There are some things that are bigger than you, and that you just have to work with. Its a bit like swimming in the ocean where you place yourself in the food chain, and there are no guarantees about coming face-to-face with a jellyfish or a shark.
There’s a bit of that with landscape photography – you really are going to be at the mercy of the elements. However, a little bit of preparation always goes a long way towards being able to take a few good shots. There are a few things to always consider when taking on board a landscape photography shoot - location, weather, time, gear, and fitness.
Some of these are items that you can control – while others are things that you will need to plan for and work along.
This is something that is within your control. . You must always have a good idea to know
The last thing that you need to be doing is driving/walking around in circles being uncertain as to how to get to where you want to go. Always do your research before leaving, and have a clear idea of what you want to shoot.
Weather is one of those things that is bigger than you, but is something that you can work around. Needless to say, going out to shoot when the weather forecast calls for a day of intense rains does not make for good conditions for photography, and will usually lead to a very wet and frustrating trip. The best conditions for landscape photography are partially cloudy days with very little wind. Always check the weather forecast before heading out on a shoot.
There never is enough. Time is one of those things that you have a reasonable level of control over. When planning a shoot, its important to have a good estimate of:
The first of these three items involves considering not merely the drive times to locations, but the amount of time it will take to hike from where you plan on parking, to where you plan to shoot. The second involves the amount of time you plan to spend on shooting your subject. The third involves consideration for (a) the time of the day, and (b) the time of the year at when you plan to shoot.
The best time of the day to shoot is typically when the sun is low. For morning shoots, that is from first light (about half an hour to an hour before sunrise, depending on your location) to an hour after sunrise. For evening shoots, the best time is about 45 minutes before sunset, to a half hour after sunset. You can usually find guides to sunrise and sunset on the Internet for your location. In addition, there are a range of different apps for smartphones that will put that information in the palm of your hand.
If you’re planning to shoot on the coast, be sure to take note of tidal movements. Getting it right is the difference between having the right conditions, or being unable to even approach your subject.
In terms of choosing the time of the year, the choice comes down to the nature of the shot that you plan to take. Generally speaking, both spring and fall are excellent landscape photography seasons (especially the fall). If you’re looking for good snowbound shots, winter is pretty much your only choice. Desert shots are best taken in the summers – but beware of the heat.
Your choice of gear is in your control. It is not merely limited to your photography gear, but also your hiking gear, and any protective equipment that you might need. Consider the following if you’re hiking for any length of time over 10 minutes.
In regards to photography gear, you ought to have the following at all times:
Other things that help are:
Now you’ll notice that this is a fair bit of stuff. Most photographers look for a decent backpack to help them get around. When choosing a backpack, look for one that has both waist straps as well as shoulder straps that sit just above your hips.Backpacks designed in this manner help distribute the weight across both your legs as well as your shoulders, and reduce the risk of back strains.
Also make sure that you have enough water and snacks to keep you going during your shoot. Landscape photography shoots typically take a couple of hours when working with the light, and the odds are that you will get thirsty and hungry while you’re out and about.
As you might have gathered by now, landscape photography involves a fair bit of walking with a considerable amount of weight strapped to your back. Needless to say, landscape photographers need to be reasonably fit. A good way to acclimatize yourself to this is by walking at a brisk pace while carrying a small load in general. You don’t have to set any new records, but just be able to walk fast enough to where holding a conversation becomes challenging. If you’re into working out at the gym, treadmills and stair steppers are a great way to bring your fitness levels up. Ideally, you should be able to walk 20 minute sessions without too much difficulty.
These are just a few things that you’ll need to take on board landscape photography. But they do not count for anything unless you have a clear mind and are at peace with yourself.
Above all else, its important to not stress over taking a heap of great shots. I’ve always believed that landscape photography is about being able to enjoy your surroundings in nature, and that your feelings inside you perceive your surroundings and influence how you capture a scene. It is when you find yourself at peace with your surroundings that your images will truly come together as a memory that will take your breath away at a later time.
In summary,
Good luck on your next landscape photography shoot!
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