1. You do not have to live in some exotic location in order to produce great landscape photography that people will like and appreciate. Last year, I went to Israel and got some amazing shots. Yes, I have sold some of them, but my best selling print is of a location in Central Texas not far from where I live. Not sure where to go in your area? Hop in the car and go find something.
2. You do not have to have $12,000 of camera equipment in order to get great landscape photography shots. Currently, I am shooting the Nikon D7100, but I got started with the Nikon D5100. Learn to master what you have and enjoy shooting, don’t obsess on your camera envy. I was on a shoot once when a guy with a Nikon D800E and about $13,000 in glass walked up and asked me, “What settings are your shooting for the sunrise?” I asked him if he was shooting JPEG or RAW. He gave me a deer in the headlights look and I suggested that he keep it on Auto. You think buying a $300 pair of basketball shoes will make you into an NBA player? Just because someone has a bunch of equipment, it does not make them into a photographer.
3. Read the Manual to your Camera – Yes, I said read the instructions. You really should know all of the functions of your camera even if you do not plan to use all of them. You never know in Landscape photography, you may see something and have an “Ah, ha! Moment” where you quickly roll the dials and get a very special shot that you would have missed otherwise. Being that I like to shoot early in the morning or late at night, it is during those times as the light is changing, that I need to be quick to make adjustments before the light changes even more.
4. Shoot with other photographers. Not only is this generally good advice for just learning from one another, but you will make lifelong friends with the people that you go out and shoot with. I know that some of my favorite moments in the past years have been on photoshoots with friends.
5. If you are like me, the only expectations that you have to consistently meet are your own. I love the fact that I get to shoot what I want, when I want and how I want; it’s freedom. People will come to recognize this in your work and if they like it, they will will likely buy it. Learn from others, but develop your own unique style through experimentation.
