Chapter 2. Landscape and Scenic Photography

Landscape and Scenic Photography

Technically speaking, photographically speaking and digitally speaking, this chapter features my favorite landscape images and info. You'll also learn how to photograph in sunlight, twilight and moonlight. You'll even learn how to paint with light.

Landscape and Scenic Photography

Be Prepared, Be Patient

When it comes to landscape photography, two non-technical aspects of the process are very important: being prepared and being patient.

Before I go to a new location, I try to learn as much as I can about it: the weather, sunrise and sunset times, access, clothing, etc.

I also check out other photographers' photos of the area and their tips. For example, when I went to Mono Lake in California, I learned that I needed hiking boots to climb in the best location for a sunrise shot. I learned the precise time of sunrise, and I learned that I needed a wide-angle lens (at least 16 mm) to capture the view. I also learned the most popular sunrise spot (where I took this picture) begins to get crowded with photographers about an hour before sunrise, so I arrived on the scene two hours before sunrise to secure my spot.

Being prepared for Mono Lake was one factor that made the difference between the top and bottom images you see here. The other factor, previously mentioned, was patience. ...

Get Rick Sammon's Digital Photography Secrets now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.