Australian award winning landscape photographer Craig Parry, shares his top tips on capturing the perfect landscape photograph.
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Plan ahead to get a great image
When considering your landscape photograph, it is important to think about how you will connect your audience to the moment. The secret here is to set out with the aim of evoking emotion and action from that image. Will your landscape image give the viewer goosebumps or takes their breath away? Will it encourage the viewer to explore and get into the wilderness themselves? Will it create wonder and inspire them to protect and conserve the natural environment? These are very important factors that will help you capture the perfect landscape photograph.
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Go at the right time
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or beginner, everyone has undoubtedly heard of 'golden hour'. Widely considered the best time to shoot landscape pictures, it refers to the period right before sunset and after sunrise. The light has warm tones and the shadows can softly complement the scene, making it easier to capture the perfect landscape photograph.
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Get creative
Work at finding your point of difference. You can do this by finding unique angles and perspectives. Go low, go high, move around - the options are endless. Also be sure to play around with how you capture the scene, for example - a slow shutter speed can create sense of movement. Creating your own style will also help you stand out in a crowded market.
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Consider your composition
It’s hard to go past the classic rule of thirds. For those that aren’t familiar, this is a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open. It’s good to think of your image as a grid.
When it comes to capturing the perfect landscape photograph, consider your composition in terms of intersection points and aim to divide the image into one-third and two-thirds. Placing points of interest at one of these points will balance your image. This also creates more tension, energy, and interest in the photograph. The rule of thirds will generally lead to compelling and well-composed shots.
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Keep at it
Persistence and passion are strong formulas for success. Never let anyone's negative opinion become your belief. You can only ever grow in your craft and be successful - nothing can stop you from achieving this.
