Do you find you have limited time to head out to do landscape photography? I do, and the times I am able to carve out a few hours, when I get to my chosen location, the light is terrible. And disappointment quickly sets in, because I wanted to create a beautiful image. So now, I’ve changed my approach to landscape photography and focus on looking for a story to tell instead.
When editing landscape photos, your handling of colors and tones can define whether an image truly comes alive or falls flat. Knowing how to enhance details without overdoing it is crucial to producing compelling images.
Moody weather changes everything. When you learn how to handle it, you can walk out the door with your camera no matter what the sky looks like, and come home with something powerful.
Locationscout is a sort of Swiss Army knife for all kinds of useful photo information. It comes in a variety of flavors: iOS, Android, and a full-featured web app.
Capturing blue hour is rewarding, but the real magic happens during editing. Learning precise techniques to refine exposure and color helps your images resonate more strongly with viewers.
Photographing sunrise can yield spectacular shots, especially when you're ready to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Knowing how to handle these moments effectively can make the difference between a good and an outstanding photo.
One of the most debated topics in landscape photography is the role of editing. While some photographers firmly believe that an image should reflect the reality of the scene, others see post-processing as a critical creative tool that allows them to express their unique vision. The central question becomes: where do we draw the line between enhancement and deception?
Lightroom recently introduced a landscape masking tool designed to simplify complex edits in landscape photography. This tool can drastically improve your editing workflow and give you precise control without extra effort or complicated techniques.
Landscape photography has become boring. How many more photos do I have to scroll through on social media of the same old locations? Those must-have photos of the red houses in Hamnøy, Lofoten; the waterfall at Kirkjufellsfoss, Iceland; the lone tree at Buttermere in the Lake District. It’s like looking through a schoolboy’s stamp collection. Every kid has exactly the same stamps because they’re the easiest ones to find and buy with your pocket money.
Adobe has just released a Lightroom update with a new landscape masking feature designed to streamline your editing workflow. If you frequently edit landscape photos, this update is worth exploring for its practical improvements.
Canon has just released the fourth lens in its L VCM line of Hybrid Primes, the RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM. I got to have an early look and wanted to share my thoughts.
More is sometimes less. High dynamic range can be great for bringing out the details in your photographs’ shadows and highlights, but it can also make them look rather flat, clinical, and lifeless. If you want to give your images impact and emotional depth, consider trying high contrast instead.
We’ve all been there: You plan the "perfect shoot." You check the weather (a million times). You pack your gear with the precision of a surgeon preparing for an operation. And then... the universe shrugs and says, "Ah, you know what, not today."
In a world that sees more and more travel every year, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find places that aren't crowded and haven't yet been photographed from every possible angle. But those places still exist; you simply have to search harder.
Landscape photography often carries a widespread myth—the belief that bad light equals bad photos. Many photographers, especially those starting out, follow the conventional wisdom that only certain times of day, particularly golden hour, produce the best images. This belief has been perpetuated by social media, tutorials, and even some photography experts. But here’s the truth: the myth of “bad light” is limiting, and it’s holding you back from expanding your creative potential.
Some locations get overlooked because they seem too familiar—but every so often, a photographer comes along and shows you just how wrong that thinking is.
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.
