Expressive Photography - Going Wide with my 12mm prime

Expressive Photography eBooks: expressive.photography/educat...
Today's video is brought to you by the word - EPIC!!!
Big scenes, small scenes, majestic scenes and intimate scenes. In the end, they are all landscapes. This is something I had forgotten, having gone down the rabbit hole of small scenes for the past 3 years. As Scotland received its first decent snowfall of the year, we went to a local glen to rediscover the joy of shooting big scenes.
Landscape Photography is about the landscape, to celebrate it and to take home memories.
I use my 12mm prime, which is the most amazing wide-angled lens I have ever used to get up and personal with some amazing foregrounds, and use one of Scotland's most beautiful mountains as the backdrop.
My 12mm Prime: amzn.to/37Z4Cik
Thanks also to KASE FILTERS UK for who I am a brand Ambassador:
kasefilters.com/ref/AlisterBenn/
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Thanks for your support.
Photography & Music: Alister Benn
Video Production: Ann Kristin Lindaas
Business enquiries: expressive.photography/contac...
Gear Used To Make This Video
My Camera: amzn.to/2ImNpDD
My Laowa 12mm: amzn.to/37Z4Cik
My 80-400: amzn.to/2IoRtDA
Topaz DeNoise AI: bit.ly/3fH8LdG
KASE FILTERS: kasefilters.com/ref/AlisterBenn/
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DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting Expressive Photography so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!

[@brucehyman]

and a 7 string guitar. How typically Alister. The joy of shooting ultrawide for me is to not make the photo look like an ultrawide. Stunning place, beautiful photos.

[@Alister_Benn]

LoL, yes, I guess! A recent addition to the other 2 6 strings. None of them are in the same tuning :-)

[@ralfkrahe2493]

EPIC, indeed, Alister! Wonderful opening sequence that you and Ann Kristin have created - the music complements the videography & photography so beautifully. I liked both pics, but the one with the rock in the foreground just a bit more (this morning over coffee). EPIC!

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks so much

[@christianbernhardt9803]

Alister - What a video. I was absolutely taken by the beauty and joy you felt - something I aspire to and seldom (if ever) accomplish in my work . Photography at its best - transporting the viewer to the moment. Thank You!!

[@Alister_Benn]

Humbling to read your comments, thanks so very much

[@RiccardoPareschi]

Happy to see you playing. Great video, great images & emotions. Thanks !

[@zackstanton4654]

Wow! There it is. Way to set the table and what a gorgeous guitar. Perfectly set the mood. Made me want to play. Glad to see you getting wide again. Great stuff, as always, brother.

[@Alister_Benn]

🤟 the guitar collection is coming along nicely 🥳

[@ThyWorshipMetal]

I was not expecting the music at the beginning, the guitar looks like a beauty and the playing was great. Awesome reverb choice too

[@dennisheckman5916]

Alister lost for words?? Not sure I believe that one. lol. What an awesome day and you recorded it and presented it with extraordinary finesse. I think I hit the like button around 15 seconds in. I like the image with the pointy rock too. It has a balance that works well and the light on the mountain is unbeatable.

[@Alister_Benn]

Lol, it does happen occasionally!! 😂😂😂

[@deborahmichaels7458]

Beautiful Scotland! It was a fun photography adventure video!

[@Alister_Benn]

Yes, lucky to be home in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@themagicallandscape]

You are very knowledgeable, yet have a very humble approach to teaching photography. Definitely a great combo and easy to digest and learn from you. Thanks for sharing the knowledge 🙏🏼

[@Alister_Benn]

I appreciate that! thanks very much.

[@ejpeiker]

Absolutely love that area!

[@Alister_Benn]

Yeah, stunning for sure.

[@laisnebruno8372]

A great bowl of fresh air

[@marshalhedin7538]

for sure .... high quality stuff fine Sir!

[@Alister_Benn]

Sincere thanks 🙏

[@peteroosthuizen2240]

Thank you Alister. Inspiring and insightful as always.

[@SkiwithMike]

Still got it ;) Fantastic

[@jeff97-polar]

Well that one had it all. Amazing scenery captured perfectly with two stunning photos, and I enjoyed that very nice bit of guitar work... Plus I got a cheeky little laugh out of your wet leg woes, lol. Love your work, as always. Easily one of my favourite KZbin channels.

[@SimonWillig]

Just wow! You are blessed to live there.

[@borissmit7112]

Magnificent video with amazing pictures and music.

[@daniel-godin]

I like the singular rock photo the best. Simple, beautiful light and composition. It feels very calming. I just finished reading both of your books. Excellent reads. Thank you!

