Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, heard every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.
Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, Rick AD8KN, and Dave N8SBE, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick and Dave add deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here!
Previous and upcoming Photography Discussion Roundtable topics:
| Date | Topic |
| 8/11/2025 | What is Aperture in photography |
| 8/18/2025 | What is the Golden Triangle? |
| 8/25/2025 | Top photo editing software available in 2025 |
| 9/1/2025 | What is Depth of Field? |
| 9/8/2025 | What is Bokeh in photography? |
| 9/15/2025 | Understanding Lens Focal Length |
| 9/22/2025 | What are leading lines? |
| 9/29/2025 | What is Back-Button Focus? |
| 10/6/2025 | 5 important photography facts that I didn’t know when I started |
| 10/13/2025 | How to shoot in manual mode |
| 10/20/2025 | The different types of lenses |
| 10/27/2025 | All about camera filters |
| 11/3/2025 | On-camera flash vs off-camera flash |
| 11/10/2025 | How to use tripods and stabilizers |
| 11/17/2025 | What is ISO? |
| 11/24/2025 | Film vs digital? |
| 12/1/2025 | How to find and organize your photos in a logical manner |
| 12/8/2025 | Understanding long-exposure photography |
| 12/15/2025 | Enhancing the sky in your photos |
| 12/22/2025 | Where and how to learn more about photography techniques |
| 12/29/2025 | DSLR vs mirrorless cameras |
| 1/5/2026 | The exposure triangle |
| 1/12/2026 | How to develop your own personal photography style |
| 1/19/2026 | Color theory (histograms) in photography |
| 1/26/2026 | Photography ethics in the digital age |
| 2/2/2026 | The future of film and where the analog industry is going |
| 2/9/2026 | How to build a portfolio |
| 2/16/2026 | Photography hints and tips |
| 2/23/2026 | How to take action/motion photos |
| 3/2/2026 | Explaining photography terms |
| 3/9/2026 | Macro photography hints and tips |
| 3/16/2026 | Landscape photography hints and tips |
| 3/23/2026 | Portrait photography hints and tips |
| 3/30/2026 | Night photography hints and tips |
| 4/6/2026 | F-stops and how to use them |
| 4/13/2026 | What are the AE-L, AF-L, and *-buttons? What do they do? |
| 4/20/2026 | White balance explained |
| 4/27/2026 |
https://thediabeticham.com/previous-and-upcoming-photography-discussion-roundtable-topics/
Landscape photography hints and tips
Last Week’s Topic: Macro Photography
Last week we zoomed in on macro photography, where tiny subjects become large, detailed worlds. We talked about working distances, how even a slight movement can shift focus, and why a tripod or other support can be a big help at high magnifications. Stations shared favorite subjects like flowers, insects, coins, and everyday household objects that look surprisingly dramatic up close. We also discussed using smaller apertures for more depth of field, balancing that against the need for more light, and the benefits of diffused flash for close-up work.
This Week: What Is Landscape Photography?
This week, we step back from the tiny details and look at the big picture with landscape photography. In simple terms, landscape photography is about capturing the character of a place—often wide, outdoor scenes like mountains, forests, shorelines, deserts, farms, or city skylines. It’s less about a single object and more about how land, sky, light, and weather come together to create a mood. A landscape image can be grand and sweeping (like the Grand Canyon) or quiet and intimate (like a foggy woodland trail).
Landscape photography isn’t limited to “empty” scenes; people, buildings, roads, and other man-made elements are welcome if they support the story of the place. The goal is usually to convey a sense of being there: the scale, the atmosphere, and the way the light shapes the scene. Our own Dave, N8SBE, specializes in landscape work—his profile picture even shows him at the Grand Canyon, busy capturing those sweeping vistas and layers of rock and light.
How Landscape Photography Works: Core Ideas
A few core concepts help most landscape images succeed:
- Depth of field: Many landscape shots use a smaller aperture (like f/8–f/16) to keep foreground, midground, and background sharp, so the viewer can explore the whole scene.
- Layers: Strong landscapes often have distinct foreground, midground, and background elements that guide the eye into the frame, giving a 3D sense in a 2D image.
- Light and atmosphere: Time of day, weather, haze, fog, and clouds all change the feel of a scene. Early and late in the day, the light is softer and warmer, which can add drama or calmness.
- Composition: Where you stand and what you include (or exclude) matters as much as your camera settings. Small changes in position can dramatically change the balance of the image.
Best Techniques, Hints, and Tips to excel
- Use the best light you can get
- Aim for early morning or late afternoon/evening—the “golden hours”—when light is softer and shadows are longer.
- Cloudy days are great for even, low-contrast scenes like forests or waterfalls.
- Watch the sky: clouds, storms, and clearing weather can add drama, color, and structure.
