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Photography tips from the field

Practical photographic knowledge from my own photographs.

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Lucerne Pilatus Lake Lucerne Central Switzerland

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View of the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne with Mount Pilatus in the background under a cloudy evening sky.

View of the Chapel Bridge with Water Tower and Mount Pilatus in the background under a cloudy evening sky

Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with Water Tower and Mount Pilatus in the background, bustling with people walking by

View of the Water Tower and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne through a decorative iron railing

View through an ornate iron railing at the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne during evening light

Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne at sunset

View through a round railing at the sunset-lit Reuss river in Lucerne

View through an ornate metal railing towards the old town of Lucerne and the Reuss river at sunset.

Wasserturm tower in Lucerne viewed in golden light through a blurred railing in the foreground

View through an ornamental metal gate onto the Wasserturm and Kapellbrücke in Lucerne at dusk.

View of the Lucerne water tower through a metal ornament

Cobblestone alley in the old town of Lucerne with a view of the Chapel Bridge and the Wasserturm

View from the Pilatus mountain massif over Lake Lucerne and surrounding mountains in sunny weather

View from the rocky edge of Mount Pilatus over Lake Lucerne and surrounding mountains

Steep wooden staircase on Mount Pilatus overlooking Lake Lucerne and Central Switzerland

Hiking trail on Mount Pilatus with a view of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding area

Group of alphorn players in traditional costume on the Pilatus observation deck

A man swinging a Swiss flag in front of the mountain panorama on Mount Pilatus

Two men and one woman in traditional Swiss costume playing alphorns on the observation deck of Mount Pilatus with an alpine panorama in the background.

Group of alphorn players in traditional Swiss costume in front of the Pilatus rock face

Group of alphorn players in traditional Swiss costume on a terrace at Mount Pilatus

The summit of Mount Pilatus surrounded by clouds in warm light

A passenger ship cruising on Lake Lucerne during an orange sunset

View across Lake Lucerne towards Mount Pilatus at sunset

View of Mount Pilatus from a ship during sunset

Blue and white flags celebrating the 125th anniversary of FC Luzern at the lake

Blue and white FC Luzern flags blowing in the wind in front of the Lucerne cityscape

Flags celebrating the 125th anniversary of FC Luzern with Hotel Schweizerhof in the background

An anniversary flag of FC Luzern waving against the backdrop of the city of Lucerne at Lake Lucerne.

Waving anniversary flag of FC Luzern in front of historic buildings in Lucerne

Blue and white flag of FC Luzern with anniversary inscription against a blue sky in Lucerne

A dark blue anniversary flag of FC Luzern blowing in front of the Lucerne lakeshore scenery.

Blue FCL anniversary flag in front of the scenery of Lucerne

The mountain chapel on Mount Pilatus near Lucerne, with Lake Lucerne and the city of Lucerne in the background.

Hotel Bellevue embedded in the rock formations of Mount Pilatus

View of the Pilatus peaks with hotel and transmission towers in daylight

View of the rock formations at the summit of Mount Pilatus with a paraglider flying by

The summit cross on Mount Pilatus surrounded by clouds and rocks

An ibex standing on a rocky ridge on Mount Pilatus.

A young ibex standing on a rocky slope at Mount Pilatus.

Red Pilatus cogwheel train travelling through the steep rock face of Mount Pilatus.

The red Pilatus cogwheel train travels through the steep rocky landscape of Mount Pilatus.

The Pilatus cogwheel railway runs along a steep cliff.

Red cogwheel train driving through steep rock and grass landscape on Mount Pilatus.

Aerial view of the Pilatus summit area overlooking Lake Lucerne

View of the green mountain ridge and steep rock faces of Mount Pilatus in Central Switzerland

View of Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus in the evening light

Dark silhouette of Mount Pilatus against a softly colored evening sky

Side view of the paddle steamer Gallia on Lake Lucerne with a forested shoreline in the background

View of Mount Pilatus with Lake Lucerne in the foreground on a summer day

View of the summit of Mount Pilatus under a blue sky

View of Mount Pilatus and Lake Lucerne through two ship bollards

Mount Pilatus over Lake Lucerne framed by boat components

A seagull sits on a wooden post with Mount Pilatus in the background

View of Mount Pilatus in the background, with blurred palm fronds in the foreground

Palm frond in the foreground with Mount Pilatus in the background

Palm fronds in foreground with Mount Pilatus in the background under a clear sky

Facade of Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne illuminated in blue at night with a crowd in the foreground

Illuminated facade of the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne at night

View from the lake of the illuminated Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne at night with flags in the foreground

A single green tree stands on a meadow in front of Mount Pilatus under a clear blue sky.

Red aerial cableway gondolas towards Mount Pilatus above a summer meadow with flowers

Alpine flowers in the foreground with Hotel Pilatus-Kulm and the mountain summit under a clear sky.

