90% of Photographers NEVER Tried this Psychological Trick!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

🌟QUICK QUESTION: If you couldn’t do Landscape Photography, what genre of Photography would you choose?

[@baanfan]

Macro

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

@@baanfan 👍

[@markallemang7745]

Birds or pets. I teach dog training on the side and often think about how a pet portrait business would do.

[@konosgore]

Definitely street photography!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

@@markallemang7745 👍

[@blujeans9462]

Here's an easier in-the-field tip you may want to try. I learned this during a photography seminar, about 15 years ago. After finding a scene that looks like it has potential, take your camera off auto-focus and distort the image to the point where the view in your LCD is mostly just blobs of color. You will notice bright areas that are distracting, composition that is off a bit, etc. Basically it will give you a different view of only the placement of the objects enabling you to see if the scene is pleasing to the eye. And, yeah, you may even like the effect and use this practice composition as a keeper. :-)

[@JustinBradleyPhotographer]

Thank you for sharing. I never considered this and what a great way to get another perspective check on your composition. Love it, can't wait to try it.

[@davidlooney3670]

Thanks for sharing - I see the utility, look forward to trying on different types of subject matter!

[@rafael55]

i will try this. tnx for sharing!

[@swissheartydogs]

Thank you for sharing this very powerful Photography tip: To better rely on our Human Creativity instead of any AI.

[@johncrow7878]

What a great idea! I've tried the "flip the image" technique before and all I see is an upside down image. Guess my brain doesn't work that way. I can visualize this off-focus technique before even trying it, though. Next time I'm out, I will give it a try. Thanks.

[@robertmeyerson1618]

As an art director, many years ago, I used this flipping technique to check the balance of objects in my layout. I also found switching my LCD to monochrome (Lumix ZS100) helps me to quickly see leading lines and negative space.

[@YitzYBerlin]

I love doing family events; capturing love and good-times interactions between family members. Capturing great memories.

[@trwhitford65]

As a commercial photographer many years ago, everything was upside down in my 4x5 or 8x10 view camera. Composition is much easier to see when it is upside down. Thanks for the vid.

[@Welkin0711]

I'm an astrophotographer, but I learned a lot from you about basic photography, and I still do to this day. Thank you :)

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

This is great to hear Ivan - thanks man!

[@amywinship7272]

I started using a promist filter in my landscape work a few months ago. Evan Ranft made a KZbin video about them and I was absolutely hooked. Underwater photography is something that has always intrigued me.

[@harveyspector6131]

Your suggestion is very much worth doing but I'm surprised no one has commented that the "upside down" technique is precisely the default experience when using large format film cameras. While viewing a scene upside down on the ground glass takes some getting used to it forces you to slow down and more carefully consider the composition. I loved shooting 5x7 and 4x5 but would never give up the convenience and flexibility of digital. What I do miss is the zen like experience of being under the dark cloth, taking the time to consider the value of making an exposure, and whether or not it will be worth the time and expense of processing film for what might only be a so-so image. Long live the delete button!

[@rhann73]

Yes! You beat me to it, Harvey. I immediately thought of my Wista 4x5 field camera, and that this "feature" was built-in, and in fact, could not be "turned off." As you say, being forced to view the world upside did have a real compositional advantage--as also espoused by Mark. It really does make you slow down and think about what you are doing, compositionally. We should remember that every large format photograph taken by Ansel Adams started out as an inverted image on the back of his camera.

[@kevinbrowne3089]

It's worse. Backwards as well! I love it anyway.

[@harveyspector6131]

@@kevinbrowne3089 True enough. Doubly challenging if you had a cocktail or 2😀

[@noelmallia]

Thanks for this great video! I will give the upside-down hint a try thanks for let us know about it

[@Architekt2]

Morning Mark - great site - lots of good information!

[@richardpesce5325]

Another great tip Mark. Thanks!

[@nimmira]

I use this technique but somewhat randomly. In fact, I use it more with abstract shots to find possible potentials. One time I used it with a portrait shot of a friend and ironically, I decided that the flipped version looks "better" and printed that on metal and was displayed in an expo. It was an eye-catcher!

