Stuck in a rut? Think your landscape photographs look boring but not sure how to change them? You don’t necessarily have to use complicated shooting or post-processing techniques to change them. Here are some simple yet fascinating new approaches you can easily try on your next shoot!

 

1. A composition that’s at least 70% sky

EOS R/ RF28-70mm f/2L USM/ FL: 31mm/ Flexible-priority AE (f/11, 1/320 sec)/ ISO 400/ WB: Daylight
Image by: Toshiki Nakanishi
See: Minimalist Landscape Photography with the Sky

There are some composition techniques that we tend to use more frequently, such as the rule of thirds, centre composition, or symmetry. Sometimes, they become such a habit that we don’t realise that we’re applying them! While this is not a bad thing, it can stop us from seeing new ways to compose a shot. The best way to break out of it is to consciously compose your pictures a different way instead.

Here's a new composition technique that should be quite easy to apply: see what you can get when you fill 70% or more of the frame with the sky. You will end up with some beautiful minimalist images!

More in-depth tips and ideas in:
Negative Space in Nature Photography

 

2. Break the “correct exposure” rule

EOS R5/ RF15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM/ FL: 15mm/ Manual exposure (f/16, 3.2 sec)/ ISO 50/ WB: 5,100K
Photo by: Takashi Karaki
See: Lighting in Landscape Photography (2): Underexposing for Drama

The idea that “less is more” can apply to photos too. You don’t have to studiously ensure that every single detail in an image is well-exposed! The image above was purposely underexposed so that the blacks are crushed, drawing our eyes to the flowing waterfall, the moss around it, and the curves and shapes of the cave.

Try underexposing your shot the next time you encounter a high-contrast scene. Or if most of the scene is bright, go the other way and overexpose it. You will likely see shapes and connections between elements that you might not have noticed before!

Camera settings tip: You don’t have to use manual exposure mode for this. You can also use Av/Tv/P mode with exposure compensation instead.

More examples and ideas in:
2 Simple Photo Techniques to Get Creative with Snow – See Technique 1

 

3. Use a flash in backlight for this unique dramatic effect

EOS 5D Mark III/ EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM/ FL: 16mm/ Manual exposure (f/16, 1/200 sec)/ ISO 50/ WB: Auto/ External flash
Photo by: Kazuo Nakahara

We don’t usually associate using a flash with landscape photography, but it can create some unique effects especially when you are shooting close-up to something using a wide-angle lens!
The image above was shot using a Speedlite.

- Step 1: Set the camera’s exposure to expose the background correctly. For the shot above, exposure was set to the sky.
- Step 2: Adjust the flash output. You can use E-TTL mode and adjust the flash compensation. For the image above, it was set lower than normal so that the flowers would not look too bright.
- Step 3: Adjust the flash coverage (flash angle).  For the shot above, it was set narrower than the focal length to create a vignetting effect where the corners look darker.

More details, including instructions for setting the flash, can be found at:
[Flash Technique] How to Achieve Dramatic Colours in Backlight

While this technique works best with an external flash because you can set the flash coverage, you might be able to achieve something similar with a built-in flash too. See Built-in Flash Techniques #3: Create Dramatic Portraits with Daylight Sync.

Regardless of what type of flash you’re using, experiment with different settings and see the results!

New to flash photography with a Speedlite? Here's a walkthrough on how to set up in:
Start Flash Photography in 9 Steps!

 

4. Create a motion blur painting

EOS 5D Mark IV/ EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM/ FL: 400mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/16, 1.3 sec, EV ±0)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight
Photo by: Toshiki Nakanishi
See: Slow Shutter Art: Turn a Shot into an Abstract Watercolour Painting

Slow shutter technique doesn’t have to be limited to long exposures of moving water or clouds. The next time you encounter a scene with beautiful colours, slow your shutter speed, move your camera, and see how they blend to create a beautiful abstract image just like a watercolour painting. Different shutter speeds, focal lengths, and camera movements will give different results, so have fun experimenting! The example above was shot on a tripod to keep the motion blur straight, but you could also try it handheld.

Pro tip: Bring an ND filter to shoot longer exposures in daylight.

 

5. Try a new lens. Want to up the challenge? Use a prime

EOS R5/ RF135mm f/1.8L IS USM/ Aperture-priority AE (f/1.8, 1/5000 sec, EV -2.3)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto
Photo by: Chikako Yagi
Find out more about the lens in: 
Lens Review: RF135mm f/1.8L IS USM in Nature & Landscape Photography

If you frequently shoot landscapes, you probably have a go-to lens. Maybe even two.

There’s a special kind of comfort and satisfaction that comes with mastering your lens and knowing what kind of images you can get with it, but as with all comfort zones, that kind of familiarity can also be limiting!

The best way to break out of it is to shoot with a different kind of lens. Ideally, it's something that you never thought that you would use. For example, if you usually prefer wide-angle lenses, take a telephoto lens next time and look out for compression and details. Or use a prime lens (or tape down your zoom) to put your composition skills to the test. It will refresh your view of even the most familiar scenes.

For example, the RF135mm f/1.8L IS USM is usually more associated with portraiture, but as the article linked above shows, it can also achieve amazing close-ups of nature complete with beautiful bokeh!
And if you go to our review of the RF24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM in nature photography, you'll see a fascinating "wide macro" image of a tiny praying mantis chilling out on a hydrangea flower—proof that wide-angle lenses are not just for grand, expansive landscapes!

Also see:
Handling Natural Light: Telephoto Macro Flowers in the Evening Light
50mm Landscapes, My Style: The Lens that Inspires Adventure
Lens Review: RF70-200mm f/4L IS USM in Natural Landscapes
Different Lens, Different Expressions: Landscape & Nature Photography

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Which techniques have you tried? What’s your personal hack for getting over a rut? Let us know in the comments! You can also share your shots in My Canon Story!