5 Tips that Transformed my Landscape Photography

When I published my original video, 5 Tips that Transformed my Landscape Photography on YouTube, covering 5 things that I considered key in raising the standard of my landscape photography I immediately started to worry that I’d missed some vital part of the jigsaw out.

So here are another five things that I think are almost if not equally important!

Shooting RAW

I could have kicked myself for not including this in the video. It is fundamental. For those not convinced, RAW offers more flexibility in post processing because it is simply data. It includes a jpeg, which is what you see on the back of the camera but you have a lot of flexibility to produce a different style of picture if you need to.

To those who say “Get it Right in Camera” I have this to say – the modern digital camera is a sophisticated data gathering device. If you shoot RAW then you need to pay attention that the data is not compromised by being over or under exposed. If you’re relying on the embedded jpeg to see if you have it “right”, then I recommend you research the differences between RAW and jpeg, urgently.

Mastering Color Grading

It’s much easier to learn how to work the tools than it is to make them work in your favour. Study color science, especially complementary colours to guide your use of the sliders. It will come right.

Doing Something Completely Different

Shoot infrared or macro. Doing something different freshens up the creativity no end. It’s like an oasis in the desert. And you’ll find it improves your photography too.

Restricting Your Lens Choice

Sometimes we give ourselves too much choice and by the time we’ve finished weighing up the pros and cons of this or that lens, the light has gone, the moment has passed, there is no photograph.

Take a wide angle lens or a telephoto and make the best compositions you can. This is great for flexing the creative muscles and a really good way of consolidating your knowledge of this ir that lens/camera combination. Yes, you’ll wish for the lens you left at home, but this is about getting out of the comfort zone.

Shooting in Bad Weather

Bad weather produces the most dramatic and unusual photographs. Get out there and shoot!