Are you a photographer or a muggle?

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This week I'm talking about the biggest difference between photographers and non-photographers whilst doing some landscape photography in Snowdonia, on a lovely winter's morning, while coughing quite a lot...
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[@bardofhighrenown]

I wish you did more quick composition breakdowns like you did of the bridge. The number of things you considered in making yours made me rethink how I'm doing mine and if I shouldn't take more time and consider more elements when taking photos.

[@vaibhavjoshi99]

So true it did! I'd definitely love more of that!

[@althejazzman]

The best photographers spend more time behind the camera before pressing the shutter, than editing in post.

[@lennartuecker]

Absolutely!

[@izmargad]

As a part of such breakdowns and in general I'd appreciate it if you point out what you are focusing on and why you chose this particular spot.

[@pix_wbmr]

I basically use two cameras now. 1 for tripod shots I take a long time to composition and 1 for shots I would take if I didn't have my camera locked on the tripod. I have the attention span of a golden retriever puppy so I need something else in my hand while doing longer exposures etc haha Maybe that helps. Can be a phone with a camera too or a GoPro

[@HolybasilYT]

B-roll has a very important role to provide story continuity. I will not tire of seeing the youtuber summit a hill, cross a bridge or hop a fence regardless of how many times it happens, because it creates narrative.

[@justposi]

I agree he's just a bit bitter cause he's the one who is making these videos and knows what's behind scenes. Pretty unnecessary to show his bitterness tho since he's the content creator and we are the audience. Videos like these can break the immersion and pretty much piss on your career as a content creator lol

[@davidisaacson9205]

@@justposi Lol, or they show a bit of genuine relatable character in the creator. James didn't come across as bitter to me. Rather as someone with a sense of humour who also thinks critically about images (moving and still) and their use and meaning.

[@justposi]

@@davidisaacson9205 I guess its a matter of perspective then however you and me both would like this video all the same if he left that part out whilst I oersonally don't like the part he included. See how that quickly cuts 50% off. Now don't get me wrong im not one of those people who will stop watching him just because he did it but some people are and as a content creator you gotta think and weigh in the easiest thing to digest for everyone. Which is easier said than done.

[@kerrygrim7934]

The bird is a Gray Heron. Saw them this summer on a trip to Norway. The look virtually identical to our Great Blue Heron here in the U.S.

[@alasdairmackenzie905]

Agreed. Definitely a grey heron.

[@rinkerd3575]

yeah in the netherlands we have grey herons too, but we call them blauwe reiger wchich means blue heron, so i used to think it was the same as the us blue heron hahah

[@abebakker1525]

​@@rinkerd3575het is zo verwarrend hahaha. Net als de goudvink en goldfinch. Niet dezelfde vogel

[@ghw7192]

55 years getting paid for taking pictures and 32 years as a commercial studio owner has me thinking that I just may be a photographer. As always, James, an excellent video.

[@sh8736]

If your a wildlife photographer in winter a clear day with no clouds is great

[@earthmaniacs]

True

[@KEHA14]

I live in Colorado and the amazing right blue skies are gorgeous. I love them for photography as much as I love beautiful clouds and stormy skies

[@partstech1553]

Well done James. I truly like your humor and snidely comments on what ever your thinking. Winter is a special event and can be beautiful. However the older I get the less tolerant I become . Happy Holidays to you and your family from my Illinois U.S.A. family . I am looking forward to what ever you come up with in 2023. Thank You for your wonderful content and Happy New Year!

[@JakeMay]

Only recently discovered the channel and really loving the tone and mood as much as the concept. Didn't know watching someone else take photos could be so engaging and relaxing

[@Slow_Lee]

happy christmas, james! i love these types of videos you do. just down to the deed. taking photos. your place and the places you go to convey a feeling of calm and tranquility.

[@MrGavinbrownemail]

Love the channel James, especially the early morning (Best time of the day). Keep up the brilliant work. Have a wonderful Christmas. To you and your family.

[@chrisfrye5730]

Loved these photos today! There are times I’ll see something, realize there’s a photo there to be made somehow, but can’t quite figure out how to take it. I love watching you approach a scene, hear your thoughts, and then see your end results. Great work! You give me great ideas on composition.

[@gilbertwalker6769]

Thanks James for sharing your photography journey with us. Happy Christmas to you and to your family!

[@matchoo812]

I try to use those clear bright blue sky days as sort of "photo detox days" where I can (mostly) focus on just enjoying a bit of time outdoors without worrying too much about trying to get some good shots. I find as I've gotten more into photography the last few years it's nice to try and pull your mind out of photo mode once in a while.

[@wherezthebeef]

Great stuff James, I'm impressed that you toughed it out through your cold, kept your sense of humor intact, your hand steady, and grabbed some smashing photos in the process.

