I discovered landscape photography during a film photography class at school when I was fifteen. Before falling in love with wide open views, I experimented with portraits, studio shots, and even fine art nudes. But everything changed during a solo trip to Chile in 2012. Surrounded by vast mountains and still skies, I knew I had found my thing.
Like many beginners, I made plenty of landscape photography mistakes along the way, some technical, some creative, and some about mindset. Here are seven of the most important lessons I’ve learned, and how you can avoid these common pitfalls.
1️⃣ Not photographing in RAW format
When I first started, I didn’t even know what the RAW format was. I captured everything in JPEG because that was the default setting on my camera. But JPEG is a compressed format, which limits how much flexibility you have when editing. You quickly lose detail in the highlights and shadows, and your options for correcting color or exposure are very limited.
Switching to RAW changed everything for me. It gave me so much more control in Lightroom and allowed me to bring out the depth, texture, and tones I had seen in the landscape. Since then, I have never looked back.
2️⃣ Not doing enough research beforehand
At first, I would simply grab my camera and head out, hoping to find something interesting to photograph. While this helped me get comfortable with manual mode and react to what I saw, I soon realized that being spontaneous wasn’t enough to improve my landscape photography in the long run.
Now, I take the time to plan ahead. I make a list of places I want to visit and think about the conditions I would like to shoot in — such as fog, golden hour, or autumn colors. This gives me a clear vision before I even arrive. It also helps me avoid that empty feeling of being uninspired when I reach a location without a plan.
Of course, I still stay open to new compositions on the spot, but having a general idea in mind makes a big difference. For example, I often return to Préverenges Beach at different times of day and during different seasons. Before each visit, I check the weather forecast carefully, because I know what kind of atmosphere I’m hoping to capture.
3️⃣ Not setting clear goals
When I started out, my only goal was to take beautiful photos. But over time, I realised I didn’t really know what that meant. I would go into the forest and take hundreds of photos of trees, leaves, and paths, without any clear intention. Many of those images lacked structure, emotion, or purpose.
Today, I take a different approach. I try to set a specific goal for each outing. It might be something simple, like capturing a lone tree at sunset or finding soft light after the rain. I visualise the image I want, I check the weather, and I choose my timing carefully. Having a clear objective helps me focus, make better creative choices, and come home with images that reflect what I felt.
4️⃣ Not experimenting with new techniques
For a long time, I stayed in my comfort zone. I used the same framing and settings, and rarely tried anything different. It wasn’t until 2023 that I began experimenting with panoramas. At first, it felt unfamiliar and a bit technical, but I quickly saw the creative potential it opened up.
Now, whenever I’m out shooting or traveling, I make a conscious effort to create panoramas and explore wider compositions. Over time, I’ve learned to recognise when a scene calls for a panoramic approach instead of a single frame. It has added a new dimension to my landscape photography and reminded me how important it is to keep exploring and learning.
5️⃣ Not taking inspiration from others
When I first discovered photography, I spent hours on Behance exploring the work of other artists. But over time, I lost that habit. I stopped looking at other photographers’ images and focused only on my own work. Eventually, I hit a creative wall. My progress stalled, and I felt uninspired.
Rediscovering other landscape photographers, especially on social medias, gave me the motivation I was missing. Seeing their images challenged me to reflect on my own and to keep improving. For me, inspiration is not about copying. It is about learning, observing, and setting new goals for yourself. Since then, I have also taken online courses with photographers I admire. It has helped me grow and develop my own visual language.
6️⃣ Losing motivation and overlooking local spots
This has probably been one of my biggest challenges. I love landscape photography, and I often feel full of ideas during the day. But once the workday ends, motivation can disappear. There were many evenings when the forecast promised dramatic skies or storms over the lake, and I stayed home because I felt too tired. And on the days I did go out, I sometimes arrived to find just a few clouds instead of the scene I had imagined. It was easy to feel discouraged.
To overcome this, I started creating a habit. I try to go out once a week, even if it is just for a short walk with my camera. I keep a list of places I want to photograph and revisit it regularly. This simple routine has helped me stay motivated, improve my skills, and embrace whatever the weather brings. One evening, I went out hoping to photograph the Perseids meteor shower in Switzerland. I didn’t see a single meteor, but I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets I had ever seen. Moments like that remind me why it’s worth showing up anyway.
One thing that really helps me stay consistent is having a few local spots nearby. I used to think there were no beautiful locations close to home, but I’ve since changed my mind. Visiting the same place at different times has become one of my favorite ways to practise and improve.
Final thoughts
Looking back on the mistakes I made as a beginner has helped me grow into the landscape photographer I am today. From skipping RAW format to showing up without a plan, each misstep taught me something important. Over time, I’ve learned to prepare more thoughtfully, set clear goals, stay curious with new techniques, and find fresh energy through inspiration. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can save time, build confidence, and create images that truly reflect your vision.
And most of all, enjoy the moment. Happy shooting!
Published on August 17, 2025 by Jennifer Esseiva
