6 Tips For Landscape Photography Composition

Composition is one of the trickiest aspects of photography to master. In this this video I cover the 6 things I always keep in mind when composing my landscape images.
Chapters
1 - Leading lines, 3:14
2 - Object placement, 6:17
3 - Object isolation, 9:57
4 - Find a focal point, 11:45
5 - Scan the edge of the frame, 13:14
6 - Subtraction, 15:10
If you’d like to join me for a landscape photography workshop I’ll be co-leading groups in 4 workshops in Tuscany, Iceland and the Dolomites in 2018. Check out my website for more information www.andymumfor...
If you're interested in purchasing any of the gear I use in this video, and you enjoy my videos, please support my work by clicking on the affiliate links below. The US Amazon links are on the left, the UK ones are on the right.
Thanks so much.
Gear I used in this film:
Cameras
Fuji X-T2 amzn.to/2x8mgwX (UK: amzn.to/2gRFH78)
Fuji X-T20 amzn.to/2yzFoHq (UK: amzn.to/2yB0s0G)
Lenses
Fujinon XF10-24mm amzn.to/2veZzXI (UK: amzn.to/2xoHA4M)
Fujinon XF55-200mm amzn.to/2vxSEMa (UK: amzn.to/2xsWPqZ)
Fuji XF18mm amzn.to/2rR8pvE (UK: amzn.to/2jSYiDT)
Microphone = Røde VMGO amzn.to/2lyggrZ (UK: amzn.to/2xpkXgx)
Gitzo Traveller Series 1 Tripod amzn.to/2qxKZYq (UK: amzn.to/2jVdNeo)
Drone = DJI Mavic Pro amzn.to/2zlZlil (UK: amzn.to/2kZVpBD)
Website: www.andymumfor...
Instagram: / andymumfordphotography
Facebook: / andymumfordphotography
Music: Brayden’s Story - Mark Ullrich via AudioSocket

[@jimcano3998]

This is probably the most substantial tutorial I got on landscape photography. Awesome! Thanks for this!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you found it useful

[@Badger220455]

This stands out for me amongst TH-cam tutorials. Well thought out, good strong advice and an in depth explanation. Excellent work And.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for the comment, really glad you liked the video

[@MikePageKaltenberg]

One of the clearest and well illustrated landscape tutorials I've seen of late. Plus a few of my favourite scenes in the Dolomites.

[@siyaramverma6255]

Good.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it

[@jacobcarlsen4025]

I have seldom learned so much in less than 20 minutes. 6 very useful tips explained so the ideas are very easy to understand.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, really glad you found it useful

[@kevinarrowsmith6955]

Refreshing to see the professional approach of your videos which is also reflected in your images

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks, glad you like the videos-

[@buddhikajayawardena-univer9831]

This is very informative - one of the best I have ever watched on photography on TH-cam. Thank you very much.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for the comment, really glad you found the video useful

[@YufeiXing]

just can't help watching, again and again, every month

[@AntonGorlin]

I've just watched a bunch of composition videos. All were nonsense including those of a famous photographer. Yours is amazing. Very informative and spot on. Thanks for all the effort you've put in.

[@AndyMumford]

Hi Anton, thanks for the comment, it's much appreciated.

[@ericnshimiye]

This is such an amazing tutorial. Thank you Andy for putting this together. I’ve never seen composition explained so well ANYWHERE! Keep up the great work!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much Eric, glad you found the video useful

[@AndreasLarzon]

A very well done video about composition. Explains the fundamentals and thought process with great examples. Well done Andy.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Andreas, glad you liked the video

[@matv176]

Outstanding vid mate. Best composition explanations I've come across. Thankyou for sharing this.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you found it useful

[@Goodfood2fit]

Thank you so much for the fantastic video,which will help so many people like me to improve the image quality ,and keep the interest over the amazing world of photography.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for watching

[@djsuth7727]

Great video, great narration and superb photos Andy.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks, glad you like it

[@ubooya4269]

So glad you uploaded this video. This information is so valuable to improve in photography, especcialy when it's coming from a talented photographer.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video

[@Thechriscurly]

This is just a wonderful breakdown of what makes a good composition and the thought process that determines creative decisions. Thank you!

[@AndyMumford]

Cheers Chris, glad you liked the video

[@tTLM823]

Truly master's level teaching, Andy! Thank you for putting together such excellent content.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks again Tom

[@MrKetio]

Great video,I feel I became a better photographer just by seeing the video. Thank you !

