Lucky for you, though, this landscape photography guide will share five keys to taking more impactful photos. We’ll touch on photography techniques such as lighting, isolating subjects, visual tension, composition, editing, and more!

With that in mind, keep reading to elevate your photography skills to new heights and take more impactful photos of landscapes!

Check out the video above by Michael Shainblum to learn his number one landscape photography tip to be more creative and take more impactful photos.

Table of Contents

• Impactful Photos Feature Beautiful Light
• Isolate Subjects in the Frame for More Impact
• Create Visual Tension in the Frame for Impactful Photos of Landscapes
• Help the Viewer Out by Leading Their Eye
• Create More Impactful Photos Through Editing and Presentation

Impactful Photos Feature Beautiful Light

Photo by sun ok via Shutterstock

Light can 100% make or break landscape photography. For example, you can completely transform a scene depending on how it’s illuminated and the sun’s position. Generally, the two best times for landscape photography are during the golden hour and the blue hour. Golden hour is right after sunrise and before sunset, while blue hour is right before sunrise and after sunset. 

If you want to shoot during the middle of the day when the sun is high in the sky and at its brightest, it’s best to use ND filters. They let you control the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor, avoid overexposed images, and create soft backgrounds. ND filters are also an essential tool for long-exposure photography.

Another fun way to play with light is with shadows and silhouettes. Side lighting creates natural shadows in landscapes and adds depth to images. In contrast, you must use backlighting for silhouettes. To completely eliminate shadows, you need front lighting, usually from a bright artificial light source.

Isolate Subjects in the Frame for More Impact

Photo by EB Adventure Photography via Shutterstock

Try isolating the subject to take impactful photos and attract viewers’ attention to a specific subject in a landscape scene. There are many ways to isolate subjects in the frame—let’s take a closer look at some of them.

The most popular way is, without a doubt, using shallow depth of field (bokeh) effects. This technique blurs the background of your image while keeping your subject perfectly in focus. You want to use a high aperture (low f-stop number) to do this. Once you get the hang of how and when to shoot shallow depth-of-field photography, it’s also great for portraits!

Other ways to isolate subjects in your images include light and shadows, motion blur, color, focal length, and point of view. 

Create Visual Tension in the Frame for Impactful Photos of Landscapes

Photo by Kedofoto via Shutterstock

Using visual tension in your landscape photography is another technique that leads to more impactful photos. What is visual tension? It’s a composition principle that arranges your subjects and background within the frame in a way that evokes a feeling of anticipation and unease. 

A fun way to create visual tension in landscape photography is through the use of reflections. Reflections juxtapose a landscape in a unique way that immediately captures attention and draws viewers in for a second look. You can use mirrors, tiles, windows, and bodies of water for reflection photography. 

More tips for visual tension are working with symmetry, using diagonal lines, rotating images, and experimenting with visual gravity.  

Help the Viewer Out by Leading Their Eye

Photo by Andrew Mayovskyy via Shutterstock

Every once in a while, you must guide your viewers toward the primary subject in your landscape photography. A great way to accomplish this is by leading their eyes towards where you want them to look. 

A simple way to create impactful photos and “push” people’s attention is to use leading lines. Leading lines are a photography technique that uses natural or artificial lines within the frame to direct the eyes to a specific spot. The photo of the island and pier above is a perfect example of how to use leading lines in landscape photography to take more impactful photos. 

Other effective ways to lead the viewer’s eyes are vignetting, creating a “frame within a frame,” blur, and contrast. 

Create More Impactful Photos Through Editing and Presentation

Photo by Yevhenii Chulovskyi via Shutterstock

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of editing and properly presenting your photos. In the past, photo editing was primarily done only by professional photographers, but now, it’s a crucial step in the photography process for photographers of all skill levels. Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop are the two most popular photo editing programs today.

Two easy ways to enhance your images during editing are boosting colors and contrast. You can also reframe them, boost clarity, brighten/darken the exposure, and create artificial blur effects.

How you showcase your images also greatly impacts their visual impact. For example, the same image displayed on a small smartphone screen will have substantially less effect on people than a large photo print. 

