Mastering Light in Landscape Photography

Light plays a crucial role in landscape photography. While many believe the best light comes during sunrise and sunset, you can find stunning light at any time of day. Understanding how to work with different lighting conditions can transform your photos.

Coming to you from Christian Irmler - Landscape Photography, this informative video dives into the importance of light in landscape photography and how to make the most of it. Irmler starts by exploring the idea that great light can occur even at noon, challenging the notion that you should only shoot during the golden hours. He shares his experience of a recent shoot where initially poor lighting improved dramatically, turning a bad photo opportunity into a portfolio-worthy shot. 

Irmler describes how he often uses apps like PhotoPills for weather planning, but also emphasizes the importance of being present and ready to capture unexpected changes in light. He explains that sometimes, despite less than ideal weather forecasts, you can still find opportunities to create beautiful compositions. This flexibility is essential in landscape photography, where conditions are always changing. Irmler’s approach underlines the value of persistence and readiness, even when the weather isn't perfect.

A notable point in the video is Irmler’s focus on the concept of "gappy clouds." These clouds create dynamic lighting with alternating light and shadow, adding depth and interest to your images. Irmler demonstrates how to use these lighting conditions to your advantage, especially when photographing mountainous landscapes. He shows how the interplay of light and shadow can bring out the texture and plasticity of the terrain, making your photos more compelling.

Irmler also touches on the technical aspects of landscape photography, such as choosing the right focal length and composition. He advises on the importance of having a sturdy tripod but also shows how to make do with a travel tripod when necessary. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Irmler.

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!"