Ultimate Guide to Landscape Photography Techniques

I know it is a bold statement but Photographing the World by Elia Locardi is hands down the most in-depth, well produced and educational landscape photography tutorial I have ever experienced.

I love reading reviews when I am going to purchase a product, but it has become increasingly difficult to come across ones that actually give an honest opinion.

Most are written by the people who produced it or are selling it or by people who are paid to write it or are really vague.

This is not one of those reviews.

In the oversaturated world of travel photography, it can be hard to get a leg up or find educational materials that simply repeat what you have seen before or can come across with a little digging on the internet.

So you can imagine my delight when I started to explore the Photographing the World course by Elia Locardi and found that it is full of fresh ideas and great tips on improving your photography as a whole.

From on-location shooting to post-processing, it gives you the tools to become a better photographer.

Photographing the World – Landscape Photography Tutorial

Who is Elia?

Elia Locardi is an acclaimed travel photographer and Fujifilm Global Ambassador who spends his life shooting some of the most beautiful locations in the world.

I have not met Elia in person yet but have chatted with him online, and let me tell you he knows what he is talking about.

I have respected his work for a while now and really enjoyed how his processing has evolved, so I was excited to delve into this landscape photography tutorial and learn from the master.

What You Get:

Here is what the photography course includes:

• 12+ Hours of Video Content (1080p, 23.9fps, H.264 mpg4, over 25GB of material)
• 15 On Location and Studio Post-processing Lessons
• Intro to the Basics of Photography
• Overview of all photography gear Elia uses and why
• Full RAW files and companion software catalogues so you can follow along (Lightroom, PSD, and CaptureONE)
• 8 Behind the Scenes episodes of our experiences traveling and filming this incredible project
• Private Elia Facebook Group access for extended education and photo sharing

I am a self-taught photographer and have avoided many online courses, as I often found they provided little more than conventional tips lacking in depth when it comes to advancing your photography skills.

I was searching for something that taught me new techniques and broke some of those standard rules, and I found that in this course.

Who is it For?

You may be thinking that you must have years of experience to take advantage of this course, but you would be mistaken.

One of the aspects that I appreciated about it is that you can learn something no matter your level of expertise.

Elia takes the time to explain in detail the processes, settings, and gear he is using, ensuring you never feel left behind. Whether you are a beginner photographer or someone who has been shooting for years, you will certainly create more beautiful images with this course.

I do have to note that some knowledge of Lightroom and Photoshop would be beneficial before you start the tutorial, as these programs are not covered in detail.

Production Value

The first aspect you will notice is the incredible production value. Elia and the team have gone to great lengths to make this tutorial visually appealing, and they have succeeded.

Filming in stunning locations from Iceland to New Zealand truly showcases some of the best landscapes available.

Take a look at the “Behind the Scenes” episodes for both hilarity and insight into what went into producing this tutorial.

First Lessons

The course begins with an extensive look at the gear needed to capture great images.

What works wonderfully in this segment is that Elia doesn’t just focus on high-end lenses and bodies; he offers alternatives for those on a budget as well.

Gear doesn’t define a photographer; as we all know, it’s the skill and creativity that matter most.

He additionally focuses on foundational photography concepts such as f-stop, shutter speed, and depth of field. This ensures that if you are just starting or need a refresher, you start the course equipped with the necessary knowledge to maximize the wealth of information provided.

One major benefit of the landscape tutorial is its progressive format.

The lessons you learn in the initial tutorials are applied repeatedly, allowing them to become second nature.

This approach permitted me to enhance my Photoshop skills without having to revisit earlier lessons constantly.

Course Structure

The structure of each video remains consistent.

We commence in various locations, where Elia guides us through his method of discovering interesting compositions.

He shares what he looks for, his camera settings, and his general approach to deconstructing a scene and capturing essential elements for post-processing to achieve his envisioned outcome.

Having a clear vision is crucial when creating stunning images.

Elia’s teaching style is easy to follow, as he explains each step and, more importantly, the reasoning behind his actions so that you can apply them when out in the field.

Truthfully, I would have appreciated a bit more detail in this section. While Elia communicates well, a deeper explanation, comparing different angles and compositions, would enrich the learning experience.

I also appreciated that the shooting scenarios are authentic—not set in perfect conditions.

As we all understand, ideal shooting situations are rare, so observing how he adapts and processes images applies to real-life scenarios and not staged conditions aimed at obtaining that perfect shot.

Post Processing

From there, we transition into the post-processing phase (the core of the tutorial), which I found most exciting.

I gleaned a lot from this section of the course.

Not only does Elia discuss techniques like Luminosity masking, color enhancement, and sharpening, but he also dives into exposure blending and the techniques he applies in his images.

If these terms seem overwhelming or foreign, don’t panic—he explains each one comprehensively, detailing how to implement them effectively.

Furthermore, he explores RAW processing and the benefits of both Capture One and Lightroom as RAW processors.

As we progress, more advanced techniques are introduced, covering color, saturation, and contrast adjustments, as well as how to utilize masks to control where the effects specifically apply in the image.

I found that this gave me much more control over my images and allowed selective application of adjustments wherever desired.

Upon purchasing the course, you receive all of the RAW files to follow along step-by-step.

This is an excellent idea, as I find it easier to learn by working on the same image.

Initially, I was a novice with Photoshop, but the lessons I encountered during this course are now part of my everyday image workflow.

Other Topics Covered in the Tutorial Include:

• Photography Basics (ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture, White Balance, etc.)
• Overview of best lenses and gear for landscape photography
• Tips for improved composition
• Focus Stacking and maximizing depth of field
• Bracketing and multi-exposure blending
• Graduated Neutral Density Filters
• Solid Neutral Density Filters
• Blurring water and skies with long exposures
• Building panoramic images
• Handling sun flare
• Understanding light (Golden Hour, Blue Hour, Sunrise, and Sunset)
• Using lens compression to your advantage
• Incorporating or removing human elements from your images
• Polarizers?
• RAW Processing and Editing Workflow
• Color correction and image adjustment
• Basic object removal, painting, and cloning
• Masking and layering techniques
• Introduction to Luminosity masking
• Time blending (combining exposures taken at different times)

Summary

The Photographing the World Course is tailor-made for the photographer or blogger who finds themselves at a technical and creative standstill.

If you aspire to improve your skills and discover new techniques, then this tutorial is precisely what you need.

I understand that when you compare the price of this course ($299) to other online offerings, it may seem a bit pricey. However, as I mentioned earlier, it is worth every cent.

Most photographers allocate their funds solely towards gear and skimp on education. What benefit is high-quality gear and software if you are unaware of how to leverage it fully?

If you have a passion for photography and aim to enhance your craft, I strongly recommend investing in this course.

Purchase the tutorial here!

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to plan your next adventure? Utilize these reliable resources that I personally recommend.

Book Your Flights: Start organizing your journey by uncovering the best flight deals on Skyscanner. I have relied on them for years and found them to offer the best flight deals.

Book Your Hotel: Discover the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you’re in Europe, use Booking.com, and for everywhere else, use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: Secure the best prices on apartment rentals with VRBO.

Travel Insurance: Ensure you have coverage while exploring. Here is what I recommend:

• Safety Wing – For occasional travelers.
• Medjet – Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Searching for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Check out Get Your Guide.

Need further assistance with your travel plans? Visit our Resources Page, showcasing outstanding companies we trust for our travels.