Ultimate Guide to Taking Great Hiking Photos: Outdoor Photography 101

Love outdoor photography? Looking for tips on how to take good hiking photos? You’ve come to the right place! As someone who loves to get outside and explore hiking trails, I also love capturing hiking photos to share with friends, family, and the Bearfoot Theory community.

However, I know that during a long day of hiking, many people decide that getting their camera out poses too much of a challenge, the light isn’t good anyway, and there are a bunch of other people in the way ruining their perfect shot.

Those people walk away with no memories captured as images and often wish they had mementos of their adventures.

After years of blogging and taking photos of my hiking adventures, I’ve learned a thing or two about best practices for taking great hiking shots.

In this post, I share my best tips and detailed information on how to take good outdoor photos so you can always look back on fantastic memories of your days out on the trail.

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The Basics of hiking photography

If you want to take great hiking photos, you’ll need to learn the basics of how your camera works and what makes a good photograph.

1. Understand your camera

Understanding the basics of your camera as well as basic camera settings will allow you to move away from shooting in auto mode and will give you more control over your photos.

There are three factors that affect how a photo comes out: shutter speed, aperture (or f-stop), and ISO. If you can get a handle on what each of these settings does, you’ll be more able to create the type of image you see in your mind.

It can be a bit tough to get these three settings to work in unison to achieve the image in your mind, but the more you practice the more it will become second nature and you will grasp a total understanding of what each setting does.

You should also familiarize yourself with your camera’s different modes, such as landscape, portrait, and macro. However, while auto-modes can work wonders, learning manual settings can offer greater flexibility.

2. Rule of thirds

Imagine breaking an image down into thirds both horizontally and vertically, so it’s split into nine parts. The rule of thirds suggests that subjects or points of interest should be placed along these lines or at their intersections.

This technique often results in more balanced and engaging photos, guiding the viewer’s eye across the frame.

3. Depth of field

Depth of field (DoF) refers to the range within a photo that appears sharp. A shallow DoF can be used to isolate a subject (like a wildflower or hiker) from the background, making it stand out. A deeper DoF keeps more of the scene (like an expansive landscape) in focus.

The aperture (f-stop) controls DoF. Lower numbers (e.g., f/2.8) give a shallow DoF, while higher numbers (e.g., f/16) provide a deeper one.

4. Mastering lighting

You’ve probably heard the importance of light when it comes to photography. There are different types of light and each type will greatly affect your hiking photography.

5. Experimenting with perspective

Changing your viewpoint can drastically alter the feel and look of a photo. Try crouching low for a ground-level shot or climbing higher for a bird’s-eye view.

You might also want to think about the foreground, middle ground, and background. Incorporating elements in each can add depth and dimension to your images.

6. Using color

You want your hiking subjects to pop out of the scene, so tell your hiking buddies to wear bright colors.

You can also think about where you are hiking and if possible frame your subject in colors that complement the background.

For example, if you are hiking around a blue glacial lake have your subject wear red, and if you are hiking through the red rock desert have your subject wear blue.

7. Telling the story

Going on a 3-day backcountry adventure? Make sure you capture all the styles of shots that effectively tell a story. That includes detail shots, wide landscapes, and hero or action shots.

Detail shots might include something like close-ups of setting up the tent. The wide landscape shots will be your friends at that gorgeous viewpoint, and the action or hero shot can be an emotional portrait of the hiking uphill struggle or your friend’s jubilant reaction to making it to the camp spot for the evening.

Going on a smaller day hike? You can tell that story in a slightly different way. Show packing your bags with headlamps on before sunrise, get the shot of hiking along as the sun rises, and of course the obligatory viewpoint or summit shot.

Don’t forget to capture the small things, too; animals on the trail, snack breaks, and filtering water all make for great detail shots and pieces to fill in the story puzzle.

8. The power of patience

Nature is unpredictable. Sometimes, waiting for the right moment — be it the sun peeking from behind clouds, wildlife appearing, or wind rustling through trees — can make all the difference in capturing a magical shot.

9. Practice makes perfect

The more you shoot, the better you’ll get. Every hiking trail offers countless opportunities to experiment with these basic principles.

Review your shots, understand what works and what doesn’t, and continually refine your technique.

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Choosing the right gear

Selecting the right photography gear for hiking can mean the difference between an enjoyable experience capturing stunning landscapes and a frustrating one burdened with inappropriate equipment.

