Photographing Different Types of Scenery

Photographing different types of scenery will call for different tricks, techniques, and equipment to get the best shot. Most professional landscape photographers prefer working around sunrise and dusk because of the golden quality of the light and the rapid, subtle play of light and shadow as the angle of the light changes the visual texture. Timing and opportunity play a major role in great landscape photos.

Great opportunities are rarely going to be conveniently beside a road. You may have to do a bit of hiking to find the best spots from which to shoot. Use a map or, better yet, a GPS unit to mark the site so you can return to it later and to keep from getting lost. A tripod to minimize camera motion will help make photos look crisp and clean.

To take desert photos, work the golden hours. Unless the sky is overcast, which isn't common in desert landscapes, an overhead sun will wash out the colors and eliminate shadows, and the pictures will have a flat, two-dimensional appearance. Using filters can help tone down the light.

When photographing seascapes, try to bring out the character of the coastal scene, whether it's a calm, sparkling white beach or rugged, stormy coastline. Don’t load film or memory cards near water or spray, and protect your equipment by wiping it down with a damp chamois after use. There will be a lot of reflected light, so make use of polarizing, graduated, neutral-density, and light-balancing filters to eliminate glare while preserving color.

Mountains work well in long, panoramic shots, but a high vantage point can give you a commanding view. Use a camera that allows you to control the exposure settings; a small aperture will let you keep everything in focus.