People on the Felsenweg at Mount Pilatus overlooking Lake Lucerne and the city of Lucerne.

Mountain station and Hotel Pilatus Kulm in front of a steep cliff with meadow in the foreground

View of the Pilatus Kulm mountain station with yellow flowers in the foreground

View of the Pilatus mountain station under a clear blue sky

View through the wooden Chapel Bridge in Lucerne in the morning sunlight

View across the Seebrücke bridge in Lucerne with pink flowers in the foreground at sunrise

Chapel Bridge with water tower in Lucerne in front of Mount Pilatus at dawn

Night view of the Pilatus summit and hotel building under a starry sky.

View of Hotel Pilatus-Kulm and the Pilatus summit at sunset

Wooden railing on Mount Pilatus in front of the evening horizon

Close-up of alpine flowers backlit against the dark silhouette of Mount Pilatus during sunset.

Alpine flowers in the foreground with the summit of Mount Pilatus at sunset

View of the Hotel Bellevue and the rock formations of Mount Pilatus at sunset

View of the Hotel Bellevue and the Pilatus summit at sunset

Aerial view from Mount Pilatus overlooking Lake Lucerne and the surrounding alpine landscape in evening light.

View from a wooden railing on Mount Pilatus over Lake Lucerne at sunset

View of Hotel Pilatus Kulm with alpine vegetation in the foreground

View of the Pilatus-Kulm hotel with mountain peaks and flowers in the foreground

Hotel Pilatus-Kulm in front of the Pilatus mountain peak at sunset

Alpine flowers on the slope of Mount Pilatus overlooking Lake Lucerne

Alpine flowers in the foreground overlooking Lake Lucerne from Mount Pilatus

View through alpine flowers towards Lake Lucerne and the surrounding landscape from Mount Pilatus

Alpine flowers in the foreground with a view from Mount Pilatus towards Lake Lucerne and the Central Swiss landscape

View from the mountain over Lake Lucerne with alpine flowers in the foreground

Alpine flower in the foreground, hotel building and cable car station on Mount Pilatus overlooking Lake Lucerne.

Pilatus Kulm mountain station overlooking Lake Lucerne with a white flower in the foreground

Yellow mountain flowers in the foreground with the steep slopes of Mount Pilatus and Lake Lucerne in the background.

View of the Pilatus mountain peak area with hiking trails and the Lake Lucerne in the background

View of the Pilatus summit rock formation with the hotel building and mountain station in daylight.

View of the Pilatus summit with hotel and a panorama of the Central Swiss lake landscape

A single yellow alpine flower growing from the grey limestone rock on Mount Pilatus.

Three young ibex resting in a rocky meadow on Mount Pilatus

Historic buildings and church tower top in the old town of Lucerne in clear daylight.

The Swiss flag waving above the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne, framed by blooming horse chestnut trees.

The Swiss flag waving on the roof of the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne, framed by blooming horse chestnut trees.

Waving Swiss flag in front of the roof of Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne framed by flowering chestnut trees

Waving Swiss flag on the roof of the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne, framed by blooming chestnut flowers.

Panoramic view of the city of Lucerne with Mount Pilatus in the background under a blue sky

Wide angle view of Lake Lucerne with the city skyline and Mount Pilatus in the background under a blue sky.

Hotel Schweizerhof on the shores of Lake Lucerne at night

Wasserturm and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne at sunset

Close-up of the stone Wasserturm of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with incoming sunlight

Water tower of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne in the soft light of the evening sun

View from the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne overlooking the Reuss River with historic buildings in the background

View from the Chapel Bridge towards the Jesuit Church and the Reuss river in Lucerne at sunset

View from the Chapel Bridge over the Reuss river towards the Jesuit Church with flowers in the foreground

The Reuss river in Lucerne with the Rathaussteg bridge in the backlight of the setting sun

Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne with snow-covered Mount Pilatus in the background

View of the Chapel Bridge with water tower and Mount Pilatus in the background in Lucerne

Wasserturm of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with Mount Pilatus in sunny weather

Water tower in Lucerne with Mount Pilatus in the background

The Water Tower in Lucerne on the Reuss river with Mount Pilatus in the background

The historic water tower in Lucerne with reflection in the water and Mount Pilatus in the background.

Two blue and white Lucerne cantonal flags hanging in front of Mount Pilatus and historic buildings in Lucerne Old Town

View of Lucerne old town with white and blue flags and Mount Pilatus in the background

Close-up of the stone lion paw at the Lion Monument in Lucerne with side lighting

Detailed view of the dying lion sculpture at the Lion Monument in Lucerne

Close-up of the Lion Monument with Swiss coat of arms in Lucerne

Close-up of the stone lion figure of the Lion Monument in Lucerne

Close-up of the stone lion's head from the Lion Monument in Lucerne

Detail view of a spear carved in stone at the Lion Monument in Lucerne

View from a narrow alley in Lucerne looking towards the snow-covered Pilatus mountain.

