Help me improve my landscape shots...

[macs]

I’m wanting to improve my landscape photography and in particular take better shots of sunsets and I’m looking for some help on what techniques and equipment I will be needing.

So far the knowledge I have is telling me to:
- Get there early and set up in plenty of time
- Set the focus to hyperfocal distance for chosen focal length and aperture (f8-f16, I guess)
- Use nd grads to reduce the chance of over exposing the sky
- Use ND filters to increase exposure time, if desired
- Meter for the land if I don’t want it to be silhouetted
- Use a tripod with remote release
- Switch vibration reduction off

What ISO do I set to? I’m guessing that 100 is fine for daylight but how about sunsets? I also assume that the lower it is, the more longer the exposure would have to be so if I want some movement (say of water) in the shot I could keep it down and if I don’t want movement then increase it?

What about filters such as the cokin/kood p-series sunset filter, does that help for a sunset shot or just make daylight look like sunset?

How have I done in my list?

Are there any other tips or hardware I should use?

Obviously, all of this assumes that my composition is actually any good

 

[Chivers]

Your list is quite good.i would also use mirror lock up & cable release.iso 100.i wouldnt bother with a sunset filter or such like,your nd grads will do a good enough job if there is good colour in the sky.

 

[ChrisGilbert]

What ISO do I set to? I’m guessing that 100 is fine for daylight but how about sunsets?

As a general rule a lower ISO will deliver a higher quality shot. Using a tripod means that shutter speed is irrelevant so prefer a lower ISO.

I also assume that the lower it is, the more longer the exposure would have to be so if I want some movement (say of water) in the shot I could keep it down and if I don’t want movement then increase it?

Correct

What about filters such as the cokin/kood p-series sunset filter, does that help for a sunset shot or just make daylight look like sunset?

Shoot the colours true and then if you want you can alter the white balance in photoshop. Don't bend the shot unduly at the point of shooting. There are some things that you can't undo once the shot has been made but which can be retrofitted in photoshop.

 

[DarkGhost]

Some landscapers opt for heavy tripods to improve stability.
Another trick is to pack a few plastic bags, fill them will stones on location and hang them from the tripod (use several bags to ensure no splitting).

 

[macs]

Thanks guys, all good things for me to consider when i'm next out shooting.

What about polarising filters. Should I be using one for most shots or just certain ones? And if so which ones?

 

[Kev.s]

Good list I say. Reverse grads are quite popular but you can replicate with two hard grads one placed correctly the other upside down to how you would normally use it overlapping on the horizon. It's a little more maths to consider but pays off well.

As for the CP if you looking for punchy greens/blues and removing reflections from water or adding another stop or so to your exposure yes you need one. I have one and use it sometimes

 

[ChrisGilbert]

What about polarising filters. Should I be using one for most shots or just certain ones? And if so which ones?

When appropriate. I always use a polariser when working with water because it gives you control over the reflections and as Kev says it can lend better contrast and colour boost to landscapes but they should be avoided with wide angle lenses because they create a dark patch at 90 degrees to sun, which can be a distraction.

 

[macs]

I have another question - sorry I should have thought all this through before posting the OP.

Should I use a cover on the viewfinder? I only have a D3000 so it doesn't have live view so the viewfinder is only way to compose shots.

Thanks guys, I think this is my last question.

 

[ChrisGilbert]

It always helps ensure that the camera has metered correctly if you cover the viewfinder at the half-depress position, particularly when filtering with NDs when there is considerably less light coming into the front of the camera.

 

[kennysarmy]

Bracket your shots.
Shoot RAW
hot shoe attached spirit level?

 

[allymac]

You only need to cover the viewfinder if you have strong ND filters on the lens or if the sun was shining into it. Bacically if there is more light on the viewfinder than coming through the front of the lens.