That said, we love transforming our impactful photos into gorgeous large-format metal prints from Large Metal Prints. These folks only use premium materials, and have printers with outstanding color accuracy. You can order a metal print in all manner of sizes up to 48″ x 84″. Talk about a large metal print!

Moreover, you can order your print from Large Metal Prints in a variety of ways. Get the print by itself, with a gallery mount or floating hanger, an easel, or a Euro frame, just to name a few. You can truly customize the sizing and presentation of your print to satisfy your personal tastes or the purpose of the print (e.g., a wow factor print on your wall or a small print on an easel to display on your desk).

Showcasing your work – even to yourself in your own home – is a great way to improve your skills even further. What better way to critique your photo than by examining it as a huge wall print?! Better still, it’s a fun way to share your photos with family and friends who can enjoy your skills and talents. You can even give your photos as gifts to loved ones! Who wouldn’t appreciate a gorgeous print like those shown above?

But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding…

In the video below, our very own Alex Schult takes you behind the curtain of a recent print he ordered from Large Metal Prints, and as you can see, the results are just WOW:

As you can see, Large Metal Prints knocked this one out of the park. Again, with loads of options for customizing your print and years of dedicated service to their customers, Large Metal Prints is a great option for showcasing your hard work behind the lens.

So, now all you need to do is go practice these tips! Great results come from hard work, so the sooner you get to it, the sooner you will see improved results!

Heads up: Clicking on our affiliate links and exploring our sponsored content helps us at no extra cost to you, and we only recommend gear we’re absolutely crazy about!

Learn More:

• Is a Zoom or a Prime the Best Lens for Landscape Photography?
• Photography Tips: Techniques for Beautiful Landscapes

Hero photo by Zhukova Valentyna via Shutterstock

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So, let’s shake things up a bit!

Below, I’ve outlined five unique exercises that can truly help you develop your craft and see the world through a more creative lens. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

• Embrace Constraints to Enhance Your Photography Skills
• Study Art Outside of Photography
• Take On a 365 Project to Target Specific Photography Skills
• Recreate Famous Photos
• Printing Your Photos Helps You See Your Photography Skills in Action

Embrace Constraints to Enhance Your Photography Skills



Photo by Desizned via Shutterstock

One of the most effective ways to improve your photography skills is to restrict what you do. This might sound counterintuitive, but limiting your options can actually boost your creativity. 

For example, you might constrain yourself by shooting with just one lens. So, choose one lens and stick with it for an entire week. Whether it’s a 50mm prime, a 24-70mm zoom, or a specialty lens like a macro lens, using just one lens forces you to think more critically about composition and perspective.

You’ll also learn to move around more, get closer to your subjects, and see things from different angles. This is important for all genres of photography, so add to the one lens constraint by practicing portraits, landscapes, street, and other types of photography with your one lens. Then, after a week, switch to another lens and use it for seven days. Repeat the process for all the lenses in your kit – the results you get might surprise you!

So, you have a technical constraint to try – not try a creative constraint…



Photo by Matt Tilghman via Shutterstock

Spend a week shooting exclusively in black and white. This exercise strips away the distraction of color, helping you to focus on light, shadow, texture, and form. You’ll start to notice how different lighting conditions impact your photos and how you can use contrast to enhance your black-and-white images.

Furthermore, this exercise is helpful for advancing your post-processing skills. After all, you’ll need to remove the color from your images in post so you can develop that competency and use other editing tricks to give your photography an even bigger boost.

Study Art Outside of Photography



Photo by Pressmaster via Shutterstock

Improving your photography skills isn’t just about taking more photos. Sometimes, the best lessons come from other forms of art…

Spend time at a museum or art gallery, studying paintings from different periods and styles. Pay attention to how painters use light, composition, and color to convey emotions and stories. Notice the use of leading lines, the placement of subjects, and how they create depth in their work. Try to apply these concepts to your photography.

