10 Things Photographers Should be Doing

[@timlarge7420]

Henry, like myself you go out into hills alone and personal preparation safety is so key to our well being. Things like taking water proofs even if the sun is out in the car park, letting someone know where you are going, carrying a whistle, and the list goes on. Perhaps doing a video in the Lakes where you are discussing these with a member of the local mountain rescue would be a great and interesting video to shoot.

[@stevenorrisphoto]

One peice of advice that has given me images that I just wouldn't have been able to get is 'when out walking looking for a location or subject is always walk with your camera out of the bag and with your lengest lens attached'. If wildlife suddenly appears you have the right lens to capture it. When you come across a lovely landscape, you have time to change your lens, it's not going to run away. My son and I where traveling in outback australia with our cameras accessible on the back seat of the car with long lenses attached when a wedge tailed eagle landed on a dead tree 30 meters in front of us. I yelled 'cameras' and put the windows down while braking the car. We managed to get 2 amazing close up shots before the eagle took off. One of my best bird shots ever.

[@lphilpot01]

I have to admit, I've disabled back button focus on my camera. I have relatively large hands with long fingers and my camera body (Canon T8i / 850D) is small. Canon doesn't make a battery grip for it, so my fingers end up totally wrapping around it. I found I was accidentally and constantly triggering BBF even while holding the camera, whereas it was intentional when via the shutter button. I completely agree with you on blending, masking, etc. Take the time to learn the fundamentals, even if you don't use it much. Muscle / finger (i.e., brush) skills are easy to refresh if they get dull, but once you learn the underlying principles you're good to go.

[@GJuve1]

Super video, thanks Henry! One thing that I keep thinking about doing and then immediately forget to do is take 10 mins on location without getting my camera out just to tune in to the location and decide what I want to capture and how to capture it...

[@PracticingPhotography]

Verify your backups are working. I work in the tech world and just taking backups is NOT enough - if you never test your backups the day you need to recover is not the day to discover you were doing it wrong. So, yea - verify your backup method is working like you expect it is.

[@mikebartow9415]

Well done. One thing is to keep an open mind. When planning a photo don’t stay so focused that you miss other options around you, even if it is something you don’t normally shoot.

[@marcb8710]

Another great video. Please continue to show the raw and processed photos in future video.

[@alexgimagery]

Aww what, no zipper sound on the sheep! I love that high pitch attention grabbing bit. Great tips in a compact video.

[@jamesss1953]

Slowing down is hard for me as I’m often out on quite a long walk so very aware of daylight times. I’d watched your past video (about 2 years ago “The King of Neutral Densty Filters!”) and started using ND’s / Polarising filters … but then stopped for some reason; so this video like so many of your others has rekindled my interest in the use of filters. Post, I’m with you on not overwhelming editing. I agree with your ‘respectful’ comment. I have and will walk to quite remote locations in the Scottish Highlands and always keep to respectfulness - never leave anything behind and only take my photos back with me. Enjoyed watching and as usual excellent images…

[@ccoopify]

Agree with all points. I would like to add to the repect point, when in popular or public spaces understanding just that, its a public place and people have the same right as you do. In past i have heard and i try to abide by and thats leave the spots as found and stay on trails/pathways.

[@gonzalomoreno1213]

I think it is important to show off your work. I am a bit shy with this because you might be afraid of the reaction of people but at the end of the day it is how you saw the reality through your lens and you should be proud of it. I encourage everyone to go build a website so you can open your work to people and also see the progress you have accomplished. Cheers Henry fantastic videos!!.

[@thierryhoornaert9950]

Great video and great tips, Henry. I would add that if you have a long journey to where you want to photograph esp. early or late in the day, prepare your trip using any information you can use (weather forecast, local maps, photopills info, geologging, etc.) to make better photos.

[@stevenchurch8901]

Great quick tips video, very insightful! As you wandered towards the old building, I couldn't stop myself from wanting to grab your shoulder and spin you around to catch the massive evergreen in the mist overlooking the cliff. Would have made for a great photo, in my opinion. Tip: borrowed from hiking, stop often and look behind yourself. Thank you yet again for sharing sir!