- Think foreground, middle, and background
- Look for a strong foreground anchor: a rock, flower, fence, puddle, or pattern in the sand that leads the eye into the scene.
- Make sure the midground and background support that foreground, rather than competing with it.
- Move your feet: a few steps left, right, up, or down can change how these layers line up and whether the scene feels cluttered or clean.
- Choose solid camera settings
(Exact numbers vary, but here’s a good starting mindset.)
- Aperture: Often a smaller aperture (f/8–f/16) for more depth of field, unless you intentionally want a blurred background.
- ISO: Keep ISO as low as practical to minimize noise, especially for large prints.
- Shutter speed: Let this “float” to whatever is needed, and use a tripod if it gets slow enough to risk camera shake.
- Focus: Focus a bit into the scene rather than right at your feet or at infinity. Many landscape shooters focus roughly one-third into the frame or on a key mid-distance subject.
- Stabilize the camera whenever possible
- A tripod is extremely helpful for landscapes, especially in low light, when using small apertures, or when you want multiple exposures for HDR, panoramas, or focus stacking.
- If you don’t have a tripod, brace against a rock, tree, railing, or use image stabilization and a steady stance to help keep images sharp.
- Compose with intention
- Use the rule of thirds as a starting point: consider placing the horizon on the upper or lower third, not dead center (unless symmetry is your goal).
- Watch the edges and corners of the frame for distractions—bright sticks, cut-off branches, or people walking in.
- Look for leading lines like paths, rivers, fences, or shorelines that guide the viewer into the picture.
- Pay attention to the sky
- If the sky is interesting (great clouds, color, or storms), give it more room in the frame.
- If the sky is dull and empty, give it less space and emphasize foreground and midground.
- Filters like polarizers can deepen blue skies, reduce glare, and bring out detail in clouds and foliage.
- Work the scene like Dave at the Grand Canyon
Think of N8SBE at the Grand Canyon: he’s not just taking one shot and walking away. He’s probably:
- Moving along the rim to find different vantage points.
- Waiting for the light to change as the sun moves and shadows shift across the canyon walls.
- Trying vertical and horizontal orientations, wide and tighter views, and different foreground elements like rocks, trees, or people on the rim.
This “work the scene” mindset is key to improving your landscapes anywhere—whether you’re at a national park or a local park.
- Don’t forget post-processing
- Shooting in RAW (if your camera allows it) lets you adjust exposure, contrast, white balance, and color more flexibly afterward.
- Gentle adjustments to highlights, shadows, and clarity can help match the image to what you felt on location, without going overboard.
- Cropping can fine-tune composition if you didn’t quite frame it perfectly in-camera.
Here are some strong example “types” of landscape photos you can look for or aim to create.
Classic grand vista
- Wide view of a mountain range at sunrise or sunset, with warm side light.
- Strong foreground element (flowers, rocks, lake shore), midground valley, and distant peaks fading into haze.
- Often shot with a wide-angle lens (14–24mm full-frame) to exaggerate depth.
Reflective lakes and calm water
- Still lake or pond acting as a mirror, reflecting mountains, trees, or a colorful sky.
- Horizon often placed near the center to emphasize symmetry, with subtle ripples adding texture.
Volcanic or dramatic distant landscape
- Distant volcanoes or mountains with colorful sky, viewed over a lake or bay.
- A pier, path, or shoreline leading from the foreground into the scene to guide the eye.
“Photographer in the landscape” scene
- Camera on tripod looking over hills, mountains, or valleys, often at sunrise or sunset.
- Shows both the environment and the act of photographing it, great for educational or promotional use.
Rolling hills and seasonal color
- Layered hills or valleys with autumn foliage, fields, and a winding road.
- Warm light and mist in the distance to add depth and atmosphere.
Iconic national park valley
Yosemite Valley sunset
- Deep valley with cliffs or granite walls, river winding through the foreground, and glowing sky at dusk.
- Mix of forest details in the foreground and iconic formations in the distance.
Next Week’s Topic: Portrait Photography
Next week, we stay on the “big three” photo subjects and turn to portrait photography. We’ll talk about lighting, backgrounds, and how to work with people so they look natural and comfortable. Whether you shoot candid family photos, formal headshots, or environmental portraits, you’ll pick up ideas you can use right away.
Coming Up: Night Photography
To finish out the month of March, we’ll move into night photography. We’ll discuss techniques for shooting city lights, stars, and other low-light scenes, including longer exposures, high ISO use, focusing in the dark, and managing noise. If you’ve ever wanted to photograph the night sky, light trails, or illuminated cityscapes, this will be a great session to close the month.
Join Us On the Air
Whether you’re shooting with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone, you’re welcome to check in, ask questions, and share your own tips and images. The Photography Discussion Roundtable Net meets every Monday evening on the BrandMeister DMR network, Talkgroup 31266, the Michigan Nets channel, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM ET.
