Avoid this Common Pitfall (How to Plan a Landscape Photography Shoot)

[@huwalban]

Lovely video Chris, and wow what awesome conditions you had that morning. You are 100% spot on in your approach. I always go to a location with an open mind and just react to what is in front of me, whatever the weather. There are times that I just walk away, but that is a good thing because there is no point chasing images that are just not there. Stay well and safe sir

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

I put out a video on this very subject just before Christmas Huw. Personally I always try and get a shot because I find it important to practice at every opportunity. But we are all different and there is no 'one size fits all' approach to photography.

[@huwalban]

@@ChrisSalePhoto Ah yes, I remember you did indeed. Thank heavens that there isn't a "one size fits" approach otherwise photography would be incredibly boring :)

[@rubberdiscoduck]

Thank you for recording your photographic endeavors. I'm learning so much from what you are sharing with this.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Scott, I am so pleased to hear this. The most important thing is to put what you have learned to practice as often as possible. Were you able to get out with the camera at the weekend?

[@skwent]

Great video sir. Hope you get well soon. The curse of the masterpiece is a real problem and I am glad you have addressed this. You have encouraged me to get out and look at my familiar spots with new vision.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

That is great to hear Tim - I think we are all guilty of the 'curse of the masterpiece' from time to time, I certainly am. And I definitely do find that I enjoy my photography more if I arrive on location with an open mind.

[@abhayrege8509]

Wish you a speedy recovery Chris. Good to see you back; God bless you 🙏🏼

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Abhay, I appreciate that. Hopefully I will be back to full health soon.

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Chris: It is great to see that you are feeling well enough to get back out shooting. I really like the images that you have collected during this video. You're a good mate to promote the new YT channel of David. Great paying-it-forward! As well, thanks for sharing the link to video with Joe Cornish, David Ward and David Noton. I am starting to build my library of publications by Charlie Waite and Joe Cornish, so this is a great bonus. Cheers, Keith

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hey Keith - have you watch the full series of videos featuring Joe Cornish and David Ward. They are brilliant. So insightful. I have learned so much from the 2 of them.

[@keithpinn152]

@@ChrisSalePhoto Hi Chris: I am not sure I have been watching the ones that you reference or not. I have been starting to watch the videos on the "ON LANDSCAPE" channel. Are those the ones you are referring to?

[@mujahidurrehman]

Sorry to hear about your health. I hope you recover soon and all the problems go away. Beautiful location and great advice.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hey Muji! Thanks man, I am on the road to recovery. Hopefully I will be back to full fitness soon.

[@ashstubbings2603]

27 seconds into your video and surely that's a composition in itself? WOW!!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

I think you might be right Ash. I have a very similar shot in my portfolio.

[@jimwlouavl]

Great to see you up and about, Chris. Planning is vital. As you acknowledged can happen, I suffer from tunnel vision that can keep me from being open to serendipity like your wonderful photograph of the reflected boats.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hi Jim - I am learning that it is more and more important to arrive on location with an open mind. Planning increases the chances that we will be in the right place at the right time, but it is important that we able to react to whatever we find when we arrive.

[@jimwlouavl]

@@ChrisSalePhoto I agree. That’s the balance. I’ll have a story about that when we next talk.

[@jctedsap]

Keep up the good work. Inspirational video with lots of great advice. Just don’t injure yourself. I am 60 and know all about back injuries. I thoroughly enjoy your style of teaching.

[@christopherbeckerdite4273]

Hope you're doing well. I love enjoyed this video today. I think: very well done. It's also very nice that you gave mention to another photographer. I'll go check him out as well. Thank you for all your time and effort making this for us.

[@IzzyAbuleelaPhotography]

o Great to have you back Chris, hope you are fully fit and back to 'normal' as soon as... 🙏

[@neilt]

What fantastic conditions you had there, with little to no wind and beautiful dawn colour. You made some beautiful images. Sorry to hear you were ill, I know gallstones can be excruciating and I'm hoping I never have to go through that. All best to you for 2022.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hi Neil - I hope you don't get gallstones too! They're bloody horrible. Wouldn't wish them on anyone. My advice, watch the amount of saturated fat in your diet. I didn't and am paying the price.

[@ianspicer1529]

Nice one Chris - very good point, well made; I always enjoy and gain from listening to your thought processes. What a beautiful new location too.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Wasn't bad was it Ian. Perhaps we should have ventured that way when you were here back in Feb 2020. The world was a very different place back then. :)

[@ianspicer1529]

@@ChrisSalePhoto Wasn't it just!!!! We'll be back, I am sure :-)

[@johanmichiels5640]

Chris another Interesting video loved the pictures on the second location even more than the fully worked out jetty one. Glad to see you out again but take care and let your body recover from the stones. Grts Johan

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Johan - it's always nice to hear other people's opinions, but for me the jetty shot was the star of the show.