[@peter16fleckenphotography]

Bang on with these Henry, especially the final point about respect. Absolutely 💯 correct.

[@RogSan1892]

Exposure blending...must learn. You forgot to mention, "enjoy what your doing" regardless of the weather and temperature... Thank you for sharing your passion

[@Digg3r]

I have found I tend to rush, basically set my exposure, point and shoot and on my way, so..... To slow me right down I have bought some manual lenses and they really have slowed me down, making me consider my composition more, be more aware of my depth of field and focusing techniques. It's actually made photography more enjoyable for me rather than just relying on the camera, I'm thinking more.

[@jerryrichards8172]

Sounds like a solid plan❤

[@iammetaldave]

Exposure blending is a head melt 🤣 I really need to make more of an effort with it! Great video as always, Henry!

[@andrewgeorge5039]

I found the second image of the stone bridge a lot better. It felt mysterious and like it had stories to tell of the ages past.

[@johnclevett3425]

Appreciate all of your points Henry, but I agree mostly with the last one, be respectful of your surroundings and people.😊

[@alangreen2872]

I always turn my camera off once I take a shot it is a habit I find hard the break till the next one comes along. Well this week I was at an 80th anniversary of a pilot that crashed landed at Manson airfield in 1943 photo photographing the dignitaries, camera turn off once the shot was done as I always do. When all of a sudden a F16 aircraft came flying past at great speed I put the camera up had it my view finder went to take the shot as it pasted over and I had the camera turned off. So missed an amazing shot. Lesson learnt never turn your camera off when at a shot.

[@tmeeten3195]

Great video again Henry. Talking of being respectful, I recently did a workshop in the Lake Wanaka, NZ area and another workshop showed up at the same place and I was astounded that some photographers thought it was OK to walk back and forth in front of photographers already set up for their shots. It isn't only about not letting the sheep out by not shutting gates but also about respect for each other. Sadly lacking in a lot of hobbies/jobs these days. Keep up the great work. Love your outlook on things.

[@danielbriggsphotography]

Love the use of the word “wally”! Far better than many deserve. Great episode, thank you.

[@ellyelzinga01]

Great video, you mentioned very important points. And agreed on the being respectful, whether you're a photographer or just going for a walk. For some people apparently this seems hard to do, which is very, very sad. Love the pictures you took and also the very subtle edit. I used to be one of those people that would over-edit images, thankfully I learned to not do this anymore cause looking back at old edits, not sure if I should laugh or cry 😅

[@markbonham]

Back button focus is great and I struggle without it. As ever a great update and very interesting. 👍👏

[@desgardner7169]

I have watched several KZbinrs this week and not one mentions it but all the viewers notice it, that they never protect themselves eg. cover your white skin up the midges and mozies love it! and yes everything else you say is true, I found your opinion on photo should do's but dont's was most interesting... you got some nice pictures there thank you for showing them to us! you must be doing all the right things....Thank you.

[@goodearthrecordings1989]

Thanks for another great video! One thing I always try to do in my compositions is to look for the best backgrounds behind the subject or main object. I feel less is more often times with this and complimentary colors are very helpful, especially if shooting shallow depth of field. Pretty and interesting bokeh is king in closeups.

[@ShaunTaylor-bw7jr]

Thanks

[@stevemockoviak8384]

Your comment about respect is so true. Too many times I have come across photographers that ruin it for everyone else. One guy chased away some birds that he did not want in his photo, while I was trying to grab a few shots of those very same birds. Then there is the noisy photographer that scares away the deer that I was so patiently waiting to get closer to me for that "perfect" shot. Not to mention the trash left behind from snacks and such. I was raised to leave every place better than when I got there. Respect is definitely lacking.

[@alangauld6079]

I agree with almost all of that. The exception is the back-button focus. I tried it but just couldn't get on with it, I'd rather just manual focus. But in practice, I use the regular shutter button half-press. Just me I suspect...

