5 BEGINNER Landscape Photography MISTAKES To AVOID

[@diyimprover6887]

I got a lot of good attitude adjustments here. In return, I'll offer up one of my own. Early morning and late in the day provide the best light, but what do you do with the late morning to mid-afternoon hours when the light is harsh, or if the sky is overcast creating flat, gray light? These are the times to switch from grand vistas to small subjects. Think and shoot close-up and even macro. It could also be a good time to seek out textures and abstract patterns either for their own sake or to use later as overlays in post. Mid-day is a good time to be in deep forests. It's easier to manipulate ambient light if you keep your field of view restricted. It's also a good time to try urban locations. Again, just focus on more intimate compositions. I often find urban images lend themselves to black and white images and sometimes the harsh mid-day light can accentuate the urban or industrial subject. So if you snooze your way through the golden hour, look for settings and compositions that will work in stark or overcast lighting and you can still be very productive that day. A quick anecdote. I was shooting in southern coastal Maine one morning. Got some really nice shots in the very early morning hours, just as one would hope for having some golden light to work with. By 8 or 9 AM, the gold was gone and the scenes I had shot earlier just weren't working at all anymore. As I walked along the beach, I noticed that there were some very colorful beach houses and that the strong, bright light was causing them to reflect very nicely in the very slight amount of water that had been left behind when the tide went out. The inconsistency of the water created stripes of reflection and I got many very satisfying abstracts of these reflections. The buildings were not reflecting in the golden hour at all when the sun was lower to the horizon, but in the late morning, they lit up nicely. Golden hour is great, but try to learn to work with the light you have available and find the masterpieces hiding in the bright light.

[@gypsybisschops4262]

I needed this comment, thank you 🙌🏻

[@fredwilsenack8634]

Thank you for sharing images that don’t work and explaining why they lack punch. That’s how we learn. It gives us a reference from which to improve. Appreciate the time and effort it took to compile this video.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Fred Wilsenack Glad to do it Fred! Really appreciate ya watching it!

[@scottheppel8847]

Of the 5 mistakes you discussed, the two most impactful to me were shooting at times of best light and trying different camera positions. I am a bird photographer. On a recent trip to Iceland to photograph birds, I tried to photograph the birds at their eye level as much as possible. For shorebirds, that usually means getting in a prone position which is uncomfortable for me. But that produced the best photos of my trip. The interesting landscape in Iceland reawakened my interest in landscape photography, so that led me to start watching some landscape KZbin videos, including many older ones. This one really hit home. Thank you for producing it.

[@calebsteuer]

Thanks Mark! Having a clear subject is something I never really thought about before!

[@nightmareaccomplice5816]

Even the photos with NO subject matter can be more beautiful than the ones that do!!!!😊

[@vickikgibson9470]

The reason why I can enjoy those is that it is what you first see when coming onto a place you have not visited before. It has surprises everywhere, which allows you to explore the scene, rather than being told you need to see this or that first. Sometimes it us good just to allow the earth to be wide open to all of what is right in front of you. Then explore focal points next. When done go back to the first impression which drew you into the details in the first place. Which brings you full circle back to the voyage of your walk into adventure and passion of visual delight. One soon learns to crop inside the camera first and see what is really there that draws you into the magic.

[@alfredtaylor1076]

Yep. What's not in the frame is just as, and sometimes more important than what is in the frame.

[@cjmadridtv4289]

@@alfredtaylor1076 you've gotten it right

[@continuousimprovement6070]

Oh my god...you are an honest person that make senses of every single points in a very simple method; direct and evidence - Your cost of time, money and picture quality in the first few years of your career, thanks to your presentation skill and video set up, definitely advance someone like me in a matter of minutes (theoretically and some practically)

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@continuousimprovement6070]

You are welcome

[@CadreFighter]

I love how as soon as you said "I researched other cameras" and the video zoomed out. I knew right away where you were going with it, lol. Low-key full-frame hint.

[@babymemes5071]

Very candid video with lots of great tips! Thank you so much for sharing. It is very helpful

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Wai Ka Kan Happy to do it and thank you for watching it!

[@antoniofagarto2033]

Yes... My main problem was with the point about equipment. I bough cheap but new, Olympus E510 and after two weeks I was looking for new cameras over and over again. And it really bothers me because instead of learning photography I focused more on the equipment and wasted a lot of time. Fortunatelly I controlled myself and stayed with my Olympus, which started to give results. It's cheap, heavy, quite difficult to control, but I'm getting better every day.