Films are a treasure trove of inspiration for photographers, too. Directors like Stanley Kubrick and Alfred Hitchcock were masters of composition and lighting. Pay attention to how scenes are framed, how lighting is used to set the mood, and how movement is captured. These elements can provide a new perspective on framing and storytelling in your photography.

Take On a 365 Project to Target Specific Photography Skills



Photo by Aris Group via Shutterstock

One of the most transformative exercises for improving your photography skills is a 365 project. This involves committing to taking at least one photo every day for a year (or, if that’s too much of a commitment, try our 30-day creative eye challenge!). So, why does this work?

There are two primary reasons…

First, a 365 project builds the habit of daily shooting, which is essential for growth. It forces you to constantly look for new ideas and opportunities, even on days when you don’t feel particularly inspired. Over time, this discipline will become second nature; you’ll take more photos more often, and your skills will improve as a result.

And second, by the end of the year, you’ll have a comprehensive body of work that reflects your growth and evolving style. Periodically reviewing your photos can help you identify patterns, preferences, and areas of improvement. You’ll start to notice what subjects, compositions, and techniques resonate most with you, too. Developing your personal photography style is part of the journey of improving your photography skills.

Recreate Famous Photos



Ansel Adams, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Another unique exercise is to recreate famous photos. This isn’t about copying but about understanding the elements that make an iconic image successful. Here’s how to go about it:

Choose a Photo

Select a photograph that inspires you, whether it’s a classic Ansel Adams landscape or a striking portrait by Annie Leibovitz. Study the photo in detail, analyzing the lighting, composition, and mood.

Recreate the Shot



Photo by Dean Fikar via Shutterstock

Try to recreate the photo as closely as possible. This exercise will teach you a lot about the technical and creative decisions that go into making a powerful image. For instance, if you’re recreating a landscape, you’ll need to consider the time of day, weather conditions, and vantage point. If it’s a portrait, pay attention to the lighting setup, pose, and expression.

Reflect and Apply

After recreating the photo, reflect on the process and what you’ve learned. Think about how you can apply these lessons to your own work. This exercise helps you understand the thought process behind successful images and can significantly enhance your photography skills.

Printing Your Photos Helps You See Your Photography Skills in Action



Last but certainly not least, print your best work! 

Sure, you can take a hundred photos a day and quickly review them on your phone, tablet, or computer. But viewing your images on a screen is a cold and sterile experience. Selecting your best work to print, though, requires much more involvement on your part.

Not only do you have to cull your images and select the best one – which helps you identify what works and doesn’t work for creating the best shots – but you also have to edit the images you select as the best. As noted earlier, practicing post-processing skills is an important part of becoming a better photographer.

What’s more, there’s something to be said for having a physical print in your hands. As I discuss in my video above, I got a print from Large Metal Prints a few months ago that absolutely astounded me. And while I knew the photo I selected was a banger when I viewed it on my computer screen, having Large Metal Prints print it made the viewing experience so much more engaging. Consider this:

A large print puts your successes behind the lens front and center. You can more clearly see what went right in the photo to make it a successful shot.

At the same time, a large print also brings your mistakes to the forefront. A slight miss on the focus here, a random branch protruding into the frame there, and other small oversights have nowhere to hide when you’re holding a print in your hands. This helps you identify areas you need to work on to improve your photography skills further.

A print celebrates your hard work. It’s something you can hang in your home or office to admire each time you walk by. It’s also an opportunity to let others enjoy your work!



But, as with all things, not all prints are made alike. When choosing a company to print your images, you want to partner with folks who have the expertise to get it right and the dedication to customer service to ensure you have the best experience. I’ve gotten both time and time again from Large Metal Prints.

Part of the reason for this is because Large Metal Prints is a small family-owned business. That means their focus is solely on each customer and the images they want printed. What’s more, as their name states, Large Metal Prints only deals with printing on metal – a choice that might limit their bottom line but certainly boosts the quality and attention to detail of their prints.



I get why many printing companies offer canvas, paper, acrylic, metal, and all sorts of other photography substrates and products. But sometimes having a broad range of products means that there’s a lack of quality. That’s just not the case with Large Metal Prints!