[@GeorgeENorkus]

One extra thing I occasionally find is to not be selfish. What I mean by that is to not be anti helpful to others, (time permitting), and not to prevent others from taking photos that you think is exclusive to yourself.

[@roxikoko3744]

Easy to answer why not to use it. The thumb can be used for another function button like face select on/off. Why use thumb and finger to control AF when you only need one finger?

[@DevonRich697]

Another great video. I think that the last two are probably the most important to remember. Becoming a better photographer does take time. I would also add that sometimes the photography doesn't go to plan or expectations and you just have to accept that simply an off day - whether these be the weather / light etc, just put down to experience and try another day.

[@stevenchurch8901]

I agree, I look at the off days as a great day out. Much better than sitting in an office, or at home in front of the boob tube. Have a great day!

[@markbuckley113]

Really enjoying the video (comments during ad break!)

[@marlenehazlehurst8666]

Great video...top of my list , exposure blending...must learn.

[@christophermason7735]

Great video. When you talked about not over processing your sooo right. I would previously edit and post immediately. Now I wait 24 hours and sometimes say 😱 when I see last night's over processed images. A recent big step forward for me was discovering blend ranges so I can up an exposure but tone down the highlights. I use affinity photo 2 as I'm on a budget. I assume blend ranges are on lightroom as I've never used it.

[@johncalder1024]

Another great video Henry. Regarding your last point I would urge everyone to learn the country code. Respect nature it may be the only example in the universe.

[@andybusard6694]

Thanks for the advice. I do use bbf, thought it took a couple weeks and some blury photos for it to set in. Only problem now is when someone offers to take a picture of you with your camera!

[@JEmmertz]

BBF rocks! 1st thing I've done on all DSLR bodies I've had. I also agree on the 4:5 and square format and all that. What you said about the weather and light conditions I also understand - if you go out at times or in weather conditions that no one else is out in, you are far more likely to get shots that are unique in some way. If you "just" mimic what everyone else is already doing you will just be compared with them - and mostly you will fail. (I still fail in many ways, but at least I do it in a unique style 😋)

[@JEmmertz]

One final thing to add is that, as a photographer, you shouldn't be afraid of doing a total 180° at times! It could be in the way you are thinking at a photo scene, but it could also be to actually do a 180° on the tripod and look at what is behind you. You might be surprised at what you are missing out on...

[@davidpipeline]

Another cool video, Henry. Very infotmative. Great point about long-term patience, you cant rush a good job.

[@steveboys5369]

Hi Henry, another grand day out, thanks for sharing ... one tip from me .. Practise, Practise, and when you've done that ...Practise some more. Make the camera an extension of yourself, so you know it backwards, forwards and inside out ... then when opportunities come your way, driving the camera isn't in your head .. its all about composition and the light!

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I don't use back button focus ...why because I use a fuji xt5 and iy had very very sensitive shutter button ...plus most of my tripod shots I use shutter release remote ...which focusses with half press Agree on the different types of light What I do a lot is explore more and take my time before I shoot

[@williampetersen2899]

As a "grizzled veteran" of outdoor photography, I wish I would have seen a video like this or read a book with these tips when I started out. Would have saved me a lot of time and a lot of mistakes! Nicely done Henry...really loved the 10th tip too! During the first minute of your video you did something that I do that we probably shouldn't do and that's place a lens under our chins while we're changing lenses! Maybe we should leave it on the ground or in the bag to avoid a potential dropped lens.

[@geoffjackson6899]

Another great video. Thanks for the reminder not to over process. It is certainly easy to do with all the options available on modern photo software. Things were simpler in a darkroom with an enlarger and three tubs of somewhat horrible chemicals. I have found a trap with outdoor photography is seeing the world through a lens, and missing out on the bigger view. I recently bought a small point and shoot camera and through using it on hikes I have been reminded of how much one can miss when peering through the viewfinder of a camera. First and foremost, a walk in the woods should be enjoyed for the woods and what they offer.

