Recent Landscapes Articles

Five Compositional Keys for Stunning Landscapes

Composition is crucial in landscape photography because it's one of the few aspects a photographer has complete control over. Understanding how to arrange elements within the frame can significantly elevate a photograph from average to extraordinary.

Creating a Dreamy Orton Glow in Lightroom

The Orton glow effect gives landscape photos a soft, ethereal quality that draws viewers in. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to create it in Lightroom.

10 Suggestions for Creative Waterfall Photos

It’s always fun to take pictures of a waterfall. It doesn’t matter if the waterfall is small or huge. The movement of the water, the mist around it, and the patterns in the water are amazing subjects to capture. I have 10 suggestions for a variety of creative waterfall photos.

Post-Processing Techniques for Stunning Landscape Photos

The ability to transform a raw image into a final piece is a crucial skill for any landscape photographer. If you're new to editing your images and need a little guidance, check out this fantastic video tutorial.

Persistence Makes Great Landscape Photographers

Some people think great landscape photographers are just lucky, always at the right place at the right time. The reality is great landscape photographers are persistent. Making portfolio-worthy images often entails repeat visits to areas to find the ideal composition paired with stunning conditions.

Can You Learn Everything About Landscape Photography From YouTube?

YouTube has made it easier to improve your landscape photography. Videos are available about any facet of the topic you could want to explore. Are you confused about a technique? There is a video for it. But can you really learn everything about landscape photography from YouTube?

Enhancing the Atmosphere of Your Landscape Photos in Lightroom

Landscape photographers look forward to days with foggy conditions, which help create interesting scenes to photograph. But timing your outing with those types of conditions isn’t always possible. Using Lightroom, you can use several techniques to enhance the atmosphere of your photos.

Five Essential Tips for Protecting Your Camera in the Rain

Embracing inclement weather, such as rain, can help add interest to your landscape photographs. Rain can add richness to colors, atmospheric mist, or even dark, moody clouds for grand scenes. But how do you protect your camera gear in these conditions? Here are five tips to help keep your camera safe.

How Todd Hido Creates His Landscape Photographs

I recently was introduced to photographer Todd Hido in Jason Momoa’s docuseries on HBO. Momoa has a real affinity for Todd. I wish I had a fan like that; if you watch the show, you will see what I mean.
Your Moment of Film Photography Zen: Wandering the Mojave Desert With a Leica M6

Whether you’re shooting for fun or for work, in the rush of modern life it can be all too easy to lose sight of the joy of photography. In this short, meditative interlude with no words, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found in just watching another photographer enjoying their own photography.

The Power of Familiarity in Photography

In landscape photography, there is a powerful reason why it's important to have a go-to location, which cannot be overstated. While the attraction of venturing into new and potentially uncharted territory may be strong, there also exists meaningful value in revisiting familiar spots time and again. This article will delve deeper into the significance of returning to familiar locations and how it can enhance your photographic skills and artistic expression.

The Art of Landscape Photography From Start To Finish

Are you wondering what makes some landscape photographers' photos stand out more than others? It all begins with how you make the photograph in the field, but it doesn't stop there. Understanding the editing process helps carry the vision through to the final photograph.

Adding Depth and Drama to Landscape Photos: A Lightroom Tutorial

Landscape photography often aims to capture the vastness and beauty of natural scenes. However, achieving depth and dimension in these photos can be challenging, especially when dealing with flat lighting or a lack of contrast. Fortunately, post-processing tools like Lightroom offer powerful techniques to enhance your landscape images and bring them to life.

Why It's Important to Challenge Ourselves in Photography

As a landscape photographer, the chase to capture stunning images of breathtaking scenes is a continuous journey. Yet, in the middle of this mission for the perfect shot, lies a crucial aspect often overlooked—the necessity of challenging ourselves and getting out of our comfort zone. In this article, let’s dive into why pushing our boundaries and embracing discomfort is vital in the journey of landscape photography.

