Lighting in Landscape Photography: What Beginner Photographers Are Missing!

Jul 20

1. Introduction

Photography and light go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. Without light, we're just left with a blank canvas.

Lighting influences everything in photography, including character, separation, colors, textures, mood, and the story of the image.

There are many types of lights in photography, and each creates a different effect. The way it is positioned and its quality can impact various aspects of your photo.

Light is no simple thing.

It has the power to evoke emotions, set moods, and create incredible visual impact. It can make your photos ooze with warmth or give them a cool and edgy vibe.

It can either push people away or draw them in, create a sense of drama or tranquility, and even make your viewers feel a whole range of emotions like happiness or sadness. That's the power of light.

I remember when I started out photographing landscapes, I was obsessed with sunrises and sunsets, believing those were the only time frames where landscape photographers should be out.

I quickly realized I was wrong. The more I explore other opportunities throughout the day, the more I learn to take advantage of many different types of light. The more you practice, the faster you'll be able to determine what lighting to use based on your subject, the setting, and the overall concept.

2. The Myth of "Good" and "Bad" Light

There is one thing that always grinds my gears. You know what? When I hear people blame their lackluster photos on the light. I'm pretty sure at some point in your photographic journey you heard, "Damn, the light was terrible, so I couldn't capture anything decent!"

But let me tell you, this excuse often pops up when people try to capture a shot, for example, at noon under the blazing sun or when the light is extremely dull, or even when it's "too dark".

Here's the thing: every single one of these situations can actually lead to some pretty amazing photos that embrace the exact qualities of light you initially thought were bad. Yep, you heard me right!

Instead of categorizing light as "good" or "bad," let's shift our mindset a bit. Think of it this way: the light wasn't wrong, it just didn't align with what you were trying to convey.

“The light wasn’t wrong, it just didn’t align with what you were trying to convey.”

Every location you shoot in has its unique light quality. So, if you catch yourself saying, "Ugh, the light is awful," chances are you're probably working against it.

When you insist on capturing a photo from a specific angle or in a particular part of the scene where the light isn't doing its thing, you're compromising the potential of that light.

It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It just won't work!

A common misconception is that "good light" is some kind of mystical force that only shows up in specific settings or at certain times of the day. But that's absolutely not true!

3. The Potential of Difficult Light

Let’s analyze the image here above for a second. I took this test shot in Iceland in March during the winter season at around 5:00 pm, so definitely not during the golden hour.

As you can see, the landscape was quite dramatic, but the light was everything but ideal. It was very harsh and the image presented an incredible amount of contrast.

Even though the composition is clearly nothing special, I knew with a different framing and slightly different position that I could use that challenging light to my advantage and make the most of it.

Thus, I decided to use a tighter framing for a smaller portion of the landscape and simplify the composition by using the smoke from the nearby geothermal area as an element to frame it.

The composition is way better now and to my eyes, the shot looks absolutely gorgeous. As you can see from the before & after, I ended up choosing a high-key editing style to make the image appear more ethereal, softer, and less dramatic.

Of course, during the shooting, I was very conscious of the direction I wanted the shot to take when edited. This is why developing a unique vision is so important.

Here below is another example image I took during my winter workshop in the Dolomites last January. Around 10 am, with very directional and contrasty light. Once again, the light conditions were quite challenging.

So I managed to create a minimalistic and dynamic composition by framing small portions of the landscape with the telephoto lens. I’m pretty happy with the final image.

4. Exploring Different Times of the Day

Back when I started photographing landscapes, I used to think those golden hours were the holy grail. But let me tell you, most of my favorite photos were taken in unexpected lighting conditions.

Sometimes, the sun peeking out from behind dark clouds after a rain shower can create pure magic. Don't limit yourself to predefined notions of when the light is "perfect."

Embrace the opportunities that different lighting situations present, and you'll be amazed at what you can capture.

If you were to analyze the photos in National Geographic magazine throughout the decades, you'd notice a wider range of lighting conditions being captured.

The old belief that you should only shoot during the "golden hours" just after sunrise or before sunset is slowly fading away. Photographers are now experimenting with various times of the day and even the night. It's a whole new world.

*Excerpt from National Geographic magazine - May 2023*

Here are some other images where the light wasn't that “perfect”, but as I said earlier, being adaptable is key.

Consider exploring a different subject, a different composition. Instead of relying solely on dramatic lighting, focus on finding interesting compositions and elements that align better with the type of light you have at your disposal.

When the light is not extraordinary, shift your attention to the smaller details within the scene. Experiment with different angles, perspectives, and viewpoints.

Simplify your compositions by focusing on a single subject or a few key elements within the landscape. Eliminate any distracting elements and create images with clean lines, negative space, and a sense of tranquility.

Less can sometimes be more.

5. Conclusion

Light is a fascinating thing. It's incredible how each of us perceives and interprets it in our own special way.

The way we experience light is not only influenced by our individuality but also reflects our personalities. It's like a beautiful blend of who we are and how we see the world around us.

The beauty of light is everywhere. Take the time to explore outside of your comfort zone, embrace new experiences, and see the world from a different perspective.