[@johnkemp738]

Nice to see you out and about, hope to see you soon Chris.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks John, have you been out much with the camera recently?

[@paulcookphotography]

Chris, this was one of my favorite videos of yours in a while. Loved the look around and hearing the thought process behind how you plan out a shoot. Beautiful locations. Lovely first image with those snow-covered peaks and the soft clouds. I think my favorite image was the final one at 9:30, although I think it could be even better under just the right conditions. Definitely a lot of potential in that location! Glad to see you back out, don't overdo it though! Stay safe and take care!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Paul, as a video creator yourself, you will know that sometimes things all come together. This was just one of those occasions. On other times, the videos are just rubbish no matter what we try! :)

[@jimrookphotos]

You have a great way of communicating Chris. Like how you explain a bit of what you're going to do and show and why and then go through it. Great how you are recognizing other artists as well. Note how one of the best shots of an area are often the ones we've never seen or heard of before. The scene with the boats was magnificent. Glad you are on the mend.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Jim, I appreciate that. It is so important to me that I am able to pass on what I have learnt, so that others can get as much joy from photography as I have over the years.

[@adamlawonphotography5219]

Another fantastic video Chris, keep them coming....good work buddy!!

[@steves8661]

Love the new style of video Chris stunning locations some great potential there

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Steve - I keep plugging away at the video side of things, hoping one day I'll get the hang of it. :)

[@ianford9661]

Hope you’re soon on the mend Chris. Some lovely images on this video. Looking forward to many more in 2022…

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Ian - I was particularly pleased with the shot of the jetty.

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Nice one Chris loved the style of this video, good to see how you go about a shoot, hope you are feeling better, stay safe.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks John - been meaning to share this for a while so I hope folk find it useful.

[@cruishall]

It's important for me to learn from the people whom I follow in youtube or any other social media platform. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

That is good to hear Luisito - keep watching the videos and more importantly put when you have learnt to practice as often as possible.

[@Dono1964]

Brilliant advice as usual 👏 cheers top man and keep up the great work. 👍

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks man, hope that you find it useful.

[@haydennettleton3272]

That photo at 3.55 is absolutely stunning.

[@MartinWolfenden]

Get well soon Chris.Another brilliant vid.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Martin - glad the you liked the video. Was out filming another one this morning. Hopefully you'll enjoy that one just as much.

[@wajidqureshi4105]

Great video and thanks for your tips,. Wishing you good health and hope you feel back to your normal self soon.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Wajid, I am on the road to recovery but it may take some time until I am back to full fitness.

[@teevorian]

really a refreshingly good photography video, compared to the product comparison focussed other videos KZbin suggested me. Thank you for that nice video, really astonishing pictures, and I hope you get better, thanks for being open and vulnerable. I have seen just this one video from you but have already subscribed

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks so much, that is so good to hear. It is a shame that we get bombarded by gear videos, but it does seem that those are the ones that most other people want to watch. Personally, I find gear talk a bit boring - for me it is all about getting out and experiencing the world first hand through the lens of my camera. :)

[@timnewby1546]

Great video and some really nice shots

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Tim, I was pleased with the shot of the jetty. One for the portfolio I think.

[@timnightingale4325]

Sorry to hear about the gallstones, bet that really enhanced Christmas! Still, back in the game with a great vid in a lovely location. I liked both vistas. Nice of you to give David Beardy a shout out. And little Tommy Heaton too. Good on yer.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Tim, yeah, Christmas kind of sucked. I have had to adopt a super low fat diet which meant I had to avoid all of the Christmas treats. I was also off the booze so couldn't even drink my sorrows away. :)

[@robertschlomann776]

Be well, Chris! Hope you have a healthy, satisfying year in 2022, and of course, beyond that too! Looking forward to more of your videos. Thanks for coping with the distraction to make them!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Robert - I have started the new year with a renewed enthusiasm for KZbin so I hope to still be making videos come the end of 2022.

[@brianbeattyphotography]

Planning is definitely important to make sure that you're in the right place, right time, right conditions, etc. But then again, I also like the freedom of having a "general plan," so that way if a particular scene doesn't happen as I'd hoped, I can still look for other interesting potential images. That spot is such a beautiful setting! What a morning. Best wishes to a speedy recovery too!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Sounds like we have a very similar approach Brian. It has taken me a long time to get to this point where I can accept the conditions as they are and crack on with getting the best image possible.

