Landscape Photography Ideas Using Color

Color is a significant element used in photography to enhance the impact and interest of a photograph. 

Take a look at the landscape photography ideas using color to see how it draws attention to a specific subject or element.

In addition to color, use other basic photography techniques to compose your image.

We’ll show you tips and techniques for capturing color in your landscape photos.

Use the ideas below to inspire you to get out and capture your own pictures with color.

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Camera Gear for Landscape Photography

• Tripod: take a look at these compact and lightweight travel tripods!
• Camera Bag: protect your camera from sand and water → We use Lowepro camera backpacks for outdoor photography.
• Neutral density filter: to compensate for variance of light you’ll need to use a neutral density filter. → Check out the Kase magnetic filters we use!
• Camera cleaning kit: remove dust or water that WILL get on your lens. NOTE: this is not for cleaning the sensor.  
• Memory cards: purchase name brand memory cards since you’re trusting your images to the card! → We use Lexar and Sandisk!
• External hard drive: copy photos to a portable external hard drive ‘just in case’. 
• Headlamp: use when taking sunrise and sunset photos!

Photo Ideas Using Color

Take a look at the photo ideas using color shared by members of our Facebook Group, Your Photography Journey.

Use the tips and ideas for inspiration to get out and photograph your own images with color!

Foreground, Midground and Background

Cindy Shaffer uses natural colors found at the Grand Prismatic at Yellowstone National Park to highlight the foreground, midground and background sections found here.

The foreground colors and lines in the orange tones lead to the midground colors of yellows and blues with rising steam. Then the eye goes to the green and blue background of the landscape.

Color in this gorgeous photograph captured by Nadine Meyer draws the focus of the viewer into the background elements of the image. 

The stonework and bench in the foreground provide balance to the vibrant color in the background.

Framing

In this awesome capture by James Griffin, color has been used to establish a frame over two interesting and balanced subjects. 

The mill and the river are the heart of this photograph and provide a strong sense of balance to each other. 

Using the framing color of the surrounding trees further enhances the balance of the photograph’s key elements.

Leading Lines

Diane Leahy Kabbeko uses leading lines in a spectacular capture emphasizing subtle tonal ranges across an ocean horizon.

The symmetrically balanced picture uses the pathway and framing foliage to lead viewers to a colorful beach front experience.

Leading lines are used by Cheryl Nemecek to conduct attention through her brilliant capture of vibrant fall colors. 

When photographing seasons, use color as a frame. In this picture, the vibrant trees envelope the lines of the curving road and draws the eye through the scene.

Fill the Frame

Alfredo Cruz has filled the frame with a stunning subject of varied colors illustrating a strong theme. 

Filling the frame with a colorful subject is a great technique to keep the viewer’s attention within the frame.

As a primary element of creative subject matter, color may be used to express impact, capture attention, and create depth. 

Jeff Hall has used the fill the frame concept to immerse the viewer’s eye into an explosion of beautiful and captivating color. 

The visible portions of the green background provide a tonal contrast that establishes a strong sense of depth in the photograph. 

Reflection

Reflections provide a nice balance to photographic compositions, and are a wonderful way to emphasize color in a scene.  

Bonnie Melnichenko uses the concept of layers to provide depth with the reflection foreground, the tree line as midground and the blue sky as background.

Richey Oliver captures the magic of sunrise and sunset when replicated in reflections on water.

His inclusion of rocks in the foreground provides interest and grounds the viewer in the scene.

Take advantage of locations where you can capture blue hour and golden hour color in water!

This fantastic photograph by William Holmes showcases tonal golden hour color that’s amplified in the reflection. 

Using patterns like the lines in the clouds and water, adds interest and creates a strong image.

The vertical row of silhouetted posts on the left also lead the eye into the photo!