Travel Photography How To

We all know that it’s ultimately the photographer—not the gear—that’s responsible for incredible images. But there’s no doubt that appropriate, quality equipment will make the process easier and more enjoyable whenever you head out into the field.

Whether you’re a nature photographer, travel shooter, or portrait specialist, you’re no doubt familiar with several “Rules” of composition that are intended to help add impact to your work. There are two common themes running through of all of these guidelines. One is to grab the attention of those looking at your photos, and the other is to guide a viewer’s eye through the image in the way you intend.

Most photographers are familiar with the Rule of Thirds, a popular compositional aid that helps determine where to position the key element of a photo within the frame. But as we all know, rules are meant to be broken, and when it comes to composition there are often better options for composing a shot.

Whether you’re new to landscape photography or consider yourself an experienced shooter, there’s always something to learn. And there’s no better way to do that than through the eyes of a top pro. And that’s what you’ll find below, as British nature photographer Nigel Danson reveals what he considers his “most important tip” when visiting a new location.

The winter landscape is full of great photo opportunities, despite the challenges of snow, cold weather, and often-gloomy skies. But shooting this time of year requires a different approach if you want to capture truly dazzling images.

Regardless of the type of photography you do, once you get the light right it’s all about composition. And there’s no better way to refine your eye than by gleaning some wisdom from highly acclaimed pros.

We've said it before, we'll say it again: composition is perhaps the single most important thing in creating a great photograph. Yes, lighting, technique, timing, and execution are all important too, but if you have lousy photo composition, your image is still going to stink.