How I ENSURE I get GREAT photos!

How many times have you been on a photography trip, and come back wishing you'd done something differently?
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Join me, James and Mads in Svalbard 2024 - geni.us/svalbard
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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/nikon5...
FILM GEAR
AWESOME DRONE - geni.us/dji_ma...
Nikon Z6 - geni.us/z6nikon
Nikon 20mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon2...
Nikon 24mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon24mm
Nikon 50mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon5...
Nikon 85mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon8...
OTHER PHOTO GEAR
Clever camera strap (peak design) - geni.us/PDstrap
Microfibre Cloths - geni.us/microf...
Rab Downpour Pants - geni.us/rainpants
Awesome sensor brush - geni.us/brush4...
GorillaPod - geni.us/Kb9mV
The great printer I use Canon P1000 - geni.us/cIIc
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/Benrot...
A must have for tripod (L bracket) - geni.us/myLbra...
Lightweight tripod - Benro Mach3 Carbon Fiber Tripod - geni.us/benrom...
Paper I use for all my prints - Fotospeed - geni.us/fotospeed Use DANSON10 to get 10% off your paper.
00:00 Intro
01:41 Don’t Forget the Rules
03:56 Prepare for the Unexpected
05:08 Know Your Camera
07:44 Planning
10:03 Don’t Sleep In
10:59 Observe
15:42 Review as you go
17:50 Go with the Flow
20:07 Don’t get Normalised

[@Mikedegot]

I'm always ready for disappointment when I get home and start reviewing what's on the memory card. We are our own toughest critic.

[@lphilpot01]

I've occasionally had to remind myself to not get discouraged before I even get on location! My locations are nothing on this scale, to be sure, but even so I sometimes start thinking about the inevitable disappointment you mentioned and if I'm not careful I get discouraged even before I start shooting.

[@gabewebyt]

I'm often disappointed when I first review my photos, but interestingly, I often find/make more keepers via the editing process. I think the advice to observe and take your time in the field also applies to editing!

[@garrydelday5816]

Just returned from a second trip to Iceland with my daughter and like yourself feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to do so. Feel I have captured my best ever images from this trip, Whale Flukes, Puffins and epic landscapes with incredible light. I have only been doing photography for three years now but hardly ever “chimp” I trust my camera to capture what I am viewing by applying what I have learnt from you guys. Reviewing your images at the end of each day and finding you have got some epic photos is very rewarding. I may never get back to Iceland but think I have done it justice in my images. Most of that comes down to you guys for all of the advice. Nature is amazing, capturing it is special and stays with you forever 😉📷👌👍

[@jremi]

I really enjoy Nigel’s videos and when Mads and James are there too, it is absolutely great to have their own perspective as well. Three different professional photographers is all we need for perfect triangulation. All I need now is to get out and apply this knowledge in my own photography. Thanks Nigel!

[@hamsterneckliving]

The river and waterfall are so beautiful, but your excitement and shots of the polar bears and walruses made me smile.

[@reubenmow]

Beautiful! I don't think many people realize the amount of time and effort that it takes to edit a video like this together.

[@hilleviupmanis8687]

Thank you! What a place. What an experience. I so wish I could join you and James and Mads next year...

[@dfinlay587]

Travel photography, whether landscape or wildlife, is always about being ready. Compound that you are on a boat, which moves, so opportunities are fleeting. Always a challenge.

[@PhotoTrekr]

Amazing trip. I remember going to Alaska. The place where I stayed took us to an island to photograph puffin. As I jumped over the side of the boat and onto the island, I suddenly got this image in my mind of exactly where I was and it blew my mind. I was in the ocean at the top of the world far far from home. That mental image has stayed with me years later and I'm sure it will for the rest of my life. Just as I'm sure your images will stay with you for the rest of yours.

