TECHNIQUE ASSESSMENT

Pro Tom started out by showing his namesake how to set up his camera to capture great landscapes

SHOOT AT F/8!

Tom M says... Tom was using Manual exposure mode, but for landscape photography shutter speeds are incidental as you're using a tripod, so I prefer Aperture Priority mode, as it means you have one less thing to worry about. My go-to aperture is f/8, as this gives the optimum sharpness on most lenses.

CHECK THE HISTOGRAM

Tom M says... I encouraged Tom to check the histogram on the back of his camera after each and every shot to ensure he wasn't blowing the highlights in the clouds or on the horizon. It's a very quick job to then dial in a little exposure compensation if necessary to bring the exposure back within an acceptable range.

AUTO/MANUAL FOCUS

Tom M says... Tom was focusing manually, but my eyes aren't that good! I first of all use autofocus to lock onto the subject I want, then flick the switch on the camera to manual focus so that I can recompose before taking the shot. I generally focus on the subject itself as an f/8 aperture and wide angle will give you a decent depth of field.

Tom Barrett met professional landscape and travel photographer Tom Mackie near the village of Thurne in Norfolk, at the appointed time of 3:30... in the morning! "Landscape photography is all about being at your location before sunrise, and being there beyond sunset," Tom M chirpily explained. "And at the height of summer that means getting up early and staying out late." It was the middle of June and the summer equinox was fast approaching where the days are at their longest and nights at their shortest.