LANDSCAPE

PHOTOGRAPHY
Composition Basics
The first and the hardest thing a landscape
photographer has to do is to decide what enters the
frame and what doesn’t. You have a limited canvas and,
as a movie director, you must cast the roles.

Which elements are important and needed to make the

most compelling image? Where should they be in the
frame to be visible, appealing, and memorable? What
relationships are between elements are how can they
change the dynamic of the photo?

These are just a few questions you’ll be able to answer

if you study the art of photographic composition. Don’t
worry; when you understand the rules of composition
and practice viewing the world through a viewfinder,
finding the best answers to these questions becomes
second nature.
Include a focal point
Although the entire landscape you see may be extremely
beautiful or interesting, your composition needs a strong
focal point. A focal point or a point of interest is the first
thing the viewer observes in a photo and it should be the
main subject of your composition.

The main subject of a landscape photo may be any visual

element. For example, you may choose a rock or a tree but
also a color, a pattern, or a shape. You can even choose as
a focal point a group of elements.
Choose the main subject
of your composition
Take a moment and observe the scene in front of you.
What element appeals to you?

Which is the most interesting one and should be shared with

other people?

Think about what moves you and the feelings you get from this
particular scene, and identify the elements that make these
feelings possible. Again, you may identify a single, palpable
object or sun rays at sunset, autumn foliage, or the pattern of a
honeycomb.
Create a story around
the main subject
A visual story needs context. You want the viewer to be able
to place the main subject of your photo in time and space.
Actors in supporting roles can be elements that create
contrast or elements similar to your subject that enhance its
features. For example, photographing a cascade in such a
way that the viewer can see the rocks around it speaks
better about the wonders of nature.
Make your subject stand out
There are some ways to make your subject stand out. You can keep the main
subject in focus and blur the rest of the frame; you can choose the angle you
shoot from to make the main subject look bigger than other elements; you
can place the main subject into the light and keep everything else in the
shadows.
Get closer to your subject
It allows you to capture important details (e.g. texture and color). This makes
the subject recognizable and memorable. It makes the difference between
photographing the peak of a mountain from nearby or sketching the silhouette
of the mountain in the background of the photo.

It allows you to get rid of unwanted elements and keep in the frame only the
main subject and the elements chosen for supporting roles.

It makes the subject stand out. By putting a smaller distance between the
camera and subject, the subject will be in front of the picture (foreground) and
thus closer to the audience. The viewer will feel part of the scene and have a
stronger connection with the subject. Furthermore, when the subject is closer
to the camera it is also larger and more imposing.

Landscape photographs are allowed to have more empty space than other
types of photos but there is a thin line between an interesting picture and a
dull one.
Rules of Composition
It’s not enough to find great scenery and have a good camera to take a great
photo. As interesting or beautiful your subject might be you need to present it
to the public in an appealing way. Your subject has to be in the right place,
supported by secondary elements that lead the eye towards it. It has to be a
strong focal point, visible, meaningful, and impressive. It has to stand out and
make a statement.
The rule of thirds
How to use the rule of thirds
Divide the frame into nine equal rectangles by drawing two
The rule of thirds states that is more appealing to the vertical and two horizontal imaginary lines. The best places in
human eye to have the focal point of a photo positioned the frame to position your subject are the intersections of these
at one-third of the frame than in the middle of the frame. lines. You can use an entire line as a placeholder for your
Furthermore, by placing the subject according to the rule subject or multiple intersection points for multiple subjects.
of thirds you create more tension and movement in the Even if the subject is in the right position, it still has to be large
frame and lead the viewer’s attention throughout the and imposing. So get close to your subject and fill the frame.
entire frame.

When to use the rule of thirds

The rule of thirds works very well for landscapes with a
lot of empty space. It also helps when you have scenes
with a unique subject or a strong straight line. For
example, placing the horizon line according to the rule of
thirds assures you a good distribution of sky and land.
The golden ratio
The golden ratio, also called the divine proportion, can be found in the
proportions of the Greek Parthenon, Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpieces,
and measurements of beauty standards. Similar to the rule of thirds, the
golden ratio dictates where in the frame the subject should be
positioned. But instead of using nine equal rectangles, you’ll use nine
rectangles that respect the ratio 1.61, given by a mathematic formula
that follows the rule of the Fibonacci series:

a/b=(a+b)/a= 1.6180…

The golden ratio is considered to be the base of the most beautiful and
harmonious shapes. However, the reason behind this belief is not
mathematics but biology. The golden ratio is one of nature’s favorite
proportions and you can find it in the DNA, the number of petals on a
flower, seeds of sunflowers, seashells, the tail of a chameleon, ocean
waves, and many other creations of nature.
Another way to use the golden ratio in your compositions is When to use the golden ratio
to work with dimensions instead of positions. Imagine the Because it’s based on natural patterns, the golden ratio can be
model of a snail’s shell and keep in mind that it follows the successfully used whenever you take nature photos. It also works
golden ratio. Then place the focal point in the center of the well for scenes with curves, such as hills and seashores, and
spiral and surround it with the rest of the elements in the accommodates multiple subjects in well-balanced compositions.
scene.
The golden triangle
The golden triangle has the golden ratio as a
starting point. However, it focuses on diagonals
and triangles and you don’t have to think about
measurements at all.

