Common Mistakes in Landscape Photography Explained by Jakub Bors

Hi, I'm Jakub Bors. With over 15 years of experience in photography, I've made many mistakes along the way. But each mistake has taught me something interesting, and I want to share those lessons with you. 

In this guide, I'll tell you about some common mistakes in preparation, technical skills, composition, and post-processing. My goal is to help you avoid these mistakes so you can improve faster and become a more successful photographer. Let's get started!

1. Preparation Mistakes

Preparation is the foundation of great landscape photography, but I know how easy it is to overlook the little details that can make or break a shoot. I’ve been there—showing up late, forgetting to check the weather, or not scouting the location properly.

So, let’s dive into the most common preparation mistakes. I’ll show you how to avoid them to ensure your next shoot is a success.

Inadequate Research

Not doing enough research on a location can lead to problems like crowded areas, restricted access, or even closures.

Solution: Use tools like Google Maps, photography apps, or online guides to check the location, access, and crowd levels. Always have a backup spot in case things don't go as planned.

Not Checking the Weather Forecast

Not checking the weather before heading out can lead to unpleasant surprises, like unexpected rain or fog, which might ruin your shooting plans.

Solution: Always check the weather forecast before you go. Use weather apps that show real-time updates on conditions like rain, wind, or clouds. Planning your shoot around the weather can help you capture the best light and avoid frustrating situations.

Poor Timing

Arriving too late and not leaving enough time to set up can cause you to miss the golden hour, the best time for the moon or the aurora.

Solution: Arrive early and give yourself 30-60 extra minutes to set up. Use apps like PhotoPills or TPE to plan for golden hour, moonrise, or auroras.

Insufficient Spot Scouting

Not planning ahead for specific viewpoints and compositions can leave you feeling overwhelmed at the location, causing you to miss important photo opportunities.

Solution: Look for popular compositions online and take note of them. Explore the location beforehand, even virtually, so you know exactly where to shoot when you arrive.

2. Technical Mistakes

The next set of mistakes comes from overlooking your camera’s technical settings—something I’ve learned the hard way over the years. These small missteps can have a big impact on the quality of your photos, from noisy images to unwanted motion blur. 

Let’s break down the most common technical mistakes and how to fix them for sharper, more professional results.

Forgetting to Turn Off Auto ISO

Leaving Auto ISO on in low light can cause your ISO to go too high, causing your photos to look noisy. This means your images might appear grainy or blurry, especially in the darker parts. High ISO can also make your photos less sharp and clear. It's better to adjust the ISO yourself so you get the best quality and avoid extra noise.

Solution: Turn off Auto ISO in low light and set the ISO yourself. Use the lowest ISO you can to keep your image clean, but also check your shutter speed, especially if you're not using a tripod.

You may also like: Photography Cheat Sheet: Camera Manual Settings (Infographic)

Using an Excessive F-Stop

Using very high apertures like f/20 or f/22, thinking it will make your photo sharper, can lower image quality because of diffraction. This makes the image less sharp, especially around the edges.

Solution: For landscape photos, use an aperture between f/9 and f/11 to keep the image sharp without losing quality. Focus on making everything in the shot clear, not on using extreme settings.

Motion Blur from Slow Shutter Speeds

Focusing too much on aperture or ISO settings, especially when the light changes, can result in a shutter speed that's too slow, causing unwanted blur in your photos.

Solution: Use a tripod to keep your camera steady and adjust your shutter speed based on what you're photographing. For still scenes, aim for 1/30s or faster. If you're using the camera hand-held, use a remote or timer to avoid shaking.

Shooting in JPEG Instead of RAW

Choosing JPEG instead of RAW limits your ability to recover details and adjust the image when editing. RAW files have more data, giving you more control over your photo later.

Solution: Change your camera to RAW mode. This way, you'll capture more details and have more control when editing your photos later.

3. Composition Mistakes

Now, let’s talk about composition—arguably one of the most important aspects of creating a compelling landscape photo. Even the most breathtaking scene can fall flat without proper composition. 

Find out more: 10 Compositional Techniques to Improve Your Photographs 

Overly Tight Framing

Not leaving enough space around the edges of your photo can make it feel cramped or cause you to miss an important detail.

Solution: Take a step back, use a wider lens, or leave more space in your shot. You can always crop the photo later if needed.

Lack of Foreground Elements

Leaving out foreground elements can make your photo look flat and lack depth, making it feel two-dimensional.

Solution: Add rocks, plants, water, or other items in the foreground to give your photo more depth and help draw the viewer's eye into the image.

No Sense of Scale

Forgetting to include elements that show size can make the scene feel less impressive and smaller than it actually is.

Solution: Include a person, tree, or object in your photo to show the size of the landscape and make the scene feel more powerful.

Lack of a Clear Focal Point

Sometimes, when a photo doesn't have a clear focal point, it can feel like the viewer's eye doesn't know where to focus. 

Solution: Make sure your composition has a clear subject or focal point (person, object or specific area) to draw the viewer's eye. Use techniques like leading lines or the rule of thirds to help guide the viewer's attention to the main subject.

4. Post-Processing Mistakes

Finally, let’s talk about post-processing—the stage where good photos can become great or, unfortunately, overdone. I’ve seen and made plenty of these mistakes myself, from oversaturated colors to over-the-top edits that make an image look unnatural. Here are some common post-processing pitfalls and simple solutions to keep your photos polished and professional.

Find out more: 3 Start-to-finish Luminar Neo landscape photography edits 

Oversaturation

Boosting colors too much can make your images look too bright and unnatural, making them hard to look at.

Solution: Increase colors just a little, but don't go too far. Use vibrancy instead of saturation for a more natural and balanced look.

Overprocessing

Too many edits or extreme adjustments can make your photos look unrealistic and less appealing.

Solution: Focus on important adjustments like exposure, contrast, and color balance. Step back and ask yourself, “Does this still look natural?”

Heavy Vignettes

Adding a very dark or strong vignette can create an unnatural border around your photo, drawing attention away from the main subject.

Solution: If you use a vignette, keep it soft and subtle to guide the viewer's eye without overpowering the image.

CONCLUSION

Photography is a journey, and I'm still learning and growing, even with over 15 years of experience. Along the way, I've made mistakes that have helped me grow as a photographer. By understanding and avoiding the common mistakes I've shared, you can skip some of the difficulties I faced and improve faster.

Keep practicing, stay curious, and remember that every mistake is just a step toward becoming a great photographer. Keep pushing forward!