While you are traveling through a scenic region, you cannot resist the temptation to stop over and capture some photos of the landscapes. But alas, after you come home and look at the photos, they seem flat and bland! What’s the reason? The fact is that human eyes travel over the lovely scene and focus only on the appealing elements, ignoring everything except the most enticing details in the scene. However, lenses and film or sensors cannot do that on their own; they need help.
Giving Time is Important
If you are wondering how to set desktop wallpaper on Windows and want to capture good landscape shots to create amazing wallpapers, you should give time to scout the place, check different spots and find various vantage points. If possible take a compass with you to find where the sun will rise and set and visualize how the place would look in various types of light. This may need some practice since you’ll also have to check spots where light won’t fall.
Finding Subjects
Flowing Water
If flowing water is a component of the landscape you are shooting, think about its character and how you can convey the character in the photo. E.g. a big, slowly flowing river looks different than a gushing mountain stream. You can make the water as the center of attraction in the image or as an element in your composition, as a horizontal or diagonal or other leading line or as a shape complementing other elements in the frame.
Forests
Shooting forests presents a different set of challenges. Think about the character of the forest first and shoot it to convey it in your image. Is it dark and gloomy, or light and airy? Do you see any special features with which you can express what you feel about it?
As you do with any image, find a point of interest. It might be a winding path or a different type of tree trunk or a flowering vine. Compose it in such a way that it will lead the viewer to it.
Plains
Wide-open spaces such as meadows and prairies are some of the toughest landscapes to shoot well because they usually lack obvious points of interest. In such a case, look for an element that can work as a point of interest and would say something about the scene. Your viewers’ eyes should not wander aimlessly across the frame; so, lead them to whatever you may find, e.g. a fence line, a lonely tree or a butterfly.
Use these tricks for capturing landscape photos and you will be amazed to see how interesting your photos can be.