Learn: Top 10 Tips for Landscape Photography

One of the UK's most celebrated landscape photographers, Charlie Waite is best known for the painting-like landscapes he creates with his Hasselblad medium-format film camera. With decades of experience and work exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, Charlie Waite's awards include a fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society and an honorary fellowship from the British Institute of Professional Photography. Charlie Waite has published dozens of books, including many on landscape photography, and is one of the leading experts in the field of landscape photography today.

In this article with MPB, Charlie Waite shares ten pieces of advice for landscape photography beginners, covering everything from camera gear to techniques. Over to you, Charlie Waite.

My name is Charlie Waite, and I’m a landscape photographer. We will explore several important aspects of landscape photography, beginning with what we are actually looking at. Understanding what we intend to make a photograph of is crucial. We will also touch on camera equipment, which plays a significant role in capturing the perfect shot. Encouraging young people to take up photography is something I’m very passionate about, so there’s plenty to discuss.

My entry into photography came in a rather interesting way. I spent about ten to twelve years in the theatre, and one of the things that had a significant impact on my transition to landscape photography was lighting. Light is absolutely critical in photography. It has the power to direct the viewer’s attention anywhere, making it an essential tool for any photographer. For many people, landscape photography is deeply rewarding, both to look at and to capture. It is imperative that we engage with it more and more, as it fosters a communion with nature—a connection that should play a significant role in all our lives.

1. Use the right camera

One of the most common questions I get asked is, "What camera do you use?" Some argue that the camera itself doesn’t matter, but I must say it does. While the camera isn’t the element that sees or pre-visualises an image, it ensures that the photograph aligns with your vision. My personal choice is the Hasselblad 500C. Essentially, it’s a box with a 6x6cm format, first manufactured in 1957. What’s fascinating is that nearly 60 years later, the CFV II 50C Digital Back Anniv was introduced in 2020, and it fits perfectly onto this camera. It maintains the nostalgic feel for long-time Hasselblad users while offering digital capabilities, which makes it special.

2. Choose your lenses

I own about five lenses: a 150mm, a 40mm, a 50mm, an 80mm (which is my standard lens), and a 250mm. It’s important never to feel frustrated because you don’t have the right lens for the image you envision. Lenses play just as crucial a role as the camera itself. With so many cameras and lenses on the market, it’s essential to find one that feels right for you. My Hasselblad does exactly that for me.

3. Use a lens filter

One of the most important additional pieces of equipment is the polarising filter. Why use one? It removes white light reflection from various surfaces. For instance, if you see a glare on my head due to my lack of hair, a polarising filter would remove that! It also darkens blue skies and increases contrast. However, it is "light-hungry," reducing exposure by about two stops when fully polarised and 1 2/3 stops when not. Before using it, always check its effect on the image and make sure you’re satisfied with the outcome.

Another useful tool is the graduated filter, which is often used to darken the sky or even the beach in tropical locations. While some prefer to apply these effects digitally in post-processing, I prefer to do it in-camera at the moment of capture.

Learn more about lens filters.

4. 'Make' the image

Did you notice I said "making" the image? A photograph isn’t just a snapshot—it’s a multi-dimensional production. Every single element in the frame matters. As a landscape photographer, you are a noticer. Your job is to create an image that aligns with what you saw and felt. Some photographers say, "Don’t photograph what it looks like, photograph what it feels like." That’s a lovely expression and an important philosophy to embrace.

It’s always beneficial to revisit past photographs. There’s a certain attachment to some images, and looking back at them reminds us of how we felt at the time of capture. For instance, I recall one image where my mother was sitting in the car, waiting for me while I composed the shot. In another, I used a small ladder to gain just enough height to separate the reeds in the foreground from those in the background, adding depth to the image.

5. Create depth

One of the challenges of photography is its inherently two-dimensional nature. To create depth, it’s important to reveal more than conceal. Offer the viewer as much as possible, allowing them to experience the scene as if they were standing beside you. One of my favorite images, taken at Rydal Water in the Lake District, follows an S-curve composition that guides the viewer’s eye through the entire frame, from the foreground to the distant sky.

6. Add structure with clouds and shadows

While traveling, the temptation to photograph everything can be strong, but discipline is necessary. One particular image I captured had no initial sunlight, but I anticipated a cloud moving across the landscape, which would soon cast the perfect shadow. This strategic use of lighting shaped the composition, highlighting the key subject while keeping the background subdued.

Clouds play a pivotal role in landscape photography. The clouds that aren’t in your photograph are just as important as the ones that are because they cast shadows. Always observe how they interact with the landscape, determining what to highlight and what to subdue.

7. Learn how to use your camera properly

Know how to operate your camera, don't be daunted by it.

Read our basic camera settings guide for beginners.

8. Train your eye

Build confidence in your eye and brain as a team. Ask yourself if the scene is impossible to resist; if so, commit fully to capturing it.

9. Prepare

Lastly, preparation is key. Research your location beforehand, but also remain open to moments of serendipity. As the saying goes, "Chance favors the prepared mind."

10. Enter competitions

In 2006, I founded Landscape Photographer of the Year, a competition that celebrates the beauty and wonder of the UK’s landscapes. This competition truly highlights the extraordinary landscapes we have, and I encourage all photographers to participate.

Discover our recommended camera gear for landscapes, as well as moretips and techniques on the MPB content hub.