LANDSCAPE

photography

What is Landscape Photography?

Landscape photography shows outside
spaces in the world. Often thought of as
nature, it usually displays scenery.
There are many different ways to photograph
landscape. The photograph could depict the
scene as a whole, or focus on one small detail
of the scenery.

Types of Landscape
Photography

TRADITIONAL LANDSCAPE
Most of the time when we think landscape photography, we think of vast vistas and
pristine lakes with gorgeous mountains or sweeping hills, looking untouched by man.

Photos by: Deb Snelson

URBAN LANDSCAPE
But landscape can also be manmade.

Photos by: Rae LaBrie & Deb Snelson

REPRESENTATIONAL
Some landscapes are representational meaning you can tell exactly what
youre looking at. It almost seems like a painting.

Photos by: Kris Walkowski & Ian Plant

ABSTRACT
Some landscapes are abstract meaning you could interpret it in different ways. It
might take you a long hard look to try to figure out what it is actually a picture of.

Photos by: Abbas Amir & Stefano Spezi

How to take good

Landscape Photographs

Aperture
For most landscape photographs we want as much in focus as possible. That being
said, we should go for a deep depth of field. (Setting the aperture around f22)

That being said, depending on the

time of day you are shooting and how
much light is available you might
need to use a tripod.

Photo by: Louis Vest

Lens & Lens Hood

If you are going for a more traditional landscape in which the majority of the scene is in
the shot (like below) then you want to use a wide angle lens (18mm 35mm).

A lens hood is just what it sounds like.

It is a hood that connects to the front
of the lens. These help reduce
flaring in the picture from the sun.

Photo by: Trey Ratcliff

Filters Neutral Density Filter (ND)

Neutral Density Filters reduce wavelengths that hit the lens. This allows for
longer exposures when it is light out. This gives the photographer more
control to choose the aperture & shutter speed desired rather than what the
scene dictates. There are multiple levels of ND filters available.

Photos by: Jason Hermann & Wikipedia

Filters Polarizing Filter

A Polarizing Filter cuts down reflections on bright surfaces (reduces glare). It
also adds rich blue to the sky be darkening and increasing the color. It also
adds a bit of a darkening effect to the whole image similar to the ND filter.

Photos by: Brent Mail Photo & Matt Granger

Filters Graduated ND Filter

Graduated Filters help balance the exposure between the ground and sky.
Like sunglasses they are dark on the top and gradually fade to plain glass.

Photo by: Jay Goodrich

TIPS
Landscape Photography

Focus on Depth!
Pay attention to your foreground, middle ground and background.
Watch out for undesirable things in your image such as poles, wires, fire hydrants etc.

Photos by: Camille Delbos

People!
Sometimes you might not want people in your photograph. BUT sometimes,
in the right setting a person can create a nice touch. It can create a sense of
scale. It might also add a story to the landscape.

Photo by: Chris Burkhard

Mirrors/Reflections!
Water can be used as a mirror and creates really interesting composition
using repetition and symmetry. Reflections also can create interesting
abstraction of landscape.

Photos by: James Seith & Rae LaBrie

Weather!
As we KNOW weather can be UNPREDICTABLE! But we need to be flexible to
work with what we haveand be patient when we have the time to do so.
Choosing the right time of day to shoot is important to getting the photo you
envision.
Believe it or not, overcast rainy or cloudy days can present you with a great
opportunity to get a beautiful and dramatic shot. Cloud-less sunny days are not
necessarily the best time to shoot. (Look for dramatic clouds!)

Photos by: Eleder Jimenez Hermoso & Jeremy Cai

Golden Hours!
The golden hours are when the landscape really comes alive. The sun is low in
the sky and creates interesting colors throughout the landscape. This often
also created interesting textures and shadows. Generally it is usually the hour
after the sun starts rising and the hour before the sun goes down.

Photos by: Rae LaBrie

Horizons!
ALWAYS think about your horizon (where the ground stops & sky starts)! Is it
straight? Where does it fall on the page? Think rule of thirds. Most of
the time it will look better if the horizon lines up with one of the imaginary lines.
BUT not always. Horizon in the middle usually that works well with reflection and
trying to achieve a symmetrical look.

Photos by: James Woodend & Deb Snelson

Point of View!
Observe your surroundings! Landscape photography seems simple, but
achieving a striking landscape different from every one youve ever seen is
actually really hard!
Evaluate what you are seeing and test out many different angles and
viewpoints. (Get off the typical path where most people take their pictures).
Eventually you should find one that works the best with the scene. You may
even discover something new! (But remember as always safety first!)

HAVE FUN!
Lastly and most importantly have fun with your photography. Take
landscapes that you enjoy. Landscapes are a great way of sharing a particular
place that you have experienced.

Photos by: Ryan Woody