Landscape Photography | More than just a photograph

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THE VIDEO:
If all that was left from a day out in the landscape was a few photographs, I'm not so sure we'd do it. If the success of a day in the field is only being measured by the number of likes on social media, it's. abad day for humanity.
Landscape photography is more than just a photograph.
In this video I return to Iceland to savour an evening of solitude, majesty and intimate engagement.
This Sunday coming on the Zen Haggis Channel I explore the concept of Killing Time! Our most valuable commodity.
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[@garypearson9756]

For me getting a keeper photo is a bonus, not an end in itself. Being out in nature, getting some exercise, searching for compositions, and "playing" with my toys is satisfaction enough.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for that - appreciated.

[@geoffstairmand3747]

When you speak, I listen. Then I listen again and learn. Then I absorb and you change/endorse my beliefs. You are a mentor not just in photography but in the philosophy of living a good life. Thank you Alister for everything you give.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thank you so much for your very humbling comment.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Very fond memories indeed. All well said Alister, I'm looking forward to our next adventure!

[@Alister_Benn]

Yeah, me too buddy....

[@francoisbouchart4050]

I love that first photograph. Makes me want to step into the scene and explore the grandeur of the place.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks very much, appreciated.

[@philipculbertson55]

Earlier this week, while taking autumn photos up a wilderness river, I had a brief thought of disappointment because the colors were not yet vivid but as I stood there in the flowing water, hearing the sounds, feeling the sun, I noticed a fly fisherman up the river making a cast. It dawned on me that fishing was his excuse for being on the river, just as photography was my excuse. The sights and sounds, the feeling of being there, were the experience, not getting the photo, and that realization made all the difference in my day.

[@Alister_Benn]

Great stuff, that is a beautiful moment for you. Thanks for sharing that.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

"Great navigational skills". Lol.

[@Alister_Benn]

LOL, I was praying you'd watch this :-)

[@TheAjbarron]

“Pure unadulterated shameless engagement with the landscape” Thank you for encapsulating this.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thank you for your kind comment.

[@MadeleineLenagh]

This totally resonates, and I almost found myself just nodding and saying, Of course, of course! Yesterday I spent a happy 5 hours out on a boat in the wetlands near my home. Yes, I came home with some nice images. But just being there is so good for the soul! Just as we were packing up our gear, something that looked like a Heron flew into view. My friend called out, OMG, it's a Bittern! By the time I was ready and focused, the bittern was flying in front of a fence. So absolutely not a great image. But each time I see it, I think, Hey, I saw a Bittern in flight!

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks as always - now, I need to go and answer your email!!

[@dianevose9655]

I learnt not to have too many expectations and just go with the flow when I was a press photographer for eighteen years. Especially when photographing politicians and Royal visits, you never knew what you might capture on camera! I've tried to use my experience of letting go of expectations in my Landscape and Woodland images. I get just as much of a buzz photographing a ray of light falling upon a scene as I did any news story. Also being out in nature having a lovely walk with the camera or sitting and watching the sky alight with colour makes me feel alive and very happy 🤩📷

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks as always Diane for your thoughtful and meaningful comment. I really appreciate them and always enjoy reading them

[@mitymous1]

yes! The moments of engagement are the value. All of the meaning is to ourselves; if someone else is also captivated, that's great. But it's all for my own sanity.

[@Alister_Benn]

Good man - I'm all in

[@sarahthomson8183]

Yes-engagement and being in that state of creative flow. The best.

[@sarahthomson8183]

Thank you. So good to hear someone speak about this kind of thing. Going into nature spending time there is a gift in and of itself-in so many ways, on so many levels.

[@chrisalmerini3284]

Looking forward to the new ebook

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks so much Chris

[@alanclark9691]

Another thought-provoking video Alister. As a club photographer I admit to having found it difficult when a competition judge dismisses an image I have worked incredibly hard to present in the best possible light. It hasn't always been comforting to be told that a judge is merely expressing his personal preference that doesn't necessarily mean your work is inferior or deficient. Several of your videos have touched on this underlying issue of 'value perception', and are gradually convincing me of the reality of these situations. In general, an image inevitably will mean far more to the author than most, or even all observers. When you have conceived, composed, selected and worked to perfect an image for submission to a competition, it has become part of you, but not necessarily to the outside world. I guess, that is what we all have to understand.

[@Alister_Benn]

Judges almost universally project opinion as fact. In many cases it’s worthless feedback.

[@blivieriphoto]

I remember my first, (and only) workshop, it was to the Smoky Mountains in 2017. I was still relatively new to photography. Year & a half, maybe 2? I knew the basics, but was still learning some of the more advanced techniques. I had expected to see mountains and wildflowers, and hoped to see bears, as most do, but I relished the whole experience. I did get a few bear pics, but nothing great. But to me and my still untrained eye, all of my photos were epic. I still count it as one of my best trips ever. Maybe I'm still just not that fussy about my photos as I was 3 years ago. As long as I walk away with long lasting memories, my trips will always be remembered as highly successful. Award winning photos or not. My '5 fans' still love them, and most importantly, I love them. 🤗

[@Alister_Benn]

That's so important Barb, that feeling is so vital...

