Can I better my best ever Landscape Image using a Nikon Z8 - 6 years later!

In this video, I try to better my favourite landscape image of all time. It's six years later: did I manage it?
Earlier this week, I headed to Wales to try to better my favourite landscape image of all time. I captured the image at South Stack Lighthouse in Anglesey in May 2018.
It's quite a complex image to capture. It's made particularly difficult due to a few factors. Firstly, the conditions have to be perfect. A dark sky with no moon for one and a clear sky is a must. Then, onto the camera settings. A quickened shutter speed is of paramount importance to freeze the lights. As we all know, trying to attain a fast enough shutter speed during the darkest of night can only be achieved by shooting with a very wide aperture and a screamingly high ISO. On top of that, you need a reasonably robust post-processing workflow to take care of the noise that's produced.
I captured each image at roughly 1.5 seconds using a super-fast NIKKOR Z 24MM F/1.8 S LENS. My ISO never fell below 8000!
I originally captured the image using my Canon 5D MK3, which, incidentally, was released in 2012.
Surely my current "Camera of the Year" 2023 Nikon Z8 would fare much better?
Take a gander at the video and see the result.
Feel free to leave a comment.
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[@malcolmbrunt4139]

Your original was a “first” and has emotional attachment. The other images are absolutely fantastic but the first one has an edge. Brilliant video Gary.

[@williamsellars3876]

"Creating great images takes more than just the best gear money can buy". Thank you for that important statement.

[@ianbrown704]

Absolutely incredible images. But why only 1k likes, does this mean 4k didn't like it, I don't think so!!! Come on guys all the effort that's put into these videos. It only takes 1 second to click. If we don't like then these you tubers need to get income from somewhere and we don't want sponsorship to spoil things and question bias.

[@DaveJonescruise]

I live about 20 minutes away and have never seen a better photo than yours, and I love the little pearl of wisdom at the end, I wish you and your family all the best for 2024 and beyond.

[@louiebodenstaff6772]

Awesome watching a master at work ... superb images Gary!

[@GaryGough]

Thank you! Cheers! 👍👍

[@chrisjones311]

I've seen many images of southstack , but nothing like these. They are amazing. I'll have to try it on my next visit to Anglesey

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Chris 👍👍

[@280bunny]

Great video to start 2024! The detail in the images as far as I can see is exceptional, I guess you will now take two prints of the stack to your photoclub talks and see what the pixel peepers make of the new one!😅

[@GaryGough]

Cheers 👍👍

[@daviddaw999]

What a great start you have made to 2024's content with this video, Gary. The reaction you get from some members of camera clubs when you show them your original shot confirms my opinions about camera clubs. Had you shot at ISO 8000 when you could have captured the image with an ISO of let's say 400, it would have made the members' reaction quite valid. The truth of it is that the image could not have been created with anything other than a very high ISO; therefore any criticism from the pixel peepers is rendered completely unjustified.

[@andrewweathers2938]

Thank you for sharing the experience. Including your pride in the original image. Some of my favorite photos are still ones I took 10 or 15 or 20 years ago when digital photography was in its infancy. New gear can't replace the first time you see a lion in Maasai Mara or skate boarders doing ollies in front of a statue of Lenin just a few years after the fall of the Soviet Union.

[@599miata]

I do believe that you did better this time, Gary. Fine nighttime photo. 👌👌

[@dannymacamaturephotographe6352]

Gary that was amazing photography. I was in Anglesey last week but didn't get down to south stack. I will make sure i do when i go back in February. fantastic video and images . Danny

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Danny 👍👍

[@Combat_Camera]

Fantastic shots. Greetings from Poland, Gary.

[@GaryGough]

Very kind, cheers 👍👍

[@antonoat]

Gary Gough, outstanding photographer, and a thoroughly likeable fella ! 👏😀👍

[@marktaylor9579]

Simply Brilliant!👏👏👏

[@julieboyle170]

Just magnificent!