[@JustinBradleyPhotographer]

I'm a professional and you nailed it. This is exactly what happened to me the first time I went back to Lake Powell, Utah as a paid freelancer. I blew out a few bright areas on a few of my best photos and was so taken back I only grabbed low hanging fruit when it came to composition. Simple tips, yet so important. If you are ever in California and would be open to collaborate with another Nikon shooter, please do not hesitate to reach out. I have a similar themed channel.

[@JustinBradleyPhotographer]

Btw were you using active VR while on the boat to get that shot of the polar bear?

[@kennypringle4580]

I watch and follow maybe 6 outdoor landscape photographers, you are probably my favorite. Good information, good narrating, good scenes, good personality. I wish you were my neighbor.

[@andybusard6694]

Loved the cliff shot. Honestly, you FREAK ME OUT when you hold your camera over the balcony or zodiac rails without a strap!

[@davidrees7389]

just amazing Nigel, thanks for sharing so much of your trip with us

[@niksiotv6204]

I really enjoyed watching this video. Thank you for your useful tips 😃

[@timrosenburgh8597]

Absolutely amazing Nigel. What a beautiful landscape. No wonder you were buzzing with excitement. I thought the waterfall on the ice cliff was amazing and i haven't seen anything like that before. Looks like the three of you had a fantastic time. You captured some amazing image's. Look forward to seeing the next one.

[@pc1189]

Such an incredible opportunity to see shoot and learn! I believe you have found your niche combining your eye for landscapes and environmental and behaviors with wildlife, absolutely brilliant work!

[@mitchpainephotography]

That ice shelf waterfall is one of the coolest things I've seen you shoot, ranks up there with Madeira landscapes!

[@alanwilson7792]

11:07 - Careful dangling your rig over the side of the boat without a safety strap!

[@joeyrobertson4926]

Wow! Amazing pics and such a beautiful place. Just beautiful!! Thank you for sharing and encouraging us photographers to get out and capture once in a lifetime shots.

[@michaeltillman886]

What's up Nigel? I haven't checked out your channel in quite some time; and I'm pleased at what I see. You did a very nice job at story telling along with great photography. Well done my friend, well done! Peace!

[@andrewreardon9400]

You are so lucky to see the wildlife that I can only dream about what an experience you had. Thank you so much if only I had the money I would be there like a shot 👍

[@andreasgiobel6355]

Agree, at 20:10 and onwards you talk about pictures and getting normalized. You don’t need to save your film rolls for later… I usually go for two moods, 1, carefully evaluating pictures 2, capturing moments with Snapshots The snapshots are always helpful as reminder and B shoots filler, and surprisingly often it contains a few gold shoots that I never would have taken. Snapshot mood is great as it allows me to not focus hard.

[@michaelj.1121]

Great images - good thoughts - gorgeous landscape - generous teaching - THANKS 🙏

[@banditalley9592]

Knowing your own camera is so important. I recently upgraded (previous one broke!) and certain things are not in exactly the same place as the previous model, so my muscle memory is not there. I'm missing shots and taking longer at the moment till it becomes second nature.

[@celinemorisset5533]

Wow Nigel! This is amazing. Experiencing the trip is memorable and you said it... go with the flow and enjoy the moment. The photos taken are precious no matter if they are good or not. Thanks for yet another great video. You rock!

[@randyschwager2515]

WOW! That’s some very exciting photography! You captured amazing images!! The bears, walruses, and ice river are the stars of your video! Thanks for taking me along on a trip I’ll never be able to experience in person!

[@davidscadlock5569]

Thank you for sharing this adventure and for the tips!!!

[@Steve.Daugherty]

My goodness, the waterfall coming off the ice shelf may be one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life!! I also loved the long line of birds flying with their reflections below, and the walrus / polar bear photos were awesome as well! I can only dream of witnessing such things!

[@bjornelenfors2039]

Wonderful Nigel!

[@gord_tomlin]

An excellent set of photographic reminders, plus a gem of a travel reminder to avoid accidentally taking along seeds etc as passengers. One location's weed is another location's invasive species.

