How to get the PERFECT photo (landscape photography)

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In this video, Tony Northrup travels to Lone Pine, California to teach you all the steps you should take when you NEED to take the most perfect picture possible. You know, those scenarios where you finally get an AMAZING scene and you don't want to ruin your photo!
Filmed with the Sony a7R III: sdp.io/a7r3 + iPhone 11 Pro Max
Music provided by Epidemic Sound (affiliate): bit.ly/2MwDey7

[@BabyEleven11]

Looks like Tony is making progress fighting the good fight against bokeh addiction. Keep it up mate!

[@Imthefake]

NEVER, i got a f/1.4 50 mm and i'm not afraid to use it

[@MichaelRichards983]

Also, they are back to 4K; thank god, their footage was beginning to look like crap.

[@Photoid01]

You are so right about arriving at a gorgeous location and being so hyped that you risk making mental errors in your photography. Most of us have felt this way. Slow down and go through a mental list of no-fail procedures. Thanks for the great ideas, Tony.

[@GeneralpurposeOIIIIIIIO]

Tonys landscape technique: “just fill the memory card”

[@robertgrenader858]

Right on. My photo buddy and I got to the Mobius Arch last October, mid-week, for sunset milky way shots. Positioned perfectly, ready for sunset. About 30 min after astronomical twilight, a 14 person photo workshop arrives. "Uh, you got here first?" "Yes, we did." "Well then, we'll just shoot from behind you." "Yes, you will." Everything worked out.

[@NalinKhurb]

Lmao nice

[@paullefko]

Perfect time to be there !!

[@tomwebb3081]

Checklists are so important, there's a damn good reason why they're used in aviation. Mine *ALWAYS* start with "Take the shot" - you don't want to be so focused on your checklists that you miss what's going on around you.

[@user-xg2dk7ff2k]

Tom Webb they are used in aviation cuz people will die if they are not followed lol

[@jshariff786]

@@user-xg2dk7ff2k Yeah but I think you're making Tom Webb's point for him, i.e. if you want to avoid a negative outcome, you have to be methodical and consistent. Just because the negative outcome is less dire doesn't mean the principle doesn't apply.

[@user-xg2dk7ff2k]

jtron84 I don’t think so ... missing a shot isn’t a negative outcome really ... it’s part of the overall journey ... I shoot similar to tony... I take many shots and styles of the one view and hope I get something but if not .. oh well still had fun ... wouldn’t follow a list :)

[@tomwebb3081]

@@user-xg2dk7ff2k if you've travelled 'x' miles and you're at a once in a lifetime location it can be awful missing the shot. I used a checklist for the solar eclipse in the US a few years ago & it saved my bacon. Sometimes you'll never get another opportunity.

[@user-xg2dk7ff2k]

Tom Webb different strokes for different folks 👍🏻

[@RandomviewerNr23]

Thank's for the tips! You're a great teacher and I love that you make videos like this because they are very useful and there is always something to learn. Keep up the good work! Looking forward to your next video.

[@aussie8114]

So you get home and you have maybe 1,000 almost identical photos to sort through. That does not sound like much fun to me 🧐

[@NalinKhurb]

I shoot birds so with experience I've come to realise that sweet spot for me, extras are better than no shots, but it's a pain to go through them I'll admit that too

[@aussie8114]

Nalin birds are a bit different because most of the shots are a bit different.

[@Noksus]

I had this problem, but I stopped taking pictures where nothing changed since the last shot.

[@NalinKhurb]

@@aussie8114 Yeah and also you don't really have time to check your focus so even if nothing changes, you have to acquire focus again and again for important shots. This has saved me more often than not And of course different strokes for different folks. Choose whatever helps you

[@aussie8114]

Nalin I always take multiple shots. From my experience shooting in short bursts for pretty much everything is beneficial. Even using auto exp bracketing on my D810 to get a well exposed shot to edit. I might take a dozen shots of a given subject like a bird and pretty much always can choose the better one to edit. But you can go overboard especially with static subjects.