[@garyolson2676]

Mark, your approach to helping others learn by starting from your own mistakes makes your content so accessible. So many photographer's videos are presented as the "master" dispensing "wisdom" to ignorant. You are wise, and I am ignorant, but your humility welcomes me into a shared space - I feel like I'm sitting with a good friend. Thanks so much!

[@andreen888]

Mark, you're a humble photography teacher. Like your tutorials and style. Thanks

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@jovivelazquez4923]

Excellent video! I just got stationed in Fairbanks Alaska and as a photography hobbyist I couldn't ask for a better location. I will be using these tips thank you!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Indeed! I bet it's amazing there - enjoy!

[@johnkaper1129]

Mark I was just scrolling through the KZbin videos and happened to this particular Landscape video, mistakes to avoid and your suggestions and shooting tips are so basic and logical, it made me really go back and review my photos that I have taken over the years. I can some of the exact same mistakes that you discussed in your video. As a result of the suggestions that you make, mistakes to avoid, I feel that my future photographs will be much better, thanks to you. I also want thank you for saving me some big money, I have a number of great cameras and I am constantly looking to update my gear, instead of really learning the features that I have on my current camera. Your example of the Nikon 3200 to the Sony camera really hit home. I have a number of really good cameras, but haven't properly taken the time as you suggest to get to know better and take advantage of their features and setting. Sounds pretty basic.... Thank you for your clear, easy to follow and very helpful videos.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

John Kaper This is great to hear John! Many thanks for sharing!

[@davidtull2476]

Thanks for sharing. Very helpful and encouraging.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank you David!

[@JeffWalshPhotography]

The fact that you only have 18k subs is sad. Your content is top notch, and frankly, so many people could benefit from your channel. Great stuff here.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Really appreciate that - many thanks!

[@FranktheDachshund]

I see he has more than tripled that in 6 months. New subscriber and I can see why.

[@Denafalt]

Love the fact that you actually stick to the subject when you go into a new tip. Some people talk way to much around the subject just to fill out time! So i get tired of listening to them... you however did an good job with that, keep it up!

[@lcador9]

Excellent, I too shoot golden hour landscape but spend the time in between shooting everything else when given wonderful diffused light from overcast skies and black and white when given wonderfully shadowy vistas from harsh contrasty light. I would add a number 6 to your list, that being overly rigid and restricted. .

[@jocelyndevaud8722]

thank you very much Mark your channel help me and inspire me a lot. keep going, great job.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Jocelyn Devaud Thanks so much Jocelyn! Happy to hear it!

[@65mooncap]

Thanks Mark, I just had complete shoulder replacement surgery so while sitting around moaning I figured I try to tighten up my landscape photo skills so I stumbled on you. I couldn’t be any more grateful. Your prospectives are spot on. Looking forward to following you on Instagram.

[@StephenHolst]

I started with the D3200. Since I didn't have the money to immediately upgrade I was forced to live with it for about 2 years. It was really much easier to live with than I thought hahaha. The way I avoided falling into your mistake, other than being poor, was that I always asked myself if the camera or my skills was limiting the quality of my images. 99% of the time the answer was my skill. Once that dropped to about 97% I felt compelled to upgrade my camera ;-)

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great story Stephen! You're exactly right - I should have implemented your strategy back in the day!

[@NetGawker]

I started with the same camera about 5 years ago but thanks to a nice tax return I bought a Sony A7II. Unfortunately, I had more money than photography skills and looking back I should've kept the Nikon and worked on my skills.

[@strote]

Still shoot with a 3200. It'll be a sad day when I blame that camera for a crappy shot.

[@StephenHolst]

@@strote While I would agree I have to admit that some of the features in my D750 have come very useful. The autofocus system is much better and it's easier to see in the view finder. I have pushed it where I needed weather sealing too so there's that. Finally the high ISO capabilities are well above the D3200 and that is a definite benefit. I do miss the light weight of the simpler models though.

[@strote]

@@StephenHolst Yes, I have no doubt that I would enjoy the added features of a D750 or one of the new mirrorless cameras. I'm just not a gadget geek. I do understand that a camera like a D3200 imposes limitations and there are some shots I just won't be able to get. But this is my first DSLR and I've only been shooting for a couple of years (had the camera longer, but it just sat there). Just like some of the mistakes Mark outlined in the video, I'm still learning what to do and not to do. I'm sure in a few years I'll upgrade and make the leap over a few generations of iterative technology improvements. Right now, my photography would improve most if I got up an hour and a half before sunrise on a regular basis ;-).