[@rhodesia1578]

Wildlife photography is so relaxing ! And exciting!

[@visualkings3680]

been into wedding and portraits photography ,but really working to moving into landscape photography

[@ssmold]

I enjoy astrophotography, I learn a lot watching landscape youtube channels and photo editing channels.

[@parmarmaulik2867]

Flipping upside down is new skill I learnt from you today as a beginner photographer. I shall surely try this next time.

[@alicenentwig4659]

Hi Mark. I saw your tweet earlier, but I have to say, that I really love on-location videos. I think it is extremely helpful not only to see the finished picture, but also how you got it. You're on-location videos helped me a great deal to find a better angle/composition!! So keep on doing them. Besides landscape, I'm also doing animal/wildlife photography. I actually use the upside-down trick quite often with my animal pictures in the editing part, to see where my eye would land first (which should be the subject).

[@ΓιώργοςΒασιάτης]

Mark, thank you for your unique content. It's really on point and helps a lot. Not just a photographer who happens to be KZbinr also. Just photographer sharing techniques and his thoughts ON photography. I appreciate your work here very much. Thank you and keep going!

[@jlid1]

I love still life photography! And close up, macro photography, I have done more of that than any other photography I bet. I like where I control the light and all those things, I find it to be very creative. I love watching all your videos, so I can learn more about landscape photography. Thanks for that!!

[@I_Am_Bone]

I love my Black Pro-Mist 1/4 but never considered using it for landscape.... What a great idea!

[@tmarq4655]

Minimalist surrealism. Love the idea of abstracting natural forms, whether it's nature, city, people, etc. Also, the idea intent B&W ranges that capture the eye, and hopefully, the mind.

[@Walt.2013]

Hey, Mark! Yours is one of our favorite photography channels because of your honesty, sincerity and enthusiasm in the act of sharing your knowledge! I'm not necessarily a landscape photographer, per se, but end up with a lot of landscape images because we live in a very scenic area of Washington State. If I could not do that, I think I'd be drawn to street photography and/or macro abstractions. You mentioned that you, as well, are attracted to street photography and an interesting and horizon-expanding experience for all of us would be to vlog yourself for 1 or 2 episodes of learning how to do it! The bit of street that I have done has been the 'safe' method of using a longer lens in order to be stealth and not get 'caught', but the really good street photos out there are done by getting in close to the subject. Up for a bit of a challenge? In any event, thanks for what you do! ;-)

[@Thehackerguy2000]

If you can afford a black pro mist filter you can get similar effect in photoshop and premiere. It’s definitely not perfect for every scenario, but it is a good way to gage whether you like the look or not, or even fine tune where you’d like the misty filter to be applied.

[@miller1520]

Brilliant idea, thanks!!

[@MementoXXVII]

With the NISI diffusion filters, I do portrait and product for local businesses and landscape for fun. Whilst I use a diffusion filter on occasion for portraits (normally when neon or similar is being used), with landscapes I tend to just use the dehaze slider in lightroom to the negative. Normally a little overall in the image + more through local adjustment when needed. Gives a bit more control...

[@dariocarnelutti6002]

I did mostly Portrait Photography but living in Alberta, Canada, I want to learn more about landscape photography.

[@19Photographer76]

I have a Cokin mist type of filter that I purchased in the 70s that used at National Parks when there was snow. I also found in Florida that just taking my camera out of the A/C care game me a nice mist. Exhale on your lens, a lot cheaper. One think about using a 'black mist' filter, you can buy cheap glass.

[@edc5338]

B&W street photography. I did weddings for years and also have done extensive landscape photography, but the B&W work of earlier photographers intrigues me.

[@timfarmer5535]

I love the on site flip to review tip. As to what I would do if I couldn't do landscape. I do Astro, macro, fashion, portrait, and some street. I already do many styles because what I learn in one style quite often feeds into me being more creative in other styles. Thanks for the content!!!

[@jimtrull683]

I currently do street photography when I am not doing landscape. I like the challenges it presents that are totally different than landscape work.

[@mattcrow8381]

Macro and/or Astrophotography are my other passions. Great video this week!

