Beautiful landscapes are a photographer’s paradise. However, very few people know that it is one of the most difficult tasks to do justice to the beautiful nature’s landscapes. The top landscape photographers showcase numerous landscapes in a way that makes you feel part of that amazing scene.
We often come across people who have just returned home after spending a quality time at an amazing scenic vacation spot. Although they have great things to tell about the place, but most of the times their pictures don’t match their story. You would mostly find them saying, “These pictures do not do justice to what we have actually witnessed at that place.” Well, this often happens to the best of the professional photographers too. Photographing nature is not a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination. It is a really challenging job and the people, who take it as a profession, invest their time and energy for that picture perfect that changes their life forever. It is simply not like pulling out your high-resolution camera and start flashing. Generally, it takes two to tango, but in this case, you and your camera need a perfect destination to capture. Once you develop the perfect combination, you need expertise to turn the live scene into a static image which is good enough to inspire others.
Following are the 10 tips that can help you imitate the magic of the scenic beauty by clicking the best shots in countryside photography which become a treat to the eye.
Plan Ahead
If you want to capture the best landscape images, it is best to plan your trip beforehand. Firstly, you should brace yourself up for the challenge with the help of proper equipment. Secondly, make sure that you have done enough research about the altitudes and most scenic spots that have already been captured and are available online.
Take Advantage of the Golden Hours
The golden hour is the time that is referred to as sunrise or sunset by photographers. It is also known as the magic hour. Generally, the best time to capture some exclusive landscape photographs is either sunrise or sunset when sunlight plays around with the effects and completely changes the outlook of natural beauty. Most professional photographers never miss a chance to capture these surreal moments.
Use a Tripod Stand
No matter how much trust you have in your strong and steady hands, you should still rely on a good quality tripod stand to capture the best landscape scenes. You will have to use a smaller aperture for landscape or countryside photography. It is always recommended to use a reliable tripod with a remote to help you click the perfect shot just at the right moment.
Get Up Early
While you are picturing the landscape, you can’t afford to miss the beauty that flaunts itself in the early hours of the day. Always remember that early risers get the best shots. The nature is at its best when you are out and about early in the morning. So never miss the opportunity to surround yourself with the wild beauty of nature in the wee hours.
Look at Your Foreground
Sometimes when you take a picture, the foreground gets ignored. It is important to take your foreground into consideration as it makes your image meaningful and stronger. Some images of landscape could be made a bit more eye catching just by adding any object as a foreground which could be right in front of your camera.
Bad Weather is the Good Weather
Rain and thunderstorms might not be the ideal weather to go out for many but present the best clicking opportunity to photographers. The professional landscape photographers pounce on such opportunities to interact with the Mother Nature which in return rewards them with the best shots of their life.
Never Ignore the Sky
A clear sky can add value to your landscape photographs with an amazing blue background. Capturing pictures at a wider canvas of landscapes does make the colourful and magnificent sky come into play.
Use a Polarizing Filter
Many professional photographers use a polarising filter in order to enhance colour and contrast besides reducing glare in their images. It is specifically beneficial when you are capturing water, sky, or any reflections within your landscape pictures.
Seize the Movement
Landscape photography is all about pushing the pause button to the moving natural wonders and turn them into still life. Landscape photography is not just the reflection of the calmness and still environment around. Actually, landscapes are hardly still and the photographer can take that as an advantage by capturing its unique atmosphere through a small aperture and a longer shutter speed.
Use the Rule of Thirds
If you use the rule of thirds, it will become easier for you to create a balanced and visually interesting picture. You can simply break up your image into thirds vertically and horizontally with imaginary grid lines and position the subject of your photo either along the lines or at the intersection of two lines.
Clicking landscape photographs is fun to begin with but its intricacies demand precision. Therefore, taking into account the above-mentioned tips will greatly assist you in capturing the nature when it is at its best.