Nature Photography How To

Getting the light right is perhaps the most essential component of all great images, whether they're captured indoor or out. But there's another crucial component that can really add depth and impact to a photo, namely the thoughtful use of shadows.

Among the most challenging conditions faced by landscape photographers is bright midday light. In this situation you can either go home and try again under better conditions or understand how to make the most of harsh light.

Clear blue skies may be great for picnics or a trip to the beach, but when it comes to landscape photography not so much. Or as Portuguese photographer Andy Mumford says, "Blue skies without drama are among the hardest conditions for making impactful images."

We've all been awestruck by breathtaking time-lapse "videos" and wondered if creating them was within our skills. As you'll see in the tutorial below, just about anyone with a camera and some know-how can get the job done.

So here's a common problem that may sound familiar: You come home from a day of shooting in the field, review your images on the computer, and feel really discouraged because you don't know whether to toss the files in the trash, or where to beginning fixing them with the software of your choice.

Film photographers understand the power and challenges of using infrared film to capture images with a unique eye-popping look. While some modern digital cameras include an infrared emulation mode, this approach can deliver hit-or-miss results.

There are countless plugins available for Lightroom and Photoshop, some more effective than others. But which one's are the best for landscape and nature photographers? Read on and you'll find out.