[@SteveP_2426]

Hope you recover quickly Chris. I definitely fall into the 'Planner' category rather than say a Thomas Heaton type that just goes out and sees what he can get. Not saying one is better than another but one works for me much better than the other. I've shot the old jetty once but light was poor so definitely worth a return and interesting to see what you discovered by wandering a bit further.

[@timrosenburgh9485]

Hi Chris, Sorry to hear that you had to go to hospital and glad to see you are on the mend now. Some nice location's with lots of potential for the coming months. Really nice images as usual.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Tim, feeling much better now thank you.

[@stephendarlington]

Love the panoramic boats image Chris - maybe it would look better in different light, but I would be more than happy with what you got. Certainly not a view I have seen before. Hope you get back to full health soon.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Stephen - I will probably return to that location at some point in the spring - keen to see what the spring flowers are like and will have another go at the shot of the boats while I am there.

[@IzzyAbuleelaPhotography]

Great to have you back Chris, hope you are fully fit and back to 'normal' as soon as... 🙏

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hi Izzy - it could be a while before I am fully back to normal. In the meantime I have to stay off of the fells and stick relatively close to the car. How long I will be able to do that for is anyone's guess!

[@keswicklimeyphotography]

Thank you very much for the shout out.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

It was my pleasure.

[@andymiles5156]

Sorry to hear about the gallstones Chris, I know firsthand they can be extremely painful. Many years ago I had my first attack at 29 during my honeymoon in Snowdonia, talk about bad timing. I enjoyed the images and I hope you feel back to normal soon.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Oh no Andy! That sounds terrible. Do you mind if I ask... did you have your gallbladder removed?

[@andymiles5156]

@@ChrisSalePhoto yes I did, and these days you can be in and out the same day.

[@CraigNiesenPhotography]

Chris, sorry to hear about the health issues. I can relate. Excellent video about planning landscape photography outings and not setting expectations. The first composition with the jetty is a keeper, heck if I were on a photography trip, I would be happy with the reference shots you took😉. I hope that you are on the mend. Happy New Year and all of the best in 2022. Peace and Safe Travels.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Craig, the jetty shot is a shoe in for my portfolio when the time comes to update it. Do you plan your shoots?

[@CraigNiesenPhotography]

@@ChrisSalePhoto Yes, I do plan my shoots. Sometimes I over plan them to the point of setting my expectations so high that I can no longer see excellent compositions that are right in front of my face. I have learned over the years, and from looking back at my landscape photography trips, that many of my best photographs were made with little to no planning. Basically, I had a location in mind, I knew what the weather forecast was, and I knew what compositions I did not want. I tend to stay away from the traditional compositions of well-known locations as my primary focus. That does not mean I will not shoot them. It means that I get them done and out of the way in order to find my take on the location. I also tend to us away from the "herd" when I show up at a popular location. May I show make a video on I plan and execute my trips?

[@MiguelACoronaDM]

Those reflections, and the potential for others, make this a great location Chris. I usually do a lot of planning for new locations. However, I tend not to plan when I visit areas I know rather well. Hope you're on the mend Chris!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Miguel - how is 'stick' season coming along for you? I was in the woods this morning and could help but think of you. :)

[@joyriggphotography]

Nice video Chris looked a cracking morning and you met Keswicklimey as well 👏🏻

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Yes I did Joy, and boy can he talk! :)

[@joyriggphotography]

@@ChrisSalePhoto I think David likes to catch up with other photographers and share stories ! ; ))

[@oddbjrnaustevikfoto]

Happy new year mate and here's to a speedy recovery! Hope you're feeling better! I always picture each location I visit with beautifull cascading light, daytime northern lights and a comet in front of a red moon. That way I can be like: Well it's not that but this is still great! :) Great video as always!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Happy New Year buddy! LOL - you do make me laugh! :)

[@kaijohnson198]

Another epic vid Chris! The pre conceived notion of what to shoot can always be tough when you don't get what you want, but love how it can inspire more creativity on location. Hoping you get back to fitness soon 🤙🏻

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Spot on Kai, I hope that my approach leaves time to be creative and explore some of different possibilities after I've got the 'money' shot.

[@andrewcrisp9700]

Chris, locations by car parks and not too far to walk... seems to ring a bell. lol Enjoyed your video, and the images will look great. Wish you a speedy recovery mate.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

This would be a good location for you Andrew. It really isn't too far from the carpark with lots of different possibilities.

[@TimberGeek]

Sorry to hear about the gallstones, my wife went through that a few years back. No fun. :(

[@Chris-NZ]

Chris I could spend all day at that location you walked through at the start, so beautiful .:)

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

It was a lovely spot Chris, I will definitely return at some point in the spring.

