Reproduced here with thanks to Chrissie and Colin Westgate
1. Frame your photograph: Using your hands, make them into a rectangle to see whether there is a photograph to be made.
2. Frame your mind: Allow yourself to become absorbed in the photograph you are going to take. Think about why you find it beautiful, intriguing or breathtaking. What is the story?
3. Consider your viewpoint: This is the key to the composition or arrangement of elements in your picture. A few steps to either side, back or forward, higher or lower, can sometimes make a big difference. Take your picture and then explore alternative angles.
4. Check your outer edges: Take your eye around viewfinder, twice to be totally familiar with all that exists on the outside on the perimeter. Crop out distracting elements and highlights, or elements that alter the balance or 'story' of your photograph.
5. Fine-tune your vision: Consider small details and think simple.
6. Focus: Check that there is nothing in the immediate foreground that could intrude with the lens set at infinity. Out of focus foregrounds can be distracting. For flowers and extreme close ups, however, the background and foreground can be thrown out of focus.
7. Keep still: If you have a tripod, try to use it whenever possible. A tripod enables long time exposures and macro work as well as ensuring you take your photograph seriously. It is advisable to turn off the image stabilizer when the camera is on a tripod as this feature may not work properly.
8. Avoid flare: When photographing with the sun in front of you, do not assume that the lens hood will prevent direct sunlight falling onto the front element of the lens. Unintentional flare is the photographers' worst enemy. The sun may not be in your viewfinder but sunlight may be falling on to your lens. Use a piece of card (or your hat!. to mask the sunlight. Better still would be a friend who could stand to one side and ensure that the lens is flare free.
9. Know what to crop out: If the sky is lacking in interest, ie. too bland or too blue or grey, then try leaving it out all together. If the sky is good then let it have its say. Try devoting three quarters of the photograph to the sky if it is remarkable. Include whole clouds if possible. With reflections, try to include entire clouds. 'Every cloud has its certain valid moment' Minor White.
10. Take the time: Settle into your photograph and, if time allows, try not to rush. Haste and pressure are barriers to creativity. Equally, see next point...
11. Be alert: 'Chance favours the prepared mind' Ansel Adams, photographer, after Louis Pasteur.
12. Look around: If there is no landscape in front of you, look around; there may be one at your feet.
13. Balance up: Study the shadow areas and how dense they might be. A deep black 'nothingness' can dominate a photograph as much as unwanted highlights. Find a balance. Squinting at the scene is a good way to evaluate brightness range.
14. Look for shapes and patterns, graphics and the abstract.: Big views are difficult, and are more dependent on good light, but try to make them coherent. Look for lead lines or a feature to act as an anchor to draw the eye into the image.
15. Use the elements (light.: A photographer must be acutely aware of the nature and quality of light and how the light is falling on the subject. Light is everything. Study the impact of light on a particular scene at different times of the day; late evening light just after the sun has set can produce an afterglow creating a lovely luminous light and the early morning light can have a magic of its own.
16. Use the elements (clouds.: Cloud shadow can provide a greater sense of depth and dimension to a landscape, or conceal the impact of ugly features. Be aware of the dynamics of clouds, especially when using wide angle lenses, which can add drama to a 'big sky'.
17. Use the elements (nature.: Lonely trees are often used. Most photographers cannot resist them, especially with a lovely sky above. Try to include the base of the tree, and try not to cut the tops off. If you do so, try to ensure that it was intended and not because you did not notice.
18. Use the elements (wind.: Think about the effect that a prevailing wind may have on your photograph ie. consider using a long shutter speed to convey a sense of movement in foliage.
19. Use the elements (water.: Water is one of the most wonderful features in the landscape. It can add life and action. Consider using slow shutter speeds e.g. 1/8`" sec to emphasise the flow of a river or stream, or to capture the ebb and flow of waves. Think of still water as a mirror and be aware of what is reflected in it. Wetness intensifies colour and adds life to a landscape.
20. Use the elements (mist.: Mist is a simplifier and changes the nature of the landscape. It aids the separation of elements from an intrusive background and makes colours more pastel. Remember that misty scenes may require a little more exposure in the camera to retain the luminosity.
21. Use the elements (snow and ice.: Snow can transform a landscape, by hiding details and simplifying everything. Remember that you may need more exposure to retain the whiteness - your camera exposure system may be fooled by large areas of white.
22. Experiment and be daring: With digital photography today, there is no wastage from an experiment that failed.
23. Learn from others: Look at other people's images in books, exhibitions and magazines and postcards. See what worked and what didn't.
24. Filters: Don't be afraid of filters. If you have an SLR, consider buying a polarizing filter and learn how it is best used. Also, a neutral density graduated filter can help to keep the subtle tones in the sky. However, with digital photography, other filters such as yellow, orange and red are not necessary, as they only apply to monochrome and their effect can be replicated when making your print.
25. Control your camera: Even pocket cameras today have some sophisticated functions. Learn how they work, then have the confidence to switch to manual in order to control shutter speeds. With an SLR, consider bracketing when in doubt or for experimental reasons. When your camera is on a tripod, before exposing cover the viewfinder, as stray light can enter the metering system and distort correct exposure often by as much as a stop or more.
26. Control your camera (the Histogram.: One of the most useful features of digital cameras in helping ensure that you get the ideal exposure. Understand how it works and for best results, try and keep the histogram close to the right hand edge of the frame, but without 'clipping'. Do not be tempted to routinely underexpose as this can cause loss of quality and 'noise'.
27. Composition: Remember there are no rules of composition - learn to compose instinctively and that what looks right will be right.
28. Enjoy the weather: sometimes the worst weather can bring the best photo opportunities. Clear sunshine might be pleasant to experience, but it can be the enemy of the landscape photographer. But there are usually photographs to be made whatever the light!
29. Enjoy and 'feel' the landscape: be moved by the wonder of light and try to communicate this in your pictures. Interpret and express. Remember that most people will see the 'obvious' views but probably only you will see a particular picture in the intimate landscape.
30. Make pictures from your heart: and for yourself. Do not be influenced by the requirements of the next competition. You may not win, but you will have the greater satisfaction of a picture that pleases you!