Don't make this HUGE MISTAKE when photographing SUNRISES

Photographing sunrises is great fun but don't make the mistake I made this week. I shoot in wind and snow and get some stunning conditions and chat through some compositions and as usual share some tips and tricks on landscape photography.
Mastering the Art of Landscape Photography - nigeldanson.teachable.com
2022 Landscape Calendar (last few) - geni.us/landscapecalendar
Sign up for my newsletter - geni.us/nigelnewsletter
Where I get my AWESOME MUSIC - geni.us/amazing_music
Kase Filters (my fav filters) - geni.us/Kase | And use code NIGEL for 5% off
Instagram (follow my daily stories) - / nigel.danson
NIKON GEAR (Main STILLS camera)
Current landscape camera - Nikon Z7 - geni.us/nikonz7
Awesome telephoto lens - Nikon 70-200m f/2.8 - geni.us/nikon70200
Great ultra-wide angle lens - Nikon 14-30mm f/4 - geni.us/1430mm
Hiking mid lens - Nikon 24-70mm Z f4 - geni.us/nikon2470
Sharpest mid lens - Nikon 24-70mm Z f2.8 geni.us/2470mm28
Very long lens - Nikon 500mm F5.6 - geni.us/nikon500mm
FILM GEAR
Nikon Z6 - geni.us/z6nikon
Nikon 20mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon20mmz
Nikon 24mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon24mm
Nikon 50mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon50mmz
Nikon 85mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon85mmz
OTHER PHOTO GEAR
Amazing Umbrella - geni.us/blunt
Microfibre Cloths - geni.us/microfibre
Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket - geni.us/Rainjacket
Rab Downpour Pants - geni.us/rainpants
Awesome sensor brush - geni.us/brush4sensor
GorillaPod - geni.us/Kb9mV
The great printer I use Canon P1000 - geni.us/cIIc
Clever camera strap (peak design) - geni.us/PDstrap
Great bag for hiking - Tenba 24L - geni.us/orPwh
Great bag for travel (carry on) - Tenba 32L - geni.us/tenba32l
Super light Benro Travel Tripod UK - geni.us/Benrotravel
A must have for tripod (L bracket) - geni.us/myLbracket
Lightweight tripod - Benro Mach3 Carbon Fiber Tripod - geni.us/benromach3
Paper I use for all my prints - Fotospeed - geni.us/fotospeed Use DANSON10 to get 10% off your paper.

[@ibp2007]

It’s called being human Nigel. Thank you 🇫🇷❤️🇫🇷

[@NigelDanson]

Yep - or being lazy...

[@Packiechu]

I had a similar experience the other day chasing a sunset. I got there too early and got some great shots of the bright orange sky, but when I got home, the clouds had turned that majestic purple hue and I quickly bolted to a good spot to try and capture it, but then just missed it. I think it serves as just a good lesson for next time! Beautiful shots, man. Thanks as always for sharing your experience with us all.

[@koenpijpersphotography]

I do recognise this issue, preparation is key. Scouting ahead for compositions that can work in certain conditions is quite useful and makes the experience more peaceful. In my experience you don’t get great photos when you are rushed. Great video and photos thank you!

[@DR-fy7qy]

Admire your dedication and passion for photography, clearly evident seeing you endure less than ideal weather conditions to get some great shots. Keep it up!

[@valrion.photography]

Very interesting to see those two very contrasting sunrises. First one was very epic with such snow! And I agree with you Nigel, snooze button is really our big enemy.

[@johnniewelbornjr.8940]

I had to chuckle when I watched this, for I think we've ALL been guilty of not calculating the hike to a location in snow/ice/snow drifts. lol Even though it's a couple of years after your video, it's timeless advice and always a pleasure to watch. I have to be wary of various wildlife and long falls in wet/icy conditions here but it so often has the potential to payoff handsomely. Thanks for sharing!

[@louisburley1597]

I need a Nigel Danson coffee mug that says “it doesn’t get better than this “

[@waynemorris6217]

Thank you for your video. I appreciate when you share your camera settings with us! Such a big help!

[@kushi1515]

Thanks for making me smile today Nigel 😊 That‘s what I love about your videos, they are natural and real 👍🏻

[@Chris_2023_]

Great video Nigel, preparation is the key to everything! Love your enthusiasm!