[@ioncladstudio2688]

I started photography as a kid in the 80s.. and just wanted to share how much I appreciate your videos. keep it up man! I already have a very similar list as yours.. formed over 30 years of DOH! missed that shot! learnin. I wish I had your videos when I was a newbie. I still learn new stuff from your work.. seriously.. thanks man.

[@YakAlmighty]

Thank you for coming back to the earth realm from the bokeh dimension, we missed you tony!

[@paulasimson4939]

Boy, just a ton of great and useful info. Thanks Tony!

[@dkeberhard]

Great tips. The idea of using a checklist has been invaluable to me when shooting drone pics and video. Some locations are more stressful than others when operating a drone and so being prepared and disciplined about processes is important to me.

[@paullefko]

Shot at that place many times, it’s amazing at night. Once the sunrises, its game over for that arch. You probably saw no one with photography in mind shooting there after sunrise.

[@dennissilvas882]

Quick tips for the Mobius Arch: best light on Lone Pine Peak is sunrise in winter (southern sun adds massive amounts contrast to the miles-high granite ridges). Likewise, Mt. Whitney in summer. 85mm on full-frame as far back as you can go (you'll have to set up against a boulder) gives a better sense of scale to the 14,500ft Sierra Nevada. Also, fresh after a winter storm or summer thunderstorm give the most interesting skies! Sincerely, an Ansel Adams fan

[@erwintimmerman6466]

That's why I love this channel so much. You love photography, AND you love people. Enough to just make a checklist for them. Wow. And to top it all off, you're the living proof that being a nerd is just way cool 😁. Kudos from this fellow nerd 👍

[@andyjmusic4831]

Great stuff mate. I have a little notebook in my bag so I can write stuff I need to remember. Settings for a day to night timelapse or settings for fireworks for example

[@toki_-_wartooth]

great video with some brilliant tips thanks Tony

[@adelk.6449]

Thanks for the tips, Tony. You're the best!

[@ericbost4882]

I take a "snapshot" with the smartphone to also record the GPS location.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Smart!

[@SuperEddietv]

Why? I dont get the whole GPS thing with photography. Do people not know where they are?

[@ericbost4882]

@@SuperEddietv It comes in handy in the back country or even in cities I'm visiting. Sometimes I want to go back and do a do over or share a location. More often I simply can't remember the location other than Desolation Wilderness or somewhere in Rome.

[@billlemmon6225]

As far as your seeing your images on the on camera monitor, I have found that a Hood Loupe is a life savor for my airshow and wildlife shots. It can eliminate the glare and let you see a very clear image on the screen. PS when are the live shows coming back

[@rmp3636]

Not to mention the good old-fashioned black towel over your head and the camera for landscape shots.

[@radguitar1]

Liked that drone opening, especially the dolly zoom!

[@TimLucasdesign]

Yay - I can see the background. Thanks Tony! :)

[@happycamper6260]

I must compliment you on the opening video, in addition to the remaining video quality.. The story-line is excellent and logical, and whoever shot this and edited this deserves a big kiss.. Chelsea..?? If not Chelsea, a big hug will suffice... LOL! Nice work, Tony.!

[@harryfu6852]

Don't know why YT has been pushing me tech/computer parts videos, but this is lowkey my fav channel!!

[@JP-nx9rm]

I like these guys , no nonsense and doesnt start the video with flapping arms screaming "whats going on everybody " , easy on the ear and informative , keep it up

[@myaddressistheworldbiketou153]

Thank you so much, I'm learning tons with your tips and I know the im doing things right and using common sense, you guys are Awesome. Again thank you so much. Onix.

[@RobTillitz]

Thank you for restarting your video making....it slowed for a bit. I run a photography group and need your info to teach.

