DSLR Landscape Photography Settings

Every photographer has heard of landscape photography, in fact it is one of the oldest genres of this great art. Getting it right though often requires more than patience.

Working with the elements and light are the key settings to essential DSLR landscape photography. To create stunning landscape images there are a few essential tips that can help you.

DSLR Landscape Photography Settings Analysis

DSLR Landscape photography remains increasingly popular with all photographers. Capturing a beautiful landscape instantly propels a photographer towards a creative high. However a few essential photography settings tips can make a huge difference in how the final image speaks to the viewer. Increasing your photographic skill helps you create long-lasting visually stunning moments that last forever.

You see some examples of my Landscape featuring forests here - Forest Escapes Fine Art Photography Gallery

Foregrounds in DSLR Landscape Photography

Framing a foreground object can help promote vast distances within your landscape image. Look for complimentary foreground images. With a selective depth of field you can start to generate a background that appears slightly out of focus, while the foreground stands out strong. Or alternatively use deep focus to capture all foreground and background images.

Movement of the Wind and Water

Capturing movement as well as reflections remains a great way of adding pure creativity to a beautiful landscape scene. Look at how the wind moves as well as water.

The Magic Light in DSLR photography

The early late hours remain the key to successful brilliant landscapes. Be prepared through waking hours before sunrise getting you prepared for those few moments as the sunrises. Scout the scene you want to photograph as well as the ideal angles and get set up. Similarly those magic moments before sunset provides the greatest light required for brilliant landscape photographs. Light at dawn or dusk provides yet another striking idea which may go against what you’ve heard about before.

That idea’s to shoot directly into the light. Traditional photographic thought teaches you to shoot with light behind you. Shooting into the light provides essential back-lighting or side lighting providing greater texture and depth to the landscape. Use a small aperture of around f16 or f22 to compensate for the increased light hitting your camera lens thus avoiding overexposure.

Convergence - Combining Elements in DSLR Landscapes

Defining when two separate elements of the landscape come together. It pays to sit and watch nature. This is your subject, begin to try and understand how it works. Creating a synergy between yourself and your subject is what marks all professional photographers. Look at the relationships between the various elements. This connectivity will help you become one with your subject.

Working with the Weather

Bad weather can provide phenomenal color shifts so learn to enjoy this aspect of landscape photography. Consider how the light dramatically changes the colors of your view very second as storm clouds or rain clouds begin to descend. The dynamism of weather must be encapsulated in your DSLR landscape photography.

Horizons as a Leveling Guide

Use the horizon as a leveling guide. Your landscape should predominately have a horizon that remains constantly level across your photograph. However sometimes you may want to break this rule to create a unique landscape photo. The horizon also helps divide the photograph into the acceptable thirds. Your photo should use the horizon as a dividing tool. Two thirds sky or one third sky the rest remains the land.

POV Point-Of-View

Look to create unusual POVs with you landscapes. Selecting a low POV or offering an unusual vantage point can give your landscape photography striking visual emphasis.
Photographing brilliant landscapes needn’t be beyond your reach. Implementing a few ideas at a time can help you create a stunning image every time. Learn to use the magic light as well as building synergy with your landscape subject. Weather can provide true creative moments so use it o a great extent. Horizons, POV, and movement can all help build composition and life into your wondrous landscape photograph.

Desert Landscapes make Striking DSLR Photographs

Protect your DSLR camera from the elements - great condition camera equipment leads to great landscape photography!

Man-made elements are a strong point for DSLR landscape photography

Manmade vehicles and buildings can add the perfect counterpoint to the force of nature in your landscape photography and photographs