[@johndonegan8110]

You really captured the feel of an early morning shoot scrabling around in the dark. Loved it. I agree hiking in the dark at sunrise feels a bit safer. It's surprising how different an area you know well can look when it's pitch black and only a tight wee glow around you from the torch

[@thijsfriederich6863]

Lots of adventure, wonderful photo’s but being happy with the circumstances that presents themselves is what I most respect

[@marvinbeatty]

Regarding that part of the video where a discussion about hiking in the dark happens: I'm in northern British Columbia. In addition to the hazards mentioned, we have bears, cougars, coyotes, wolves, and even the moose can be dangerous if you catch them on a day when they're grumpy. :-)

[@marvinbeatty]

Also, your drone footage is so sharp and beautiful. Always love that.

[@cliffterpher]

Lots of folk imagine you just turn up whenever and get lucky. I certainly never appreciated the hard work and planning that's necessary - even having to leave a warm bed and get going. Thnx Nigel

[@klkellett89]

I honestly can’t thank you enough for your videos! They have taught me so much!!!

[@canditacantrell73]

Another great and informative video. You always go above and beyond to get us great footage, and in my personal opinion you couldn’t do a bad video. Thank You Nigel!

[@minus1db]

Absolutely epic, loved it as always. Thank you so much Nigel

[@jarkkolahtinen6689]

Absolutely true. I many times take too long to move and I'm late. The positive thing in winter is that the sun happens to rise more reasonable time here (8:30) unlike in summer time. Unless you are located in far north where you just don't have sunrises at all for couple parts of the year.

[@Sephiroth144]

I mean, getting to a place you're shooting and having the time to set up, get the lay of the land, see how the light's playing with the scenery, etc... is good advice for any photoshoot, not just sunrises.

[@BlomgrenEbbe]

Great stuff Nigel! I learn so much from your reasoning. And it is also one of my favourite moments of the week to accompany you on your hikes. Thanks a lot!

[@NigelDanson]

Great to hear!

[@chrisphelan9383]

Concentrating on the offhand details - Those simple drone shots are wonderful. The light is to die for. Really admire your work.

[@williampetersen2899]

If there's a line from this wonderful vlog that should be embroidered on camera backpacks, etched in tripod legs or stenciled on lens caps it's "If I'm not here I have no chance of getting it" Someone's already smartly mentioned the merch idea, so if golf balls can be personalized, why not camera gear? In all seriousness Nigel, another damned inspirational video...they "don't get any better than this!!"

[@revotievom]

I stumbled across some of your tutorial videos this past week and now your vlog. I really enjoy your videos. The manner you engage in and information you share are great. This video was both fascinating and informative. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge and your experiences.

[@nillarafael3883]

Great advise, and what a gorgeous location! Photos are amazing as always. It's especially interesting for me to see how much you lift the shadows, though I already know it's your style. Always learning little things here and there from your videos, and not just that but overall enjoying the viewing experience.

[@chrispoulsen_]

Great video Nigel. Love your content 👍

[@watchlover8297]

great vid nigel. Lovely images.

[@ingabett]

It’s always interesting to learn from mistakes, so thank you for filming this! I wonder if you could explain a little bit more about the positioning of the tripod when it’s blowing, I know about the trick to hang your bag for stability, but I wasn’t aware that you can angle the legs. Tips are most welcome! Thank you!

[@bobtaylor364]

Great video, I could feel your tension in the first shoot at sunrise. You were much more calm and composed in the second, thanks for sharing!

[@Fagapperd14]

Man that is will power to hike with that cold in the night, and love for what you are doing. Great images as always

[@thureintun1840]

Another great videos from Nigel

[@boconnynilsson]

I love the photo in which you’re on top of that rock. Adds something to the scenery.

[@SLEHphoto]

Inspiring as always. Thank you Nigel.

[@1971382]

Nigel I’m not a photographer but I love photography. I tend to do a lot more drone shots. But the reason for my comment is to let you know how great your videos are. Your chilled yet informative approach makes your videos a real pleasure to watch. No need for the with channels like yours 👍🏼

[@LucasGuardado]

Thanks for sharing these beautiful experiences!

[@NigelDanson]

Glad you like them!

[@JosephTrinh]

Beautiful put together video and landscape shots!

[@Squidy666]

Fantastic video as always!

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Much as I hate rising early, this is the time of year to do it.

[@hjones451]

One of my best images was taken nearly an hour before sunrise, so I totally see your point, by the way!