Landscape Photography Tips for Mastering Clear Sky Days

Landscape photographers often seek out specific weather conditions, such as dramatic storms or vibrant sunsets, to create impactful images. However, clear sky days, often considered less ideal due to the lack of dramatic light and clouds, can also offer unique opportunities for capturing stunning landscapes. By understanding how to work with the available light and compose effectively, you can create fantastic images.

Finding Peace and Inspiration in Photographic Solitude

As photographers, we often grapple with the question of whether to pursue our craft alone or in the company of others. Both approaches offer unique benefits and challenges, and the ideal balance varies depending on individual preferences and creative goals. While collaboration can provide valuable support and inspiration, solitude can offer a space for quiet reflection, self-discovery, and a deeper connection with the natural world.

Capturing Dramatic Landscape Photos in Uncertain Conditions 

Landscape photography often hinges on the ability to capture fleeting moments of dramatic weather. While planning for ideal conditions is important, embracing unpredictable elements can lead to truly unique and impactful images. Understanding how to anticipate and work with challenging weather conditions is a valuable skill for any landscape photographer.

Tips and Techniques for Landscape Photography in Challenging Weather

Landscape photography often hinges on ideal weather conditions, but overcast skies and stormy forecasts shouldn't deter you from capturing stunning images. With careful planning and a positive attitude, challenging weather can present unique opportunities for compelling compositions.

Sony's All-in-One Wonder: We Review The 24-105mm f/4 OSS Lens

A few months back, I switched systems, mainly due to work-related requirements moving forward. The system I switched to was Sony, namely the a7R IV, so I needed a versatile lens to start with to allow me time to save for another lens after clearing out my bank account.

The Life-Enhancing Benefits of Landscape Photography

Enhancing your life through landscape photography is not just about capturing breathtaking images; it's also an avenue for personal growth and mental health improvement. Understanding these benefits can profoundly affect your approach to this art form.

Budget Friendly and Impressive: We Review the Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 E Mount Lens

If you’re all about capturing those sweeping landscapes or immersive cityscapes, the Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 lens might just be your new best friend. Available in both E and Z mounts, this surprisingly inexpensive lens quietly snuck under the radar for a lot of people last year. Perhaps because of the price point at only $158, many didn’t consider it, thinking low price, low quality.

Mastering Light and Shadow in Landscape Photography

Light: it's the essence of photography. For landscape photographers, understanding and utilizing natural light is paramount. Unlike studio photographers who can manipulate artificial lighting, landscape photographers must embrace the ever-changing dance of sun and shadow, turning it into an ally rather than an obstacle.

The Best Way To Edit Night Photos

In this article, I share five photo editing techniques in Photoshop you can use to create better night photos.

Learning From Mistakes: How They Shaped My Photography Journey

Throughout my photography journey, I've encountered various mistakes that have served as valuable learning experiences, ultimately shaping my understanding and approach to the craft. In this article, I'll share some of these mistakes, how you can avoid them, and how they've contributed to my growth as a photographer.

Tips for Capturing the Perfect Sunset Photo

Observing the skies and understanding the interaction between light and cloud formations are crucial elements in capturing breathtaking landscape images. This helpful video will show you how to improve your sunset images.

Enhancing Your Photos with Time Blending: A Step-by-Step Guide

Time blending can create dynamic, visually compelling images. This process involves merging photos taken at different times to showcase the contrast between natural and artificial light, offering a unique perspective on a scene.

Rethinking Effort and Outcome in Landscape Photography

Landscape photography often entails a complex blend of planning, physical effort, and an intimate understanding of the natural environment. This dedication to the craft, from pre-dawn hikes to meticulous weather monitoring, epitomizes the photographer’s quest for the perfect shot—a pursuit that is as rewarding as it is demanding.

Is ISO 100 Always Right for Landscape Photography?

As landscape photographers, we hear it all the time: "Always use ISO 100 for your photos. That is the only way to get the crispest and cleanest image." Is this true, though? Should we be afraid of using a higher ISO? Or are there times you should use a higher ISO? We find out in this video.

How to Use AI Denoise in Lightroom

Lightroom has some impressively powerful denoising tools, and they can help you rescue images that might not work otherwise. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to use them for landscape images.