The usual formula for any successful landscape image is to ensure that as much of your scene is in focus as possible (your foreground right through to background elements.) To achieve this you want to maximize your depth of field by selecting a small aperture (a large F-number) remembering that this mean a slower shutter speed so a tripod is essential.

2> Tripods

Packing a good quality tripod is essential for capturing sharp landscapes. Remember that the whole point of a tripod is to ensure that the camera is kept steady thus eliminating the chances of camera movement which will cause blurry or 'soft' images - with this in mind choose a tripod that is sturdy and built to support the weight of your camera and lens. Using a tripod also gives you plenty of time to accurately frame the scene, check for a straight horizon and keep an eye on the ever changing sky.
When shooting on a tripod it's also a good idea to carry a cable release to allow you to fire the shutter without actually touching the camera and further minimizing the chance of camera shake. If you don't have a cable release then simply using the self timer function on the camera will do.

3> Composition - Look for a Focal Point

Take your time when thinking about the composition of your image. This includes choosing a vantage point that gives the best results (this could be low to the ground or higher up) and consider what is in the foreground, mid ground and background. A focal point will help add interest to the landscape and could be anything from a tree, bushes, building, rocks or even silhouettes or interesting shadows. 'Lead in lines' are also a great way to 'guide' the viewers eye through the image - look out for natural lines such as shorelines, rivers, bushes as well as man-made features such as roads and pathways, walls and fences and even railway lines.

4> Wide angle lens

A wide-angle lens is pretty much a must have for great landscapes - this will give you a wide angle of view and 'pulls the viewer in' allowing you to capture more of the scene, from the grass at your feet to dramatic sweeping skies. The most popular wide angle lenses fall into the 10-20mm focal range.

Most photographers try to avoid shooting around mid-day which to avoid hard unflattering shadows and harsh highlights. The 'golden hours' are around dawn or dusk when the quality of light is better and softer and the low angle of light and longer shadows add texture and depth to the scene

6> Horizons

Something that is easily missed is the horizon which should always be straight. Some cameras allow 'grid lines' to be turned on in the viewfinder which can help.
Also consider where the horizon is placed within the composition of the scene - placing the horizon either in the top or lower third of the viewfinder will create a much better composition than the middle.

Capturing some movement within a scene can add some additional interest. The movement of flowing water, waves and moving clouds in particular can be captured by selecting a slow shutter speed and will add drama and atmosphere.

8> Filters

When capturing landscapes there is usually a lot of contrast between the sky and what is in the foreground, the resulting image can often mean detailed foregrounds but over exposed skies or vica versa. Using a graduated ND (Neutral Density) filter can help by effectively 'slowing down' the light captured at the top of the image as the filter is grey at the top and has a gentle transition to clear at the bottom (similar to graduated car windscreens.)

Polarizing filters are another 'must have' for landscape photographers as they darken skies, increase colour saturation and help to eliminate distracting reflections. If your shooting water then the addition of a polarizing filter will reduce reflections and allow you to capture details under the water surface. The colour of foliage, leaves, grass etc will also be greatly enhanced as will the rich blues and details in the sky.

9> Consider the Weather

It's natural to assume that a bright sunny day may be the best time to grab the camera and head out for some great photos - however when capturing landscapes an overcast or showery day will offer much more detail in the sky and add atmosphere and a mood to the image. Look out for rain and storm clouds, sunset and sunrises and the sun breaking through clouds creating dramatic rays of sunlight. Don't forget to protect your camera gear from the elements so consider a waterproof camera cover, bag or at the very least a plastic bag just in case you get caught in a shower!

And finally . . . .

Why not explore 'stiching' images together to give an extra wide panoramic view. Some camera manafacturers give the required software free with the cameras, alternatively you can use Photoshop or try google for free programs.

The above image of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada was taken by Photo Continental staff member Dustin and is made up of 7 images stiched together in Photoshop. Shot on a Nikon D700 with an 35mm f2 lens.

Lenses
When it comes to landscapes the wider the better! - check out the Sigma 10-20mm which is a firm PC favourite and is available to fit Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Olympus.

Tripod
Chances are you'll be shooting with a small aperture and a slow shutter speed. So a quality tripod is worth it's weight in gold and will help you to avoid blurry or 'soft' looking images.

Filters
ND filters will help you to avoid overexposed skies and dark foregrounds. We recommend trying out the Cokin filter system for flexibility and value for money. A good quality polarizing filter will help reduce reflections ansd glare when shooting water, glass or highly reflective surfaces plus boost the saturation of colours and bring out detail in the sky.

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