In Landscape Photography, composition is one of your most essential decisions. It is how you decide what you want in the frame. Every time you bring your camera to your eye, you are composing a shot. Taking time to think about your landscape photography can turn a snapshot into a great photograph. Using Rule of thirds, lead lines, foreground interest and your background, can make your images truly engaging.
Before you read this posting, perhaps you should read about gear, light and location.
Research
Looking at other images, if any, of a particular area can help you come up with ideas. These images can show you how others chose to compose their image and help you to create a unique image. Google the place, look for it in Flickr and/or in Wikipedia. Looking at other images is a great strategy. Get out in the area you are shooting, explore, and understand your shot as much as you can. It will reflect in your image. Have fun with it. Landscape photography should not be work. Landscape photography should be an adventure. Take your time, and have fun. Remember never be content with what you first see. When looking at a vista, move around and get that unique shot.
Now, we’re not saying that you should copy ideas, but instead use them for inspiration to create your own work.
Yes, the Rule of Thirds Again.
The rule of thirds is so very important to landscape photography. It helps you to organize the visual features of your scene. Look through your viewfinder and picture a tic tac toe grid. Some cameras like my Nikon D90
Lead Lines
Having lines in a landscape image can help give it depth and lead the viewer’s eye in the image. When composing your image, leading lines can be paths, sidewalks or coast lines. The lines can go towards your subject or away from it. It took me a little time to learn. I used train tracks as a learning tool, because it is my major mode of transportation. In landscape photography, a major line to use is the horizon. They can divide the image between the ground and sky and provide an anchor for the image. Vertical lines can convey height and growth helping give the landscape scale. Vertical lines can also frame out a subject in an image, making the landscape the background.
Layers and Planes
If you have large overlapping shapes (like rolling hills and mountains) in your landscape image, it can look layered. If you pay attention to your lighting, you can show different shades of color through the image.
This is also done through depth of field control.
In the Foreground
A strong foreground helps to create depth. Something as simple as a flower with contrasting colors or something else that is eye catching. This, in conjunction with lead lines, will pull the viewer’s eye to one part of the photo, giving them a start point. Creating strong foreground interest is easier to do using a wide-angle lens and a small aperture like F/16 and below. The smaller apertures will provide a good depth of field.
Play with your Viewpoints
Try not to shoot from the same point of view. Try to get down low and see how the shot will appear. Try to get higher. Angle your camera up a little and down a little. Take the time to look at as many vantage points as possible. Over time, it will become instinct and you will be able to see the best position for a shot right away. This will help your landscapes be as unique as possible.
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