If you’re interested in landscape photography, shooting with an objective can help you capture special photos. Why was no such objective set for 2025? I suggest capturing twelve different natural phenomena. Of course, you can also create a list of your own.
Sometimes it can be difficult to find inspiration to take great landscape photos. You can go out and surprise yourself with what you encounter, or you can go out with a goal, a detailed plan, and a specific photo in mind.
However, goal setting can be done in a different way, extending over a longer period of time. The beginning of 2025 could be a great start for such an effort. You can choose something simple like a photo in a predefined theme for each month or a theme specific to that month, like blooming flowers or something similar.
You can make it as challenging as you want. However, don’t make it too difficult, otherwise you may lose interest. On the other hand, don’t make it too easy either. Finding a suitable location may prove to be a challenge. That’s why I’ve created a list of topics that aren’t too difficult to achieve but still present a challenge.
1. Rainbow, Moon, or Fogbow
Catching a rainbow is not that difficult. It is one of the most beautiful and most common natural phenomena. The challenge is to capture a rainbow in a great landscape. I believe that this may prove to be the most difficult task.
If you want to take it to another level, try catching a Moonbow or Fogbow. These are less common or even rare, but they can be a major challenge for those who have photographed rainbows frequently.
2. Belt of Venus
When the Sun sets, the Earth will cast a shadow in the opposite direction in the atmosphere. It appears as a dark blue band below the red band. The latter are called the belts of Venus.
This is not rare, but the sky must be clear. This can make a great addition to a landscape photo. Often, we focus on the horizon and landscape of the sunset. But remember to look over your shoulder, too. There you can find the Belt of Venus. 3. Halo of the Moon or Sun
3. Halo of the Moon or Sun
Halos around the Moon or Sun are not so unusual. However, it is always spectacular to see that circle in the sky. It appears at 22 degrees from the light source, so you need at least a 24mm lens on full frame to capture that field of view.
Keep perspective in mind. The aura may be distorted. This can be fixed if you make a vertical panorama or use an ultra wide-angle lens and add some perspective correction in the editing software. This way, you can also capture a nice landscape.
4. Sundog or Moondog
If no halo is present, a sundog may be visible, 22 degrees to the left and right of the Sun. For this the Sun will have to be low on the horizon. Sundogs can be extremely bright, with beautiful rainbow colors, or just have a colorless spot.
It can also be seen with the Moon on rare occasions. In that case, it’s called a moondog, but it’s basically the same thing. Since the Moon is much less bright than the Sun, you need a full moon to have a chance.
5. Light circle
Light circles are not rare and can be seen around the Sun or some other bright light when viewed from a lot of grass or tree branches. Light is reflected from the branches in such a way that the image is spherical.
Apparently this is an optical illusion. But it’s nice to use in a composition or capture it as a subject. You can do this through grass in sunlight or at night with streetlights and branches.
6. Sun Pillar
If conditions are right, ice crystals in the sky can reflect sunlight such that a sun pillar can be seen. The Sun must be at or below the horizon for this effect to occur.
Sometimes these pillars can also be seen over cities. In such cases, they are called lighthouses and can be quite spectacular. However, the Sun Pillar has a more natural source of light.
7. Nocturnal clouds
These clouds are relatively rare, although they occur more frequently than before. Whatever the reason, these elusive clouds can be captured when the sun has set. Higher latitude offers greater chances of seeing these clouds. Make sure you use the appropriate shutter speed as these clouds often show visible movement.
8. Aurora Borealis and Australis
Speaking of higher latitudes, if you’re living near or above the Arctic Circle, you have a great chance to see and capture the amazing auroras. Especially now, when the Sun is near its solar maximum, it promises to be spectacular at times.
Due to solar maximum, there is a greater chance of seeing the aurora even in lower latitudes. Keep an eye on solar activity and aurora forecasts and expect clear skies.
9. Meteorite
Why not try to catch one of the many annual meteor showers? The Perseids are most active in August, but there are more. The names of some of these are Geminids, Orionids and Leonids. These may not be as active as the Perseids, but you may just have to catch that one bright meteor or bolide.
10. Shelf Cloud
For some people, this may be a recurring phenomenon; Others may rarely see shelf clouds or roll clouds. I count myself among the latter.
These clouds are impressive and make wonderful subjects in a great landscape. It takes some luck and more than one try, but if you catch one, it’s amazing. Don’t forget to bring an umbrella.
As an alternative, you can try catching lightning. This is more common and therefore easier to do. However, finding a beautiful landscape to capture lightning can be challenging. Whatever you do, make sure you stay safe.
11. Witte Viven
There is a Dutch legend that talks about Witte Wiven. These are believed to be the spirits of wise women or yogini beings. In fact, it is the light mist over the fields and marshes that glistens in the moonlight.
Despite the reality, the legend makes it more interesting. Especially when you are standing on a moonlit night looking towards the fields, where the flames of mist are moving. It certainly sounds supernatural, and you may wonder if this legend is not reality.
12. Wind Wings
Cirrus clouds can be formed by the wind into feather-like structures. These wind wings can take amazing shapes. Although rare and not easy to see, capturing the most impressive wind plumes in a landscape can be challenging.
Create your own list
This list is a suggestion. This is something I would like to achieve in 2025. Your interest in subjects may be different from mine. Perhaps you might be inspired to create your own list of topics. It is not necessary to have a list of twelve. This can be as simple as photographing a scene in four different seasons.
I invite you to share a list of your own in the comments below. This can help people who may have difficulty finding something interesting on their own. I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions.
