What is Landscape Photography? - Tips and Techniques

A landscape comprises of the visible and obvious features of any particular area of land. This also includes the physical features of the landforms like the deserted plants, ice-caped mountains, hills, rivers, water bodies, trees and valleys and the art of fusion of those elements in a beautiful and mind-blowing way. In other words landscape involves the aesthetic beauty of nature excluding people and animals. People and animals are not shown in landscape photographs, lest they are very small or made part of it to show the composition and scale.

Landscape photography involves the photographs of scenes. And scenery is a theme of a landscape photo. Sometimes beaches and sea shores, city and man-made constructions are also considered as landscape. But purist perspective suggests that rather they should be called seascapes or cityscapes. Conversely, if natural scenery dominates any other part, it can also be termed as a landscape even though it includes a road, a path or a city line.

Apart from that term “Urban Landscape” is also prevalent in which landscape photographs are taken in such a way that involves buildings, man-made structures and cities by treating them like mountains and trees.

Styles of Landscape Photography:

Up to this time three types of the styles that are acknowledged. They are: representational, impressionistic and abstract.

Representational:

Representational or straight descriptive style connote the scenery at its true and natural form. In this style what you observe is what you obtain. Photographer doesn’t add any piece to any landscape or do not play with reality. Timing and weather are of crucial importance in this style.

Impressionistic:

On the contrary, impressionistic style doesn’t involve reality. Rather it is more focused towards giving the impression of a landscape. The images are unreal and vague.

Abstract:

Also referred as the graphic style, abstract style involves treatment of scenery elements as graphical elements to show the representation of particular design. In abstract style shape and form take priority. Things are adjusted and placed in particular setting.

Effective Guidelines for Landscape Photography:

These tips may not work with every landscape photograph but will give you generic information to take the best shot.

-          For gaining three-dimensional impressions, you should include one or more foreground objects.

-          Include a central object in your scene to draw the attention of viewer to engage him/her in your photography

-          Show the horizon by one-third to make the scene better

-          Light plays a magical role in landscape photography. For the best and memorable shot you need to wait for perfect blend of light and surroundings.

-          Don’t forget to turn off flash light before going for a landscape. In dusty and foggy environments flash light causes flares due to the reflection of light from dust particles and droplets.

-          Beware of the unnatural and human-made objects such as poles, overhead wires and garbage cans. If they come into focus then adjust your lens or reposition your camera angle by which they can be eliminated.

-          Don’t let the weather to keep you from capturing. Humidity and rain can give very smooth scenes.         

-          For landscapes, usually go for horizontal shots.