Outdoor Photography How To

One of the most important decisions a photographer makes when setting up his or her gear is which lens to choose. While, of course, you can always change lenses later if you have an interchangeable lens camera such as a DSLR or mirrorless system, but that can take additional time and you might miss your shot.

As the great Ansel Adams once said: "You don't take a photograph, you make it." But what makes a dramatic landscape photo? There are, of course, lots of things but photographer Mark Denney zeros in on one specific effect that can make or break a shot.

Everyone always talks about "the rule of thirds" being the key to composing a compelling image. And yes, it is a helpful tool to get you out of the boring photo rut. But what if there was something different and more effective to help with appealing photo composition?

Without a camera in his hand, Josiah Launstein looks like any other 13-year-old. But while boys his age are watching video games, cruising around on skateboards, or trying to impress girls, this talented kid is out in the field shooting truly epic wildlife photos.

There’s a common misconception that all you need for landscape photography is a good wide-angle lens. And while it’s true that a wide perspective is great for capturing expansive vistas, experienced shooters know that short telephoto lenses are also important for landscape photography.

Ben Horne is an accomplished nature photographer who says his goal “is to create simple, structured, and calm images of nature.” In the video below, Horne takes you to scenic Death Valley and provides some great tips on shooting landscapes.

We all hear about so-call “hidden” editing tools that deliver great results. But while many of these methods are effective, some are quite familiar to photographers of all skill levels.