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.
Coming to you from Toma Bonciu, this practical video explores advanced techniques in landscape photography, shifting the focus from familiar rules toward more subtle ways to make your images stand out. Bonciu highlights advanced composition strategies, emphasizing how carefully managing foreground, midground, and background elements can enhance depth and complexity. He explains clearly through real examples, such as placing dark foreground elements strategically to amplify depth perception or incorporating a subtle human-made detail to convey scale. You’ll immediately grasp why these refined techniques matter because they help your photos engage viewers by guiding attention purposefully through your compositions.
Bonciu also discusses filters—going beyond the basic polarizer to include neutral density (ND) and graduated ND filters. His approach emphasizes crafting images at the moment of capture, rather than depending heavily on editing software afterward. He clearly outlines how using ND filters creatively can salvage dull scenes, transforming plain blue skies or static water into captivating, serene compositions that highlight motion and passage of time. Graduated filters, particularly reversible ones, can handle tricky lighting at sunrise or sunset, providing balanced exposures even under challenging conditions. This isn’t just a technical detail; it's practical advice that encourages you to slow down and actively shape your photos rather than simply capturing what’s available.
What sets this advice apart is Bonciu’s recommendation to seek imperfect weather. Avoiding traditionally beautiful sunny days might seem counterintuitive, but Bonciu convincingly argues that moody, dramatic conditions—like storms, fog, or post-rain atmospheres—offer far richer photographic opportunities. He presents real-world examples of how adverse weather enhances visual drama, reinforcing the importance of persistence and readiness to embrace conditions others might avoid. He also emphasizes scouting locations carefully beforehand, using tools like Google Earth to find unique viewpoints. This preparation allows you to consciously choose distinct perspectives that stand apart from typical postcard shots.
The critical factor, Bonciu argues, is mastering how you capture and interpret light. You can't control natural lighting conditions directly, but by understanding how light and shadow interact, you can significantly influence how compelling your images become. He shows examples of both spectacular lighting situations, like mist illuminated by sunrise, and more challenging midday lighting, suggesting that extraordinary moments can happen at any time—provided you remain observant and patient. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Bonciu.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan II - Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”
