Approaching the Scene

Last year, I drove out to Great Smoky Mountain National Park and filmed a short video about composition. The format was brand new. Something like this had never really done before. Not by me. Not by anyone that I could find. Instead of just showing you a collection of photographs and discussing how I made them, I took a completely different approach. . .
I have a long list of videos ideas waiting to be filmed that take a similar approach as this one. If you want to see more like this, let me know and I will begin filming!
www.jaredlloyd...

[@ejrobertsonii]

Very useful approach. Cant wait to see more like this.

[@davemowrey7668]

As an inveterate picture snapper who is usually traveling with another person, I find myself less likely to wait and more likely to settle for what I can snap in that second. To think about the time and patience that is an integral part of great wild animal photography gives much more appreciation of the end result that we all admire. It isn't just luck!! It is knowledge of the tools and creatures, patience and perseverance, and an eye for the link between creature, photographer, and viewer. Thank you!

[@steveupton6630]

This is a very helpful format, totally enjoyed it

[@ernierose2563]

Ah, great info!

[@dlplant]

Great idea and great video. Much more informative and educational that just written instruction. Would love to see more of this.

[@kellyosborn7504]

Thank you. It is more helpful than the final product as just still photos.

[@Steve-wk8nd]

I liked this very much. It's almost as great as being there beside you. And the running commentary wouldn't have been possible in real time. Well done!! More please!

[@ericjanzer9633]

Nice work, Jared with some good explanations of your reasoning behind particular shot choices. Yes, by all means, produce more of these types of tutorial videos.

[@paulpokrywka1945]

I liked the video. Seeing the video does give me the sense of how to and see the situation evolve into a picture.

[@valeriejh8926]

Like it very helpful.

[@hollymasepohl8276]

I enjoyed the video and would like to see more videos like this.

[@patrickguilfoyle8884]

I enjoy watching videos from the field in wildlife photography. Well done Jared. Great information. Thank you.

[@edwinmaldonado8761]

Fantastic video very easy to follow. It makes sense sometimes we rushed our photos and maybe end with a good photo but not one with a great background separating your subject. Liked this type of training.

[@steveplayford5424]

really useful commentary. Especially the bit about 2 hours! It puts great images into perspective of the time taken to get that one magic moment.

[@JaredLloydPhotos]

Thank you sir. Yes, there is a lot of time an patience in waiting for the right moment to finally unfold. The number 1 thing people can do to improve their wildlife photography immediately is simply slow down and be patient

[@tonijones9141]

LOVE this approach! I am a visual learner and this is very helpful. Thanks!

[@TiagoCaravana]

Excellent! Good to listen to your experience :)

[@ruthdrews496]

You have to determine where you want your audience to focus on, what story are you wanting to convey…..for me, the massive antlers in this composition….I love to shoot wildlife….I’ll have to go to this place….nice video.

[@ednorthup5471]

Very interesting approach and very useful. I agree with others on some of the distractions but please do more. one other suggestion would be to take the photo you chose and finish with your suggested post edits before hanging on your wall.

[@JaredLloydPhotos]

great idea!

[@steverushing9610]

I like this approach. Among its strengths is reinforcing the importance of being 'intentionally opportunistic'. Keep them coming.

[@richardbeasley9084]

Great Video Jared

[@paulinvirginia4851]

I appreciate your willingness to share your insights and the time and effort it takes. I find the information very beneficial and thought provoking. Thank you.

[@kimdwaynebertholl8508]

Excellent way to show your processes. Thank you for the new videos.

[@SteveHecker]

Outstanding content and delivery. Please keep producing these. I was not distracted by anything during the presentation. Very high-level stuff. Thanks very much.

[@georgeball2226]

Excellent idea for these videos Jared. You are still the master of photographic education. Keep up the good work.

[@WorldofSonyaB]

This is a wonderful tutorial Jared. Thank you for sharing! I just spent a couple of days photographing the elk in the Smokies. I would love to see more videos similar to this.

[@marymcclain3392]

Thanks for the details about your shot, I saw several other opportunities in the video, but wasn't focused just on the bull. Your shot resonates as you describe. I vote for more like this.

