It can be very exciting when you find a new landscape photography location, and that excitement can lead to you running all over the place to get shots. But it might be a better idea to just stay put and focus on a single spot, then come back another time to explore more, and this excellent video discusses why that is the case.
Coming to you from Nigel Danson, this great video talks about the idea of focusing on one of two spots at a new location and saving other areas for later visits. I have made the mistake of finding a new location and jumping from spot to spot every 10 or 15 minutes, and inevitably, I have been disappointed by the shots I have come home with. There is a lot of nuance and subtlety in any given scene, and it takes a bit of time to work the frame before you find the optimal shot (and often, you have to wait for the right light to arrive as well). Focusing on one or two spots for a longer time can often yield better results. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Danson.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out "Photographing The World 1: Landscape Photography and Post-Processing with Elia Locardi."
Often new exciting locations are far away from home, in places or countries you'll rarely ever return
Or on the contrary right near your home and you never think to look there. Although Covid has no doubt solved this one now.
Indeed, but when I'm in those new locations near home I take it with more calm, at least myself. I don't feel so excited to cover everything badly in one go.
Also, I believe Madeira, the location mentioned in the video, is not his home country either.
Yeah I’d love to go there one day.
I think with Landscape it’s best to pick a composition, stick to it then wait for the light.
All the more reason to spend a few days at the location. What a waste it would be, to travel all that distance, only to rush through things in one day, or worse, part of one day.
I understand your point, but say you go for holidays to [pick the country on the opposite side of the globe]. E.g. from New York to Australia. And you'd spend the whole trip visiting this little mountain, take photos of it and go back home??? My holiday trips are usually more than taking photos, and I travel more in the destination country. But if that suits you...