The Most Underrated Skill In Landscape Photography: SCOUTING

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Do you spend a lot of time scouting? Why or why not?

[@chrisfish4112]

I don't because I just like running around and then something that looks nice I just take a quick snappy photo

[@briestockwell5402]

I’ve definitely been doing more scouting especially places within an hour from my home. Honestly, it’s been so fun to find the “hidden” stuff!! 2 reasons I do it: 1. Pure enjoyment of seeing new places or an “old” place from a different perspective, 2. Having a varied catalog of locations to shoot in different seasons, etc.

[@1958zed]

I'm getting better at it. Before going to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in late September and early October, I determined the sunrise, sunset, and moonrise times along with their azimuths. I then hopped on Google maps and used the satellite view to determine which locations would be best for each. Even though I had never been to either park, my homework paid off and I didn't waste a lot of time running around looking for locations. Of course, I still had to find compositions, but I had time to do that.

[@michaelmckeag960]

Your video reinforces a couple others I’ve viewed recently that encourage scouting as a deliberate and frequent practice, conducted unencumbered by a full landscape photography kit both physically and psychologically. I’ve carried just a cell phone, though recently have carried a little Nikon Z50 with 16-50mm in a chest pouch, with GPS recording a track log for geolocating record shots in Lightroom later. The advantage of the Z50 over the cell phone, sometimes a record snapshot turns into a keeper worthy of full processing, or short of that, exploring the potential of the location under the lighting and atmospheric conditions prevailing at the time. Google Earth, PhotoPills and The Photographer’s Ephemeris I find essential tools for getting in the right place at the right time, oh and the calendar and alarm clock apps on my phone.

[@scottkirkman8275]

Good advice, Josh. Yes. Was just thinkin' about doing some scouting tomorrow. Blue bird skies forecasted for tomorrow. Might get photos, might not, but will be getting outside and seeing some new places and new opportunities.

[@gracefkim]

Plus, scouting is the most fun!

[@bradleydahl5191]

I started doing landscape more seriously in 2019 and I learned scouting was really necessary early on. So, a little reluctantly, I started out here in Connecticut thinking there would not be too much I could appreciate. This would have sucked the life out of me when our pandemic restrictions started, but luckily I quickly realized how valuable just 'getting out' really was. It was a bit of an eye opener to the places around me. I discovered many state parks (not too many closed, luckily) and other nooks and crannies that had great potential. And as a bonus, nearly every second trip turned out some okay to fairly good pics when I watched the conditions carefully. I really had some fun/ fulfilling trips. So my lesson is: if you haven't done so, explore your own area.

[@RichardBO9]

It's amazing how light changes the landscape. I drove by something this afternoon that I have driven by twice a day for the last two years that I had not seen before because of the light and I went by at a different time of day. One of the best purchases I've made in the last year is a high end gps unit. It is full of waypoints and notes for just what you are talking about. Great video!

[@WalkingDevon]

100% with you Joshua, I always say explore, explore, explore. I use maps and google earth for new areas but most of my photography is local. I'm fortunate to have lived all my life in an area of outstanding natural beauty and for the last 10 years have got to know the area intimately. The changes with the seasons, how the light falls throughout the year, I can look at the weather and time of year and what the tide is doing and have a list of places I can go and try out. Having a Lightroom catalogue with 10 years of shots can help greatly with that. It's not the epic mountain shots or big lakes but there's plenty of beauty to be captured. I look forward to when we all get back to normal so I can explore somewhere new and further away though. Have a great day Joshua.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Thanks for the comment, Rob, and for sharing your story! Spending time outdoors and as you say, taking in all of the outstanding natural beauty is an incredible feeling

[@iamleek]

Yes... that's true!!! Scouting. Especially on Google map / Earth and locking in the path. And the mission to reach the site and see for yourself what you have imagined on the Web. Time to Target (TOT) right ON! Hahahaha... that is the most fun part. What come next is bonus.