[@dale4377]

Great video Jared. Really enjoyed the "behind the scenes, this is my approach" perspective. Keep them coming !

[@LouisaLee63]

Thanks for sharing! Very helpful to share your thoughts and considerations.

[@puttle712]

Very timely video! I'm going out to western Pennsylvania next week to photograph their elk herd, and your video and accompanying articles have been very inspiring and helpful. Hope to get some really good shots!

[@sandefurschmidt]

Very good information--I would appreciate this more without "music" in the background that distracts from what you are saying.

[@vernonbritton5990]

Great, thought provoking episode. I hope to be there in a couple of weeks. It gets soooo crowded but it is worth it. The music was OK but a bit loud. I was not bothered by it. I did enjoy the little "nat" that I thought was on my monitor. I couldn't wipe it off. Do more of these. When I get somewhere like this I am too anxious and start snapping before I process the event. This way could be the best of two worlds: good video and choice of stills.

[@michaeldevirian]

Yes, that works. Its refreshing to "experience" the technical message rather than analyze it. My only suggestion would be to make the video shorter. I don't think I'm alone in being a little ADD and wanting to get the nourishment of the message in a smaller mouthful.

[@joeatikian9684]

Placement of the horizon line seems like the critical point in this composition. I think it's perfect being somewhere below the chin so as not to intersect the face. Maybe even better if it ran through the cape, but what do you think?

[@JaredLloydPhotos]

for me it was all about getting the horizon line below the chin, but not so low it was intersecting with joints down below

[@AndrewBrandt531]

Nice concept and I'd love to see more of these "in the field" tutorials. I would suggest that the music was too loud, especially at the beginning, and competes with your voice for attention. Ultimately, I have to tune out the music to understand what you are saying which defeats the purpose of having music, IMHO. However, if the music matches the mood of the video in the field, use it instead of constant commentary. But that's the joy of trying to do something new, you are free to make mistakes.

[@JaredLloydPhotos]

thanks for this feedback! I'll watch the audio levels a bit closer next time

[@johntoolan7243]

Great video, but try to keep your hands out of the field of view or at least from covering your face! Sorry, but I became fixated on them and had trouble concentrating on what you were saying! Glad to see a new video from you, keep em coming! I'm a lifetime subscriber to the mag and I recommend it every chance I get!

[@RonaldLYork]

Agreed your hands are distracting. You must be part Italian.

[@dorothydrobney3881]

@@RonaldLYork - I thought the same!

[@TexCynRVLife]

In due respect, I find myself getting lost in the videography rather than the photography value of this video/tutorial. Perhaps more freeze frames (although you did that some) with a better focus on the subject with a photographer eye could be better helpful? I'm not sure if I am making sense. There is such a difference on videgraphy vs photography. Yes, the subject of what is being shot is quite important, but I personally find that if I'm shooting a subject for photography, I take a different look at the subject. Maybe a different approach of explanation with more freeze frames? And I agree with others, no music for photography tutorials as it does distract. Yes for videography though...as long as the music doesn't interfere with your voice.

[@rscott4673]

I find practical applications such as this video very helpful. Although I haven't attended one of your workshops, I assume this is an emphasized part of the in-the-field experience. You published this video about a year ago. Out of curiosity, how do the responses compare from then and now?

[@dougandmelaniegorman2442]

I love the concept of the video showing what is happening in front of you as well as what is going on in your head and where you are physically positioning yourself. The only thing I could suggest is that there be more of the video of the scene and the animal while you are talking and less of you talking. Even if you freeze the video for a time while you are explaining.

[@JaredLloydPhotos]

noted!

[@felixifloresrodriquez3306]

Since I joined The Journal of Wildlife Photography, my outlook on photography has changed. I have become more involved with the craft and willing to go out and stay out longer and under any condition. Furthermore, I have spent more money on the art, not on gear but on workshop and travel to other locations to photograph wild subjects. This type of video should be part of your portfolio. The content helps us, the viewer, to visualize the reason behind the image, not the technical aspect but the actual feel and how the outcome will touch the viewer.

[@JaredLloydPhotos]

Thanks so much for this feedback! I am really happy to hear that all of this has been helpful! More like this to come!