View from a Lucerne alley towards the snow-covered Pilatus massif

White cherry blossoms in the foreground with the stone Musegg Tower in Lucerne in the background

White cherry blossoms in the foreground in front of the blurred Pilatus mountain massif

Cherry blossom branches in the foreground with Mount Pilatus in the background

Château Gütsch sits on a wooded hill above Lucerne, with blooming cherry branches in the foreground.

Château Gütsch hotel on a hill above Lucerne surrounded by blooming trees

Hotel Château Gütsch in Lucerne surrounded by flowering trees

The Männliturm tower of the Lucerne Musegg wall framed by blossoming branches

Medieval watchtower of the Musegg Wall in Lucerne framed by flowering spring trees

Close-up of white cherry blossoms with a bee in Central Switzerland

Blossoming tree in the foreground and the snow-covered Pilatus massif in the background.

View of a tower of the Musegg wall in Lucerne behind flowering branches with Mount Pilatus in the background

View of the Zytturm clock tower of the Musegg wall in Lucerne framed by flowering branches

View through blooming cherry tree branches towards a pointed church tower in Lucerne.

Close-up of pink magnolia blossoms in front of the historic Musegg Tower in Lucerne

Red tulips in the foreground in front of a historic defensive tower of the Musegg Wall in Lucerne.

Alpine chough with black feathers and yellow beak flying in front of a snow-covered mountain slope at Mount Pilatus

Alpine chough with yellow beak perched on a metal railing at Mount Pilatus

Alpine Chough in flight with spread wings against a snowy background at Mount Pilatus

A small snowman made of snow on top of Mount Pilatus overlooking the Swiss plateau

View across snow-covered mountain peaks and the summit cross on Mount Pilatus

Summit cross on a rocky edge of Mount Pilatus in front of snowy mountain panorama

Facade of Villa Schweizerhof with garden and terrace in Lucerne

View from a flowery meadow at the facade of the Villa Schweizerhof in Lucerne.

White Villa Schweizerhof in Lucerne in front of a meadow with daisies in the foreground

The white facade of Villa Schweizerhof in Lucerne with daisies in the foreground.

Reflection of buildings and a passing bus at Schweizerhofquai in a puddle under a cloudy sky.

Front view of a wet green park bench on the lake promenade in Lucerne with a view of the Hotel Schweizerhof.

Green park bench in the foreground on the lakeshore promenade in Lucerne in rainy weather

Double exposure of Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne with reflection in a puddle

Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne reflected in a puddle on the ground

Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne in overcast light with passing tram

View of the hotel facade of the Schweizerhof in Lucerne with a street in the foreground

View from a park bench towards Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne under a cloudy sky.

Lucerne Schweizerhofquai with traffic light and passing vehicles under a cloudy sky

The Water Tower in Lucerne with cherry blossom branches in the foreground under bright light.

View through red flowers towards the Musegg Wall and a street lamp in Lucerne

View of a Musegg wall watchtower and a street lamp behind pink flowers

Detail of the wooden Chapel Bridge with snow-covered Mount Pilatus in the background in Lucerne

Wooden structure of the Chapel Bridge in the foreground with Mount Pilatus in the background in Lucerne

View across a quay chain towards the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne

Embankment wall with iron chain and view of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne at sunset

Silhouette of the Wasserturm in Lucerne against the low sun with an ornate lantern in the foreground.

Silhouette of an ornate lantern and the Water Tower against the sunset in Lucerne

Silhouette of a historic street lamp against the setting sun in Lucerne

Wasserturm and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with reflection in the water at sunrise

Water Tower and Chapel Bridge on Lake Lucerne at sunset with an iron mooring ring in the foreground.

Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne in golden backlight with pedestrian and iron ring in the foreground

View of the Water Tower of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne from a narrow alley.

View of the Water Tower of the Chapel Bridge Lucerne from the Sepp-Eblinger-Gässli

View through a stone archway towards the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

View through a narrow alley of the Jesuit Church tower in Lucerne during evening light

Close-up of a chapel bridge gable in Lucerne with coat of arms and inscription behind flowers

Close-up of dark pansies in front of the wooden construction of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

Red Camellia flowers in the foreground with the historic Chapel Bridge and Lake Lucerne in the background.

Wooden construction of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with a red flower in the foreground

Close-up of a gable of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with blue flowers in the foreground

Close-up of a yellow pansy flower in front of the blurred wooden structure of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

Yellow pansies in front of the wooden gable of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

Close-up of purple pansies in the foreground with the historic wooden structure of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne in the background.

