You don't have to be Ansel Adams to turn a simple scenic shot into an impressive landscape photograph. Just
follow the tips below, and you will know how to showcase nature in no time.
Use the right light
Generally the best light for outdoor photography is shortly after sunrise, or in the late afternoon right
before sunset. Try these tricks too:
Turn off your flash and work with available light. Be sure to use a tripod if you are in a
low-light situation.
Experiment with where light is shining in your scene: front, back, or on the side. Side lighting produces
more texture between light and shade.
Capture an object in the foreground of your image to create depth. Using the landscape shooting mode should
allow both this object and the background to be in focus.
Or, you can go fully manual and adjust
depth of field
by choosing a custom aperture and shutter speed. Experiment with different f-numbers. Each one will subtly
change your depth of field.
A panorama is a series of photos digitally stitched together to form one wide image.
Several digital cameras offer in-camera panorama stitching—a
feature that fuses up to five single shots together to create one seamless image—right in your camera. No
software needed!
Including people in your landscapes can give your photos personality and help establish scale.
Try shots with your figures up close and great scenery in background. Or, capture figures in the distance for
some drama.
Snowy days are the perfect time to capture magical Winter shots. The key to
great snow pictures
is white balance. This camera function balances colors based on the lighting situation.
Just set your camera to the snow shooting mode (on select models), and it will automatically adjust the
camera's white balance to compensate for snow and lighting conditions.
Or use your camera's manual controls to adjust white balance until the snow's color is correct. You'll be
able to see the image change on your camera's screen, so adjust up or down until the whites in the photo look
accurate.
The enhanced contrast of black and white accentuates lines, textures, and edges, making it a good choice for
capturing landscapes (a jagged mountain range, sand patterns in the desert, a stormy sky).
Take a free online class
in digital photography! Explore the many features of your digital camera, find tips for cropping and editing your
images, and discover new ideas for sharing your photos in creative ways.
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