[@viaconqueso]

Interesting question! Mine would be either sports or wildlife photography

[@TheIronDuke9]

I'm a portrait photographer and I absolutely love watching the work people do in other genres (hence why I'm here right now). I think it can only strengthen my own work and I often try to "steal" techniques that I learn from watching other genre channels and try to incorporate them into my portrait work with the hope that I'll produce something unique and magical. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but it's always fun to experiment. Incidentally, I also make graphite drawings of my portraits and using the upside down technique when I copy the photo is very effective for making a more accurate and realistic drawing

[@bkloflin]

My genre of choice is macro. As I get older (77), some outdoor photography is getting a bit too arduous, especially in the 100 degree Texas heat. I can do macro in my heated and air conditioned garage studio/lab. I can also sit, rather than stand for longer portions of time. The macro subjects are endless: live, dead, animal, plant, mineral, etc. I am equipped to produce close up from 1:5 to macro 1:1 and further to 10:1 focus-stacked small insects, etc.

[@Donmoyers71]

My first camera (Minolta) had special effects cards and I used the "Fantasy Effect", similar to the glow effect of this filter, a few times in landscape shots. That was early 90's.

[@ksnmurthy4476]

Mark you are amazing. That's an amazing trick. Easy idea to use on the location. 👍

[@richardsmith5021]

Interesting technique, will give it a try on next shoot. In response to your question regarding what genre rather than landscape, I d s witch to photographing sports.

[@cchrisstiaann]

You’re still my favorite photographer to watch on KZbin! 🙏🏻

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks a million man!

[@arbee1958]

Love studio concept shoots

[@blivieriphoto]

Very nice Mark. I've seen the upside down view from the film guys, like Ben Horne, but that's because that's how they see through that big ole box of a camera. I'll give it a go next time I go out. Interesting. I feel ya on the spider webs. A couple of weeks ago I had to use my new hat to tear some webs down from the trail. Nearly ran into a big ole orb weaver spider. Eek! But very cool to photograph. Lol. Thanks for the video!

[@mikebartow9415]

Alternative genre is nature. It more or less finds me. Yesterday I was walking in nearby Metro Park and 10 feet from me was a Red Tail Hawk. Then about 4 feet from me a chipmunk sitting on a tiny branch eye level. A third encounter were two small rat snakes on a log. Granted this was an extraordinary day but one just has to pay attention to the surroundings and opportunity will present itself. The hawk and chipmunk were exceptionally cooperative by just perching there almost like begging to have their photos taken. I guess one has to move in a non-threatening manner.

[@deepotter6774]

Hi Mark! Great episode 👍. To answer your initial question, my “other” genre of photography is Urban/Street Photography. I would call myself a Travel Photographer if only I shot food, as well. But I’ll leave genre that to my restauranteur wife. I watch a lot of street photography videos but for some reason I’ve never heard of the black mist filter. So now I’m keen to try it. As for the upside-down composition technique, I learned that from my mother, Impressionist landscape painter, Diann Haist, who would sketch out her composition on the canvas and then turn it upside down to review it for weight and balance, and then adjust her sketch if needed before painting the scene. So far, though, I’ve only applied this when reviewing my images for editing and never in the field. I will now have to flip my camera on site thanks to your demonstration. Another technique I got from my mother to review a composition in the field is to switch to B&W (not unlike she did by sketching before adding colour). It removes colour as a distraction from the weight and balance of the frame in terms of both light and form, to help improve your composition. Of course, this is only when you’ve got all the time in the world to shoot a landscape, and other than architectural photos, I never get to apply any of it on the street.

[@edwardsawicki7951]

My two favorite genre of Photography are Landscape and Concert Photography. I absolutely love shooting musical artists and the members of the audience in smaller venues. The two styles stretch my skills in very different ways.

[@blubaru09]

Architectural photography. As I travel a bit for work this is something I’m interested in

[@MaryBaumdesigndev]

TENNIS. It's the one I spend more time on, bc I need it in my other work

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

I routinely flip reflection shots when editing and find it very helpful. Will have to try it in the field as you suggest.

