Common PHOTO MISTAKES that are EASY to FIX

[@tobyparkins2696]

Hi Nigel. I'm the Toby of the rainbow trig image. Thanks a lot for choosing my pic - useful feedback and the whole video is really helpful, as always!

[@ppww6076]

I was impressed by the difference the crop of Nigel's made - I loved this image.

[@tobyparkins2696]

@@ppww6076 Thank you. Yeah I agree with the cropping, plus I think I have a tendency to make images on the dark side.

[@valrion.photography]

Always love those critique videos of yours, Nigel. It's great to hear your opinion. It's always a delicate task, as each photographer has their own affinities, but you always approach it in a constructive way.

[@grahamholmesphotography]

I always learn something from these critiques. Helps me to get better. Thanks

[@pedro_bernardes_photography]

Hi Nigel! I was very happy that my image was one of those chosen for criticism. You are absolutely right in all the details you mentioned. I realized that I have to pay more attention to details when I'm photographing. Thank you very much 🙂

[@perambulatingmike]

Enjoyed this, Nigel…and kudos to all those photographers who submitted their images for review 👏🏻👍🏻

[@marcosbarbero]

Keep it up Nigel, love to see your perspective. I'm happy that one of my images made it to the bunch! You for once could explain what I always felt off about this image, It was a great learning opportunity for me!

[@L.Spencer]

I loved that image. It looks like a painting, and I'd put it on my wall. (I would only put a few of my own pictures on my wall. I'd like to take more pictures that look like paintings.)

[@4craigh]

For a novice like me - at first glance I love all the photos as they are, then when you add your comments and suggestions, they become even more amazing! Thank you!

[@Jake-vt4ow]

You are so kind to encourage young photographers! Thank you❤ Your comments are right on 👍🏼

[@AnetteY11]

+1 to that, and I also appreciate your comment on female photographers - it does sometimes feel like a little bit of a boys thing but that shouldn’t stop us women ☺️

[@alext.7313]

I loved watching you run through these critiques. I did submit a photo, but I feel like I did take away some good stuff without mine being in the views. I also love that you’re working on helping younger people develop and, hopefully, find a true love for the art!

[@cerealkiller4248]

Whilst these videos are very informative, my fav was when you took Matt out for a session a few weeks ago. This type of video shows us how to fix problems we’ve experienced, the Matt video showed us how to approach our craft in the field to prevent them happening in the first place. I fully appreciate you can go through many many pictures in your studio, whilst the other format limits you to the one session of light per video. Whenever I come across a great scene, I get so excited I usually mess it up. I came across a cloud inversion a few days ago, my wife said I was like a springer spaniel running around with a huge smile on my face. I realise the other style of video costs more to make, and is probably a whole lot more effort to edit, but it was super helpful to try to eliminate errors in the field rather than the studio. Thanks for the work you put in to helping others, looking forward to more in 2025. Happy New Year 🥳

[@PhilClaytonPhotography1]

about 15 mins in there seems to be some distracting music playing rather loud, great to watch these critiques

[@theoldvideoguy]

As a videographer just starting to Concentrate more on photography, I appreciate your perspectives and expertise. Thanks so much

[@cguerrieri4866]

I like this type of session the most. There is already more nuts and bolts equipment /exposure content on the web This is how I become a better photographer But have to say (as a 75 year old beginner) , I object to the contest being only for youth. Seniors need to embrace photography and get off the couch and outdoors Thanks for the content the final The final tree within a tree, I would try a radial gradient to slightly darken the outside and bring the focus (and light) more on the interior tree (subject). Really loved the images

[@NigelDanson]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dillank3240]

I have to admit that I liked all the images as they were. Great work!

[@chrisparker5684]

Hi Nigel, Thanks for that - another great video. I really enjoyed pausing the video on each picture, and seeing whether I thought the same as you! Happy New Year!

[@TimMcCarthy-f4i]

Merry Christmas to you as well! Long-time viewer and decided to finally subscribe. Great video Nigel, happy to see you are encouraging interest in photography with young people and the Zf.

[@greglafortune1894]

Thanks for all the edits. Very thoughtful and hope you continue in the future.

[@sherietaylor2301]

I really enjoyed this video & appreciate you providing constructive feedback we can all learn from.

[@suew6307]

Great as always. You presented a great deal of good tips for everyone. Thanks!