[@brianbeattyphotography]

Great photo (and music playing!). 12mm must be such an unbelievably wide field of view, I struggle with 16mm sometimes. Great video!

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks a lot. Yes, 12mm takes some getting used to, got to get in very close

[@howardrankin7119]

Super episode. Love the balance yet dynamism in the second image . Lovely playing too

[@Rielcool]

Your best video yet! Keep it up Alister!

[@dmac5x1]

Beautiful photography and music !

[@rodschweiger4195]

That intro was over the top. This was truly multi media.

[@marieta.s]

I’ve had similar experiences with wet feet before so I always make sure to have a spare pair of shoes in the car and some dry socks for the trip back. The other option is to buy the seal skinz waterproof socks. They are a wonderful product made in the UK and they will keep your feet dry even if your shoes get wet.

[@Alister_Benn]

Yes, I had some in the car, but still forgot and drove home with wet feet :-)

[@crowtheri]

More of the music please, Alistair! Fabulous v-log - I enjoy your field trips - more of the West Coast please - we are all missing it so much. I for one need my fix!! All the best.... :)

[@Sir_Grumpalot]

Excellent video. Your excitement in being there at that moment in time was evident. Of the two images I much prefer the rock. I find the underwater element of the other one strangely jarring to my taste but it is totally subjective of course. I confess to being envious of you being able to get to such a stunning location when the conditions are so wonderful.

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Alister: I really enjoyed your composition from two different perspectives. I found the image on the left to be open and allows the viewer to get into the composition more quickly whereas the image on the right requires the viewer to make unconscious steps into the image once they have traversed the rock in the foreground. I did find that the tonal range in the second image to be more soothing and calming as there are very obvious visual points in the image to rest and take it all in before proceeding. The image on the left is more majestic as the red colour elicits as sense of power, as the stream/river brings through the image to pay homage to the mountain. Both images are very powerful indeed. I don't know if that makes sense. Regardless, I can't wait to see this area in person and hopefully our plans to come to GlenCoe and the Isle of Skye in the fall will materialize. Warmest regards, Keith

[@Alister_Benn]

You always make sense Keith :-)

[@philipculbertson55]

Great scenery there Alister but I really wanted to say I enjoyed the addition of your own music. That was very nice. Quite introspective and soothing which always speaks to me. Wonderful.

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad you enjoyed it - I'm trying to find more time to play and compose. I put this together in 20 minutes! Must try harder!

[@jamesjohnston6765]

Brilliant images! Great guitar intro. I'm going out to photograph now so thanks for the inspiration.

[@Alister_Benn]

Excellent, I’m enjoying playing more guitar

[@chrisanderson3983]

Awesome shots

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks a ton

[@irwinmorrow1267]

Wow! This is one of those KZbin videos where everything came together to create quiet, unashamed beauty. The music set the scene, I can only describe it as a soft, soothing effect, but at the same time, it was dramatic in its own way. The images you took with the wide angle lens were so lovely. Great foregrounds and of corse the mountain in the background, covered in snow, with lovely winter light. The finishing touch though was the atmosphere created by the mist/fog rolling in over the mountain. Great photos, great video, thank you 👍

[@Alister_Benn]

Brilliant feedback, thanks so very much

[@esanford]

Very Nice... I too would like to meet you in Scotland when the craziness ends... Nice chords and arpeggios on the guitar... it fits!

[@Alister_Benn]

Sounds great! one day normality will resume!

[@dianevose9655]

Beautiful location and images, the intro footage and guitar playing were fabulous 👌

[@Alister_Benn]

😃 thanks so very much

[@dannynash5713]

This from start to finish was a “10” Alister! Keep playing and shooting! We’re into it! 🙌

[@kurtkuznicki6207]

Awesome work!

[@Alister_Benn]

Thank you! Cheers! much appreciated

[@nevillethorogood3639]

I think yo are on a winner with this presentation Alister, stunning images, awesome music, a visual and audible delight.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks mate, we're getting there.

[@jamesThadley]

Shooting ultra wide is so much fun! Love this Alister.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for that

[@christiane-peschen]

Absolutely stunning, enjoyed music and the whole scenery. I prefer the image with the one rock in the foreground... it has less dynamic but for me more mood with a better feeling of light! Looking forward for your next video

[@Alister_Benn]

Many thanks! - yeah, I prefer that one too, the atmosphere is pretty subtle.

[@oskarschad9856]

The intro with your guitar play was very senseful to the pictures. I liked it. Also that you spoke out something which is often forgotten: Beeing grateful for the landscape we have and with most of it wonderful pictures are possible. Limits are just our mind. All the best from Bavaria Cheers Oskar

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks so very much 🙏

[@bobarchbold275]

Jesus, what a bit of B Roll.....amazing.....love it! One of your best videos.....B ❄😊❄

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks so much for the great feedback...

