Finding the Joy in Landscape Photography

Maybe you are new to photography or maybe you need to rekindle your love affair with the camera. I have found the best way to find joy is to have success in the field. Getting the shot can quickly erase the day's list of hardships. It's funny how getting a flat tire in the mud or fighting with heat and bugs all day dissipates when you know you got the shot. 

Finding success really boils down to being seriously prepared and hoping for a little luck. I believe the 2 go hand in hand. Follow these simple tips to prepare yourself to get the shot:

Research. There are many tools available for photographers. Google Earth Pro, Photo Pills, Sky Candy, blogs, State Park Resources and even Instagram can help us understand more about the location we intend to shoot. Gone are the days where we stumble into an area and explore an hour before sunset. We should understand exactly where and when the sun will set before we get there. I use Photo Pills for this and it's the best $10 bucks I've ever spent. Things don't always go as intended but you can increase your odds by doing the preliminary research before you go. It's amazing how I seem to get more when I prepare more. 

Relax. In my early years I missed a lot of shots because I was so wound up and nervous about missing the shot. The stress of the moment can be overwhelming. I try to get to the location around 3-4pm for a sunset shoot and in the mornings I am usually hiking in the dark long before the sun comes up. I like to have time to shoot the scene and then study the composition through a loupe I press up against the back of my camera. I make small adjustments then take additional shots. Sometimes I only shoot one composition the entire evening, other times I shoot multiple compositions depending on the location and what the light is doing. The image above was the only composition I shot at this location. The risk is if I don't get the shot I have to plan another trip, which has happened more than I would like to admit but sometimes you know what you want. I worked with the composition until I was happy then waited for the light. 

Comfort. I need to be comfortable so I pack plenty of food, water, layers of clothing and I make sure to bring my Helinox folding chair in case I need to wait for the light. I spend a fortune of foot and hand warmers because some of these locations can be crazy cold at 4am.

Connection. I used to feel separated from what I was photographing. I felt as if I was standing in one spot and photographing another spot. I learned there is a connection with the earth, the planet, Mother Nature, or however you want to describe it that is important. I learned to become one with the scene, to the point I am in the scene as part of it, or part of the experience. I immerse myself in the sights, sounds, smells and all that is going on. It greatly adds to the enjoyment but is also a crucial part of the connection that promotes success.

So do your research, get prepared and keep your cool to get the shot but most of all, enjoy the experience.

About David Williams: I specialize in LDS Temples, Landscape Photography and Indigenous Cultural images of the Southwest. See my work at https://www.davidwilliamsphotography.com or follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/david_williams_photography_/