have to be that way.
If your landscape shots feel flat or incomplete, even though you're using solid photography basics, it's probably time for some fresh insights. The reality is, great landscapes are less about basic rules and more about nuanced details that shape your composition and enhance the drama in your images.
Finding hidden waterfalls or capturing streams that few have seen can set your photos apart and add depth to your work. Beyond beautiful landscapes, it's about challenging yourself and staying creatively sharp as you encounter new scenes.
Several years ago, I got a call one morning from the head ranger at Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming. He was inquiring if I would be interested in participating in Bighorn National Forest’s initial Artist in Residence program. That was during the COVID shutdown, and my state was really locked down—we couldn't even go camping in a state park! So, yes, absolutely yes.
Spring photography is tricky because elements don't always cooperate. Understanding how to adapt when conditions aren't what you expect can help you consistently capture better images.
Understanding how to use light creatively transforms ordinary scenes into extraordinary photographs. Knowing how to handle different lighting conditions ensures you never walk away empty-handed, even when conditions initially seem less than ideal.
Mastering complex lighting conditions is a crucial skill when capturing city scenes at night. Getting clear, balanced exposures in areas with intense contrast can significantly elevate your final images.
Are filters still relevant in landscape photography, or have they become outdated? Deciding whether to invest time and money into filters or rely solely on digital editing significantly affects your photographic workflow and results.
In photography, as in life, the things we curse as impediments can sometimes turn out to be blessings in disguise. With careful observation, good timing, and a little luck, embracing this often challenging aspect of landscape photography can really raise the impact and emotional depth of your images.
Landscape photography close to home offers far more than convenience—it transforms your familiarity with your surroundings and deepens your skills as a photographer. You might overlook hidden beauty nearby simply because it's routine, but a subtle shift in perspective can turn familiar terrain into something extraordinary.
So, paying attention to light direction is vital. And by the way, I have used studio photographs in several instances here because they more adequately illustrate the concept I am discussing. The point of that, of course, is that concepts and principles cross genres of photographic work. They are basic principles.
Many have heard that there is no such thing as bad light. But do you believe that? Or maybe you believe that but struggle in certain lighting conditions and just need some help with photographing in that type of light. Here are seven tips to help you photograph in any light.
Many photographers struggle with motivation more than technique or equipment. Getting out to capture images consistently presents a genuine barrier that can significantly impact your creative growth and portfolio development.
We’ve all been there: you find a bit of extra cash and think, “This is going toward a photography trip to a bucket-list location!” And so, the planning begins. Iceland, Lofoten, Patagonia, the Rockies—if your list is as long as mine, the destinations are endless. But what if I told you there’s another way?
Death Valley is a vast expanse of landscape with varying terrains throughout the park. As a visitor, it is easy to find yourself rushing from place to place to take it all in and capture it in images. Is that the best way to photograph it? Or is being slow, patient, and deliberate a better approach?
Fine art photography has always intrigued me. The minimalism, the dreamlike compositions, and the sense of artistic control over an image are all elements that I deeply admire. Inspired by the likes of Gary Gough and other fine art photographers, I finally took my first steps into this style of photography—though not without some apprehension.
Patagonia has long been a dream destination for photographers—dramatic peaks, vast landscapes, and the raw beauty of nature. I had high hopes of capturing my own version of this rugged terrain, expecting to find inspiration in the remote landscapes and the challenge of shooting in unpredictable weather. After finally making the journey, I left feeling uninspired, frustrated, and disappointed. And honestly? I have no desire to go back. Here’s why.
Every photo you’ve ever taken is just a record of one thing: light. It’s the invisible brush that paints every image, and if you don’t understand it, you’re not really photographing.
While most photographers chase the Milky Way's dazzling core, there's a quieter, overlooked region that holds its own celestial magic. In this video, Jeroen ventures to the darkest skies of the Netherlands to reveal why this hidden galactic treasure deserves your attention.
Long exposure photography is one of the most effective ways to convey movement in a still image. Whether it’s the soft blur of flowing water, the streaking motion of clouds, or the hypnotic trails of city lights, long exposure transforms scenes into something beyond what the human eye can perceive.
Efficient editing in Lightroom or Camera Raw can significantly elevate the quality of your landscape photos without overwhelming you with complexity. Learning focused techniques helps you produce professional-level results consistently.
Photographic artist Reuben Wu operates his camera like a key to hidden realities. We uncover the story behind Wu's latest project Thin Places, shot with Fujifilm’s new GFX100RF, and learn about the wider practice of an artist who transcends between motion and stillness.
Adobe Lightroom is a very powerful editing tool for your landscape photos. It is also an easy way to ruin your photos during the editing process if you don’t understand the sliders. This video talks through five sliders in Adobe Lightroom that will destroy your images.
Image editing isn't just about adjusting contrast and saturation. The true power of photo editing lies in understanding how to work with layers in your composition. When you approach your landscape photos as distinct zones that need individual attention, you can transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary images.
Long exposure waterfall photography doesn't always require the heaviest ND filter in your bag. The conventional wisdom of using 10-stop filters for those silky-smooth water effects might be due for reconsideration.
In landscape photography, inspiration can come from many sources. Over the years, I’ve found that studying the work of other photographers—whether through social media, books, or in-person interactions—has been invaluable in refining my own style. But rather than passively consuming images, I approach them critically, dissecting what makes an image stand out and how I can apply similar principles in my own way.
In this article, I share an important concept I've learned through photographing more than 30 countries.
VND filters don’t work the same way as typical ND filters, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be used for photography and long exposure. Let’s take a deep dive into how they work and how you can use them.
Have you ever struggled to find your composition when out practicing landscape photography? Maybe you arrive and aren’t finding inspiration from the scene, and nothing stands out to you. Or maybe the scene is overwhelming with possibilities. This simple exercise can help you find a scene.
Creating dramatic lighting in landscape photography often involves taking risks with exposure. Allowing highlights to clip intentionally, for example, can dramatically alter the mood and visual interest of your images.
Creating dramatic, moody images that stand out is challenging, but mastering targeted editing techniques can significantly elevate your results. Lightroom offers powerful tools to shape a simple landscape scene into a striking image with depth and atmosphere.
Exploring intimate landscapes can push you out of your comfort zone, especially when conditions aren't ideal for sweeping vistas. Mastering this type of photography sharpens your eye for detail and opens up new creative avenues when you're faced with challenging lighting or scenery.
Landscape photography editing isn't just about making pretty pictures—it's about guiding the viewer's eye exactly where you want it. Here's how to do that in Lightroom.
Mastering color in Lightroom is about knowing the right tool for the job. Two key features, the Color Mixer and Color Grading tools, each handle color differently, and understanding their unique roles can significantly improve your editing.
