Landscape Photographers Must Evolve (I have to make some changes)

[@timnightingale4325]

For those of us without mountains and lakes or even seascapes in our immediate vicinity, there is no choice but to go for the intimate landscapes. It's a challenge and I am sure I am not alone in yearning for a mountain or two. But just a necessity is the mother of all invention, so variety is the spice of life. Mix it up. Go back to the lakeside when the fancy takes you or outside of the Lake District when you need a change. Take us with you on your journey round those photo hotspots that those in other areas of the country cannot access so easily. And for me personally, I like the lakeside stuff.

[@christopherbeckerdite4273]

Thank you, Chris. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I tend to see many things the same way as you.

[@johndoe-nh9sh]

I enjoyed that, a lot of food for thought (for me) as someone trying to make a living mainly from photography (wildlife and landscapes) and I think as part of my own development I need. Having something unique about an image you have taken, something that sets it apart that makes it your own, is one thing I try and strive for as a motivator. Totally agree that revisiting places can be a little dry and I think some of that is because we know somewhere well we know we can get an image, almost chasing an image (which is essentially a bad thing) to fulfil our need to go home with something in the bag but then it's good to revisit regular haunts and push ourselves to try a different approach and look at things in other ways which takes us full circle to back to striving for the unique. The hardest part is expressing ourselves through our photography and for the people who look at our work to understand that expression.

[@jonfletcher147]

Your honesty in your videos is always appealing....

[@EwanDunsmuirImages]

Hey Chris. Yup - agreed mate. I think we all suffer from time to time, which jades us, and pushes our understanding of how we rejoin the fast flowing river in terms of creativity. I too suffer from this and often bounce back having explored.. with new creative ideologies... if even only to revert back to what i do do all the time, and these are Panos (albeit with a little more gusto)! Cheers man. Good points here! Ewan (NZ)

[@SimonBoothPhotography]

It’s hard to believe you suffer Ewan. You seem to rock it every time!

[@mikeysteam]

Chris, is the channel shut down? Missing your content! All the best if you've decided to move on.

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Video, I couldn't agree with you more, thanks for sharing

[@randyschwager84]

Great thought provoking message! It will change my ROUTINE! Thanks!

[@sandeepbisht1069]

Chris nice to see this change, not only on you tube but also on what you comprehend about your skill. I personally think that while your compositions may be monotonous however they are very strong and pretty good, and that is your trademark I think. If I See a composition of Lake District ...... I can easily identify it to be yours. So while the work you are doing is good, the variation you mentioned in this video is welcomed. Sorry if the coment is tooo long. Cheers

[@lynnecliffe3056]

Chris, thanks for the honest, reflective commentary.

[@andrewmckinney7729]

Hi Chris ... I appreciate your candid and insightful critique. An encouragement to me. Thanks!

[@SimonBoothPhotography]

I think you made a good call there Chris and I enjoyed the video. The examples you showed were all top notch in my opinion. The smaller scenes will be more individual to you should you choose to shoot more of them. I think on the whole and I’m not talking macro here specifically, the smaller scenes will still look very Lake District as was the case with the footpath and the large fern to the left of frame. It’s a balance and you may lose some of the praise you get, but you’ll also gain plenty too. You can’t please everyone! I nearly always go out with the intention of shooting larger scenes but allow myself to go small whenever see something. I find the small scenes are typically more abundant, but exclusion vs inclusion becomes more important when very close in (but you knew that anyway)!

[@markpowell7574]

Chris I have followed you on your KZbin journey from early 2020 and enjoy your blog. As an amateur I have watched your photography evolve and improve, but especialy , I have enjoyed the honesty of your thoughts and insights. Thank you.

[@oddbjrnaustevikfoto]

Amen brother! Reflection on yourself and your work is very helpful, and I do it myself all the time. I sometimes find it very helpful to put together an exhibition, discover your own hidden red threads hiding in your work, if that makes any sense. As always I enjoy watching your creations. Hope you are well mate!