The golden triangle composition technique uses

diagonals to add dynamism and imply movement.
It creates fluid compositions and makes use of a
larger part of the frame than the rule of thirds and
the golden ratio. Also, it gives you two amazing
positions to place the focal point of your frame.
Draw an imaginary line from the top left corner to the bottom The golden triangle rule states that the two intersections of
right corner. That’s your primary diagonal. Then draw another the lines with the diagonal are the best places to position the
two imaginary lines starting from the opposite corners focal points of the composition. The lines and the diagonal
(bottom left and top right corners) and ending at a right angle are also used for positioning important visual elements.
on the primary diagonal. You’ll have the frame divided into
four right-angle triangles.
When to use the golden triangle
The golden triangle composition technique works very well for scenes
with two main focal points. This technique requires a powerful
diagonal, which can be provided by the landscape or created by the
photographer by altering the camera angle and position. Therefore,
don’t expect the scene to have every element in the right place. Get
closer to your subject, adjust your position, change the camera angle,
and observe the elements from all perspectives until you find the one
that suits your artistic vision.

The power of this technique goes beyond the use of two points of
interest and a diagonal. It’s theatrical, dramatic, and memorable. It
implies movement and brings the viewer into the landscape.

The golden triangle adds a new dimension to your visual narrative,

creates mood, and invites the audience to participate.
Leading lines
Lines are strong visual elements because the human brain is In photography, lines are inevitable visual elements. The
trained to notice them. Think about how you’re attracted to 2D world of a rectangular picture will almost always
the horizon line, how branches and trees look familiar, or how include lines whether they are straightforward or implied.
the curved line of a snake alerts you. Our brains recognize They lead the viewer’s eye through the frame. One of the
with ease the straight walls of a house, the wavy shapes of most important advantages of using leading lines is
the hills and mountains, the coastline. It’s the merit of creating depth and a 3D perspective. People will follow
evolution. Whether a certain line means danger or safety, our the lines as they would do in a natural environment and
brain will react long before we’re conscious of it. perceive the photo as a 3D landscape.
Types of leading lines

Straight lines Converging lines

Horizontal, vertical, or at an angle, straight lines may be Converging lines are straight or curved lines that draw the
natural or made by human hands. The most familiar eye towards a point of convergence. Think about rivers
straight line is the horizon line, which is present in that are lost on the horizon, people’s arms pointing to a
almost any landscape photo. You can also identify subject, and crossroads. Converging lines are lines with a
trees, lighting poles, street signs, the edges of buildings, destination. (like the one on this background image.
and the stem of a flower.
Diagonal lines
Curved lines Diagonal lines are straight or curved lines that go from one
Curved lines are long, continuous lines that follow the corner of the frame to the opposite corner. They cross the
contour of an object. You can see them in rivers, hills, entire frame and draw the viewer’s eye along the way. You
roads, or the trails left behind by airplanes. You can also can work your way to a diagonal line by getting close to
identify them in ribbons, threads, flags, or twisted your subject and positioning an existing line across the
branches. frame.
Work with lines
Lines add dynamism, perspective, and depth to composition
and transform a dull picture into a masterpiece. Make sure
they go in the right direction and lead the viewer towards a
point of interest.

Moreover, take into consideration the lines’ features. For

example, a vertical line implies height and looks better in a
portrait format composition. A horizontal line looks better in a
landscape format composition, this being one of the reasons
for which landscape photographers use the landscape format
more often.

A diagonal line from the upper left to the lower right is

considered to enter the frame, while one from the lower left to
the upper right is considered to exit the frame. A curved line is
romantic and dreamy and looks great in atmosphere shots.
 A foreground element is a focal point situated
closer to the camera than other elements. The
rest of the elements will be in a secondary plan,
behind the foreground element, and the viewer
will perceive the distance between them, which
creates depth and a 3D perspective.

You should consider including a foreground

element when you have a faraway subject. A big
distance between the camera and the subject

Include a
makes the scene look flat.

