Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement from the late 18th and early 19th century in Europe. It is strongly emotional, and includes aspects of vivid imagination.

Romanticism has long since been associated with landscape. It can describe the romantic sense of a landscapes features, displaying its sensual and quiet beauty. But also presents it dark and stormy, with a mysterious spirit. The most definable feature in a landscape image of romantic quality is one that portrays emotion and inspiration to the viewer.  

Romantic artists work closely with the observation of a landscape as well as the sky and atmosphere displayed, to create an emotional and dramatic scene, but other artists use romanticism to emphasise the human link with nature, and the comparison of their power and impact.

Due to the start of the Industrial revolution, the era of romanticism was triggered, allowing photographers to focus on the power of nature and places that still had little human impact.