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, really glad it was helpful

[@esbee1177]

Beautifully composed, as well as explained. Learned a lot. Thanks, mate!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you found it useful

[@FarawayPictures]

The picture at 9:40 is stunning.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Chris

[@mahyaramoopur7301]

You are the best man , fantastic tips and you learn it so good, thank you so much

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so Mitch, glad you enjoyed it

[@joonytubes]

Hi Andy, I enjoyed this video very much. I suppose it might be personal taste, but I find the image at 11:49 beautiful and just fine without a main focal subject because there's wonderful interest in every section from the background sky and the gorgeous colors from the sunset and textures of the clouds to the middle ground shore and the different but equally beautiful soft palette colors and textures from the slow shutter speed as well as the contrasting rocks peeking above water (spaced quite nicely and not too prominent to distract) and then the foreground has many different colored, sized, and shaped rocks that are glossy and beautiful to look at. It's almost like layers, a progression, or a transition from a busy foreground to a less busy middle ground to a clean sky. Different colors and textures in every section, but all beautiful to look at- my eyes are happy to wander continuously throughout the image without a main focal point to stop at. :) Anyways, just two cents from me- thank you for all your quality contents!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for the comment, glad you're enjoying the videos

[@WalkingEng]

Thank You Andy for putting this video together, it was a brilliant an well thought out explanation. I was able to really learn when you took good photos from being poorly composed to brilliantly composed. Thank You

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for the comment Steve, glad you liked the video

[@egyptiansphinx]

Great advice... amazing photos 👌📷💯

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed it

[@jasminensim]

Your photos gives me goosebumps!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Jasmine

[@AbbasAliAmir]

This is a great tutorial Andy. I have seen lot of videos where they talk mostly about the images that work and use them as an example. It makes complete sense while going through the video but as soon as we go back to editing our own photos, it becomes very hard to apply those principles. In this tutorial though you have shown example of the images (from the scene) that don't work and then how you managed to re-create a composition in the same scene that works, it is beyond useful. Thanks again!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Abbas, glad you liked it.

[@kevwarrilow45]

Exceptional explanation of the composite elements required to make exceptional images. Outstanding Andy. By far the most complete video on composition I've ever seen, Thank you so much for taking the time to make this.
Kev.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Kev, really glad you liked the video

[@TarekAliFazle]

Very informative and inspirational; thank you very much

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you found it useful

[@JayFunningham]

I love how the light in the image at 4:50 makes the mountain look like a volcano and the salt trails like lava streams pushing through the ground.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Jordan

[@KellyPettit]

This was extremely helpful and very well done. Thank you so much. And your photos are brilliant to say the least.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Kelly, glad you liked it

[@busterlynch5278]

A fantastic video, very informative, with some amazing images.

[@emadali4833]

Excellent tips really amazing ..
Thanks so much , that's really awesome ad what every beginner need for composition

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks. Glad you liked the video

[@nathan88274]

Well made. Extremely helpful

[@AndyMumford]

Thank you Nathan

[@brendenhirst2482]

Awesome tutorial Andy, very informative.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Brenden, glad you liked the video

[@pauls3696]

Very good best vid yet explaining it defo will take more time to get that perfect photo thanks

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for the comment Paul, glad you found the video useful

[@freemanfly2986]

Wonderful Tutorial, Thanks bunch Andy !!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for watching

[@maicopresente]

Great Video Andy! Thanks!

[@yulos23]

Very nice of you. Your tips are really nice n easy to get

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much

[@ransackedroom]

8:55 Well done, sir. Many of us go our whole lives without getting such a shot.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, I got lucky with the conditions

[@Ali_ReBORN]

Andy, great content! Keep it going, you’ll have a million followers within a year or two :)

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks, glad you enjoy the content. I somehow doubt I'll hit a million ever, but I'm incredibly grateful for the support of the channel.

[@Ali_ReBORN]

Andy Mumford Keep your quality content consistent, do more reviews (as the mass have gear acquisition syndrome lol..) and maybe some collabs with other quality youtubers. Sean Tucker is a great one :) wish u the best!

[@nigeinblack1]

This is great Andy thanks. I’m about to go to Iceland and this has given me loads to think about 👍🏻

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks, glad you found it useful. Enjoy your trip to Iceland, it's an amazing country

[@anomharya337]

Wow, you also including some of Indonesian best places which are close to my hometown. Great video. I enjoy watch it second by second

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Anom, it's a beautiful country and I'd love to return.

