Landscape photography is about capturing the beauty of the natural world. Whether you're shooting rolling hills, dramatic coastlines, or misty forests, a few core principles will dramatically improve your images.
The Golden Hour Is Your Best Friend
The hour after sunrise and before sunset produces the warmest, most flattering light. Shadows are long, colors are rich, and the sky often puts on a show. Set your alarm early — it's worth it.
Use a Tripod
A sturdy tripod is essential for sharp landscape photos. It lets you shoot at low ISO settings and small apertures (f/11 to f/16) for maximum depth of field without worrying about camera shake.
Compose With Leading Lines
Rivers, paths, fences, and shorelines naturally guide the viewer's eye through your image. Look for these elements and use them to create depth and draw attention toward your subject.
Don't Forget the Foreground
A common mistake is focusing only on the distant scene. Including an interesting foreground element — a rock, wildflowers, or a reflection — adds dimension and gives the viewer a sense of being in the scene rather than just looking at it.
Shoot in RAW
RAW files contain far more data than JPEGs, giving you much greater flexibility in post-processing. You can recover highlights, adjust white balance, and bring out shadow detail without degrading image quality.
Patience Pays Off
The best landscape photographers often return to the same location multiple times, waiting for the perfect combination of light, weather, and atmosphere. Don't rush. Let the scene come to you.