[@CelticSurferGaming]

I love your videos. Sorry you were feeling sick and I hope you get better soon. I'm always amazed how you manage to make such good photos. Take care & happy holidays!

[@kirstymcleod6647]

Happy Christmas to you, Emily and Small….. thank you for all the fun and informative videos… only discovered you a few months ago (I know, what rock have I been under) but you’ve given me a much needed creative jolt, so THANKS!

[@joncothranphotography9375]

I love photographing bridges, roads, and trails. Great day out! Thanks for bringing us along. Feel better soon!

[@fizzlestyxx8507]

I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. Thank you very much for the video. I feel I need to work more on composition.

[@florinungurianu]

You’ve passed 200k! Congrats! Great to see a new video from you!

[@AliasJimWirth]

Merry Christmas to you and your family, James. Some really nice photos from this outing. Thanks for sharing them.

[@richardwagner3317]

Love how you warmed up the photos, gives them a more natural look. Have a great holiday.

[@desgardner7169]

I think I am a muggle, I love blue skies, I hate those poles that ruin pictures, I hate sheep that seem to show me their buts every time I include them in a picture, but I love the way that you tackle these problems, yes you do talk nonsense but when it is all put together it makes sense, thank you for all the videos you put on here they give me hope of becoming a better photographer. Have a great Christmas and I look forward to your next episode!

[@amv000yt7]

Get well soon, James. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@Relyse]

Loved the photos James. Merry Christmas to you, Emily and Noah.

[@keithtimmis]

Merry Xmas James. Thanks for all the videos this year.

[@cellarblog]

Thanks for the links to the gloves! I ordered a pair, they were just what I was looking for, especially as winter starts to set in.

[@JohnPaul-ii]

Thanks for sharing again James, try to keep warm. Have a wonderful Christmas with the family. Stay safe 🇦🇺⛄️

[@daveinportland]

Happy Christmas to you and yours!!

[@tjsinva]

Happy Holidays to you and the family. 🎄🎅🏾

[@goodwolf152]

James Popsys: greatest living sheep photographer.

[@NigelDanson]

Awesome video James! How much of my life have I walked over bridges three times....

[@Michael-Bennett]

And we enjoy your bridge walks as well.

[@chrisburnard5157]

Thank you, great content as always. Very much appreciated.

[@filipatanasov368]

what a nice colors in these pictures!

[@VJIX]

I got your presets; they are fantastic! Hope you feel better, and happy holidays

[@AcaciaFikeNelson]

I always love your videos and photos. I do enjoy the human/manmade elements in your photos. As you said it tells a story and ultimately that's what we are doing when we take photos, sharing a visual story for others to see whether or not there are human elements in it or not. Happy holidays!

[@xaninator]

The bird is Steve! He lives nearby with his wife Janet, likes eating minnows, and is a bit of a daredevil (as you saw when he flew under the small bridge)

[@Newrappy]

I also watch a lot of Harry Potter around Christmas time and I'm really not sure why! Hope you start feeling better and have a good Christmas with your family!🎄

[@MikeIsHere23]

Happy Holidays and get well soon!

[@sohamsengupta6470]

The man really shoots sheep in the snow and it looks stunning and crystal clear while my stupid ass can't even photograph a bloody building properly

[@laurelb8372]

Too darn hot to take photos here in Australia today, 38deg. Love your images with the sheep looking all golden. Quite magical. Happy Christmas and look forward to your videos in 2023.

[@Michael-Bennett]

Beautiful scene and you've gotta love those frosty morning sheep. Have to admit that I was expecting a blue sky with reflected clouds version of the bridge.

[@johnriper4416]

Your shots composed with reflections in the frame are great, not just in this video but in many of your videos. One thing I've never seen you do, though, is night photography, where reflections can be even more spectacular. Of course, it only works in street photography and city scenes where there are enough man-made lights to create interesting effects. And I've found that a drone is a great way to test out what works and what doesn't in terms of night time compositions. I just posted a video that starts and ends with night time reflection city scapes, and am in the process of getting still photographs at higher resolution of those same shots.

[@richardmyers4262]

Great video. I especially loved shooting summer weddings and having guests tell me how lucky it was to get such a bright cloudless day while I'm setting up lights 😒

[@steveboys5369]

Hi James, another grand day out and thanks for sharing. Some super images as ever, and the bird was most likely a heron. Good to see you've overcome the lurgi ( whatever the diagnosis ) ... but before I go, thanks for another year of interesting and informative videos, and the occasional belly laugh! P.S I thought those were LIKER filters.

[@DaveStromberger]

I"m enjoying your New Topographic stuff lately!

[@georgecochrane]

Love those first sunrise shots

[@CostaMesaPhotography]

What a beautiful area in this video!

[@sue.Holmes1960]

Hope you have a very special first Christmas with Noah. Looking forward to your content in 2023.