[@PhotoPills]

So true!

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

You know it!

[@angryanimaldoc]

Solid advice. I lived in santa Cruz for 4 years at UCSC 98 grad. and although I wasn't a landscape photographer at the time I always appreciated it. There really isn't a place that is that diversified in such a small area. And the fog was absolutely amazing. I have to revisit the area, because after living there for 4 years I've already done the scouting. Just need to jar the memorbanks. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@jeffreymatikainen]

I love scouting locations in preparation for a serious photography trip. Recently I went on a 5km run with my mum on a local beach I have known for years but we went further up the beach than usual and we found some awesome shipwreck remains I never knew were there. So fun finding hidden gems in places you thought you knew!

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

That is awesome! Such a cool feeling when you discovery something new.

[@brucewdelorme]

You arenso so right Joshua, planning and scouting fet youbto the right places at the right time

[@cartercooperpa]

Thanks for the nudge to get out there and do it!

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Nudge nudge!

[@stevematadobra6117]

Outstanding vlog Josh - clearly one of the most underappreciated or utilized aspects of a complete photography experience. Great advice.

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Joshua: I found this video to be very interesting. I do a lot of 'pre-scouting' of a potential location that involves travel; via the web, looking at 500PX, and other location images. Once I find a location that has some merits, I start digging and digging and usually that involves using PhotoPills to start planning on when I want to be at that location. For example, my wife and I are going to Scotland next fall and one of my must shoot locations is the Old Man of Storr, so by using PhotoPills I know when I want to be there to get the type of image I want to create. I live in Canada, so I find this level of pre-scouting is critical as I can't simply fly to Scotland and start looking around. Keep Covid -19 and keep creating wonderful video. Your sharing of your knowledge is a big part of my photography evolution. Cheers, Keith

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

You got it, Keith. We have so many great tools at our disposal these days to help us visualize and execute the shots we want. I hope Scotland turns out amazing for ya.

[@larryfitzpatrick4673]

I live in Hudson Valley, so there are many great areas for Photography. When I hear about a new location, I will often take a hike with my wife. Typically this is between 10 - 2, not alway best lighting conditions. But I get to know the area and can decide if I want to come back at sunrise by myself with a tripod and a few lens. My wife is not a fan of the tripod it slows her hike down, so I don't being it when I am with her.

[@matsfotografi]

Great video! In fact so inspiring that I'm about to get my but of the sofa, grab my camera and get out scouting:)

[@Spiros_Pandis]

Thanks Joshua!!!

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Thank YOU!

[@bluerhino_jk]

Always helps to live in an area like you do with public lands available. I live in the middle of Kansas, and almost everywhere is private land (can’t wander off too far) and the amount of landscapes are limited. I am usually restricted to winging it on vacations.

[@gabyisphoto2379]

excellent advice as always!

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Glad you think so!

[@fandangofandango2022]

Very Constructive Sir.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Many many thanks

[@fiorinidaniele]

I mostly agree with you but my personal experience of many years of finding my way as enthusiast landscape photographer (i. e. not a professional) is to search for something close to where you live. To scout your closest places is what we do less because we tend to believe that only the epic places deserve a photo. Instead when you go in one of this far epic places you generally do not have enough time to scout as you correctly suggest. And finish to take normal and obvious shots already seen many times by thousands of photographers. Obviously if you are a professional photographer of National Geographic maybe you have that further time. But most of us do another job in our lifes and we cannot afford to spend weeks in those places. My best pictures were taken in the area I live. Because I can scout as you describe and I know them very well. I can plan to return in a specific location at the right time and occasion. Exploiting the different weather conditions or light or stars or moon or sun.. Well in my not epic place of my area I got my best satisfaction and personal success as photographer. Sorry for my long comment. I hope you catch my point. Thanks for your great video.

[@JackBellesPhotography]

Great advice. Scouting is a lot of fun as it gets you out! Some of my best landscape photos have been taken on the scouting trip but they are very useful for return trips as you stated.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Absolutely!

