Landscape Photography Guide

Base Camera Settings

• Mode: Manual (M) or Aperture Priority (A/Av)

• ISO: 100 (raise only in low light)

• Aperture: f/8–f/16 (maximize depth of field)

• Shutter Speed: Adjust for exposure (use tripod < 1/60s)

• White Balance: Daylight or Cloudy (or shoot RAW for flexibility)

• Focus: Manual or Single-point AF on foreground/mid-subject

• File Type: Always shoot RAW

Composition Quick Wins

• Rule of Thirds: Align horizons and subjects on grid lines

• Leading Lines: Roads, rivers, ridges—guide the eye in

• Foreground Interest: Rocks, plants, textures = depth

• Layering: Foreground / Midground / Background = visual story

• Natural Framing: Use trees, arches, or shadows to contain your subject

Light is Everything

• Golden Hour: Soft, directional light—shoot east at sunrise, west at sunset

• Blue Hour: Dreamy tones, balanced skies—perfect for long exposures

• Backlighting: Great for drama—watch for lens flare

• Overcast: Ideal for subtle colors, waterfalls, forest scenes

• Harsh Light: Use B&W, look for patterns, or wait it out

Gear Setup & Techniques

• Tripod: Essential for sharpness & bracketing

• Filters:

  • Polarizer: Cut glare, deepen skies

  • ND Filters: Smooth water, slow movement

• Lens: Wide-angle (14–35mm) for big scenes; telephoto (70–200mm) for compression

• Focus: Use Live View zoom for precision or focus on 1/3 into the scene

• Level the Horizon: Use a bubble level or grid display

Avoid These Common Pitfalls

• Soft Images? Use tripod + 2-sec timer or remote release

• Flat Composition? Add foreground and contrast

• Blown Highlights? Use histogram—expose to the right without clipping

• Dull Midday Shots? Shoot details or wait for better light

• Strong Midday Sun? Consider B&W (see the Black-and-White Photography Guide)

• Wrong Focus Point? Zoom in and check during capture

Advanced Field Strategies

• Focus Stacking: Multiple focus points = tack-sharp front to back

• Exposure Bracketing: Blend highlights & shadows in post

• Scouting: Use apps (PhotoPills, Gaia GPS, TPE) to plan sun, moon, and terrain

• Weather Watching: Clouds, storms, and fog = magic opportunities

Field Checklist

◻️ ISO 100 / f/11 / Tripod locked

◻️ Focus 1/3 into scene or on subject

◻️ Use 2-sec timer or remote trigger

◻️ Check histogram (no clipped whites)

◻️ Compose with intention: lead the eye

◻️ Scan corners—remove distractions

◻️ Review and adjust: bracket or refocus if needed

◻️ Be patient—great light makes great shots

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