Remember – improving your photography skills is a journey, not a destination. It takes time! But by embracing these unique exercises, you’ll push yourself out of your comfort zone and discover new ways to see and capture the world. Remember, the goal is not just to take better photos but to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the art of photography. So, grab your camera and start exploring these exercises today – you’ll be amazed at how much you can grow!

A quick heads-up: If you snag something through our affiliate links or check out our sponsored content, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But fear not, we’re all about recommending stuff we’re truly stoked about!

Learn More:

• Get All the Landscape Photography Inspiration You Need With These Simple Tips
• The Art of Child Portrait Photography
  

Hero Photo by Dragon Images via Shutterstock

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]]> https://www.photographytalk.com/5-unique-exercises-to-help-improve-your-photography-skills/feed/ 0 https://www.photographytalk.com/the-art-of-child-portrait-photography/ https://www.photographytalk.com/the-art-of-child-portrait-photography/#respond Tue, 30 Apr 2024 04:55:00 +0000 https://photographytalk.com/?p=380 Photo by Africa Studio via Shutterstock Whether you are a professional portrait photographer or a loving parent who wants to take better photos of your children, this article is for you. In this child portrait photography guide, we’ll share five photography tips to help achieve better results. Now, without further ado, let’s jump right into it! […]

The post The Art of Child Portrait Photography appeared first on Photography Talk.

]]> Photo by Africa Studio via Shutterstock

Whether you are a professional portrait photographer or a loving parent who wants to take better photos of your children, this article is for you. In this child portrait photography guide, we’ll share five photography tips to help achieve better results. Now, without further ado, let’s jump right into it!

Check out the video above by Tony & Chelsea Northrup for a quick tutorial on how to photograph kids, babies, and children.  

Table of Contents

• Child Portrait Photography Requires You to Connect With Your Subject
• Choose the Right Location for Child Portrait Photography
• Child Portrait Photography Composition and Posing Tips
• Capture Authentic Moments
• Provide Beautiful Print Options for Child Portrait Photography

Child Portrait Photography Requires You to Connect With Your Subject



Photo by Halfpoint via Shutterstock

Whenever you shoot portraits, you always want to try and connect with your subjects in one way or another to capture successful pictures. That said, connecting with subjects is especially important when working with children. This is because most children are naturally more shy and reserved than adults.

The best way to connect with child subjects is to try and build rapport with them before starting the photo shoot. Children who trust you and feel comfortable around you are likelier to be themselves during the shoot and convey genuine expressions and emotions. Here are a few tips on how to build rapport with children.

• Smile, be friendly, and embrace your inner child.
• Be patient with children and let them be themselves. 
• Ditch your usual pose guide and get silly and creative.
• Always use positive reinforcement with children. 
• Bring props and toys kids can use during the photo shoot. 

Choose the Right Location for Child Portrait Photography



Photo by PeopleImages.com – Yuri A via Shutterstock

Where you shoot child portrait photography will greatly impact the final results. We highly recommend speaking with the parents as much as possible before a photo shoot to know exactly what type of images they want. If you are on the same page as the parents from the get-go, your life will be much easier on photoshoot day. 

The three most common locations for child portraits are natural environments,  photography studios, and indoor spaces. Each one creates a drastically different mood and will affect how you work as a digital storyteller. Let’s examine each one a bit closer. 

Outdoor child portrait photography emphasizes the background and surroundings of children and is ideal for seasonal photo shoots. Studio child portrait photography is more formal and a good option for school and family portraits. Lastly, indoor child portrait photography usually occurs in the child’s home and is good for lifestyle photography and photo cards. 

Child Portrait Photography Composition and Posing Tips



Photo by Africa Studio via Shutterstock

As always, composition plays a key role in child portrait photography. If you don’t compose your portraits well, your clients will be unhappy, and your child photography business will suffer. The easiest way to capture visually appealing portraits is to use the rule of thirds. Simply following this basic principle of composition will instantly improve your results!

