Qualities for a "Landscape pic."

[Lastoadri]

To me, all pictures about nature are nice. However, can you tell me, what qualities one should take care of to have a good "landscape picture"? How can you tell this one is good and this one is not?!

[Nicole]

I've thought about this question quite a bit, and found myself struggling to determine what I think makes a good landscape shot rather than a bad one. I think that landscapes are something that appeals to a gut reaction most of the time because of the feeling they evoke. It may be a feeling of calmness or trepidation, but it usually inspires a feeling. This makes it hard to determine what makes something good or not because it's so personal.

That being said, I think that one of the things that can make a landscape shot better is the illusion of depth within the photo. Something that makes the picture not so "flat". For example, green grass against a blue sky may be a nice image, but it's also "flat". In contrast, if a tree were added to the picture, it may create the illusion of more depth because you feel there is distance between you and the tree, and the tree and the horizon.

Not sure how much sense that makes though

[henryscat]

I'm always looking for a good foreground subject to sit with a nice landscape. Gives a much better sense of depth. I'm also a big fan of using a wide angle lens in portrait and getting some of the ground at your feet in the shot too. I love this technique with water and rocks.

[Digidave]

Here's a picture I submitted for critiquing. I love this picture! I thought it had just the right amount of sky, water, & land. Nice colors along with some rock formations. I only got 2 critiques. 1 was bad & 1 was sort of good. You decide. To each his own, I guess.

[Merlyn]

Nothing going on in the sky, such as clouds to help give the sky some purpose. A little less of your sky may help. A polarizer or neutral density filter may help here also to bring the color of the sky up to that of the water.
The image is also weighted a little on the left. Looks as if the lake is higher on the right. In photoshop it shows up as being about 11 Degrees off.
Like everyone else, keep taking pictures, the perfect one is out there somewhere.

[Saralonde]

I like landscapes that have some type of focal point, a subject that draws your eye to it. Could be a boat, reflections, interesting clouds, tree, colors, etc.

[msafiedin]

how about this one...? i took it few weeks ago
still learning about my d40..

[Nicole]

msafiedin: I really like that shot of yours. I like how the sky is reflected on the water on the sand, and the birds really draw your eye to the centre of the shot. Well done.

[msafiedin]

thats a lot of compliment from moderator

i have only start learning photography like few weeks back..
after i saved money to buy the d40

thanks nicole..appreciate it..

[sagelike31]

Some great thoughts here.
I guess my only additions to that are to shoot a landscape shot when no one else would. Basically try to avoid the generic sunny shot capture. And when you do that of course make sure it looks good.

And the overall rule to make sure your landscape photos look professional is
KEEP THE HORIZON STRAIGHT!!!!!!
If you don't it looks like a snapshot.

Here is one of my best examples of that: