My Journey Through the Technicalities of Landscape Photography

Landscape photography demands equal parts patience, skill, and a touch of persistence (some might argue madness). Over the years, I’ve faced my share of challenges—whether it’s working with tricky light, battling the elements, or simply trying to make the most of the gear I have. But that’s the beauty of it: every obstacle is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow.

I’ve picked up plenty of lessons—some the hard way and others through experimentation. In this blog, I’ll share some of the approaches that have helped me along the way, along with techniques I still rely on to improve my shots. Whether you’re a beginner or have been at this for years, these ideas should give you something to think about.

Taming the Light

One of the constant hurdles in landscape photography is dealing with scenes where the light feels impossible to balance. Bright skies and deep shadows can leave your image feeling flat or underwhelming. Getting your exposure wrong will either result in blown highlights, which you can’t recover, or an underexposed image that will be full of noise when you try to fix it in post. I’ve found that getting it right in camera is far better than dealing with the frustrations of trying to save it in editing.

To handle these situations, I’ve leaned on a few dependable methods:

Graduated Neutral Density Filters: These are brilliant for balancing high-contrast scenes, particularly during sunrises and sunsets when the sky can overpower the foreground. They allow you to balance the scene and get the shot in one exposure.
Bracketing and HDR: Shooting multiple exposures and blending them allows me to retain detail in both highlights and shadows—something a single shot can rarely achieve unless you use graduated ND filters.
Checking the Histogram: This simple tool ensures I’m capturing as much detail as possible, helping avoid blown highlights or muddy shadows. My rule of thumb is to expose as far to the right of the histogram as possible without clipping the highlights. This approach gives me the maximum amount of data to work with during editing.

Focusing on Sharpness

There’s no quicker way to feel deflated than realising an otherwise great image isn’t sharp. This has happened to me more times than I care to admit—and even recently, due to carelessness. However, over the years, I’ve found a few techniques that consistently deliver crisp results:

Hyperfocal Distance: By calculating this, I can maximise depth of field and ensure both foreground and background are in focus. While some argue this approach is overthought, I’ve found that focusing one-third into the scene works more often than not.
Focus Stacking: For complex scenes, I’ll take several shots with different focus points and blend them later for optimal sharpness. The key is to take enough shots to cover all areas of focus. This is particularly useful for macro scenes or when a foreground element is too close to the camera for any aperture to handle alone.
Manual Focus: Sometimes, autofocus just doesn’t cut it—especially in low light. Switching to manual focus lets me fine-tune and avoid frustration later. Modern mirrorless cameras often include focus peaking in the EVF, which highlights in-focus areas (usually in red or yellow). It’s a fantastic feature that simplifies manual focusing.

Long Exposures

Something is captivating about long exposures—they can completely transform a scene. Whether it’s smoothing out water or showing the movement of clouds, they add an extra layer of depth to an image.

To nail long exposures, I rely on a few key tools:

A Solid Tripod: This is non-negotiable. Stability is everything when working with slower shutter speeds.
Neutral Density Filters: These allow me to stretch exposure times, even during the day, for that dreamy effect.
Remote Shutter Release: Avoiding camera shake is essential, so I use a remote trigger or the camera’s countdown timer.
Bulb Mode: For exposures longer than 30 seconds, bulb mode and a timer give me complete control.

Second-Hand Gear

Let’s talk gear. There’s often an assumption that newer equals better, but I don’t see it that way. Some of the most reliable cameras and lenses are older flagship models—designed to perform at the highest level when they were first released.

When newer models come out, many photographers upgrade, leaving behind incredible equipment that’s still more than capable. Buying second-hand is a smart move if you’re on a budget. My camera, the Canon EOS R, is over seven years old, and it still delivers fantastic results. It was once a cutting-edge model, and the quality hasn’t diminished just because newer cameras now exist.

The beauty of this approach is that you’re getting pro-level gear for a fraction of the cost. Older models may lack some modern bells and whistles, but they’re still fully capable of producing exceptional images.

Optimising Camera Settings

Camera settings can feel overwhelming, but getting the basics right makes all the difference. The exposure triangle hasn’t changed despite all the innovations, so mastering these fundamentals is crucial. These are the starting points I rely on:

Aperture: For landscapes, I stick to f/8 or f/11 to maximise depth of field without sacrificing sharpness.
ISO: Keeping ISO low (100 or 200) minimises noise and preserves detail.
Shutter Speed: This depends on the situation—slow for capturing motion like water or clouds, fast to freeze the moment.

And Finally

You don’t need the latest gear or perfect conditions to create incredible images. Some of my favourite shots were taken with older gear in less-than-ideal settings. The key is to understand your tools, work within your limitations, and keep pushing yourself creatively.

Photography isn’t just about the final image; it’s about the process. So grab your camera—whether it’s brand new or a second-hand gem—and head out. Every shot is a chance to learn, grow, and enjoy the journey.

Let me know in the comments if there’s anything else you’d like to add—or if you’ve also found great value in second-hand gear.

I have made a video about this topic, which you can watch below.

Are These Challenges Holding Your Photography Back?