[@alexandret2618]

Great one ! You even got the pleiades in the top left corner as an added bonus !

[@claudiaphillips7063]

Amazing as always.

[@oldmalty8412]

Awesome ! Commitment Technical genius and gorgeous images. Truly an exemplar of the photographer’s art.

[@zadokwest]

Awesome love it.🎉

[@Kevin_YouTube]

Brilliant. Thank you

[@robinchun1]

Kevin Mullins says.. 'a picture doesn't have to be technically perfect, but it does need to be important!'

[@Big.E]

My favourite place on the planet along with Porth Dafarch. Great video as always 👍

[@stevecrump6253]

WOW! The Master !

[@LynneH-ej6rx]

Stunning photos!

[@andydeane80art]

Quite enjoyed watching this. Did you better the image? Difficult to say, but I vote yes, you did. Based solely on the fact that you got the Pleiades Cluster, Messier 45, in the upper left of your image. As an amateur astrophotographer, I'd be ecstatic to have done the same! Good on 'ya and thanks for the smiles!!! 👍

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Andy 👍👍

[@stephenthompson1998]

That’s wizardry even if you didn’t better your favourite.👍

[@mikefisher-vb1ex]

I just Love the shots, thank you for doing it.

[@mikebartow9415]

Recreating a magical moment is hard. All the elements must be the same or better, but sometimes the first time has that emotional excitement that can’t be forced. This is what adds to the image.

[@DavesEpicPhoneShots]

Great video to start the new year! I love both images, well done🤩👏

[@bcegerton]

That was outstanding Gary, “Simply Stunning”

[@CC3GROUNDZERO]

Wow, those images are amazing!

[@randyschwager2515]

You never cease to blow me away! Your work is matchless! Thanks for taking me along!

[@andyjsmith1981]

Absolute quality Gary!!! Those are some damn fine images right there! 💥

[@djordjenovakovic9409]

Very well done.

[@garybeaumont1373]

Great image and a great start to the year

[@eltinjones4542]

Fair play to you Gary, I'd neither have the enthusiasm or patience to take the shot (s) and edit them 📷👍

[@MySamarIslandAdventures]

amazing shot

[@paulthomas8986]

What a beauty. Congratulations 👌

[@therightfoot81]

Wow Gary, class, pure class.

[@SteveZodiac777]

A great adventure and fabulous shots!

[@copenhagenbypede]

Great video to start 2024 with, looking forward to many new videos throughout the year

[@user-sm4tm2ho4z]

These are amazing works Gary!

[@peacockmick2]

Absolutely amazing photo. Well done, Gary

[@gregroberts875]

Just WOW!!!!

[@andy_simmo]

Simply stunning start to 2024 Gary technical masterclass loved it!

[@findus605]

Excellent vlog Gary , fantastic images as always, great start to 2024 👍👍

[@cliveingram9840]

Fabulous images as ever Gary and lovely inspirational video.

[@SloopJohnBee-vq6dw]

Fantastic images Gary and, also as always, I admire your dedication to your art. 👍📸

[@paulbell9957]

Love your dedication and enthusiasm for your craft Gary. Always such a pleasure to watch mate. Beautiful images for all your hard work. Excellent 🙂🙂

[@LeeMansfield]

First class Gary - amazing vlog and photo

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Lee. As always, thank you so much xx

[@liftpitcher]

Great video Gary and as always inspirational and informative.. thank you

[@johnchambers6272]

A most enjoyable watch, one of your best videos yet. It's going to be tough to top this one in 2024. Thank you for sharing Gary. Well done.

[@rogerhulks2355]

very nice you certainly give inspiration certainly for me

[@slannne]

Awesome mate. Thank you

[@GaryGough]

My pleasure! 👍👍

[@markhale10]

Great video Gary, and I loved your closing statement - so true.

[@Luigi13]

You did it again and a lot better Gary, excellent! When you show the closeup it is sharp and noise free so it seems. Compositions wise beautifully composed. Cheers to you.