[@karlthefirst8690]

Another great one, Alister, thank you.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks so much for your kind comment

[@jaywilliamsphoto]

The image at 8:14 is a great representation of anxiety and depression, for me. The position of the viewer is in darkness with the closest ‘light’ object still being quite dull and lower than you currently are (a metaphor for depression and not being able to see the positive). Then being teased with true light (positivity/hope) in the distance, only to have a dark, foreboding and impassable mountain range between you and peace. As you say, more than a photo.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thank you so much for your insightful comment. I really appreciate that.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

One thing I'm learning is to not expect anything when I go shoot, especially in a new location, and just enjoy and engage with whatever is there. Including the sound of silence or birds chirping. If I get a shot, bonus.

[@Alister_Benn]

Great, the zen of being :-)

[@nickshepherd8377]

Really excellent...both thoughtful and uplifting. Thank you.👏👏👏

[@BrianNorthmorePhotography]

Alister, Really enjoyed listening to your thoughts on photography. I have subscribed and will look through your back catalogue. As a fellow Landscape photographer, KZbinr I can really connect with what you are saying. I was lecturing to a London Camera Club via Zoom on Monday night, and part of my Talk was about this connection / conversation between the subject, photographer and viewer, with the camera just being the method of communicating that moment. I’m going to stop typing or I’ll go on for ever lol. But just wanted to say hi, and looking forward to watching and engaging with more of your videos. Rgds, Brian Northmore

[@jeroenintheafternoon7057]

Really love this content again, cant wait for the next video

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@andyindrans3035]

I have a similar philosophy to yours as I take photographs for me. At the same time I like to share my emotions , thoughts and and perspectives in making those moments in time. It's relatively easyto dump an image on some social/photo media. However, my joy comes from getting a high quality print which reflects why I took the photo and sharing it in a gallery and at home .

[@miltonpics]

Another great video. Thanks.

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@brucehyman]

so glad you didn't add your ten top tips to the other 90 top tips from others. keep being Alister.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks so much :-)

[@davidrobertson4530]

Thank you for these videos Alister - your words are an anchor for me right now, in my life and for my photography.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for your kind words.

[@johnneish3103]

Alister, interesting what you say in the later part of this video. Realising ones own personal vision whilst out in the field can mean everything. Almost a case for not needing the camera anymore.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks - I hear you. I'm out quite a lot without my camera and I still engage with the world. Where the camera takes me though is when I have something to add to the aesthetic I seee in nature. By isolating and then processing for feel, emotion and mood, I think I summarise the moment. Experiential seeing digs us in, the camera digs us out :-)

[@johnneish3103]

@@Alister_Benn Yes, that's a great way of putting it. Thanks for the reply

[@ejpeiker]

I can really relate with this video. You described experiences and personal interactions with the landscape that I felt most deeply while in Greenland last year.

[@nqnmaca]

Beautiful words, sometimes because of social media, etc, we usually forget why we are interested in photography. Videos like this, makes you remember why.👏

[@Alister_Benn]

Absolutely! Thanks

[@davemckenzie6493]

I don't photograph professionally so I'm under no pressure to produce images which is great. For me the experience out in the wild has always been more important than any image I may capture. If I get a good one, that's a bonus. For me there is no bad day out in nature. You video captures perfectly the way I experience landscape/nature photography. Well done.

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Alister: This was a wonderful video and the images that you created were simply amazing. For me, a compelling image is one that I can immerse myself into the subtle details of the composition; intimacy, texture, light, and gesture. For myself, grand vistas shots don't have 'staying power', they show everything in one image and while they maybe very nice I tend to move through them rather quickly. On the other-hand, intimate Images such as you have created instill curiosity and I want to slow down and explore the image more fully. The image I appreciated most was the image at 8:14 in the video. The heaviness of the cloud with the slight band from the rising sun created a feeling of optimize . . . despite all of the negative environment that surrounds us, the emergence of the light is warming to our sole and represents the promise of a new day. Keep safe . . . keep happy . . . keep creating. Cheers, Keith (Canada)

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks mate, I appreciate that, I like that one too, it has a nice holistic feel to it, it just feels complete. I do like the first intimate one at the end as well.

[@anisab9506]

Definitely more than just a photograph! SO much more!

[@Alister_Benn]

Thank you :-)

[@Archibald_Quincy_Stanton]

Your approach and content are much appreciated on both channels. Following you I've learned to find meaning in my work that is true to myself. I guess you could say I'm better able to focus and express😉 myself and I have you to thank for that. Leave the top 6,8,10 tips to the others and continue doing meaningful work. You have a gift for it. Thanks again

[@Alister_Benn]

Awesome, thank you!

