The Best Tools to Develop Your Landscape Photography
This is a collection of the tools, gear, and software I use in my own photography, both in the field and during post-processing.
Each of the resources below has played a role in my development as a photographer. Some I’ve used for years; others have replaced older tools as my workflow has evolved, but all are included because I believe they can make a meaningful difference in your photography.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I have personal experience with and genuinely find useful in my own work.
Featured tools i use in my workflow
DxO PureRAW
My go-to tool for optimizing RAW files before editing. It gives me cleaner detail and more flexibility when working in Lightroom.
Use code: capturelandscapes (15% off)
Nik Collection
A set of plugins I use for contrast, color, and black & white processing. Perfect for refining mood and atmosphere.
Use code: capturelandscapes (15% off)
The backpack I use for all of my photography trips. It's comfortable, durable, and designed for both photography gear and travel essentials.
Use code: capturelandscapes (10% off)
Post-Processing Software & Plugins
Best RAW Photo Editor
Organize, edit, and build the base of your images.
Adobe Lightroom
Lightroom is where I do the majority of my post-processing. It's where I organize my images, build the overall look, and make most of my global and local adjustments. For most photographers, this is all you need to create strong images.
Lightroom Workflow Tools
Mask-based tools for shaping light, contrast, and color
Lightroom Toolbox
My Lightroom Toolbox is built around how I actually edit my images. Instead of one-click presets, it's a collection of tools that help you shape light, contrast, and color step by step. It speeds up your workflow while still giving you full control over the results.
Best Lightroom Alternative
RAW processing, optical corrections, image library, and local adjustments.
DxO PhotoLab 9
DxO PhotoLab 9 is the best alternative to Lightroom that I've ever used. It offers excellent RAW processing, strong optical corrections, and powerful local adjustment tools. While I still prefer Lightroom for my workflow, PhotoLab is the best alternative.
Advanced Editing & Precision
Layers, masking, and detailed control for finishing your images.
Photoshop comes into my workflow when I need more precise control than what Lightroom allows. This is where I refine local adjustments, work with layers, and make targeted changes that go beyond the basic tools.
I mainly use it for blending, dodging and burning, subtle contrast adjustments, and fine-tuning specific areas of an image using precise masking. It's not always necessary, but for more complex scenes or when I want full control over the final result, it becomes an essential part of my workflow.
Web Export & sharpening
Preserve detail and clarity when resizing images for web.
Web Sharpener Panel (Photoshop Plugin)
When exporting images for web, it’s easy to lose the fine detail you worked hard to capture. This panel makes it simple to apply proper sharpening after resizing, so your images stay crisp and clean when shared online.
I’ve used this free plugin for years when preparing images for my website and social media. It only takes a few seconds, but it makes a noticeable difference in how the final image looks.
Luminosity Mask Tools (Photoshop)
Create precise selections based on brightness for advanced adjustments.
Luminosity Mask Panels (Photoshop)
Luminosity Masks are an important part of my Photoshop workflow, especially when working with contrast and local adjustments.
For years, I've primarily used Raya Pro because of how simple and efficient it is. It allows me to quickly create and apply masks without getting lost in unnecessary features, which fits well with how I like to work.
That said, Raya Pro hasn't seen much development recently. If you're looking for a more actively maintained alternative, the TK Panel is a more advanced option with a wider range of tools, though it comes with a steeper learning curve.
Beginner-Friendly editing software
Simple tools and aI adjustments for quick results
Luminar NEO
Luminar Neo is a beginner-friendly editing software designed to make adjustments quick and straightforward. With built-in AI tools and a simplified interface, it’s a good option for photographers who want fast results without diving too deep into advanced editing.
It’s not part of my personal workflow, as I prefer the control and flexibility of Lightroom and Photoshop. But for those who are just getting started or want a more simplified approach, it can be a useful place to begin.
Planning Resources for Landscape Photography
PhotoPills
The tool I rely on to plan sun, moon, and Milky Way alignment. It’s an essential part of preparing for both day and night photography.