[@vernonlacey4217]

Thanks a lot Mark - great tips and photos

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Vernon Lacey Thank you Vernon!

[@cattymionepotter1939]

In my opinion, not all flat photos are bad photos. They are just of a different style. Especially the one that you have shown of the tree actually looked great, it doesn't have depth, but that is the reason why it looks kinda special. :) Both are looking good, you just have to recognize when to use what

[@kaiedenphotography]

Gursky's Cheops is about the flattest image I can imagine, and it's incredible. It's definitely harder to create interesting flat images though.

[@ianwilsonT00x]

As someone who is just getting into landscape photography, this has been the best video I've watched in all my time.

[@VladimirLem86]

This is the first video in a VERY long time that i have watched from beginning to end. Esp considering that its 20+ minutes. Great personality, great sound levels and visuals - but most importantly, it's packed with information and your own experiences! Bravo to you Mark. Thank you.

[@JamesSmith-vl7gw]

I'm just beginning from scratch about photography. Thanks Mark, I will learn everything possible about my cheap new camera and use it as much as possible before I even think about upgrading.

[@TeKnoVKNG23]

4 is probably the most important tip here. I started with a Nikon D3400 and shot with it for a few weeks and immediately wished I had at least bought a 5000 series for some additional features like the timelapse ability, etc., but instead of spending more money, I spent the next 2-3 months watching youtube videos on how to get the most of my camera and just went out and shot thousands of shots at local parks and hiking trails with my 18-55 kit. I got a 70-300 AF-P off of KEH.com for like $40 and then spent quite a bit of time shooting that lens before picking up a 35mm prime. I wound up shooting with the D3400 for almost a year as the additional lenses really unlocked a lot of potential even with the entry level DSLR. After I felt like I had really picked it up, that's when I pulled the trigger on the upgrade and instead of going for a 5000 series, I found a lightly used D7100 which I had decided I wanted for the weather sealing and focus motor so I could add a few other lenses to my collection. Best decision I ever made was waiting to upgrade bodies. I've been tempted by the Z6 this year, but I'm going to try to wait until around Christmas time to see if they go on sale. It's so important to stick to a piece of gear and just learn all its ins and outs. Even today when I get a new lens, I probably go out and shoot several hundred photos with it before I even feel like I'm picking up on its nuances.

[@GraceHappens]

The look on your face when you talk about your mistakes is priceless! Thanks for the reminders.

[@kpritch2387]

When u we’re talking about different perspectives I was reminded of a time I spent half an hour squatting in a stream to get the camera at water level😂 couldn’t walk the next day

[@lilatoff]

I think this is the best video I have seen in rookie mistakes. Sharing of the images is so appreciated! Never before have I been able to really understand the mistakes that I am making but here they are all laid out in crystal clear detail. Brilliant!

[@danlightened]

As a semi-professional, I thought I would watch it anyway since I might still be making these mistakes. Fortunately, I'm not. But this is everything that I would suggest to a beginner as well. Very well explained.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Ninad Sethi Many thanks! I’m glad you think so!

[@tomanders329]

Super helpful video been one of the most beneficial to me!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Many thanks Tom!

[@victorfine5094]

Just started and my tutors basically told me all of this. Glad to know I’m on the right track! This is really fun. Only problem is that I love gear and also a musician 😩

[@adamedoo3765]

Loved this. No matter how advanced people become watching videos like this help me to realise what I have forgot! Thanks Mark, appreciate your hard work!

[@michaeltucker7920]

This is the best advice Ive ever seen about photography !!!! its true and relevant !!! and you can't do much without these 5 foundational points !

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Michael! I'm glad you think so!

[@TFM3234]

Wow man ! thanks for sharing your experience, I did something similar, I started in 2014 with the Nikon D3300, then bought the D7100, used bought until march of 2018.i decided to step up to full-frame. I then sold my D3300 plus a few lenses that I didn't use and bought the D850. I love this camera. so I then decided I needed a backup to my D850. so I sold my D7100, and the rest of my crop sensor lenses and bought the Z7. I am satisfied with these cameras, love the quality of the images. the good part about all of this is that Adorama gave me good prices for my used gear. taking tips from people like your self help me improve my photography. Thanks again for sharing.

[@GregorKrenker]

Found your channel today and just wanna say: I really enjoy your down-to-earth and honest approach.

[@johnchilver536]

I have watched many advice videos and read numerous guides on landscape photography but Mark this is the first one that is assistance at a level that maintains attention for the viewer and makes absolute sense. I was able to relate my experience with yours. I look forward to following you for more of your sensible advice. Thanks for your help.

