In Australia, we're spoiled with some of the most stunning scenery on the planet — from the outback to tropical rainforests and rugged coastlines. With the right gear and a little know-how, you can capture images that do that scenery justice. Here are our top landscape photography tips.
1. Invest in the Right Camera
To take professional-looking landscape photos, a mirrorless camera is the ideal choice. These cameras are lightweight with electronic viewfinders that let you quickly adjust aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. They offer wide dynamic ranges for cleaner images with less noise, and many are weather-sealed — meaning you can shoot in wind and rain without worrying about your gear.
High resolution is a bonus for landscapes: more megapixels means more flexibility to crop in post without losing detail, and larger prints that hold up at full size.
2. Choose a Wide-Angle Lens
For landscape photography, a wide-angle lens is your best friend. Anything between 16mm and 35mm opens up the scene, gives a greater depth of field, and lets in more light so you can use faster shutter speeds. Avoid going beyond 50mm — telephoto focal lengths compress the scene and won't fit enough of the landscape into the frame.
Lenses are an investment, so look after them. In high humidity, keep a silica gel packet in your camera bag. In cold weather, let your gear warm up slowly when coming indoors. And never change lenses in rain or wind — moisture and dust inside your camera body is not covered by warranty.
Top tip: Add a remote shutter release to your kit. It lets you fire the shutter without touching the camera, eliminating the risk of blur from camera shake.
3. Wait for the Right Light
Landscape photography is all about patience. Before heading out, think about the vision you have for your shot — a clear blue sky, dramatic storm clouds, or the warm glow of golden hour? If you're unsure, aim for sunrise or sunset.
In the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset, the low angle of the sun diffuses light, makes colours pop, and creates texture and shadow that add depth to your images. Shooting in the middle of a sunny day often results in harsh contrast — blown-out highlights and deep shadows that are difficult to recover in post.
Some locations suit sunrise, others sunset, depending on which direction they face. In Melbourne, St Kilda is ideal for sunset looking west over the water, while Williamstown is a favourite for sunrise. In Sydney, Coogee Beach is most photogenic at sunrise, while the Harbour Bridge is better at sunset.
Top tip: Use the Lightrac or PhotoPills app to find out exactly where the sun rises and sets from your location, and plan your shoot accordingly.
4. Use a Tripod
A sturdy tripod is one of the most important pieces of landscape photography equipment. It keeps your horizon level, eliminates camera shake during long exposures, and frees your hands so you can step back and consider the scene from different angles.
When shooting in low light — which golden hour and blue hour often require — a tripod is non-negotiable. It allows you to use slower shutter speeds and lower ISOs for cleaner, sharper images that simply aren't possible handheld.
Top tip: Choose a lightweight tripod that's easy to carry to remote locations. Carbon fibre tripods offer the best balance of strength and weight.
5. Experiment with Exposure
Getting exposure right is about letting the correct amount of light reach the sensor. The three pillars are ISO, aperture, and shutter speed — and understanding how they interact gives you full creative control.
ISO — For landscapes, stick to your camera's base ISO (typically 100–200) for the cleanest image with minimal noise. Only raise it if you need a faster shutter speed while handholding.
Aperture — Landscape photography generally calls for a large depth of field to keep the entire scene in focus. Use a smaller aperture (larger f-number) such as f/11, f/13, or f/16. Be aware that very small apertures (f/22+) can introduce diffraction, slightly softening the image.
Shutter speed — A slow shutter speed captures movement — silky waterfalls, streaking clouds, or light trails. A fast shutter speed freezes motion. Use a tripod for any exposure longer than 1/60s to avoid blur. Aperture Priority (Av) mode is a reliable starting point, but shooting in full Manual gives you the most creative control.
6. Master Composition
Composition is often the difference between a snapshot and a compelling image. The Rule of Thirds is the most useful starting point: divide your frame into thirds horizontally and vertically (most cameras display a grid overlay), and place your subject or horizon on one of the lines rather than dead centre. The eye is naturally drawn to the intersection points.
In landscape photography, your subject might be a mountain peak, a lone tree, a winding path, or a rock formation. Leading lines — roads, rivers, fences, shorelines — draw the viewer's eye into the frame and add depth. A strong foreground element anchors the composition and gives the image a sense of scale.
Top tip: Don't overlook vertical orientation. Portrait-format landscape shots can be just as powerful, especially when you want to emphasise a dramatic foreground or tall subject.
7. Use Photographic Filters
Filters are one of the most effective and affordable ways to elevate your landscape photography. Browse our full range of camera lens filters.
Polarising filters reduce glare and reflections, deepen the blue of the sky, and increase contrast between clouds and sky. They're most effective when shooting at 90 degrees to the sun and are one of the few effects that can't be fully replicated in post-processing.
Neutral density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds in bright conditions. This is how photographers achieve those silky-smooth waterfall and ocean shots in the middle of the day. They're like sunglasses for your lens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best camera for landscape photography?
A weather-sealed mirrorless camera with a high-resolution full-frame or APS-C sensor is the ideal choice. High resolution gives you flexibility to crop and print large, while weather sealing lets you shoot in the conditions where the best landscape light often occurs — rain, mist, and wind.
What lens should I use for landscape photography?
A wide-angle lens in the 16–35mm range is the landscape photographer's workhorse. It captures sweeping vistas, emphasises foreground elements, and gives a greater depth of field. A standard zoom (24–70mm) is also useful for more compressed, intimate landscape shots.
What aperture should I use for landscape photography?
f/8–f/16 is the sweet spot for most landscape shots — sharp from foreground to background with good detail throughout. Avoid very small apertures like f/22, which can introduce diffraction and slightly reduce overall sharpness.
Do I need a tripod for landscape photography?
For golden hour, blue hour, long exposures, and any shot where you want maximum sharpness, yes — a tripod is essential. It eliminates camera shake, allows slower shutter speeds at low ISO, and helps you compose more carefully. A lightweight carbon fibre tripod is ideal for hiking to remote locations.
What are the best filters for landscape photography?
A circular polarising filter is the single most useful filter for landscape photographers — it deepens skies, reduces glare on water, and boosts colour saturation in ways that can't be replicated in editing. Neutral density (ND) filters are the next essential addition, enabling long exposures in bright conditions for silky water and cloud movement effects.
What time of day is best for landscape photography?
The golden hour — the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset — provides the most flattering, directional light for landscapes. The blue hour (just before sunrise and just after sunset) offers a cooler, more ethereal quality. Overcast days can also be excellent for landscapes, providing soft, even light without harsh shadows.
Gear Up for Landscape Photography at Ted's
- Mirrorless Cameras — Lightweight, high-resolution bodies with weather sealing for shooting in any conditions.
- Wide Angle Lenses — Capture sweeping vistas and dramatic foregrounds.
- Tripods & Monopods — Essential for sharp long exposures and golden hour shooting.
- Lens Filters — Polarisers and ND filters to take your landscape shots to the next level.