How To Photography: 10 Tips To Improve Landscape Photos of the World’s Wild Places
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With the use of the hyperfocal-focusing technique, you can manipulate and extend the depth of field, so the entire depth of the picture appears to be in focus. Under “standard” conditions, the depth of field of a digital photo is one-third in front and two-thirds behind the primary subject. You can extend the depth of field by setting the hyperfocal-focusing point. To do that, place the infinity symbol at the f-stop setting you selected on the depth-of-field scale for the landscape view you have composed.
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A distinguishing characteristic of amateur landscape photos compared to a pro’s is that the amateur thinks all landscapes must be shot in the landscape, or horizontal, format. Many should; but often a much more compelling and interesting landscape can be created when framed vertically.
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Using the vertical orientation instead of the horizontal will often help you frame the right combination of elements for your landscape photos. A horizontal view is more likely to include unwanted elements, which are immovable. A simple rotation of your camera 90 degrees may mask them and an amazing landscape composition suddenly pops into view.
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A bit of misinformation that floats throughout the digital photography world is that using the narrowest aperture of you lens results in the sharpest, most color-rich images. It’s better to shoot landscapes (and most all photos) at f/4 for f/5.6, for example, if you have an f/2.0 or f/2.4 lens.
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Just because you’re outdoors doesn’t mean you must only use the natural light as your only source of illumination for your landscape photos. The best times of the day to shoot outdoors are dawn and dusk when the natural light is low and diffused. Consider adding a campfire in the foreground of your landscape during twilight or place one or more remotely triggered flash units outside the frame of your image.
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Your camera’s histogram is a critical tool for landscape photography in wild, wonderful locations. The histogram reading is a much more accurate method than looking at the view on the LCD display to make sure you are shooting at the proper exposure setting and the highlights aren’t bloomed, hiding details.
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When you trek to landscape photography locations off the beaten path or in exotic places, there are likely to be natural patterns or repetitive shapes. Spend some time exploring and examining your landscape shooting areas to identify any patterns. You’ll create a more appealing landscape image when the pattern fills the frame. Another compositional option is to add a single element to interrupt, and act as a contrast, to the pattern.
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Be aware of the dynamics of the sky. A featureless sky will significantly detract from the wonder of the rest of your landscape photo. Try the cloudy and shade modes on your white balance menu, which may reduce the effect of a plain-looking sky. Another option to improve the quality of the sky is to manipulate it during post-production with your editing software.
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Make sure you include a neutral density filter as part of the equipment you pack for your landscape photo trip. It will help compensate for the great difference of brightness between the very bright sky and the darker terrain, resulting in a properly exposed image.
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Even experienced landscape photographers tend to think they must place your camera on a tripod for all of their photos. A tripod is an essential landscape photography tool, but consider setting it aside for a moment and bring the camera closer to the ground. This fills more of the frame with the beautiful, natural elements of your landscape image and often “pushes” the horizon line near the top of the frame, which is preferable.
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The 10 tips in this how to photography article are just a few of the many digital photography techniques that will lead to much better landscape photos, and all others that you shoot. You’ll find a huge wealth of helpful information when you click here.
This how to photography article shares 10 tips that will help you capture better landscape images of unusual or difficult-to-reach locations. When you make the effort (and spend the money) to trek into the wild backcountry to find seldom-seen landscape views and bring home more spectacular landscape photos, you want to use specific digital photography techniques that will enhance the magic and wonder of those wild places.
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Photograph By: Kenneth Stephens