Considering the unique challenges of hiking, such as changing weather conditions, terrain variability, and the need to be mobile, here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure you’re well-prepared:

1. Type of camera

Cameras come in all shapes and sizes and each type of camera for outdoor photography will have its pros and cons.

5. Camera Bags and Protection

Camera gear isn’t cheap, so you’ll want to make sure it’s well-protected when you head out on your hikes to prevent anything from getting damaged. You also want to make sure you’re comfortable hiking on the trail with your gear.

Here are a few ways to protect your camera gear out on the trails:

6. Weatherproofing

If you know you’ll be hiking and shooting in wet conditions, take extra precautions to protect your camera equipment from the rain.

7. Batteries and Storage

If you’ve ever run out of batteries in your camera or storage on your disc, you know how much of a bummer that is, especially if the best part of the hike is yet to come.

Don’t let that happen to you by packing extra batteries and a spare card.

8. Miscellaneous Accessories

There’s no shortage of camera gear and accessories, but we covered the most important ones above.

Here are two more items you might want to consider taking with you on hikes:

When choosing camera gear for your hikes, it’s essential to strike a balance between functionality and weight.

The best setup is the one tailored to your specific needs, ensuring you’re equipped to capture the beauty of the hike without being burdened by unnecessary gear.

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Using natural lighting to your advantage

Natural light, with its varying intensities and colors, plays a pivotal role in shaping the mood, texture, and depth of photographs.

Embracing natural light requires patience, observation, and adaptability. By understanding its nuances and being ready to adjust your approach based on the conditions, though, you can transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary photographs.

Here’s how you can make the most of different natural light situations on hikes:

Golden Hour Magic

Occurring shortly after sunrise and just before sunset, the golden hour bathes landscapes in a warm, golden hue.

This soft, diffused light minimizes harsh shadows and highlights, giving photos a dreamy, ethereal quality.

It’s an ideal time for:

By getting up early and heading back out just before sunset, you’ll not only get to capture that beautiful golden hour light, but you’ll also see way fewer people along the trail.

Most people are asleep when the sun rises and eating dinner when the sun sets, so if you adjust your schedule a little bit you can enjoy beautiful spots without the crowds.

Harnessing the Blue Hour

Just before sunrise and right after sunset, the sky adopts a deep blue shade.

This lighting is perfect for:

Midday Challenges & Opportunities

The sun at its zenith often results in harsh, contrasting shadows and overexposed highlights.

While photographing in this light is challenging, you can use it to your advantage by:

Clouds as Natural Diffusers

Overcast conditions scatter sunlight, producing soft, even lighting. This diffused light is great for:

Manipulating Direction

Where you stand in relation to light will have a profound effect on the outcome of the photograph:

Using Reflectors

Even in natural settings, using a reflector can bounce light onto shadowed areas of a subject, balancing exposure and illuminating details.

This is particularly useful in portrait photography.

Capturing Atmospheric Phenomena

Embrace elements like mist, fog, and rays of light filtering through trees or clouds. They add layers, mood, and a sense of depth to photos.

Understanding Color Temperature

The color of natural light changes throughout the day. Dawn might offer cool, bluish tones, midday brings neutral to slightly warm hues, while sunset often provides a warm, golden glow.

By recognizing these shifts, photographers can anticipate the mood their photos will convey.

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Framing and composition

In photography, framing and composition are important elements that guide the viewer’s eyes and emphasize the subject, creating a balance between the various components in an image.

Proper framing and composition can turn a simple scene into a compelling story.

Let’s dive deeper into the techniques and considerations:

Rule of Thirds

Imagine dividing your image with two horizontal and two vertical lines, creating a 3×3 grid.

Positioning your subject or points of interest at the intersections of these lines can lead to a more balanced and visually interesting photo.

Leading Lines

These are lines within an image that guide the viewer’s eye toward a focal point. It could be a road, a river, train tracks, or even patterns in the sand.

Leading lines create depth and dimension, drawing the viewer deeper into the image.

Symmetry and Patterns

Symmetry provides a sense of harmony and proportion. Reflective water, architectural structures, or even shadows can provide opportunities for symmetric compositions.

Patterns, whether natural or man-made, create visual rhythm. Breaking a pattern can emphasize the subject and add intrigue.

Framing Within a Frame

This involves using elements within the scene (like archways, trees, and windows) to frame the main subject, adding depth and context.

This technique can guide the viewer’s focus directly to the primary subject while providing a sense of location.

