subject: How To Improve Your Landscape Photography Skills [print this page] There are surely times when you take your digital cameras out and think about taking a stunning landscape photograph. While having so much enthusiasm is good, you might be limiting the quality of the images you capture if you don't have the right knowledge behind you. Take a few quick minutes to read this helpful guide so you'll be ready to venture out and experiment with landscape photography.
Step 1 - Choosing the Landscape
The first part of this guide isn't at all technical, but it is a tip that will continue to benefit you for as long as you are photographing landscapes. While it is certainly exciting to leap into your car and set out cross country, cameras at the ready, searching for the ideal spot, you might not like what the gas will cost to get you there! The best thing to do is spend some time researching the area you're considering and then discovering those spots with lots of potential.
Step 2 - Let There Be Light
While your photos need the proper amount of light to turn out well, most of your shots will rely on a single source of light - our glorious sun. To get stunningly beautiful landscape photos, try having your cameras ready either at sunrise or sunset. However, there are some professional photographers that believe that the midday sun on a winter day provides the best lighting effects. Don't be afraid to try each of these times, showing up at the break of dawn and returning to the location before the sun begins to set. With a little bit of experience, you will be able to make your own determinations depending on the effect you're trying to achieve or even your mood. The trick is to explore your options and experiment. Remember though that the sun should be lighting your focal point from the side or behind.
Third Step To Success - Creative Compositions
Now that you're on location at the chosen time, you should spend some time thinking about creative compositions and choosing the scene that will be captured by your cameras. Think about the different landscape photos that you've seen and decide what made it a truly successful photo. It might that the focal point was an interesting landmark or that it was taken in a manner that captivated the eye through the entire shot. You might find it helpful to do some research on landscape photography and the techniques that are used by other photographers.
The Final Step To Success - The Perfect Set Up
You should be using a tripod to rest your cameras on and make sure the height is adjusted to accommodate the landscape you're photographing. If you have the tripod set either too high or too low, the foreground perspective can be distorted when the image is shot. With a manual set up you are free to adjust the exposure to create specific moods or effects. For instance, you can lengthen the exposure time to create a slight blur for a unique, captivating, and eerie effect.
