Go minimalist
Get away from visual clutter and look for interesting shapes in the landscape instead
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It can be tempting to cram the frame with detail, but stripping things back to create more minimalist compositions is a great way to go beyond the familiar postcard view of a famous location. Working up a composition in this way also feels just that bit more photographic – making an image rather than just taking one.
A standard or telephoto zoom lens makes a great option for this type of photography, as it makes it much easier to zone in on pleasing combinations of lines, shapes, patterns and texture in the wider scene. A strong ND filter can also be an asset, too, as it will allow you to blur moving elements, sometimes to the point where they completely disappear from the image.
Experiment with different crops when you process your minimalist images – the balance created by the equal sides of a square photo can often suit these types of compositions, for example. And don’t be afraid to tweak any colours that don’t contribute to the harmonious structure – or to apply a black-and‑white treatment.