Where to begin

I've been thinking, I live in South Wales and have the most beautiful of surroundings near by, beaches, mountains national parks. I feel I don't get out and enjoy them enough, however I struggle sometimes with compositions when it comes to landscapes.

Can anyone recommend a book about landscape photography that covers general topics? Also, how necessary are GND filters, is it better to get a set then to try and replicate it in Lightroom/Elements?

Thanks,

Matt

For composition, nothing beats going out and getting practical experience. However getting out touristy photo books of your area, or landscape photography in general, and trying to understand what makes paticular shots in them look good is helpful too. Its just like research in any area, it usually helps. look for lead in lines, placement of dominant features, how your eye moves into or round the image etc.

Check out your local library, they may have some books on landscape photography.

Generally GND's are a must if you are getting into lanscape's, especially if you are shooting in the early morning or afternoon/evening when the sky is much brighter than the ground. They are far better than PP, as if they sky is blown out, it is impossible to recover in PP. Very generally it would be extremely difficult/impossible to take good sun set shots, with the forground not in complete blackness without them. HDR could also do it, but I find they never look natural. If you are going into GND's keep in mind that the cheap brands, cokin, hitech etc will give your photos color cast, which will effect the colors in your image, often it will give the image a magenta tone. Filters such as Lee's dont have a color cast, but you will be paying near the cost of a new lens for a set of them.

I think I am going to start walking/hiking to explore my surrounds to get away from the touristy shots. Are the Cokin Kits that bad? I have yet to start researching in full about them.

Thanks for the information!

Matt