[@eiriksommervold8718]

Always learn a lot from these videos. Fascinating how subtle changes make the images more pleasing to look at. Happy new year Nigel, and all other photographers.

[@richardsmith5021]

Really enjoyed the critiques. Would enjoy more.

[@mrskarshsphotos]

So lovely to see your POV on these images. I learn so much from your videos..thanks….and I am one of your female viewers!

[@timdeen2911]

Thanks Nigel. As someone who struggles massively with finding nice locations and compositions this is very insightful. I sadly don't have anyone around me to support me with feedback to become better. So I am trying to improve in different ways.

[@paulseymour7485]

Excellent video. Super critique and suggestions to correct the issues you noted. Lots of learning potential from this style video. Thanks much.

[@stephenvikla6926]

Nice video, the one I submitted was very similar to the Iceland waterfall you critiqued, i think it was the same waterfall even, so I was able to get some very specific tips from this vid. Cheers

[@martincutrone5816]

Excellent video, with succinct and straightforward polite criticism. Well done. One comment: consider showing the original and modified photo side by side after your evaluation so we can again compare. One question: When you were cropping, you seemed to do mostly “free” crops, where the original aspect ratio of the picture is changed. Doesn’t this cause problems with subsequently printing the image? Thank you.

[@LisaLeachsnapshots]

Thank you Nigel. Loved this. Feedback is great for growth.

[@TLM823]

Nigel- What a wonderful way to give your support to younger people in your competition… brilliant idea! You really are a value-add guy!

[@bobkent6075]

Great video Nigel, a very useful tool for all of us to use. I will certainly be keeping it in Fav's to use as a guide and passing on to people I feel would benefit from it (most of us really). Also a thank you to all the people that had sent in the images. 🙂

[@timrosenburgh8597]

I really enjoyed this video Nigel. It was a great idea for you to do a critique session. Unfortunately i have had the lergy which is going around so i didn't manage to send an image. I the the critique session was very helpful and explained well and i think like myself a lot of people got something out of this. Look forward to the next one. Hope you and your family have a Happy New Year.

[@antonoat]

I do wish people would stop inconsistently opening up shadows on areas which due to the position of the sun would obviously be in shade, natural light can really only come from one direction, also heavily reducing shadows decreases dynamic range within a scene! Happy new year everyone😀👍👏

[@jennifercall9014]

Wish granted😂. Happy new year! 🧙‍♀️

[@stepandvoraknezvorak5425]

Great video, we are all learning, learning from the great photographers is rewarding, keep making these videos, cheers

[@SimonWillies-on9bc]

Hi Nigel, FYI The Peak District apparently got its name from the Anglo-Saxon tribe Pecsaetan, who are believed to have settled in the area.. So now you know! Another interesting video to help with my own photography.. Thankyou..

[@danielrochester3020]

Another great video, thanks Nigel! On Samantha’s image, my instinct would have been to deliberately skew the horizon slightly to balance out the cliffs on the right hand side, to make it “appear” to be level. Is this a big no no for you?

[@VeryFunnyStuffs]

Great video to learn what „you focus on“. Especially your arguments why gives one some sort of mental checklist when choosing a shot. Awesome 👏🏻

[@jakestoneman1435]

Great video Nigel, learnt loads from this

[@michaelrobinsonphotography6552]

Thanks for sharing your opinion Nigel!

[@gailmager4147]

Happy holidays ,enjoyed the video, helpful.

[@ServantBlessed]

Excellent video 👏

[@lisarobertson7011]

great feedback and images!

[@ettoreleiduan]

Great to see a lot of images!!! Thanks

[@richardpesce5325]

Great session Nigel! Thanks!

[@BenjaminHoegerPhotography]

Thank you Nigel for choosing my image! Was kind of a late Christmas gift 😅 Need to check what I did to darken the sky, thank you so much! Wish you all the best for 2025, stay healthy and keep doing what you love!

[@AliasJimWirth]

Thank you, Nigel, for a year of excellent videos; sharing wonderful images, offering valuable tips, and just plain helping viewers to become better photographers. Happy New Year, to you and your family. I look forward to 2025. Cheers!

[@ruijvpinto]

Great Video and lessons, as usual Nigel

[@rolsonn]

Thanks Nigel, learned a few good tips.

