The Hudson River School: America's Original Landscape 'Photographers'

Asher B. Durand: The Beeches

Thomas Cole: The Oxbow

There are many images of these masters – along with their history – at this museum website:

The Hudson River School

National Geographic Photo Contest 2012

Winners of the National Geographic Contest.
Many of these winning photos illustrate excellent, basic composition. Well worth studying; click the link:
National Geographic Photo Contest 2012, Part II