[@tonyhales-BigT]

Mate, you better be taking it steady!!! Another great video. I call mine "flexible planning." 'Going out with an intention but knowing there maybe somewhere else.' Take care mate T

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Sounds like a good appraoch to me mate. I think flexibility is an important skill for us photographers to aquire.

[@Brock_in_the_North]

I would have gone for zero foreground Intrest and make it all about the mountains, gone in just a touch more. Just regarding the shot of catbells. Griesdale pike is a superb and a great image of it :)

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

You might be right, but for me you get a better view of Catbells from Standshag Bay. Isthmus Bay is all about the jetty for me.

[@andrewbaxter9395]

Wishing you a full & speedy recovery Chris.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thank you very much Andrew. I am doing OK now, but it is going to be a long road back to full fitness.

[@bcegerton]

Hope you’re doing much better now Chris, been there mate, I now have Chronic Pancreatitis which may have been caused by Gall Stones but then again it’s more likely due to a Kidney Transplant medication I was on for around 25 years, put it this way, they now only give you it for around a year at most. Little bit of advice, be careful with high fat and spicy foods. I’m primarily a Street Photographer as I think I mentioned on your last video but I’ve promised myself I’m going to do much more Land/Seascape photography, so much so that New Years Eve - Day I got no sleep whatsoever ( I don’t drink so not that, just comes with being a lifelong kidney patient ) so decided to make the most of it and went out and shot the 1st Sunrise of the New Year, what there was of it. Now my photos aren’t great but it’s a start. We stayed in Siloth in 2019 ( cheap break and boring there due to Covid ), we visited Keswick for the day, not been for years and wasn’t really into photography last time either. Well we tried to park at the Jetty car park near the road up to Surprise View but it was full so ventured up to the view. Came across Ashness Bridge and being a Street Photographer that shot maybe a little landscape, mainly waterfalls, I had a Canon 1300d which cost £329 with their cheap 18-55mm kit lens, I’d had it about 4 years at this point and I had with me a cheap 10 stop ND Filter and Manfrotto travel tripod, I took my best ever by far Landscape Photo. Now, to a seasoned Pro Landscape Photographer like yourself you will be able to see all the areas I went wrong, but even now I’m incredibly proud of that shot, still not printed it out yet, besides a 6’x7’ anyway but I will. Never knew then that I wouldn’t have that camera two months later, my backpack with 3 spare lenses slid into a river, followed by myself with that camera and my trusty G7 X 🤣 What you mentioned about taking your best photos when not filming, well David Griffiths said exactly the same a few weeks ago, so much so that the majority of his videos from now on won’t be shot on location

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hi Brian, thank you for sharing your experiences with me, it makes fascinating reading. Regarding the distraction of KZbin, for me it is important to keep filming on location. I just have to keep tweaking my approach so that I minimize the impact on my photography.

[@bcegerton]

@@ChrisSalePhoto Oh, as long as your photography doesn’t suffer. Saying that, I’m going to be starting doing a little KZbin myself, nothing to worry the likes of your good self, well anyone really, it’s just something for me and hopefully I can help a few others, more on that at a later date though.

[@pauljenkin297]

I couldn't agree more with the reference to avoiding the "curse of the masterpiece" as, even with the best knowledge of the location, the scene is seldom exactly as we'd like it. As someone who (currently) lives a long way from the Lakes but who used to live a lot closer, I have to grab what I can get, photographically, when I'm lucky enough to be there. Also, most of us non-professional photographers don't have the benefit of being able to "down tools" and head to our favourite beauty spot when the conditions look like they might be favourable. Therefore, avoiding being disappointed as a result of things not being "perfect" is the norm. Art mirroring life, maybe? Sorry to hear you've been poorly and hope you are soon on the mend. Here's hoping for a healthy and happy 2022 for us all.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

You make a good point Paul - I think that is why it is so important to concentrate on producing the best image possible, given the circumstances, rather than dwelling on what might have been.

[@RamblingTog]

At least you have researched the names of the hills and location, many KZbinrs do not.

[@andreaspetershtc]

I wish you good and fast recovery and best health for 2022

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Andreas - not sure how long it will take before I am fully fit, but in the meantime I am going to try to get out as often as possible.

[@hughwolfe1176]

Chris don’t avoid those health issues. As we age more issues arise, thus preventative medicine is the best thing you can invest in… BTW great shots

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

On a super low fat diet now Hugh - that seems to be keeping things under control. Time to start taking my health a little more seriously.

[@acmdv]

What happened to your "Hand of man" project?

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

I am still working in it.