The job of a landscape photographer is not just to record a scene but also to record an everlasting impression on a scene. The viewer of your landscape image must be drawn into the picture through superb colours, corrective use of natural light and an attractive composition - this is where a photographers keen eye plays a significant role.

No landscape photographer is born with a keen eye for photography - this is developed through time, and trial and error. All great landscape photographers study their images and look for ways of improving them. They are constantly looking at magazines and other publications - always studying the market and looking for new ideas.

Landscape photography is one of the most rewarding areas of photography, both financially and personally. Landscape photographers enjoy the attraction of the great outdoors, with the exercise from hill climbing and being outdoors a massive plus. Landscape images are widely used around the world in limitless publications and markets are always on the lookout for the next pro.

So have you got what it takes to become a landscape photography pro?

To capture great landscape images, you will need the right equipment. One of the most important items that you should consider buying is a tripod - most landscape images are shot in low light with a greater risk of camera movement - the end result will be that your images will be blurred. Your tripod will reduce this along with a cable release instead of pressing the shutter.

A good lens is very important. An ultra wide angle zoom lens is a good choice and will give your images greater depth. You should also consider a few filters if you are shooting with a film camera.

Filters are an important part of landscape photography and will help to bring back an image to the way our eyes have perceived a scene. Sometimes it’s not possible for our cameras to record an exact scene - filters also help us by correcting colour balance and adding mood and life to our photography. The most important filters to bring with you are the polarizing filter, and the ND Filter.

Landscape photography and light go hand in hand. There are three basic qualities of light: intensity, direction and colour.

Intensity: refers to the strength of light. Harsh light leads to poor images and usually the light is too harsh at midday when the sun is high in the sky.

Direction: this refers to the placement of the sun in the sky. There are three categories of light placement: front, back and side-lighting. Side lighting works best, this produces more texture between light and shade. Front light scenes work best in low light conditions for sunset or sunrises.

Colour: the colour of light varies depending upon the strength of the sun, conditions of the day and time of day. Warmer colours can be found at sunrise and sunsets.

Composition of a landscape image should be taken with great care. Here are a few tips to help with composition. Lead the viewer into your image with lines. Lines will draw the viewer into the picture, and they don’t have to be straight. Lines, such as tracks, riverbanks or fences, may work successfully. A row of trees or posts may also work.

Simple foreground interest will give your landscape image a sense of depth. Items such as rocks work very well. Don’t become too entangled in an interesting foreground subject - some items may be too distracting to an image. Use the widest aperture (f/22) or more to keep the entire scene in focus.

Some landscape photography images look great with natural frames. You can frame your scene with the elements all around you. This will focus attention on the main part of the picture. Trees make great natural frames.

Landscape photography is certainly a challenge and to get great landscape images takes a great deal of thought and patience. But remember, practice makes perfect.

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