Jump to a review by selecting a manufacturer and a model.
Or just select a manufacturer to see reviews of all of their cameras.
Step 1 MANUFACTURER
Select a manufacturer
Step 2 CAMERA MODEL
Select a camera model
Step 3 SEARCH CAMERAS
Search the database


You know how much you want to spend on your
next camera, so tell us and we'll show you the options.
Select a price range and a type of camera and hit Search.
Step 1 PRICE RANGE
Select your price range
Step 2 CAMERA TYPE
Select a camera type
Step 3 SEARCH CAMERAS
Search the database
home | about | glossary | faqs | reviewers | podcasts | rss | forum | contact | advertise | suggest
Compare
Compare up to four cameras by clicking on the icons next to them. They will be stored up here.
Compare

Compare

The camera has been added to the comparisons bar at the top of the page
Don't show this message again
Camera Search

Featured Article

Return to features archive »

How to shoot perfect landscapes

by Matt Tuffin on 5th Oct 2009
 

Pre-shot preparations

Check the footing

The ground under the tripod will be just as important as the ground in front of it, as uneven footing with throw off any ability to judge the flatness of the head by eye. It's far easier to utilise a spirit level on the tripod or camera's flash head. 

Go for a test shot

One of the big benefits of landscape photography is that the subject won't be going anywhere any time soon. You could have hours to play with, so try a few different settings and angles before settling on a single shot. A little creativity can really reap the benefits, so try some filters too. 

Don't be afraid to hike

Pack light and take a day out walking rather than going to the popular spots that would have been the subject of hundreds of quick snaps. The reward will be some truly inspiring images at difficult to find spots, giving you something memorable to hang on the wall.

Landscape Genres

Urban

Landscape photography isn’t purely about standing in a field, as towns and cities can produce some superb opportunities. Light trails from cars and striking architecture are simple subjects to set up and shoot one evening, and grafitti can provide a point of interest for an otherwise unspectacular wall shot.

Coast

Not only does having an obvious horizon line make the image far easier to level out, but a shot from a cliff top or beach can capture some eye-catching lighting conditions at sunset or sundown. With little to obstruct the top of the image it’s also far easier to use graduated filters as well. 

Forest

One of the most typically taken landscape shots has the potential to be the most visually uninteresting, primarily because trees and bushes rarely make interesting subjects. A little creativity with framing, filters or usage of black and white can remedy this, and early mornings can offer some wonderfully moody photos.

Filters

The necessity of filters has been diminished somewhat due to the appearance of photo editing programs, although the two process should be treated as separate entities. Much like a computer generated image can mimic a real life actor in a film, software such as Photoshop can closely replicate the effects of a filter, but isn’t quite the same as the real thing. Slide-in filters are far easier to exchange than their screw-in counterparts, which is especially useful as the effects created can be mixed and matched to create a completely individual end result. Here are a few examples of the most popular filters, and their usages.      

NAME: Tobacco Grad
TYPE: Graduated effect filter
EFFECT: Gives one half of the image an orangey hue, tinting either the sky or the ground depending on the orientation. He level of effect can be altered depending on the darkness of the filter, which is indicated by the number.
USAGE: Give a sunset a far more dramatic effect or a beach an otherworldly effect

NAME: ND Grad
TYPE: Graduated correction filter
EFFECT: Mostly utilized to give large expanses of sky a more balanced appearance when there are numerous shades and tints. By graduating the effect the ground isn't dulled to any extent, allowing grass or sand to maintain it's appearance.
USAGE: When covering changing conditions the ND Grad produces a more balanced end result

NAME: Yellow
TYPE: Black and white effect filter
EFFECT: It may sound odd, but some coloured filters are better used for black and white photography. Yellow makes for a far lighter contrast, bringing vastly differing shades closer together.
USAGE: Creating a lighter contrast in black and white

NAME: 81B
TYPE: Effect filter
EFFECT: When there's far too much red in an image, the colour temperature is said to be too 'hot'. To counteract an 81B blue filter can bring the shades down to a more manageable state, and reduce the saturation.
USAGE: Urban landscapes

Page 2 of 4 1 2 3 4

Return to features archive »

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Reviewer Profile



Matt Tuffin

As a keen photographer for more than ten years, Matt is combining the two great loves of his life in taking photos and playing with new gadgets.

Total Camera Reviews 78
Average Camera Rating 3.7
Matt's Last 5 Reviews
Pentax Optio M85 2 / 5
Fujifilm Real 3D W1 2 / 5
Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj 2 / 5
Nikon D300s 4 / 5
Pentax X70 3 / 5
Click here to view Matt's profile »
Digital Photographer Latest Uploaded Photos
Click an image below to view or Click here for the Digital Photographer website.
Join The Community
...times i stand still 2 by Ted St Brice Where's Grace? by Lee Buckingham From stream to sea by Alex Elder Clematis Royalty by SAVIO JOANES Clematis Complexity by SAVIO JOANES Grasshopper 2 by Alex Elder Grasshopper by Alex Elder Dragonfly by Alex Elder Speckled Wood by Colin Langford In a Flap3 by Colin Langford In a Flap2 by Colin Langford In a Flap1 by Colin Langford Veil by Eric Emerson Cloakroom Girl at Amika's by Marc Wainwright Corn Du by Colin Russell Gob ny Beinn (Point or headland of the slopes) by Colin Russell Sgwd ddwli by Colin Russell ..times i stand still by Ted St Brice Divinity by Aleksandar Vasic Glen Maye by Colin Russell Red by Blue B we are here-The Reds by Wojtek Rozanski Golub hits Soho in style by Marc Wainwright Back to the Future by Colin Russell Danger lurks everywhere by David Pamphilon Mindy Abair & Jeff Golub by Marc Wainwright On a Summer Day .... by John Pattison the old puffer by alexander, (alexnc9) nicol reflection on the top lock by alexander, (alexnc9) nicol Cork City Docks by rohan reilly Balbriggan by rohan reilly Blackrock Baths by rohan reilly Hawker by lee beel River Painting by Richard Hampton Path To St Michael's  by Dave O'Callaghan A summers day by Michael Hirst Storm Brewing by Dirk Smith Floating rock by Victor Hoffmann self portrait by Mutlu  Gunenc storm by Mutlu  Gunenc witches by Mutlu  Gunenc hope by Mutlu  Gunenc
Digital Photographer Gallery Stats: 143,390 user images, 11,044 profiles | Imagine Gallery Network: 229,320 user images, 51,019 profiles