[@justinmeaden6281]

Lovely shots Nigel, on both the snowy and cloudy day. It is so easy to underestimate the time you need at a sunrise location before the “action” starts. What I also took from the video, which is something I’m always struggling with when trying to use your vista shots as inspiration, is the smallness of a foreground subject that is adequate for a wide angle shot if you get close enough! I was thinking that black curve in the snow was never going to be a strong enough foreground anchor but it so was 👍👏👍

[@Dailyartpallette]

Really good captures well done surviving that cold.

[@SirAkuchu]

Wow great composition

[@jamesattenborough2597]

Super stuff Nigel

[@obedbrinkman]

thanks for making such inspirational videos!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Obed

[@robertwhitemoto]

Great shot at 18:10... adding yourself gives it such scale! Love that bit of video at 20:08!

[@sirderps8056]

As an American in the northeastern wilderness, tripping is the least of my worries on a night hike lol

[@Stphndotexe]

The STRIKING perfect diagonal framing at the beginning to start off the video immediately caught my attention and I’m in love! Honestly, that alone made me subscribe, and I’m only 7 seconds in so far 😂

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Yup. Absorb the pain and be there on time.

[@stretchini]

Hi Nigel as a Cumbrian living in NZ, I get a double whammy from your videos. Thanks so much. Love to catch up next time I'm in The Lakes.

[@fpeachm]

Nigel you did some real work to make this video. I liked it!

[@frstesiste7670]

I don't particularly like hiking in the dark (prefer to see the landscape), but never thought about it as scary or dangerous. It's just something you'll get used to. I've done some night orienteering too which is really fun, and cross country skiing in the dark is just fantastic. With snow and some moonlight it can be done even without a flashlight, or just using a light on the steepest downhills. Moonlit landscapes can give some really special images too! One way to get into it is by going with a friend until it feels safe.

[@kgk1999]

Beautiful video and loved the image at 15 minutes and others!

[@briangilbert6241]

Nice video and great images Nigel

[@VlogPhotography]

Great video Nigel. Unfortunately we didn't get any snow in Mid Wales but Storm Arwen certainly gave us a bashing on the coast which prevented me getting out last week as the high winds caused so much damage it was dangerous to go exploring. Loved the location in this Nigel. That sunlight looked amazing. I had some great winter light to play with in the woods a few days ago. (After the storm past over) Great use of the foreground bringing in the structure of those rocks. Really enjoyable watch and well explained. Thanks for sharing another great video!

[@hostynphoto]

Your persistence paid off in the end. Keep up the good work.

[@Loganthephotog]

I’d love to just watch this whole video get made in person- this is just so amazing! You’re absolutely talented mate

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Logan

[@ZEKTOR]

Love your content!

[@smartyarts]

Sunrise and sunset happen at certain times, they never postpone and I totally agree with your conclusion: be there early enough to be relaxed and shoot your composition. If you can establish your composition one day earlier would be even better, but if you have such unpredictable change in weather (sudden snow that totally changes the look of the landscape), there's only improvisation left. It's comparable to blitzchess: quick decisions are forced by time (here sunrise/sunset) to produce the outcome (image). I practiced this and the pictures were miserable in the beginning but now that routine kicks in I'm quickly set up for the possible best moment, but often the light is not what I anticipated it to be... anyways I learned something new and can relate to your insight. I wish you always good light and may the next sunrise be better than you might have imagined it to be...

[@jillya8289]

Thanks for this video - it was really helpful!

[@NigelDanson]

You're very welcome!

[@EvigPoesi]

This is good stuff!

[@DRBVLPhotos]

Thank you for your honesty and sharing this blunder. I made the same mistake recently. ETA; don’t make the mistake I made this morning, not having use the bathroom, and needing to leave before the magic happened

[@mariebird01]

Fabulous images. I love the snow scenes, but myself I am scared to even step out the door, when snow on the ground! (Past experiences of falling over!). Your video is as always so honest and inspiring, making me forget about the hazards and wanting to be brave and ‘have a go’ in the snow next time it’s in my local area! Many thanks, Neil, for showing us the good, the great, as well as the pitfalls!

[@ElectricAir42]

Hill sound trail crampons are really nice to use in deep snow. Snow itself isn’t typically too slippery. It is when it is packed down or turned into ice.

[@MikePageKaltenberg]

I tend to be more of a night owl than an early riser. For me the golden rule for night hikes though is, like you say, to stick to routes I know. Navigation can be a huge issue in the dark.

[@christianpetersen1782]

Hi Nigel, That is such a lovely viewing and if I may say so you’ve really honed your video production to perfection. The work you must have put in behind the scenes, drone work, choice of peaceful music etc. not to mention getting up early when the body just want to rest and getting out in the cold and dark! No pressure but I’m already looking forward to your next one. A quick question if I may; although it’s not practical to hike with heavy prime lenses, do you think your primes would give any better photo results than your f2.8 zoom?

