Landscape Photography Tips and Techniques for Every Skill Level | FD Photo Studio
Main +1 (323) 454-2323
530 East 8th Street; 5th Floor
Pro Studios +1 (323) 454-1314
224 East 11th Street; 2nd Floor
Art Studios +1 (213) 536-5631
1048 Santee Street; 5th Floor
Hill Studios +1 (213) 536-8030
1808 S Hill St; 2nd Floor
Olympic +1 (323) 968-1089
3316 E Olympic blvd
Yukon +1 (424) 453-2162
12828 Yukon ave
LA Lofts +1 (323) 997-8644
656 s Los Angeles st.
LIC Studios +1 (844) 644-3377
4020 22nd street; 4th floor
N.Y. Astoria +1 (917) 745-0053
35-58 37th Street, 3rd floor
Scott (Brooklyn) +1 (929) 337-6425
114 Scott Ave, 3nd floor
Metro (Brooklyn) +1 (347) 227-7629
1003 Metropolitan ave
Chicago +1 (312) 291-9092
124 N Campbell Ave
booked now
Studios in:
FD Photo Studio
Log in

Landscape Photography Tips and Techniques for Every Skill Level

landscape photography

Landscape photography lets us share the beauty of the natural world through pictures. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your skills, learning landscape photography helps you express yourself creatively while building technical skills that work for all types of photography.

What Is Landscape Photography?

Landscape photography is the art of capturing outdoor scenery, with a focus on showcasing the beauty of nature world. Unlike other types of photography, landscape photography shows off natural or urban environments rather than human subjects.

Landscape photography is about sharing what it feels like to be in a specific place at a certain time. It aims to transport viewers to that location so they can experience the grandeur, peace, or power of the scene. Great landscape photos don’t just show what a place looks like—they capture its essence and make viewers feel something.

Landscape Photography Tips and Techniques for Every Skill Level -

Explore our post 15+ Photography Types for All Skill Level to expand your creative horizons.

Basic Equipment for Landscape Photography

You don’t need expensive gear to take great landscape photos, especially when you’re just beginning. Here’s what helps:

For camera users:

  • A digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless) that lets you control settings manually
  • A wide-angle lens (16-35mm works well for most landscapes)
  • A strong tripod to keep your camera steady
  • Filters to manage light (polarizing and neutral density)
  • Extra batteries and memory cards
  • A weather-resistant camera bag

For smartphone photographers:

  • A recent smartphone with a good camera
  • A small tripod or stabilizer for your phone
  • Wide-angle lens attachments (optional)
  • Photo editing apps for landscapes
  • A protective case for outdoor use

Key Techniques for Better Landscape Photos

Creating Strong Compositions

How you arrange elements in your photo affects how viewers look at your image and what they feel. Try these composition ideas:

The Rule of Thirds is one of the most useful composition techniques. Imagine your photo divided into a 3×3 grid, then place important elements along these lines or where they cross. This creates more interesting images than just putting your subject in the center.

Leading lines guide viewers’ eyes through your photo. Rivers, roads, fences, or shorelines can direct attention to your main subject while creating a sense of movement throughout the image.

Adding interesting foreground elements gives your photos depth. Including rocks, flowers, textures, or patterns in the foreground creates layers in your composition and makes the photo feel three-dimensional.

Landscape Photography Tips and Techniques for Every Skill Level -

Working with Light

Light quality can turn ordinary landscapes into amazing images. The golden hours—shortly after sunrise and before sunset—provide warm, directional light that enhances textures and creates dramatic shadows. During these times, the sun is low in the sky, casting a golden glow that adds emotional depth.

Blue hour happens just before sunrise and after sunset when the sky turns rich blue. This special light works wonderfully for city scenes and water, creating mood and atmosphere.

Bright midday light can be challenging for landscape photographers because of harsh shadows and less vibrant colors. You can work with these conditions by converting images to black and white or focusing on smaller landscape details instead of wide views.