[@huwalban]

Agree with you on the filters, and the histogram, and yes I am crap at exposure blending - maybe I'm just good enough with the filters to get away with it ;) However, back button focus is a no. In the landscape I manually focus anyway, and if I set my focus point and press the focus/shutter button I always pause to allow the AF to settle. It isn't hard, but as you say it is a subjective subject and approach.

[@ianemery8421]

Nice balancing act on the bolder in the river

[@mevana81]

thank you for your video and all the effort you put into them ... love them all

[@petermcguire3070]

Thanks Henry, for the tips. Great video as usual mate. 🙂

[@robertdavis1255]

Thanks Henry.... great video with some magnificent photos & encouraging comments...I don't do a lot of post processing to my images ....I need to practice more... cheers from Australia 🦘🦘😊

[@davidfrost3770]

Great advice Henry. I need to be more patient on a location and be prepared to come back at another time if the conditions are not quite right. Exposure Blending in Affinity Photo now on my to do list. Another tip on a lighter note, unless the missus is a photographer, dont take her with you as you will feel rushed all the time "haven't you taken that shot yet" after several minutes of trying to find a composition is the usual cry.😄

[@ansomeBob]

Back button focus was one of the first things I learned, it took a bit of getting used to but I will never go back now. Lovely location there Henry, I'm sure I've walked there many times when I was younger, so thanks for the happy memories.

[@ShaunTaylor-bw7jr]

Great video as always ! Being a beginner appreciate the insights especially around too much post processing to correct those cock ups 😂. Keep calm and continue taking photos 😌

[@fionahaughton4912]

Another great video. A question about back button focus (which I do use). If you weren't using it then half depressing the shutter button would set the exposure, right? So, as we aren't doing that, how does the camera set the exposure? I have always wondered. Hope you can help (I use a Nikon D750)

[@ThePurpleHarpoon]

The exposure settings are not controlled by the shutter button. The shutter button, when pressed half way, will engage auto-focus, and trip the shutter when squeezed all the way. Your exposure is set by rotating your shutter speed and aperture dials, or by setting auto or semi-auto modes.

[@Trees.are.the.enamy.123]

Well done tom some seriously valid points made absaloutly bang on

[@brucedelorme5026]

Henry you bring up great points. Beautiful.shots today

[@OrtziLanda]

Thank you for all these tips

[@martinmathieson3418]

Top notch Henry. Very informative. I like the way you present your videos. I shall continue to watch all of them with great interest. Thank you. Much appreciated.

[@HenryTurnerphoto]

Much appreciated!

[@valeriehoffman8180]

Excellent info, and love the way you presented it

[@gjbenn]

Another terrific vlog Henry, thank you. You covered this with your bridge and beck tip (which may have been another clip!) but using one’s feet, to change the perspective and to seek a different vantage point is a top tip. And remembering that the tripod column can be inverted, getting the camera much lower than my old back will allow, is in the same vein. Been watching you since lockdown; smashing it.

[@marksimmons8162]

Great video. With the changes in software recently I don’t suppose you would consider doing an updated exposure blending video? I still can’t get my head around it.

[@jobrown9970]

Appreciate every point you made! Years of practicing is definitely teaching me patience, and changing the way I see common, everyday subjects. Just started experimenting with ND filters. Glad I set up the back button focus on my Nikon cameras, has made my creativity smoother in practice. Photographers can never be too respectful of the lands we travel and the people we encounter. One hard lesson I have learned and been reminded of recently...nonphotographers do not appreciate my slower pace of seeing things around me, stopping to compose an image and the extreme joy my photography practice stirs in my soul...my enthusiasm is not appreciated. The latter point is probably why I thoroughly enjoy your videos - you express your enthusiasm without apology. Crack on!!

[@davidgood9786]

Top shelf Henry!!

