Landscape Photography

Wide angle lenses can make the biggest landscapes look small and dull. You’ve seen it yourself: mountains that felt huge when you were standing there shrink to a disappointing background when viewed on your screen. That gap between how it looks in person and how it looks in the photo is the problem this video tackles.

If you want to find out about six essential apps for night (and day) photography, you've come to the right place. Whether you have iOS or Android, these apps will greatly enhance your photography. The sixth one is surely one that doesn't make it on many photography app lists!

This is lightning season for large parts of the U.S. and Europe and the rest of the world, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.

Computational photography has long been a staple of smartphone photography, enabling tiny sensors to punch above their weight and perform some neat tricks, but is the technology at the point where it can replace traditional methods of photography?

Specs aren’t everything. There are factors beyond what we can see in spec sheets that matter more when it comes to choosing gear, and we should always keep them in mind.

Golden hour is a great start, but learning to use light well goes far beyond the time of day. Here are three things about light I learned the hard way—and that I hope will help you make stronger landscape photographs.

Simplicity in composition is one of those deceptively hard skills that can transform your images. The instinct to include everything in front of you is strong, especially when surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Yet too much detail can scatter the viewer’s attention and weaken the impact. Learning to remove what isn’t essential makes the difference between a busy snapshot and a clear, compelling photograph.

As a landscape photographer, I find joy in exploration, seeking out compositions that have yet to be captured and waiting for the perfect light to illuminate them. Often, it leads to frustration when the weather turns bad and forces me to retreat to the car for shelter. However, learning to embrace the elements of nature and using them to your advantage to tell a story will ultimately yield a greater payoff.

The question becomes: how does a photographer think? I don’t know how everyone else thinks, but I can tell you my process.

Choosing your first camera isn’t easy, especially when you want something you won’t quickly outgrow. If you’re after a beginner-friendly option with serious long-term potential, this mirrorless camera might be just what you need.

When landscape photographers discuss their most important equipment, the conversation typically revolves around lenses, filters, and camera bodies. However, the gear that often determines whether you'll capture that perfect shot has nothing to do with megapixels or aperture settings. Success in outdoor photography depends heavily on practical preparation and survival-oriented thinking that keeps you safe, comfortable, and ready to work when nature delivers its most spectacular moments.

Who says high-capacity support gear needs to look rough and rugged? This tripod from Falcam offers outstanding payload and stability in a sleek and smooth design.

Landscape photography with a telephoto lens completely shifts how you approach a scene. Instead of sweeping vistas, you're chasing tighter compositions and fleeting details that wider lenses miss.

You can never have too many wide angle lens options. Different uses require different capabilities, and this new prime option is more versatile than it seems.

Blue hour photography transforms ordinary landscapes into ethereal masterpieces that capture viewers' attention like few other techniques can. You're missing out on some of the most compelling shots of your career if you're packing up your gear when the sun disappears behind the horizon.

Wherever you are on your landscape photography journey, there are common myths about how to approach the craft that can hold you back—thoughts that are commonly expressed in online communities that raise doubts and block your progress. Let’s look at three common myths that might be holding you back.

Landscape photography often means balancing image quality and gear convenience. This becomes especially challenging when considering fixed-lens cameras, but one might rise about the rest.

Black and white photography demands a different kind of approach. Knowing when and how to convert your images can mean the difference between a photo that commands attention and one that feels flat.

Choosing your first landscape photography camera isn't about specs alone—it’s about finding gear that suits you personally. The right camera can make the difference between thriving or getting stuck worrying about equipment.

Many landscape photographers complain that their local area for photography is uninteresting. While travel for landscape photography can be invigorating, your local area has untapped potential waiting to be discovered. Have you taken the time to explore your local area to find interesting scenes?

You're standing there overlooking a vast landscape after days of waiting—and boom—there it is: the epicness you were looking for. The light kicks off, the shutter snaps, and you’ve captured something unique, magical, and soulfully yours. These are the moments a campervan can give you.

Understanding light isn't just about technical skill; it's about transforming ordinary scenes into standout images. Knowing how to read and use various types of natural light can help you create more interesting and satisfying photos, regardless of weather or conditions.

Landscape photography is often misled by a pervasive myth: that "perfect conditions" are a must for capturing great images. This belief has caused many photographers to wait for ideal weather or chase forecasts for the best light, missing out on incredible opportunities in the process. However, experienced photographers know that the best images can be captured under any conditions, and waiting for perfection can hold back both creativity and growth.

Using different white balance settings within a single image can dramatically enhance your photos. Here's how to do it in Lightroom.

As landscape photographers, we have all been there—tried to get a shot on many occasions and failed for one reason or another. The most frequent reason is that the weather didn't play by the rules we had in mind; however, sometimes it does, and when it does, it makes it all worthwhile. This is my story about persistence and sticking to my guns to get the dream shot.

Want to give your landscape shots a distinctive look? Check out this helpful video tutorial on easily color-grading your photos in Lightroom.

Charles Cramer is one of the photographers whose work I greatly admire. Cramer is one of the very premier landscape photographers in the world, having printed his photographic work first using the dye transfer process, then Cibachrome/Ilfochrome (which I have also printed), and now using digital means. I thought it might be interesting for people to see what was necessary to make color prints as recently as 50 years ago.

Landscape photography is crowded with opinions and advice, and sorting out the myths from reality can lead you toward more trouble-free results. Common misconceptions often cause unnecessary limitations in how you approach your photography.

If you've struggled with editing photos that have excessively bright highlights and deep, dark shadows, Lightroom's Adobe Neutral profile could fundamentally change your approach. This lesser-used tool offers distinct editing advantages, especially in complicated lighting situations.