Outdoor Photography in Challenging Environments

What does it take to come up with cool landscape shots? Those images that make you feel like picking up your old hiking shoes and heading out for the wild. Those images that bring back a bit of nature in the house to remind you that there are mountains beyond the skycrapers blocking the view.
Some will argue that subject is the main thing. Others will insist on creative vision, style and talent. On top of that, millions of photography forum gurus will swear to you that nobody stands a chance without the latest Canon or Nikon DSLR.
They might be right. But I feel that there are more than these obvious elements. Much more.

Frost explosion - Japan, Akadake - Mamiya ZD
I have been trekking extensively as an amateur photographer for many years. I must have taken around 200,000 images during that period. That's a lot considering that I am not really a crazy snapper. The truth be told, I am only totally happy about a tiny fraction of these shots. The places I went to were breathtaking; I wa...