The historical Wasserturm of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with the snow-covered Mount Pilatus in the background.

A truck drives past the Hofkirche in Lucerne with a long exposure, in the foreground a flower bed.

View of the Hofkirche in Lucerne with a passing bus in the foreground and a flower bed

Church of St. Leodegar and historic buildings on Schweizerhofstrasse in Lucerne with yellow and red flowers in the foreground

Hofkirche in Lucerne with two towers and a flower bed in the foreground on a sunny day.

View from a rock tunnel looking towards the hotel and mountain station at Mount Pilatus in winter

View through a rock opening of the Pilatus Kulm hotel and the snow-covered peak region.

View through a rock opening at Pilatus overlooking the snowy Alps and Lake Lucerne at sunset

Hotel Pilatus-Kulm in golden evening light in front of snow-covered rock

Icicles in the foreground with the snow-covered Mount Pilatus in the background during sunset.

Winter landscape on Mount Pilatus with a view of the Pilatus-Kulm hotel through a snow formation

View of the Pilatus summit path in the evening light

View from stairs onto the Hotel Pilatus Kulm and the mountain peak at sunset.

View from a terrace towards the hotel buildings and the snow-covered rocky peak of Mount Pilatus at dusk

The facade of Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne, located directly on the lakeshore in clear daylight.

The sun shines from behind the sharp edge of a modern architectural roof.

Silhouette of the sculpture on the dome of Lucerne station against the sun

Backlit view of the sculpture on the dome of Lucerne railway station with overhead wires in the foreground

Silhouette of the Water Tower in Lucerne with sun reflection on the Reuss river

Silhouette of the Water Tower of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne against a bright blue sky

Two birds sitting on a dark wall against the backlit low sun.

Sun flare behind a dark stone element at Lake Lucerne overlooking the Alps

The summit area of Mount Pilatus surrounded by clouds and fog in soft light

The summit of Mount Pilatus near Lucerne emerging from a dense layer of fog

The mountain massif of Pilatus in Central Switzerland, embedded between dense cloud layers

The summit of Mount Pilatus near Lucerne emerging partially from thick cloud layers

The peaks of Mount Pilatus emerging from a dense layer of clouds

Water tower of the Chapel Bridge on the Reuss river with Mount Pilatus in the background

Water tower of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with a rainbow in the cloudy sky

Rainbow over the Reuss river with a view of the Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church in Lucerne

The water tower at the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with a rainbow in the background

A rainbow stretches over the rooftops of the Lucerne Old Town with a Swiss flag.

The Wasserturm in Lucerne reflected in a puddle on the ground

View of the Lucerne Wasserturm from ground level with reflection in a puddle

Chapel Bridge with water tower in Lucerne, confetti lying on a wall in the foreground.

View of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with confetti in the foreground

Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne with a rainbow in a cloudy sky

Facade of the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne with a Swiss flag waving on the roof.

View across the Reuss river to the city of Lucerne with the snow-covered Mount Pilatus in the background

Front view of Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne with colourful balcony accents

Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne with colorful decorations on the facade and a passing bus in the foreground

Facade of Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne with colored circle symbols on the balconies

Facade of Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne with colorful decorations on the balconies

Carnival mask on a pole in front of the facade of Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne

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New

The latest photography tips

Mount Pilatus massif in Central Switzerland surrounded by fog in the evening light

Mount Pilatus enveloped in clouds at sunset 400 mm · f/8 · 1/10 s · ISO 800

Mountain range Pilatus near Lucerne wrapped in clouds during evening light

Mount Pilatus massif in evening clouds 400 mm · f/9 · 1/15 s · ISO 800

The cloud-covered peaks of Mount Pilatus in purple evening light.

Mount Pilatus in violet evening light 400 mm · f/9 · 1/15 s · ISO 800

Photography guides

Technical guides

Using aperture creatively 1057 tips

Using shutter speed creatively 855 tips

Using a wide angle creatively 519 tips

Using depth of field creatively 413 tips

Photographic guides

Night photography 561 tips

Photographing evening light 280 tips

Photographing the blue hour 68 tips

Photographing reflections 16 tips

Location guides

Photographing Lucerne 973 tips

Photographing Pilatus 464 tips

Photographing Lake Lucerne 66 tips

Other topics

Focal length 373 tips

Foreground 316 tips

Iso 297 tips

Composition 217 tips

From the field

View of the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne with Mount Pilatus in the background under a cloudy evening sky.

Chapel Bridge and Mount Pilatus in warm evening light

12 mm · f/14 · 1/15 s · ISO 200

Use a small aperture like f/14 to ensure both the near details of the Chapel Bridge and the distant Mount Pilatus remain sharp.

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Photography tips by place

Lucerne 973 tips

Pilatus 464 tips

Central Switzerland 67 tips

Lake Lucerne 66 tips

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