Is it that simple?

What makes an awesome picture-composition and that 'perfect lighting/weather combo asside is it really just a matter of setting your apperature to about 11, low ISO (100ish) and then setting your exposure clicking, some post processing and whalla?

Obviously not but what am I missing? Some landscapes I see literally just take me breath away-what are they doing that is soooo right?

It's obviously the lighting and composition, but it's also filter use like nd grads to balance light, taking multiple exposures and manually blending in PS, being in a great location that few people see.

Also having the 'X' factor helps too.

It can be that "simple"

Adams once said that God did all the work and he (Adams) was just lucky enough to be there and press the button.

The "luck" however, comes from years of hard work learning what your gear can do, what the weather does in a given area, what the sun and moon cycles are like and where they fall Vs interesting angles or subjects, what the wildlife prefers to do on any given day, etc...

Mostly though, the "luck" comes from getting out there and shooting! The best shot you'll ever get is out there whether you are or not. Being there greatly narrows the odds!

Lenses really have sweetspot when it comes to apertures when doing landscapes, my 50mm is best at F8 my 35-80 is best at F11

unfortunately my 18-55 (which is my landscape lens) is horrible at any aperture

Yes, aside from composition and actually being there at the right place at the right time, that is it. Well, PP is important. Very important.

I wish to make a video some day showing the complexities of landscape photography. You have to be firing on all cylinders of luck, planning, skills, gear etc. If you wish to get standout results.

It's like playing a piano. Any dummy (like myself) can hit some keys and play a simple tune. It takes a lifetime to actually master the art of playing it it's full capacity.

Photography, like the best video game, is easy to learn, but difficult to master.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #15411325
It can be that "simple"

Mostly though, the "luck" comes from getting out there and shooting! The best shot you'll ever get is out there whether you are or not. Being there greatly narrows the odds!

Personally, I think this may be the biggest factor for almost any image, though especially for landscape images.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #15411325
Mostly though, the "luck" comes from getting out there and shooting! The best shot you'll ever get is out there whether you are or not. Being there greatly narrows the odds!

I hear you. I'm on a holiday and the last few days have been amazing sunsets but I have been stuck doing other things. I finally devote an afternoon to go out and catch a really flat sunset

At least I found a new spot that I will return to capture some better light.

If you are out enough good light is relatively easy to find.

Getting a really good composition that complements the light, is not so easy, especially when the light is changing rapidly. Anticipating the light is key, and not so easy.

Some (most?) of my best shots are because I am there at the time, and am holding a camera.
It also helps I know what to do with the camera itself though.

Landscape photography is as much about location, deduction and effort (as say is fly fishing) as it is about gear and skill.

Location 1st, light/conditions 2nd, composition 3rd, and a little bit of 'punctum', that added extra little special.

It all starts with being there.

maverick75 wrote in post #15411354
Lenses really have sweetspot when it comes to apertures when doing landscapes, my 50mm is best at F8 my 35-80 is best at F11

unfortunately my 18-55 (which is my landscape lens) is horrible at any aperture

I assume your talking about the kit lens in which case I have produced some awesome photos with it

wanted to know too.

Agree with the others, 90% of landscape photography happens before you push the button.

FWLIW, I'd rate the priorities as:

1. Light (weather and atmosphere, sun angle, possible presence of reflected light, etc.)
2. Subject. Gotta find something pretty!
3. Composition, exposure, DOF requirements. All must interact to meet whatever 'vision' you have for the scene.
4. Camera. 'Sufficient' megapickles and lens resolution.
5. Post processing. Set black and white points, crop here and there, clone out the bug on the sensor, etc. If the image doesn't look promising at this point, go back to step 3. If it's looking good, go ahead and dodge/burn/tweak to fine tune the picture.

If shooting a different type of subject such as people in a glamor/portraiture/wed​ding context, these priorities might be completely re-arranged. (Not that those three are all that similar.)

I just strap my flux capacitor to my camera, and whalla. Instant mojo.