What distinguishes good landscape photos from great landscape photos?

When I bought my first system camera with manual shooting mode and a beginner's lens, I convinced myself that landscape photography couldn't be all that difficult. Wait for the first decent sunset behind the lake, snap a picture, print it on a large canvas, and that's it.

While these romantically naive ideas may well apply to vacation and leisure photography, they are far from reality for any even moderately ambitious amateur photographer. Not to mention the demands, techniques, and know-how of professional landscape photographers.

Here, the opposite is true, as I quickly realized. Skillfully photographing a landscape can sometimes be very tricky. Numerous factors – quite apart from the technical knowledge of using professional photographic equipment – ​​play a role in landscape photography and determine whether the result is successful or not.

For ambitious photographers, the goal when taking a landscape photograph might be to offer the viewer a brief visual escape. In such cases, depth and perspective play a crucial role.

Or one might want to tell a story with a photoshoot. Some landscape compositions are obvious in their intention and message, others much more subtle.

Naturally, both geometry and color palette play an important role in image composition, with the latter being adjustable in post-processing if necessary.

A typical landscape image represents nature. Landscapes can include man-made elements such as pillars, buildings, barns, and railway tracks.

Compelling landscapes can be colorful, black and white, or anywhere in between. Furthermore, there are numerous popular Photoshop filters and Lightroom presets available to create or enhance dramatic effects and evocative atmospheres.

We all know that feeling when we first take a close look at Canvas art of landscapes

But what is the secret to a truly magnificent landscape photograph? Are there fundamental rules or techniques that these images have in common? Can these be learned and used for one's own photographic projects?

But yes!

Despite the diversity of individual skills, styles, and self-developed techniques of great landscape photographers, some common basic characteristics can be identified that make up a very good landscape photograph.

5 landscape photography secrets from Benjamin Jaworskyj, revealed in advance

The techniques of the professionals – 15 characteristics of outstanding landscape photography

1. Image structure, composition and the rule of thirds

The most important principle is always to give fundamental thought to the image structure and composition before even taking the photo. Simply put, this is about choosing the ideal framing and arranging the objects within it harmoniously.

You should always aim to get your composition right during recording, rather than relying on post-production.

If the scene doesn't look good when viewed through the viewfinder, it most likely won't look good in the final version either.

There are various techniques you can use to specifically improve your composition (e.g., the rule of thirds), but ultimately you have to practice them yourself. Only with regular practice and accumulated experience will you reach a level where you can see a scene and analyze it in your mind in the blink of an eye to create a great image composition.

With increasing practice, it will become second nature and eventually you won't even have to consciously think about it anymore.

The most important thing at the beginning is to take your time. And the rule of thirds offers good guidance:

This rule (also the Golden Ratio ) involves mentally dividing the image into nine parts. Two horizontal and two vertical lines are drawn so that all nine parts are equal in size. The subject to be photographed is positioned at one of the four intersection points, but it can also be placed along one of the lines.

Pay attention to the horizon line as well. Position the horizon either two-thirds or one-third upwards, depending on whether the foreground or the sky is more interesting.

This design tool helps newcomers to photography to quickly improve the composition and balance of their images.

The role these guidelines play in your photos is to draw the viewer into the image. At the end of the day, that's exactly what you want, isn't it?

The most important rules for image composition at a glance:

• Do not place the main subject in the center
• Keep the image simple and fill it in very deliberately
• Limit yourself to 2-3 main colors
• Use a wider angle for greater depth in landscape shots
• For more three-dimensionality, get closer
• Use repetition, lines, and geometric shapes to guide the eye
• Use tapered lines to create more depth
• Use portrait and landscape formats intentionally
• Use contrasting shapes for contrast

Image composition for photography beginners – 49 image examples

2. Large depth of field

of field (often also depth of focus ) is, technically speaking, a measure of the extent of the sharp area in the object space of an imaging optical system.

To vividly convey the vastness of the scene to the viewer, the landscape motif is captured sharply at different distances from the photographer using a large depth of field (through small apertures or lenses with short focal lengths).

