Landscape photographers yearn for wide vistas and grand scenes. However, there are times when less is more. 

In his latest video, photographer Thomas Heaton focuses on creating minimalist images on the south coast of Iceland. Starting his morning looking down on sea stacks from a cliff near the village of Vik, Heaton composes a long-exposure shot with an emphasis on simplicity and negative space, creating a dreamy work of fine art. In a similar fashion, Heaton chooses a simple composition at his next location, focusing on a couple of small icebergs on a black sand beach. 

I have a tendency to reach for my wide-angle lens and fit as much of a scene in as possible. As Heaton demonstrates, that’s not always the best approach. Composition is often about what to exclude and less about what to include. Tightening up your shots and making sure that every detail adds to your image will help separate your work. 

What do you focus on for your landscape photography work: grand vistas, simple scenes, or a combination of the two? Does the weather or time of day play a role in that choice? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.