[@MrLiamGood]

I always wonder how landscape photographers rarely explore more of the beauty around them when out and about. I'm guessing there are plenty of birds, insects, butterflies about when they are taking pics. I don't understand why they seldom, if ever, try their hand at capturing small birds, insects etc. in their natural environment. Strikes me as missed opportunities to add to their landscapes. No new kit necessary either, plenty of great pics to be had with a 70-200mm, on its own, or coupled with a 1.4 converter, or perhaps a 50mm with a reversing ring. Not to mention the flora and fungi, which can provide great potential for intimate landscape photography. Plenty to consider Chris, even if only to get some nice images for your office.

[@davemckenzie6493]

Chris, excellent video as usual. I was intrigued by your comment that you want to shoot more intimate landscapes. I've learned over the years that you rarely shoot those. That's basically the only type of landscape I shoot. Very few of mine will show any sky. I think you'll find that you are not nearly as dependent on conditions if the sky is excluded because you don't have to worry about a dull vista. Keep up the excellent content.

[@IzzyAbuleelaPhotography]

Go for it Chris, as long as you connect with the photographs you are making then it will work and other people will feel that connection too. You are after all telling the whole story of the Lake District and that means the wide, the long and the intimate 🙏🙏🙏

[@trevorjacobs]

Interesting insights Chris. You’re clearly not a “terrible” intimate photographer!

[@jnrickards]

Loving your intimate landscapes, it's something that I'm working on as well (as you know). I like to go into the woods, along rarely used trails (or even going off the path) and become immersed in the "landscape", not being able to know, by looking around me, where I am in reference to known points of reference (a particular hill or lake or ...). And I'd like my photos to convey the same feeling, immersion in an area of unknown location. Your "old" photos, convey to me the same feeling, I'm loving that. Intimate landscapes also allow you to produce photos that would be hard to replicate: no one may know where you were when you took the photo and so it becomes your uncopyable image.

[@Bazzo61]

Talkiing of intimacy, I really feel your videos have become so much more engaging with this new format. Even though their length is shorter, their pace appears slower and the result is a much more engaging video. Especially enjoyed this latest one with a strong message for all of us not to get stuck in one genre.

[@christopherward5065]

I just spent a week in the Lake District and there is a wealth of incredibly beautiful scenes, objects, wildlife and life there. My lenses were 20, 24, 28, 35, 50(macro) 100. On APSC I was shooting these as equivalent to 30, 35, 43, 52, 75, 150. The images seemed to depend on scale to isolate features and tell a story. However keeping one lens on and taking pictures was a great way find something to say. Isolating features lent them power so I found myself dictating the context of the subject by moving up closer. Landscape shots can seem static or else have too little for the eye to settle on and those shots need cropping to concentrate the vision.

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Chris: I really liked your approach to understanding how your photography may need to grow. I particularly like how you are willing to freely express how you feel about your photographic journey. From what I have seen about your intimate landscapes in the past, you are being very hard on yourselves. Your images are very well done, so cut yourself some slack. Each time I have tried some new aspect of photography whether it be styles, compositions or post-processing, it has often felt very uncomfortable but in time the uncomfortable feeling diminishes and then everything goes into auto-drive. That is one trigger for me that to consider shaking it up. Keep up with your journey of discovery and thanks again for sharing this information with the viewers of your channel. Cheers, Keith

[@craigwilson1604]

I still feel like my photos are crap now but i still enjoy the process, and now and again i get a shot im happy chris, i even bought a x100v just to try and push myself a little. I think you have improved and ive followed for a while 👍

[@johnjtoth7633]

I have always thought you were very good at capturing intimate images. However, understanding that it is not your favorite area of interest, you have a decerning eye and are good at capturing a scene that others might pass by. I especially like the image you created at 5:08. Looking forward to how you incorporate the intimate images you create into your landscape portfolio.

[@tonykeogh6139]

Very enjoyable vlog Chris. Your presentation style and photography are both excellent. My photography seems to have taken a back seat to my renewed interest in golf this summer.

[@jimwlouavl]

Its great to hear your thought process. I too am becoming more interested in intimate landscapes and details. Learning to combine that with fall color is my upcoming project.

[@timrosenburgh9485]

Enjoyed the video as usual Chris. I think that the point about taking intimate landscapes and is something i sometimes do to create a different but interesting image like the ones that you took of the stones and rocks with the plant in it. I look forward to seeing more of your intimate images in future video's.

