One of the best things you can do to improve your landscape photography is to use a wide-angle lens and then get really close to a foreground element. Doing so emphasizes the foreground element. It makes it look much bigger than what it is in relation to the rest of the image. It brings out details that most people rarely see because we don't typically look at foreground elements from closeup. We mostly look from eye level's height versus from low down and really close. The following scene did not really offer much as this was a secondary shoot so the light was already harsh.

The harsh light was softened by using a neutral density filter (which does not change the color). This image is taken from low, low down. I have the wide-angle lense on. I am really close to these foreground rocks. Shooting with a wide-angle lense from this angle and distance makes the space between these two rocks look much larger in the image. The green color of the letchin comes to life. The space between the two rocks creates a lead-in line. This is just a different perspective that adds drama, punch, and a little x-factor.

          Depth of field becomes an issue in landscape photography when you are really close to your foreground element. Luckily, wide-angle lenses give you more depth of field to compensate. You still need to use a small f.stop to get depth of field but as you can see, it works well. I say this often but it is important. Look around for an interesting foreground element. Slap on a wide-angle lens. Get really close to the element and viola.

          Try it ...