[@mickcookson8009]

Garry just found the channel and love it, a set of great images and a calm well explained narrative, and some of my favorite places. I scuba dived around that area in the 80's and 90's.

[@wezjonesphotography3197]

Love these pictures Gary,

[@harveyhodgson7990]

Amazing photos 👌📸

[@andykennerley8159]

Wow mate stunning photo 📷

[@MaliDaviesPhotography]

I genuinely got quite emotional when the shots were revealed at the end! Class my friend!! Nuff said.

[@darrenleigh201]

Wonderful images, Gary. Thanks for sharing!

[@laurencedonkin9248]

absolutely majestic, nerves of steel standing there in daytime, anything is worth it to get the perfect shot 👍

[@user-if9gq9et6z]

Fab photos and a great watch Gary

[@robbieallcock]

Superb Gary!!! 🫡

[@Trish12303]

Spectacular images!! You certainly accomplished your goal of meeting and exceeding the beauty of your previous work!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@davidgibbons3753]

Hi Gary happy new year your images one word stunning thank you😊

[@jonathantharp9425]

As always this was an inspiring video. Thanks for sharing.

[@GaryGough]

You're very welcome! 👍👍

[@terrymartin4489]

Awesome shot and very inspiring video.

[@julioamaral4391]

Fantastic piece of photographic art, dear Gary! Congratulations from South Brazil! I know how difficult is to achieve it!

[@peteg330]

Stunning mate, absolutely stunning. Just goes to show that you have to plan, plan & more planning to be in the right place at the right time for this shizzle to work. We some times get lucky, and get a stunner, but the more you plan the better you get!

[@stsorsby]

Wow, wow wonderful images 👍👍📸

[@Kev5565]

Wow awesome work and so inspiring, you deserve thumbs up even before watching because each time i'm inspired also the music fits the mood perfectly.

[@Kees-ot7xh]

Gary, thanks for again a great video!

[@GaryGough]

Very kind of you, thank you xx

[@rosssayer6524]

Great effort, worth having a go with all the new technology. I'm just amazed people would start pixel peeking without appreciating the beautiful work achieved with your best image you created, I'm lost for words. Both amazing images.

[@Alphipapi]

Thanks Gary. Wonderfull idéal of photo. Congratulations

[@pathogan4854]

Brilliant video and a fantastic end result ! whether you bettered your shot or not is for you alone to say !! It the heart and sole that you put into your shots that make them stand out !

[@davidross5930]

I think you're right Gary,you didn't better it! Great location.

[@tomlee812]

Absolutely amazing images, showing off your true craft. I rather liked the tighter crop onto the lighthouse and buildings. The image quality is astounding.

[@keefr22]

Beautiful images again Gary - both the fantastic original and the wonderful new ones! I'm hard pressed to pick a favourite as they are all so good, but if forced I'd have to go for the final single image from above - something even more magical about that one! Keith

[@stephenmunday123]

Gary you will never better image you took 6 years ago, the effort taken to capture the image and the emotion within it can't be bettered, now technology making the quality better is something completely different, with improved hardware and software. It's a brilliant image and clearly holds a magical moment for you. No need to improve. Keep doing what you do, love all your stuff 😊

[@vikz5786]

Hi Gary. I discovered your channel yesterday and frankly, i am struggling to stop binge-watching. What a wealth of knowledge you have, and so eloquently explained. Thanks for sharing. 🙏👍😊

[@GaryGough]

Kind of you to say, thank you

[@gavinheppenstall766]

Nicely done, I love doing nightscape’s 🖖

[@gazdyer2732]

Outstanding Gary !!!!!

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Gaz 👍👍

[@Cue1477]

And it doesn't get any better than that! Wow Outstanding images Gary, and thank you very much for sharing.