[@laughing_gnome]

Before retiring I used to photograph architecture on a 5x4 camera so everything was upside down. When i first started using digital cameras I had a real bad time with composition so I got a 7 inch screen and used that upside down and my landscapes improved I also use tilt and shift lens to keep things straight.

[@novatoi]

I tried your idea and TOGETHER with the out of focus technic ( from the comment below ) . Man ! I love it !! Thank you .👍 . By the way , for one moment I thought I was a spider crawling from the ceiling , looking down to my bedroom .... LOL 🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃

[@digitmanken5468]

You asked what kind of photography we like to do when we are not doing Landscape photography. Well for me it would be Wildlife, Macro, Astro and I am addicted to shipping on the Great lakes. The ships, the locks almost anything with the Greatlakes freighters. I also love taking action shots at Curling bonspiel’s. Now that I am fully retired, I find myself crazy busy. Between Photography, Archery, Curling, Woodworking(mostly wood lathe) I have to schedule things way in advance so that they do not step on each other.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Oh wow - jack of all trades, that’s great!

[@1protos]

A non camera technique I use instinctively for composition is to shut one eye then squint down a lot on the other. What this does is a combination of making your view more 2dimensional and also decreasing light, colour and sharpness so you can more easily see basic shapes, lines and contrasts.

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

Either macro photography in the garden, or still-life photography in my home!

[@Badger220455]

I include landscapes with wildlife and general nature photography. Second favourite is abandoned industry.

[@TheKonkylien]

Good stuff. Been using Tiffen Black Satin 1 for years. It does the same as the mist filters, just a little more controlled.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank Roy! Yes they create a very interesting look.

[@andrew_martin_photography]

Hi Mark, Great vlog once again. I felt like I needed to comment because it reminds me of something I did a few months ago. First of all, if there was no landscape photography I would probably choose street photography myself. I have tried it a few times before and I find it really interesting. Looking at the composition upside down is something I have tried before. I actually published my own vlog in which I set my camera up on the tripod, then loosened the centre column, turned it upside down and tightened it back up, leaving the camera hanging underneath the tripod. It meant that even with the flip screen turned so I could easily see the image the composition still appeared upside down in the live view. I really enjoyed the challenge of trying to compose the shot in this condition, but it was such a healthy challenge to try. I'm so glad I am not alone in trying this out. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing what you do.

[@liamstrain]

Street photography (for fun). Architectural photography (for pay). The pro-mist filter helps the digital sensor act a bit more like film. We use them a lot in video/film as well. I don't usually use them for street. We used to print 3-4 inch versions of all the images, then put them on the floor and walk around making final selection decisions based on that impression. What about using a small hdmi monitor (5" or so) and flipping it upside down? or with those cameras that can do so, send the image to your phone then flip it?

[@liamstrain]

​ @Mark Denney - this you? Or is this spam...

[@dfinlay587]

I mainly do travel photography. All hand held, and fast paced. It a blend of street, landscape, people, and architecture.

[@deenugent473]

Definitely Portrait photography!

[@jimswift2400]

Very informative, shooting on location did not hinder your message on bit.

[@germanshepherdmom5411]

I do wildlife and landscape photography but would absolutely love to try my hand at Astrophotography.

[@robertleeimages]

Nightscape milky way photography and night street photography, but have only just started with the street photography but the 18-55mm f4 wasn't fast enough so just purchased a second hand sigma 30mm f1.4

[@johnpouw3352]

I started with Landscapes but have in more recent years also moved into Macro and Bird photography. Each satisfies a certain need but they all have to do with seeing different aspects of nature, from the grand to the tiny so I enjoy them all. :)

[@brianm.9062]

firstly, thanks for another great vid, I admire the way you impart wisdom gained through experience with out the 'this is what I do, so should you' its a great watch when someone is not trying to tell you what to do. I would take up sports across the board, Its like landscape in the way you have to be ready for the moment. Just being there is not enough, waiting ten mins for the sun to break through when your lens is ready and waiting to me is like an athlete hitting the mark, both are over in a split second, clouds move and at most you have the light for a minute or two, miss it, its over and it ain't coming back. Also you have to move to get the best view or vantage point. both have the elements of patience, and getting it right first time. Just a question, do you have a calendar of places with times of year to visit? I have started to create my own, I.e. last two weeks are the wheat and corn hitting good colour and height (UK that is) and the best 'Time' to visit, marked it down for next year just for reference. Once again thanks for the vid, brilliant stuff.