The ST's image quality is primarily controlled by the aperture . A small aperture opening (high f-number) results in a large depth of field. The sensor size also affects the depth of field.

A large depth of field gives the feeling that "everything" is in focus.

There are two main methods for focusing:

a) Focus to infinity : here your lens focuses on a point in the distance.

With autofocus lenses, press the shutter button as usual when focusing on a subject.

With manual lenses, or when operating your lens manually, simply rotate the lens until the subject is in focus. Many lenses have a focusing option marked with a sideways 8. The sideways 8 represents infinity.

It's particularly tricky to take sharp photos at night or when photographing subjects at an indeterminate distance. However, thanks to infinity focus, even distant subjects like stars, fireworks, or expansive landscapes can be captured in sharp focus.

An example of using this type of focusing is photographing the Milky Way. It can be difficult for your camera to automatically focus on a point at this undefined distance. Switch to manual focus and turn the lens to infinity.

Landscape photography and sharpness – How to take sharp landscape photos

b) Hyperfocal distance:

Hyperfocal distance can be a confusing topic even for experienced photographers. The term itself can be quite perplexing. However, if you want to take ultra-sharp images, you can't avoid this technique. A solid understanding of it is invaluable, especially in landscape photography.

Simply put, hyperfocal distance is about finding the optimal focus point and achieving maximum image sharpness throughout (objects in the foreground and background).

The aperture, focal length/distance, and sensor settings of your camera determine where this optimal hyperfocus point located.

Don't worry too much! What used to be a manual calculation involving complex formulas, charts, tables, and scales has become very easy these days. There are many online resources and mobile apps that allow you to determine the correct hyperfocal distance in no time.

A deeper dive into this topic would exceed the scope of this article. Further details on this complex subject can be found, for example, on pixolum: Hyperfocal distance explained – 7 ways to achieve consistent image sharpness .

On the other hand, a shallow depth of field, when used correctly, can also be a powerful creative tool. The subject can be isolated by keeping it in focus while the rest of the image remains blurred.

If you want to keep most of the photo in focus, first set your camera to aperture priority mode (A or Av) so you can control the aperture. Start at around f/8 and work your way up (f/11 or higher) until you achieve the desired effect.

3. Let yourself be guided by natural lines

Pillars, railways, paths, fields, architectural structures of all kinds and other guiding lines create convincing landscape images that can immerse the viewer deeper into the scene.

Use the geometry found in nature to create fantastic image compositions!

Wide-angle and super-wide-angle lenses emphasize expansive landscapes and leading lines. Use a small aperture of f/16 to f/22 in combination with the hyperfocal distance to keep the leading lines and the entire scene in focus.

The smaller the aperture (larger f-number), the less light enters the camera. For stability, a tripod is recommended to prevent blurring caused by camera shake during longer exposure times. A cable release is also recommended when shooting in low light to minimize unwanted camera shake.

4. It's all a matter of the right location

Landscape photography involves both planning and the actual process of taking the photograph.
You should always have a clear idea of ​​where you want to go and what time of day will allow you to take the best photos. To avoid disappointment, you should invest sufficient time in planning and ideally scout the location beforehand.

A good weather app or weather webcams are also extremely helpful tools to protect against unpleasant surprises.

Learn how to read maps correctly and how to use them to find the perfect location. Relevant forums and blogs by other photographers can also be a good starting point.

Good planning ensures that you maximize your time for the actual shoot and that you not only arrive safely and on time at the desired location, but also find your way back afterwards (e.g. in the wild after sunset).

5. Optimal lighting conditions

Light is one of the most important factors in any photography, but especially in landscape photography. It really doesn't matter how great the location is or how you compose your photo.

If the lighting doesn't do justice to the scene, it ultimately becomes irrelevant how well-chosen your location and subject are. Your picture will fail.

The best light for landscape photography is in the early morning or late afternoon, with the midday sun providing the harshest light.

Part of the challenge of landscape photography is being able to adapt to and deal with different lighting conditions.

For example, great landscape photos can also be taken on stormy or cloudy days. The key to a great picture is to incorporate as much light as possible and thus positively influence the appearance of your photos.

