Tips For Taking Better Outdoor Photography with Reuben Wu
Outdoor photography represents more than just a mere hobby. It’s a vital practice for capturing the essence of our experiences in the natural world. Creating a tangible record of fleeting moments, photography allows us to document our travels, adventures, and experiences in nature. From the grand scale of a mountain vista to the intricate details of a forest floor, photography serves as a means of capturing and sharing the awe-inspiring beauty of the world around us. Beyond simple documentation, it also serves as a profound form of self-expression, allowing each individual behind-the-lens to frame the world through their own unique perspective.
While outdoor photography can be as simple as pointing and shooting, the reality is that there’s an art and a science to it. In an effort to help you be more competent with your own camera — and to bolster our own backcountry photography abilities — we recently sat down with famed outdoor photographer Reuben Wu to get some tips and tricks on how to improve your skills behind-the-lens when shooting off-grid.
Castle Butte in Utah, part of his ‘Lux Noctis’ series
AETHER: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
Reuben Wu: I’m a multidisciplinary artist whose path to photography was anything but traditional. I started in industrial design, then spent a decade touring the world with my band Ladytron. Photography began as a simple way to document my travels, but gradually evolved into an obsession. My breakthrough came in 2015 when I started using drone-mounted lights to illuminate remote landscapes, creating images that blur the line between reality and fiction. My work has taken me from Arctic environments like Svalbard to creating the cover story for National Geographic's latest article on Stonehenge. This varied background gives me a unique perspective on outdoor photography that combines technical understanding, creative experimentation, and a willingness to push boundaries.
Stonehenge, National Geographic cover photo
From the series ‘Siren’, a summer aurora over Lake Michigan
How do you go about selecting a location to shoot?
Location selection starts with extensive research using tools like Google Maps, Gaia GPS, and PhotoPills. I'm always looking for places that haven't been heavily photographed, or angles that haven't been explored. I study weather patterns, accessibility, and drone regulations since much of my work involves aerial lighting. But beyond the technical considerations, I'm drawn to places that feel like they exist between worlds, where the boundary between familiar and otherworldly feels thin. Sometimes it's about geological formations that lend themselves to dramatic lighting, other times it's simply about finding solitude away from crowds where I can work completely free from distraction.
From the series ‘The Sea of Ice’, the Pastoruri glacier in Northern Peru
What kind of research or preparation can people do before actually going out and shooting?
Start with understanding your location's basic conditions: weather patterns, sunrise/sunset times, and even moon phases if you're doing nighttime photography. Apps like PhotoPills are invaluable for planning shots involving celestial elements. Check local regulations, especially for drone use. Study other photographers' work from the area, but not to copy, to understand what's been done so you can find your own unique perspective. Google Earth can reveal interesting viewpoints and access routes. Most importantly, be open to B plans. Weather rarely cooperates exactly as forecasted, so research multiple compositions and be prepared to adapt.
Composition is such a broad topic, is there a compositional element that you think would be approachable to a novice photographer?
I'd focus on simplicity over rules. The most powerful images often have very few elements, so start by eliminating rather than adding. Before worrying about the rule of thirds or leading lines, ask yourself: what is this image about? What's the one thing that drew your eye? Everything else in the frame should either support that element or be removed. This approach naturally leads to stronger compositions because you're being intentional about every element. Once you master simplicity, you can start breaking rules purposefully.
Bisti Badlands, New Mexico
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
How should an aspiring/beginner outdoor photographer go about selecting their gear?
Start with what you have and upgrade based on actual limitations you encounter, not perceived needs. A reliable camera body that handles weather well is more important than the latest features. Invest in quality tripods and protective gear before expensive lenses. For outdoor work, durability often matters more than specifications. I've shot successful projects with everything from medium format cameras to iPhones, depending on the situation. The key is understanding your equipment so well that operating it becomes second nature, especially in challenging conditions where you can't afford to fumble with settings.
How do you choose the right time of day for outdoor shoots? Do you have a preference for certain lighting conditions or times, like the golden hour or the blue hour?
