Whether you're shooting an establishing shot for your film or taking in the epic sights for your travel video, being able to capture spectacular landscapes is an essential skill for all filmmakers. However, these kinds of shots can be tricky, because they not only tend to be difficult to logistically and technically execute but they tend to be challenging aesthetically as well.

In this video, Kai Wong goes over ten things that will help you take better landscapes.

If you're planning on just jumping in your car to shoot landscapes at a random location, you might get lucky and come back with some exquisite images, but chances are you'll be returning home with a bunch of dump. (I don't make the rules.) This is because there are so many variables that need to be accounted for before you hit record. 

What location are you going to? What are the features of that location? Is there anything that will obstruct your view (people, trees, friggin' construction!!!)? What is the weather going to be like? What pieces of gear are you going to need? What exactly are you trying to communicate with your image?

There is so much stuff to think about and that's why it'll do you some good to prepare ahead of time, know the location, know what you need, and know what you want. 

Here are the tips Wong mentions in the video:

  • Location is everything
  • Plan your shots
  • Bring ND filters
  • Bring a camera stabilizer
  • Bring a wide angle lens
  • Take advantage of leading lines
  • Keep an eye on your foreground
  • Large depth of field is the way to go
  • Try aerial landscapes
  • "Don't be a quitter."

What are some other things that should be considered when shooting landscapes? Let us know down below.

Source: Kai W

landscapelandscape cinematography
Cinematography & Cameras