Photography Tips: Landscapes
Landscape photography is the most common type of photography today. So what makes an image stand out from the crowd? How can you capture the same scenic image differently than so many people have before you? By looking into a few key elements, you can distinguish your photography from the masses and create your own view.
How to plan for the right shot
There is no one perfect setting for landscape photography. This style allows the person behind the lens to choose what is compelling and work with the scene’s elements to translate that uniqueness into a photo. Consider the subject matter carefully and your placement as it relates to the shot. Once you’ve found a suitable manner of focus, check the weather and pay attention to the clock. Some places will deliver a more captivating photo under the right circumstances. While invoking your creativity, keep in mind some of the following suggestions:
Consider using a tripod
Shooting handheld is an ideal option for fast-paced environments: it gives photographers the freedom to move around and easily capture different angles. With landscape photography, you have the luxury of time and space to set up a tripod. A sturdy tripod can mitigate shaky shots or unintentional blur, helping ensure sharper images, no matter the subject. Should you wish to introduce motion blur – think waterfalls – a tripod steadies the camera when you “drag the shutter” (that is, use a slow shutter speed).
When purchasing a tripod, check the maximum and minimum height it will extend to. A horizontal extender can also help with framing. A tripod ball head is an ideal feature to control the range of rotation of the camera. Not sure if you're focusing on the right angle? Some Canon cameras feature an electronic level that can check before snapping your shot.
Avoid lens flare
Lens flare happens due to bright light causing unwanted reflections within the glass of your camera lens. When shooting landscapes, the sun can be both your friend if the flare is a creative decision but also the root of the problem if not. There is no best lens for landscape photography that can mitigate this, but there are ways to get around it. One option to help reduce or avoid lens flare is to use a lens hood. Attached to the front of the lens, it helps block stray non-image-forming light that causes images to have low contrast or look washed out.
At Canon, we specially design hoods for each of our lenses. We take into consideration the optimal coverage that will not take away from the shot, while being cognizant of vignetting, which can reduce brightness or saturation.
Shoot in RAW format
The format in which you capture your landscape shot is just as important as all the other components. Shooting in RAW preserves the maximum amount of data that was captured by the image sensor of the camera. When entering the editing phase, RAW image processing software makes it easy to adjust settings like exposure and white balance while maintaining the quality of the photo.
Composition
Composition is one of the key elements to great landscape photography. Keeping horizontal and vertical lines straight will go a long way to improving your landscapes. Use the “rule of thirds” as a starting point. Aim to place your main subject at one of these intersections to produce a strong composition. Canon cameras make this easier to achieve as you can add gridlines to the LCD screen display when using Live View mode to make sure your horizontal is flat and your subject covers one of the intersected “rule of thirds” points.
Leading lines
Leading lines will draw the viewer into a photograph. This method is useful if there is a main subject of your landscape photography. Sometimes lowering your camera angle and introducing elements into the foreground (like the lines on the highway) will generate a natural perspective and create those leading lines to the main subject of your photo (setting sun).
Time of day
Another key to landscape photography is lighting. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to shoot. The sun is low in the sky, the shadows are long, and the light has a warmth that makes everything look more attractive to the human eye. This does not mean that you should restrict yourself to these times of day. The period after a heavy thunderstorm, with a menacing sky, will give you very moody images. The short shadows and increased contrast of the midday sun will suit some subjects such as architecture. Shooting in early morning mist can also add atmosphere to your shots.
Change your POV
Changing the perspective of the camera relative to the landscape offers a different view. For example, looking down from the top of a cliff will give an unusual and engaging image. You can also capture landscapes with impact by shooting a point of interest in the foreground only a few centimetres above the ground. With the low angle, the foreground will dominate the image and the rest of the landscape will appear more distant that usual. The result is impactful because we don’t normally see scenes from this angle. Try lying down on the ground and look at the image before shooting. Some landscape photographers actually carry a plastic sheet with them so that they can lie down without getting wet or dirty.
Portraits as landscapes?
Most landscapes are taken using the “landscape” format. This is where the width of the image is greater than the height. This works well for most landscapes, as you usually want to capture the wide expanse of the scene from left to right. However, don’t ignore the “portrait” format, where the height of the image is longer than the width. This works where there is a tall subject but can also be effective because it gives an unfamiliar perspective of the landscape.
Field of view
Zoom lenses offer a range of different focal lengths so you can vary the field of view while “prime” lenses have a fixed field of view. Short focal lengths give a wide field of view. They are often recommended for landscape photography because the field of view takes in a wide expanse of the landscape. Long focal lengths give a narrow field of view, which isolates a small area of the scene. They are less suited for landscapes but can be effective if you want to eliminate less attractive areas of the image.
Adjust your shutter speed
The good thing about landscapes is that they are not going anywhere. You can take your time setting up your camera and making sure the composition is just right. You can also experiment with different effects. Set your EOS camera to shutter priority (TV) mode and choose a very slow shutter speed – a second, or longer, if possible. With the camera on a sturdy tripod, anything static in the scene will be sharp, but moving subjects, such as long grass or leaves blowing in the wind, will be blurred.
Practice, practice, practice
One of the most important landscape photography tips for beginners, or those looking to improve their knowledge of this style, is to take the time to practice. With numerous elements to consider, try picking a day to tackle each one mentioned. This will help you refine your technical skills and can even play a role in understanding your creative vision.
Review your shots, identify what worked and what didn’t, and get back out there with a renewed perspective. As you learn what makes a powerful image and how to adapt to unique surroundings, you’ll start to see simple ways to improve your landscape photography.
If you are running into roadblocks, consider taking cues from photography icons who have pioneered landscape photography, like Ansel Adams and Galen Rowell. These professionals have inspired many photographers, and their passion for landscapes shines through in their photos.
Behind the Lens: Patrick Di Fruscia
Fine art nature and landscape photographer Patrick Di Fruscia has seen the world thanks to his art. Now he’s using his heart to give back to nature.
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