[@timothygasper406]

I've also used black nylon material from my wife's old nylons. I stretched it tightly and placed it over the lens and then screwed a clear glass or UV filter on. Works great. Also did his for portraits and weddings.

[@markstamusz8648]

Great video, Landscape or Adventure aka Hiking 😀

[@GeoffGrant2010]

Thanks, good video. I am beginning to do more candid or environmental portraits because of age (knees limit my landscape settings.). There is a huge variety in candid images and street that I can still do in different settings!

[@GeoffGrant2010]

Did you reach out about contacting you? I’m skeptical. Thanks

[@BCPCamerasTech]

1/2 mist looks great. Skin doesn’t look too soft and the highlight looks great. 1/4 may be the sweet spot.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Agreed - I’m thinking 1/4 is the sweet spot for video!

[@MetfieldFilms]

Interesting that you bring up the Street genre Mark. Have you watched Jason Vong’s ‘The ULTIMATE GUIDE to STREET PHOTOGRAPHY’ with Professor Hines? True, quite different from what you do, but keen to know your impressions! Thanks.

[@exploretography]

Hey Mark.. fun video, thank you. We came from being long time wedding photographers and we are thankful we got to experience that genre because it involved aspects of many styles including portrait, landscape, nightscape, macro, street, and photojournalistic photography. It was so much fun to be part of.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for checking it out!

[@ap2760]

Great tip! Rotating the camera is so much easier than standing on your hands :-) To me the filter takes away from the richness of the colors in nature. I can see why it works well in a harsher cityscape environment. Maybe if it was color graded to be less vibrant with cooler colors? IDK - Kudo's for trying something different!!!

[@pc1189]

I like the black mist filter idea. The two trees at the end of the video look beautiful the filter is like an Orton effect without the extra work in post 👏👏

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Yes, perfectly said!

[@NightfallMedia]

I would do architectural photography, I shoot a lot of abandoned things current day along side my landscape stuff as I really enjoy the aspect of nature taking over structures.

[@bobwhitley1411]

If I couldn't do landscape photography? I would do either one or all of the following. Macro, concentrating on flowers or water droplets, drip collisions. Since I already do just that. The weather in Iowa can be rather unpredictable and the winters can be rather harsh.

[@NickBoris1]

I use a mist filter for landscape and wildlife photography and videos

[@alexgraefe.photoYT]

I really like the filmy cinematic look the video has! You should use it more often. There is a reason why those filters are basically standard in cinematic videography. About your question: I'm also a portrait photographer and tried a black mist filter (1/4) before in landscape photography, but I didn't like the results, because the 1/4 filter was way to strong for my taste. I've just recently picked up a 1/8 filter and give this a try again. Thank you!

[@alexgraefe.photoYT]

Acutally just packed the filter in my bag and I will try this on my trip this weekend

[@paulbenson3441]

Hi Mark, my second choice to photograph would be early industrial buildings from the industrial revolution and anything associated with it. My wife and I live in Sheffield, UK the home of steel, cutlery and heavy steel plate manufacture. Nearly all of this has vanished now but there are still a few reminders of how it used to be.

[@nigelbuxton3762]

My alternatives to Landscape: Macro and tabletop photography.

[@christalsigrid2450]

Great technique to try Mark! I think my second choice in photography, I think is a tie with macro and portraits

[@therealDJGroo]

thanks, Mark for all the guidance and tips over the years. So...are you using the Pro-Mist filter instead of a UV filter, or in combination with a UV filter?

[@brandonmjohnsonphotography]

That was a very interesting video! I am definitely going to try that out. I've never thought of that. I was wondering about the Black Mist filters from NiSi. Do you like using them for the video? I just got the V7, True Color CPL, and a 2 stop soft grad filter from NiSi. I really love their system.

[@PathinAZ]

I find using filters of any sort works best (for me at least) like with a simple idea. Use a matching filter to enhance a mood you already have in a composition, is a lot better than using a filter to try and create a mood in a composition.

