Landscape photos are a common subject for obvious reasons: often natural beauty is so plentiful and striking that we naturally want to capture it to film. Sadly, often times the images come out different from what we expect, failing to capture the essence of the nature in front of us. After trying a few times, it’s clear that there’s more to capturing a great landscape than simply whipping out your camera and snapping a few photos. Here are a few tips that will improve your nature photography, allowing you to better capture that ephemeral vista before you.

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1. Properly Compose Your Shot

It’s important to compose the elements of your picture properly so the viewer’s eye is drawn purposefully through the image, telling a story. The rule of thirds is an effective method for composing your landscape photography. Simply break up your image into thirds vertically and horizontally using imaginary gridlines (many digital cameras also have the option to actually display these gridlines on your screen), and then position the main elements of your image at the intersection of the lines or on the lines themselves. Many novices take photos placing their subjects at the center of the image, but if you try the same photo placing the subject at one of the intersections, you’ll notice that the picture is balanced much better, and is much more visually appealing.

2.  Photograph at Golden Hour

There is a saying in the film industry that goes, “God is the greatest gaffer,” essentially meaning that the best light is natural light. Golden hour refers to the time period just after the sun rises and just before the sun sets, because of the naturally beautiful, diffused light created by the sun being low in the sky. Golden hour naturally creates a warm image with long shadows, adding an interesting level of depth to the scene. There is a reason why many photographers go out at this time of day to take photos! You can of course take photos at other times of the day, but note that during midday the sun might be especially harsh. You can try to soften the image by taking photos from a shaded area or waiting until a cloud passes of your subject.

3. Use a Mid-Range Aperture

Using a mid-range aperture will help you capture a sharp, clear image that is desirable when doing landscape photography. To get a nice, sharp image, use an f-stop number that’s around 2 to 3 stops higher than the lowest possible. If you try to use an aperture that’s too far toward either end of the spectrum, such as f/2.8 or f/22, you will notice a slight reduction in clarity, which you don’t want.

Often the beauty of being in nature is that it captures a fleeting sense of wonder that is particularly hard to replicate. Hopefully with a few of these tips, you’ll be able to take a little bit of that wonder home with you.

Whether you are taking a picture of a graffiti wall in Brooklyn or a dumpster rental in Fayetteville, here are a few pieces of advice to keep you safe and take the best shots.

There’s no doubt that cities are some of the most beautiful places on earth. Stunning architecture, hoards of people, and storied histories make these landscapes ever-changing playgrounds of inspiration for photographers. If you’re in a new city you may be tempted to stick to the classic tourist areas, but there are unfound treasures in forgotten side alleyways, residential buildings, and local pedestrians that are waiting to be discovered. This leads me to my first tip…

1. Get the Lay of the Land

Talk to locals about which areas are safe and which are not, especially if you are a tourist. Also note that streets take on a different character at night, and a town square in the middle of the afternoon may suddenly turn unsafe when the sun goes down. Try not to attract too much attention to yourself by walking around with tons of equipment. Bring only what you need. If you insist on taking pictures at night, travel with at least one friend. This is also recommended for daytime photography as well.

2. Wear Comfortable Clothing

Exploring a new city frequently involves many hours on your feet and in the sun. Make sure you’re outfitted in comfortable shoes and loose fitting clothing. If it’s going to be cold outside, dress in layers to keep in your body heat. You can also dress like a local and shop locally – local shops by default have clothing that works for their environment.

3. Pay Attention to The Details

While it’s easy to spot a massive monument like the Arc de Triomphe, don’t forget about the little details such as cracks in buildings, interesting shop windows, and plants or trees.

4. Bring a Tripod

Bringing a portable tripod will allow you to capture the city from a higher angle, allowing you to capture even more detail. Tripods also free your hands allowing you to get long exposure shots, stunning sunset photos, and panoramas with ease. Some cities have restrictions against tripods though, so be sure to check with local regulations.

5. Take Photos of People, Carefully

People are just as big a part of a city as it’s buildings, and can be very interesting subjects to photograph. Remember that they are not inanimate objects, so treat them with respect when you photograph them. Avoid taking photos too close to them, and don’t take a photo with the intention of making fun of them. Instead, you’ll get a better photo if you aim to tell a story with your picture or try to convey a message. Using a smaller camera will help you go unnoticed, and you can try snapping the photo with your camera at your hip to be exta-undercover.

Cities are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful and overwhelming places on the planet. Take your time and enjoy shooting the next time you’re there!