The Art of Scouting: How to Walk 2km for a Shot You Won’t Even Take
Scouting for landscape photography is an essential skill, but let’s be honest—it’s also an excuse to go on a long walk, mutter to yourself about compositions, and take a bunch of photos that will never see the light of day. Recently, I took a trip to Kawhia with my friend Tim Stewart, and we spent the day exploring dunes, hills, and beaches, all in the name of finding that perfect sunset shot. Spoiler: it was the middle of the day and blue skies, so perfection was definitely postponed.
Why Bother Scouting?
Scouting isn’t just about wandering around looking thoughtful with a camera in hand (though that’s a big part of it). It’s about:
Finding Unique Compositions – Because no one wants to take another photo of that same rock everyone else has shot.
Saving Time Later – When you come back for the real shoot, you already know where to go, how the scene frames up, and what settings might work best.
Anticipating Challenges – High tide, low tide, surprise quicksand—knowing what to expect helps avoid unfortunate wet socks or worse.
How to Scout Like a Pro (or at Least Fake It)
Once you find a subject you like, don’t just snap one shot and move on. Try different angles. Get low, get high, shift left, shift right. Essentially, do a little dance with your camera until you find the best composition.
For example, I found some dunes with tall grasses and realized they’d light up beautifully at sunset. Standing tall, I could include the distant hills. Crouching low, I could isolate the grasses. Lying down… well, I didn’t get that far, but you get the idea. Experiment now so that later, when the light is perfect, you don’t panic and end up taking a mediocre shot in a rush.
Taking "Scout Shots" – AKA Future You’s Cheat Sheet
Scout shots are not portfolio material. They’re like scribbled notes—quick references so you remember what was interesting about a scene. The key here is to take enough images to jog your memory but not get caught up trying to make a masterpiece when the light isn’t ideal. (I say this like I don’t sometimes forget and spend way too long tweaking settings for a shot that will never be printed.)
Challenges and How to Pretend You’re Prepared
Scouting doesn’t always go to plan. Trails wash out, tides move faster than expected, and sometimes the weather decides to throw a curveball. The trick? Stay flexible. Some of the best shots happen when things don’t go according to plan. (Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I realize the composition I had in mind is now underwater.)
Tools of the Trade
Apart from your camera, some useful apps make scouting easier:
PhotoPills – Augmented reality for sun and moon positions.
Sun Surveyor – Figure out where the light will hit.
Surfline – Because no one wants to get caught by a rogue tide.
Stellarium – Find out if the Milky Way is going to make an appearance.
Final Thoughts: Scouting = More Than Just Walking
Scouting is a rewarding part of photography—it removes the stress of chasing the perfect shot in the moment and lets you connect with the landscape. Plus, it gives you a reason to get outside and enjoy nature without feeling like you have to produce a masterpiece every time.
So next time you head out with your camera, take the time to scout. Your future self (and your portfolio) will thank you. And if you’ve got any favorite scouting tricks, drop them in the comments—I’m always looking for ways to make my long walks feel even more productive!
Watch the video here!