How to Plan for Landscape Shoots.

I was able to capture the magic of the Moon in this Landscape by simply planning the shoot. If you’re wanting to create magic in your photography, then you need to learn how to plan. It’s the old saying from Benjamin Franklin: “If You Fail to Plan, You’re Planning to Fail.”

I was working in Chama New Mexico back in 2007-2009 with Canyon Ridge, a planned community, when I begin planning the shoot for this moon scene. The drive to Santa Fe from Asheville, North Carolina straight through without any stops, other than gas, is around 22 hours. Ghost Ranch is an additional two hours past Santa Fe making the total trip to capture the moon 24 hours. We left Asheville exactly 24 hours before the moon rise with determination to capture it.

I got the idea to shoot the full moon while shooting Northern New Mexico for Canyon Ridge. Each time on the way to and from Chama we passed Ghost Ranch and over time I begin to notice that the moon was rising over the ancient chimneys. I knew if I could be there for a full moon rise I could take the prize! I begin watching the Moon Phases for the next few trips out west and I zeroed in on the right day to be there. When the day came where it would be two days before the full moon we hit the road. There was no room for any delays or detours. I like to shoot the moon rise the day before the full moon so that there will be plenty of ambient light to work with on the foregrounds. We drove a straight 24 hours and when we pulled up to Ghost Ranch the moon was rising. We set up my ladder with a tripod on top and I begin shooting immediately. If we were ten minutes later, I would have missed the magic. Thank God for a good plan!

This has been one of my most coveted images I have ever created. It hanged in The Denver International Airport and the Governor’s Mansion in Denver for a year. It has also been leased many times over for different events in New Mexico.

Make a Plan.

I first recommend scouting your Landscape location shoots. Begin a Photographer’s Journal Log documenting the scenes you want to photograph. Learn to record your locations, sun position and camera position. Also write down the month, day and time of day when your on location. Look at the sun’s location and make a decision on the best time to shoot the scene. Use your compass on your phone and mark East and West, so you’ll know the sun’s movement and position. Remember, the sun is at different locations during the calendar year. Again, learn how to work with your compass for anticipating the sun’s position and movement.

Location Scouting is what makes photography fun and adventurous!

Next is to plan the trip so you can be on the scene an hour or so before magic time happens on your scene. For Landscape photography I often go on the tail end of a front or storm moving through so I can capture dramatic clouds and color. You should also be open to making several trips to your scene to be able to capture magic; as it’s very rare you’ll capture it on the first trip. They’re different times of the year that will make your scene POP over other times of the year. Select the best time of the year for your scene.

Also, make an equipment list of what you want to take with you on each shoot. Check the list before you leave the house and make sure you have everything you'll need for the shoot. The last thing you want to happen is to be on location and have forgotten something important, like the batteries. I also take food and drink with me as I never know what time I’ll be home.

Go out a find those specials locations for landscapes and begin documenting them for future shoots. Then begin watching the weather and plan to go on a day right after a front or a storm moves through. Weather is crucial in creating the right image.

I have several journals I have created over the years that still works for me till this day. Once you find that perfect location that will give you that one image that can change your career, then you too will begin to journal. The journals will work for you year after year. Oh, and don’t forget to use your equipment list!