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Practice Makes Perfect

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Top Landscape Photography Mistakes

These landscape photography mistakes are incredibly common…but they’re also completely fixable. I’ve made every one of them at some point in my journey, and honestly, they’ve all helped me grow. The goal isn’t to be perfect; it’s to be intentional.

15 Things to Avoid when Capturing Landscape Photos

1. Ignoring light
2. Not Using a tripod
3. Forgetting to check the horizon
4. Centering the horizon
5. Not Paying attention to White Balance
6. Failing to Plan
7. Using the wrong lens
8. Over Editing
9. Leaving out a Focal Point
10. Overlooking the Foreground
11. Bad composition
12. Poor weather prep
13. Shooting in Auto Mode
14. Leaving your filters at home
15. Not practicing enough

Ignoring the Light

Shooting at high noon or in flat light because it’s convenient (this usually works with black and white only).

The solution: Start planning your outings around golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) or blue hour (right before sunrise or after sunset). Light is the language of photography, and soft, directional light adds shape, depth, and mood to a scene.

Not Using a Tripod

Handholding your camera for every shot, even in low light is a recipe for images that are not sharp. Some of the newer cameras have amazing in camera stabilization up to a certain point.

If you own a newer camera, it would be worth it to experiment in low light to see how far you can push handheld images before they become softer than you’d like. I find with my R5 that I can do a ton of focus stacking before I need to use my tripod.

The solution: Use a sturdy tripod to keep your images sharp and allow for longer exposures, especially in golden hour, blue hour, or night photography. It’s also essential for focus stacking and HDR blending.

Forgetting to Check the Horizon

Crooked horizons can throw off the balance of an otherwise great photo. Levelling off your horizon in post can lead to some unexpected cropping which may create havoc with your composition. Better to master the straight horizon in camera while in the field.

The solution: Use the grid on your camera’s viewfinder or live view screen to keep things level. Fix it in post if needed; but get it right in-camera when you can.

Centering the Horizon Every Time

Placing the horizon dead center regardless of the subject. While this may work for some images such as reflections, usually this composition lacks interest for your audience.

The solution: Use the rule of thirds and other composition guidelines to create interesting compositions. Place the horizon in the top third if the foreground is interesting, or in the bottom third if the sky is dramatic. This creates stronger compositions.

Not Paying Attention to White Balance

Letting your camera choose white balance on auto and ending up with color casts.

The solution: Understand how different white balance settings affect your image. Use a custom Kelvin setting or adjust in post. My white balance guide breaks this down with examples and a chart.

Failing to Plan the Shot

Showing up without knowing what to expect. Fail to plan, plan to fail. While I do plan 90% of my shots, I also leave myself some room to explore the area and create something on the fly.

The solution: Use apps like PhotoPills, The Photographer’s Ephemeris, and weather apps to plan light, tides, moon phases, and compositions. Know where the sun will rise or set and when. You can also use AI to assist you with planning your photo trips, sunset/sunrise shoots, and astro.

Using the Wrong Lens

Only bringing a wide-angle lens or a telephoto and missing opportunities.

The solution: Pack a couple of options. Wide-angle lenses are fantastic for sweeping vistas, but mid range telephotos (up to 200mm) and longer range telephotos are great for compressing scenes and isolating interesting details.

Overediting

Over-saturating colors, crushing blacks, or pushing clarity to the extreme. Also, using the old school HDR method and frying everything in the image to a crisp (like bacon!).

Leaving Out a Focal Point

A beautiful scene with no subject to anchor the viewer’s eye.

The solution: Find a strong foreground element such as rock, a tree, a reflection, a path, a river, etc. This draws the viewer in, provides context, and gives your image purpose.

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Overlooking the Foreground

Putting all the visual interest in the sky or background.

The solution: Compose from the ground up. Get low, look for textures, lines, or shapes that lead the viewer’s eye deeper into the scene. This adds dimensionality.

Bad Composition

Snapping the shot without thinking about how it all fits together.

The solution: Slow down. Walk around. Frame deliberately. Use leading lines, balance, and negative space. And remember sometimes breaking the “rules/guidelines” is what makes the shot magical.

Poor Weather Prep

Heading out without checking the weather or dressing properly. Since bad weather makes the best photos, we must dress to take the brunt of it.

The solution: Always check the forecast and bring layers. Some of the best photos happen in moody, stormy conditions—but only if you’re safe and comfortable enough to capture them.

Shooting Only in Auto Mode

Letting your camera make all the decisions.

The solution: Learn manual mode or at least aperture priority. Controlling your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO lets you craft the image you envision rather than settling for what your camera thinks is right. To be honest, I know how to use 2 modes: manual and Bulb and never bothered to learn the rest.

Leaving Your Filters at Home

Not using ND or polarizing filters, even when conditions call for them.

The solution: A polarizer can cut glare and make skies pop. ND filters let you create long exposures of moving water or clouds. They’re essential tools, especially for seascapes or rivers.

Not Practicing Enough

Expecting to master everything right away can lead to huge amounts of frustration and disappointment. That photographer that you follow on Instagram with amazing images has probably been shooting for years and has mastered that scene.

The solution: Like any craft, landscape photography takes practice. Get out there often. Review your shots. Learn from what worked and what didn’t. Every image is part of the journey.

After each shoot I do a “lessons learned” and think about the things I could have done differently or better in the creation of my images.

Conclusion

Whether you’re photographing the golden light over a still lake or capturing wild coastal cliffs, slowing down and avoiding these missteps can make the difference between a snapshot and an image that truly resonates.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just pick one or two things from this list to focus on during your next shoot. Growth happens in layers, and every step you take brings you closer to expressing the awe and wonder you feel out in nature through your photographs.