Landscape Photography Tips and Techniques for Every Skill Level -

For a complete overview of natural light techniques, check out our guide Natural Light Photography: A Practical Guide for Stunning Images

Understanding Camera Settings

For beginners, knowing these basic camera settings builds a foundation for growth:

Aperture controls your depth of field—how much of your image appears in focus. For most landscape photos, you’ll want sharpness throughout the scene, from foreground to background. This usually requires a narrow aperture (high f-number) between f/8 and f/16.

Shutter speed determines how motion appears in your image. For sharp landscapes, use faster shutter speeds or stabilize your camera on a tripod for longer exposures. When photographing moving elements like flowing water or clouds, try longer exposures to create smooth, silky effects.

ISO sets your camera’s sensitivity to light. For landscape photography, use the lowest ISO your camera offers (usually 100 or 200) to reduce digital noise and maximize image quality. Only increase ISO when necessary in low-light conditions.

Tips for great landscape photos with your camera

Creating beautiful landscape photographs with a dedicated camera requires preparation and attention to detail:

1. Research your location thoroughly. Look up potential locations before going and visit at different times to see how light affects the scene. Apps like PhotoPills or The Photographer’s Ephemeris help predict lighting conditions.

2. Keep your camera steady. Always use a tripod for landscape photography, making sure it’s firmly planted on stable ground. In windy conditions, hang your camera bag from the center column for extra stability.

3. Focus carefully for maximum sharpness. For most landscapes, focus about one-third into the scene (not on the closest foreground element) to maximize your depth of field. Use manual focus or your camera’s live view with focus peaking for precise control.

4. Use bracketing for challenging lighting. When shooting scenes with very bright and dark areas (like sunset skies over darker foregrounds), take multiple photos at different settings, then combine them during editing.

5. Don’t avoid “bad” weather. Some of the most dramatic landscape photographs happen during storms, fog, or unusual cloud formations. These conditions create mood and atmosphere that perfect sunny days often lack.

Landscape Photography Tips and Techniques for Every Skill Level -

How to take beautiful landscapes with your smartphone

Modern smartphones have great cameras that make them excellent tools for landscape photography:

1. Use HDR mode. High Dynamic Range helps balance very bright and dark areas in scenes, especially useful for sunrise or sunset photography when the sky is much brighter than the foreground.

2. Turn on grid lines. Enable your phone’s composition grid to help straighten horizons and use the rule of thirds effectively.

3. Try panorama mode. When facing wide scenes that won’t fit in your phone’s standard view, use panorama mode to capture wider perspectives while maintaining detail

4. Edit your photos. Apps like Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, or VSCO let you adjust color, contrast, and detail to improve your smartphone landscape images.

5. Keep your lens clean. Smartphone lenses often collect fingerprints and dust that reduce image quality. Regularly clean your lens with a microfiber cloth.

Landscape Photography Tips and Techniques for Every Skill Level -

Advanced Tips for Landscape Photography

As your skills grow, try these techniques to improve your landscape photography:

Focus stacking combines multiple images focused at different distances to create photos with amazing sharpness throughout. This technique is valuable when using wider apertures or photographing scenes with very close foreground elements.

Long exposure photography transforms moving elements like water, clouds, or leaves into smooth, dreamy forms while keeping stationary elements sharp. This approach creates magical interpretations of familiar landscapes.

Night landscape photography captures starry skies, the Milky Way, or northern lights above distinctive landscapes. This specialized technique requires understanding manual exposure, higher ISO settings, and sometimes combining multiple images to reduce noise.

Landscape Photography Tips and Techniques for Every Skill Level -

Responsible Landscape Photography

As landscape photographers, we should care for the environments we photograph:

Follow Leave No Trace principles by staying on established paths, avoiding damaging plants, and leaving natural elements untouched.

Check location rules before photographing protected areas, and get permits when required.

Think about the impact of sharing specific locations on social media, especially fragile environments that could be harmed by increased visitors.

Conclusion

Landscape photography offers endless opportunities for creative expression while helping us connect more deeply with nature. Whether you’re capturing wide vistas with professional equipment or intimate natural details with your smartphone, the principles of light, composition, and timing remain the same.

Remember that developing your landscape photography skills takes patience and practice. Each outing builds on previous experiences, gradually improving your technical abilities and artistic vision. Even when conditions seem challenging, stay open to unexpected opportunities—often the most memorable images happen when plans change and you adapt.