The golden hour

In photography, the period shortly after (about an hour) sunrise or shortly before sunset is called the golden hour.

The sunlight during this time is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. The sun bathes the surroundings in warm tones, making photos taken during these periods appear particularly gentle.

To take your photos during the famous golden hour, you need to arrive at your chosen location at least an hour in advance. Only then will you have enough time to set up, take some test shots, and adjust the exposure settings correctly.

The Photographer's Ephemeris

The Photographer's Ephemeris (TPE) is a true wonder tool for planning lighting conditions for photographers and is available as both a website and an app for your smartphone.

TPE offers incredibly useful and reliable information based on location. This includes times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, and its position in the sky. TPE indicates how light falls on the land at any point on Earth, both during the day and at night.

This tool allows you to plan your recording with perfect precision. Registration is free.

6. Don't leave home without a photo filter

Ever since photographers have been fascinated by nature, they have also faced the problem of balancing an exposure with a bright sky and a dark foreground.

Thus, out of sheer necessity, the neutral density (ND) filter discovered. A graduated ND filter has a cutoff from light to dark, making it possible to balance the exposure of bright skies and dark foregrounds.

This can be replicated in post-production. However, it's always best to capture the photo as perfectly as possible in-camera.

The other filter every landscape photographer should have is a circular polarizer (CPL filter) . These filters are designed to reduce glare and reflections. They allow you to achieve richer, more vibrant colors and minimize unwanted reflections in your images.

Often you need to manipulate the available light or even try to enhance the natural elements. For example, when taking photos with water, you may get unwanted reflections from the sun.

polarizing filter can help here by minimizing reflections and also improving the colors (green and blue).

However, keep in mind that polarizing filters often have little or no effect on a scene if you are facing directly towards the sun or if the sun is immediately behind you.

For best results, position yourself between 45° and 90° to the sun.

Neutral density filters and polarizers are therefore an essential part of the standard kit for every landscape photographer.

7. Always carry a tripod with you

In short, if you want to take the best photos at the best time of day and in the highest possible quality, a tripod is an indispensable part of your photography equipment.

Photographing in poor lighting conditions (e.g., in the early morning or early evening) without a tripod would require increasing the ISO value to avoid camera shake, which in turn means more image noise.

If you want to capture a scene with a long shutter speed or long exposure (e.g., to capture the movement of clouds or water), you simply can't hold the camera steady enough without a tripod to avoid blurry images. Camera shake is the result. A tripod solves this problem.

8. Use the histogram

Histograms are an essential tool in photography. You should learn how to read and use the results to improve your photos.

A histogram is a simple diagram that graphically shows the different tonal distribution in your image. The left side of the diagram represents dark tones, and the right side represents light tones.

For example, if you notice that most of the diagram is shifted to the side, this is an indication that your photo is too bright or too dark (over- or underexposed).

This isn't always a bad thing, and some images work perfectly well in both cases.

However, if you find that your graph extends beyond the left or right edge, this indicates that you have parts of the photo with lost detail (pure black areas if the histogram extends beyond the left edge, and pure white if it extends beyond the right edge).

You should avoid this. Therefore, if you see the evidence in the histogram, you can correct it by either recomposing the image or compensating for the exposure.

9. Shoot in RAW format

If your camera can shoot photos in RAW format, it's advisable to always shoot RAW files.
They contain much more image detail and information and offer far greater flexibility in post-production without sacrificing quality.

Remember that you can always save RAW files in any other format you prefer. However, you cannot convert JPEGs to RAW files after the fact.

Therefore, you are ultimately limited to the quality at which the JPEG was captured, causing you to miss out on a lot of useful image information.

10. Recording series

This usually refers to a focus-based image sequence taken with a DSLR camera to achieve a high color depth. The camera takes several pictures in succession, each with a slightly different focus point.

The camera must be mounted on a tripod, and there should be as little movement as possible during the recording.

On a PC, you can either select the sharpest image or combine the recordings into a single image. Tone mapping is a significant image-shaping technique used in this recording method.

It's also available in the exposure-series version.