[@kevinburke6446]

Henry, been a viewer for years. I've learned a lot and I agree with your 11 points. I always think about the setting you use in a composition and I find it particularly useful when you show the out-of-camera shot to the final image. Helps me understand the overall process. Thanks from the southwest desert of the US.

[@stevenchurch8901]

Glendale, AZ here, missing the monsoon :-(

[@Ndpurc]

Yep, all excellent points, Henry, as per usual. I’d say, bearing in mind the steep learning curve during the first years of committed photo making, on walks, jaunts, hikes, holidays and the like, it’s good to go back and review older images and dig up those gems we once dismissed as only average or below. It’s particularly interesting for me to see how my observational/composition skills, as well as processing skills, have developed and changed over the years. Can’t be without my weekly fix of Henry! 👍

[@lesath7883]

Thank you. Very good suggestions.

[@lesleystrahan4665]

Top video again, Lad!

[@gyundoanyumer1800]

Great tips. I would add one more and that would be to travel.

[@militarymodellerpaul5932]

Processed photo looked fantastic

[@rnspowell]

Back button focus is my favorite. I can remember wasting shots because of poor shutter focusing.

[@dannymacamaturephotographe6352]

Another great video Harry.

[@sarahmitchell4729]

Once again Henry, a fantastic and very informative video. Do you have a video on exposure blending or using the histogram to help achieve the correct exposure?

[@pentax-paul.]

Really enjoy your videos ,ive learned from them , thank you . As a slowly improving amateur who has just switched from a bridge camera to a dslr a couple months ago theres a couple of things I've just started doing as my photography learning slowly improves is , getting off p mode and shooting in manual ( with auto iso ) I've learned so much in the last couple of months about reading the scene ,using the cameras light meter and the histogram , trying to understand what I want from the composition in terms of exposure . And as you mentioned , golden hour is not the only hour , itdoesnt matter if the light is not fabulous ....getting out in less than perfect conditions still allows you to hone your craft, practice , look for alternate composition like macro shots instead of wide vistas etc .

[@Stracman]

Without giving too much away Henry, where was that little bridge? Need to go and find some awkward shots for myself!

[@imagseer]

Good video again Henry, and all those ten points are valid. I think I might add one.... even though you have gone to the location to shoot a landscape, there can also be opportunities to photograph detail, even down to the macro level and for that reason I often pack a Tamron 90mm f2.8.

[@peterhamilton8913]

Great video as always, and very insightful tips. I agree with your suggestions, and I currently adopt most of them although I am yet to learn the exposure blending process. This is going to be my next assignment! Also, I really like your post processing approach and comments. Thanks for sharing.

[@trevorsneath4665]

Excellent and tasteful edit. A subtle vignette is very effective in landscape photography. That's another thing landscape photographers don't always do 🙂

[@pathogan4854]

great video some class tips !

[@lindaw5890]

I agree with all your tips and I think I use most of them (except for the filters - I just don't seem to have the opportunities). I absolutely love your images but even knowing how much you'd rather be outside, I would really love to watch you edit an image. Your very light hand on the example you just showed is fabulous!

[@pauloviegasphotography]

There's a thing for me... Planing ahead, going online and checking a place, time and weather... BUT doing the complete oposite is one thing photographers, mainly landscape, should do more often. Of course, no high expectations on those outings can grant you some of your best photos. I've experienced it over and over. Good advice btw, keep it up😊

[@rlau68]

Thanks Again Henry! Always a pleasure!

[@dazzypops]

Lovely video peppered with beautiful landscapes and invaluable hints. I have to admit to never using the histogram function, so will be trying to use that from now on. Thanks Henry!

[@alexwaterton9769]

Well done Henry, a nice selection of tips. The one that changed my photography was learning to "Understanding the Histogram" I struggled with this for a while and eventually decided to do something about it and as said it changed my photography completely. For anyone wanting to really understand the Histogram, I would highly recommend the following: "Exposure and Understanding the Histogram" by Andrew S. Gibson (Author). Get your camera, sit down and read this it will change your photography. My Photography book of choice.