[@nvisn81]

Awesome video, you really brought up some great points, especially about overspending on gear, and not utilizing what you own to its fullest before moving on. Thanks for the great video!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

nvisn81 Great to hear you enjoyed it!

[@dalkapur]

Some really good advice there, Mark. Thank you so much. I like the way you present things an will definitely look out for more.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Richard Huggins Thanks Richard - really glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@81wwwolf]

Thanks very much for the useful tips. The photos illustrated the points really well. Honest, clear and to the point. You sir are amazing.

[@loveinaction2772]

I love photography but 77 not the age for a career but when I look back could have been my thing, maybe travel writer. One good reason I like my iPhone when I’m out and about on my own gives me joy. Thanks for sharing your you tube. 🇨🇦❤️

[@shagmesilly78]

It's great when you can self critique, like you did. It's makes you a better individual. Personally I think we live in a world where everyone just says the "right" thing. No one wants to offend anyone, which is fine, but it's not real world either. Loved your photo's, especially the photo at the National Park @ around 14mins. Amazing shot. Seriously love it. I've just started photography again, and recently bought myself an XT30. Really looking forward to having some fun with it. Thanks for a great video. Cheers!!!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the video!

[@kaufmanat1]

I learn so much more from seeing a photo with errors and identifying the errors and learning how to correct those errors than I ever could hope to learn from seeing flawless photographs.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Stan Leery Yep! I’m the same way Stan.

[@NetGawker]

Your practicality towards gear has earned you a new subscriber.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

NetGawker Awesome! Thanks so much!

[@boatman222345]

Easily one of the best videos I've ever watched on things to avoid and things to focus on when attempting to master landscape photography. Having learned all these things the Hard Way over a period of many years I can attest to the veracity and value of every single one of the 6 tips. Wisely Mark avoided trying to prioritize the 6 points covered as each of them is as equal importance just as each of the 6 rungs in a ladder is of equal importance when attempting to climb over a wall. That said one of the biggest and most dangerous traps to avoid is the endless fascination with and purchase of camera gear. As I tell people who come to me for advice any reasonably decent mid range camera these days is easily capable of producing high quality images if...drum roll please...you know what you are doing and take the time to master the camera! Truth be told high end cameras not only will not increase the number of keeper images they may well result in a lower rate. More sophisticated equipment ofttimes requires better technique and a more thorough understanding of the rudiments of good photography. One last thing, Mark is the image on the wall in back of your left shoulder of the Bubbles on Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park? I live there and having spent countless hours photographing that area I am almost 100% sure it is...

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

boatman222345 Thanks for this comment - really appreciate it! Yep, it’s Jordan Pond👍

[@theLifeofTahir]

Am I the only one who loves that Moab Photo at 3:50? I mean I get what you mean about the distractions but that's the beauty of nature. I think my idea of photography is capturing nature in it's purest form and that's what you have at 3:50.

[@gedhs1311]

maybe the real idea was peace and harmony of hard and cold stones and soft and warm sunlight. The difference between this photo and good photo like between new wikipedia article and an article in "new yorker" magazine. Words can be the same, but ways they are composed...

[@ИванИванов-я8ы3ф]

Definitely one of my favourite channel. Not only about photography but also as a English language lessons :) It's very comfortable to hear good pronunciation from the literate person! Thanks a lot for the great content quality!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Иван Иванов Happy to do it friend!

[@julessanchez9216]

I really enjoyed your video, I could relate with you about falling in and out of photography. At 66, I have too many interests, which some ways are good. But those people that focus on one subject find more perfection on that one subject I believe. But in another way sometimes different talents bring different ideas and many several interest can come together at the time. There is so much to learn in this life and I believe there will be so much in the next one also. The best to you and your photos !

[@MrShaper]

Thank you for these tips. As I was watching I was telling myself that I can try these the next time I go out to try landscape shots. Then you brought up "Ignoring the light meter". This was something I should have known but didn't. I grabbed my camera, pointed it across my room, and started to utilize the light meter. Wow. Mind blown. Thank you so much

[@dj21zero82]

Self? .....why do you wanna watch this video? Because it’s very informative and helpful.

[@MarcoAfonso]

Thank you so much Mark. The way you described the errors and the hints you gave are **priceless**. You know how to motivate a begginer! All the best.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Marco Afonso Many thanks Marco!!