[@stuartsilverman3797]

Miss your videos and Insta posts. I hope you are well and happy, Chris

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Merry Christmas Stuart, I plan to release 2 new videos before the end of the year so keep an eye out for them.

[@mujahidurrehman]

Fully agree with what you are saying and trying to achieve here.

[@hamsterneckliving]

First time I’ve ever watched one of your videos. I love the insights and reflections you ponder in this. Well done. Thanks for making me think.

[@AmorLucisPhotography]

So many landscape photographers, and certainly several of the photographers I've been following over the years, go through the same transition you describe - from grand vistas to more intimate landscape (even to macro or ICM). It's a transition I feel within myself, too. To some extent, for many of us, this may be partly a practical matter. It isn't very easy to find grand vistas on a weekly basis to satisfy our creative urges. And I don't think you should worry about losing connection with the Lake District landscape with which you closely identify. It's like one's relationship with one's spouse - they may be our one true love, but that does not mean (nor should it mean) that we should expect all of our needs to be met by that one person (in my case, it's the Canadian Rockies). There is always the danger that our conception of our identity becomes self-limiting; when we become too attached to who we have been or think ourselves to be, we limit our capacity to grow and become someone new.

[@skwent]

I really enjoyed the conversation that you had with this video. You touched on some areas that photographers tend to struggle with at times, but with out whining about it. You actually gave encouragement to carry on. I tried some video and understand the balance of venturing out for photos versus trying to get video content. I would like to see more of your photos from those times when you are just shooting for you.

[@JonathanKSmith]

I continue to enjoy the content you share. I appreciate your perspective.

[@brianbeattyphotography]

Great video Chris. It's definitely important to always keep growing and pushing your skills to the next level or else risk losing interest. I've enjoyed the shift towards more mountainous regions in your work!

[@williamcurwen7428]

I think that what you describe is that a place has a name, and that is what defines it - terribly limiting. I now only do what - you - call intimate landscape photography. Although I have a lifetime of self discipline and rigorous technique at my disposal, when I get out there it is no holds barred and anything could happen. It’s an ego thing, you have to go beyond who you are and whatever expectations you may have about your self. Put it this way, the landscape is indifferent to your presence and your depiction of it. What are we? Animals that make pictures that tell stories.

[@searam1]

Cheers Chris, it’s Sean in Atlanta. I totally get your meaning regarding taking the same image in slightly different flavours. I do that but I attribute my lack of creativity to the Summer, which I feel is the kiss of death for landscape photography. I also got stuck with zooms and neglected my prime lenses. I feel that the change of season will definitely motivate me and I know coming to England in November will. I do hope you are well and not in some sort of depression… Sean

[@matsfotografi]

Great video! I've just started a new project where I am determined to become intimate (?) with the huge forest more or less on my doorstep. I think that this change of direction can give me the courage needed to become a better photographer. So let"s get frustrated together😀

[@tonyhayes9827]

I get it that you can feel jaded after a while until you (i.e. anyone - the collective `you' or `yous' as we say down here in Oz - well in Queensland anyway!) look back at the body of work you have done. Your slide show during the first 5 minutes was beautiful, just quietly. Technical and heart working together always fascinates me. One could say the spirit moved you to more intimate landscapes. That's it in a way. You are an intimate landscape photographer because the spirit is in you already. The Chris Sale spirit not the Hans Strand spirit, (they're both good BTW) so do your own version of it and be happy. `You've got a little window through to the trunk,' you said. `You've got the spirit in you,' I would suggest. Technically, you're a very good teacher Chris. `Vive la evolution!'

[@allanmarshall4582]

Well Chris, Autumn is around the corner. This will offer you, a great opportunity for intimate landscapes.

[@RiccardoPareschi]

Hy Chris, really interesting reflections. Having returned after eight years in my homeland (Italy) I am trying to give a different path to my landscape photography, making reflections similar to yours, trying to fight old habits and to discover the true meaning of landscape photography. Thanks for share.

