Landscape Photography Myths: Advice Beginners Should Ignore

When embarking on the exciting journey of landscape photography, you’re bound to encounter advice from all directions: friends, books, YouTube tutorials, podcasts, and even social media comments. Some of this advice will be golden nuggets of wisdom, while other tips may hinder rather than help. As a beginner, learning what not to do can often be as valuable as learning the right techniques. In this article, I’ll debunk nine pieces of advice I wish I had ignored during my first year of landscape photography—and share a few practical tips to guide you on your path.

9. Always set your camera in manual mode

While it’s crucial to learn and understand manual mode—it teaches you how to balance the exposure triangle of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO—it’s far from necessary to always use it. Your camera has semi-automatic modes like Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority for a reason. They’re fantastic tools for situations where the light is changing rapidly or you need to react quickly. Use manual mode as a learning tool, but don’t feel pressured to rely on it exclusively.

Tip: Start with Aperture Priority mode for landscapes. It allows you to control depth of field while the camera adjusts other settings.

8. Graduated ND filter is a must have

Filters can be invaluable, but not all are created equal in terms of necessity. A circular polarizer is a must-have because its effects—like reducing glare and enhancing skies—can’t be replicated in post-processing. However, graduated ND filters, once a staple, are less essential with modern editing tools like Lightroom, which can mimic their effects through selective adjustments.

Tip: If you’re just starting, invest in a good circular polarizer and learn to blend exposures in post-processing to achieve dynamic skies and foregrounds.

7. Always overexpose your images

The “expose to the right” (ETTR) method suggests overexposing an image slightly to retain shadow detail, as camera sensors traditionally handle highlights poorly. But modern sensors have excellent dynamic range, allowing you to recover details from shadows with minimal noise. Overexposing can lead to blown-out highlights that are often irretrievable.

Tip: Expose for the highlights to preserve detail in bright areas. It’s easier to recover shadows than highlights.

6. Always use a tripod

Tripods are excellent for maximizing sharpness, especially in low-light conditions or when shooting long exposures. But they’re not always practical. For handheld shooting, today’s cameras and lenses often have superb stabilization features, allowing you to capture sharp images without the bulk of a tripod. If a fleeting moment requires speed, handheld shooting can be the better option.

Tip: Use a tripod for planned compositions or long exposures, but don’t hesitate to go handheld for spontaneous shots.

5. Shoot only during during golden hours

Golden hours—sunrise and sunset—do provide magical light, but restricting yourself to these times can limit your creativity. Beautiful landscapes can be captured at any time of day. Overcast skies often create soft, diffused lighting that’s perfect for moody scenes, while midday shadows can add drama to certain compositions.

Tip: Learn to read the light instead of the clock. Train your eye to recognize how light interacts with your subject and use it to your advantage.

4. You Must Have a Full-Frame Camera

Full-frame cameras excel in specific scenarios, such as astrophotography or extreme low-light conditions, thanks to their larger sensors. But today’s crop-sensor and micro four-thirds cameras are highly capable and often more budget-friendly. For most landscape photography scenarios, they’re more than sufficient.

Tip: Focus on investing in good lenses rather than upgrading to full-frame as a beginner. Your composition and understanding of light matter more than sensor size.

3. Don’t Get an L-Bracket

An L-bracket might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it’s a game-changer for tripod work. It allows you to switch between horizontal and vertical orientations without disrupting your composition. While rolling your ball head into the “notch” works, it can make precise framing difficult and limit your movement options.

Tip: If you frequently use a tripod, an L-bracket is worth the investment. It improves efficiency and stability.

2. Avoid Cropping

The mantra of “getting it right in-camera” is rooted in good intentions, but it can also stifle creativity. Cropping is a powerful tool that allows you to refine your composition and remove distractions. With modern high-resolution cameras, you have plenty of room to crop without sacrificing image quality.

Tip: Treat cropping as an extension of your artistic vision, but strive for strong in-camera compositions to minimize post-processing adjustments.

1. You Don’t Need to Start with the “Holy Trinity of Lenses”

The “holy trinity” of wide-angle, standard zoom, and telephoto lenses is often marketed as the ultimate goal for photographers. However, this approach can be financially overwhelming, especially for beginners. Instead, focus on one versatile lens and expand your kit as your style evolves.

Tip: Experiment with different focal lengths to identify your preferred range. A good quality zoom lens, like a 24-70mm or 18-55mm, is often a great starting point.

Bonus Tips for Beginner Landscape Photographers:

1. Scout Locations in Advance: Use apps like Google Earth or Photopills to plan your shoots and understand the terrain and light direction.
2. Shoot in RAW: This gives you the most flexibility in post-processing to recover details and adjust colors.
3. Practice Patience: Landscape photography often requires waiting for the perfect light or weather conditions. Embrace the journey.
4. Experiment and Break Rules: Don’t be afraid to deviate from the conventional wisdom you hear, as that’s often where creativity begins.

By understanding the advice that may not serve you—and the alternatives that can—you’ll have a clearer path toward improving your landscape photography skills. Let your journey be guided by curiosity, experimentation, and an eye for the beauty of the world around you.