Understanding Light

IN LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

Light is the essence of photography. It defines mood, enhances textures, and transforms an ordinary scene into something spectacular. As a landscape photographer, I’ve learned that understanding how to harness natural light is the key to capturing breath-taking images. 

But how do you know what the right light is for your scene? How can you adapt to changing conditions? 

I’ll share my experiences working with different types of light, how I make the most of each situation, and how you can too. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how to work with light in various conditions to create stunning landscapes.

The Role of Light in Landscape Photography

Have you ever taken a shot that looked flat and uninspiring? Or perhaps one where the contrast was so strong that the details were lost? 

Light is what gives a landscape its depth, contrast, and character. The same scene can look dramatically different depending on the time of day, weather, and light direction. I’ve found that mastering light means knowing when and how to shoot to bring out the best in a subject. For example, I can recount times standing atop Cissbury Ring just before sunrise, watching as the soft morning light slowly revealed the details in the landscape.

 

The colour temperature of light plays a huge role in how a scene feels. Warmer tones during sunrise and sunset create inviting, golden hues, whereas cooler tones in shaded areas or during blue hour lend a calming and serene effect. Balancing these variations helps create visually harmonious compositions.

 

Another key factor is the intensity of light. I’ve struggled with harsh midday sun, which can create strong contrasts and deep shadows, but I’ve also learned that it can be used creatively if you know how to manage exposure properly. On the other hand, overcast days can enhance detail and texture without overwhelming the image with stark shadows, making them perfect for certain types of photography.

 

But light isn’t just about technical adjustments—it’s about emotion. A misty morning with soft, diffused light can evoke a sense of mystery and solitude, while a sunset bursting with colour can create warmth and nostalgia. Thinking about how light impacts the mood of an image has completely changed the way I approach landscape photography.

The colour temperature of light plays a huge role in how a scene feels.

Letna Hill, Prague

ISO-1250, f/2.8, 3.2 seconds

Golden Hour vs. Blue Hour: The Best Times to Shoot

Golden Hour (Sunrise & Sunset)

If you’ve ever wondered why so many landscape photographers swear by golden hour, just try shooting at this time, and you’ll see why. The golden hour is one of my absolute favourite times to shoot because the light is soft, warm, and incredibly flattering. I’ve taken some of my best shots just after before sunrise and after sunset when the landscape glows with golden hues, and long shadows create a sense of depth.

Patience is a virtue with landscape photography.

Worthing, West Sussex

ISO-100, f/14, 8 seconds

One particular moment stands out to me. I was photographing Worthing Pier at sunset, and the sky was completely overcast. It felt flat and uninspiring, and I’d resigned myself to packing up. But then, I noticed a sliver of a gap between the clouds and the horizon. Something told me to wait it out. What followed was one of the most vibrant sunsets I’ve ever seen—fiery oranges and deep reds lighting up the sky. Moments like these remind me that patience often pays off.

This was one of the most vibrant sunsets I’ve ever seen.

Worthing, West Sussex

ISO-100, f/10, 25 seconds

Be it sunrise or sunset, arriving early is crucial. The best moments can be fleeting, and it’s frustrating to miss that perfect light because you weren’t set up in time. I always try to get to my location at least 30 to 60 minutes before sunrise or sunset to find the right composition and be ready when the magic happens.

Blue Hour (Before Sunrise & After Sunset)

Blue hour has a completely different feel. It’s cooler, moodier, and works especially well for capturing serene scenes, such as reflections on water or cityscapes. I remember photographing a mountain lake just after sunset, where the water reflected the deep blue sky perfectly. Because light levels are low, a tripod is a must to keep images sharp. I’ve found that longer exposures help capture the subtle beauty of this time without introducing too much noise.

Blue hour is cooler, and works especially well for capturing serene scenes.

Brighton, East Sussex

ISO-100, f/4.5, 8 seconds

Working with Different Lighting Conditions

Shooting in Harsh Sunlight

Have you ever struggled with midday light washing out your shots? I certainly have. But instead of avoiding it, I’ve learned to work with it. Midday sunlight can actually enhance certain types of landscapes, like coastal cliffs, where strong light brings out textures. Shadows can also be used creatively, adding contrast and leading lines to an image. Using a polarizing filter helps reduce glare and deepen colours, making a huge difference when shooting in bright conditions.

Use harsh sunlight to your advantage.