[@Just_Call_Me_Tim]

My god... the town you walked into! It's like something out of a fairy-tale. 😮 Enjoyed the composition talk, too!

[@motorbikesgary]

Thanks again James for a great video. I know the machno valley well and wondered whether you'd checked out the quarry in Cwm. The track uphill through that quarry eventually leads to an abandoned quarry with workings which has potential for some great photos. Best wishes for the new year.

[@piketubeman]

That bird is a small Heron. Not sure what type of Heron but we have them in Canada ❤️

[@helgeschneider4417]

Like someone else has already pointed out it looks like it might be a grey heron. At least judging by the black wing tips.

[@martinphoenix8156]

Unwell and honest James is my fave version. Merry Christmas mate from the followers in Aus

[@scothowe539]

Nice photos James. Like you I enjoy including man made objects in my photos as a focal point. It was 10 below here this morning also. Unfortunately we are not on the Celsius system.

[@dortheandersen9123]

Merry Christmas James, thank you for All your KZbin videos 2022, I am looking forwards to 2023 Happy Newyear.

[@johnclay7644]

great imagery James

[@RangelMladenov]

I love your videos mate! Keep it up!

[@AndyHPhotography]

Awesome video as ever James and insightful. Love your comments about B roll 😂 have a great holidays😊

[@agunemon]

Im a muggle but Im trying to get into the hobby taking either my LX7 or G7x everywhere and learning manual controls.

[@WoldsEndPhotography]

The bird looks like a heron as others have commented. Great timing & a bit of movement adds to it I think. Have a great Christmas (maybe Santa will bring you a Leica 🙂) & I hope you get better soon.

[@Jake-vt4ow]

Great blue heron.

[@pixlplague]

@@Jake-vt4ow looks a bit small for a Blue Heron innit? Or is my perspective just off..?

[@lordschleife]

@@Jake-vt4ow It will be a Gray Heron in the UK

[@geoffreypiltz271]

A grey heron, the curved shape of the wings in flight is distinctive. We live next to a burn in Scotland and we see them all the time.

[@sh8736]

Agreed heron going on the feet, I’ve sadly hundreds of rear end pics like this 😂

[@williammorrison5739]

I think the bird was a Gray Heron that flew under the bridge, love the photo. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas James.

[@paulwardropper9579]

love this ,shots are amazing . i will try and emulate what i have seen today

[@jsimes1]

That last image with the dappled light on the building and the "telegraph" wires was wonderful!! I'm gonna check to see if it is on your web site right now! 😁Merry Christmas James to you and your family!!

[@shotbysoham]

Merry Christmas 🎉

[@FerencBirosam]

To be honest James, I'd forget about Broll of you walking across a bridge or through a gate, we are all sitting here thinking, now he has to come back and get his camera... I'd rather have you talking and taking pictures!

[@0hubi]

wow, first time watching your content. Love the vibe!

[@TheTruthKiwi]

What a beautiful spot. Brings back memories of visiting England during the Christmas holidays. Bliss. We have lovely countryside here in New Zealand of course but just it just doesn't have the same feeling and atmosphere as Britain. That was most likely just my childhood awe & wonder but I loved it. Very nice and interesting how you set up a shot. Cheers mate

[@JayDowney]

You are funnier when you're ill... lol. Glad you're feeling better and Merry Merry!

[@amandabachelot4747]

Clocked in at -36 C today in Edmonton, Canada (-43 with windchill), so -9.5 sounds like a tropical vacation right about now. Merry Christmas to you and your family, James! Hope you don't freeze :)

[@sh8736]

It’s been cold for Uk for about a week. In the south we very often get one snow day 5mm transport grinds to a halt and it’s gone by 3pm….

[@jeffolson4731]

As lots of others have said it is a Grey Heron. We have Great Blue Herons in my area. Grey Herons are a little smaller but they are very similar birds. They are one of my favorite birds to capture. The way they appear inflight is unique.

[@Cunabula_Adrian]

That "lovely day isn't it?" thing is so true :) I'm usually thinking "well two hours ago maybe but now the light is flat / shadows aren't good / there's a..." and then I say, "Yes, lovely"

[@PBKB]

I like your editing and explanations. Subbed

[@frederickmcdonald6636]

Hey James, that photo with the telegraph-thing is pretty damn nice Pilgrim! And I wanted to wish you and your family a Merry Merry Merry Christmas and I hope that Santa brings you many more witty comments for the upcoming year....

[@russellfishes]

Britain is beautiful. I love the lanes, stone walls, villages, and people.

[@MacnTeensVisuals]

Ohh -10 that's certainly a chilly one. We only got -3 here in Ireland. Lovely shots though and glad to hear you got rid of the cold. 👍

[@johnfallows3822]

Hello James, from the hills near Oldham. And 'no' I couldn't tell you were ill immediately, so good effort out in the cold. I suspect your flying object was a Heron. They always look like that when flying away from me.....which is all the time!!

