If you've been behind the lens for any amount of time, you know that sometimes it's hard to get motivated to go out and shoot.
But I've found that the antidote for that is to get inspired by some really awesome photos.
That's what I have for you today...
These images by Jennifer King aren't just good. They're drop-dead gorgeous.
If this small collection of beautiful landscape photos doesn't get you motivated to grab your camera and head outside, I don't know what will!
Mono Lake is a barren landscape, but as you can see in the image above, there's beauty in its starkness.
The highlight of this image is the warm, golden sunlight illuminating the landform in the midground of the shot.
The interplay between the warm sunlight and the cool shadows gives this image wonderful contrast that works well with the highly texturized foreground elements.
The jagged peaks of the Tetons in Western Wyoming are beautiful enough on their own for a compelling landscape photo.
But as you can see in this shot, adding layers of texture and color elevate the photo to another level.
The low perspective from which the photo was taken allowed Jennifer to highlight some of the wildflowers on the banks of the river.
Combined with the cotton candy clouds reflected in the still waters of the river, and you have a winning shot!
Sometimes, the best option to take an eye-catching landscape photo is to narrow the scene with a longer lens.
As you can see here, the tight framing of a longer focal length allowed Jennifer to zero in on the waterfall as it cascades down the mountainside.
Add in a slow shutter to blur the movement of the water, and you have the makings of an intimate landscape photo that's definitely wall-worthy!
Golden hour tends to get all the glory amongst photography circles, but blue hour has a lot to offer as well.
Blue hour occurs before sunrise and after sunset, and is characterized by - you guessed it - the cool blue tones of the light.
In the case of this image, the blue hour lighting is a perfect complement to the icy cold waters of the Icelandic coast.
In many situations, the rule of thumb is to shift the placement of the subject to the left or right of center to comply with the rule of thirds.
However, as you can see in this shot, centering the group of trees in the middle of the photo works beautifully.
The grasses and flowers in the foreground serve as leading lines, directing our eyes upward toward the trees, which in turn act as leading lines to help our eyes move upward again to take in the gorgeous colors of the sky.
That's the benefit of learning how to break photography rules - sometimes it results in a better photograph.
Something that sets the pros apart from amateur landscape photographers is that the pros understand how to find beauty in the details.
These sand formations in Death Valley make for a wonderful subject, with the textures, lines, and shadows filling the frame for a gorgeously unique image.
If you want to elevate the quality of your landscape photography, heed this landscape photography tip: find ways to highlight small details instead of always relying on your wide-angle lens.
Learn to Master Landscape Photography Like Jennifer
As I said in the introduction, if these photos don't get you motivated to go out and shoot, I don't know what will.
But for those of you that are ready to go and want to learn landscape photography techniques from a master photographer, you're in luck...
Jennifer King offers a collection of photo workshops in the U.S. and around the globe.
Whether you're inspired by the soaring peaks of the Tetons, the barren beauty of Death Valley, the snow-covered mountains and quaint fishing villages of Lofoten, Norway, or something in between, Jennifer King Photo Workshops is for you.
With dedicated teachers that plan, prep, and scout locations, you're sure to get the most out of your learning experience.
After all, these workshops aren't just about teaching you how to be a better photographer - Jennifer and her team want you to have the most comprehensive learning experience possible.
With workshop dates throughout 2018 and 2019 open for booking, now is the time to take a step forward with your photography and learn from the best!
Get more information about Jennifer King Photo Workshops