SLC-S29/W1 | How to Photograph Mountains / Hills / Peaks

Image edited in Canva

Dear Steemit Team,
I begin this post with two conditions: first, I am happy because I passed the challenge for season 29, but second, I must say that I am sad because my friend @cymolan had to withdraw due to his busy schedule and lack of time to work. To appreciate his efforts in helping me, I will still give him 20% of the proceeds from this post. Officially, I will continue on my own and welcome everyone to the first lesson of my challenge, themed “Exploring the World Through Photography.” This week, participants will learn the basics of landscape photography with a focus on mountains, hills, and peaks, while also producing informative and high-quality Steem Atlas posts.

As we know, mountains and hills are not merely beautiful photo subjects with green vegetation, but also hold geographical, cultural, and personal significance. Through this lesson, participants are expected to effectively showcase the beauty of nature while visually and narratively capturing the character of the location.

Week 1 Learning Materials

There are several locations suitable for participating in this SLC, including: City hills, local mountains, village peaks, and hiking trails or observation decks. Please note that participants must come directly to the location. It is not permitted to use old photos or photos from the internet.

Image edited in Canva+AI

1. Landscape Composition

Landscape composition is a way of arranging various elements in a photo so that it looks balanced, pleasing to the eye, and conveys the story of the image. When photographing the beauty of mountains, composition plays an important role in displaying the depth of space, the scale of nature, and the beauty of the location in a realistic manner.

A good mountain photograph not only shows the peak, but also guides the viewer's eye to explore the entire content of the photo.

Here are some things to consider in landscape composition:

• Use the foreground to add depth
  The foreground is the element at the front of the photo, such as: a path, rocks, grass or soil, branches, flowers, or natural fences. The function of the foreground is as a visual entry point, making the photo look more lively and less plain or flat. Without a foreground, the mountains we photograph often look like “stickers” between the ground and the sky.

• Position the Mountain as the Main Object
  We need to make the mountain or hill the focal point.
  The placement does not always have to be in the center; use the rule of thirds for a more dynamic composition. Make sure there are no objects that distract from the main focus. A clear main object helps the viewer to know and understand what we want to convey in our photo.

• Pay Attention to Visual Balance
  Symmetry is not always considered balance, but it feels visually stable. For example: If a mountain is positioned on the left side, balance it with trees on the right side or a wide sky. Avoid having one side of the photo weighed down by a large object. Good balance makes the photo more comfortable to look at for longer.

• Avoid Photos That Are Too Empty Without Visual Direction
  Photos that only contain mountains and sky without supporting elements often feel bland. The solution:
  Add paths, people, or small objects as directional cues.
  Use natural lines such as roads or slopes.
  Create a line of sight from the front to the main object.
  Photos with visual direction will feel more narrative.

• Simplify Unnecessary Elements
  Too many elements make a photo look cluttered and confusing. Avoid cables, trash, or irrelevant objects. Change the angle or position if necessary. Focus the photo on the main story: the mountain and its surroundings. Simplicity is key in landscape photography.

Image edited in Canva+AI

2. Horizon Line
The horizon line separates the sky and the land, greatly affecting the visual impression of a landscape photo. A low horizon emphasizes the sky and atmosphere, suitable when the clouds and light are attractive. Conversely, a high horizon emphasizes the shape of mountains, the texture of the land, and natural paths. Placing the horizon in the center should only be used if there is a strong visual reason, such as a symmetrical composition. Make sure the horizon line is always straight so that the photo looks neat and professional, unless the tilt is intentionally used for specific artistic purposes.

3. Scale and Dimension of Space
Mountains appear more majestic when compared to other objects. Use people, trees, small buildings, or hiking trails. This helps viewers understand size and distance visually.

4. Natural Light and Shooting Time
The best time to photograph mountains is in the morning, when the light is soft and there is a thin fog, and in the afternoon, when the colors are warm and the shadows are dramatic. Things to avoid are midday, when the light is too harsh, and thick fog, which obscures the main subject.

5. Photo Angle
Try varying the angle, such as from a low angle, or from a distance to show the landscape, and from the path or peak as a story perspective. Also, be mindful not to take photos from only one position.

Rules of participation

Participation is easy. Each participant must create one Steem Atlas post with the following requirements:

• Must include at least 3–7 original photos taken by the participant.
• Photos must be taken directly at the location.
• Must include one selfie photo as proof of visit.
• One video of at least one minute (optional, but highly recommended).
• Include the name of the camera or smartphone used to take the photos.
• Simply tell us about the location and how to get there, the environmental conditions, your personal experience while you were there, and the uniqueness or appeal of the location.

📌 Other Posting Rules

• Each post must include a Google Maps address + SteemAtlas location pin.
• Use the title of your post with “SLC-S29/W1 | How to Photograph Mountains / Hills / Peaks by @ Username”
• Post assignments weekly according to the provided material, on your personal blog or in any community such as the STEEM LENS community.
• Use the official hashtags: #photography-s29w1, #photography, #steem-atlas, #steemexclusive #yourcountry # steemvideo (if there is a video).
• Assignments must be written in clear and neat language and be relevant to the theme, with a minimum of 300 words.
• Plagiarism or the use of other people's content without permission is strictly prohibited.
• Invite 3 active user and Respect the work of other participants by interacting through comments and support.

The prize

As for the prize, as stated in the steemitblog guide, at the end of each week, the 6 best users in this challenge will be selected to receive votes from SC01, and there will be a surprise vote from SC02 for anyone who is lucky enough to win.