Landscape photography can be tough. You’ve got the gear, the location, and the vision, but somehow, things don’t always click. This struggle is familiar to many, and understanding why it happens can be the first step to overcoming it.
Coming to you from Alister Benn, this insightful video explores why landscape photography is so challenging. Benn starts by highlighting a simple truth: despite the vast landscapes and expensive equipment, success isn’t guaranteed. The process seems straightforward, but the reality is different. The belief that it should be easy makes the inevitable difficulties more frustrating.
The second point Benn makes is about moving targets. As you grow and learn new techniques, the standards you set for yourself keep rising. You master a new skill or acquire better equipment, only to find new barriers in your way. This constant shift can make you feel like you're never quite good enough, which is a common struggle.
The third challenge is more psychological. Benn explains how expectations can trip you up. You might think that being experienced should mean you can always produce great photos, but that’s not true. Even seasoned photographers have off days. This inconsistency can be discouraging, especially when your expectations are high.
Benn also discusses solutions, starting with a simple but powerful suggestion: get out there. Take your camera, go somewhere local, and just start shooting. The act of getting out and taking photos can break the cycle of doubt and inaction. It's about building momentum and rediscovering the joy of photography.
The second piece of advice is to slow down. Don’t rush to capture the perfect shot. Instead, take your time to explore and experiment. This approach reduces pressure and opens you up to new possibilities. By slowing down, you can see more and create better.
That's just the beginning, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Benn.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!"
Landscape photography is not difficult. Your subject is perpetually available. Every time you go looking for it, you can find it. The only challenge is getting to the locations.
Wildlife and candid street photography is much more difficult because you have no guarantee of seeing your subjects. You might go out 100 times and never see a particular animal for example.
But in landscape photography, there is a very random parameter: weather. You can never be sure it will be good. Too clear and you get a boring sky, however for Milkyway, this is what you are looking for and potentially might not get... Too cloudy and you get a dull light... You want it just in the middle with some light getting its way through the clouds. You might wait all the week to go out and shoot, getting good weather while you are stuck at work or at home and then, when you are available, you get nothing... This is the hard life of landscape photography. This is exactly what is happening this week-end: I would like to shoot milkyway but there is no clear night... Of course, wildlife photography, which I also do, is at least as difficult as landscape photography. The main issue is that it requires a huge amount of time scouting for wildlife before you can start shooting. Something that you can only do if you are single without children or professional or retired! The advantage of landscape photography is that you can scout a bit on the internet with maps, applications...
It’s a quite recent invention, not everything is always 100% correct but I’d still suggest to take a look at it.
Is that an application to request the weather on week-ends? OK, so next one, I would like a nice sunset with a few low clouds over the sea and a clear horizon to let the light go through and next I would like a clear night with no clouds, no wind and a very clear atmosphere. And for the Sunday's sunrise, please, a dramatic sky with dark clouds and rays of light coming through here and there!
Landscape photography was never hard... Its only hard for ppl who are lazy and not actually enjoy nature...