Capture Better Landscape Images With These Three Most Important Tips

Many of you already know that I've had a camera in my hand since I was a little girl. I'd run after my father through forests towards the railway lines as he'd seek that perfect train in a landscape image. I'd bring along my little film camera and take photos of things I spotted like creeks and mountain wildflowers.

As I grew into my adult self, my interest in photography remained, but I always used an automatic exposure mode on my point-and-shoot camera. Motherhood changed my photography journey (and life, but that's another story) forever, for the better.

When I finally got my hands on a brand new DSLR camera, I tossed aside my point and shoot as quick as I could say, "camera," and began taking photos of my new baby girl. But my excitement was quickly replaced with disappointment. Imagine my surprise when my fancy new camera didn't take better images than my point and shoot!

As time progressed, I began to grow into the photographer I wanted to be or at least I began to see progress in my images. That is until I discovered the genre of landscape photography. To my surprise, again, my fairly polished mom photographer skills did not seem to translate well to landscape photography. But once again, as time progressed, I began to grow into the landscape photographer I wanted to be.

Fast forward to today, and after almost fifteen years of learning and now years of teaching photographers, I've learned a few lessons about this photography journey thing. If I had to choose three top tips of utmost importance for any photographer to embrace as she seeks improvement in her photos, I'd be these three: 

1. Knowlege is far more valuable than photography gear

One of the things I see many photographers get hung up on is photography gear and equipment. "What camera do you use?" "What lens was that taken with?" "What filters do you like best?" Ever heard these questions? There are many different cameras, lenses and photography accessories available to the photographer today. The choice is almost infinite and, at times, can be overwhelming. 

But photography gear alone will not help you capture a better photo. I learned that lesson first hand when I tossed out my point and shoot and traded it up for a brand new shiny DSLR. The knowledge I gained in subsequent years changed the quality of the photos I was taking, not the camera. 

Knowledge is the single most important ingredient you'll need to take better photos. 

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2. Knowing something is not the same thing as practising 

What's that saying? "Practise makes perfect?" I cringe every time I hear this saying because it brings me back to the days of my piano lessons. You see, I was not too fond of the piano. I would have preferred running around on a soccer field or speed skating around a cold track of ice, but instead, I attended music lessons. So every week, I'd visit my sweet piano teacher, she did have the kindest heart, and through my frustration, she'd remind me that "practise makes perfect." She was right.  

Nowadays, I've adopted my piano teacher's saying, kinda, and I like to say, "Practise makes progress." Knowing something is not the same thing as doing. You need knowledge and then must practise what you know to take the photos you want.  

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3. Learn the rules but don't be afraid to break them 

Photography rules are essential because they'll help you capture the images you dream about. Over or underexposure of an image or blurry and out-of-focus images that were meant to be in focus can at minimum result in disappointment and, worse, ruin the preservation of a beautiful memory.

Knowing the rules also permits you to think about how you can break the rules, which opens you up to the creative potentials within the art of photography. For example, intentional under or overexposure, slow shutter speed, unique use of light, creative cropping, or unexpected composition can all infuse artistry within a photo.

Once you are comfortable with photography rules, push yourself to think creatively about how you can break the rules and capture your beautiful moments with intentional, purposeful artistry. 

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Capturing better images requires knowledge of the technique necessary to capture your pictures in the way you want. Practice helps instill confidence and consistency in the outcome of your photographs, as well as problem-solving skills. While breaking the rules of photography will help you infuse artistry into your photos. These steps will help you become the photographer you want to be, so let each one be the foundation on which you build your photography journey.