The right photography equipment

These are undoubtedly valid questions that entertain the mind of many photographers.

Generally true masters of photography carry less material than ambitious amateurs. That does not mean that it's not important, on the contrary! More and better photography equipment increases your options and possibilities and makes everything seems a lot simpler.

On the other hand once you have identified and are familiar with your equipment it is best not to waist time thinking about it and just go out and create some eye-catching images. Don’t let equipment become an obstacle; YOU are the creator of the beautiful landscape pictures.

What kind of photography equipment do we need for landscape photography?

Camera:

Your choice of camera is the most important decision you will have to make. We all want highly detailed images of superb quality.

One of the most popular camera types among professionals and serious amateurs is by far the digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex), due to the outstanding quality of images produced and many other advantages it offers like compactness, numerous editing options with your computer, direct visibility of images, speed, changing of lenses, a large variety of accessories and features and so on.

For the choice of your camera different factors have to be considered like price, future costs, brand, lenses, accessories, AF (autofocus) or MF (manual focus), shutterspeed, metering, exposure modes and features like DOF preview.

At it’s minimum a beginning photographer should purchase a digital camera that has the ability to adjust easily all of the settings on a DSLR camera (e.g., shutter speed, aperture, white balance, etc). This will make it easier to move up to a higher-end DSLR later on.

…More details soon.

Lenses

Since the lens is responsible for focusing the image onto the camera's sensor, color and clarity of your images can be affected by your choice of lenses.

The point is to get the best quality lenses that you can afford, if you really want your landscape photos to make a lasting impression. The best landscape photography lenses are extremely sharp.

• Wide Angle

  Why is the wide-angle lens the preferred lens for landscape photography?
  With a wide angle lens a very wide view and every detail of the majestic scene is captured. You are drawn into the majestic scenery and become part of it.

• Zoom lens

  The zoomlens is a very useful tool for scenic photography. With a zoom lens the focal length can be changed within a certain range and images can be enlarged or reduced without the need to get closer or farther away.

  They are usually very expensive, but are lighter compared to lenses with a fixed focal length. Only the least-expensive digital non-SLR cameras lack a zoom lens. Digital SLRs, of course, can be fitted with any zoom lens that is compatible with your particular camera.

• Telephoto lens

  A telephoto lens that allows you to make shots from far away and it still looks like you where standing right in front of the object you photographed.

Tripod

Another useful piece of photography equipment for nature landscape photography is a heavy tripod, preferably with a rotating head for panoramic pictures, tripod head quick release plates (for easier and quicker switching of cameras) and a spirit level on the head (level horizons). The tripod will ensure a steady camera at any shutter speed, allowing you to fine tune your compositions and to “endure” the long waiting times to get the right shot.

Filters

Spice up your landscape photography with filters.

The recreation of an exact scene is not always possible with our cameras. So we use filters to try to produce an image that expresses, as close as possible, the original scene that our eyes have perceived and the emotions and mood we have experienced, to the best of our abilities.

However not all filters are adequate for landscape photography.

Filters that will enhance your landscape pictures are:

• Graduated Neutral Density Filters

  With a graduated neutral density filter you have more creative opportunities for your landscape photos. The contrast and balance between the ground and the sky can be controlled effectively. Use bracketing when you are in any doubt as too what the right UV filter to use.

• Polarizing filters

  One of the most important things a landscape photographer can do to improve his or her photography is to become familiar with polarizing filters.

  The polarizing filter, appropriate for black-and-white and color photography as well, cuts down unwanted glare and reflection from any non-metallic surface like water, glass and foliage. One of the most useful accessories you can have to darken the sky in color and black and white photos. It will also make mist stand out and give flowing water a misty effect. A polarizing filter should certainly be on the top of your list.

  The polarizing filter will work it’s magic when the light is orientated on a 90 degrees axis to the filter, to your right, left, or directly overhead (mid-day sun).

  If you only have one filter in your bag, make it a polarizer - you won’t regret it!

• Warming filters

  On overcast days images often appear cold and dull, but don't let the absence of the sun in the scene put your camera away. Warming-up filters will remove the dull effect and add extra warmth to your low light images.

  These are the most important filters for landscape photography, but don’t let this keep you from experimenting with other type of filters. Remember we are on an adventure. Let’s go beyond the “comfort zone” and come up with interesting pictures.

Some practical additions:

Camera bag

For protection and organization of your camera and accessories there are many practical and useful camera bags available.

Cable release

Even slight vibrations can cause less sharp images. Cable releases are handy tools for preventing camera vibrations, which can cause less sharp images. They are especially useful for long exposures.

Sun compass

For sunrise and sunset shots a sun compass is a very useful tool. It allows you to work out where the sunrise or sunset at any time of the year.

Hyperfocal distance chart and Depth of Field table

For hyperfocal distance and depth of field calculations there is a diversity of useful tools available, like charts (on-line or printed), DOF and hyperfocal distance calculators and calculation dials just to name a few.

Pen and Pencil

Make notes of important details for easy reference later on. This will certainly help your learning process.

Batteries

Don’t miss the shot. Always take spare batteries and charger with you.

Light Meter

Some will consider a light meter to be a basic piece of equipment. It can help in measuring differences of brightness within the scene, in order to choose the right degree of graduated filter. But good light meters are relatively costly and in practice it is probably not essential for a beginner.

Map, compass and survival kit

Learn how to use maps and a compass and a survival kit is a must.

Other useful tips:

Check the weather report.

Sunny days are not the only time to shoot. Partly cloudy skies can make for great, colorful sunsets. Learn the local weather patterns.

Outdoor clothing

Dress comfortably and with the time of year in mind. A good pair of hiking boots or walking shoes, comfortable footwear and waterproof and warm clothes is essential. Always be prepared for rugged places and bad weather conditions.

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