[@northernmufclad424]

Brilliant video lots of information. 👍

[@samkruijver]

Nice video. Learned a lot. So thank you. I have literally just released a website to try and sell the odd landscape image (if I am lucky), and your video made me realise I need to up my game and pay a lot more attention, not only to the overall composition, but the details like encroaching tree branches that might be distraction.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for the comment Sam, glad you liked the video. Good luck with the print sales

[@samkruijver]

Andy Mumford Thanks

[@77moonwalker77]

I feel like I have improved as a photographer because as you were showing the images I could point out what was "wrong" with them and what to do to improve them before you explained :-)

[@AndyMumford]

That's great :-)

[@Eco-Shine-Solar]

Thank you. Great video

[@hungrybearcub_films]

This is very helpful! Thank you!

[@AndyMumford]

Thank you

[@peaceuponpeace1]

Simply amazing

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much

[@stephaniephotography]

Great video and great advice! thanks!!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the video

[@tones_2466]

Excellent vid

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much

[@Fnzzy]

Thank you for this great video! I will make sure to practice every one of these steps to hopefully improve my images.

[@AndyMumford]

Good luck, hope it helps

[@philipp_frank]

Thanks for sharing!

[@srijan-th8sh]

Brilliant sir

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks o much, really glad you found it useful

[@dwrisdon2487]

Great presentation. Thxs.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for the comment, glad you found it interesting

[@glauciapinho7581]

Thanks

[@terryclair2914]

Excellent tips!

[@earljeremy1038]

I am very happy to find you. Your tips will help me lots. Thank you x3. :) :) :)

[@AndyMumford]

Cheers Earl

[@johngiller1645]

Cracking video for all levels there. Cheers

[@AndyMumford]

Cheers John, glad you liked it

[@fmatosrph1]

Great insight!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks :-)

[@yangyunbo1]

This is the best tips i've ever seen！good job ！！！

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks, glad you found it useful

[@sebastiankaspohl9667]

This was a interesting video with great insights :)

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks, glad you liked it

[@DillonHachey-yv4gu]

Do you have one focus point on all these photos? Great Videos by the way!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for the comment. All of these images just have the one focal point

[@fernandacantarero6872]

Very helpful, the results are amazing!! How do you shoot a night sky image with a person standing there and not get it all blurry?

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Fernanda. For the night sky image the exposure was 30 seconds, so it was just standing very still for 30 seconds while the shutter was open.

[@hankypanky9380]

very helpful video and best explanation of composition that I’ve ever seen...........thank u, subscribe

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you found it useful

[@sundarAKintelart]

Very nice....

[@AndyMumford]

Thank you Sundar

[@Gamling1888]

Hi Andy! Love your photos and the all the valueble content you are sharing, thanks a ton!
Now i would want your advice on my next Fuji lens. I have the 18-55 kit, and the 35mm f2. As it is now i'm kind of all over the Place in my photography, trying som street, Pictures of my family and friends, events, travel and stuff. Really loving nature and travel, so i do want to get seariously in to landscape photography.
I am going back and forth between to get the 10-24mm, 16mm 1.4 och the 55-200mm. I know i want them all:) but i will be really happy if i can afford to get one of them in a couple of months.
Really appreciate any thoughts you might have that can help me.
Looking forward to your next video!

[@AndyMumford]

Hi Giovanni, thanks for the comment, glad you like the videos.
If you are going to keep the 18-55 kit lens, and only buy one more lens for landscapes then you should get the 10-24mm. The 16mm is a fantastic lens, but the 10-24 has more range and you'll use it more.

[@Gamling1888]

Andy Mumford Thanks for taking your time and answering:). I have thought about selling the 18-55 kit, but i think I will regret it if i do. Have but wanting the 16mm since i bought my fuji, but like you say, as i am only able to buy one lens for now the 10-24 will be the best for getting me into landscape. Thanks for the help!

[@ginocaiafa4708]

Find these films so interesting, well paced and insightful. Amazing shots. Can’t wait to be able to get back traveling to have a go myself. @photo.gino

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, really glad you found it useful and interesting

[@tucompaivan]

For nikon, crop or full frame a good lens for landscape,like I need a f/32 lens ?

[@riteshshinde3092]

Sir What app do u use for final touch?

