Give your shelves and coffee table some class with AP’s picks of the best landscape photography books, selected by Amy Davies.
Landscape has always been one of the most popular genres of photography, and it’s easy to see why. A good landscape photograph can be and encompass many things, as the books on our list demonstrate beautifully. It could be the celebration of a place or particular feature – a spectacular mountain or peaceful lake – or the evocation of a moment, like a pitch-perfect sunrise or sudden snowstorm. Rural, urban – devoid of people, or full of them. If you wish to improve your landscape photography, the world is your oyster.
A great source of inspiration to take more and better landscapes is to observe the work of others; hence this list of some of the best landscape photography books to have passed our desks in recent years. Some of these collections comprise the work of several photographers, while others are by just a single artist. It doesn’t matter really – we just love seeing great landscapes!
Broaden your horizons with the right kit: check out our guides to the best landscape cameras and best lenses for landscape photography.
Featured image: St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, England – from The Art of Landscape Photography
Best landscape photography books
Landscape by Jeremy Walker
2020, RRP £45, Self-published, hardback, 232 pages
Regular readers will already be aware of the stunning work of landscape pro Jeremy Walker. His debut book, published in 2020, takes a look at some of the UK’s lesser-known hidden gems found hidden away from the more obvious landscape locations.
It also explores some of Britain’s history, through the ruins of once-impressive castles and abbeys. Presented here are dramatic landscapes, atmospheric weather conditions and if nothing else, a checklist of potential getaway locations for your next photography trip. Its foreword is by AP editor, Nigel Atherton.
Landscape Photographer of the Year: Collection 15
2022, RRP £35, Ilex Press, hardback, 224 pages, ISBN: 9781781578650
The annual Landscape Photographer of the Year competition is one of the highlights of the photographer’s calendar, and the 2022 crop produced some absolutely spectacular imagery. The full collection from the competition’s 15th year would make a tasteful addition to any coffee table, and is the ideal source of inspiration for anyone looking to remind themselves of the incredible landscape possibilities in the UK alone.
The competition, founded by avid landscape shooter Charlie Waite, was won that year by first-time entrant Will Davies – a reminder that you don’t have to be a seasoned shooter to make a great showing in LPOTY. You can read our full interview with previous LPOTY winner Will Davies, and see a few of the winning 2023 LPOTY entries. But really, wouldn’t you rather have them in glorious printed form, to be admired and shared from the comfort of your sofa? So we thought…
Chasing Light by Stefan Forster
2022, RRP £40, Teneues, hardback, 240 pages, ISBN: 9783961713837
For their sheer diversity of locations, pick up one of Stefan Forster’s books. Every year, the Swiss photographer spends six months travelling the world, and leading a number of workshops to the planet’s most beautiful and remote places. Much of the time he spends in Iceland, his adopted second home.
In Chasing Light, his latest volume, we can see some of Stefan’s most beautiful experiences to date, shown from a variety of impressive perspectives. This tome is a potential classic in the making and a masterclass in how straightforward landscape imagery should be done.
The Art of Landscape Photography by Mark Bauer and Ross Hoddinott
2022, RRP $21 / £13.99, Ammonite Press, softback, 192 pages, ISBN 9781781454480
If you’re keen to learn more about great landscape photography, then you’ve got not one, but two industry pros on hand here to go beyond the basics and look at the heart and soul of landscape photography – composition and aesthetic design to convey meaning and emotion. With numerous examples, as well as in-depth technical detail, this is one to really pore over to improve your skills.
Stone Age: Ancient Castles of Europe by Frédéric Chaubin
2021, RRP £42.49, Taschen, hardback, 412 pages, ISBN: 9783836585019
Castles are a classic mainstay of landscape photography. If they’re your thing too, then this book – which spans Europe and includes more than 200 buildings in 21 countries – is likely to be manna from Heaven. What’s more, the images (like the one below) were shot on film with a Linhof view camera, so they’re not quite the same as your average picture-postcard travelogue. Again, you could quite easily use this as a checklist to help you plan your next landscape expedition.