[@user-rq7gy1xf3m]

Great to see you out and about

[@paulcritchley464]

Taking all those images. A few hours in the field and a few days reviewing the images There is something to about film that makes you think more about making an image. Tony you must have carried a good few rolls of film All that time in front of screen. I suppose it’s better than TV Thank you Tony gives something else to think of. Cheers Nice video

[@pattymattes7124]

Great tips!!! Thank you!!!

[@danamcdermott2310]

Good video! Did you use an eye piece cover to avoid light leakage?

[@amirbuchnikphotographer]

You are the best! What is going on with your live show?

[@noblephoto705]

Great content as usual!

[@michaelpegg8966]

Excellent idea of tips behind screen. Thanks

[@Gabe310m]

This guy is awesome he will make a list so you wont forget or screw up your photo

[@chrispylant8001]

I love benefiting from your experience. Great video, chock full of great advice.

[@thomasgunn4146]

Great video guys!!

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

Seems like you make it so much work that the fun has gone out of taking pictures

[@drrrw]

That printed list glued to the camera is the golden tip

[@folkoyt]

Thanks a lot Tony - greetings from Hamburg area in Germany...

[@runemaster96]

This format and the titles are so clean

[@Dvlx1]

What an absolutely stunning location

[@derekmidgley]

I once ruined a few pics when I forgot to disable image stabilisation on my old Olympus EM1 while it was on the tripod. It did NOT play nicely with my tripod. Agree... the screen on the back is usually too small to see if the shot is soft and that sinking feeling sets in when you open it on your computer!

[@venanciofilhoyoga]

I'm kinda new to the channel, so is there a video for a checklist BEFORE leaving home? I went to shoot the Northern Light on Norway once, and on the bus, at night, heading to the place... notice I forgot ALL THREE BATTERIES at the hotel. Luckily for me, it was a photographer's expedition so I got a spare battery with a fellow traveller.

[@R.Hogarth]

When I went to the Mobius Arch, despite it being an iconic location, I was underwhelmed. There were so many great locations nearby, however that I still walked away with a few great shots of Mt Whitney. My favorite location, however in that area was the shots from Father Crowley's Overlook just inside Death Valley National Park.

[@karlthefirst8690]

Hey Tony, thanks for this-great tips, really. Which makes me feel guilty about changing the subject briefly, but how do you feel about that Gitzo? I’ve been agonizing over a new travel tripod and am on the verge of getting the Series 1, but a lot of people are telling me to spend even MORE $$ and go for the comparable one from RRS. Their prices are absurd but they have me 2nd-guessing the Gitzo anyway. Thoughts?

[@seanmangan2769]

Lots of good information in a small space... maybe a perfect video!

[@gewglesux]

That was a pretty nice shot... Thanks T

[@ultraniusmaximus1536]

I would also try to get a super-resolution photo for the ultimate sharpness. Landscape photography is ideal for this.

[@bird271828]

Tony, is there any camera out there that could shoot a series of shots at different aperture settings? Sort of like bracketing 10 or 20 shots?

[@southpawluke]

Me: how many photos should I....? Tony: Yes.

[@patorjk]

One tip that has saved me a few times: take a practice shot before leaving the house. It sucks to show up somewhere beautiful only to find out your battery is dead or that you left your memory card(s) at home.

[@NalinKhurb]

Happened enough times with me to feel the pain :(

[@traceycampbell4590]

Yep....great advice. It's usually the "little things" that ruin it for me...or at least raise my blood pressure. 😳

[@Ronbo765]

Good points, Tony!

[@davejohn5876]

I think this is good advice for beginning photographers. But most experience landscape photographers would never need to take that many shots of the same composition in the same light. They already see the finally image in their minds eye before they take shot one. Experience tells them wether exposure bracketing, focus stacking or combinations of different techniques are necessary for the conditions. Experienced photographers would not be happy with just taking 'everything' hoping they can put 'something' together later on. The goal is not just to go home with something but to create the image they want.