For example, when you can’t physically get close

foreground
to a subject and you don’t have zoom lenses,
include a foreground element instead of leaving a
large empty space in front of the subject. If you

element can, include a foreground element that points to

the subject in the background to lead the viewer’s
eye towards the subject.
Depth of field
Depth of field dictates how much of the frame is in focus and how much is blurred. It varies from having the entire frame in
focus (a deep depth of field) to having only a very small part of the frame in focus (a shallow depth of field). The viewer will be
naturally attracted by the sharp and clear part of the image. Therefore, you can emphasize the subject matter and control
where the viewer looks simply by adjusting the depth of field. Furthermore, the contrast between the area in focus and the one
that’s blurred induces depth and makes the viewer perceive the distance between elements.

Depth of field is determined by the sensor’s size, aperture, focal length, and camera-subject distance. You can achieve the
depth of field you want by adjusting these factors but you should be aware that sometimes you’ll have to compromise.

For landscapes, cityscapes, and panoramas a deep depth of field is usually used. A deep depth of field is associated with
wide angles and compositions with multiple subjects. You don’t want to emphasize a single subject, but to place everything in
context. However, you are free to use a shallow depth of field in landscape photography. You may want to use a shallow depth
of field when your composition has a unique subject that needs to capture the entire attention. You may need to use a shallow
depth of field when you have telephoto lenses or are close to your subject.
Unusual angles
Unusual angles provide new perspectives, surprising and
impressive ones, which can produce amazing compositions. You
need fresh ideas when you photograph a subject matter that has
been photographed many times before you.

Subjects such as mountains, fields, forests, and cascades are

often used by some of the greatest landscape photographers in
the world. Unless you come up with a fresh and personal
approach, your photos will hardly impress anyone.
Tips for
discovering
unusual angles Break out of the comfort zone. You may need
to climb a mountain, lie on the ground in mud
Don’t use a tripod or use a small, or snow, kneel, handle the camera from
flexible one. A tripod will most above your head or in uncomfortable
likely limit your moves. positions, expose yourself and the gear to
bad weather conditions, or get really close to
Furthermore, it’s an additional frightening subjects.
piece of equipment you have to
The shooting angle alters the significance of
carry around and find space for.
the subject. For example, photographing a hill
Instead, you can focus on
from above makes it look smaller. On the
experimenting, holding the
other hand, photographing a rock from below
camera any way you wish, and
makes it look bigger and more difficult to
photographing a subject from
climb.
different perspectives.
Contrast
Sometimes all you have to do to deliver amazing photos is to be present when an
unexpected moment happens. It seems easy but actually needs quite a lot of
practice. You need to practice seeing the world as a photographic subject and be
prepared all the time.

Some photographers choose a location and spend a lot of time waiting for the
perfect moment. Others have always at hand a small and practical camera to
capture the moment. Luckily, nature provides us plenty of contrasts.
Types of contrast

Color contrast is the juxtaposition of two colors situated For example, an unexpected spring frost that covers in ice a
on opposite sides on the color wheel. You can easily blossomed tree, snow in the desert, or a dried river.
find red flowers in a green field, blue water near golden
sands, sunset colors on a blue sky, green foliage in a Texture contrast is the juxtaposition of two very different
lavender field, and so on. textures such as rocks and water, grass and sand, or
Conceptual contrast is the juxtaposition of two opposite mountains and fields.
concepts, which don’t usually come together.
Composing with colors

To take advantage of the power of natural colors you need to You can’t change the colors of the landscape but you can
know their impact on the viewer. Their aesthetic properties change the time of the day and of the year when you
contribute to the overall aesthetic of the composition but their photograph it.
meaning deeply influences the message you convey. High
saturated colors and high color contrast produce a strong focal The same landscape will look completely different during
point and capture the public’s attention. Low saturated colors the golden hour or the blue hour, in the rain, in a
and low color contrast create an atmosphere and encourage midsummer day, or in the fall. It will look different with
the public to spend more time observing the composition, lateral light and with vertical light. Therefore, color can be
experience emotions, and invite reverie. an element of composition.
Conclusions
Composition techniques are based on the human natural tendency to
notice elements placed in specific areas of the frame; to be led by
leading lines; to interpret colors based on genetic and cultural
heritage. The photographer can convince the public to look at a
subject simply by placing it according to the rule of thirds or at the
end of a leading line, by creating a high color contrast nearby, or by
using a shallow depth of field.

Apply the composition techniques in your own way and produce

photographs that serve your aesthetic purpose. Keep in mind that the
most important aspect of photography is to share your feelings on
the subject and make a statement. You can take the most beautiful
landscape photos when you care about the environment, understand
the way nature works, and are grateful for each moment spent
outdoors
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