When I started shooting, I would usually venture randomly to some place, and then I'd make the best out of the available conditions. Some days I's be lucky, on others I'd come home with ZERO decent photos. On the latter, coming home was often accompanied with frustration and a sense of unfulfillment, that sometimes led me to wonder "what am I doing wrong?".


Well, the truth is that I didn't use to take into account that there's a very important factor in achieving good nature photographs: KNOW the places where you will photograph!



If one one side it is true that photos like , and , shot in places where I had never been before, were a result of not only technique but also sheer luck, this doesn't always happen...

Since making a good nature/landscape photo implies that you must be able to find a group of special elements under a special light, it is of uttermost importance that you have a previous knowledge of a good number of spots near you, and then judge which one will be the best for that particular session.

Strange as it may seem, assuming you live near landscapes with good aesthetic potential, it is much more probable that you will make an astounding photo on your backyard, than on a short travel to New Zealand or Patagonia! While in New Zealand you might end up in all the wrong places with the wrong light at the wrong time, in those places you know you will be able to predict on which days the light will be at its best.

I have many shots from around Portugal, encompassing several different regions and places of my country, but the biggest number of photos were taken in Algarve, where I spend a big part of my vacations and several weekends. And, once more, why does this happen? That's right! Because I know my spots. In Algarve I wake up, look at the sky, look at the weather forecast, and soon I will know if that will be a good day to photograph. Two to three hours before sunset, I grab my car, and wander for about 15 minutes, trying to understand where the sun will set, how the clouds are influencing light, and where the sunset will be more captivating. Then, it's a matter of travelling to the chosen place and hope nature will do it's part.



A photo like , taken 5 kilometers aways from my house in Algarve, was made after I went to the same place about ten to fifteen times! On that particular day, while I approached the area, I saw those ominous clouds in the area, and decided this would be my spot of the day. As soon as I got out of the car and saw the portrayed scene, I knew that was a good choice.

Other photos like , were also the result of going over and over to the same place, and becoming acknowledged with it's best angles and best lightning.


Never forget that choosing your location is essential. I'm always surprised when I see photographers that randomly select a place to shoot, and then come home feeling they suck, when they simply failed in the selection of the day/place/time to do their shooting.


If you chose to do nature/landscape photography, than you are working with the most demanding and uncontrollable light assistant in the whole world, which is God/Nature. He won't accept your orders, so you'd better learn how to deal with him and follow his indications!


I honestly hope this is helpful to you!