By using these techniques consistently while developing your own unique perspective, you’ll create landscape photographs that not only show beautiful places but also share your personal connection with the natural world.


FD Photo Studio offers affordable, professional photography spaces in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. Our flexible booking options and affordable rates make high-quality studios accessible to photographers and content creators at every level.

Feel free to head over to our website, check our online calendars for availability, and fill out our reservation form. That’s it! Our streamlined booking process makes it very easy to book your creative session in under a minute.

Call us at +1 (323) 454-2323, or email us at info@fdphotostudio.com. We also have a live support chat on our website where you can get directions, request help, or ask questions.

Find a Photo Studio near you

  • L.A. Studios

  • N.Y.C Studios

  • Chicago Studios

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Rent Studio

starting from
  • Lights
  • Modifiers
  • C-Stands
  • V-Flats
  • Wi-Fi
  • MUA Station
BOOK ONLINE
  • Overnight Booking

  • By providing a telephone number and submitting this form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging

Clients Review

My first time here and had a ball. Great experience. Beautiful view! Perfect natural lighting and had use of equipment. Great ...

READ MORE

Really enjoy using the new studios. Great natural light and the studio is well equipped with everything I would need to shoot f...

READ MORE

Used FD Studios for first time- great experience. I forgot my triggers- no problem, I was able to borrow some. Alex was a cool g...

READ MORE

Used FD multiple times for photo shoots for Volga Verdi clothing line – the results are amazing! Great rates, convenient locatio...

READ MORE

I love FD studio. This place is like a home to me :). I use this studio a lot to shoot portraits, engagements, fashion and artwor...

READ MORE

We did shooting of our products at FDPhotostudio. Reasonable price, great service and convenient location compare to other places...

READ MORE

This was my first experience of working in a professional photo studio. To tell you the truth, I didn’t quite know how to set th...

READ MORE

First time using the studio and I must say the experience was terrific. Alex was great to work with and could not be any nicer. Th...

READ MORE

Toba was fantastic to deal with throughout. From our first call to the point when we had wrapped out - she was great. Thank you...

READ MORE

The lady at the front desk helped me with setting up the light. I had a few questions and was humble in response. Definitely comin...

READ MORE

Great staff, easy to work with and very helpful.

READ MORE

Just great location and very chill!

READ MORE

I actually haven't rented studio space here yet, but I felt like I should write a review based on the customer service I've experi...

READ MORE

I have been using FD Photo Studio for the past 6 months and the experience has been nothing short of excellent. The studios are cl...

READ MORE

Great place!

READ MORE

It's BEST place to implement any ideas for photo and video shooting. The location inspires to create unique work. Thank you guys f...

READ MORE

I had a superb experience with FD Photostudio. I had no problems reserving the studio, confirming it and shooting there! The staff...

READ MORE

Having shot at FD Photo Studio for about 5 times, I can't help but say that this place is a gem in the middle of LA. It is really ...

READ MORE

The best studio in town no doubt, lots of space plus latest equipment, strongly recommend!

READ MORE

Great place! Been there for a few times and will definitely shoot more up there!

Guys who work there are cool and the ...

READ MORE

Update, I posted some snap shots of studio C. Seriously quick snap shots but you get the idea! I would love to keep the studio as...

READ MORE

I shot here a few times and have been happy each time. The staff have been more than helpful and accommodating. Parking is easy...

READ MORE

Shot at FD Photo Studio last week and it was a pleasure shooting there. They have a full bathroom with shower for models, alien...

READ MORE

This is a straight-forward studio, and works great as that. The space is very customizable. I have shot in Studio B, and am ren...

READ MORE

This studio is so dope! Great natural lighting and really cool space. They have good portions where to get ready for hair and m...

READ MORE

Stage A has great natural light and the all white paint makes for nice high key indoor window light shots. Great for quick small-s...

READ MORE

Awesome place and very good rates. Alex is always helpful . That's my first time at the new location and it's just perfect, lar...

READ MORE

I love this place! Such an inspiring and versatile studio! Great atmosphere and amazing people working there! So friendly and h...

READ MORE

I've shot at FD Photo Studio several times. The place is huge with 3 different spacious studios. I've honestly had the best exper...