[@RobBowesPhotography]

Always look forward to your new channel videos, on a different note what Fjallraven jacket did you have on in the video ? on the lookout for a new jacket :)

Great post, thanks :)

[@hamsterneckliving]

Thanks for the video. Great stuff and always makes me smile. QUESTION: when you are wearing the gloves, have you experienced the magnets affecting your drone remote? Thanks much.

[@markfuller4506]

Happy Christmas James. Loved watching your videos throughout this year. Thanks for making them. I am after a good pair of gloves but Mads didn’t rate the Vallerette so now I’m confused. You seem positive about them so any further observations would be welcome as these things are impossible to try before I buy and end up an expensive mistake. 👍

[@kadirgold]

James you’re the best.

[@HartenDylan]

Walking over the Bridge B-Roll, and the like: A wise photographer once told us that it's better to take pictures about things rather than of things, I find the pieces of narrative between the content fulfill this purpose just as much. Cheers.

[@bcegerton]

Loved the video James, wish I would have made more time to get out during the snow but with one thing or another, one being visiting my best friend a couple of time in the hospice before he passed away and other bits and bobs I just didn’t get out as much as I’d have liked. I’ve just bought the Markof 2, the 3 we’re that little bit more expensive, not much but what I paid for the 2 is a lot of money for me, wouldn’t dream of paying that much for a pair of gloves but as I’ve tiny hands I worked out I probably spend about 3/4 of the cost of them each year buying numerous cheap pairs that never seem to fit, even these are still slightly long on the fingers though I did measure them but with the magnetic forefinger and thumbs it works for me.

[@pauliusgrigas2653]

looking forward to that 40mm video… I for some reason can’t take off 27mm of my Fuji, so maybe you’ll explain why it is so amazing 😅

[@lorenbacala8000]

Great video -21 degrees C her today as I am watching.

[@lindaw5890]

Not just anybody can add power poles and lines to an image and have it work. You manage it somehow, though. Merry Christmas, James!

[@tomaswmitchellphotography]

Great video! I love Harry Potter at Christmas!

[@mendeku]

I think the bird was a Grey heron (Ardea cinerea). What a lucky shot!

[@pstraghan]

Grey Heron - from a D850 bird photographer who is now going to try street (whatever that is) with X-Pro3 and landscape again with the GFX 50s II

[@ridealongwithrandy]

You are sick and still make an awesome video! Good on ya! Cheers!

[@mikepanton]

i love the color on your photos, especially the greens! how do you edit them to get that look?

[@ApollosCounselTV]

That’s obviously the classic bird we all drew as kids 😂

[@petersmitham8273]

Heron …defo…❤

[@wendynewing8834]

The bird is a Grey Heron. Lovely collection of shots.

[@BryceJ82]

Here in Canada, it’s been as cold as -43C. Needless to say I have uncharacteristically avoided the out doors for the last few days.

[@petersmitham8273]

Hope you’re feeling much better very soon…..had the same bug and just getting over it myself…my throat still feels like a Chernobyl meltdown, but all good otherwise…❤

[@danielgoldberg2129]

I'm always trying to get power lines out of my photos. I hate them with a burning hot passion. lol

[@hellofromdavid]

Most good cameras are capable of producing technically-acceptable photographs. However, the following factors (if given attention) will make a _significant_ difference to the final quality of your landscape photography: *1* the presence, or absence, of turbidity *2* any cloud heights, types, and formation *3* the specific nature of the air quality *4* the angle of the Sun, and its elevation *5* any types of precipitation *6* the time of year *7* the time of day *8* actual composition *9* the duration of the exposure *10* the nature of the location *11* the ability to anticipate changes in light-quality *12* good interpretation of meteorological factors *13* a reasonable amount of planning *14* adequate clothing (with particular attention paid to footwear) *15* a means of powered transport *16* good local knowledge *17* personal fitness and alertness.

[@spidersj12]

There's a million ways to tie-die a t-shirt in the west, or east because it's sunrise! I actually think the bridge at 4:21 was a cool shot looking right down that bridge, but I know you were there for the sunrise with a side order of sheep, no I'm not pulling the wool over your eyes. This is the first time I'm noticing the winter wonderland whiskers you're sporting there James... are the cold weather aches and pains starting yet?

[@kidmohair8151]

this has happened a few times now. I'll see the go-pro feed and say, "take that picture" and then I see the picture you took, and think... but that's why you are you, and I'm me.

[@billkipper3264]

The zippered pocket on the gloves is for hand warmer packets. Nice improvement to the Kase filters but the real question is did they improve the strength of the magnets? I find the weak ones on my filter set to be very annoying as they are always coming off with the slightest bump. Even in my bag.