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

Nice to see you playing guitar in the intro. A beautiful looking instrument too! I think I could listen to you playing guitar like this for hours on end...

[@Alister_Benn]

Cheers for that, really appreciated. Yeah, manual focus so no good for in camera focus stacking...

[@Alister_Benn]

And yes, a beautiful guitar in a very odd tuning :-)

[@GJuve1]

Just watched this and I love it! I am always trying to make better use of my 10-20mm DX lens so it was very good to see you go wide in one of my favourite locations !

[@timwootton4649]

A stunning area and a couple of great images! I was there in 2013 and spent 2 days trying to get some nice images! Light rain beat me to the point I retreated under the bridge to get a mediocre image 😕 But at least I got one!

[@jhonnybakkenphotography]

Love it! Wonderful drone videos and music out of this world following along. Some very great tip and some beautiful images. It seem like i have to start loving winter and winter images. Almost a birth right I guess for us born in two wonderful countries which have such a amazing nature to share. As usual everything looks better on the other side of the fence. Thanks for yet another beautiful video, great work from both of You as I believe You have an excellent photographer with You working with these videos.

[@Alister_Benn]

Ann Kristin does incredible work producing the videos

[@MichaelBlanchette]

Beautiful winter scenery and fabulous images!

[@Alister_Benn]

Many thanks! much appreciated..

[@geoffstairmand3747]

Wow bloody wow. One of my favourite places on earth and you captured the sheer beauty of it wonderfully well. Now I am really looking forward to getting there in November, Covid permitting. Thank you Alister for a great and inspiring video.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks so much. Yes, fingers crossed we can get back to normal as soon as we can. Although selfishly, having the place to ourself is also a little bit nice 🙄

[@nickshepherd8377]

Epic video! Beautiful introduction with the mountains and your guitar...it was worth watching for that alone. And as for the second image 👏👏👏👏❤️. Reference the first image, I hope you don’t mind me making a couple of comments! I was just wondering whether a shutter speed blend may have worked better? Long for the clouds and shorter for the water? Secondly I know there is mirroring but is it possible that the size of the foreground somehow dilutes the majesty of the mountain? You were certainly so lucky to enjoy the splendour of that day (admit to be slightly envious!). Thanks again.

[@Alister_Benn]

Yeah maybe, I could have, but I kind of worked them in a hurry!! Book to finish!

[@lisarobertson7011]

really enjoyed this Alister! Loved the music, drone footage and your photographs - incredible. thank you

[@Alister_Benn]

Awesome! Thank you! So happy too hear your feedback

[@kathymeade4034]

Wonderful episode - very inspiring and emotionally engaging. Thanks so much, Raleigh & Kathy

[@russellschundler6559]

Often, I use vignetting to keep attention and focus toward the center/subject. I wondered why the luminosity of the red rock half way up on the right was not toned down.

[@Alister_Benn]

Yes, I vignette sometimes too. You can assume that if I didn’t tone down the red rock it’s because I wanted it to have attention

[@trevhillphotography7852]

Car heater setting on feet does the trick for me when I get cold soaked feet. Amazing location.

[@mitymous1]

Loved the intro scenes with your music and guitar, and of course love the images and the discourse. Quite a multi-course meal!

[@Alister_Benn]

Excellent, delighted with your feedback. Much appreciated

[@davidedwards1411]

Beautiful scenery and stunning images. Love the into too . Just sets you up for the scene. Glencoe still on my bucket list. Was meant to be there last year but unfortunate circumstances put a stop to that. Thanks again Alastair for another great video . 👍🏻 Dave - Brisbane 🇦🇺

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks, yes, it’ll be here waiting for you

[@srodigital]

What a stunning image...OH to have been there in person to absorb it all, fantastic.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for that - much appreciated.

[@tjsinva]

Great accompaniment to beautiful imagery. 👍👍 Stay warm and safe!

[@Alister_Benn]

Thank you very much!

[@LukeOrwin]

Loved the intro. Looking stunning there. I must get out locally to do some photography.

[@justusoostrum9508]

the perfect song with the perfect sceneries, stunning composition again!! is that lens the zero D ?

[@rodscherich9973]

Wonderful ! Allister... I get a lot out of my Nikon 14mm prime I know it is old school like my Nikon 800E but that n Lens is an awesome Nikon wide angle!

[@stephensmith9236]

Lucky you - looked absolutely gorgeous out there. And really interesting to see two quite different images from nearly the same spot.