Once you’ve mastered the rule of thirds, you can get more creative with composition. Experimenting with photography techniques like filling the frame, leading lines, negative space, and angles/perspectives can lead to gorgeous child portraits. 

Posing for child portrait photography can be tricky, and your approach will vary depending on each child’s age and personality. For example, we often ignore poses entirely with babies and super young children. If you are shooting kids a little older, we will try to organically incorporate poses into the photo shoot every once in a while. Here’s a list of good poses for children.

• Active poses (running, jumping, playing, reading, etc.)
• Laying down on their stomach
• Posing with parents, pets, and props
• Over the shoulder
• Headshots

Capture Authentic Moments



Photo by Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB via Shutterstock

Now that we have just finished telling you about poses, we want to reemphasize the importance of capturing real, authentic moments in child portrait photography. Part of the fun of working with and photographing kids is their unpredictability, and embracing this spontaneity is a must for all child portrait photographers.

Likewise, you must learn to be patient. No matter how much you plan, things will inevitably change when shooting children. Accepting this, being patient, and going with the flow will lead to better photos and is the only way to avoid going crazy, haha.

Additionally, you must always have your camera ready to shoot. You never know when a child will do something unexpected, and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to capture that candid moment. We suggest adjusting your camera settings for child portrait photography to continuous shooting mode and autofocus.

Provide Beautiful Print Options for Child Portrait Photography



Photo by Alena Ozerova via Shutterstock

Finally, you want to choose a print option that properly does justice to your child portraits. One medium we love is metal prints. They enhance colors and contrast while simultaneously providing unmatched durability, so they will be safe even with little kids running around the house! 

An excellent resource for customizing and ordering metal prints is Large Metal Prints. They are a premium online print shop focusing exclusively on beautiful metal prints. Moreover, their prints come in many shapes and sizes, have different finishes, and are affordable. Check out the links below to browse their most popular photography products.

• Metal Print Only
• Metal Print with Hanger
• Metal Print with Gallery Mount
• Metal Print with Euro Frame
• Metal Print with Shadow Frame

Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.

Learn More:

• A Beginner’s Guide to Portrait Photography Angles
• 3 Techniques That Will Completely Change Your Portrait Photography

The post The Art of Child Portrait Photography appeared first on Photography Talk.

]]> https://www.photographytalk.com/the-art-of-child-portrait-photography/feed/ 0 https://www.photographytalk.com/get-all-the-landscape-photography-inspiration-you-need-with-these-simple-tips/ https://www.photographytalk.com/get-all-the-landscape-photography-inspiration-you-need-with-these-simple-tips/#respond Thu, 11 Apr 2024 04:42:00 +0000 https://photographytalk.com/?p=371 Photo by Muskoka Stock Photos via Shutterstock You are not alone if you’re stuck in a creative rut, searching for more motivation and landscape photography inspiration. No matter how much experience or success someone has, every landscape photographer will occasionally experience times like these.  Therefore, the key is not to prevent them altogether but to minimize […]

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]]> Photo by Muskoka Stock Photos via Shutterstock

You are not alone if you’re stuck in a creative rut, searching for more motivation and landscape photography inspiration. No matter how much experience or success someone has, every landscape photographer will occasionally experience times like these. 

Therefore, the key is not to prevent them altogether but to minimize their lengths when they inevitably pop up. How do you do this? Keep reading to find out! 

Check out the video above by Ian Worth to see how he finds landscape photography inspiration close to home. 

Table of Contents

• Explore Local Parks and Nature Reserves for Landscape Photography Inspiration
• Study the Work of Famous Landscape Photographers for Inspiration
• Experimentation Can Boost Your Landscape Photography Inspiration
• Seek Inspiration Beyond Photography
• Printing Your Best Photos Can Be the Best Landscape Photography Inspiration

Explore Local Parks and Nature Reserves for Landscape Photography Inspiration



Photo by Emily Marie Wilson via Shutterstock

While everyone wants to photograph famous landscapes and beautiful national parks, you don’t have to go on grand adventures to find landscape photography inspiration. Local parks, nature reserves, and wilderness areas are all wonderful places to shoot landscapes closer to home. We highly encourage you to explore these often-overlooked areas next time you need landscape photography inspiration!

