ree Easter offers to The Gambia.

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When we discuss boring landscape photos the problem is usually the result of improper exposure, flat lighting, or unappealing colors. Hence, the solution typically involves adjustments made during editing process.

Today we’re switching things up with a quick fix that’s accomplished in the camera with whatever gear you own. In essence, this lesson is all about a unique approach that delivers a choice of compelling images on location, while keeping you from shooting photos that all look the same.

Instructor Mike Smith is a long-time British landscape photographer who posts weekly tutorials designed to help others make the best images possible in the great outdoors. In this nine-minute episode he introduces a method borrowed from motion picture directors who often open a film with a wide “establishing shot,” followed by a somewhat closer perspective, and then a tight shot of the protagonist.

Smith calls this approach “Wide, Medium, and Close-Up,” and it pertains to photographers in the field who come upon an interesting scene, make a photo or two, and then move on to another spot where they do the same thing. And this is a recipe for boring same-old-same-old images.

The approach recommended by Smith is really just a different mindset that he says really changed his photography. Now when he arrives at an appealing scene he first shoots a wide shot to capture an expansive vista. Then he swaps out his wide-angle lens for one with a longer focal length “and starts picking out interesting objects within the frame.”

As you’ve probably guessed, it’s now time for a longer telephoto lens to capture eye-catching detail shots. In fact, Smith says he normally captures three close-ups for every wide shot he makes. He provides several examples of how effective this technique can be, and includes captions with exposure and focal length details so you know exactly what he did.

We suggest that you visit Smith’s very popular YouTube channel for more great advice—especially if landscape photography is your thing.

And be sure to check out a related tutorial we posted earlier, explaining how another pro captures sharp outdoor photos with long telephoto lenses.

We all hear about so-call “hidden” editing tools that deliver great results. But while many of these methods are effective, some are quite familiar to photographers of all skill levels.

The quick tutorial below, however, demonstrates an oft-ignored Lightroom tool that enables you to make faster and more precise HSL edits that ever before. As you probably know, HSL stands for hue, saturation and luminance—three important values that form the basis of color in a photo.

Instructor John Pedersen is an accomplished landscape photographer with years of experience capturing beautiful images in the Pacific Northwest, and editing them to perfection. In the nine-minute tutorial below he demonstrates what he says is a “fantastic, hidden editing tool that’s super easy to use.”

Pedersen’s trick involves an unconventional and very intuitive method for HSL adjustments. What makes this technique so special is this: Instead of using Lightroom sliders that apply global enhancements to the entire image, he clicks on an obscure button to make selective adjustments “exactly where you want them.”

The episode begins in Lightroom’s Develop module with Pedersen scrolling down to the HSL panel. He then demonstrates the most common approach to enhancing a nice landscape scene he shot in Iceland with reindeer in the foreground. As you’ll see, this approach is far from perfect.

The magic begins as soon as Pedersen selects a small, overlooked button found on the left of the HSL panel. Now when he clicks on the image, his cursor transforms into crosshairs with directional indicators. By moving the crosshairs within the photo, it’s possible to make HSL adjustments to the specific color underneath, while leaving the rest of the image unchanged.

You can do this to as many areas of a scene that you want, and adjust various colors in an image. Thus, you can remove a blue cast from the snow without changing the tonal values of the sky, and then adjust the sky without ruining the perfect white snow. As you’ll see, there’s much more you can do with this fast and precise approach.

After watching the video head over to Pedersen’s instructional YouTube channel where you’ll find more editing tips and tricks.

We also suggest you watch an earlier tutorial we posted, with another pro’s composition tips that will transform your landscape photography.