[@venky98j]

That's almost the opposite of how Thomas Heaton does it 😅😂

[@chadroberts44]

Thomas Heaton is such a cool cucumber taking just one shot., which is what makes him so cool. I tend to pray and spray more.

[@TimLucasdesign]

Thomas Heaton is amazing. I think most of us need more experimentation to get the shot :)

[@MichaelRichards983]

@@TimLucasdesign I've wondered by Thomas Heaton is hated so much? Any ideas?

[@RobertNuttmann]

More than one perspective is usually a good thing.

[@user-xg2dk7ff2k]

JackH Tech49 he is hated ? Didn’t know that

[@ManBahadurRai13]

Great video thank you so much

[@WildHorseProductions]

I am upset I didn't get my complimentary sticker with my copy of your book! Well at least I got it at a discount.

[@sgtteapoetry60]

sgttea poetry digs Tony & Chelsea !!!!

[@LurkerPatrol5]

Tony - what kind of tripod do you use? I've been thinking about upgrading from my manfrotto cheapo tripod that I got back in 2009.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Gitzo Traveller. Wonderful but expensive.

[@LurkerPatrol5]

@@TonyAndChelsea Thank you for responding so quickly! Cheers on the video and for your help.

[@danmoreaux2778]

which camera were you using

[@RobertNuttmann]

Good advice. 395 a beautiful area.

[@wilsongeorge3913]

Most important tip for great photography subscribe 🤣🤣 i love ur chanel tony it makes my photos looks great...

[@DEVUNK88]

the label maker is a great idea, I have a check list on my camera to remind me to check my settings before I just start snappin pics, settings like ISO, Jpg or Raw, Small or Large file size, especially white balance and ISO...... I also have a check list on my Zoom H4n so when I record thoughts and voiceovers I have a an intro sequence, I speak the date, the topic, and what file number and which folder I put it in, also each folder is a specific topic, for example if I am recording my friends band thats folder 1, if I am recording rain.thunder thats folder 2, if its voice notes about my business thats folder 3, ect, and all those topics are on an index card with a prompt telling me to say out loud the date and al that so when it its on the pc later I can scrub the first few seconds and know what I am about to hear instead of looking at meaningless filenames, kind of like an audible clap board

[@terriplays1726]

Most important tip: If you change for any reason a camera setting that you normally don't touch, dial it back immediately after using it. Otherwise you pull your camera out the next day and notice later that one of your settings was wrong.

[@gregpickens8877]

Long time listener first time caller, please please do a wireless tethering comparison video! Or do you or (anybody reading this ) have any recommendations?

[@life_asiseeit]

Tony, you never revealed the photo you captured after travelling 24 hours to get the photo and giving us all the tips we need to take great photos ourselves (thank you very much by the way). I'm dying to see the final finished photo!!

[@graham_T]

After clicking for the checklist sticker I’m shown that content is only available to members . I’m registered is that different to being a member?

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Sorry it should work now

[@shammyh]

Thank God y'all got another/different sponsor!

[@ricardomagath3640]

Tony! A video on screw-on VNDs vs Graduated Square Filters pleeease! =)

[@Rufat011]

Nice advices ! Haven't seen you for a long time. need to shake my KZbin algoritms :)

[@optimumfilms]

The goatee looks more like "Ming the Merciless" everyday.

[@Carl_Aznable]

He's Star Trek Mirror Universe Terran Empire Tony

[@agarwalsonika7]

Nice tips

[@kevindiaz3459]

I've been doing the multiple shots at different settings for a long time now. My landscapes still suck. :(

[@stevieb7121]

Should the checklist include both gloves?

[@benjones5799]

wow... I'm shocked how small that arch is. I always thought it was massive.

[@gersonmadrid6675]

IMHO the first should be, check the equipment and accessories. Since it's a long trip, it's important to be sure you don't forget anything at home

[@jakubkolcar6789]

Very greatt.

[@davidlewis5929]

Is there something wrong with your video camera in that it keeps losing focus?

