Add Impact To Your​​​​​​​ Language

Discover how to improve your scenic shots with Mark Bauer’s expert guide to perfecting your photos.

- Mark Bauer

Landscape photography tends to look far easier than it is – and we can often return from a shoot in a stunning location somewhat disappointed with what we actually managed to capture. Dedicated landscape photographers know that they must constantly revisit a scene, sometimes several times over a number of years, in order to get the very best shot possible of that particular location. Over the next few pages, you will discover the techniques that Mark Bauer uses to ensure he gets the very best from a location.

Work with light

Light is the raw material of photography, which shapes and defines the landscape

As a landscape photographer, you need an understanding of the nuances of different lighting conditions and how they can affect your chosen subject. The main factors to consider are the direction and quality of light, as these shape the subject and create the mood of the image. To successfully shoot landscapes, you need to know what will best suit your subject and then plan accordingly.

Rural landscapes, particularly those with ranges of hills or mountains, really benefit from low side lighting, which reveals shape and texture, as well as adding depth; architectural subjects and coastal scenes with foreground interest also often look good in this light.

Backlighting can be very dramatic, with shadows racing towards the camera, emphasising shape and form. It works especially well with compositions based around bold, graphic subjects and is well suited to woodland scenes; you can also try silhouetting the main subject.

Front lighting, producing shadows that fall away from the camera, can make a scene appear flat and dull. However, with the sun low in the sky, it can provide excellent colour saturation; look for colourful subjects, or those that will reflect the natural warm tones of the sun, such as sandstone cliffs.