There are many benefits to immersing yourself in nearby nature and letting yourself connect and be one with your surroundings. For example, you can discover new perspectives, subjects, and wildlife. You don’t always have to go with your camera, either. In fact, we actually recommend leaving the camera at home from time to time to scout locations. 

If you are planning to travel for landscape photography inspiration, researching and planning your visit is essential. Tips for helping during the research/planning stage include checking weather forecasts and sunrise/sunset times, building a shot list, and investing in any special gear you may need for the photo shoot. 

Study the Work of Famous Landscape Photographers for Inspiration



Ansel Adams, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Another way to find landscape photography inspiration is to study the work of famous landscape photographers like Ansel Adams. He was an environmentalist and photographer during the middle of the nineteenth century and is considered a legend in landscape photography. He took the photo above of the Grand Tetons and Snake River in 1942. 

His dedication to core photography principles, such as composition, use of light, and choice of subjects, set him apart from other photographers of his time. Since they didn’t have digital cameras during his time, he would spend hours searching for and composing the perfect scene. 

Next time you are at home and need landscape photography inspiration, pull up some of his photos online and compare and contrast yours next to them. It’s a great way to analyze your photography skills and improve your creative eye. 

Experimentation Can Boost Your Landscape Photography Inspiration



Photo by Kluciar Ivan via Shutterstock

An easy way to lose landscape photography inspiration is to repeatedly take the same style of photos over and over again. To avoid this, we recommend regularly experimenting with different types of shots, angles, perspectives, etc. 

If you are short on ideas, consider investing in a new lens for landscape photography, such as a telephoto or macro lens. Using a new lens will completely change your approach and force you to devise new ways to capture the essence of a landscape. Photographing the same landscape in different seasons is also a fun way to gain landscape photography inspiration.

Adopting the mindset of a “lifelong learner” is another way to spark an interest in landscape photography. Watching videos on YouTube and browsing Instagram feeds of popular landscape photographers are two quick ways to feed your thirst for knowledge. Alternatively, you could sign up for a landscape photography workshop or enroll in a landscape photography course!

Seek Inspiration Beyond Photography



Photo by  dengali via Shutterstock

Not all landscape photography inspiration has to come from photography itself, though. Creativity and passion surround us all the time, which means you can learn lessons and gain inspiration from anything, whether it’s other art forms like painting, literature, film, and music or something unrelated like sports and cooking. 

Let’s look specifically at painting. When thinking about what makes a good painting, many of the same rules apply to photography. So, next time you are in a museum, focus on specific artistic aspects such as composition, color, and mood to see how the artist used them successfully and if you can do the same in your photos.

We’ve even had it happen that reading a book or watching a movie inspires us to start a new landscape photography project. National Geographic and the Discovery Channel are two of our go-to places for landscape photography inspiration. 

Printing Your Best Photos Can Be the Best Landscape Photography Inspiration



Finally, there’s no better source of landscape photography inspiration than yourself! The more often you see your images and are reminded of the photos and the memories that accompany them, the more likely you are to head into nature with your camera on a regular basis. In addition, printed photos offer a richer viewing experience than digital screens, allow for a more tactile viewing experience, and evoke stronger emotional connections. 

Our favorite way to view and connect with our images is to print them and proudly display them by hanging them around our homes and offices. To help with printing, we often turn to our friends at Large Metal Prints. They are a cutting-edge online printing company that specializes in—you guessed it—metal prints!

Metal prints pair particularly well with landscape photography because they accentuate contrast and colors, making them more visually appealing. Moreover, Large Metal Prints offers various metal print styles, sizes, and prices so that you can choose the best fit for your needs and budget.

Heads up: Clicking on our affiliate links and exploring our sponsored content helps us at no extra cost to you, and we only recommend gear we’re absolutely crazy about!

Learn More:

• Is a Zoom or a Prime the Best Lens for Landscape Photography?
• Use Artificial Light for Landscape Photography? Yes, You Can!

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