[@Youthure]

Genius product plug 😂

[@guywilliam]

f8, f11, f5.6, f4, f2.8, f16, f22, focus stack, +1EV, -1EV, -2EV, +2EV, tripod, 2nd glove?, card slots, and be there!

[@smaakjeks]

lol

[@VakokProductions]

Q- How to take a great picture and save it ? Tony - take a thousand pictures, (raw & jpeg) copy to computer, upload to cloud storage. Keep memory card and computer in separate bag. 😀😀😀😂😂 lol

[@Reviews4fun1]

So you’re implying the a6600/6400 have dramatically better focus tracking vs the a6500? I’m trying to decide 6600 vs 6500

[@popcornparam]

Cannon R5 plz

[@messylaura]

had an idea for a vid, see how many x2 teleconverters it takes to kill an image

[@Doka_Butcher]

Hello from Moscow! Thanks for the cool reviews! ЬЬЬЬЬ+++++

[@arunbalakrishnan8978]

Anyways make a video about diffraction and how it ruined sharpness

[@MissLiveLaughLove1]

1:08 Haha! Oh Tony!

[@aftertheshowmoviepodcast]

When is the new live show?

[@bluespypup]

I was wondering the same thing?

[@MrFjeldberg]

I am sure Ansel Adams took thousand of "snapshots" just to be on the safe side.:)

[@Theforth09]

And here I thought you were going for the MJ look

[@reissm6500]

Did someone shout Tony in the background?

[@PirateB99999]

Best tipsSpare batterySpare memory cardLenses cleaning cloth :))

[@Sigurd_9230]

All I can focus on in the video, is the fully extended center column.. can't see if it was necessary. Dramatically reduces camera stability, and could ruin your epic photo :-)

[@TonyAndChelsea]

It was the only way to reach the height. It didn't cause a problem, but it is a good reason to take extra shots.

[@mick1967]

Two cards slots? Does a second card slot improve my pictures? ;-) It doesn't make sense to put it on a list and stick it behind the LCD of the camera. My Z6 will not care about that the whole shooting. ;-)

[@smartestDEV]

This many shots is why you need two SD cards in all cameras. ...Glances at EOS R and Nikon Z7... Just joking!

[@MartinAraka]

Instructions unclear, I have 1453 pictures of this field.

[@legolator]

Damn shame that "Great Courses Plus" doesn't seem to be available in Europe, or at least Sweden. That's a weird business decision. About the video though, great tips. :)

[@CristiNeagu]

2:12 That's the advantage of Canon cameras. The phone app converts RAWs to jpegs.

[@jaiskreno]

Try this: take a shot with JOG and transfer it to your phone, than take a shot in RAW and then transfer it on your phone, both over the canon camera connect app. Youll notice that jog files transfer A LOT slower than raw: thats because when you transfer a .jpg file over wifi, the full version is transfered. But if you transfer a .cr2 file, only the low quality highly-compressed PREVIEW is being sent to your phone. So if you mainly shoot images and transfer to your phone, and that is your daily workflow, shoot in JPG or RAW+JPG, because then the full 2MB jpg will be transfered to your phone, but if you shoot only in RAW and let the app convert it to jpg, youll see lower quality 0.6MB jog files.

[@CristiNeagu]

@@jaiskreno That's plenty for a quick post on social media. People usually view those photos on their phone anyways.

[@b-h-t]

@@jaiskreno Oh that's a great tipp. Nikon also has all these transfer & remote control apps via wifi and bluetooth but the older cameras/apps don't really transfer the full resolution image. Maybe it also works with JPG there.

[@MrBooojangles]

What on earth is a JOG file. I've not heard of this, or seen it on my Canon or Canon app instructions.

[@paulinefollett3099]

So the big question. Did you get that portfolio shot?

[@bryantnojang709]

cool use of anafi 0:07

[@tonehhh5454]

Finally Tony is able to let us see the locations and not hide it with all the bokeh. Camera Conspiracies did you a favor buddy