[@erichstocker4173]

Good video and I agree with everything that you have suggested. I recognize those mistakes as I still make them. However, just one warning about travel. Everybody is traveling, especially landscape photographers, it is not uncommon to have hundreds of photographers with tripods out at the "golden hours" jostling for the perfect view. Not a very pleasant situation and can really turn one off on photography. So, now people are going to more out of the way places, e.g.. Patagonia, VietNam, Bhutan, etc. These places are starting to get that same overcrowded field. So, it is important to learn to take interesting photos locally also. Not to discourage folks from traveling but to make expectations real. Those wonderful empty places are often really not so empty.

[@philipae27]

Absolutely agree. Some of my favorite photos I've taken have been within an hour from home. Explore your region to the fullest!

[@ekimagem]

This video is great. All my shots are hobby work. And this is something I’ve never paid much attention to is a focus point in the landscape. As i look back at all my shots over the years some have them and some don’t. Now i know to remember to be more consistent.

[@jacobthomson9369]

Excellent advice to both novices and advance amateurs. Thank you so much.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Jacob Thomson Glad to do it Jacob!

[@TOSHAKPRAVI]

Thanks Mark, you had me watch your video to the end which is rear, very informative.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Tom is Lav THanks Tom - glad to hear it!

[@CarlosArturoVelarde]

The tree shot looks a lot like the Japanese paintings. It would make a great image to hang in an office. The birdhouse is cool because it looks like it’s flying.

[@geeleeggan]

Sometimes, the entire view of a scene *IS* the subject. Not every photo is going to be a master, you've *GOT* to shoot to learn what works and what doesn't work. You make some very good points.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Steve T Thanks Steve!

[@bobbymints]

Very educational, Thank you for sharing your experiences I learned to change my techniques from your tutorials.

[@abhishekchakraborty5584]

Thanx Mark for this lovely video..

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Abhishek Chakraborty My pleasure!

[@1AXMRDR]

You made some excellent points, very good advice that we all could have used back when we started. You should do a video on post processing. The birdhouse photo could have been cropped to let the sky be the depth, perhaps a little blur on the clouds. Using HDR tricks on the Arches photo that was taken after the sun came up could make it more interesting. We can't always shoot in the morning and evening, especially while traveling. Agree that midday photos are less interesting because you have to get creative and shoot subjects using the shadows from overhead sun. Closer objects, not so much landscape. IMO lens are more important than the bodies. If you are going to spend money focus, pardon the pun, on good sharp glass instead of the latest body. Heading to Grand Canyon and the 5 Utah national parks soon. Photo ops galore. Thanks for sharing.

[@strflp7316]

I wish I'd have discovered your channel earlier. Not only you give useful insights for rookies but you made me realise that even if the rule of thirds is important, so is the angle and position of the camera. I have a second hand Panasonic Lumix with two objectives and I never upgraded or bought anything else because it costs a lot. I got discouraged because the people in the photography circle at my university huffed and puffed when they heared my camera model and said that I must upgrade immediately. I have caved and gave up, sending the camera into hybernation. Now I got motivated again and will get the camera cleaned and in order. Your vids made me observe my mistakes

[@jeffwestnedge6135]

Thanks, although I know all these things, I often still make these mistakes. This is a great reminder to slow down and pay attention to the details!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Appreciate you watching the video Jeff!

[@dodobarbar]

Thumbs up! You are so so so so right about not focusing that much on a type of a gear but on shooting and getting experience!

[@oxnardmontalvo7749]