[@johnbyrne444]

Just amazing, Nigel. Will join you one day on one of your photography journeys, maybe Antarctica.

[@bobmcdonald4834]

As you say, Nigel - just incredible. And marvellous that you had permission to fly your drones. Many thanks for sharing 😊

[@richardpesce5325]

What a great trip Nigel. The photos are incredible. Absolutely love the drone shots!

[@Barbara-qr4gq]

Hi Nigel, What a wonderful experience for you. Thank for sharing amazing videos and photographs and all the 'golden nuggets' of information contained therein. Fantastic👏👏

[@km.archiscape]

This video is top class. Incredible views, greatly served...

[@mawavoy]

Great video, I am enjoying the tips as well as your movement into wildlife photography. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheHutchMusic]

Nothing but admiration (& jealousy) for this adventure. Captivating footage. Inspiring content. Well done.

[@paulseymour7485]

Outstanding Video. Great photos and exceptional tips and direction.

[@mariebird01]

Magical. I had to watch it right through twice without a break! You’re sharing the experience with us something most of us will never get to see. Thank you. I loved the surprise, with James and Mads bit-part too! Lovely! Thank you. Wonderful variety of images.

[@NigelDanson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Great advice as always Nigel, fantastic trip I will have to check out the other guys videos too, thanks for sharing.

[@AliasJimWirth]

Wonderful images. What an experience that must be! Thank you for the useful tips, too, I can use those everywhere. Cheers, Nigel!

[@kristinevanclooster9679]

What an incredible video. Thanks a lot.

[@ekeithwilkinson]

Super video Nigel. For a change I nearly preferred the video content to your stunning images - it was all that good ☺

[@valrion.photography]

Amazing shots Nigel! That must have been an incredible experience! This video couldn't come at a better moment as I'm preparing myself bit by bit for next february's Antarctica trip! I'm really scared to get overwhelmed by this unique environment and then come back deceived with my pictures. Experience will be unforgettable anyway, that's for sure!

[@robertwhitemoto]

So great to see your enthusiasm for the trip, polar bears, environment. Great stuff Nigel!

[@gailmager4147]

Amazing for u to be able to experience and see,

[@user-gl5hh9lo2g]

right now I am on the way to the Greenland to take some shots and I just realized I should watch this video like months before

[@AlexBerger]

Wow, what a trip. Those landscapes are so stunning but so surprisingly tricky. Great tips. I had the chance to do Svalbard with a more budget setup on a bigger ship a few years back and the key takeaway I had was that I would love to do it via a smaller ship in the future with more/longer/better zodiac time. Your landings, the use of the boats, the proximity and the locations you stopped at with that ship, crew and setup looks really really special and like they are so much more indepth and better timed. Definitely worth it for anyone weighing between the two options.

[@scotty4418]

simply incredible Nigel, to see this beautiful environment through your eyes and lens is one thing, but to witness it in person, really must be something special. The videos and images were stunning and was a real pleasure to watch

[@mickb69]

It was great to see mass and james with you aswell, good vibes. That polar bear at the looked absolutely stunning against the grey/black rock. Perfection!

[@ChristianLink]

What an adventure!

[@antonoat]

Amazing, what an experience, nature didn’t let you down! Great photographs Nigel! 👍👏😀

[@AileenOKeeffe]

Loved your Video Nigel - what an incredible experience it must have been. Great advice as always!😀

[@patrickmolloy6994]

I was at Svalbard 2 weeks ago. Not too much wildlife, but a polar bear. a lot of deer. Arctic fox and cub. Lots of birds. I used the Z8 and rented the z100-400 with a 1.4 converter. Really needed something a bit longer to be honest. Fantastic place to visit.

[@zigatretjak75]

Besides being epic and majestic, the vlog also depicts the end of an era of our planet.

[@victorlim5077]

Some cracking images in this video, Nigel.

