While scouting during the day makes sense, it’s not always necessary—sometimes the best shots come from reacting to the light as it changes. Being in the moment allows you to see how shadows fall on the land and create natural compositions. As the final hour of daylight arrives, it’s an ideal time to find frames that bring out the land’s contours, colors, and textures.
Coming to you from William Patino, this insightful video shows how to make the most of late-day light for stunning landscape shots. Patino explains how sunset can be great for cloud coverage and color, but you often get even better lighting before the sun fully sets. Shadows and highlights add a dynamic depth to the snow, preventing it from looking flat or overexposed. By observing how the light hits different elements in the landscape, you can create compositions that guide the viewer’s eye naturally, without the need for excessive editing. Patino also emphasizes keeping fresh perspectives and avoiding the temptation to take multiple shots of the same frame; capturing different angles can reveal the unique character of each scene.
One of the images Patino shares offers a central focal point, drawing the viewer’s eye toward a mountain in the distance. Using the natural lines of a valley, he achieves balance by aligning the ridgelines on either side. This layered approach to composition is key, with foreground details like patches of snow or clusters of plants leading to mid-ground ridges and finally to the mountain backdrop. Each layer is carefully balanced so that the viewer’s eye progresses smoothly from one part of the scene to another. Layering foreground, midground, and background elements is an effective way to add dimension without overpowering the frame.
In another shot, Patino uses a leading line formed by a snow-covered ridgeline to create a sense of flow. The viewer’s eye follows a gentle S-curve that naturally directs them toward the main mountain peak. Positioning is crucial here: aligning the ridge to flow directly toward the mountain helps guide the eye intuitively through the frame. This technique of using shapes and natural curves in the landscape to lead the viewer’s gaze creates a sense of movement that feels unforced. Simple foreground details, like a few isolated plants or a patch of clean snow, provide subtle interest without distracting from the larger elements of the scene.
One important takeaway from Patino’s approach is that you don’t always need a plan for every detail in your composition. Spontaneity can work in your favor, especially when light and landscape come together in ways you couldn’t predict. By focusing on key elements like balance, depth, and leading lines, you can achieve compositions that feel cohesive yet natural. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Patino.
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!”
This is a favorite video, there is nothing better than watching captures being done out in the wilds for the training of ones eye to spot the good and the bad. Also the value of a capture in respect of where and when meaning how difficult it is/was to get the story. To add the gear other than photography needed to be with one to get to and stay a night for the evening and morning captures. It is smart to have others along also just in case of things. The things not covered is how this spot or spots before selecting to come here, like google maps with hours scanning as well as checking roads to get there as well as trails. the gear for the weather, this being snow and very cold.
Example: I am a close to house/hotel/camper photographer, mainly like theses for sunrise/set, blue hour and astro MW. 1. is in south Ga. and mid season MW BUT even in March, April and may the nights are cold meaning plenty of warm clothing and foot gear for a wet beach. 2. Jacksonville Florida Beach in Feb. 05, 2016, yes MW season starts in Feb. and this year a new moon is at the beginning of the month, watching weather apps for cloud cover at 04:30 a cold front was coming down from up north and pushing clouds away to the south giving a view of the MW with a crescent moon before the new moon looking like a full moon with a long exposure. This a 10 minute drive to the beach but the cold front brought 20 degree and less temps with a gusty wind. The point is you can be at a place known for the hot sunny beach in summer but in the late winter months Jan. to May you have to have warm clothing. But as well as in Ga. October in fall leafing season up in Pa. and north the first snow fall happens with slippery roads and windy cold fronts making falling trees across trails that out of staters not prepared for.
Ever been to the Grand Canyon in Oct. where the north rim is snowed in and the south rim with hotels on the rim and a crowds of people in warm clothes watching the show of stars but as a photographer other things like the Elk eating grass right next to you makes for a long night and cold hands.
Yes opportunities even close but lastly handy apps on phone or pad can help with weather and light times from sunset/rise blue hour and Planit Pro has tide times all a photographers good friend in planning.
In the US if out in the wilds Bear Spray, and a hat with big eyes on back so big cats do not attack from your rear, a GPS item to get help if needed, Snake Boots water proof even in the south for day temps get up there as night will freeze
Snake boots I was in Arizona in Oct. at a Federal Park doing a sunset over Casa Grande Monument when out to my left and also right Rattlesnakes longer than am tall (6'2") came from behind going toward the Casa Grande Monument also did some MW and again in front behind a barbed wire fence several went by while I watched during the long exposures. Just Info no one will tell about, YouTubers in sneakers walking at night in the dark desert country not prepared or aware in tents without mothballs around.
Seeing this video is so great and informative, man waist deep in snow!!!!