Haha, i can totally relate on the gear part. Bought a 750D in 2016, und was pretty underwhelmed by it's performance. So i started researching and also planning my next purchases, studying blogs etc what new cameras would come out etc... So you get in that endless loop of chasing the unicorn camera... At some point I got so frustrated about my equipment, that i dropped photgraphy for a while. Just recently, feb 2019, i picked it up a again. To be fair, I invested in a couple of new lenses, becasue the kit is really garbage and the main reason why I hated my camera. The images lacked sharpness. The lenses are dirt cheap still, but they are primes from canon and I think the image quality is now excellent and what I expected in the first place. The second thing that helped me though, was that my wife asked me to take portraits of her for her website. I usually only shoot city scapes at night, or things...legos, skulptures, cars whatever. I never did people photography. So, from january to today, I shot about 6000 photos of her - almost going mental because they were really really bad - data wise. The lighting, the noise, the sharpness... etc. Everything sucked. So I did some more research on youtube on how to shoot protrait, and now that I look at the pictures, I can see the learning curve. As you said in the video - I learned about to read the light meter and its different methods, how to counter exposure, iso, aperture changes (I was usually just wildly dialing things and taking sample shots :D ) and also paying attention to composition, angles and lighting. A friend of mine gave me the most valuable tip ever, without him even knowing. Here it is: When shooting indoors, point the speedlight to the ceiling. (Yeah, it's in my speedlites manual as well, if only i read the damn thing fo starters :D) The effect proper lighting has on the image quality is insane, and I always overestimated the power of sensor. I though - well, low light is ok, just leave the shutter open longer. Wich is a false assumption. If the subject isn't properly lit, you can leave the shutter open all day, it will still look bad. So I experimented with permanent lights (borrowed from said friend) and doing flash photography. Man - I love flash. It finally gave my pictures the quality and look, I was always expecting. So long story short - Except for the two new lenses which clock in at 250€ in total, I'm still shooting with my 3 year old gear, that I considered to be just cheap junk. It was my skillset that was garbage. But since I had the task of taking a good portrait, I now had a goal to work towards, and also a lot of pressure to learn - because I'm suposed to take a pretty picture of my wife :D. Eight weeks of experience, saved me from spending thousands of euros on new gear (and getting expensive shitty pictures). I'm so happy now about this camera, that I can hardly put it down. I even got my 13 year old Fuji bridge cam out of the basement - and now that I understand photography better, I'm trying to use this dinosaur 6MP toy to get excellent images. It's kinda fun to see what you can achieve with low-tech gear. (And I know this is ridiculous - because 20 yeaurs ago a 6MP cam that shoots Raw would have been the holy grail) So yeah - spot on. Gear doesn't matter (of course it does, if you need specific tools/features) - it's all about mastering skills and deal with what you have at hand - and guess what - you usually have enough.

[@SwiftEagleOne]

OM, photo gear is just a tool like a paintbrush. It's your eyes that "take" a photo. Take command and don't get commanded. Learn from others lessons (and yours also). You can then be a grand master by making right moves. I have been into photography for 55 years and still improving on skills.

[@gamby6253]

Portrait photograhy, something my uncle who is a professional taught me but man it requires some patience. Havent really gotten into it even though i understand it.

[@steveshubert]

I am only 2:40 into this video and I'm already loving it! Right off the bat - with the palm frond/smooth water photo - you're showing me one of my very own mistakes that I've never realized before. Great photography...but what IS it? I'm loving this, Mark!

[@hankypanky9380]

Clear explanation and understanding, a great tutorial: specific, with examples of what works and what doesn't. Subscribed.

[@BrassStagg]

You nailed it. Depth comes through your aperture settings; the lower your setting (i.e. f16, f22 etc..) the more depth in your fore and background. Personally I really wish people that want to learn photography would get an SLR or DLR or DSLR, something that you can switch off the "Auto" mode and learn how to focus, set aperture, and shutter speed to get that light meter in the right spot.Even your ISO setting can make a huge difference when shooting bright images (i.e. Snow capped mountains) or capturing a water fall with blurred water or angel hair effect. Mark, Im glad you are one that is learning just how important those things are, but Im especially glad that you "turned off the Auto mode." Happy Shooting.

[@BrassStagg]

And by the way, I use a Pentax K1000 (No auto settings ;) )

[@ignusgraius]

Thank you for sharing your experience! My biggest takeaway that I got was the topic of depth (and using shadows/gradients to introduce depth to an otherwise “flat” composition). Also a classy choice to critique your own work to teach others... great video!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

ignusgraius Many thanks - glad you enjoyed the video!

[@moody_blue682]

A really watchable video and pleasant manner about you. With the camera technology available today, your points about composition and lighting will always be the two most important factors in any great photo for me.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Moody_blue Thanks so much - glad to hear you enjoyed the video!

[@terrelldunn3973]

I ironically stumbled upon this video while... *researching a better camera*. I had to laugh when I got to that part of your video. I’ve got a Canon T2i and love it. I’m not sure what started my search for something better, but I had bookmarked your video and glad I did. I’ve already decided I’m perfectly happy with my Canon, it can take better photos than I can. Then tonight when I came back and watched this it made me feel better about that decision. Plus you have a great way of passing your knowledge along. I learned quite a bit from this. Now I’m afraid to go look at my photos that are suddenly going to seem much less interesting :) But the good part is, now I know why. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. I’ve already subscribed and will be watching many more of your videos, and looking forward to putting your advice, tips and techniques into my photos.