[@gernik]

Great video, thanks! I never thought the level of the horizon was so important. Should I level the horizon or the main object, like a castle in the background?

[@ppww6076]

I wouldn't crop the snow +fence +gate +lake +mountains image. Maybe taking the shot again as Nigel suggested but the crop didn't work for me. Very useful video.

[@adamwhittingham86]

Hi Nigel or anyone with experience in this....Just a quick question regarding the ipad vs macbook. Is rhe ipad adequate for photo and video needs? I like the idea of drawing on the pgoto for editing. But not sure on the other aspects such as limited functionality or workflow issues? Thanks

[@simontull7511]

Really enjoybable Nigel, as well as instructive. Please do more - perhaps with a mix of emphasis, sometimes focusing on composition, sometimes on processing.

[@kathypirok-klein3413]

Enjoyed watching your critiquing of the photos composition and editing. It might be helpful if people provided camera used, settings, bracketing, focus stacking, any filters used….because that might help people like me NEWER to taking photos and you might suggest a better or alternative way to improve the photo. For example, on a sunset photo you suggested changing the shutter speed but we don’t know what it was and what direction to go with settings to achieve what you suggested.

[@Felix-cw9nz]

Great video and love the idea of a youth competition however I’m 15 so won’t be able to enter this year so I’m wondering I there will be a similar contest next year. Thanks

[@barbaraschramm2351]

Your critique of the compositions for the landscape photos is "massively" helpful for me! I can use these ideas when in the field. Would you be so kind to include instructions for how to submit a photo for critique? Thanks very much!

[@jimbarth506]

Great pointers and encouraging!

[@mikepanton]

Great video!

[@richdoak9349]

Great video mate, some great work on display again

[@LisaFrostPhoto]

Very enjoyable critique! I agreed with most of your thoughts, however with the second image of the ocean with the big rock in the foreground, I have no problem with the background not being sharp. Given the rock was the main subject, it was critical that was sharp. The background being a bit soft in such a composition can feel more natural to me. I think everything always being sharp is overdone and can feel a bit clinical.

[@Luigi13]

Quite interesting to see what can improve in any images. Happy New Year 2015.

[@57sapke]

Great video, thanks. I wonder what type Ipad you use as mine some functions Lightroom are grey out.

[@NigelDanson]

iPad Pro - it is a 2024 one

[@garyclode1257]

Your reviews are most instructive. There is some good learning to be had by watching what you consider improves a photo. Sometimes I don't fully agree, mainly because we don't know exactly what the photographer was intending to portray. So that by reducing the image size (eg in the two waterfalls photo), could be missing the point that the photographer wanted to show both waterfalls. Perhaps the comments in this case could be directed at how to improve the photo with both waterfalls. Incidentally, I do not know the photographer, just using the image as an example.

[@AnetteY11]

That is an amazing camera to give away - I’ve had one since July and have not looked back 🥰

[@timlarge7420]

As always a great video, so much clear advice and direction. Mine escaped being shown, Phew!

[@chrisvantwiskphotography]

Thx Nigel. Maybe good idea to post all submitted images in a blog post.

[@cguerrieri4866]

I like this type of session the most. There is already more nuts and bolts equipment /exposure content on the web This is how I become a better photographer But have to say (as a 75 year old beginner) , I object to the contest being only for youth. Seniors need to embrace photography and get off the couch and outdoors Thanks for the content

[@kylesills5277]

I have never been so sad to be 26 years old haha. The contest is an awesome idea regardless and I would love to see a video on the results. Also thanks for this video as well!

[@qkamoen]

What a great win action for the younger generation who has interest in photography. And as always a great video. Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2025, with a lot of photography adventures

[@nelehoremans2546]

Thanks Nigel for giving all this advice, it is not easy to critique but you do it in a very gentle but really contructive way. Any ideas on what to do with the other 880 photos that are in your mailbox? My best wishes for 2025!

[@Larry_Odom]

Nigel, I always learn so much from your videos. Please consider more photo critiques in 2025. What an excellent way to pass along your experience to both young and old photographers. Cheers, we look forward to 2025 with you !

[@willardkennedy6021]

At 23 min 40 sec I think you are spot on!

