One Top Tip to Improve Your Landscape Photography
The one thing that improved my landscape photography and a tip I wish I understood earlier. Let’s talk about being patient and returning to the same location time and time again…
If you really want to improve your landscape photography, spend more time researching, scouting and returning to the same location time and time again.
It is all about Research, Scouting and being Persistent
Over the years, I have found that research and persistence really are the most powerful tools when it comes to improving at landscape photography. So, where do I normally start? First of all, I always have a good look on OS Maps and Google Maps to try and find interesting locations. More often than not, I am looking in a 20-30 minute drive radius, making sure I stick local so that I can get to know a location pretty well. After finding a location that grabs my attention, I will head out and scout it for compositions (normally in the middle of the day with my camera at home), check the sun path and see what would work well with what lens. I treat this as a recce day so that when I arrive (often alone, in the dark) for one, I know it is safe, and secondly, I have a good understanding of where to go and setup my camera.
Spend Time using Mobile apps to your advantage
Taking the picture really is the easy part, honest! The hardest part is knowing where to go, at what time, in what conditions. Therefore, the more research you do, the more scouting of a location and shooting in different conditions, the better the chances you will get that shot you have always dreamed of. As a starting point, I use the above apps (OS Maps, TPE and Clear Outside) to research an area, find the best places to park and understand what will happen when the sun rises and sets - this gives me a good idea of where to go at what time of year. As an example, I have used Win Green, an area I have been planning a shot at for the past month, since lock down was slightly lifted, which on my fifth visit, finally rewarded me with the shot I had in my mind. Knowing the area pretty well after walking around there plenty of times, a recce wasn’t required on this occasion, so I packed my bag, cleaned my gear and got ready for sunrise.
Attempt 1 - Scouting on an overcast day
The first sunrise attempt at this stunning location, at the highest point in the Cranborne Chase, Win Green. After doing my research the days prior, I knew exactly roughly where to stand but took this opportunity to frame up a composition to return to, as conditions weren’t ideal. In my head, I could imagine the sun rising to the right, causing long, low shadows on the tree’d avenue and a hint of mist would be lovely.
Attempt 2 - returning for sunrise with clear skies
A few days later, clear skies were forecast with 0% change of any low, medium or high cloud - perfect, I thought! Arriving at 4am a good hour before sunrise, I carefully framed up the same composition as before and waited. In actual fact, it took TWO HOURS for the sun to fully rise from the hills to the West, and cast some lovely soft light across the Spring trees. Unfortunately for me, when I got home to review the images, the light wasn’t enough, I needed some mist to help separate the house from the valley behind.
Attempt 3 - shooting the mist during blue hour
A morning that I never thought would come. I owe a massive thank you to good friend and very talented landscape photographer, Daniel Wretham, who called me at 11pm one evening to warn me of the potential of mist at Win Green - I was so excited I could hardly sleep! After three hours sleep, I got up, had a coffee and made my way back to Win Green for the third time. Arriving in thick fog I was scared I missed my chance, I could barely see 10m in front of me but not one to give up, I got out the car and made my way to the spot. After an hour of waiting, around 30 minutes before sunrise, the fog completely cleared and left me shocked at how stunning the conditions were - it was a magical few moments. Before I knew it, the fog was back and the scene disappeared as quickly as it arrived.
Attempt 4 - Waiting for the sun to rise with hints of mist
Feeling like I could still better my last attempt, I knew I had to go back a few days later when the chance of mist was high again… checking over half a dozen weather apps the night before, it was looking extremely promising. As soon as I arrived to the car park I was in my absolute element, everything had finally come together EXACTLY as I had imagined. I had the mist, clear blue skies, and no wind, all I had to do was wait a couple of hours for the sun to peak over the hills and hope the mist would linger in the valley. Once the sun came across the scene it really was a magical moment, one that I had been dreaming of for nearly a month.
So, my biggest tip for anyone doing landscape photography? Never give up. Always put in a lot of research and get to know a single location really well - the conditions will eventually come and it will be the most rewarding experience. Wishing you all the best on your photography ventures and go enjoy yourself!
Best,
Jack