[@AndyMumford]

I do my processing in Lightroom and Photoshop

[@padraicreid1234]

A lot of thought and effort went into this production. The end result is simply brilliant and deserves praise of the highest order. A pleasure to watch, informative, inspirational, to the point, well constructed and devoid of irrelevancies. Well done Andy!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for the lovely comment Padraic. Much appreciated

[@henkvos4582]

Great video, learned a lot. Thanks.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Henk, glad you liked the video

[@MHTutorials3D]

17:11 My oh my, what a shot. Brilliant video

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much. That's actually one of my favourite shots too :-)
Glad you like the video

[@MikeHermesPhotography]

Very much so. It is a great video

[@deantomlinson1764]

Andy, this is the best explanation of composition that I’ve ever seen on TH-cam. A great visual tutorial. I have really enjoyed your work and being a fellow Fujifilm XT2 user I enjoy seeing your beautiful images. Keep putting out videos like this. Great stuff. Much appreciated.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, really nice of you to say, and I'm glad you enjoy my work. All the best, Andy

[@gharrop1]

Even though I thought I knew some of these pointers,it was very helpful indeed and definitely encouraging,showing us examples that you felt did not work, was particularly helpful. Many thanks & Seasons greetings!

[@Jamieryder]

Yep, absolutely agree! Really detailed and easy to digest look at composition. Thanks for the good work Andy!

[@chaldokid501]

As a complete amateur I like to think of landscape photography as telling a story in reverse. You pick your ending, and try to find the most interesting way to reach it. You can't just have no story body (foreground) or your reader will be bored. You can't jump all over the place or you might confuse the reader (cluttered image). You need a clear path from start to finish to tell a really good story. Obviously this doesn't always work, but it helps me try to be creative as a not so creative person.

[@AndyMumford]

That's a great way of seeing it.

[@kellieashton3697]

This is unreal. I've followed. Your tutorials are priceless. Thank you so much!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you found it useful

[@fuxing81]

High quality tutorial with no fee charged, appreciate it!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks, glad you found it useful

[@spinittweeks3246]

Only 15k subs.... a travesty! You sir, are bloody fantastic. You have a a gift not only for photography but for teaching also. Thank you for your perfectly delivered content. Instant fan 👍🏻

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for the sub, really glad you liked the video

[@ardentdfender4116]

I just found your channel as a recommended channel in my play list to another your landscape tips video. Being also new to photography as a newbie I learned an immense about shot composition for landscape just watching this and how you patiently and thoughtfully explained the reference lines in a shot to the main point. People often talk about composition, but not many ever show and explain it in detail or to point it out to others to grasp in understanding. I’d never thought of it as you explained so well. It makes so much sense now. This was quite educational and inspiring.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for the comment, I’m glad you like the video

[@bernios3446]

Outstanding quality tutorial here. You explain essential principles through your own excellent photography in a very clear, relaxed and comprehensive way. Tutorials hardly get better than this. Thank you very much!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks for the comment Bernhard, glad you found the video useful

[@VernonGoddard]

Composition can be a very subjective feature of a photograph. Your tips are very constructive in assisting this process. Your work is really superb....

[@paulasimson4939]

Just a fantastic video. I have a much clearer understanding of composition now and I'm sure my images will improve. Thanks so much.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks Paula, glad you found it useful

[@jennifervensel8276]

Beautiful.Thank you for valuable information.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for the comment, glad the video was useful

[@teresapacheco63]

Thank you, that was really useful. I love your cushions btw!

[@AndyMumford]

Thank you for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video. And the cushions 😊

[@smeva26]

this is like the 5th video i clicked on and you actually talk about composition lol - depth and creating a story within the image - something apparently not a lot of other photographers can explain -__- thanks for the video

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you found it useful

[@AnthonyZammit]

Amazing video!! Your post processing is just out of this world and makes the already amazing photos you take beyond reproach.
Any advice or tips you can give for choosing direction on post processing of a photo? I’m just always lost with which direction to take colours, etc...

[@AndyMumford]

Hi Anthony, thanks for the comment, I'm really glad you like the video. In terms of processing, I've made a couple of videos where I go over my workflow. Here th-cam.com/video/M4OXoL4tgFI/w-d-xo.html and here th-cam.com/video/mNkx1KOP9gc/w-d-xo.html

[@Tahiristan]

This is an awesome video! I will say though, some eyes see differently. I actually loved the image at 11:53 and my eyes kinda went straight towards the island way out in the distance.

