Photo How To

There’s no better way to improve your photography than by learning from pros that spent years developing their craft. And that’s why we regularly bring you tutorials from some of the world’s best photographers.

Landscape photography involves several challenges, not the least of which is arriving at a correct exposure. That’s because nature scenes, especially those shot with a wide-angle lens, may include a very wide range of tones from bright highlights to deep shadows, and skies that often fall somewhere in between.

(Editor’s Note: Exploring Light is a monthly Shutterbug column featuring tips, tricks, and photo advice from professional photographers in Canon Explorers of Light education program. This month's column is by Krisanne  Johnson, with tips on editing long-term documentary projects).

Chris Perea is an acclaimed Arizona-based pro known for stunning images of the American Southwest. In the tutorial below he reveals an important secret to his success, which he says is “the one crucial concept every landscape photography should know.”

Are your images lacking in depth and interest? If so, today’s tutorial reveals what a British pro says is “the most powerful composition tool in photography.” By following his simple advice, you’ll immediately take your imagery to the next level.

Travel and landscape photographers typically reach for a wide-angle lens when confronted with a compelling landscape. But choosing a telephoto provides an opportunity to create images that stand out from the rest—especially in iconic locations that have been photographed time and time again.

If you use Photoshop to process images, you know there’s a lot going on under the hood, and some powerful features and shortcuts can be very difficult to find. In the tutorial below you’ll discover what one pro says are “hidden efficiency gems in Photoshop that feel like cheating.”