These tips and tricks are useful when exploring and trying to do landscape photography. In the mix are tips about finding new locations, dealing with weather and just about having a great time.

A lot of these tips were published originally among my Shetland and Orkney articles chronicling my adventures exploring those wonderful islands with the odd pro tip thrown in. 

So, I decided to compile them together into one article and I’ve expanded on that list with some more information and some more tips and tricks that I employ when doing landscape photography. 

These tips are not about camera settings or compositions, but about trying to enjoy your day and to plan your day a bit better. 

I hope you find them useful! I use them all the time!

1. Make use of local knowledge, people that live around the areas that you are exploring often know some places that are overlooked. That being said not every lead you get will yield the results you want, as not everyone is a photographer.

2. Scout out locations before your intended shoot, that way you know what to expect and how to get there, then you can return and try for the conditions that you want in your image.

3. Don’t get disheartened when inspiration is lacking, try to find an image anyway, you might be lucky and make something you were not expecting. Inspiration is a fickle thing, sometimes we have too much of it and don’t know where to focus, and other times it doesn’t come even though we are surrounded by amazing views. This is normal. Just get behind the camera and try anyway.

4. Don’t let the weather hold you back, often rain can be intermittent and you can get very atmospheric images in those periods of quiet, but if you are really unable to make the image that you want, then leave and return when conditions are better. If you’re worried about rain, I would recommend using dry bags to keep your kit dry in your bag and carry a trail umbrella, lightweight, small and easy to use and it can stop the worst of the rain from hitting the front of your lens.

5. Take the time to chat with people you encounter, you might learn something interesting or find out about something that you had missed, such as a new location.

6. When returning to a location, take the time to try and see it from new and different angles, you might find a compelling composition you had missed on your first visit

7. Try to imagine the image that you want, it can help you with planning your day or week and often leads to a stronger image if you can pre-visualise the end result

8. Look for jagged edges on maps as that often means cliffs, especially by the sea, which can often provide very dramatic images

9. Don’t become obsessed with photography, take the time to enjoy the other things that you find interesting, for me that can be bird watching, history/culture of a new location, art, and many other things.

10. Sometimes the best images come at unexpected times, try and be prepared for them but know that you can’t always be ready and accept that you will not always get the image. If you follow these other tips, hopefully those instances will be fewer but understand that everyone misses an opportunity every now and again. 

11. Sometimes you need to take a break from photography and take stock of where you are, especially when travelling through a new location.

12. Not everyday will be busy and full of images, but any day outside exploring is better than a day on the computer!

13. Take time and have fun, not everything has to be rushed and if you have extra time then experiment, try new techniques and angles, you might like those more than the image you had planned.

14. While driving keep your camera close at hand in case you spot something you want to capture so you can stop quickly and get the image!

15. Put your camera gear on top of your other stuff, so you don’t miss an opportunity! You really don’t want to be digging around in your backpack trying to find your camera as that amazing light or weather system moves away.

16. Always carry blister plasters in your pack! Being hobbled by a blister can mean that you miss out on the best locations, if you feel any rubbing in your boots, put a blister plaster on and keep going.

17. When planning a shoot try and be there a little earlier than you think, I have often come to a site a few minutes after a spectacular sunrise because it came a bit earlier than predicted. 

18. If it is possible, check your images at 100% to make sure that you got it crisp and clear, if not double check when you get back after the shoot. You don’t want to find your hard work didn’t pay off.

19. Keep some snacks and water in your bag, this way if you get caught up in the photography you can still keep yourself fed and hydrated, very important in wild areas.

20. Always, and I do mean always, have at least 1 lens cloth in your pocket. I often carry 3 or 4 in various pockets and in my bag. Dust and rain can be a massive pain, especially when using filters. So, be prepared to wipe and wipe often. 

Conclusion

These tips were not concerned with how to take better pictures but more about how to have fun doing landscape photography. 

A lot of what I wrote about is taking time to distance yourself from photography, and I do believe this is important. I’ve experienced it myself. When photography is a big passion for you at some point you will experience burn out, and you won’t be able to pick up the camera. 

These tips are an attempt to stop that burn out from happening, and allow you to continue to enjoy photography.

As well as that there are tips to make your day better and to help you plan a day of photography.

I use all of these tips on an everyday basis and I hope that you can utilise or even adapt them to help you with your landscape photography.

Landscape photography is a very rewarding hobby, you get to explore the outdoors, commune with nature and capture a moment of time to reflect upon. 

Let me know if I have forgotten anything below! 

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Written by Daniel Long

Daniel Long created DRL Photography as a place to showcase his work as a photographer. Daniel has learnt a lot about photography and wishes to impart this knowledge with you, although the world is an ever changing place and he always says “you can never learn everything.” So as he makes his way, he continues to learn knew techniques, skills and information about photography. He focuses on Landscape and Wildlife photography and Daniel has a special focus on Scotland, his home away from home. As well as writing about photography and taking pictures out in the field, Daniel offers guided photography days so he can share his knowledge and locations in an effort to give his clients the best opportunities possible. Have a browse around this website to see his images, guided experiences and articles about photography. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in contact.