Understand summer weather
Understanding the weather is key to successful summer landscape photography.
In Australia we tend to romanticise the summer as being full of long, warm days spent on the beach or at a local park, the reality is that the weather is often quite changeable: neither weeks of blazing sunshine nor unending rain but often quite a few heatwaves followed by thunderstorms.
This unpredictability is actually great news though, as it can provide excellent opportunities if you get your timing right. Cloudy days can help diffuse the harsh sun and create interesting lighting effects even in the middle of the day. The sun poking through gaps in the clouds can create dappled lighting across the landscape or spotlight key features; with the right filtration and processing, these conditions can make very dramatic images. Cloudy days are also excellent for coastal photography: stick an extreme ND over your lens and turn waves into an ethereal mist and the sea into a glassy surface.
Clear skies are not popular with landscape photographers, but they can be common during the summer. In these conditions, you’re better off sticking to the beginnings and ends of the day when the light is softer and the low sun reveals form and texture in the landscape. Another option during periods of clear skies is to head out in the evening and try shooting the night sky.
Thunderstorms are quite common during the summer and they can be dramatic to photograph, though don’t take risks – standing directly underneath an electrical storm with a camera mounted on what is effectively a lightning conductor is not the best way to guarantee personal safety. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, so don’t forget to pick a viewpoint that gives a strong composition. If you don’t fancy shooting lightning, head out immediately after the storm, as there will be exceptional clarity and the sky can still be dramatic.