Which setting combination is ideal for photographing a distant landscape?

The ideal setting combination for photographing a distant landscape is a small aperture paired with a fast shutter speed. A small aperture, such as f/16 or f/22, allows for a greater depth of field, meaning that more of the scene from foreground to background will be in sharp focus. This is especially important in landscape photography where you typically want to capture the intricate details both near and far.

Using a fast shutter speed helps to minimize motion blur, which is particularly helpful if there are elements in your scene that may be moving, such as trees swaying in the wind or waves on a body of water. Additionally, a fast shutter speed can counteract any slight movements from your camera, especially if you're shooting handheld, ensuring that the photo remains sharp.

While other combinations might work in certain scenarios, they do not optimize both depth of field and motion clarity for distant landscapes in the same way that a small aperture and fast shutter speed do.