Windy
The weather app I use most to track wind, cloud movement, and incoming systems. It’s one of the most useful tools for predicting conditions.
Tides4Fishing
Useful for checking tides and understanding water movement when shooting along the coast. Especially important for both safety and timing.
Google Earth
My go-to for scouting compositions and understanding terrain before visiting a location. It helps me visualise scenes long before I arrive.
Educational Resources for Landscape Photography
$19.90
A Comprehensive Introduction to Landscape Photography is your go-to eBook for an in-depth introduction to Landscape Photography. Whether you’ve just bought your first camera, have been using one for a couple years or you haven’t yet purchased your first, this eBook is a natural place to begin expanding your knowledge.
The information shared throughout A Comprehensive Introduction to Landscape Photography will teach you everything you need to know in order to start capturing beautiful images and take your photography to the next level.
$19.90
Besides teaching you the fundamentals and introducing the equipment needed (or that should be used) to perform the technique, The Ultimate Guide to Long Exposure Photography goes one step further and teaches you how to implement the techniques you learn into your workflow. You'll learn the optimal settings to capture great long exposure images of seascapes and waterfalls.
$29.95
Mastering Adobe Lightroom Classic: The Complete Guide is an in-depth eBook with an additional 2.5 hours of video content that will make you comfortable using Lightroom’s Library and Develop Modules. Here you’ll learn the essentials of organizing and processing images. The course doesn't only look at the editing capabilities of Lightroom; you'll also learn how to build a well-functioning image library that makes it possible to easily locate an image with just a few clicks. This is essential to understand when hard drives fill up with thousands of images. Three complete start-to-finish workflows are included to show you exactly how to add that unique look to your images.
$49
Black & White Photography: A Complete Guide for Nature Photographers is a course designed to help you create compelling black and white images. Designed for photographers of all levels, this is a highly practical course that teaches tools which can be immediately integrated into your workflow.
Storage Software & Solutions
offers free basic plan
Dropbox is an easy-to-use solution to safely store your images and files online. It’s not only great when using images across various devices (for example when downloading to your phone before posting online) but is also a quick way to access your images when meeting with potential clients.
It's also easy to share folders and files with others, which comes in handy when working on joint projects or sharing files too large to pass by email, for example.
Prices from
$300-990
Synology’s Diskstation DS1817+ is an essential part of my backup strategy and is what makes me sleep comfortably at night. This is an 8-bay NAS (Network-Attached Storage) that can be scaled up to 18 drives.
The genius part of the NAS server is that I can back up all my other external hard drives and when they’re ‘retired’ I can still access everything stored on them by simply logging onto my server.
Other Resources & Tools for Landscape Photography
Are you aware that the colors on your monitor might not be correct? While professional photography monitors are becoming more accurate out of the box, it's still essential to calibrate it in order to ensure that the colors displayed are correct.
My go-to solution for accurate monitor calibration is the DataColor SpyderX Pro. The calibration is extremely easy and takes no more than 5 minutes but makes a massive difference. I aim to calibrate my monitor every 1-2 months.
I've been relying on Vallerret Photography Gloves to keep my hands warm for the past years and I'm extremely satisfied with the quality they offer.
When working in Arctic climates, it's essential for me to be able to easily operate my camera without taking my gloves off. This is my solution - no more cold hands!
Filters have been an important part of my photography and in many ways a key element in developing my skillset. Using them has not only taught me the fundamental settings but also to see in a whole new way.
NiSi Filters have been my go-to brand for several years and having tried most of what's out there, I feel that they offer the best quality products.
The BenQ SW31C is a 32" 4k monitor made for photographers. Having a quality monitor is essential for photographers and help ensure that your images are accurately represented through various platforms and outlets.
Features such as the Advanced Reflectionless Technology, Uniformity Technology, Paper Color Sync and Hardware Calibration make the SW321C one of the absolute best monitors for photographers and videographers.
I highly recommend this monitor for anyone who’s serious about their photography, spends time in post-processing and ultimately enjoys seeing their images printed. If you already have quality camera gear, you should invest in a quality monitor. It’s as simple as that.