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Guide and tips for beginners in landscape photography

Landscape photography can be hard at the beginning, especially if you don’t know what are the proper settings, accessories and right equipment to have. There are many different techniques and strategies to consider when photographing landscapes. In this guide, we will share some tips and tricks to help you improve your landscape photography.

Jump to: 

Essencial photography gear 

Settings for landscape photography 

Composition and Lighting

How to get started in landscape photography as a beginner?

Getting started with landscape photography as a beginner can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Here are some steps to help you begin your journey:

Invest in quality essential photography gear and accessories

While you don't need the most expensive equipment and accessories to start, having a basic set of gear is essential. Invest in a digital camera with manual settings that allows you to control exposure, aperture, and ISO. A wide-angle lens is highly recommended for capturing expansive landscapes. Additionally, consider using a tripod for stability, especially in low-light conditions or for long exposures, as well as some photography accessories such as ND filters and CPL filters

In summary, you will need:

  • A quality digital camera

    Choose a camera with settings that allow you to try different exposures, aperture and ISO. Some good cameras to start with are for instance the Canon EOS 90D, Canon EOS Rebel T7i, Nikon D5600 DX-format Digital SLR Body and Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera, amongst many others. 
  • See all the Kase filters that go with these cameras: 

    Nikon Camera Filters and Accessories

    Sony Camera Filters and Accessories

    Canon Camera Filters and Accessories

  • Some additional lenses

    Different lenses allow you to capture wider scenes, bring a higher sense of depth and scale to your landscape images and adapt to different conditions as well as extract special subjects in the scene. 
  • Quality photography accessories

    Get photography accessories and equipment such as tripods and lens filters to capture beautiful landscape scenes without worrying about prolonged exposure times or unperfect lighting conditions. 
     Take a look at: 

Learn the proper settings for landscape photography 

When it comes to camera settings for landscape photography, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, as it depends on the specific conditions and creative goals. However, here are some general recommendations to help you get started: 
  • Aperture: Selecting the appropriate aperture is crucial in landscape photography. For capturing a large depth of field and keeping the entire scene in focus, use a narrower aperture (higher f-number) such as f/8, f/11, or higher. This helps ensure sharpness from the foreground to the background. However, be mindful of the lens diffraction that can occur at very small apertures, which can slightly reduce overall image sharpness. 
  • ISO: Begin with the lowest ISO setting (e.g., ISO 100) to maintain optimal image quality and minimize noise. Use a higher ISO only if necessary, such as when shooting in low-light conditions or if you need faster shutter speeds. However, be cautious of noise that may appear in images when using higher ISO settings. 
  • Shutter Speed: The choice of shutter speed depends on the specific situation and the effect you want to achieve. In landscape photography, using a tripod is often recommended to allow for longer exposure times. This can help create smooth water effects, capture cloud movement, or emphasize the stillness of a scene. However, when handholding the camera, ensure that the shutter speed is fast enough to prevent camera shake and maintain sharpness. 
  • Focus: For landscapes, it's generally desirable to achieve sharp focus from the foreground to the background. Consider using the hyperfocal distance technique, where you focus on a point in the scene that maximizes depth of field. This technique ensures that a significant portion of the scene, from near to far, is in acceptable focus. Additionally, using a smaller aperture (higher f-number) helps increase the depth of field and overall sharpness. 
  • White Balance: White balance settings control the color temperature of your images. When shooting landscapes, you can either set your white balance to Auto or choose a specific white balance preset (such as Daylight or Cloudy) to match the lighting conditions. Shooting in RAW format allows for more flexibility in adjusting white balance during post-processing. 
  • Metering Mode: Metering determines how the camera measures and calculates exposure. For landscapes, evaluative or matrix metering mode is commonly used, as it considers various areas of the frame and provides a balanced exposure. However, in high-contrast scenes, you may need to use exposure compensation or spot metering to ensure proper exposure for the main subject. 