[@Alister_Benn]

Yes, very beautiful. Thankfully we live very close

[@howardallen5390]

Great start this week, I enjoyed the intro music and drone footage. Your images were good and as always, I value your accompanying commentary. Thanks.

[@Alister_Benn]

Much appreciated as always

[@kreygscott]

+1 Well said Howard. Fantastic to see you also watch this channel.

[@derekbell-jack9929]

i shot here a couple of years ago,a bit further round on the river coupall.a very similar low level composition using my samyang 14mm manual prime lens.need to get back up to glencoe once the lockdown is over,probably next winter now.

[@alanclark9691]

Spectacular location, particularly in those conditions. I was in Glencoe last year around this time. The weather was generally foul but crazily changeable, and I got a few memorable images. Can't wait to go back, when C19 permits! Enjoyed the video and the reminder of a magical place.

[@marcofurrer2809]

Nice tunes and beautiful photographs! Hope that foot is warm again...🔥

[@Alister_Benn]

Yes, all good again thanks 😊

[@Hirsutechin]

There's a little bit of Iverson getting let out there, but what a day to be out in the glen! Much enjoyed your playing too. :-D

[@Alister_Benn]

Yikes!! To be fair, I was making wide-angled photographs when Mads was playing with lego :-) LOL!!

[@stevethompson8154]

I like the guitar. I have a friend that customizes guitars. Another art form to be excited about.

[@Alister_Benn]

Yes, beautiful instrument, I’m 🥰

[@chrisalmerini3284]

I always wear my 'wellies' because I often want to be in the water...:) You would have had to carry me out of there once my memory cards and batteries were done...Thanks for going "Epic"

[@Alister_Benn]

LOL, yes, I suffered for that one :-)

[@glensumner3425]

If you’re going wide go the Buchaille ;) I’m not jealous there’s snow on my local mountains and I can’t get there either 😢 nice bit of guitar too..

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks man

[@Bringisen]

Very Nice video and pictures again. Can you tell what tripod head you ar using. It looks Nice 🙏

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for that, it’s an Arca Swiss C1 Cube

[@Bringisen]

@@Alister_Benn Thank you🙏

[@martinsmith6619]

As ever, fantastic photos that beautifully capture the atmosphere of one of my favourite landscapes. You mentioned the 12mm prime lens you were using - could you give details of the manufacturer? (and do you happen to know if they make a Sony version?) Many thanks!

[@Alister_Benn]

Link in the description below. It’s a Laowa 12MM prime.

[@martinsmith6619]

@@Alister_Benn That's great - thanks for taking the time to reply, it's very much appreciated.

[@steveh1273]

On the music: was that a plug-in reverb or a Specular Tempus pedal? I'm setting up my computer for playing, so not only is photography interesting to me, but learning about digitally produced music is too.

[@Alister_Benn]

The guitar is run through the Archetype Plini plugin. The Amps and reverbs are lush.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Both images are good but the second one speaks to me much more. Personal taste, I guess. It appears from your B roll that you used a square filter system. That lens has a bulbous front element and no filter threads that I can see. Your Kase filters fit it somehow? Thanks.

[@Alister_Benn]

The Laowa has a special holder made by NISI, it takes my regular 100mm Kase filters. It’s a brilliant lens and system

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

@@Alister_Benn I use the NiSi V5 system and yes, it's brilliant. Could you provide info on the holder for the Laowa? Would it fit other such wide-angle lenses without front threads? (EDIT: never mind, I found it at B&H. Thanks again.)

[@hugoparente1908]

5*

[@vikrantrm4237]

tripod ?

[@Jacob-64]

Nail on the heard regarding treasured spot being raped by social media and tourism . Boils my blood when people stick a photo up and spew the details of the area they are in all over social media and the like , then the hoards arrive leave their marks and mess ... Call me selfish but I treasure my surroundings up here in Sutherland. The companies who promote the NC500 have so much to answer for it's destroying my homeland day by day so utterly sad ......Sorry for the rant .... Love your video

[@Alister_Benn]

I know man, the NC500 was an ill thought idea. Many vehicles not suited to the roads and just too many people for small, isolated communities.

[@ianiles6430]

I can't possibly argue with avoiding placing your tripod feet into the holes of previous photographers. I don't understand the desire of some to effectively copy someone else's composition - it seems to be the antithesis of creativity, not to mention how it leads to environmental degradation of some spots. As Don Henley & Glenn Frey put it, "Call some place Paradise, Kiss it goodbye."

[@Jacob-64]

Exactly ,this is exactly what is going on where I live near the infamous NC500