This is why your landscape photos are boring (and how not to be)

If you’ve ever felt your landscape photos lack that “wow” factor, you’re not alone. And yet, you may not be able to quite figure out what’s missing. In his recent video, Mads Peter Iversen explores why many beginner photographers find their photos lacking in uniqueness and impact. Mads himself experienced this early in his journey, and he’s here to share tips to help you elevate your shots so they stand out from the crowd.

Be at the right place at the right time

You may think, “Well thanks, Captain Obvious,” but it’s worth reminding ourselves that timing is key in photography. According to Mads, one of the most crucial aspects of creating impactful images is simply being in the right spot with the right conditions. While iconic landscapes like Iceland are famous for their beauty, you can capture incredible scenes even in seemingly boring locations as long as you’re mindful of timing.

Try to work with golden hour lighting, but remember, it’s not only about the golden hour. Any time when the average person would prefer to stay indoors might just be your chance to capture something unique: storms, fog, or a clear night sky. Stay safe and dry though, and make sure to wait for the perfect moment while staying observant of the surroundings. This will both increase your chances of taking those once-in-a-lifetime shots.

Experiment with focal lengths for dramatic impact

Most beginner photographers start with a kit lens that has a typical or “normal” focal range (like 18-55mm). Mads argues that, because something around 35mm to 50mm is close to what we normally view with our eyes, it makes our photos stand out less. The key – exploring more extreme focal lengths. Wide-angle lenses can add depth by exaggerating the distance between foreground and background, creating an immersive effect and depth.

On the other end, telephoto lenses can achieve something called “perspective compression,” which can make distant elements appear closer together. By compressing the scene, you can create powerful images where background and foreground elements interact in unexpected ways, like aligning a setting sun with a mountain peak.

Give your landscape a sense of scale

Adding scale to your landscape can be one of the quickest ways to make it more engaging. Including an object of recognizable size (think a person, a car, or a tree) gives the viewer a better sense of the landscape’s size and adds context.

Mads demonstrates this with shots of waterfalls, where the inclusion of a person in the foreground changes the whole perception of the image, making the waterfall feel vast and awe-inspiring. This technique can be used with any lens—it’s all about carefully positioning your subject within the frame.

Use reflections and order for visual harmony

Our brains are naturally drawn to order and symmetry, which is why reflections in photography can be so captivating. When you find still water or reflective surfaces, try incorporating them to create balance and harmony in your shots. Whether it’s a mirror-like lake or an icy surface, reflections create symmetry and add a sense of calm to the composition. Mads also suggests looking for repeating shapes or patterns in nature to create rhythm and unity, another way to avoid the chaos that sometimes makes a photo feel cluttered.

Avoid clutter, but don’t oversimplify

When a photo feels busy or overwhelming, it’s often because there’s no clear focal point. Make sure your photo tells a story by emphasizing one subject or key element and avoiding distractions. That said, there’s a balance—you don’t want to make your image so minimalist that it loses interest. Find the sweet spot where negative space highlights your subject without taking away from the story you’re trying to tell. It takes some practice, so perhaps analyze other photographers’ work as well, and submit your photos for critique in the photographic community that you admire and look up to.

Enhance contrast and color in post-processing

A lack of contrast and color can make photos feel flat and lifeless. If you’ve captured a raw image that doesn’t quite reflect the vibrancy of the scene, a little post-processing can make a world of difference. Mads demonstrates how a basic edit—bringing out the colors and enhancing contrast—transforms an image of a sailboat in Greenland from a flat, dull shot into a stunningly atmospheric photo. This doesn’t mean going overboard with editing but using it to bring your photo closer to how the scene felt in person.

Experiment with long exposure for an ethereal effect

Long exposures can turn an everyday scene into something surreal and magical. Whether it’s smoothing out water flow in a river or creating soft, misty clouds, long exposures add a dreamy quality that makes photos more intriguing. Use this technique intentionally, as it can add depth and mood to your work without requiring dramatic landscapes or perfect weather conditions.

In this video, Mads shows that transforming a “boring” photo into a “wow” one is about making conscious, creative decisions. Each of these tips is a tool to use thoughtfully, helping you capture not just a technically good photo but one that feels alive, unique, and impactful. It takes some time and practice – but if you ask me, that’s the beauty of it.

[This is why your photos are boring. | Mads Peter Iversen]

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