Mixta Cave, Malta

ISO-100, f/11, 1/1250 seconds

Maximizing Overcast Light

Not every day can be sunny, and I used to be disappointed when I arrived at a location under thick cloud cover. But over time, I realized that overcast light is perfect for capturing details and textures. Woodland photography, waterfalls, and close-up nature shots thrive under these conditions. The lack of harsh shadows makes it easier to achieve balanced exposures, and post-processing can add a bit of contrast to bring out depth without making the image look unnatural.

Use overcast skies to help balance exposures.

Ladybower Reservoir, Peak District

ISO-320, f/7.1, 1/100 seconds

Making the Most of Fog and Mist

Fog and mist have become some of my favourite lighting conditions to shoot in. They strip away distractions and simplify compositions, creating a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere. I’ve found that looking for strong shapes or leading lines—like trees fading into the mist, or a building that reaches out over the top—helps create compelling images. Manual exposure is key since fog can confuse a camera’s metering system, often leading to underexposed images.

Mist and fog can strip away distractions and simplify compositions.

Arundel, West Sussex

ISO-100, f/11, 13 seconds

The Role of Weather in Light

Weather plays a huge role in determining the quality of light in a landscape. Stormy skies, for example, can create dramatic contrasts with patches of light breaking through the clouds, giving a sense of tension and energy. I love photographing right before or after a storm, as the interplay of light and shadow adds depth and mood to the scene. On rainy days, reflections off wet surfaces can create vibrant colours and textures, while snow on a bright day adds a magical glow to landscapes. Paying attention to weather conditions and learning to predict their effects on light is a skill worth cultivating for any landscape photographer.

Reflecting on Light Over Time

When I first started landscape photography, I didn’t fully appreciate how much light could transform a scene. Over the years, through trial and error, I’ve come to see light as the storyteller of my images. It doesn’t just illuminate a subject—it shapes how the viewer feels. Revisiting the same location under different conditions has been one of the best ways to learn. Each time, I notice something new: how light filters through trees, the way shadows elongate in the evening, or how mist softens the landscape. Reflecting on these changes has helped me refine my approach and develop a deeper understanding of how light works.

How to Determine the Right Light for Your Scene

So, how do you know when the light is right? The answer depends on what you’re trying to achieve. If I want warmth and depth, I go for golden hour. If I’m aiming for tranquillity, I wait for the very end of golden hour into blue hour. For high contrast and bold textures, midday sun can work. Over time, I’ve developed an instinct for how different lighting conditions affect the mood of an image, but it took practice.

 

One of the best exercises I’ve done is revisiting the same location under different lighting conditions. Seeing firsthand how light transforms a scene is incredibly valuable. I also pay close attention to shadows, reflections, and the way light falls across the landscape. The more you observe, the better you’ll get at predicting and using light effectively.

 

To help with planning, I use apps like PhotoPills, Ventusky, and Clear Outside. These tools give me detailed information about light direction, weather, and even cloud cover, helping me predict how a scene will look before I even arrive.

Post-Processing for Light

Editing is where I bring my vision to life. My process often starts with balancing the light across the image—adjusting highlights, shadows, and contrast to create a more even result. From there, I add depth by selectively dodging and burning, emphasizing the areas I want to draw attention to.

 

For more advanced edits, I’ll use masks to isolate parts of the image, enhancing colours or textures in specific areas. I’ve often been told my photos have a painterly style, and that’s something I consciously aim for. Every time I edit, I’m thinking about how the light can shape the story I want to tell.

Post processing can really bring your vision to life.

Mam Tor, Peak District

ISO-200, f/11, 1/1250 seconds

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about landscape photography, it’s that light is everything. It’s not just about knowing when to shoot, but about understanding how light behaves and using it to tell a story. Whether it’s the glow of golden hour, the moody feel of fog, or the crisp clarity of a clear day, every condition has something unique to offer.

 

The best advice I can give is to experiment. Don’t just wait for perfect conditions—get out there and shoot in different light, make adjustments, and see what works. Reflect on what you capture and how the light shaped it. Over time, you’ll develop an intuitive sense of light and how to make it work for you. And most importantly, enjoy the process. The journey of capturing light in landscapes is as rewarding as the final image itself.

 

Next time you’re out with your camera, pay close attention to how light interacts with your scene. What mood does it create? How can you use it to tell your story? Let the light guide your creativity, and see where it takes you.

Shopping Basket