Different Types of Landscape Photography

Scenery is the subject of a landscape image.
Usually people or animals are not shown in a landscape photograph. Similarly, city skylines and oceans are generally not shown. To a purist these would be called cityscape and seascape respectively. Landscape photographs are supposed to be just that; landscapes.

There are three major styles of landscape photography

  1. Representational (also known as straight descriptive style)
  2. Impressionistic
  3. Abstract

Representational:
Representational landscapes are the most natural and realistic out of all the styles of landscape photography. They approach landscape photography with a what you see is what you get mentality. No props or artificial components are added. However special attention is paid to the framing, lighting and composition of the image

Impressionistic:
An impressionistic landscape carries with it a vague or elusive sense of reality. These photographs will make the landscape seem more unreal. The viewer is giving the impression of a landscape rather than the true representation of one.

Abstract:
Abstract landscape photographs use components of the scenery as graphic components. With abstract landscape photography design is more important than a realistic representation of what is seen. The photographer may place emphasis on something which seems counterintuitive to place emphasis on. They may make use of silhouettes or other lighting techniques to highlight shape, They may focus in on an area within the landscape itself.

One sub-type of landscape photographs is the seascape. Learn about seascape photography here.

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We have a detailed article on Landscape Photography here.

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