Landscape suggestions?

Question

I have a lot of trouble getting landscapes to turn out right. Are there any suggestions/rules that I should follow? I do know that the horizon should not be in the center of the photo and that the sky should have some texture.

Here are what I consider my three best (They're still not good enough for me):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21805952@N08/2104275673/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21805952@N08/2105052112/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21805952@N08/2104273869/

I am using a Cannon S3 IS

I adjusted them and this is what I got:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21805952@N08/2105126254/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21805952@N08/2105126134/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21805952@N08/2104347959/

Here is another:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21805952@N08/2105126102/

Answer 1

Some good points already made concerning composition , framing and viewpoint. I'd like to add, keep your horizon level. That is an easy fix in any image working program.

Try looking at some of the galleries on photo.net, there are some incredible landscapes there. My favorite PN photographer is Patrick DiFruscia (I think the spelling is correct!) The trend in landscapes seems to be super saturated color like Velvia slide film. I like it, some people feel it's over the top.

Always be on the lookout for great light. Using manual exposure will give you more control over the outcome.

Answer 2

hey, a good start. however, do you have a back problem? all the shots seem to be taken from the same height. The ocean shot is more about the sand, grass, water and not the sky. get down. get the camera right near the sand so you start to pick up the texture of the sand and grass and less of the textueless sky. the lake shot is too horizontal. try to frame the shot to break the horizontal lines. move so that the horizon line runs in a dynamic (at an angle) across the composition.
the shot with the rainbow doesn't give the rainbow the emphasis it deserves. there's as much rainbow as brush and a bit of road thrown in for ...? maybe from a low angle camera on the road so you have the contrast between the sharp black of a manufactured surface and a natural wonder would look better. try to figure out what you want to show. just because the scene is "pretty" doesn't mean it will translate into a lovely image. need more info? ask, i'll send.

Answer 3

I would disagree that there are steadfast rules that should dictate how you approach composition. There's nothing wrong at all with the horizon being in the center of the photo, as long as you're doing so consciously and for good reason. I also don't see any reason why a sky needs to have texture. Ambiguity can actually be really interesting. Again, it just needs to be a conscious decision.

http://www.sugimotohiroshi.com/seascape.html

Practice it up and go to some photography shows. Get educated and get inspired, it'll happen.

Answer 4

I agree with Eric. It's a little too post card. Nothing to hold the attention (focal point). Best remedy is to check out some of the pictures published by the pros at your local library or even online. Pick out the ones you like and ask yourself what you like about it and try to reproduce it in your own way.

When I'm shooting landscape pics, I try and look for unique locations, capture interesting natural atmospheric effects (fog, reflections, shadows), or pick out the sculptural details in nature.

Answer 5

A pro landscape trick is to put something interesting in the immediate foreground.

The viewer's eye is forced to travel from the object to what is hopefully an interesting horizon.

This makes the picture more involving.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

ok general guidelines:

1. use a tripod
2. use rules of thirds
3. use change of light

these are general only but they tend to work well, light is the key and change of light is very handy for landscapes i find.

heres 3 samples for you:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martini2005/2083732158/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martini2005/2051573863/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martini2005/2015840105/

a

Answer 7

The compositions are a little weak, nothing that can't be fixed by more concerted efforts at framing... etc.