[@dilus13]

As a beginner (only a matter of a few months) everywhere I go now I am looking for possible compositions for a good, unique shot. If I come across a possible, I snapshot it with my phone for future use when conditions may be promising. In your local area you may not have grand vistas but you can always find something of interest that may not have been photographed before. I am beginning to look at the world with a photographic slant and it’s making me more appreciative of my surroundings 👍

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Love that! Thanks for sharing

[@Maybachdemon]

crazy timing for this video; i was just thinking about places i'd like to go scouting for new locations tomorrow when i saw this vid in my subscription list

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

SpoooooOOOOOooky! Have fun!

[@BVRainer]

Great vid, thanks.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Glad you liked it!

[@craigallenphotography]

f/8 and be there!! Just as true in the digital age as ever. Great video and wonderful information. I don't think that whole "computer" thing is going to take off though, lol

[@davidoconnor8311]

Totally agree with scouting new locations..in my area in ireland everyone is taking the same images of the same boring locations and coping. There's a castle call Ross castle killarney and my god people are over doing it with there images...I scout around at least 3 sometimes 4 times a week...

[@jefnatuurfilmer]

Thanks for this video.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

You bet!

[@AliasJimWirth]

Thank you. Sound thoughts and suggestions.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

You are so welcome

[@brianbrumfield3330]

I love the Eastern Sierras so I do scouting all the time with Google Earth but to make a scouting trip is not as feasible because I live 4.5 hours from Bishop. If I have to drive that far I'll just spend a few days and really work one or two areas I saw on Google Earth and take what I can get.

[@thomastuorto9929]

Great vid. I have seen a few vids over the years for this but they mostly covered What apps to use type of videos.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Glad you enjoyed! I'm a big fan of process and philosophy instead of gear, because when you have a good system you can use all kinds of tools.

[@ScottViney]

Hey Joshua, do you have some method for saving all these locations?

[@rodschweiger4195]

For years in my younger days I was an avid deer hunter in California. I witnessed some awesome sun sets and sun rises. Now I wish I could revisit those day with my new DSLR instead of a rifle.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

I'll bet you saw some cool stuff, and now you're onto a different kind of shooting. :)

[@ThyWorshipMetal]

I digitally scout for new locations all day every day, it’s honestly endless >

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

An easy vortex to get sucked into.

[@FelixJorgenfelt]

I love scouting, the whole process from looking at maps and then arriving at the location for the first time. It's the best feeling in the world! Love that you're doing videos focused on the craft, to much gear talk nowadays. Keep up the great work!

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Yes! 100% agree. And thanks for the comment. "Craft"

[@64puma64]

I was in Scouting for years and it was never this useful. Good job, Josh!

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Ha! But I bet you learned how to tie some sweet knots.

[@alans056]

Great video ! But more importantly... where can we buy that sick jumper ?!!

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Hahah! I bought this one in Huaraz, Peru. But most small markets in tourist areas probably have something similar.

[@stevethompson8154]

I do a fair amount of scouting new locations using google earth. One can "fly" over a scene from any angle.

[@SniperPhotography]

Well said Josh People get all tied up with the latest gear and tech. Thats right.Get out and do photography.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Exactly!

[@asmasam4294]

macam mana nak buat?

[@RFranks]

Sometimes I take a large pano with my phone so I can hunt for compositions on the computer then bring my main camera back to shoot it later.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

That's a interesting approach!

[@jimwlouavl]

I scout and take photos when the light, etc. is not right and flag them to go back to.

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Awesome!

[@kristianarntsen7049]

Cant stop focusing on your hands, in your videos.... Otherwise, great tips mate:)!

[@JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

They are beautiful hands, aren't they. Had the opportunity to go pro hand model back in the day, but chose the poorly paid life of a photographer instead. :)

[@chrisfish4112]

HELLOOO