[@rogersteele9890]

Beautiful capture of the walrus and smaller ice chunks in the water.

[@JFW5358]

Absolutely amazing photos Nigel. Thanks.

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Beautiful

[@mariamullin4031]

Fantastic photos

[@leric4205]

Superbes ces vidéos ! Tank you !

[@joanneabramson2645]

I loved seeing the Nikon Z8 in use!! Thanks for all the reminders. I try to frequently look at my photos when photographing and change settings. Though, like you, sometimes once I review them on the computer I find what I should have done differently.

[@Big.E]

Absolutely awesome video

[@joannwilson8263]

What an incredible experience, your images are truly amazing. Thanks for sharing!

[@nickh9791]

Must’ve been nice to see all that before it’s all gone. Beautiful shots

[@MinutemanPhotos]

What an impressive set of videos and stills .... well done!! And, you are spot on for your suggestions. We returned a few weeks ago from celebrating our 25th anniversary on an Alaska cruise (on a big ship). On the morning of our special day, after a brief bathroom break around 5AM, I peeked out of our balcony door as I knew we would be cruising in Glacier Bay National Park that day. It was unbelievable!! A cloudy day, yet the mountains were clearly visible in the background and the rising sun was backlighting some thinner clouds just over the horizon. Coupled with the surprising silence of the slowly moving ship, and the glass like water, it was so peaceful. I grabbed my D850 and got a number of wonderful exposures. What did I screw up? (1) The D850 was set on JPEG* as I had been taking pictures around the ship and wanted to save a little bit of storage space, and (2) it never occurred to me to either turn on the video on the D850, or even grab my iPhone, to get a few minutes of sound and video of this incredible moment!! I thought of both of these things after I got home ...dang!! You are an incredible talent, and your videos are jaw dropping (especially this river/waterfall on the glacial wall)!! Congrats and keep up the fine work!!

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Fantastic shots!

[@jpdj2715]

Very nice video, imagery. The problem of shots with wild animals is generally that people get excited when they see one, point the camera and shoot. Looking back at their images from Africa, they have mice with long necks or long noses. The walrus makes the exception - with a couple great shots.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

So Thomas Heaton gets a Z8 and goes off on a boat to Svalbard, and 2 weeks later Nigel Danson does the same thing with the same camera... Coincidence??I wish I was sponsored by Nikon, I want to go off in a boat to the arctic! 🙂🙂🙂

[@ItsAMbutyoutubechangedmyname]

wow thanks for letting us tag along on this trip through thee video such an amazing place

[@randygerber1565]

So so helpful. Thank you again for an amazing experience.

[@georgitoshkov55]

Incredible photographer, person and traveller!

[@boabrahamsen9442]

Great video. Emphasises you need to both plan ahead and go with the flow as required.

[@alexelley6283]

Love watching your video, but... stood on the side of the ship, hand holding your camera, ever thought of a wrist strap.. thank you for sharing your experience and expertise.

[@gregdarroch1946]

Loved it

[@alwynwilliams2661]

Thank you so much for taking me there and sharing some incredible images. However what did frighten me (not the Polar Bear) was seeing you on a boat holding your camera with no neck strap , wrist strap or any other form of security, Naughty boy!. 😁😁still can't wait till next week.

[@davidcrossley7145]

You’re correct we are our own tough critic. But looking at the images you’ve taken they blow me away. You’re a landscape photographer, but you are Capable of taking an image and bringing life too it. I love looking at your photographs because their is a freshness to them 👍

[@ingabett]

Just what I needed to see! Going on a trip to Gotland/Sweden, it’s an amazing place, very well visited and photographed. I’ve been unconsciously thinking “be inspired but don’t copy” but that has put pressure on myself, so I’m going to work on that. One of the tips you gave in this video made me want to learn my camera better. When I’m out and about I get so inspired I turn into “headless chicken photography mode”, going to avoid that if possible 😅 ( why haven’t camera producers come up with a mode like that, you have landscape, night etc mode but no headless mode 🤔). Thank you for great advice and beautiful video!