I love golden hour and blue hour because they offer the most dramatic natural lighting, but I've learned not to be dogmatic about it. Some of my favorite work has happened during conditions most photographers avoid, overcast days can provide incredible even lighting for detail work, and midday sun can create striking contrasts in desert environments. The key is matching your lighting choice to what story you want to tell. That said, I do my best work at night using artificial lighting, which gives me complete control over the mood and reveals landscapes in ways never seen before.
From the series ‘Thin Places’
How do you approach shooting landscapes in challenging or remote environments? What do you look for?
In remote locations, I look for elements that make these places feel different from more accessible spots. Often this means embracing the very conditions that make them challenging, fog that obscures familiar landmarks, snow that simplifies compositions, or isolation that allows for longer exposures without human interference. I'm drawn to places where the environment itself becomes part of the creative process. The key is being prepared enough technically that you can jump on the creative opportunities these challenges present rather than just surviving them.
For those new to outdoor photography, what is the best way to start experimenting with different types of lighting? How can beginners take advantage of both natural and artificial light?
Start simple with natural light first. Spend time in one location throughout an entire day, observing how the same scene changes with different lighting conditions. For artificial light, begin with a small LED panel or even your phone's flashlight during blue hour. Experiment with light painting by moving the light source during longer exposures. The goal is understanding how different light sources interact with your natural environment. Don't rush to complex or expensive setups. Instead, master basic techniques first.
How do you balance natural light with artificial lighting, and when do you know it's time to use both?
Balancing natural and artificial light is about creating a believable relationship between them. I often use artificial light to complement natural light rather than overpower it. For instance, during blue hour, I might use LED lights to illuminate foreground elements while the sky provides the background color. The decision to use both usually comes from recognizing that natural light alone isn't telling the complete story I want to tell. It's about enhancement, and reduction, not replacement.
Skyway Monte Bianco in the Italian Alps
When you're working with dramatic natural landscapes, how do you capture the scale and majesty without losing the finer details?
Scale is often best conveyed through relationships rather than sheer size. Including human elements, even if they're tiny in the frame, can provide immediate scale reference. For technical execution, exposure stacking can help maintain lighting over vast areas. But compositionally, I find that showing partial views of massive subjects can sometimes convey scale better than trying to fit everything in frame. The viewer's imagination fills in what they can't see, often creating intimacy and a more powerful sense of scale.
Do you have any advice on protecting gear in harsh outdoor conditions?
Preparation beats protection. Research your environment's specific challenges beforehand. For cold conditions, keep batteries warm and allow gear to acclimate gradually to temperature changes. Make sure every piece of gear has some kind of individual protection in case you need to throw it in a bag on its own. Most importantly, accept that every project is different, requiring appropriate protection, and specific gear, and try not to worry too much about it.
Reuben near Fitz Roy in Patagonia. Photo by Ty Lekki
What resources would you recommend for people exploring outdoor photography?
Study the work of photographers whose vision resonates with you, but focus on understanding their approach rather than copying their results. Online communities can provide practical advice, but be selective, focus on resources that emphasize guidance and insights over negativity. I post things on Threads about my creative practice and business with the goal of giving guidance through my experience but I think all advice posted online is unique to the individual and should be taken with a grain of salt.
From the series ‘An Uncommon Place’
Valle de las Animas in La Paz, Bolivia
What's something that you've face-palmed about regarding common mistakes?
I’ve hiked up and into a live volcano with a dead drone and had to hike miles back out to bring a back-up. I’ve left my drone lights in my hotel room. Always test your gear before leaving. It taught me that the most basic preparation is often the most crucial. No one cares about your artistic vision if your equipment isn't functioning.
What's one mistake that many outdoor photographers make, and how can it be avoided?
Over-planning compositions without leaving room for discovery. Many photographers become so focused on recreating specific shots they've pre-visualized or have seen on social media that they miss unexpected opportunities. While preparation is crucial, the best outdoor photography often happens when you encounter something you didn't anticipate. Stay flexible and remain observant even when executing planned shots. Know the difference between inspiration and emulation. Follow your own path to success, not others’.
An ‘Aeroglyph’ in the Italian Alps
So, be sure to consider these tips and suggestions next time you’re behind-the-lens in the natural world.