[@dean9504]

The 80d is a beast

Thanks for such informative video and tips. I especially liked your tip about the lighting meter and histogram. Just very recently a light bulb went up in my head regarding what those triangles also meant. I know one big mistake I make in my photography: I don't get up early to catch the sunrise. Sunsets are not a problem, but sunrise and softer hues/colors elude me in the morning. I'll eventually -- maybe -- will graduate to getting up early. One minor detail: the photo you showed and said it was Canyonlands NP is actually that beautiful state park on the way to Canyonlands. The park is Dead Horse Point SP. Your photo captured the gorgeous Dead Horse Point that gives the park its name.

[@krisda00]

Great video, I lol at the part "Focusing to much on gear" because I am doing the exact same thing now. Thank for pull me out from that part. Just bought my first gear couple months ago.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Kris Lambert Thanks Kris!

[@danlightened]

If you are a beginner, a cheap DSLR is good enough. Rather, invest in a nifty 50 and a good telephoto lens. And unless you're shooting for the biggest of brands which would go up for huge billboards, banners, huge wall art, you don't need a medium or large format. A full frame is good enough for a pro.

[@jameswingert9596]

Hey. I just wanted to tell you that you directly, because of this video, have helped me become a better photographer. I've always felt that my shots too where "snapshots." Nothing more than that ,and I couldn't figure out why. Bought a better camera and still...then to hear you talk about having a clear subject matter and eyes going all over trying to find something to look at a light went off in my head. When I was out practicing it caused a cascade of understanding about my shots, the camera and the viewer. Give the viewer something to look at. If you do that they'll get what you're trying to tell them anyway. Now I'm all like, "aperture! it's all about aperture! hey everybody it's all about aperture!" anyway, I can't thank you enough for your insight. It's incredibly helpful. -James

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much James! Really happy to hear the video has helped you out!

[@TerasiaEntertainment]

Not just making snapshots and creating depth are the biggest ones for me. Props for shooting the video in 1 take :)

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Shimmering_Daydreams Much appreciated- thank you!

[@phyllidaacworth5212]

This video has given me a great lightbulb moment. I have been doing a lot of landscape photography for years without seeing why my pictures of beautiful scenes were not scoring well in camera club competitions. Now I see it is because they often lack a strong or obvious main subject. Thanks so much. This realisation will really help when I next get out with my camera.

[@verylovelylisa]

I really enjoyed this video. thanks so much for your insight! Especially the part about the gear. Ugh. Lol I'm gonna focus on using and getting to.know my Nikon 5200. I absolutely love landscape photography and these tips are great!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Lisa Love Many thanks Lisa!

[@saysaybear123]

Thanks for the video! I'm so new that even your "mistakes" are better than my bests. But now I know what to strive for!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to do it and many thanks for watching it!

[@vegard3940]

When it comes to buying equipment, there's one thing I would like to add from my (not only personal) experience (I worked at Nikon as a tech support specialist): People buy the most expensive camera body they can afford and then use it with some basic $200 worth kit lens and no filters and wonder why their photos look like shit. Yes, if you are a photojournalist, a good body is a must and often determines whether you take the photo or not. But that's not the case with landscape photography. When buying a landscape kit, start by choosing a good lens, then buy a set of filters (ND, grad, polariser, etc.), then buy a good tripod and then spend whatever's left from your budget on the body - and I would not be afraid to buy a second-hand body if you cannot afford a new one.

[@earlclary6657]

Thanks!

[@JohKemStYl3]

Great tips! The composition tips are always the best.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Joh Kem Thanks Joh! I could talk composition all day - I love it👍

[@NorthernHistory]

You are so absolutely right about focusing your resources and attention on the settings and the time you devote to photography rather than gear. We find ourselves in a day and age where virtually every camera can make great images; but if all you are doing is test shots of your local neighbourhood, when you could be out there travelling, you are missing out.

[@asharsakir87]

That tree at the top and grass under actually looks dramatic, will look good in B&W.

[@scottewers9507]

I come back to this video when I’m struggling with my landscape photos. Marks perfectly summarizes a logical progression into better landscapes.

[@The_World_Of_Wonders]

What a great video! I learned a lot. Thank you!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Yosif Starkov I’m glad you think so!

[@tinkersmentality8794]

I picked up a Nikon D-7000 self taught photographer, one of my hobbies.. lots of ppl love my pictures. thanks for the upload

[@hkalgaonkar]

Sensible advice. Thanks. I purchased my first Sony A 58 four years ago and I have stayed with it since then. I am not a pro, not even enthusiast.... just a weekend hobbyist. And as you rightly said, instead of acquiring the greatest and the latest, it's better to travel and snap better shots. Thanks.

