For many beginners and amateurs nature photography might be the most popular theme. Nature is still, you don't have to think about lighting and it's abundant. More than enough you'll end up also doing landscape photography. Capturing the beauty of any give location, but you'll soon notice not every shot works and sometimes a little planning might go a long way. Here are a few tips for landscape photography I've come appreciate over time.
Wandering
While I often like to go out in whichever direction the wind guides me, it doesn't guarantee a great image. I do find some hidden locations while doing so, but ultimately it's a game of dice, you win or you lose.
The purpose of this is mainly to find your locations you otherwise wouldn't find. Searching by map won't always get you a good idea how the landscape looks like. It's better to scout a location for good spots and come back another day.
Another benefit to scouting and wandering aimlessly is the freedom you'll experience. Without any pressure to "get a shot" you'll simply enjoy nature and shoot what you like. You aren't too concerned with the light and weather conditions.
Planning
If a great landscape shot is on your agenda for today try and narrow it down. If you already know of a great place to photograph there's no reason to wander around aimlessly. Get to your location and set up your shot. Always check the weather beforehand. You don't wanna get caught in a sudden storm.
Find out where the sun sets and use it in your pictures. In landscapes you often want the setting sun in your image to create high contrast. Also otherwise monotone clouds are amazingly colorful during sunset and sunrise. Try and use them in your images. With time you'll already start predicting how a certain type of weather condition might look in the evening.
Although many photographers prefer a calm weather, it's most rewarding when you get your shot right after a storm. Stormclouds are very intricate and light up in various ways in the evening, so don't always think you job is done when it gets rough, there might be a gem coming.
http://vint26.deviantart.com/art/Evening-Majesty-513411005Improvising
We often get too comfortable. Although you have a place for your shot, don't stop looking for other opportunities.
You might not be that happy with your image you envisioned while taking it. Try and use the foreground to your advantage. Often boring places get interesting when we get the foreground really close into the frame. That way we'll avoid showing the "boring" parts of the landscape, but emphasize the scale, by concentrating on the small and the really distant. The best landscape shots for me always use an interesting foreground. It might be a log, some rocks, flowers or whatever yo can find. You just have to find the right composition to make things work.
You might also simply look around a bit more. Get on another hill, maybe there are things you missed. Look the other way. You might find something unpredictable.
Don't leave once the sun sets. The best light often appears after sunset when the sky is still lit by the sun! You might even push it and stay for the night to catch some stars and the milkyway.
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Godafoss-134417186
http://vint26.deviantart.com/art/Levitation-402271835
Hope you found these small tips useful.
Nothing left to do but to get out there and start taking those shots!
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