[@hannevdc4140]

Hahhaa "Headless Chicken Mode", I felt that 😅It's also part of the fun, as long as you don't miss ALL your shots. Enjoy your travels & photography!

[@ingabett]

@@hannevdc4140 Thank you 😊 Going to suggest that mode to camera manufacturers 😜

[@carolinecomparetto-iz4lz]

What a stunning place! And the drone footage of the stream flowing over the shelf was a delight to see. Great photos as always. I wondered if you used a polariser for these shots? And a question for preparation, do you wish you'd brought your 500 for closer animal shots?

[@martingoff-jones2184]

Loved your excitement at seeing so many new things in this video, and thanks for the great advice about trying not to get caught up in the moment when taking photographs. May I please ask what software you are using to review your photos at the end of each day? I’m hoping to be able to get a Macbook Pro before too long (depends on selling the house and retiring so I don’t have to sell a kidney 😁), and changing from windows any software pointers would be fabulous. Thank you 😊

[@SteveZodiac777]

Another inspirational video - many thanks Nigel!

[@kerrygrim7934]

Absolutely stunning!!!

[@michaelmottlau5941]

Your videos are very well done, thanks.

[@louisea966]

incredible. what a beautiful experience.

[@AnomandarisPurake]

Great video. Looks like you had an amazing time. Would be handy with these types of videos if there was a little recap of the tips you are giving. Even if it's just briefly on screen. Cheers.

[@Bosmanneggie]

If I bring 1 or 2 lenses I always bring my 18-200mm so I have a wide range and don't have to change lenses that often. And I would bring a 24-70.

[@neileverett5183]

Great photographs from a fantastic location. Good advice that applies to any location. A trip that would be on my list if I win the lottery though.

[@Photosbykimrcanada]

Hi Nigel Not only do your videos provide a wealth of information, I am so inspired by your obvious "delite" at exploring new venues . And even though you and James and Mads are fortunate enough to travel to amazing places, you've all helped me appreciate the beauty that exists outside my front door. I've begun to see my surroundings with new eyes. Thank you! Please keep the fantastic, diverse videos coming. Much respect from "across the pond". Kim🇨🇦

[@cynthiaisenhoff8777]

We took an expedition cruise this June too, best trip EVER!! Will you be selling any images? Your photos are amazing and would love to add one or 2 to our trip wall

[@JayKay0245]

Fantastic video! Enjoy you’re trip!!

[@williammiller7328]

Very enjoyable video Nigel! Love those final polar bear images !

[@amitavachakrabarty8518]

Nigel, would love to see Varanasi, lndia, thru your lens. Guaranteed you'll go crazy with the photo ops available.

[@kevins8575]

Going to a potentially once-in-a-lifetime location is the best time to bring your biggest camera bag filled with every focal length lens you own or can rent.

[@vickyp9814]

Amazing epic video Nigel. I enjoyed every second.

[@diann546]

I messed up a week ago. I was on a charter in Seward, Alaska. I had already gone out to see the glaciers in Valdez. I had a number of photos of mother with young sea otters. So someone yells "sea otter" and I think well, I don't like the waves, I have had better compositions.... well, I finally zoom in just because. The sea otter is eating a purple sea urchin. Unfortunately, the captain was done about then and took off. I am still beating myself up about that one. By the way, the tour in Valdez had a quite similar landscape as this video. No polar bears though!

[@eliaspaulinho8435]

amazing and inspiring

[@simonjv5]

fantastic as always but I can't believe you don't use a camera wrist strap

[@alexwaterton9769]

Such a pleasure to watch this amazing video and to hear your inspiring commentary, Such a trip to imagine should a large lottery win come my way... :) However, watching and following you, Mads and James presents the trip in a real world format, unlike David Attenborough! Well done and a big thank you for these wonderful and informative social media posts and KZbin clips. Top Marks all round.