[@GJuve1]

Well I also like wildlfe and motorsport photography, but wildlife would be my first choice as it still gets me out into nature which is why I love landscape photography so much! I hear you with those spiderwebs as I'm always out after dawn on Sundays!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

The worst!

[@salvatoreshiggerino6810]

I'd do travel photography. Some of my favorite shots have really been holiday snaps. It would be interesting to try to do it in a more structured way that tells a story.

[@peterfritzphoto]

For me, Mark, it would be automotive photography. I shot cars for magazines and advertising for over a decade and absolutely loved it. I use a 1/8 black mist filter on some of my a-roll footage. I call it my George Clooney filter.

[@DarrenJSpoonley]

Fantastic idea Buddy !!! Will give it a go And Astro would be mine :-)

[@L.Spencer]

Any tips on what to look for in a tripod? Easy set up, lightweight, type of mount? I've been shooting for two years, don't have a lot of strength, can spend maybe around $200. I wouldn't be hiking.

[@photografia]

Eugène Atget only saw pictures upside-down. That was the nature of the cameras he used. It's attributed to be one of the reason he is one of the greats, as he only saw shapes and lines. Great Idea, though Mark!

[@andreasbininda6226]

hm, that is really interesting! I will for sure try this!

[@sittymaha3741]

If I’m a landscape photographer base, I would try architecture photography. It is slow pace shooting and to need to figure out about the light, the composition or capturing techniques just like the landscape photography. But if I’m looking into the fast pace shooting or capture the moment, I would try street photography. It is like observing things around you and focusing on one frame or a set of photos to tell story. Actually I feel it’s less thinking and more observation or waiting something happen is kind a relax for people like me who living in the downtown and didn’t travel so much.

[@34Media]

have tried it a couple of times and not convinced i think landscape wise it would be good as a graduated filter, to use with skies for example , but haven't seen any of those around .

[@williamdavidson1490]

Hey Sir M.D. great question, I'd opt for Time-Lapse (City & Street) if I couldn't do Landscape Photography.

[@stevetqp9152]

Very interesting and informative as always, Mark! Besides landscape photography, my other "genre" has always been product photography! I actually love being able to control 100% of my shooting environment, especially lighting. Using a solid tripod, optiml exposure, and good lighting, I obtain images with extreme sharpness and detail...especially when using techniques such as focus stacking, in which I shoot dozens of exposures of the product, each at a slightly different focus point. I then combine all images in Affinity Photo and do final post processing in photoshop. (I also sometimes employ that technique in my landscape images where I want maximum detail in both foreground and background.) Thanks again!

[@pcread]

Industrial archaeology. And vehicular photography. Planes, cars, ships, trucks, trains etc.

[@julieisthatart]

thanks, nice video. I'll trade you one of my trail tips in exchange. When walking a trail that has spider webs crossing it, pick up a long skinny stick and carry it out in front of you bobbing it up and down as you walk and it will catch all those little invisible but annoying threads.

[@leniehulse1621]

Just saw a video about two weeks ago by Darlene Hildebrandt using the upside down method. Great tip!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it Lenie!

[@JROwensPhotos]

Well, that's a pretty easy question for me to answer, since I've always been an astrophotographer first, landscape photographer second, at least in my heart. Since I moved from Arizona to England, that's been rather flipped as far as actual output goes, because the weather & latitude here just suck for astrophotography, but lend themselves rather well to landscape photography.

[@debbiesamsonwhite308]

Wildlife. I started with wildlife and just over the last two years have been practicing landscape.

[@klausschleicher523]

Hi Mark, would it not be easy for the camera company to implement such up-side-down view? Maybe as an additional view option.

[@ryanlamont5669]

Cityscapes and long exposure type photography would be my alternative

[@jp.dhondt]

My original type of photography, was Macro, especially flying insects. But as insects are here only in the spring/summer period. I want to do something else the rest of the year, and then came to landscape photography. Which I love very much and do the last year more than macro. But still this is my first love.

[@DejayClayton]

The brain processing of upside-down images is precisely the technique advocated in "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain", first released in 1979.