[@watchlover8297]

your critique was very fair. The image with the rainbow, I thought the rainbow was too close to the rock structure. The tryfan one I agree on, it looked way too bright on my laptop. The 2nd last image i didn't like, ive done similar recently and feel the sky needs texture and the light was too flat, maybe re shoot it when the light is dynamic. The last image i didn't like, I love woodland images but think most are tangled messes that people rave over. The comment about the clouds and the exposure needing to be very long or short and sharp I agree with, Ive done the same and slow exposures make the sky look poor.

[@mikaelwerner1]

I find photo critique to be very difficult because as soon as there is something that can be disagreed on ever so slightly, it is more about personal preference rather than a matter of mistakes. But I think you managed this balance very brilliantly Nigel, indeed. I would have been very happy with any of these photos as is. However it is always difficult to see on a screen instead of a real print; photos tend to look very oversaturated and too bright on any screen.

[@Kaarne]

I sent the photo with the bog and the lily pads. I was supposed to send the cropped version (I actually cropped the photo the same way you did) but I'm so glad you liked the photo, nonetheless. :D I took the photo with my phone and didn't edit it any way. The location was Änäkäinen, Lieksa, North Karelia, Finland. And I'll make sure to try to get the reflection of the pine trees the next time. :D

[@NigelDanson]

Great! Loved that shot and cropping makes a big difference so glad you thought the same

[@Kaarne]

@@NigelDanson Indeed. :D

[@nopenope7350]

A shame the contest is UK-only. Good luck to all contestants! If you open up a U.S. competition I'll be there!

[@szpaczy]

Very helpfull video

[@aaohknsn]

Aah these videos are great to learn from. Unfortunately my image from Bavaria didn't make the selection so I hope there's another chance in the future. 22:00: is that shot from Porphyry Basin, Colorado?

[@bernym4047]

One problem I have with you tube photography channels is the idea that the pinnacle of photography is to become a professional. I can't think of an easier or faster way of destroying a love of photography than to start doing it as a job. I wanted to become a professional photographer when I left school. I was so very lucky that fortune denied me that career and now I just shoot for the shear joy of it.

[@reeciep]

I think it might be useful where you have taken much the same image or location to show both your own (in your opinion) good and bad versions. It would make it easier to visualise the way to improve in some cases.

[@Bawsyyrs]

That jumper looks super comfy

[@fernandosantos8573]

you should do more critics. We learn a lot with these videos.

[@guycl2381]

Hi Nigel ... great video (although a lot of commercials ... pffuuii). Nifty trick with the horizon. But like on that one image, maybe it should not be straight .... so it looks straight ... if you see what I mean. Like the Ancient Greeks did with the columns on their temples ... they curved them a bit outward in the middle ... to make 'm look straight from a distance ... :-) Kind regards and Happy New-Year, Guy

[@tonyutting6508]

Thanks for the feedback Nigel. I have no excuses. I was late for sunrise and ran around the car park looking for a composition that didn’t include my car. I thought the way stone made a decent foreground, but like you say, it could have been bigger in the frame.

[@jennifercall9014]

Nigel. Does your young photographer contest have an age range. How are you defining young photographer? Thanks.

[@regleephotos]

Hi Nigel I wanted to join your newsletter you mentioned at the start but could not see the link in the description. Could you send me the link or I am still recovering from Xmas 😂

[@jonathanholmes6285]

Great contest for young photographers. Any room in the future for those late bloomers getting into photography later in their journey?

[@NigelDanson]

There will be yes

[@holdingnaturebonsai702]

To Gale Stoner, if you can see this comment, I implore you; Please don’t listen to this guy. Your photo, with the big rock in the foreground and the mill and waterfalls in the background is truly stunning!! This guy says the rock shouldn’t be in the photo, but he is WRONG! In fact, to me, all the photos featured in this video are probably better without his “improvements”. Photography is clearly your passion and your art. Don’t let Nigel strip your art of all its soul and life, its sense of space, its essence of place and memory. He has clearly forgotten what photography can be. His idea of what makes a good photo should not influence your own. Let him make his art. You make yours. Stay true to yourself.

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

Good am Nigel, the Trig point image for me, the Trig is too close to the mountain behind. If you angled higher you would also have lost some of the distraction on the bottom right and put the Trig point above the mountain edge. Happy New year to you and your family. Thank you for everything you do for the photographic community. Sad about the competition at 61 I am too old. Shame!!!! Good luck to all those young people who enter. I only started photography 10 years ago. So please all you youngsters get clicking and enter.

