Hero image for the landscape photography blog "Behind the Lens" featuring a glowing mountain peak in the Dolomites by Jan Smid, Master QEP.

Explore in-depth guides, technical breakdowns, and practical advice from real photo expeditions. This blog is built for photographers who want to master the craft — from camera settings and planning, to field-tested shooting methods and post-processing strategies.

BEHIND THE LENS Landscape Photography Expeditions & Guides

Aurora Borealis Photography: The Complete Field Guide
Jan Smid Jan Smid

Aurora Borealis Photography: The Complete Field Guide

After 25+ Aurora expeditions to Lofoten, Iceland, and Alaska, Jan Smid, Master QEP, shares the complete field-tested workflow for photographing the Northern Lights — from camera settings and forecasting tools to advanced panoramic techniques that most photographers never attempt.

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🌌 2026: Peak Northern Lights Year — It Won't Last
Jan Smid Jan Smid

🌌 2026: Peak Northern Lights Year — It Won't Last

2026 is the strongest year of the current solar cycle for northern lights photography. After that, aurora activity will gradually decline. This article explains why now is the right time to join our aurora photo expeditions to Lofoten, Iceland or Alaska — and how we maximize your chances to photograph powerful aurora displays in the field.

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The Myths and Lies Destroying Landscape Photography 📸
Jan Smid Jan Smid

The Myths and Lies Destroying Landscape Photography 📸

Landscape photography is full of myths — from “no editing” purists to outdated filter advice and bad exposure habits. In this new video, Jan Šmíd, Master QEP, breaks down the most common lies destroying your images and reveals what truly works in the field — from dynamic range and diffraction to panoramas and tripod technique.

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Revealing the BEST Landscape Panorama Workflow for 2025 📸
Jan Smid Jan Smid

Revealing the BEST Landscape Panorama Workflow for 2025 📸

Panoramic photography isn’t just about fitting everything in — it’s about creative freedom. In this article, we reveal our 2025 landscape panorama workflow: gear, field techniques, and editing secrets for flawless, high-resolution results. Learn how we build massive, detailed images step by step — and discover why our expeditions to Madeira, Iceland, Lofoten, Dolomites, and Alaska are the best place to master it.

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