[@ashstubbings2603]

Hi Chris. I know what you mean about feeling a little bit jaded in your photography. I've been feeling like that for weeks. Going to the same places and photographing the same things, and then beating myself up for feeling 'bored' for want of a better word. How can I be bored in such beautiful surroundings? But it's not the surroundings that are the problem. It's what I'm actually taking photos of! I'm having a day out in Scarborough on Saturday. It'll be nice just to be able to take photographs in new and different surroundings I think.

[@MiguelACoronaDM]

Good topic for reflection Chris. Reminds me to go through my images of the last 2 years and see what photos I've been making. I'm certain I have a lot of what you noted in your video. I do need branch out a bit more - a variety of locations for me. I incorporated a bit of wildlife in the Spring/Summer and will try to diversity my locations this Autumn. But yes, a review is warranted to see where I am. Good topic.

[@Chris-NZ]

Hi Chris, There is no way that looking at more detail is going to do anything but sharpen your over all craft :)

[@BosePhotography]

You should definitely do more intimate landscapes Chris, I think you might be a lot better than you think you are with them! The intimate images you shared in this video were superb! S

[@laurelb8372]

Beautiful image of the tree

[@sander5086]

Love intimate landscape shots, but I find it hard aswell to find the perfect composition to make them work. So looking forward to your upcoming video's to get some inspiration, before my trip to the Lakes (only 6 weeks away!!)

[@iaincphotography6051]

Change the lens, get a telephoto on the job, how about altering your Kelvins, and don't forget to look over your shoulder!

[@andrewsimpson5436]

I think as you say near the end it's a strength to do more intimate images. With the love of the area and Strand's analogy I'd see it that you're not losing the location but getting more specific. Sure it could be anywhere but you will know it's "the tree on the path from Derwent water near Grimsdyke farm" or whatever.

[@sagaloo1]

Really interesting, its seems that for some while you have been reflecting on this whole creative aspect of your work, really looking forward to seeing where this takes you, thanks for letting us come along for the ride.

[@acmdv]

How about a trip to the seaside as a change? Some night time photography? Try a bit of large format film photography?

[@philipculbertson55]

This was a thought provoking one. I was about to ask how this fit into your business model but you sort of touched on that at the very end, adding that to your clients offerings to help them enjoy as well as learn about intimate scenes. Knowing that now, do you try to keep a sort of mental catalogue of places to take people for those or just build the confidence that wherever you go, you can find something? It seems that it would be pretty straightforward knowing where the vistas are and how they work in different conditions but it seems that would be a lot harder for intimate scenes.

[@jeffogden6060]

Nice one mate. I commend you on your decision to focus on intimate landscapes. Certainly more practice will bring out your best. Even so, I know you won’t pass up a nice reflection with a rock in the foreground anytime soon! Cheers

[@jimrookphotos]

As the saying goes, "Change and evolve or die." One must move forward.

[@JustWojtek]

I lately thought I got a bit bored with shooting landscape - not that's I'm any good at it - but your take on it feels really compelling. I might try to find somewhat of a smilar a challenge or next step for me aswell.

[@clintwood1983]

Funny, I was just thinking that I do a lot of wide shots and need to get a bit more focused on my compositions. I had attributed It to watching your videos and wanting to get better at my wide shots! Not that going wide was a bad thing, I was just doing it more often then not and not being more creative.

[@FireImageFM1]

I'm a photographer also and so I practice a new technique is called I get eye level to my subject, it a real different picture because you use a tripod for your still shots, if I have to get eye was a great technique and because I use a flip screen camera Canon it allows me to rotate the screen to where I can get those shots I wish I could show them to you

[@thomasmaple8833]

Enjoyable video Chris. But I have a question. Will we be getting more videos from you soon?

[@lookylookie]

Hey Chris, what have you been upto for 3 months? Are you just taking a break from YT ??

[@davemenard5089]

Intimate into it ov7er the horizon Lov7er here.

[@timnightingale4325]

Chris, haven't seen any output from you in more than two months. That can't be a good sign. I am not I speak for myself and more besides when I say 'misisng you already'. Come back soon.

[@nelsonclub7722]

To sum up become a travel photographer.....

