Improving your photography often requires a closer look at the fundamentals. When your images aren’t turning out as you hoped, it’s usually because one or more key elements are out of balance.
Coming to you from William Patino, this fantastic video tutorial discusses four pillars of landscape photography. The first pillar, location, is all about choosing subject matter that truly inspires you. Patino stresses that if the scene doesn’t move you, it’s unlikely to resonate with others. Whether it’s a sweeping landscape or an intimate detail, your connection to the subject is the foundation of any great photograph.
Next, Patino dives into composition. He explains that even with the most beautiful subject, a weak composition can undermine your image. Composition is the blueprint of your photo, guiding the viewer’s eye and ensuring that the visual flow makes sense. Patino offers practical advice on how to strengthen your compositions, which can help you bring out the best in your chosen location.
Check out the video above for the full rundown from Patino, where he also discusses the crucial roles of light and post-processing in creating powerful images.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!"
I love this 4 question breakdown approach and it's something I use a lot. I'd probably add a 5th one and that's "weather" and that could be seasonal or just clouds and overall interest. Sometimes the lighting is great but the weather isn't always spectacular.