25 Tips for taking perfect landscape photos

Although at first glance landscape photography may seem very simple, in fact it is much more than “point the camera – click the shutter”. The purpose of landscape photography is to convey the inner state, to express something more, and not just to show the landscape in front of you.
We see reality every day. That is why, in my opinion, landscape photography should not just reproduce it. Objects should not be in front of the viewer or take all the photos: the composition should lead the eye to the final point of the picture – the point of interest, your object.
Like any other art form, landscape photography has its own rules. It takes a lot of time to master the light, composition, choice of object for shooting, post-processing, and the final results will vary from person to person.
There are many videos with tips and ideas on this topic, but the main thing: all this does not matter if you don’t go out and start taking pictures as much as possible every day to understand what works and what doesn’t.
I hope they will be useful to you (details about each of them are in the video):
1. Shoot the same object at dawn and dusk. Different light, different angles, completely different results.
2. A low angle of shooting significantly changes the perspective, creating a more interesting frame … a picture that you do not see every day.
3. If it is foggy at dawn, take pictures against the light so that the fog is highlighted by the rays of the sun.
4. Silhouettes are best obtained before dawn, with a cloudless sky.
This is a simple idea how to create something interesting in an uninteresting moment. All you need is an interesting form.
5. Dark areas direct your gaze towards bright ones.
6. Long exposures will help to tell more about the weather: wind, temperature, movement of clouds.
7. If there are dark clouds in the sky, this does not mean that you need to stay at home.
The light in the gaps between the clouds, through the clouds is a beautiful moment worth capturing.
8. A bright spot of color in a sad gray landscape can make a strong impression on the viewer.
9. Pay attention to the background when you want to select an object, especially when shooting in the forest.
10. Foggy days in winter can seem boring.
But find a lonely tree and place it in the center to focus on the object. Negative space will convey a feeling of great emptiness and how small the tree is on its background.
11. Reflections are always beautiful.
Earth is not always the same, and reflections can help get rid of unwanted elements.
12. Move the camera when you press the shutter.
This works best when the object is clearly separated from the background.
13. Contrast can greatly help in separating the object from the background.
A small white flower on green leaves, slightly highlighted by light, can create a simple but beautiful photo.
14. Panoramas – a wonderful way to convey the scale of the landscape in the forest.
15. A cloudy sky at sunset can offer nothing …
… or give almost a miracle, when just for a second the sun’s rays will break through the clouds.
16. Sometimes the sky can become a mirror of the landscape – when clouds follow the lines of objects on the ground.
17. Foggy morning – a wonderful time, especially if at some point the sun breaks through the fog.
Choose a position for shooting so that your object is in the fog, between you and the sun.
18. The light at the end of the forest trail, when everything else is in the dark, can create a wonderful picture.
19. The best time to shoot waterfalls is the beginning of spring, when snow melts in the mountains.
20. Photograph trees that look unusual … especially old trees.
21. The size of the landscape can transfer the mountains in the background, behind the houses – use a long-focus lens for shooting.
22. When shooting in an urban setting, look for complex dynamic lines. In addition, several vertical plans will give the image volume.
23. Separate the lighted area from the surroundings with a long-focus lens – and get a great photo.
24. When shooting, think about other perspectives – this can give a unique look at a simple object.
25. Do not forget to see the details.
Sometimes a large landscape can divert your attention from smaller elements. Textures are a great thing, they can look almost like abstract art.