| To put it simply, a landscape shot refers to scenery | | | | number one frame of reference for all photography, |
| captured from one point of view. There are usually | | | | included within landscape photography tips. |
| no children or animals or other objects in it, just | | | | 5. Tripod - Use a tripod to ensure sharpness in |
| scenery, like a sunset or mountain range. Once in a | | | | capturing the scene, especially in low light situations. |
| while, an animal or object may be used for | | | | Camera movement or shake will not add to the |
| composition or as a means of displaying scale and | | | | picture and may do it irreparable harm. |
| perspective. However, more often than not, it is just | | | | 6. Composition is so Important - Really, really look at |
| a view of the outside. | | | | your composition. Make sure there is nothing in the |
| Purists argue that pictures of the sea coast or the | | | | picture or viewfinder that you don't want such as |
| ocean, or pictures of man-made structures are not | | | | overhead electrical wires or errant branches from |
| landscapes. A picture of the coast is a seascape while | | | | closer trees that might obscure the view and ruin the |
| that of a city would rightfully be called a cityscape. | | | | picture. Watch out for unneeded objects in the |
| Any picture dominated by terrain or natural land is | | | | foreground. It may be necessary to move them out |
| therefore a landscape. | | | | of your way, or barring that, if you can't move them, |
| There are three kinds of landscapes, representation, | | | | then move the camera. |
| impressionistic and abstract. | | | | 7. Weather - Don't let the weather keep you from |
| Representational - This style is the most realistic of | | | | shooting. Sometimes the weather is just the dramatic |
| the three. There is no artificial manipulation or artifice | | | | effect that you are looking for. Rain has a way of |
| added to the landscape. It is basically, a 'what you | | | | adding softness and peacefulness to a scene, take |
| see is what you get picture'. It is a true snap shot of | | | | advantage of it. Wind or ripples in water also add |
| what you see. | | | | dramatic elements for a stronger photograph. |
| Impressionistic - In this style the photographer uses | | | | 8. Maximize Depth of Field - This is done by choose a |
| techniques that play up the vague or elusive qualities | | | | small aperture setting in over to deepen the focus of |
| of the scene. This kind of landscape retains the | | | | the picture. Bear in mind that a smaller aperture also |
| quality of what makes a landscape while at the same | | | | means there is less light coming through, forcing |
| time giving an impression rather than a clear tone or | | | | other adjustments to compensate. |
| representation. | | | | 9. Lines - Find a way to lead the viewers eyes into |
| Abstract - The photographer uses the elements of | | | | the picture. In other words the lines that leads from |
| the landscape as components to be manipulated to | | | | the foreground to the background. Image depth and |
| produce greater effect. Components are juxtaposed | | | | scale can make this happen. |
| and moved to create a design rather than a real | | | | 10. Horizon Consideration - An old rule in photography |
| picture of what is actually represented. | | | | is to consider the horizon on two fronts... is it straight |
| Here are some landscape photography tips for | | | | and where is it compositional wise? A composition line |
| making better pictures. | | | | falls in one of three areas of the picture rather than |
| 1. Foreground - Focusing on an object in the | | | | down the center, the upper middle or lower third. |
| foreground for framing purposes increases the drama | | | | Trying working in these areas rather than always |
| of the shot. Also frame the shot with a center of | | | | locating the main points of interest in the center of |
| interest to capture the eye of the viewer. | | | | the frame. |
| 2. Move the Center - Moving the center of interest | | | | Finally, always be on the lookout for a different |
| off to one side also heightens the interest of the | | | | viewpoint. Changing the point of view adds drama to |
| shot. | | | | an uninteresting or routine scene. Before snapping the |
| 3. Scale - Drawing attention to the size of the | | | | shot, look through the viewer and move it right, then |
| subject is sometimes important to the understanding | | | | left, then up and down. Zoom in and then zoom out. |
| of the scene. This can be done by adding people or a | | | | Change the viewpoint. Only then after looking at as |
| small object that would normally be in the scene to | | | | many possibilities as you can, do you take the |
| frame around gives the added dimension of scale. | | | | picture. |
| 4. Lighting - Lighting will make or break any | | | | I hope you have found these landscape photography |
| photograph. Pay very careful attention to light | | | | tips useful. |
| source, shadows, clarity and diffusion. This is the | | | | |