[@thephotoyak]

I hike in the dark here in Canada. If you drive 2 hours to a spot you sure as heck don't want to get there late. This last September I was hiking in the dark to catch the yellow Larch trees reflecting on a mountain pond at sunrise. I pushed a Grizzly out in front of me. I was making lots of noise and heard crashing through the woods, assuming it was a deer, but saw him take off through a meadow. No big deal, I still feel safe enough walking through the forest in the dark, just have to make lots of noise in bear country.

[@leewyatt4311]

i knew i recognised this place, its the first place i used my drone, currently been smashing all your videos as ive just got a canon r8

[@gm010379]

THANKYOU...

[@SteveZodiac777]

Great video and a point well made!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks for watching

[@Suhailkhan53]

Great video

[@tamiboelter5491]

We don't get any sunrises here in Seattle until after July 12th. It's my favorite time of day

[@johnhjic2]

Hello Nigel, I only say that as I when to Chatsworth with amazing conditions but was stuck on the motor way for 2 hour try to getter. But welcome to my life. The images show are gritty good so just keep going. You are so right if you stay in you will never get the image. Keep well, keep safe and enjoy taking images.

[@NigelDanson]

Oh no!

[@timjones6434]

Fantastic blogs of Hen Cloud and Helm Crag Nigel. I'm fascinated how you find a composition, I've been to Hen Cloud and the Roaches numerous times and Helm Crag a couple of times on my walks but never got any images to right home about. 🤔 Keep up the good work, looking forwards to your next vlog.

[@jpdj2715]

Nice shots. I was reminded of a - beautiful to me - piano piece composed by Claude Debussy: "Des pas sur la neige" (footsteps in the snow), from the first book of his Préludes. (But this piece needs a clean white landscape with solemn footsteps from a single person, followed by snowstorm and quieter snowfall with a small vortex of snow here and there. - how visual can music be...)

[@stephencooper5155]

We had the exact same experience on the exact same morning haha! I was running across Chrome Hill like a mad man trying to catch the very end of the sunrise... bloody icy roads! :)

[@lisasimpson9343]

OMG the snow! So beautiful, we dont get snow here, sometimes up in the ranges but never much. I'm a lazy sunrise shooter, I live on a property so I just roll out of bed, out my door with the camera and tripod in my pyjamas. I really should hop in the car and go somewhere different.

[@janroos7518]

A lovely video again Nigel! i get a lot of inspiration from it, for my normal local landscape/nature photography. And a growing desire to have a holiday in the Lake district. Seems that all seasons are great for photography?

[@mere_mort4l]

I loved the very first photo in the video. I think it was amazing, definitely did not leave that morning with nothing :)

[@RadAlzyoud]

As always, an excellent video. Thanks for sharing. By the way, I am in the UK at the moment (Manchester) for a visit. Watching your video having coffee at my hotel.

[@jerrymlevy]

Thanks for showing us the planning and effort that goes into your work. I feel lazy in comparison.

[@allenwc]

every mistake is an opportunity. You may have (may have) missed the "perfect" shot, but being a bit later just opens up other opportunities. Just as good, even better actually, because you are there when you can capture images. Ya, look at the images you did get, awesome

[@steveyagnew1]

Great vid Nigel! I think we have all got our timings wrong, usually when conditions are best! There's always the next time

[@NigelDanson]

Absolutely

[@davidperksphotography4912]

Really enjoyed that Nigel. Kris and I took a few shots from Helm Crag back in September; bit of a hike plus we got absolutly soaked. Fantastic photographs !

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks David - it wasn’t too bad to hike - a good sunrise one

[@forneverarrow]

Nice work Nigel! One instance of the video has stuck in my mind though: in about 14:00 when you show us the footage of the scene from the camera… if I was there I definitely would have bracketed the capture, just three exposures, maybe a -1,1/3, -2/3 and a 0 EV just to make sure I have enough details in this nice foreground and don’t burn the sunrise. But I am using APSC camera.

[@brendansmith8306]

I was at the roaches that day too, absolutely gorgeous in the snow! Love the vids, keep it going.