[@mikehutchinson6567]

Hi Chris I see where you are coming from in the want to change area. Personnally having not lived in the lakes that long in the great scheme of things. I'm still very much into the side of the lake type image at the moment. In the vlog I noticed an image of Blea Tarn I don't know if you've been up there recently but the water level is really low lets say I'm hoping for rain (but let's not swear). I have tried a couple of intimate shots and they have worked out pretty well another thing for me is to dust off my macro lens to be honest something I've not done for a while. So still being into the lake side shots tinkering with intimates and macro I have enough to keep me going for a while. Sorry if this sounds a bit me me me as I read it back before I post it. I really like your shot of the pebbles and the birch tree works for me too. Anyway that's enough from this old codger see you in the comments box soon cheers Mike.

[@Andy_Thomas]

As I understand it, you expressed concern that intimate shots lose the sense of place. I recommend you look again at Ansel Adams work. Some of his photographs are very intimate, but they still evoke the sense of definitely being in the Sierra Nevada. I do not see why you could not do the same with the Lake District. Good luck with it.

[@AlexMcDougallPhotography]

Hi Chris hope you're OK?

[@paulcookphotography]

I think a fair question would be, if you explore new things (intimate photos) do you think you might lose some of people that follow you because they have followed you primarily for that *sense of place" (the Lake District views)? By the way, I really enjoyed the intimate photos in this one and viewed it as a nice compliment to the grand Lake District photos you are known for.

[@keithhamilton216]

Hi I continue to learn from Chris and been a follower of his for a long time. Changing to a new type photography will encourage me and others photographers to try different things. His audience in my opinion will only grow

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

I think you hit the nail on the head Chris when you said about taking out the horizon & losing the sense of space. The image of the tree branches & images like that don’t float my boat. While I can appreciate the technicalities of macro photography it does nothing for my creativity. I would not want to print a picture of a flower or bee & hang it on the wall.There is a UK landscape photographer who’s knowledge of for a & flora is outstanding & yes he takes some amazing images with a medium format camera, I loose interest when week after week he takes one landscape image & then out comes the macro lens & it’s 6 shots of intimate photography. It is all about balance.

[@EwanDunsmuirImages]

Hey Nicky, Chris had a few good points in here hey! = ) I too really struggle with the smaller detail Photography, but specialise in the massive scene with Multi frame Panos, which some also, feel that stifles creativity. Each to their own i say. I think you are referring Simon Booth maybe, as he too shoots with medium format Pentax. I followed Simon for years and was drawn to his really nice big landscapes and note that he of late has gone back into Macro stuff, which are beautiful. I think Simon was originally a recognised wildlife photographer, and that camera that we both have is 'something else' for that type of Macro photography ... if only i could see the world in that way. I have tried... and failed, many times. LOL Each to their own indeed! Regards, Ewan = )

[@KevinNordstrom]

you should dabble into wildlife, brother. Haven't seen you in a few months, hope all is ok.

[@overunderabove]

Is it the fate of every landscape photographer to end up taking shots picking out single trees in the woods?

[@barryconway]

Now, what you need is another lens (o; Macro, eh?

[@iainscott1289]

When are we going to see you back? Miss your content 📷

[@malcolmross3782]

Hello Chris, great video with a good selection of photographs. I wish you well in your transition from wide to intimate. Thanks for inviting us on your journey. Stay passionate but most of all stay safe 😷

[@jeppemichaeljensen2684]

Hey Chris. Been follow you for a few years now. And I do have to disagree……. Sorry. You have to push yourself, take risks, and change your “playground” Look at Hans Strands work. Photos taken helicopters to closeups of ice from all kinds of locations. Pointing your camera “down” is to small off and adjustment. You can push your talent way further !

[@andrewhookerphotography4774]

Nothing wrong with that intimate shot Chris, so don't sell yourself short. If you keep that sort of shot going then you have just added another string to your bow.

[@Chris-NZ]

Hi Chris, your channel has gone very quiet, hope things are well with you and Mrs Sale. Happy Christmas from NZ .

[@timshields8720]

"I'm bored and need a new challenge but WILL NOT explore outside the Lake District" 😆 lol