Nature Photography How To

We’re going to start this one with a question on a rather controversial topic: What’s your opinion on using Photoshop to replace a boring sky in landscape photos?

Landscape photographer Mark Denney is someone who is really enjoying Adobe's recent update to Lightroom. In fact, he likes one feature so much, he just made a video calling it the best new set of editing tools in Lightroom for developing landscape photos.

When one of our favorite nature photographers says he “had a bit of a light bulb moment” this week while judging the World Landscape Photographer competition, examining over 6,500 images, we stop and listen. And you should too, because in the video below he shares a few ideas on composition that will greatly improve your outdoor photography.

We’ve long been enamored with the stunning imagery of nature photographer Jim Peterson whose work exhibits both a keen eye for composition and a technical mastery of our craft. Based in Sedona, Arizona, Peterson conveys his vision of the world through a broad portfolio of infrared and conventional photographs. 

From my perch on a rock outcrop above the Arctic River, I could make out every detail of the valley. The autumn tundra was a mosaic of red, orange, and yellow. The river flowed pale blue below the gray of storm clouds that were, in turn, lit with just a hint of sunset light. 

Most experienced nature photographers will tell you that great light is the key to spectacular landscape photographs. But when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, it’s time to turn to compositional devices like the powerful “S Curve” if you don’t want to come home empty-handed.

Jeff McPheeters is a Kansas-based pro whose extensive portfolio encompasses everything from interior design and event photography to landscape, nature and wildlife. While all of McPheeters’ work is impressive, the images he captures of raging storms in rural Kansas are especially spectacular.