READ MORE

After seven months of doing nothing I decided to do some review of what I learned in lighting and rented the studio for a while. V...

READ MORE

Great place. the set up, the rooftop access is a wonderful plus and the rates are great.

READ MORE

Everyone was so nice working there. The płace was fantastic and price was amazing. Very happy

READ MORE

Such a great studio to shoot , Studio A is really amazing with large windows to allow in natural sun light, and enough room for...

READ MORE

Love the natural lighting. Great place to shoot. Nice friendly staff.

READ MORE

LOVE this studio! SHOOT HERE!! I ll be in to shoot tomorrow for the 2nd time this week. Grateful!

READ MORE

It was great. Wish we booked more time. Definitely coming back!

READ MORE

Very friendly! Love this studio.

READ MORE

Used the studio multiple times for various projects, mostly for my product photography. They have the mannequins, steamer and a...

READ MORE

Gorgeous space, and another WINNER WINNER headshot session! I really love bringing clients to your space

READ MORE

The staff was great. Super friendly and helpful. The space is also perfect, with plenty of natural light.

READ MORE

Wonderful customer service... Always a pleasure shooting there. No issues except I wish that
someone would be available ...

READ MORE

I shot here for the very first time yesterday. Great location, great light, great studio!!! Everything you need is there. Th...

READ MORE

Toma at FD Photo Studio worked as our photo assitant during our shoot -- she is very knowledgeable and helpful! All facilities ...

READ MORE

You can tell by the lack of space in their schedules that FD Photo Studio is starting to catch on as the go-to hourly rental. Easy...

READ MORE

We recently shot our Fall 15 Product Look Book and could not be happier or more pleased with our overall experience at FD Photo St...

READ MORE

Thanks for a great video shoot. The staff was always there and very helpful. We will be booking FD Studios again soon, THANKS!!

READ MORE

Great studio spaces and value! I chose FD Photo Studios for my shoots on my recent trip to LA from Sydney Australia. Pro Studio I...

READ MORE

This place is amazing! The staff is really helpful and the place is very clean and ready to go when you arrive. For this rate, I w...

READ MORE

Our first experience with FD Studio was pretty amazing. From the helpful, really nice staff to the space itself, for the price is ...

READ MORE

Amazing space, very helpful staff. I will always continue to bring business to this studio.

READ MORE

I am the manager of a rock band in SoCal called Real Fiction. We were in need of a location to film their music video on a tight b...

READ MORE

Love the atmosphere. Great natural lighting...plus the rates are very reasonable. A+++ all around. I will be shooting there again.

READ MORE

Love this awesome studio Art 3! Will be back for more photoshoot for my next season designs for Summer 2017. Thanks FD Studio!

READ MORE

I love shooting at FD. The staff is great and the booking system is seamless and efficient. Great space and great light if you ant...

READ MORE

Anytime I"m visiting LA, FD is always my go to. Great studio space, easy to access and friendly staff.

READ MORE

Great place I just shot at Hill St. Studio 2 today and lots of Natural light plus 3 Alien Bee Strobes. Really clean and super clos...

READ MORE

I love FD studio because of their staff and of course their bright natural lighting. I also love the wooden background for art 1 a...

READ MORE

I love shooting on several of the stages this studio has to offer. The staff all have outstanding personalities and are very helpf...

READ MORE

This was an amazing collaboration with lovely models and great photographers. I worked with this Model creating a look that compli...

READ MORE

This is my go-to studio when I shoot. I absolutely love the gorgeous sets, the lighting equipment is always in great shape and rel...

READ MORE

Awesome place! The location we filmed at worked perfectly. Victor was a blast. Super helpful and friendly. I will definitely book ...

READ MORE

We had a great experience LOVED shooting there!! Staff was fantastic as was the location. Ease of use and exactly what was pictu...

READ MORE

I've used FD Studios Several times & every time I go, I'm always leaving satisfied. Keep up with the amazing stages! I hear you ma...

READ MORE
See All Studio Reviews
Events absent. Please check later!
BBB Accredited rental photo studio - FD Studios SSL Certified Trusted Rental Photo Studio Logo Comodo