Landscape Photography Tips
Part 2

Six more great landscape photography tips which I hope will inspire you to get away from your computer and out into nature with your camera.

Landscape Photography Tips 7: Slow Down!

Shots like the one below are totally captivating and not that difficult to make if you are patient. The above was taken with a Nikon D70 at f/22 with a 5 second exposure. With such a small aperture, everything is pin sharp but a long exposure was needed to compensate. Focal length was 18 mm, fairly wide but no distortion is evident as it is taken in nature so there is no real idea of scale.

Landscape Photography Tips 8: Look for Rhythm

In the shot below, the rhythm of the posts is echoed by the rhythm of the shadows. In fact, the shadows have been graphically cut in two by the water's edge so we have three sets of repeating rhythms creating a simple, but powerful composition. The perspective also enhances the composition and we are irresistably drawn into the picture. See if you can take a shot that is almost entirely made up of rhythms.

Landscape Photography Tips 9: Look Up!

Minimize the amount of land in your shot and aim to photograph a beautiful sky. Clouds are fascinating but because they change so quickly you may have to prepare in advance for the shot. I usually want to make cloud shots when I am driving - not ideal!

Landscape Photography Tips 10:
Don't be Afraid of the Storm - Take Pictures!

Open the window wide next time there is thunder and lightning about. Long exposures are required for lightning shots; the image below had a 2 second exposure and an ISO of 50 at f/2.8. Start off using roughly these settings and experiment - always experiment! And don't forget to use a tripod and the self-timer to avoid camera shake.

Landscape Photo Tips 11: Close the Gate - Then Shoot

If you are out walking where there are animals, you probably know to close the gate behind you but after you have done so, take another look at it. Gates often have an individual character of their own and make a good focal point for your composition. I like this shot because it has been taken in black and white which has brought out all the contrasting textures of the grass, stones and wood. I also like the way the fence and gate make a gentle undulating shape which is echoed by the hills in the distance.

Landscape Photo Tips 12:
Get Your Walking Shoes On!

I will finish this article with the awesome shot below which will surely inspire you to get your walking shoes on and get out there - there are amazing landscape shots to be made with just a little bit of effort. What are you waiting for? Go to it! (The above was shot with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, at 1/640 sec, f/10, ISO 100, and a focal length of 19 mm.)

Follow the link for LANDSCAPE TIPS PART 1 or check out John Shaws wonderful landscape photography book below (mouse-over link for current price):

I recommend John Shaw's Landscape Photography - it is one of the best books around (and very low priced) if you are looking to improve your landscape photographs.

Shaw's goal is to teach you how to control the tools of photography such as camera equipment, lenses, light, exposure, so that technical proficiency becomes second nature but doesn't intrude when it is time to compose great pictures.

He shows you how expertise as a landscape photographer comes from developing a personal response to nature, not from having a large budget for travel and equipment.