[@mollyanderson449]

I so appreciate the type of content you choose to produce and that your channel is not filled with “Top 10” videos. There are people who actively seek out this type of content and for us, though there may be fewer, the value goes much deeper. This is applicable to not just photography, but life in general. Thank you and can’t wait for the new book!!!

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks Molly. Yes, for me to be true to myself seems to be the key to a happy life.

[@mfuller1093]

Another great video with good thoughts. Engagement with the landscape and true appreciation is so important. Too many people rush around trying to ''bag hero shots'' (whatever that is ) often with dissapointing results because they set a very specific target before going outdoors. Some of my best images have been taken when I least planned them and just wandered around enjoying the time outside.

[@Alister_Benn]

Well said! I agree 100%

[@pedrodasilveira]

Lovely! I really appreciate your work and how you embrace photography. Thank you for sharing

[@Alister_Benn]

Thank you very much!

[@yogapaule]

So you say that I should watch videos of a dude in a kilt talking about zen stuff? I'm in!

[@Alister_Benn]

LOL, totally. All the rest is a waste of time :-)

[@joelwolski]

"Expectation is the father of disappointment." I'm trying to approach my photography hopeful rather than expectant; well, life really. If I can learn hopefulness in the solitude of nature, alone with my camera, then maybe I'll be better able to realize it in every other aspect of my life. Who was it that said something like, "Photography is a tool that teaches us how to see without camera."

[@Alister_Benn]

I love that quote, thanks so very much

[@borissmit7112]

Two comments, first can't agree more and I really do like the Zen Haggis!

[@Alister_Benn]

That's great to hear - Thanks from me, and the Haggis :-)

[@marie-josevanrijsbergen8670]

Thank you for this video. Very recognizable content, and beautifully expressed.

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@claudehamel9228]

Great one again. Noted that the ground in the lower part of the second photo looks like a rolling wave!

[@Alister_Benn]

Ah, the imagination :-) our best friend

[@ataraxia4526]

I just love the Scottish accent.

[@Alister_Benn]

Ha, thanks :-)

[@blivieriphoto]

Ooo, I have an idea for a future video. Top 10 reasons why you should subscribe to and watch Zen Haggis! 😂

[@Alister_Benn]

LOL

[@tomdriftwood3674]

Very nice foto at 12:00, I like this. Thanks for sharing.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thank you very much!

[@vaibhavpisal]

Wonderful video. I get Sadhguru vibes about how you approach things. I watch a lot of his videos as well

[@Alister_Benn]

Awesome, very pleased to hear that - thank you.

[@kencarlson542]

I really enjoy your approach to your videos and if you did do videos of the 10 best way to use your....., I probabally wouldn't watch. I taught sports psychology for a while and one of the important elements was the difference between being process oriented and outcome oriented. Those who were process oriented were generally more satisfied with their involvement. I commented before about sharing your successes or self growth, etc. with others and you didn't respond so I will try again. i am in total agreement with doing what makes me happy as a process, i.e. being with good friends, appreciating the beautiful place, learning new skills, and so on but I seem to hear you saying that one should be totally concerned with producing what makes one happy. I wish that you would comment a little more about producing something as a communication device and taking your viewers into account as you try to communicate what you are feeling or about what you care about in an image or a collection. I am not tryihg to be critical only somewhat frustrated at not having a dialog. Thanks for what you do!

[@Alister_Benn]

Sorry for not replying to your previous comment. I’ve been insanely busy, but I will reply to this tomorrow

[@Alister_Benn]

I spent years trying to take control of impact: what viewers get. I concluded that we have a limited vocabulary, but that there are assumptions we can make regarding how an image will be received. Yes, we can manipulate contrast, colour, and use compositional devices to guide a viewer. In the end though, I make images for myself, loaded with metaphor and imagination. Pretty much all of that I am incapable of narrating without accompanying text. I put way more care into a print, something that someone buys to enjoy. Most people simply don’t look at images long enough to perceived much beyond the superficial. In the end, I make images for myself, but do aim to bring hope and joy to an audience

[@kencarlson542]

@@Alister_Benn You are busy of 8 minutes gets you into your new day. Thanks for the quick reply and I have some thoughts on your thoughts but I will need to get back to you tomorrow because of family needs but tomorrow for me is not 8 minutes. :)

[@Alister_Benn]

I wish I had more time to engage with every comment, I really do. You raise a very good question and it’s easier for me to cover it in a future membership video.

[@Alister_Benn]

A quote from my latest eBook, which I am trying hard to finish: We need to look deep into these files and explore what transitions exist, what they are saying, and how we can help them to be perceived by people who have little, or no understanding of the language that we are using. Another reason to make images for yourself - there is absolutely no guarantee that anyone looking at your work will understand a single thing you are artfully articulating.

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

If someone is named Thor isn't that like being named God?

[@Alister_Benn]

I do believe so - yes