[@richardpoland4074]

Hi Nigel, how about a contest for a camera for old people 😀 That's age discrimination. 🤪 Do you edit using atmospheric perspective, i.e. dark shadows, high contrast, darker blacks in foreground, tack sharp foreground to lighter blacks , whiter whites, lighter blacks, lower contrast, lower sharpness through midground and background? Would love your thoughts on some of my images.

[@bernym4047]

Re the 1st image: I'm always reluctant to criticise composition in the way that you did (...if you had moved a little bit to the right). Was there an uncovered manhole? A precipitous cliff? Another photographer? An unexploded WW2 bomb? Etc. 😂

[@kingonthehill7]

Overall great critiques. I realize that criticizing images can feel "nitpicky", however I am personally bothered by the statement that you and other judges throw out or heavily discount any image in a competition that does not have a perfectly straight & horizontal horizon. To me, what makes a great image is 99.9% the overall visual impact, the emotion created, not whether the image is technically "Perfect" (horizon perfectly straight, every element in perfect focus, no lights or darks over or under exposed). No doubt judging thousands of photos is quite difficult, but that is the job. Nitpicking over "minor details" feels to like missing the forest for the trees. I would feel better about it if the rules of the competition stated that "any image without a perfect horizon will be thrown out of the competition". On a related note there was a seascape at about 14:20 where the horizon did not look horizontal (optical illusion) but in fact it was. I personally found it very distracting that the image felt very tilted. However, you seemed to be satisfied once you discovered that the horizon was in reality horizontal, even though the visual impact of the image was negatively affected. I suspect that what makes photo judging so difficult is that artistic beauty and impact is not objective. I suspect that judges are looking for objective criteria with which to justify their rankings.

[@ronb7547]

I completely agree. Well said.

[@struzza582]

There are a lot of KZbin videos that talk about rules and exposure triangles, once you master those, we then move to composition. You can make the best cake in the world, but if your toppings don't look pretty, the cake wont be a success. Same with photos, composition can be perfect, but if you cant show it off in the edits, the whole photo suffers. Thanks for these kind of videos, as it shows what you place emphasis on and whats good to be mindful of in edits. I'm a solo photographer so i don't get a change to talk photography with many people, but these type of videos I find the most satisfying and enjoyable to watch!

[@ronb7547]

I seem to be perhaps the only one to disagree with some of what you have to say in this video, although in general I find your work inspiring. I can't believe what you were saying about the horizon being straight and you and other judges dismissing images from competitions on that factor alone (presumably this happens whatever other merit the image may have). I live by the sea and I can tell you with a great deal of confidence that a horizon of any distance is definitely not straight. Also, I am really coming to dislike images that obviously have been heavily edited. My brain instantly reacts against light and shade that is no longer natural, and even contradictory. And the saturated colours are just wrong. There were a couple of really great images in that collection, but many would have been better without, what is in my view, overediting. Just hit it with a preset. What have we come to? I was just watching another video by another photographer and his images after post were clearly recognisable as the photos he took originally, because of the trouble he took to get the shot right in the first place. Editing should be about enhancement, not transformation. In my humble view. But then I am only a keen amateur.

[@lechindianer]

Thanks to everyone who was brave enough to send in pictures!

[@kophotograph1803]

Great Video Nigel! I am 26 years old, so I cant participate in the competition 🥺😂 Good luck to everyone, have fun!

[@magnus67111]

“That’s so great that you’re creating a competition for young people! The average age is quite high when it comes to nature photography.”

[@scarcesense6449]

You know, it really bothers me how much I can see what's wrong with photos... after the fact. I noticed pretty much everything you've mentioned here and yet it doesn't help me take any better photos when I'm actually at the scene.

[@NigelDanson]

I am often the same and notice my mistakes afterwards. But if you take time when composing it does help. Just walk away for a few seconds

[@paulfowler3416]

The last penultimate might have worked better in B&W?

[@pattymattes7124]

How about a competition for us girls? Well, some of us are older girls 😃

[@darrenwalton969]

His competitions are for everyone 🙄🤦‍♂️

[@valerieb-o8g]

What a very good idea I support this 😊

[@hiszpan160]

“There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.”-Bob Ross

[@99martins]

Have photographers include where their shot was taken

[@Jaxsensphotos]

could there be any way that a 13 yo photographer can join into the companion?