Inherently spectacular subjects - often these subjects are those elements that leave us in awe and aware of our own puny size in a world that includes 'giants' of all kinds. Far from being 'imaginary' the one that stands out in my memory and that provided some spectacular images was a visit to Niagara Falls. One only has to stand at the top of the falls to feel the sheer power of water. To experience the effect a trip on one of the Maids of the Mist boats that take you almost into the heart of the cascading water providess the sense of grandeur and spectacle.
An extreme focal length of lens: very wide angle or long telephoto - here we are able to create a perspective that by shifting relationships between elements create patterns or views that capture the imagination. The very wide angle lens offers the opportunity to include foreground elements that take us into the image whilst retaining focus across the range. The telephoto lens compresses the picture and draws together elements that in reality may be some distance apart. On a holiday in Tunisia I was fortunate to go on a two day safari into the Sahara desert. On the second day we were woken early so that we could be in position to see dawn breaking. We climbed a large sand dune with some difficulty (only to be met by the ubiquitous coffee and Coke seller at the top) and as the sun rose it revealed mile after mile of sand dunes. The combination of the early morning light and the use of a telephoto lens produced some unforgettable images as the dunes seemed like waves rushing towards the shore.
Rich colours at sunrise and sunset - my personal preference is for the horizon to provide some interest such as buildings, mountains or trees that give form in silhouette as the sun rises behind them. Alternatively the rising or setting sun over the sea or large expanses of water can offer a pathway of light that is both an 'in' to the photograph or an important element of the image itself.
Back lighting - I am not sure that this produces drama in a landscape although one could imagine a combination of landscape and sunrise/setting that gave shafts of light apparently rising from the mountains or other features which would add drama to the overall image particularly if the light catches the underneath of clouds in a darkening sky.
Unusual composition - Here the effect is one of surprise or possibly discomfort as the composition challenges the viewer's view of the world. The placing of a familiar object in an unfamiliar relationship with its surroundings such as shooting very low with a small pillar or piece of street furniture that appears much larger than in reality because of its relative size that would dominate the foreground.
Mist - Mist offers a range of possibilities both in partly hiding a feature such as foothills or only allowing the top of things such as trees to appear clearly in the picture. Here the drama is the mystery or the subtle changes caused by the softening effect of the mist on normally harsh features such as hills or mountains.
Snow - Changes the shape of objects and the nature of the landscape and can be of itself a dramatic subject for a photograph such as wind-carved drifts that take on a form that is surrealistic.The nature of the light also changes bringing a sparkling clarity.
Frost - After a severe frost and with a low temperature trees become glazed and if you are very lucky have icicles hanging like Christmas decorations. I was driving along the A57 in Lincolnshire when the roadside for about half a mile presented this sort of image.
Rain - Although often seen as the photographer's enemy sometimes it offers conditions that make for great images. Drops of rain on grass or leaves and the limited vision across the rainswept land provide many opportunities for the unexpected image. Almost any landscape looks and seems to 'feel' different when it is raining.
Subdued - The effect of mist or rain or the rays of the sunrise or sunset can produce a soft image where the drama is understated but nevertheless has an impact comparable to the more normal views of any of those things mentioned above. My own personal favourite is a shot I took across an expanse of water looking towards the foothills of a mountain range. The sun was setting at 90 degrees to the line of the photograph and the valleys between the foothills were covered in mist. For probably less than a minute the light and other elements combined to create a picture that was reminiscent of Oriental art. For once I was in the right place at the right time and had the camera in my hand.
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