[@terrygordon1045]

This is a great set of advice for landscape photography. Very helpful for people just starting out learning about how to photograph a landscape. Thank you for this educational assitance with regard to this type of photography. The images are tremendous, and your use of the images as a means of explaining the techniques is first-class.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, really glad you found the video useful

[@roseyaw]

Andy this is an absolutely fantastic tutorial, it’s the first one that I’ve seen actually takes the time to explain with really good demonstrations of composition. Taking some consideration I think it will really help improve my photography thanks for your great effort keep up the good work.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for the comment, I'm really glad you found it useful

[@haimtoeg]

Best composition video I watched so far. Very well thought out. Especially helpful is the definition of composition it starts with

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, really glad you found the video useful

[@MariNate1016]

Learnt so much from this, thank you so much. Can’t wait to be able to travel again once we’re out of this pandemic and try these out with the X-T4/8-16.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you found it useful.

[@ramnoham593]

Your tutorials are a pleasure to watch. Great advise very simply explained with lots of examples. 🌻

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for the comment, glad you enjoy the videos

[@MondoRockable]

Your commentary is spot on. The rule of thirds is obvious, but I struggle somewhat with finding leading lines to a subject. I presume practice makes perfect? Thank you for the informative video.

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for the comment, glad the video was useful

[@laetitiapascal5386]

Cape Town. 2.20 am and I can't stop watching your videos!!! One after the other, learning so much, impressed by the beauty of your pictures, your clear explanations and the amount of tips that I was looking for. I'm off to Namibia in a few days for a 6 days hike in the Fish river canyon. I couldn't make any decision on which lens to buy for my new camera Fuji XT3. So I will follow your recommendations. 10-24mm and 55-200mm. I am though surprised your are not using F2.8 lenses? But instead f4 and even f3.5-4.8. I guess it is a matter of being at the right time with the right light?

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for the comment, really glad you enjoy the videos and find them useful. Namibia should be wonderful, I'm heading there next June and July for a workshop and can't wait to see it.
As for the lenses. f2.8 lenses aren't really much use for landscapes as you'll mostly be shooting where the lens performs best with sharpness all across the frame (which is usually between f7.1 and f11 on most lenses). If you're using a tripod then generally you'll have the aperture where it performs best and not worry about the shutter speed. The only time it's an advantage to have the aperture at f2.8 is for when you're shooting stars or the aurora, and you need to get as much light in as possible as quickly as you can (so the stars don't have movement blur, which you get after around 30 seconds).

[@mehrdadhaghighi5140]

Watched 10 seconds and subscribed immediately! What a lovely intro! Looking forward to seeing more content from you :D

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad you liked the video

[@atulatulatul1]

Beautiful video 👍
Is xf14 mm is wide enough for stunning landscapes..? also wanna use this for street photography alongwith my xf23..
please advise..
Greetings from India ❤️

[@AndyMumford]

The 14mm is a great lens and wide enough for landscapes

[@nzharleynz]

Thank you for your video it really resonated with me in the way I try to capture a scene.
I’m just a beginner buying my first serious (for me) camera a SONY A7 III, I know the new IV is out now but for me starting into this new journey it’s good enough for now.
Anyway liked and subscribed and thank you for the informative video- will have a look at some more of your videos soon, but for now off to work I go.
Cheers!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for the comment, really glad you’re finding the videos useful

[@andygray237]

Awesome! Like many of the comments have noted, we’ve watched, and read, many videos and articles on improving the composition of our landscape images. None that I’ve seen come close to the effectiveness of yours in helping me appreciate the improvements I need to make to take better photos. Thank you!

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for the comment Andy, really glad you found the video useful

[@hugobertiepickles3372]

Whoa! Super cool! Love the way you explain things. Could you an episode on light and maybe abstract? P.s.: you’d be a good excuse to revisit Lisbon. Keep inspiring, keep clicking, be well ta

[@dausia]

Wow. Thanks alot. Very useful and informative....i am going to try this.... Very nice.....

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much for watching, glad you found it useful

[@deepotter6774]

That’s one of the most succinct explanations of good composition I’ve seen. And I’ve seen a LOT! Very helpful and nicely done. :D

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, glad it was useful.

[@chris5706]

Thank you for such an erudite explanation of the bit of photography that I find most difficult. I am very glad that I am gradually working through all your super helpful videos

[@AndyMumford]

Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed the video