Scenics

Sweeping Landscapes

Photographing scenic landscapes is all about capturing the beauty, scale, and atmosphere of a place.

Lumpkin, Georgia: Capturing the beauty of Providence Canyon in Georgia means photographing its dramatic cliffs, rich layers of color, and the way sunlight brings the sculpted earth to life—each frame revealing nature’s artistry in vivid detail. In the image above the rock formation not only frames the landscape but becomes a leading line as well.

To create depth and interest, incorporate foreground elements like rocks, flowers, or trees to lead the viewer’s eye into the scene.

Sydney, Australia: The rugged shoreline near Bondi Beach forms a natural leading line of rocks that draws the eye toward the stunning ocean beyond.

Including the sky in landscape photography adds a powerful sense of perspective and scale. It gives the viewer a point of reference, making cliffs feel taller, trees more towering, and open spaces more expansive. The sky can also set the mood—bright and airy, moody and dramatic, or calm and still. On the other hand, removing the sky from a composition creates a more intimate, grounded feel. It draws attention to textures, patterns, and details within the landscape itself, offering a completely different visual experience as in the image above.

Vik, Iceland: By removing the sky and any elements that hint at scale, we transformed the scene into an entirely different kind of image—more abstract and open to interpretation.

The rule of thirds helps balance the composition, while leading lines such as roads, rivers, or trails naturally guide the frame. Lighting plays a crucial role—golden hour provides warm, soft tones that enhance colors, while blue hour creates a cool, moody effect perfect for lakes, mountains, or cityscapes.

Juno, Alaska: The view from the helicopter provided an incredible image of the snow capped mountains.

Using panoramic mode can help capture the vastness of a location, while adjusting exposure ensures balanced highlights and shadows. Whether shooting vast landscapes or intimate nature details, scenic photography is about finding the right light, composition, and perspective to bring the moment to life.

Cruise Ship View: By using panoramic mode in this unexpected setting, we transformed the ship’s straight railings into a dynamic V shape, distorting their form and creating a striking, imaginative image that contrasts with the actual structure in front of us.

Tips for Capturing Breathtaking Scenic Photos with Your Smartphone

🌟 Use the Rule of Thirds

• Enable your phone’s gridlines and position key elements (horizon, mountains, trees) along the intersections for a balanced composition.

🌅 Shoot During Golden or Blue Hour

• The soft, warm light of sunrise and sunset enhances natural colors, while blue hour adds a dramatic, moody effect to landscapes.

🌿 Include a Foreground Element

• Adding rocks, flowers, trees, or people in the foreground creates depth and makes your scenic shot more immersive.

🌄 Capture Wide Views with Panoramic Mode

• Use panoramic mode to fit expansive landscapes, sweeping coastlines, or vast mountain ranges into a single, seamless shot.

📏 Watch Your Horizon Line

• Keep the horizon straight to maintain a natural perspective. Use editing tools to fix any tilt if needed.

🛤️ Play with Leading Lines

• Paths, rivers, fences, or roads naturally guide the viewer’s eye into the image, making your scenic photo more dynamic.

☁️ Take Advantage of Cloud Formations

• Dramatic skies with clouds, fog, or sun rays add emotion and depth to your landscape shots.

🌈 Use HDR Mode for Balanced Lighting

• High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mode helps retain details in both bright skies and shadowed landscapes, preventing overexposed or too-dark areas.

🔭 Experiment with Different Perspectives

• Instead of shooting straight-on, try a low-angle shot for a dramatic effect or a high-angle view for a sweeping vista.

🎨 Enhance Colors Naturally

• Adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation slightly in post-editing to make the scene pop without making it look unnatural.

By combining composition techniques, the right lighting, and creative angles, you can transform ordinary landscapes into breathtaking scenic masterpieces!

Return to Subject Categories