[@GaryGough]

Cheers 👍👍

[@timrosenburgh8597]

Absolutely brilliant Gary and what a start to 2024 for you. It amazed me that when you told me that the people that you were with really liked the image and then had the cheek to start pixel peeping when you told them that it was taken at ISO 8000. I think there is something wrong with people like that. I say just enjoy an absolutely stunning image. I also really liked the second image which was amazing and thank you for taking the time to show us your process in capturing the image. Well done Gary, simply brilliant.

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

This proves one does not need the latest and greatest.

[@GaryGough]

So true, but certain elements of the Z8, like the tilting screen does make the job easier. Cheers Eric 👍👍

[@lisasimpson9343]

I could feel the excitement for you getting that image. I'm a Canon 5Dmk4 owner and I'd have to say I do like the Nikon image as well, they are both different. Great video, thank you.

[@peterdovey5182]

Listening to you saying about the conditions, the cold, the precarious cliff edge location and the time of day, i draw the conclusion that you have a very understanding wife. A superb film and a fantastic set of images Gary.

[@viv-i-vangoesforth]

There's a reason why you are my absolute favourite photographer, Gary , and this video proved it. Magnificent work and verey brave of you to stand so close to the ledge to do this video. It was a pleasure meeting you by accident pre covid at the Flying scotsman viaduct shoot and one day I hope we meet again so I can tell you in person..... though as I remember I was raving about your work at the time, thinking it was someone who looked like you-and you turned around and it was you!!!. Absolute respect from me- Kenny

[@ianlaw9836]

Hi Gary, maybe you think you didn't better your original image but this is definitely one of your best videos to date - an accolade truly deserved for standing outside at midnight in those freezing temperatures!!! Gotta say a huge thumbs up from me and please keep up the great work throughout 2024 😎

[@tonnievanravestijn748]

Dankjewel Gary mooie foto,s

[@abhayrege8509]

Going to such a location at dark night itself is a big challenge to plan and actually go there. You just need passion, passion and passion to do so... Milky way season is around the corner and I am too planning it for this time. lets's how goes!! Great work Gary, inspiring as always...

[@desgardner7169]

If I told my Mrs where I was going and what I was going to take pictures of she would say don't come running back here if you fall off that Cliff.........errrrrr Old Masters can only be taken once and never bettered, you should know that Gary, but it was a good attempt and worth a like! Thank you for showing us your efforts.....

[@davidpearce2981]

Very nice gar

[@garrydelday5816]

Never a truer saying than at the beginning “we should all enjoy images for what they are” They are taken at a certain moment in time that will never be repeated. Yes you can revisit the exact same location time and time again but you will never get identical conditions (close but never the same) I have one image I took as a complete beginner of an active Volcano in Iceland, technically it is not great (I didn’t have the skills to do it well) but the effort and time taken to be there at the perfect time makes it one I am very proud of. If I’m honest you can get an emotional attachment to certain images and no amount of trying can you better them 🤔 Your images are really stunning Gary and I’m not surprised you still prefer the original, it’s called emotion 😉👌

[@GaryGough]

Thanks for the comment. Cheers Garry 👍👍

[@steffore1]

Superb Gary👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@GaryGough]

Many thanks 👍👍

[@clissonplage]

I subscribed, because I really like your approach Afterwards, I think that you will never do better than your first time, because it is precisely unique in terms of emotion. And technology will never improve it she will be more beautiful, more efficient, finer, but never the best emotionally Nothing replaces a first time. And we all always tend to forget at the expense of technology / hardware performance Really thank you for sharing your video

[@scotty4418]

cracking images Gary and a good testament to the capabilities of the 5Diii when put up against the latest equipment available today.

[@GaryGough]

It's still a cracking camera Scotty 👍👍

[@brianhenno4744]

Hi gary I shoot canon and really do like nikon in someways, but i think software pays a big part in the final image ie noise reduction ect, and i can't afford to change gear , and yet software is cheaper then equipment Great vlog, and great images 👍👍👍

[@GaryGough]

Very true Brian. The most important purchase is your shoes that's a fact 👍👍