Don McCullin: The Landscape
2018, RRP $92 / £44.38, Jonathan Cape, hardback, 184 pages, ISBN: 9781787330429
While best known as a documentary photographer of some of the most harrowing conflicts of the post-war 20th century, Don McCullin is also an accomplished landscape shooter and darkroom master. In this inspiring collection he captures the dark, brooding mystery of the west country in winter, notably the Somerset Levels.
A tough Londoner by birth, McCullin’s country roots run deep – he first came to Somerset as an evacuee in the war and has lived near Bruton there for many years. There are also scenes from farther-flung locations, such as Syria and India. Wherever he shoots, McCullin’s composition is dramatic and arresting, and the darkroom toning utterly breathtaking.
Ansel Adams 400 Photographs
2007, RRP $32 /£28, Little, Brown & Company, hardback, 432 pages, ISBN: 9780316117722
No collection of landscape photography books would be complete without a mention of the original master, Ansel Adams. This book from 2007 is a comprehensive overview of the legendary photographer’s stunning work, published in a beautiful volume. With an RRP of £30 (and generally available at a cheaper price) it’s an absolute bargain, and likely, if you buy just one book from our list – this should probably be it.
Sirens by Rachael Talibart
2018, prices vary, Triplekite Publishing, hardback, 64 pages, ISBN: 9780993258992
One of the best contemporary landscape photographers working today, you would be hard-pushed to find a brand new copy of any of Rachael Talibart’s books – which is a testament to how popular they are. You should be able to find second-hand copies of Sirens, however, which showcases her critically acclaimed seascape and wave work – the monstrous waves being named after mythological beings. Beautiful and considered work, this would be a fantastic addition to any budding landscape photographer’s shelf.
Landscape Photographer of the Year: Collection 16
2021, RRP $39.23 / £20.49, Octopus Publishing Group, hardback, 224 pages, ISBN: 9781781579404
The Landscape Photographer of the Year competition has been running for a fair few iterations now, and if you’re looking for more landscape inspiration, the previous years’ collections are just as spectacular as the latest. The 2023 competition was the award’s 16th year – you can see the 2023 LPOTY winners here – and includes some absolute gems. Look out for next month’s announcements of this year’s winners and their winning shots.
The winner in 2021 was Mara Leite, whose image ‘Morning at Countryside’, taken in West Sussex, netted her a cool £10,000. If you fancy a shot at that, then picking up the collection is a great way to familiarise yourself with the kinds of images that impress Charlie Waite and the other competition judges.
Classic landscape photography books
Our recommended selection of definitive landscape books
Earth from Above by Yann Arthus-Bertrand
2017 (originally published in 1999), £58, Abrams, 440 pages, ISBN: 9781419722844
First published over 20 years ago, this gorgeous book has sold more than three million copies worldwide. Aerial images from multiple journeys across five continents and 60 countries provide a comprehensive survey of the Earth from a spectacular vantage point – and from a time before drones made it more commonplace. In the newer edition, over 100 new pictures are included, as well as essays from leading experts and environmentalists.
Land by Fay Godwin
1985, Prices vary, William Heinemann Ltd, 160 pages, ISBN: 9780434303052
Arguably one of the most essential purchases for anybody interested in British landscape photography, this beautiful collection of black & white imagery covers a good breadth of the country. The pictures are subtle and lovingly printed, and anybody who finds one second-hand is unlikely to be disappointed.
Light and the Art of Landscape Photography by Joe Cornish
2003, Amphoto, Prices vary, ISBN: 9780817441524
Joe Cornish is one of the UK’s most well-known and popular landscape photographers, and this almost 20-year-old book gives an insight into his creative genius. Featuring 150 fantastic images, alongside his valuable insights on how the picture came to be made, plus technical info and the thought processes and creative inspirations behind each image.
Cape Light: Photographs by Joel Meyerowitz
2015 (originally published 1979), Prices vary, Aperture, 112 pages, ISBN: 9781597113397
Although currently out of print, this exquisite selection of photographs is widely regarded as one of the most influential and popular photography books, particularly as it was unusual at the time for its use of colour. Whether you can get your hands on an original print, or the 2015 re-edition, you’ll find a masterful array of captivating shots.
Further reading:
- Beginners guide to Landscape Photography – Get shooting!
- Books from AP: Bookazine Improve Your Photography
- See the best landscape photographs
- Best Camera for Landscape Photography 2023
- Best photography books of 2023
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