Over the years, I've heard a lot of "secret tips" for taking pictures of landscapes. The majority of them were completely useless. But along the road, I've discovered a few things that are truly helpful - pearls of knowledge that I still treasure and often suggest to new photographers. The top five secrets are listed in the list below. I hope that at least a couple of these will be absolutely new to you, even though you may have heard some of these before.
1) Rotate your photos horizontally
I'll begin by providing the finest advice possible. If this article isn't helpful, you'll be able to go on to another.
It's a straightforward trick. In post-production, flip your photos horizontally. Then swiftly reverse them.
Who would do that and why? When you get a mirrored image, nothing will alter other than for a little period of time. That doesn't seem to be very useful.
However, it's fascinating to see that this one has been kept the closest to the vest. The cause? You could see your snapshot differently if you flip it horizontally.
Have you been making adjustments to a landscape picture for a while but are dubious of their results? Are you too familiar with an old picture to evaluate its quality impartially? You might find this advice useful.
It's like viewing your photos for the first time all over again when you turn them horizontally. The shot might pleasantly surprise you in certain cases by performing far better than you had imagined, but it might also disappoint you down. Alternately, you may discover entirely new issues that require resolution, such as the requirement to crop or level the horizon.
Whatever the case, it's a great tool to have for your own photography, and almost every post-processing program makes it simple to use.
2) Take pictures of the landscape in action.
Excellent exterior photographs. The most emotionally powerful images are those of changing landscapes.
When I say "doing something," what do I mean? This widens the net. Perhaps a large wave is approaching the coast. when a rainbow is created by a strong storm. In either case, the landscape images you capture ought to capture a particular moment in time that you were fortunate enough to see.
An example
While images of landscapes are wonderful, people prefer to see images of a landscape taking part in a unique activity.
Why are you taking this specific picture? Is it the beautiful scene you have in front of your camera that is the cause? Or are you taking in something extraordinary and grand?
Every effective landscape photograph has a definite purpose. They convey information in a unique way rather than just letting the audience view it as anyone might.
Your photos will have more effect if they are based on a narrative, regardless of whether you catch a stunning instance of lightning or a scenic landscape covered in new snow.
3) The process is crucial
I'm sorry to break it to you, but most of the top landscape pictures you'll see have undergone extensive editing. Some of them might not even draw notice at all without their processing.
This makes sense in a way. Even if you succeed in capturing a wonderful subject in optimal lighting, an image that has been professionally altered will still be superior.
The most troubling realization for many photographers is that Photoshop, not Mother Nature, was used to create some of the best photographs ever. This fact has sparked a great deal of discussion regarding what should be done in post-production and many passionate declarations from both sides, as you might anticipate.
And yet nothing really alters in spite of everything.
No, a photo's worth is not solely determined by the post-processing it has gone through. In reality, some modern photographers achieve beautiful effects by only making small brightness and color tweaks to their images. More important than everything else, and always will be, is the significance of light, subject, and composition.
Although good images can be captured without much post-production, this isn't the standard for popular work these days. If there is a "secret" to the success of professional landscape photographers, it is that virtually every one of them is an expert at post-processing. As irritating as that may sound, I advise you to follow suit.
Although becoming an expert is difficult, the effort is rewarding. The quality of your portfolio will significantly improve if you are proficient in post-processing. Although it may not be the most exciting aspect of the job, this talent is crucial. It enables you to concentrate more clearly and maximize the potential of each shot you take.
Despite the fact that many other photographers have already mastered this game, an unedited photo loses a lot of its potential.
However, I do advise practicing restraint. Without going excessive or appearing unnatural, a shot can have a lot of quality. How far does processing go before it becomes unnatural? You should choose for yourself because each option has advantages and disadvantages.
4) In the field, place bookends between your images.
Have you ever taken a continuous panoramic or HDR photograph? If so, you are likely aware of how challenging it can be to recall which photos go together once you have opened them on your computer.
Simple solution: Bookend your significant photos while you're still in the field to save time afterwards.
Why am I saying that? Take a picture of your hand before each series and again after it is finished. extremely simple
Marking the beginning and end of each series of images may be done quickly and easily, saving time and avoiding post-processing problems. (If you'd prefer, you can remove the shots of your hand after combining the appropriate images or labeling them in another way.)
Although the bookend technique has various applications, this is the one that is most frequently used in landscape photography. If you've never heard this advise before, I hope you can put it to use.
5) Demonstrate your finest work.
Simple advice: People will assume that all of your photos are wonderful if you only show them the amazing ones.
Twelve successful photos in a year, according to Ansel Adams, was a satisfactory crop. I believe that such a standard is overly optimistic. For me, a year's worth of three or four genuinely popular movies would be adequate. Years pass by rapidly.
I've taken way too many photos since I started. Even while I work more slowly and take fewer pictures than other kinds of photographers, I frequently take a few thousand pictures on lengthy journeys.
Think about what would happen if you produced 5,000 smoothies over the course of a few years but only ever allowed customers to sample five of them. It would be assumed by others that you are a skilled smoothie maker in general.
The same is true with photography. Your portfolio will often be of greater quality if you show fewer photos. You're more at liberty.
You have the last say on whatever pictures you choose to show the public. That is a rather potent instrument.
Conclusion
These are the finest hidden secrets, in my opinion. Keep coming back as I will update this page with new information when I find it. Feel free to give them a shot in the meanwhile and see if they work for your own photographs.
None of these methods by themselves will greatly improve the caliber of your photos. Building a strong foundation in landscape photography requires a lot of time and effort, and these suggestions only represent a small portion of that process.
However, it's always a good idea to increase your network of knowledge regarding landscape photography. You never know when a fresh perspective will significantly improve one of your pictures. Therefore, I would still consider it a success even if only one of these five concepts is novel to you.