Rule of Space

If the subject is moving or looking in a certain direction, leave space in front of it. This gives the subject room to “move” or “look” into, creating a more dynamic composition.

Foreground Interest

Incorporating interesting elements in the foreground can add depth to a scene, especially in landscapes.

This helps create a layered effect, guiding the eye from the front to the back of the image.

Fill the Frame

Sometimes, getting close and filling the frame with your subject can lead to powerful images. This technique eliminates distractions and emphasizes details and textures.

Depth

Using elements in the foreground, midground, and background can give a three-dimensional feel to a two-dimensional image. This layering effect makes viewers feel like they can “step into” the scene.

Isolation and Negative Space

When taking hiking photos, the person or subject you are photographing can easily get lost in the background noise of the photo.

Place them over a solid-colored background or in an empty space in the shot instead of over a busy backdrop.

This way they really pop off the photo and draw your eye around the image accordingly.

Perspective and Angle

Changing your shooting perspective (e.g., getting low to the ground or climbing higher) can dramatically alter the feel of a photo.

Different angles can make subjects appear larger, smaller, more dominant, or more submissive.

Balance and Weight

Elements in a photo carry visual “weight.” Balancing these elements (like placing a smaller subject opposite a larger one) can create equilibrium in an image.

Conversely, intentional imbalance can add tension and interest.

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Editing and post-processing

Post-processing, while powerful, should be approached with intention. The goal isn’t just to modify, but to enhance while still staying true to the original photograph.

Editing and post-processing is a huge topic, but here are the basics to get you started:

Raw vs. JPEG Processing

Raw files contain all the data from the camera sensor, offering greater flexibility in editing. Adjustments to exposure, white balance, and more can be made without degrading image quality.

JPEG files, on the other hand, are compressed files with certain camera settings baked in. While easier to share, they have less flexibility in post-processing than raw files.

You’ll need to decide before you take your photos whether you want to shoot in raw or JPEG format.

Exposure Adjustments

Adjusting the exposure can brighten an underexposed image or tone down an overexposed shot.

Highlights and shadows sliders can also help recover details in bright or dark areas.

White Balance and Color Correction

White balance ensures colors are represented accurately. Adjusting it can remove unwanted color casts or introduce creative tones.

Color correction tools can enhance or mute specific colors in the image.

Cropping and Composition

Cropping allows photographers to eliminate distractions, improve composition, or focus on specific details.

Composition tools like grids or a golden ratio overlay can aid in achieving the desired framing.

Sharpening and Noise Reduction

Sharpening enhances the details and edges in an image while noise reduction tools smoothen out grain or digital noise, especially in images taken with high ISO settings.

Retouching and Healing

Tools like the clone stamp, healing brush, or spot removal can be used to correct blemishes, remove unwanted objects, or fix imperfections.

Tonal Adjustments

The levels and curves tools allow for precise control over the tonal range, enhancing contrast and adjusting the brightness and darkness of specific tones.

Color Grading

Beyond basic color correction, color grading is about adding a mood or aesthetic to the image.

By manipulating colors, shadows, and highlights, photographers can convey different emotions or styles.

Filters and Effects

From vintage to cinematic looks, filters and presets provide pre-configured settings to achieve certain aesthetics.

While they offer a quick solution, understanding the underlying adjustments helps in customizing them effectively.

Local Adjustments

Tools like the graduated filter, radial filter, or adjustment brush in software like Lightroom allow for editing specific parts of an image without affecting the whole.

Layering and Blending

In programs like Photoshop, images or adjustments can be layered, allowing for complex edits, composites, or blends. Layer masks enable precise control over where effects are applied.

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Safety and ethics in hiking photography

When venturing into nature with the intent to capture its beauty, photographers must prioritize both safety and ethical considerations.

Prioritize Personal Safety

A great photo isn’t worth it if you’re risking your own personal safety. Here are a few reminders on how to stay safe while hiking:

Respect Wildlife

Rule number 1 of outdoor photography is to respect wildlife. ΩNot only is this important for your own personal safety, but also the safety and well-being of the animals.

Tread Lightly on the Environment

Follow the Leave No Trace Principles when hiking and photographing. This includes:

Ethical Considerations

Not everyone or everything wants or should be photographed. Be considerate when photographing certain subjects and follow these guidelines:

What questions do you have about how to take better hiking photos? What outdoor photography techniques have you found work for you? Let us know in the comments below!