Improve your landscape photos

Landscape Techniques

Welcome to our Digital Landscape Photography Guide. Since the introduction of the Camera in 1888 photographers have remained naturally drawn to photographing the landscapes around them, a trend still firmly rooted in the approach of today's amateur and professional photographer alike.

Digital Landscape Photography is a broad and varied subject matter, with a huge spectrum of possible interest areas and approaches. You may have seen the work of Landscape Photographers solely interested in Photographing 'urban' scenes, images of city life, construction or degradation. Or those who enjoy an alternative approach, experimenting with color manipulation, infrared or unusual angled shots. However, in this guide we will discuss the mainstream and most common area of Landscape Photography - the natural world.

Constant evolution of technology within the digital photography market has provided us with the opportunity to go further than ever before with our work. Combining new technology with advanced techniques and more 'know how' means that even the amateur is now capable of producing mind-blowing results. Whether captured on canvas, paper or in as a digital image, landscapes have always been a great artistic theme for photographers. We have and always will be inspired by our surroundings, its colours, shapes, contrasts and impacts. However, producing these results is not easy, even with the digital equipment readily available to us in todays market. It takes technique and more importantly it takes imagination and flair. Lets discuss some of these techniques now..



Location Location..
Landscape Techniques A carefully chosen location is paramount to a good Landscape shot. Think about the purpose of your shot before hand. What is it your trying to achieve? Try to envisage your finished image. Is it for a particular purpose like hanging above your mantlepiece or are you trying to portray a scene such as a mountain range or moorelands. A great landscape trick i learnt years ago was to imagine and assign an emotion to your picture before you take the shot. For example, if you were looking for a shot to hang in the bedroom, think of serenity, peace or calm. If you were looking for a shot for a exhibit, think anger or fury to bring out a striking impact. You'll be amazed how you will change your composition after thinking of an emotion behind the picture! Try it!


The Composition..
'Rule of Thirds'Keeping it simple and uncluttered is generally a good rule. By removing distractions from your photographs, you will help bring more prominence to your focus subject as the viewers eye will not drift as much. It is also important to include some form of foreground interest into the image, this may be your main subject or it could be part of the background that continues toward the camera. Landscape photographers often talk of the 'Rule Of Thirds'. Using the 'Rule of Thirds' keeps the main focus subject off centre and away from the middle of the frame. As a result, a photo looks more dynamic, and ultimately more interesting to view. Imagine your image is divided into nine equal parts. Placing your subject where any of the lines intersect will help in producing a well-balanced image. But do remember that your creativity beats any rule hands down! So don't be scared about experimenting with your composition and arrangement. Many masterpieces were discovered through experimentation!


Focal Point..
Landscape Techniques This is highly related to the composition, simply ensure that your composition has a particular focal point such as a lighthouse, a boat on the ocean etc. This just ensures the picture has a dimension and sense of scale. It also will help prevent the image from looking too bland. After all, we're after impact!



The Time of Day..

The quality and effect of light changes dramatically during the passing hours of the day. As the sun rises shadows are weaker and pastel colours more apparant. Atmospheric haze is also at its lowest. As the day progresses the light becomes more contrasting and harsh. Colours are fully saturated during the middle of the day. Shooting with the sun behind you or to one side will usually work best for maximum colour impact. Light quality and intensity is a largely influential factor of digital landscape photography Landscape TechniquesBut remember rules are to be broken! Try placing the main focal images infront of the sun, causing light to break around the edges. The results can be astounding.As afternoon progresses the sunlight will create much warmer colours on your subjects or scene. Shooting into the sun as it moves towards the horizon can also create stunning silhouettes. Making a silhouette with a sunset couldn’t be simpler, at this point of day you'll find them everywhere! Once the sun has set the dusk or twilight colours can still glow with warmth. After the sun has disappeared carry on taking pictures using longer exposure times and you'll see the sky take on a dark blue tint which is very useful for atmospheric scenes.


Capturing the perfect moment..

A photographer called Ansel Adams once said..

"Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer - and often the supreme disappointment."
Digital Landscape PhotographyThere's a lesson to be learnt here, a good photographer must have the discipline and self control to take the shot he wants, but also NOT to take the shot he doesn't want! Do not be rail-roaded into taking second rate shots just because factors seem to turn against you. If you cant get the shot you want because it starts to rain, take a walk, explore! Don't see the rain as a set back, see it as an opportunity to capture shots only possible when it's raining! Indeed every cloud does have a silver lining and digital landscape photography is open to im

Equipment..

Last but not least your equipment is vital when out taking Digital Landscape Photography. Don't beleive what you hear about needing to spend $1000's on top end equipment. Of course, if you know how to use it and have the means to buy it, all well and good. However you do not need extremely expensive kit to take superb shots. There are however some items that are crucial to effective and safe digital Landscape photography. A camera bag that is protective and sturdy is essential if you're walking over rugged cross country areas. The last thing you want is for the strap on your $10 bag to break and empty the contents over the soaking wet, muddy ground.

A Tripodis a piece of equipment I would certainly recommend investing in if you're really interested Digital Landscape Photography. As previously mentioned, it doesn't have to cost the earth! As long as it's stable and fits your camera model correctly you'll be fine. Read more on how to choose the correct Tripod here. It really will prove invaluable in getting angles and exposures you couldn't achieve by holding the camera yourself.

Finally a lense cleaning cloth with come in handy on many occasions. Many landscape people interested in digital landscape photography find themselves taking pictures in areas of high moisture, or places prone to light rain and mist where your lense may become foggy. Please don't try to wipe your lense with anything other than a specifically designed lense cleaning cloth! You could scratch the lense surface permanently! An alternative is to use protective filters that screw onto your lense providing an extra layer of protection. Both protective filters and cleaning cloths are widely available and are only a few dollars or so.

So, now we've discussed the important steps to great Digital Landscape Photography, go and try them for yourself! Carefully think about these techniques and how you can apply them. You'll be amazed at the results YOU can produce!
Just remember these points..
• Location - Plan the location for your shoot beforehand
- Composition - Think carefully about composition
- Focal Point - Find a Focal Point for your Pictures
- Time of the Day - Take note of the changes in light
- Capture the Moment - Wait for the right moment!
- Equipment - Make sure its appropriate and suitable