11. Combine traditional thinking with creative thinking

There's a lot to consider when planning your composition. What makes the scene interesting? Are there any distractions that detract from the scene? Do I have everything I need in the frame? Is anything being cut out of the image that makes it look like something is missing? Is there another viewpoint on the scene that creates a unique perspective? How will I process this image?

Which questions resonate with you? Are there other considerations you would add to the list based on personal experience?

Traditional approach

If we want to photograph a particular landscape, we may already have an idea of ​​what that picture should look like.

We know when we need to arrive to adequately prepare for our shoot. We are prepared and begin taking many pictures from different angles and perspectives of the scene. We record our shots, using filters and multiple focal lengths.

At the end of our shoot, we have a wealth of images to choose from for post-processing. We can adjust color, brightness, sharpness, tonal values, color temperature, saturation, or switch to black and white or sepia.

Creative approach

Imagine in your mind's eye that the image you are photographing is a blank canvas. What is its artistic potential?

Can you improve, accentuate, or create a different mood? Is this an old structure that would benefit from a vintage effect?

Is it a scene in the early morning, where a touch of creaminess lends a very special romantic quality?
An already well-composed image can develop even more power, captivating effect, and message through creative, unique approaches and concepts.

For post-production, countless tools and powerful instruments are available that can add an extra touch.

The tools in Lightroom, Photoshop, and other applications can add both subtle and dramatic changes.

Presets, plug-ins, smart actions and filters that work directly with our post-processing tools offer impressive changes and effects with just a few clicks.

There are also numerous filter apps for image editing directly on your smartphone. These now allow you to achieve exceptionally good results.

12. Not only when the sky is blue

Some novice photographers believe that shooting on clear, cloudless days is essential for taking great landscape photos. In fact, the opposite is true. Often, bad weather produces the most interesting images.

The sky can be a key component of your landscape photos. Depending on the scene and conditions, you can choose a dominant sky or a dominant foreground. You can also try incorporating reflections (e.g., from clouds, lightning, etc.) into your images.

13. Patience pays off

Bring a good dose of patience and perseverance to your photography projects.

It is astonishing how often the elements conspire against us little humans to completely ruin a perfectly composed and carefully planned photograph.

Landscape photography requires a certain amount of patience, just in case the white cloudy sky clears just long enough for the sun to break through and you can take your shot.

The key to success is to always allocate enough time for a shoot at a location so you can wait if necessary. Solid advance planning with backup options and flexibility can also be very helpful.

Before leaving for your shooting location, be sure to check the weather forecast to maximize your chances of having the weather you want at the time of your shoot. As mentioned earlier, there are numerous useful smartphone apps for this purpose.

14. No pain, no gain

One of the reasons why we are impressed and full of wonder when looking at landscape photos is that the picture offers us a perspective or view that we have never seen before.

A photograph taken from the top of a mountain or a similarly difficult-to-access location usually requires a great deal of time and effort to get there.

The result is a view that most people would never see for themselves. We instinctively take this into account when evaluating landscape photographs and are always particularly impressed when a photographer shares such a perspective with us.

So don't rely on easily accessible and overcrowded viewpoints that everyone else can reach without difficulty. Instead, seek out unique locations (provided they are safe to reach and you don't risk life and limb) that offer amazing scenes, insights, and perspectives, even if they require determination, effort, and time to get there.

15. The joy of experimentation

Despite all the techniques and rules recommended to support the composition and recording process, there is always room for experimentation and trying things out.

It's important to know and master all these fundamentals. However, they should never be perceived as a rigid framework, but rather as a guide. Whenever you feel like it, you can play with them, deliberately break them, and experiment on many different levels.

Have the courage to make mistakes and experience failures. You might eventually arrive at an amazing result that you hadn't even considered.

Digital photography means that taking a photo doesn't waste a negative (and cost money). Therefore, there's always the possibility to break the rules and your own style to try something new.

Even though it won't work most of the time and the picture will be a complete disaster, you will occasionally discover a diamond in the mass of coal lumps.

Bonus tips from Benjamin Jaworskyj: Avoid common beginner mistakes