[@NigelDanson]

It was amazing wasn't it

[@davidstewart9211]

I like to arrive and be setup an hour before sunrise. Don't be afraid to use your intervalometer on your Nikons. This way, you can be out of the wind and the camera just works away. This also allows you to look around to see if there maybe a better shot as your camera is working away at your current setup. I sometimes have 2 or 3 cameras shooting different things at the same time. Night navigation is an art, I learned how during my basic military training. I will never use a white light as it takes 15 minutes to get your night vision back. I find that I can see more with my night vision than I can with a white light. Thomas Heaton mentioned on one of Paul Thomson's videos that the photography comes first and the B roll is second. You don't need the B roll if there is no photograph. I like your vlogs and keep up the great work.

[@wwdagger]

Fantastic scenery and very informative. I don't use Lightroom (yet), but have used exposure bracketing and focus stacking with Arsenal. Do you ever use GND filters?

[@Bayerwaldler]

"Stop hitting that snooze button!" That'd be a great slogan for landscape photographer's merch!

[@NigelDanson]

Exactly

[@domphoto101]

Hi Nigel, another great video, thank you for documenting your workflow. Quck question, how did you take the photo remotely while you were up on that rock?

[@danb821]

I actually do get a nervous hiking out at dark. Where I live in Cali there are always mountain lion sightings and I know it’s extremely unlikely that a mountain lion would attack but its always in the back of my mind and detracts from the experience. It’s frustrating because otherwise I love being out at first light. When I lived in Switzerland I had no worries.

[@iandavis1355]

Thanks for the video Nigel. I'd rank this near the top of the many videos of yours I've enjoyed. (btw, what was your audio setup. It seemed to work exceptionally well in the wind.) Cheers.

[@macronencer]

I just moved from Southampton to Aberdeenshire, and one thing I noticed immediately was how low the sun was, and how much longer sunrise and sunset took... I guess that would mean that the farther north you are the earlier you have to leave to get that pre-dawn light, but by the same token you probably have more time in the good light as well so you get more chance to find a shot...?

[@wjgraham63]

I kept thinking about all the footprints in the snow. How it would affect your images. I loved the photo images you took though. I was thinking about having the little peak in the foreground and the light rays behind it. Like the photo at 2:37. Beautiful sunrise.

[@jerryeisner1]

Hey Nigel, Great work. FYI at 8:58 and 902 on your video timeline, you had a really moody and painterly sky with a moon in the upper left corner. Had you taken some shots of that you may have also gotten a real bonus ie: a pre sunrise sky scape!!

[@reallukx]

Nigel, any chance for Photography Hiking Clothes Video? I see you have Arcteryx pieces so you know what's good. I wish more Landscape Photographers talk about proper clothing in their vidoes from time to time.

[@NigelDanson]

Maybe - I have a lot of videos planned so just fitting it in

[@sportsshooter2574]

Hi Nigel, another great video. What head torch do you use please?

[@alexishealey4528]

Nigel, I absolutely ADORE your videos. I’m curious, when you are out shooting for hours of a time, do you listen to music or do you enjoy the quiet of the scenes around you?

[@NigelDanson]

I never listen to music - the sound of the environment is so amazing

[@gamedoutgamer]

16:35 would edit it some more to reduce the very bright highlights on the rocks and a couple of the other images as well. Overall a wonderful vid with great scenes.

[@laurencedunkley8097]

Sound advice as ever, it always takes longer than you think to arrive on location and be set up in good time and it’s always the ‘snooze’ button fault😀

[@MartinSc76]

Hello Nigel, haven‘t been watching at your channel form while but this title cought my attention. To me it looked like, that in the 2nd attempt of the sunrise shot, the snow was gone, so again a different kind of set. Nevertheless, I recently do 80% sunrise shots and would love to have you here once, to experience the view around my place. To make a long story short, IMHO the thing with the sunrise shots goes far beyond making the picture. You experience live& in person how the day gets born, the cosy conditions before sunrise, the harsh light around it and the rising temperature when the sunnis out for a while. Thats the renewal we go through every day and I think having the chance to even do this consciously is a vital privileg. This is not about spirituality, just mentioning what happens physically. I might start creating a web page to create kind of a sunrise section, I literally got addicted to this subject. Rnewing live every day, what more can we get? 😁 Thank you for sharing this video and wishing you great days till new years eve and a great start into 2022. Take care.

[@martharetallick204]

I only do early morning shooting in my yard. But that early morning light? OMG.

[@alanmacmillan6957]

I shoot a lot of film and bit of digital ; and usually carry three or more bodies - at least two of which are compatible so you can run one lens on one and another on the other body. saves you switching lenses etc and wasting time. enjoy.