[@nicola6323]

hrishikesh kalgaonkar People take good photographs, not cameras. 🙂

[@NG290584]

I have an Alpha 35 HD since 2011 and I'm very satisfied ,probably one of the most advanced then

[@mayergloton6470]

I truly agree!

[@pacificnorthwester]

@@nicola6323 Wow, never heard that before.

[@alanepeacock]

@@pacificnorthwester Try watching some vireos by Mike Browne. People take photos not cameras is one of the main planks of his photography teaching.

[@jaimegulrud2252]

Not being obsessed with gear, learning your camera and investing in travel- wow that was a good reminder! Also, for the first couple tips about composition (focal point, having fire/middle/background) I would have loved to see side-by-side images for those like you did later on. I struggle with that and sometimes I know something is off but can’t identify how to adjust. I think seeing someone else walk through the thought process would help.

[@recycleretirement80]

Mark, Another great video. Left me reflecting on some similarities in my journey: gear upgrade, switching to RAW, mostly I'm finding that the transformation from snapshooter to photographer involves mostly learning composition. I'm glad that a couple of commenters asked about what appears to be duplicate photos on your wall. I had been wondering if I was seeing things correctly. And wow, one commenter noticed that clock is stopped; I didn't see that! I see that you've changed the angle of your video shoot. Wondering if you can prevent the 2 or 3 reflections in the glass behind you on your left?

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Recycle Retirement Much appreciated as always thank you! Yep I’m always trying to change up the “studio” to keep things a bit fresh - the area I work in is very small so space is limited - which limits my possibilities as well. And, I’m always trying to reduce reflections in that darn window and computer - drives me bananas - lol!!

[@recycleretirement80]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto I'm learning more about the "burdens" of video as I watch YT videos from photographers showing the amount of additional gear they have to carry to photo shoots. Then there's dealing with the studio set up. And learning video editing software. Mark, I'm learning to understand and appreciate what you have to go through to share with us, thanks. I enjoy every video you post. Bananas are a good source of potassium ;-) --Eva

[@forasago]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto If you want to improve this set for future videos just remove that fan that sticks out behind your head. Huge distraction.

[@paoloobina9270]

Informational vid bro! Thanks

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Paolo Obina Thank ya friend!

[@fabsamba]

Great video I put in my favorites to watch always.

[@redfisher3334]

thank you for posting this tutorial ! For over 30 years, I have used a film SLR, then a point and shoot, and now have a new ( to me) DSLR. I appreciate your landscape photo tips, great info !

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Red Fisher Thank ya Red! I appreciate that.

[@courtneyabbruzzese6217]

This was so helpful! I liked everything you said about wanting to buy new gear.

[@elcidbob]

On camera meters: unless it's broken, it's never wrong. If the exposure isn't "correct", it's because you don't know how to interpret what it's telling you. Grab your manual and read up on the different metering modes your camera has. Understanding how they work is vital to getting the most out of your body. And on that note, the manual is amazing. Sitting down with that thing is super eye opening.

[@stuartneil8682]

I started on a Kodak Instamatic with flash cubes! I was 11 at the time. Skip 10 years and I got a Praktica B200 slr. Loved Ilford’s black and white film that used monochrome dye instead of sliver. Still have a second hand Bronica somewhere but I’m getting great shots with my iPad, on the odd occasion that I imagine I’m actually a photographer!

[@daverider3198]

I really appreciate your comment about gear. I have a Nikon D5600. I’ve been wanting something better, thinking I’ll get better photos. But I need to learn what I have and enjoy the adventure. Thanks for that encouragement!

[@KoreyHart]

Great video, I completely agree with the statement on Depth in a photo, and loved the images. Isn’t it fun to look back at the oldies?!?

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Korey Hart Thank ya Korey! Indeed - Love looking back to see how’ve I progressed over time👍

[@lovethesummer26]

Thank you for your candid and honest words of your progression in understanding your camera and how to shoot this type of photography 🙂

[@StephanieStoven]

That’s me right now... I just need to learn my camera Lumix G7 but I keep researching other Canon camera bodies and lenses when I have no idea how to use my Lumix yet! I love 40 minutes away from Yosemite and that’s where I did a small bit of practice last weekend but my composition is all off.

[@Dusty101uk]

Loved watching this video just getting into photography and have bought a Nikon d3300 and your absolutely right learn from other people’s mistakes 👌🏻

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@GMC43]

Great video 👌 everything you have mentioned sounds like me when I started. Still learning now but getting a lot better. Thank you 👍👍