I started taking my landscape photography seriously in 2017. Back then, my photography lacked direction and my hiking career was pretty non existent. I'd grab my camera and wander aimlessly in locations I kind of wanted to shoot, hike or no hike. In the beginning, my photos had no subject and I'd struggle to get a full "set" of images out of my day. The images I did have (if any) were flat and lacked imagination. If I did get a good focal point or lighting, it was down to chance rather than skill.
These days, I try to hike with intention. Choosing my destination based on what I want to shoot and my route based on time of day, location of the sun, weather and image opportunities on the way. I am by no means perfect, but hiking and shooting with intention has helped me take my photography from flat to fine ( see blow).
The first image was taken in 2017 in mid afternoon sunlight. The second image was taken in 2024 at golden hour. both images are that of a mountain vast mountain scene, however, you can see some key differences between the two images, for example the lighting is much more dramatic and contrasting in the second image, warming up the tips of the mountains and highlighting the foreground. There are also more deliberate leading lines in the trail bending towards the mountains in the distance, and the mountains leading away from the scene. Small differences like this will take your landscape scenes from 0-10 with little effort.
In this blog post, I will talk through my key pointers to help you plan your hikes with landscape photography in mind, including how to choose your destination, trail route, times of day and weather, discussing how each of these factors plays a part in the quality of your images, helping you improve your photography whilst hiking.
Choosing your location:
Choosing your shooting location should be the first thing you do. A little research is required at this stage to find new locations, assessing whether or not there are photo opportunities worth travelling to and getting inspiration from others. When choosing a location, I head to google maps, instagram, blogs and tik tok for inspiration.
Google maps: When using google maps, I zone in on an area I would like to travel to (usually in Wales) and begin looking for the camera sign, woodland or hiking trail signs. This will give you an idea of what is in that area. You can then click on these signs and scroll through images of the area shot by visitors to evaluate whether there is something worth shooting. You can then search the area on instagram to see what other photographers/ hikers have shot in the area for inspiration. I personally prefer using Google maps for inspiration, partly so I am not over influenced by others photography and partly due to wanting to find slightly less visited areas.
Instagram/ tik tok: If spending hours on google maps isn't your cup of tea, head over to tik tok or instagram and head to the search bar. Use phrases like; UK landscape photography, UK landscapes, Hike Britain or search specific places such as "Wales" "Lake District" "Peak District" etc to look for hikes and locations to shoot.
Blogs: Finally, you have blogs. Blogs are a fantastic resource for searching photography and hiking locations with the added bonus of receiving tips and tricks from experts in the field. You can search for outdoor photography/ adventure and hiking blogs using Pinterest or Google.
2. Pick your trail
Once you have have sourced your location you want to shoot, it's time to check out trails around the area that pass/ feature the shots you have been diligently researching. Use apps like AllTrails or OSMaps and search the area/ destination you want to hike to. During this stage, I like to use Alltrails images to browse photos of the trail to decide which route would be most picturesque, looking for features in the distance/ scenery which could be worth shooting on the way up, or any close up macro details that could make for an interesting story to my photo set.
Key tip: during this stage, it's worth noting which direction you will be facing in (South, for example will provide consistent sunlight all day whereas North or North East would be best for a Sunrise shoot and West ideal for sunset), any obstacles which could block sunlight such as mountains or trees.
3. Check Trail Difficulty:
Once you've found your ideal route, you need to consider whether or not this trail is safe and within your capability. Remember that when you're looking at the difficulty of a trail to consider your fitness level, your previous hiking experience (and that of whoever will be joining you on your hike) along with any other contributing factors. For me, this includes my height threshold and exposed edges. Other factors you may wish to consider is the length of the trail and the time it will take you to complete the entire hike- not just to your destination. To help judge whether or not a trail is for you, consider searching the route on Youtube or Tiktok to see if others have documented the path. You can also use a topographic map (OS maps is good for this) to help judge steepness and height.
4. Weather Check:
It's important to verify the weather forecast for the day before or the day of your hike. Ideal conditions vary based on personal preference and the type of photography you're aiming for (e.g., sunrise, sunset or moody shots). If you're shooting in the rain or snow, you may wish to consider making sure your equipment is protected, you can buy a cheap housing system for your camera on Amazon or use an umbrella to shield your lens. For UK mountain areas, I use met office, MWIS and Mountain forecast for the best view of conditions.
5. Plan Timing:
Plan your hike around the best times for photography, such as the golden hours during sunrise or sunset. Factor in enough time for the hike and photography sessions. This means, if you're planning on getting to a location for golden hour, you'll want to arrive slightly before that time of day to scout the location and any possible frames you had in mind.
Key pointer: Make sure you factor in time spent stopping to take photos en route, snacks and lunches. Trail times marked on apps typically don't account for these factors.
6. Pack the Essentials:
You'll want to make sure you have the hiking essentials. Check out my blog post on what I pack in my daypack for inspiration.
7. Photography Gear:
Pack your camera, lenses, UV filters, tripod, extra batteries, memory cards, lens cleaning kit, and any additional accessories you may need.
8. Safety First:
It's important you let someone know about your hiking plans and expected return time. Carry a map, and if possible, use a GPS device or smartphone with a reliable map application. I usually like to carry a map, compass and download an offline map from Alltrails for my walks, just incase.
9. Leave No Trace:
Follow the principles of Leave No Trace to minimize your impact on the environment. Stay on designated trails, pack out all rubbish (that includes orange peels)! And respect the natural surroundings.
10. Enjoy the Journey:
While the photography may be your main focus, remember to take time to be present, breathe in and take stock of what's around you. After all, we're only capturing a feeling.
Some very valuable information which I definitely need to remember in future. Particularly the weather check!