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Without a doubt, landscape photographs would be the most common shots you take when you’re on holiday

Words and photography by Simone Costi

Last month we looked at some general techniques and ways to improve your photography, such as using a tripod, lining up your subject, the rule of thirds and surveying your subject. These are all very important things that can help make all your photographs better, but are also essential for landscape photography.

However, there are a few other things that are worth taking into account too.

The most popular lens to use for landscape photography is a wide angle lens. You can get away with a small zoom lens too, depending on what you want to use your images for and of course, how much money you want to spend on your camera kit.

So you’ve got your gear (including a must-have tripod) and you’re ready to shoot. What next? Yes, you can shoot anything and everything, and might get a couple of okay pics out of it, but it is best to think before you act.

You’ve probably got an idea of where you’re heading for the day, whether you’re planning to go out and play with your camera, or you’ve got a day trip on your itinerary. To obtain some great shots, do some research about the area first. For instance, if it is a popular tourist destination, consider when are the quieter times to visit it, so you don’t get people wandering in and out of your shot. Lucky for you, the quiet times are generally early morning and in the evening, which are coincidentally the best time of day to photograph. Also think about the items you might require when you’re out on your shoot – lenses, tripod, spare batteries, extra film or memory cards and wet weather protection. A little forward planning will help you get better shots.

Now you’ve reached your destination and you’re preparing to shoot. Before you press the button – think again. Look at your subject and consider what the photo will look like. Is it going to be the run of the mill shot that everyone on the tour group will have? Probably – after all, the obvious is the easiest option to shoot. But it isn’t the best.

Try and shoot from a different viewpoint or aspect. Remember that both you and your camera can move – you don’t need to be cemented to the one spot. Wander around the area and search out a different angle. Different angles also include heights, so get down low – put your camera on the ground or lie down, or get up high – climb a tree, up a rock, onto a staircase, or on a bridge. Keep in mind that your camera doesn’t just have to be positioned horizontally or vertically – you can tilt it too and this often allows for interesting results. Be creative and you’ll get a creative shot.

Look at the subject differently – is it just a big rock or is it made up of millions of small particles? Is it a stretch of lonely dirt road or comprised of cracked and dry tiles of clay? Is it just a beach or is it a coral beach, made up of chunks of coral. Get up close and shoot the essence of the landscape. These shots are often more interesting and tell a better story than the postcard shot.

Consider framing the subject. How do you do that? Like everything in photography, use your imagination. The rails in an outback fence might form the border for a lone daisy in the paddock beyond. A tree trunk and branch could frame a kangaroo in the bush. Perhaps a doorway in an old barn could surround the bales of hay within. The possibilities are endless – you’ve just got to keep an open mind. But the thing you do have to determine when taking the shot is what is your subject – the frame or the item beyond it?

A good landscape image will have three parts; the foreground (the stuff at the front of the photo), the midground (what is in the middle), and the background (what is in the back of the shot). This helps create balance in your shots. Tie this in with the rule of thirds mentioned in last month’s article, where you imagine your view finder has been divided into thirds, both horizontally and vertically and looks like a grid. Then when you’re aiming, line up the subject with one of these grid lines. This creates interest in your shots and helps you make sure you just don’t put the subject smack-bang in the middle – boring!

Also associated with these techniques is the use of leading lines. Leading lines are meant to guide your eyes to the main subject in the photo. Common leading lines are roads, trees, walls and fences. Like framing your subject, you do have to make sure that the leading line doesn’t overpower the actual subject – unless of course your subject is the lines themselves?

Landscape photography more often than not will include the horizon. So where should you position it? Commonly, it ends up in the middle or in the top third. But it doesn’t matter. You’ll find that each shot you take will look better with a different horizon position. So experiment. Remind yourself what is the subject and how does the sky improve or detract from it.

There is one aspect of photography that you can’t control and it seems to have the greatest effect on landscape shots. That’s right – the weather. Weather is often the bane of photographers’ existence. But don’t let it get in your way. As long as you’ve got some good wet weather gear (for you and your camera), you’ll be fine.

Rainy or stormy weather can create different images and evoke great moods. Hazy, misty shoots or grey old days can actually be great for some subjects. Not long ago I went on a tour at Stockton beach and learnt about all the area’s war history. When I arrived I was so disappointed that is was a bleary old day. But once we got going, I realised that happy blue skies didn’t suit the history of the war time stories. As with the Sygna shipwreck. It would look pretty funny on a beautiful blue day with calm seas – but on a stormy grey day with massive swells, it seemed right at home and added a more accurate mood to the story.

And if all else fails and the rain has ruined your day and photos, then think about turning them into black and white or if you’ve got the computer programs – tweak it a bit.

Last of all, try and keep it simple. You don’t want to cram too much stuff into the frame. You want a nice, clear shot of the subject – not all the bits and pieces around it. Remember – simple and clean.

As you would’ve realised by now, there’s a fair bit of thinking and patience required for photography. Stop – think – consider – line up – consider – shoot – consider. It is a time consuming hobby, but take your time and enjoy yourself.

For some helpful, practical and most importantly, easy to understand photography tips and techniques, check out Lonely Planet’s Landscape Photography by Peter Eastway. It shows you how to capture the stunning scenery you encounter on the road. Prices start from $25.95 and are available from all good bookstores or www.lonelyplanet.com