[@duncanmilne3186]

For back button autofocus on a tripod, do you keep the bb pressed when pressing the shutter button? If so what about camera shake? I use it for handheld but not sure about tripod.

[@brendan190770]

Great Vid Henry, thank Yoo!!

[@timrosenburgh8597]

Another great video as always Henry. Some really solid advice along the way. I always use back button focus, it's so much easier. Great image's as usual.

[@terrymartin4489]

Another great video. Thanks for the information and inspiration. I like the color of the post processed shot, but the original shot looks awesome as well. The little addition of the mood to the clouds and the color of the grass adds to the story of the shot, but if the story wasn't good to begin with, then no matter how much you "add" or "take away to or from the shot is irrelevant. Your compositions are always on point!

[@joncothranphotography9375]

I agree! The only issue that I have with back button autofocus is when someone wants to take my picture when doing an event. It seems that I have to do a dissertation to explain to them how that works. Great video!

[@philiphayes9804]

I always use back button focus but to be honest if someone takes a photo of me I do actually look alot better if I’m blurred anyway ! 😂

[@joncothranphotography9375]

🤣🤣🤣@@philiphayes9804

[@thinkvlog_4life503]

Nice Video And Awesome Shots ... When Using The Back Button For Focus, Is That Pretty Much Like Using Auto Focus?

[@scotty4418]

Cant disagree with those points of view Henry, BBF is always one of the first things I set up on any new camera and I only use NDs and a polariser these days, so bracketing was a vital thing to get the head around as I dont carry my ND grads any more. Nice set of images from todays video too. I would also advocate getting to know the limitations of your camera in relation to ISO so you know with confidence how much you can push your ISO if your other settings are more critical and the same for your lenses in terms of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their respective apertures

[@grahamallen3941]

Thanks Henry for another very informative video. I’ve set up back button focus on my 7II. I find it really helpful separating the two functions. I notice you use the LCD screen rather than the viewfinder, is this through preference? All the best Graham

[@davidgillett6834]

Thanks Henry. For me the #1 is to make sure the horizon is level, especially if by the sea. I get so annoyed when I see a sloping horizon. It is rarely an artistic enhancement. 😊

[@gregshealy7051]

When shooting in-camera at 16x9, how do you print that without losing part of the photo?

[@randyschwager2515]

I love watching your videos. I’m curious if you have changed your target audience? It seems like your messages lately are more for beginners. I will keep watching because I believe you are a really great guy and I have total respect for what you do! Also, I guess it never hurts to review! But…I’m hoping you’ll get back to some more advanced topics! Thanks for listening!

[@jonrodmusic]

Great video Henry thank you for your great advice. Also, I want to ask, do you do any online workshops?

[@gilbertkeenan2491]

Great video again Henry, but you have stopped giving your settings on your photo's, would like you to go back to this piece of information.

[@keefr22]

Unfortunately I have no chance of learning exposure blending - can't afford the software and if I could don't have a computer good enough to run it on!! So everything I do has to be done in camera, as it was in slide film days! 🙂

[@Fredrsbs]

Exposure blending can be done using gimp freeware piece of software available on all operating systems with a low computer hardware requirement takes a bit of learning but it is possible

[@davecleggett9371]

For me Henry, the 'Edited' version seems much warmer, more inviting? Whereas the 'RAW' looks cold and dirty? IMHO

[@ashstubbings2603]

I really like that image with the bridge in the background mate! That's a cracker that one! D'ya know something..I don't even own a polarizing filter! How bad is that? I think I may have to rectify that situation!😮🙄

[@paulseymour7485]

Excellent Video. Super tips.

[@HenryTurnerphoto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@normanschultz1142]

Why would you shoot in any aspect ratio that doesn't give you the full data that your senser can capture and crop it in post? Unless you're shooting RAW and jpg and the jpg is just in a cropped ratio while the raw file is still full sensor ratio

[@angibenet6138]

Do you think it's a good time to go to lake district at the end of october? And is it safe to hike alone?