Remember, these settings serve as general guidelines, and it's important to adapt them based on the specific lighting conditions, desired creative outcomes, and your personal vision for the image. Don't hesitate to experiment, review your images on the camera's LCD screen, and make adjustments as needed to achieve the desired results. 

Learn the Basics of composition and Understand Natural Lighting 

  • Composition is crucial in landscape photography.

    Familiarize yourself with the rule of thirds, leading lines, foreground interest, and the concept of visual balance. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to create visually appealing compositions. Remember that the goal is to guide the viewer's eye through the frame and evoke a sense of depth and storytelling.

  • Lighting plays a vital role in landscape photography.

    Pay attention to the quality and direction of light during different times of the day. The golden hours, which occur during sunrise and sunset, often provide soft, warm light and long shadows that enhance the landscape's beauty. Experiment with different lighting conditions to capture different moods and atmospheres in your images.

10 important tips for beginners in landscape photography 

Now that you read how to get started in landscape photography, we leave you our 10 basic tips to start capturing amazing scenes. 
  1. Choose a subject that interests and inspires you. When looking at a landscape, pay attention to details such as interesting shapes, colours and textures. Look for sections that have special appeal and try to imagine what your image might look like.
  2. Use a tripod to get sharp pictures. To get sharp images, it is important that the camera does not shake during long exposures or on other occasions. With a tripod, you can concentrate on taking pictures instead of trying to keep your camera steady.
  3. Experiment with different angles of view. Try to find interesting angles and views of the landscape and try to climb to different heights. This can add depth and contrast to your image, making it look more natural and striking. Another advantage of trying different perspectives is that it can help you find more unusual frames for your shots.
  4. Bring more scenery into the picture with a wide-angle lens. With a wide-angle lens, you can create the sense of depth and scale that attracts many photographers. It is also ideal for capturing scenery that stretches far over the horizon. This allows you to achieve spectacular shots of large landscapes. 
  5. Enhance contrasts with a grey filter. A Grey Filter can be used to increase contrast and enhance colour in landscape shots. This filter absorbs excess light and provides a brighter, clearer shot. It is important to choose the right filter for your camera as different models have different characteristics. With a Grey filter you can intensify the colours of your landscape shots and bring out more detail. 
  6. Smooth moving objects with a long exposure filter. To smooth moving objects such as water, it is recommended to use a long exposure filter. This filter allows the photographer to increase the exposure time, thus softening the movement of the water and achieving a smoother result. The long exposure filter is particularly useful when taking landscape shots with water.
  7.  Use a polarising filter to enhance colours. A polarising filter is an essential tool for landscape photographers. It can help improve and enhance the colours in your photos by reducing distracting reflections and specularity on the surface of water and other smooth surfaces. It can also help to increase contrast in your photos by making colours deeper and more vibrant.
  8. Reduce shadows with the flash. To reduce shadows, a flash can be used. A flash produces a brief burst of light that can help dissolve dark shadows and add depth and contrast to the image. It is important to set the flash so that it is not too bright and does not overpower the natural lighting of the subject. If you find the right settings, you can brighten up your landscape photos and create interesting lighting effects. 
  9. Use a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake. An important tip for beginners in landscape photography is to use a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake. This allows the photographer to mount the camera on a tripod and press the shutter release without direct contact. This ensures that the camera remains steady and does not create unwanted movement when shooting. 
  10. Be patient and wait for the perfect light. Patience is an essential part of landscape photography. When you start out as a beginner, you must learn to wait for the perfect light. You often get the best results in golden light in the morning or evening. It can be difficult to have the patience to wait, but it is worth the wait as your photos will be much better! 

It is important that beginners in landscape photography spend a lot of time and patience to get the best results possible. By following the tips and techniques above, you can create stunning landscape photography that will wow your viewers. With a little practice and creativity, you can take beautiful photos that will forever remind you of your experience.

Do you still have any questions? Get in touch with our team of experts or check the following articles: