Get Great Landscape Photos Like Professional Photographers

Great landscape photos take more than just a human body and a camera at a great location, there are a lot of very important factors involved...

Vrooom! Flashy race cars speed down the track. The people in the crowd leap to their feet and scream with excitement!

Do you ever dream of being a race car driver?

You would have thousands of people watching in admiration...

The problem is, most of us know how to drive, but very few people have the skills, experience, or resources to drive a race car.

Professional landscape photographers are a lot like race car drivers.

Ok, so photography is certainly not so dangerous. But what does photography and racing have in common?

You could be looking at the best scenery in the world, but do you know how to capture it?

Anyone can pick up a camera and push the button. Getting a great photograph that makes a viewer gasp in admiration is another story.

So you want to take amazing pictures like the professionals?

What makes a great photo?

There is a difference between a good photo and a great photo. An average photo seems ok. It's nice.

A great photo is one that makes someone say, "Wow!" It touches something inside of the viewer.

A great landscape photo has a clear subject, a focal point. It has a story to tell. It conveys a message and brings an emotion, such as happiness, peace, sadness… 

A great photo is also one that is technically correct, with proper exposure and color balance. Great photos take more than just passion. A truly amazing photo takes technical skills and the right gear as well.

What is a professional photographer really?

A pro photographer is generally defined as someone who sells their photography for a living. Pros have more than just a love for photography. They are people who get paid to do what they love. They give photography their full time focus. Professional photographers understand the technical part, the science behind the photography.

Bottom line, to earn a living, professionals have the technical abilities to quickly achieve great landscape photos, and the kit to select the best gear for the situation.

Why are professional photographers different than you or I?

There is something the separates professionals from amateurs. You can be passionate about photography, but you must also have the knowledge and the gear to make that amazing photograph.

The biggest difference is that they have a lot of experience. And they usually have top of the line equipment and know how to use it. Being skilled in post processing scenery photos in Photoshop is another  underestimated but important element that separates the professionals from amateurs.

But wait a minute! What if you aren't a professional photographer!

How do you get great landscape photos, too? Beautiful photos really are achievable even if you aren't a pro.

Here's how:

1. Learn how to use the photography equipment you do have.



2. Learn how to adjust the camera settings for the current situation.
   
   
3. Learn some basic Photoshop adjustments, such as curves and color balance.
   
   
4. Take more pictures. Practice, practice, practice.
   
   

Here's some of the basic equipment that's essential for taking great scenery shots:

• SLR camera (or at least a point and shoot with adjustable settings.)
• Tripod or IS (image stabilizer) lens
• Wide angle lens
• Polarizing filter
• Photoshop

Basic landscape photography tips:

• Take more time with your shots. Think about what you are doing and the look you want to achieve. use the rule of thirds for your horizons. Divide your scene into thirds horizontally, there will be three sections, and two dividing lines. Position the horizon on the on either the top  or bottom line.
  
  
• Include three elements: a foreground, mid ground, and background. The foreground leads a viewer into an image and creates depth.
  
  
• Experiment with the settings. Don't always shoot with your camera on automatic. Depending on the light conditions, you can adjust the exposure to be darker or lighter.
  
  
• Learn how to use histogram on the camera to ensure proper exposure.
  
  
• Avoid the hottest time of day. In mid-day noon photography the sky will be too bright and be over exposed. Shadows will be harsh, and colors will be washed out.
  
  
• Use the magic hour.  Photograph scenery in the best time of day, the early morning or late afternoon for warm, beautiful lighting.
  
  
• Be creative. Explore different angles. Get down closer to the ground, or find a higher view point.
  
  
• Use a polarizing filter to enhance the green of the landscape and the blue of the sky.
  
  
• Use a wide angle lens to get a wider scene and capture the grandeur of the landscape.
  
  
• Use a tripod or hold the camera carefully to reduce shake that causes blurry photos.
  
  
• Be on the lookout for unusual skies, fluffy clouds, thunderstorms, brilliant sunsets.
  
  
• Take advantage of rare but beautiful moments. Realize that scenery pictures can be affected by the time of day, weather conditions, seasons, etc.
  
  
• Use a high aperture such as f/16 or higher to get as much of the scene in focus as possible.
  
  
• Keep the horizon straight. There is nothing more irritating than a crooked horizon in a landscape photo.
  
  
• Last but not least, practice, practice, practice. Take more pictures. The more experience you get, the better your photos will be, and the higher the changes of getting a truly great photo.

You may not be a race car driver. You may not be a professional photographer. 

But that doesn't even matter. Digital camera's are getting better everyday. They are easier to use and take high quality photographs. Also, there are tons of free learning resources available online, a multitude of photography tips on iSharePictures, and lots of excellent photography books to read.

YOU can get great scenery photos with some extra effort and practice on your part. And you don't even have to go to the race track and risk your neck to do it!

Share your great landscape photos today! Click here now...

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