Photographing people in the landscape

Sunday 3 August 2025, 14:28 by Nando Harmsen | 2,466 views | 1 comment

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

When photographing a landscape, perspective can be difficult. How huge is a mountain? How far does a view stretch? How big is a tree? A person in the landscape can provide that perspective.

Do you sometimes feel that the landscape in the photo isn't as impressive as it was in reality? Part of that may be down to the composition. But the lack of a reference also plays a major role.

Without a reference or recognisable point, you have no idea of the scale or vastness of the landscape.
A house in a landscape, a farm, or something else can provide a reference point. But it has to be there, and suitable for the purpose. Or you can choose to photograph a person in the landscape.

A person in the landscape provides perspective. You know how tall someone is, giving you a sense of the size or vastness of the landscape. It also gives you something to hold on to. It can be a way of making the viewer feel that they could be standing there themselves.

The same landscape as in the first photo in the article, from a slightly different viewpoint, but now as a selfie. It offers a very different perspective.
The best option is to find someone who is already in the landscape. But that isn't always possible. Sometimes you're somewhere where there really isn't anyone around. Then you can use yourself as the human element.

Use a remote control, self-timer or the camera's interval timer if you want to stand further away. This gives you the time and opportunity to stand in the desired spot. Make sure you never put yourself in danger in the process.

You can also use a drone, provided it is allowed at the location where you are. This also gives you extra options.

I have put together a selection of photos in which a person is present in the landscape. It adds meaning to the photo, and a sense of perspective. Let it inspire you to do this a little more often too.

On the beach of the Opal Coast, France (Canon EOS R5 with 74mm)

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