The first thing to understand is that the beauty and essence of a photograph comes from the actual moment that was captured. Every single image taken in nature is a moment that you were lucky enough to experience, and nobody else will ever have that exact experience again. Our job is to record and document that experience or moment through a visual medium so others can experience it.

This is what makes a beautiful landscape photograph. When looking at an amazing landscape photograph, do you feel like you are there? Do you feel like you can imagine what it felt like to be there? Do you feel something at all? This, of course, is what all art comes down to–a feeling conveyed. The more effectively you can capture what a moment felt like, the more effective the image will be at making an impression within your viewer.

Shift your mindset of photography from simply 'taking a great photo,' to capturing an experience and communicating the beauty of a moment that you were lucky enough to witness.

A photographers best tool is their compositional skills. Composition refers to the arrangement/placement of visual elements within a photo, and the various guiding principles that can be used to create said photo. Composition is what makes a photo visually interesting or not. Someone may photograph an amazing subject under gorgeous lighting, but poor composition will generally result in a fairly mediocre and boring photo. This being said, there are no rules to what makes a good photograph since it is entirely subjective like all art forms. However, there are some basic elements that, when used, are powerful tools that help make your photo more effective and visually interesting to look at:

• Lines
• Shape/Form
• Scale
• Color
• Texture
• Pattern
• Space
• Depth
• Dynamic Range

When it comes to these visual compositional tools, I find it incredibly helpful to mentally isolate each visual element of your photograph. By doing this, and imagining your scene as separate pieces of a puzzle, you can move your point-of-view to 'rearrange' those visual elements within the frame.

Keep reading to learn everything about composition!

There are a few habits you must start in order to greatly improve your landscape photography skills.

1. Practice mental photography. Photography is a constant frame of mind that shouldn’t stop when you aren’t holding a camera. Anytime you go outside, or even in your own house, be on the lookout for photo ideas or inspiration. When looking upon even the most vaguely pleasant of scenes, think to yourself, “How would I take a photo of this moment?” Be open to inspiration from anywhere and everywhere. Soak in as much information as you can wherever you go, and when you do go to pick up the camera, you’ll have fresh ideas or inspiration to draw upon. 

2. Shift your point of view. Practice moving your camera around even if its an inch at a time. By constantly shifting your point-of-view and looking through your camera, your eyes will become better trained to pick out the subtle differences between photos that will improve your compositional skills.

3. Be goal-oriented but open minded. Each time you go out to take photos, set yourself a simple but specific goal, like taking photos of sunset, movement of water, patterns in shadow, etc. Work towards your goal, but be open-minded to other ideas that you have or other opportunities for a photograph. Constantly be on the lookout practicing mental photography.

Learn what to expect and what shots to plan for when you go out to take photos. The sky can be quite an important factor of landscape photography, and makes a big difference, especially in lighting. Watch the weather and learn how to guess how the weather will effect the lighting and style of your photography.

Do you want dramatic clouds in the sky? No clouds? Light cloud cover?

• Overcast, low contrast clouds = diffused subtle lighting, moody, little to no shadows
• Overcast, high contrast clouds = diffused lighting, dramatic differences in lighting of the sky
• Broken-up, bright clouds = varies between direct and diffused lighting (depending on sun coverage), results in interesting shadow and light play
• Broken-up, dark clouds = highly varied lighting (depending on sun coverage), interesting shadow and light play
• Scattered/sparse clouds = direct to slightly diffused lighting, usually results in brilliant golden hour light
• No clouds = direct, harsh lighting, results in dramatic shadows
• Hazy = unpleasant in midday lighting, but very nice as the sun gets lower

Rain, snow, wind, and fog are also very interesting elements to consider in landscape photography. They add drama and “atmosphere” to your photos, but can come at a cost.

Wind can create movement in trees, plants, clouds which may blur or distort elements of your photo, but can be used creatively with long exposures.

Understanding how the weather plays a role in landscape photography is crucial in order to your plan shots.