Use the right kit for the job

The foundations for sharp landscapes are a sturdy tripod and a solid head

The most effective way to improve sharpness is also the simplest: mount your camera on a tripod. Choosing the right tripod and head can be difficult, however, there are many manufacturers and models to choose from.

It’s important to choose a tripod that is sturdy and has a useful maximum height (there will be occasions when you will want to shoot above head height), as well as the ability to set up low to the ground for more dramatic perspectives. Apart from this, the basic choices to be made are the material it’s made from, the number of leg sections and whether or not it has a centre column.

Tripods are usually made from either aluminium or carbon fibre. Carbon fibre is more expensive, but considerably lighter, which is important, as landscape photography often involves long hikes. Carbon fibre is also more stable, because it absorbs vibrations better. For greater stability, look for a model that has a hook underneath to can hang a weight (or bag) off it in windy conditions.

Many landscapers favour three-section leg tripods, but four means the tripod will fold up smaller. The tripod head is as important as the legs, and many landscape specialists prefer geared heads, as they enable you to make very fine adjustments to your compositions.

Of course, your Canon EOS camera and lenses are also massively important when it comes to landscapes, see the box below and on the following pages…