In the digital age, landscape photography isn’t just about the camera and lens—it’s also about the apps and tools that help you plan, shoot, and edit more effectively. Whether you’re chasing the Milky Way or trying to catch the perfect golden hour light, having the right tools at your fingertips can make a huge difference.
Here’s a curated list of top tools and apps every landscape photographer should consider adding to their kit.
📱 1. PhotoPills
Purpose: Planning and visualization
- Plan sun, moon, and Milky Way alignments
- Calculate exposure, hyperfocal distance, and depth of field
- Visualize scenes in augmented reality
Why it’s essential: It’s like a landscape photography Swiss Army knife—perfect for pre-visualizing your shot.
🌄 2. The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE)
Purpose: Light and shadow mapping
- Map-based planner showing sun/moon direction and timing
- 3D topographic support for terrain analysis
Why it’s essential: Great for understanding how light will interact with the landscape in any location.
🌌 3. Stellarium or Sky Guide
Purpose: Star and constellation tracking
- Identify celestial objects in real time
- Plan astrophotography shoots
- Visualize Milky Way core timing and orientation
Why it’s essential: Perfect for planning nightscapes and capturing star trails or Milky Way scenes.
🥾 4. AllTrails or Gaia GPS
Purpose: Trail finding and navigation
- Explore trails by difficulty, rating, and distance
- Offline maps and GPS tracking
- Record hikes and waypoints
Why it’s essential: Helps you discover and reach new scenic locations safely.
🛰️ 5. Google Earth
Purpose: Virtual scouting and terrain preview
- Fly over landscapes in 3D
- Spot unique compositions before traveling
- Mark potential shooting locations
Why it’s essential: Saves time and helps you find fresh perspectives.
🌤 6. Windy or MyRadar
Purpose: Weather prediction and live radar
- Track cloud cover, precipitation, wind, and lightning
- Hyper-local forecasts
Why it’s essential: Keeps you safe and helps plan for dramatic lighting conditions.
📷 7. Lightroom Mobile
Purpose: Mobile editing and organizing
- Syncs with desktop Lightroom
- Powerful editing tools on the go
- Organize and rate images in the field
Why it’s essential: Ideal for travel photographers and quick portfolio sharing.
🔭 8. Sun Surveyor
Purpose: Detailed celestial tracking
- 3D compass, AR views, and map projections
- Plan moonrises, solar eclipses, and sun positions
Why it’s essential: Especially helpful when planning for dramatic lighting and compositions.
🧮 9. Exposure Calculator Apps
Examples: ND Filter Timer, LEE Stopper, Long Exposure Calculator
Purpose: Helps calculate exposure times for long exposure photography when using ND filters
Why it’s essential: Ensures accurate shutter speeds and eliminates guesswork when using 6-stop, 10-stop, or even 15-stop filters.
📂 10. Notion or Evernote
Purpose: Journaling, location scouting, and shoot planning
- Organize your favorite spots
- Track shoot dates and seasonal notes
- Save reference photos and maps
Why it’s essential: Keeps your photography journey organized and easy to revisit.
🧠 Final Thoughts
You don’t need every app to succeed, but even a few well-chosen tools can make your photography more efficient, creative, and enjoyable. Use them to explore, plan, adapt—and most importantly, to free your mind to focus on what matters most: the landscape in front of your lens.
Happy exploring!