We live in a digital age, which means many new possibilities are open to more people. Namely, there are plenty of new ways to do something you are fond of or love and make a living by doing so, and becoming a landscape photographer is just one of those things. Every person has been left in awe by some photo at some point in their lives. Now, even though much training and time is needed to become an expert in this field, even the best of the best have to start somewhere. That means that with a bit of patience, practice, and time, you can become a landscape photographer too, and with these five tips, reaching your photography goals should be even easier.
Choose the right equipment
Source:naturettl.com
Choosing the right equipment is the first step for every future landscape photographer, but it is much more challenging than it seems. Namely, every professional needs the right tools in order to achieve greatness, and the same is here, as having the proper equipment is simply a must. Yes, many modern smartphones are making great images, but it is not enough if you want to become a professional. On the other side, this equipment can be pretty expensive, so it is always better to start with a cheaper option and buy the more quality one when necessary. Luckily, there are many affordable pieces of equipment that can be found on the market, and all you need to do is do a little research on which ones are the best for you.
Going with the best and most expensive equipment doesn’t mean that taking great images is guaranteed, which is why picking the right type of equipment that suits your needs and experience is highly recommended. As for the experience, even though it matters, having an idea and being creative are the two most crucial elements in order to become a landscape photographer.
Use the advantage of the golden hour
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Most people will agree that every landscape, no matter how astonishing it is, looks even prettier during the golden hour, which is right before sunrise, or just before sunset. Because of that, it is perfect for beginners to shoot their first landscape photo during this period, as all they need is a good camera and perfect timing. It is always better to get to the location at least an hour before the golden hour to have enough time to prepare the equipment and take a few shoots in order to choose the best one. All you need is to choose the perfect location, and the golden color of the sky will do the rest. On the other hand, even though this might sound easy, in order to take a photo that will stand out from the rest, timing and creativity are also the key, but overall, you can never go wrong with taking photos at sunset.
The foreground element is the key
Many newbies in landscape photography tend to make this simple mistake, as they are preoccupied with the landscape, lighting, and timing that they often forget about the foreground element. As for why adding this element is important, it’s because it makes the photo looks more natural and exciting, which is the main goal. This often happens when taking shots of something that’s far away, as even though the entire image would definitely be one of a kind, if the photo lacks this element, it might seem bland and flat because there is no foreground. You can use many things to avoid such situations, and flowers, leaves, drops of water, etc., can be an ideal way to make some great photos iconic. Another thing that can be of great help here is using wide-angle lenses, as it will make the photo sharp and will make it easier to focus on the subject you want.
Pick the right format
Source:exposure.software
The most popular formats for images are JPEG and RAW, and it can be difficult for beginners to decide which of them they should use. When it comes to JPEG format, it is the one that is most used, and most mobile phones store photos as JPEG files. The main problem is lower quality due to the fact that JPEG files compress the details automatically. On the other side, RAW files are bigger and more difficult to process, but they do not compress the details, and because of that, these photos are of a much higher quality. Thanks to more details, and information, they are also much easier to edit, and the final photography looks much better.
There is no need to worry that you will need special equipment to shoot RAW format photos because almost every camera has this option, and thanks to some additional programs, it is possible to use RAW format even on smartphones. In general, taking high-quality photos that don’t take too much memory has never been easier, and once again, this is where picking the right equipment steps in.
Learn to use editing tools
Regardless of how much experience one has or how high quality the photo is, knowing the basics of editing photos at least is simply a must. It’s not just about using filters and other common tools to enhance the quality of the photo, as it is much more about making it clear, even when you take a photo of something while in a move. It is almost impossible to capture the perfect photography, no matter how good equipment you own, and because of that, it is necessary to learn how to use editing tools to achieve its best look.
Luckily, there are many of them on the market, and some of them can be downloaded for free, which is perfect for beginners who still search for the best tool for them. Most of them are simple to use, and you will become a pro with just a little practice. Of course, it is never a good idea to use them to edit every single detail, as instead of improving the photography, too much editing can make it look unnatural and fake. Now, making mistakes is also a part of the process, so even if you edit some photos a bit more than you should, make sure to learn from that mistake and not repeat it.
