If I asked you to close your eyes and imagine a landscape Photography, I bet what you want that an image of a sunset or sunrise would come to mind, in color, with the sea with a silk effect, a river or a meadow full of flowers. Those would probably be the most recurring options. And it is that, in reality, when photographing landscapes we tend to look for this type of scenario, but I have to tell you that the world of photographic landscapes does not end there…
Today I am going to ask you to open your eyes and mind to discover new places, new ways of photographing them, and learn how to achieve images of different landscapes without losing their attractiveness. Are you interested? I think so, if you like photography you can’t miss this opportunity, sit back and join me on this visual journey, because I’m not only going to tell you about it, but I’m going to show it to you, because no matter how much I tell you… there is nothing better than an image so you can check it for yourself or yourself.
1) Infrared landscapes
I don’t know if you have ever seen this type of images that seem to be made with Photoshop or another editor. An image that may seem to come out of a fantasy story or an old undeveloped negative… This type of photography is called infrared. If you want to achieve an impressive, attractive and different landscape, you have to try it. Do not miss How to take your first infrared photography.
2) Shoot in black and white
I told you at the beginning that we would go beyond the typical landscape that comes to mind and one of the characteristics of that typical landscape is color. Sometimes it is difficult to imagine a landscape in black and white, especially if you have not seen many. In fact, it is normal to imagine them in color, which is how our eyes normally see it and because in most cases (if not always), color is the most spectacular aspect of a landscape. However, when we talk about photography, the story changes, because it is not the same to see a place live and direct than to pass it to two dimensions and in a limited space. In this case many other visual aspects come into play. For this reason, black and white takes center stage in some types of landscapes, because yes, you must learn to look in black and white, not all scenarios look good when you take away the color, but those that look good, will love it! feel sooo good! In this book we devote an entire chapter to grayscale landscapes.
3) When bad weather is a good ally
If you are looking for a different landscape, run away from the perfect-sunny-day-when-the-sun-is-setting. If you want something different, start capturing a raging landscape, a meadow in the middle of a storm, a tornado over the sea or lightning showers over the mountains… Here you can find some other ideas to take advantage of meteorological phenomena 😉
4) Suggest with the silhouette
We have mentioned it in many blog articles, sometimes it is better to suggest than tell… You can do the same with landscapes, take advantage of the sunset or sunrise to capture a different landscape showing one of its best profiles, its silhouette. If you have never tried this type of backlighting, you can see it step by step.
5) Fantasy landscapes
Human beings are not nourished by reality alone. Fantasy feeds our hearts and minds, just think a little about literature and cinema. Let’s try photography too! For this you will have to use editing and/or filters, in addition to your imagination. In this case, the author tells here the steps you took to achieve the following image. Do you want easier things? Ok, ok, we also have easier tricks, although maybe not as fun 😉
6) Use filters
If you have not yet discovered the world of filters, this is your moment. You can use them to help you with the silky effect, control the light or print a color to the entire photo. Find out more about the types and uses of filters or how to use them in landscape photography. In your hand is the creative touch 😉
7) Panoramic
There are many occasions in which a landscape loses much of its essence due to the limitation of the frame. The format of the cameras restricts the freedom of extension of the landscapes, what can we do about it… Well, yes, there is something you can do to remedy it. Break that barrier and let the landscape express itself, unleash it with a great panorama. The result can be truly spectacular.
8) Beyond the green
Nor do landscape photographers live on grass, flowers and water alone. There are spectacular landscapes that are far from the humid climate or the extensive vegetation, they are desert or volcanic. If you have the opportunity to visit such a place, do not think that you cannot get photos of interesting landscapes, on the contrary. These scenarios can offer you other different results and as attractive or more than the green ones. Moreover, they are photographs that cry out for a gray scale. Here are a couple of examples, in color and black and white.
9) From the sky
This type of photography captivated me many years ago, when I saw an exhibition of photography of the earth seen from the sky. It is incredible how many wonders exist in nature and how little vision we have of them from such a high perspective. Not too long ago, the movie “The Minimal Island” reminded me how wonderful these types of images are, using photographs like this one by Héctor Garrido. It is not easy for you to have the possibility to shoot from such a height, but if you do, you should take advantage of it! (If you don’t, we’ll delete you from the blog’s friends list 😉 )
10) Minimalists
Who said that a landscape cannot be minimalist? Minimalism is in fashion, but it is not just a fashion, it is a form of expression that is as simple as it is beautiful. Less is more, never forget that.
11) Abstract painting or landscape?
With the right setting, framing, depth of field, or a bit of editing, you can achieve an abstract photograph that grabs your viewer as much as the most beautiful sunset on a Mediterranean island.
Here are two examples:
12) Includes people
It is not very common to find landscape photographs that include people. However, if you want to give it a touch of originality or achieve a different landscape that makes the viewer feel closer to it and also helps guide their gaze, include someone. You will not regret.
13) Blessed mist
For drivers, for example, fog is a very annoying element, but for photographers it is a wonderful element to compose their photos, and a foggy landscape can inspire a lot of emotions and sensations. Here’s how to photograph it.
14) Night landscape
Enjoy the sunset for once and capture the essence of the night. Let the blanket of stars ally with you and your team for a beautiful nightscape. If you feel like it, you can take a look at the recommended lenses for night photography or get inspired by these landscapes.
15) Cityscape
Don’t underestimate cities. Not because it is an “unnatural” environment does it stop being a landscape and much less does it stop being attractive. Look at this image, as you can see, it also uses other resources that I mentioned before. Do you remember them?
Fifteen ideas that won’t do you any good if you close this article and leave it in a corner of your mind, because all the information that comes to you later (which is a lot throughout the day) will make it fall further and further into the background. and more and more, until a moment arrives in which it is impossible to rescue her. Put it into practice! If you do, surely you will not forget. Apply several of these tips together or separately. Save up for a balloon ride to capture an aerial perspective or plan a camping trip to capture the night. They will be experiences you will never forget (and neither will your camera 😉 ).
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