[@denisewilliams5959]

I agree with all the above comments especially, know your camera and headless chicken mode😂. Thanks for the video. It all looked wonderful. I'm going on a trip to Australia shortly, so your advice is most helpful. Thank you.

[@jpdj2715]

Understanding the camera. Totally agreed, but it's less simple than you imply. If we create a 2*2 table with competence or deep knowledge yes/no on one side and aware yes/no on the other then people start in the unaware*incompetent quadrant. They don't know what they don't know. With mirrorless "digital" cameras (C-MOS sensors are analogue ;) and film photography started mirrorless) a lot can be automated. In order to move as fast as possible from aware*incompetent in using the camera, to aware*competent, I actually copied the entire menu structure of my Z 7ii into an Excel file. That's a lot of manual work. I feel Nikon should add an export function for that. Default values, options, current setting (choice). It makes you aware of AF tracking and a parameter I call "jumpiness" that determines how likely AF tracking jumps from one subject to another, in the frame. And I am still struggling with how to (deeply) understand the limitations that I bump into. Some are left implicit. The "camera can autofocus down to -n EV" but my experience is that eye detection needs at least n EV (where n is a positive integer). The "camera can write to two memory cards" but set to max res stills, it cannot write raw to CFexpress and JPEG to SD-UHS-II. With my "S" class 85 or 105, I have eye AF problems and frequently need to manually override, but I put my non-S 28/2.8 on the camera the other day for my wife to shoot a few shots unattended, and looking if all settings were adapted to her skill level, it turned out that eye-AF was "immediate". That's not documented in the reference guide. So learning to understand the camera needs us to go through the use-cases we expect to frequently go to. My Excel file allows me to sort the menu items differently and group, say, AF entries together - these are split across different chapters in the menu system. As there are dependencies between these parameters, "transparency" could be better. What plays an important role in all this also is expectation. When I need to move an AF-point around between shots then that is in the way of my process and I might as well focus manually in the first place. Single point and recompose does not work with the S class 85/1.8 - it is so sharp that it has shallow depth of field and recompose when fully open shifts the focal plane in the subject. This is not really visible in the viewfinder or on the rear display. Fortunately in digital we only waste shutter clicks and bits, rather than film, its processing, and potentially its printing. Nikon has tried to move a bit away from the Reference Guide with a guide like "Z 7ii/Z 6ii Professional Portrait and Wedding Photography Guide", but the latter is very shallow. If you are a pro and not above this level, then you have a serious problem. As an example to clarify my point, their reference guides typically do the following: - picture of camera highlights a switch labelled On/Off - reference guide "explains" that "this is the on/off switch". A "functional" explanation would be - if you want to use the camera, switch it "on" with the "on/off" switch and switch it "off" when you are done for some time or else you drain the battery. Have you tried to set your Nikon Z to "highlight-weighted" metering? Figured out its pitfalls? And, once you understand these how good this actually is?

[@tomdearie5165]

Nice views. 👍 I’m primarily a wildlife shooter and I like the “wildlife from the landscape photographer’s perspective” : ) I’m noting that, while the days are grey and foggy, the colours in the shots are subtly beautiful. Is this a feature of the northern lighting, or is it from appropriate processing? Would love to hear your thoughts. Cheers Tom

[@gashead2]

Amazing place, I once had the opportunity to visit Glacier National Park on a cruise. Looking back on the photos I wish I had known more about my camera and composition, I did get some decent shots though. One thing I noticed on your shots was how atmospherics can affect the background in long shots. I thought it was the quality of my camera and lenses but as you have state of the art equipment it may not be that. Is that something we have to take into account and live with in these conditions? What I mean is that the background may be a bit hazy and lack sharpness and contrast, this was only evident in a couple of your shots where there were some distant mountains and some of mine and the same issue and I blamed my gear.