5 Common Beginner Landscape Photography Mistakes

The evolution of a photographer's skill set and perspective over time can drastically change the way they view their craft, especially in the realm of landscape photography. This video documents one such examination and some common mistakes that emerged.

Coming to you from Mark Denney, this reflective video revisits the topic of beginner landscape photography mistakes with the wisdom gained from five years of additional experience and countless interactions with fellow photographers. Denney contrasts his advice from 2019 with his current views, underscoring a significant shift away from rigid adherence to compositional rules like the rule of thirds. Instead, he advocates for a more flexible and creative approach, encouraging the exploration of various compositional techniques to avoid a monotonous portfolio. This evolution in thinking highlights an important lesson for photographers: growth involves not only refining technical skills but also embracing a broader artistic vision.

Moreover, Denney addresses the common pitfall of "New Gear Focus," emphasizing the importance of mastering one's current equipment rather than constantly eyeing the latest technology. This perspective is vital, suggesting that a deep understanding of one's tools can have a more profound impact on the quality of work than merely possessing the newest gear. Additionally, he points out the often-overlooked area of post-processing, stressing its significance in realizing a photographer's creative vision. Denney's viewpoints offer a holistic approach to photography, balancing technical prowess, artistic exploration, and the practical aspects of gear and editing. Check out the video above for the full rundown.

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!" 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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3 Comments

Mistake #1: Using Orton Effect in 2024

Sure, next time that I want to use Orton effect I'll do not that, because Edward Porter thinks is outdated.
Mistake #0: follow the latest photographic trends.

Good point Baldass - don't follow trends. Especially bad ones like Orton.