3 Myths of Landscape Photography

Myth 1: “The best landscape photographs are taken only during the golden hour”

In photography, “the golden hour” refers to the time right after sunrise or right before sunset, during which the light is warmer and softer, creating a dreamy, almost unreal imagery. This is every photographer’s favorite time of the day.

However, there is the common misconception that for your landscape photograph to be considered one of the best, you should take them only during the golden hour. This is rather misleading because landscape photography can be done at whatever time of day. You have to get creative with the patterns that the harsh light can bring or the drama that can be provided by a cloudy day. Observe how the light plays around with the elements in the atmosphere.

“Rather than limiting yourself to only photographing a few hours a day, learn when the ideal light will hit the scenery you’re planning to photograph.” says Christian Hoiberg, a professional landscape photographer.

“Beam of light on a forest road” photo by John Towner shows that the harshness of a midday sun can lend drama to a photograph when filtered by trees.

“The Big Trip | Second Beach on the Olympic Peninsula” by Joshua Earle depicts a scenery straight out of a dream. The fog lens a voice to the story this photograph is trying to tell.

Myth #2: You don’t always need a foreground

A great landscape photo is one that leads the viewer on a journey from where he stands to where the photo takes him. And this story-telling approach only works with a foreground that connects the viewer to the scenery. Great landscape photos speak to your eyes in the form of layers: the foreground, the subject and the background. It not only tells the story, it makes you a part of it.

“Lake of Carezza, Carezza, Nova Levante, Italy” by Riccardo Chiarini

Islande by Matheo JBT

Myth #3: A Landscape Photograph must clearly show a “landscape”

This is not necessarily a standard we must stick to, unless we all want our photos to be the next Microsoft wallpaper. Breaking the rules of landscape photography and depicting surreal patterns in the way the landscape scenery is shot makes for a dramatic conversation-starter.