Landscape photography captures scenes of nature and the outdoors. It is most effective when the viewer is actively drawn into the scene, which requires proper composition and framing. If you’re just getting started with this hobby, the tips below can help you create stunning and engaging landscape images.

A Guide to Landscape Photography

1. Create a Sense of Scale

In order for the viewer to visually comprehend the enormity of a mountain range or the vastness of a valley, the landscape photographer must create scale. This is done by framing a relatable object within a scene to give the viewer a point of comparison.

For example, an aerial shot of an empty desert may not be terribly impressive on its own because the viewer cannot instantly recognize the hugeness of the space. But if an object is included in the scene—a camel, for example, surrounded by miles of sand—the added scale immediately clues them in to the immensity of the scene.

2. Include a Point of Interest

When a landscape photo has a clear point of interest, it immediately attracts the viewer’s eye. This is especially helpful when an image depicts a large, static space where there is very little action, such as a beach with calm waves. 

Whether it’s a person, a rock, an animal, or a waterfall, a point of interest helps make a landscape photo more engaging by telling the viewer exactly where to look.

3. Mind Where You Put the Horizon Line

A good landscape photo draws a viewer’s attention to the most visually stunning aspect of the scene. If you’re shooting a spectacular, crimson-tinged beach sunset, for instance, the horizon line should appear in the lower third of the image so that the sky takes up the majority of space in the photo.

If, on the other hand, you’re focusing on an object in the foreground—footprints or seashells on the sand, let’s say—the horizon should be framed in the top third of the image, so that the foreground is the focal point.

If you’re looking to frame your stunning landscape photos, contact Denali Graphics & Frame. For more than 30 years, they’ve been providing customers in the Anchorage, AK, area with first-rate custom framing services in a wide variety of colors and styles. They’re dedicated to providing superior customer service and handle each project with care. Visit their website to learn more, or call (907) 561-4456 to speak with a helpful representative today.