Choose a viewpoint before the light changes. Look for a foreground shape or a clear horizon that gives the image a sense of structure.
Try several compositions without moving far. A small shift can separate overlapping shapes and make a busy scene easier to read.
Keep a few photographs and put the camera away for a moment. Experiencing the light is part of the pleasure.
Find the frame before the light changes
Arrive with enough time to study the landscape. Look for a foreground, a middle distance and a background that work together without competing. A path, a line of trees or an open area of water can help the eye move through the scene. Make a simple test image and examine the edges of the frame. Removing an awkward branch or a distracting bright patch can strengthen the photograph before the sunset begins.
Work with a small set of variations
Instead of moving constantly, try a few variations from one position. Change the height of the camera, adjust the amount of sky and compare horizontal and vertical frames. Notice how the scene changes when the brightest area becomes smaller. Keep the equipment you need within reach and avoid turning every decision into an experiment. A considered sequence gives you more useful choices than many nearly identical exposures.
Find the frame before the light changes.
Edit for the feeling of the evening
When reviewing the photographs, select the image that describes the atmosphere as well as the view. Keep colours believable and let the darker areas retain some depth. An edit can clarify the scene without making every part equally bright. Compare your final choice with a quieter frame taken earlier. Sometimes the most expressive photograph is the one made before the dramatic light, when the landscape still feels spacious.
