Landscape Photography

1. Find the best light.  Dawn and dusk have warm colors and side light. However, if animals, flowers, nature or people are your subject, cloudy days are great since the light is soft and gentle without harsh contrast. Yellow GlowYellow aspen leaves along the riverbed.
2. Look for interesting compositions.  Winding roads, fences that transect or meandering streams add to the depth of the photo. Avoid signs, works, large white or red zones that will distract the eye. The Lonely RoadFall foliage in the west along a roadside.
3. Capture Backlight Silhouettes. Look for a subject that clearly will stand out against the sky and be recognizable as a silhouette.
4. Look and Observe before Shooting. Zoom with your feet; position yourself up or down looking for the right vantage point.  Look for obstructions in the way and avoid telephone poles or such appearing to grow out of your subject. Morning Fog Tetons 3
5. Be patient and have attention to detail. Look for an image that you see in your mind’s eye to represent an impression of what your felt.  Not just fly by shooting. You are a photographer! On the RangeBison grazing on fall grass.
6. Remember, you need a foreground, mid-ground and background. All three zones need to be acknowledged in creating your image. Snake River ColorSnake River in the Tetons in the fall with yellow aspen and cloudy skies.
7. Consider Black & White to create drama. Snake River In B&WSnake River in the Tetons in the fall with aspen, light snow and cloudy skies.