Landscape Photography | Working in HARSH LIGHT

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THE VIDEO:
There is no such thing as bad light, just a lack of imagination. If we honestly ask ourselves what our motives are for being in the landscape then it determines how important dramatic light is. If we are in nature with a sense of wonder then we'll find beauty and engagement in anything, regardless of the time of day, or the quality of the light.
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[@CorreysPhoto]

bright & dark, cold & warm (-:

[@JohnKorvell]

I love the Cornwall photo of the rocks and high horizon. Good example of creativity making up for "bad" light. Your comments also apply to gray, gloomy days (like where I live). There's always something to photo!

[@Alister_Benn]

The whole thing about judging light is such nonsense! It's just excuses and pointless! Thanks for seeing all light as good light.

[@jefftrapp5407]

Embrace the light! Sounds good to me.

[@Alister_Benn]

Hard to do sometimes for sure, but the rewards are worth it...

[@jefftrapp5407]

@@Alister_Benn Agreed, most of my rambles lately have been midday and what I've found has surprised me. I no longer think in terms of good or bad light, which can be sort of a crutch. . Challenging, maybe but it all can work nicely. Plus I hate getting up early, well just kidding, kind of!

[@Alister_Benn]

An inquisitive mind is a more valuable asset than golden light :-)

[@44matricks]

Alister - as always another great teaching

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks again! I really appreciate that.

[@chrisalmerini3284]

These quick videos focused on just 1 thing have been great. Thanks for doing them.

[@Alister_Benn]

More to come! - Thank you so much for your great comments.

[@aviatorman8]

Interesting perspective on making a good photo in harsh daylight. Thanks for sharing!

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for watching! Many thanks as always

[@aviatorman8]

Expressive Photography It definitely gave me a good insight to keep in mind for next time I find myself shooting in harsh light. If you ever come visit WA State, please drop me a line! Cheers from the North Cascades!

[@lcador9]

Adams became an icon on the back of strong light producing dramatic shadows.

[@Alister_Benn]

Absolutely, great point, thanks for that

[@tacituskilgore8379]

AB churning out the content! 👍👍👍

[@Alister_Benn]

LOL, yeah, don't know why I decided to do a video every day this week!! Sucker for punishment!

[@tacituskilgore8379]

@@Alister_Bennlol, I dare say the rate of release would be lower if you were doing your own editing 😂😂 (I've just listened to David Johnston's podcast with you)!!!

[@mikemitchell3889]

Alister, "Open Mind." UP! Thank-You, Mike

[@Alister_Benn]

Absolutely

[@mitymous1]

Good reminder - there's always something worth "seeing", if you look!

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks again - yes, absolutely - if we go into the landscape looking for something and don't find it, then we have not only had a rubbish time, but we've ignored every other voice and lesson that the landscape can teach us...

[@LukeOrwin]

Great video, sorry I missed this live

[@Alister_Benn]

Next time! There is another chance at 16:00 today! :-)

[@indianwinter]

Thank you. I tried Intentional Camera Movement {ICM} during the harsh light. It helps to get me out of the house and get some abstract images. I only do it a few times of the year just for fun. Love your insightful videos.

[@BaryNusz]

Thanks for this. We live in a 90% of the time harsh light area, and this is a constant struggle.

[@RussWeymouthPhotography]

Setting the picture style on my camera to Monochrome helps, especially in harsh light, also clears the mind from colour distraction, I can then focus on the elements I have in frame.

[@Alister_Benn]

Yes, I agree with that. Thanks very much for your input.

[@cloudtowerphotography815]

So much food for thought or "grist to my creative mill" There are images that I will be taking a fresh look at tonight. Thank you!

[@Alister_Benn]

Wonderful! That's great to hear.

[@juneharris3886]

These tutorials are wonderful Alister, very inspiring and beyond the usual scope of most. Thank you!

[@Alister_Benn]

My pleasure! - Thank you for the lovely feedback.

[@derricksansome236]

Good question, great answer(s) and images to prove the validity of the comments.

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad you enjoyed it! many thanks as always.

[@kevbell5346]

Thanks so much for this Alister - this will help me think differently the next time I’m out with my camera in the midday sun.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks, that's great to hear - always something for the inquisitive mind.

[@johnscratchley3288]

This was very informative Alister. I am often relegated to going out to take photos when the sun is high and the light is not ideal so I sometimes don't go and search enough. However, I have been able to get some great black and whites for the reasons you've mentioned. Fortunately on Vancouver Island there is a lot of cloud cover (and yes rain) a lot of the time during the year which I find a big plus.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks John, really appreciate your comment. Yes, we have very similar weather here on the west coast of Scotland. I'll make photographs in any weather and often enjoy myself more when it's not "dramatic!"

[@lisarobertson7011]

Learning so much from your channel, thank you for opening my eyes and mind up!

[@Alister_Benn]

Happy to hear that Lisa, it's a pleasure

[@lennartphotography]

Thanks for this, great series! 👍

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad you enjoy it! - I really appreciate your feedback

[@taehsan]

Perfect, Alister. This really interesting.

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad you enjoyed it - Thanks a lot...

[@joostgerritsen7104]

Rule 1 : There are no ruiles. Rule 2 : You as an artist make your own rules. Rule 3: Best to shake up your own rules on a regular basis. Avoid routine. Rule 4: The best artworks are made when you are out of your comfort zone. Enjoy.

[@Alister_Benn]

This comment could be the basis of a video in its own right. Rarely do I find myself agreeing and disagreeing at the same time :-) How about: "The Landscape is; for us to create requires an avoidance of expectation and judgement" We fail a lot!

[@lcador9]

@@Alister_Benn Amusing, amongst the four rules, you state "there are no rules." I feel your conflict!

[@derekmack]

😂😂

[@juanbusciglio1771]

Looking forward for this video, great series Alister!!! salud from California

[@Alister_Benn]

Awesome, thank you! I really appreciate your comment

[@geoffdickinson5903]

Very helpful. Here in New Zealand cloud free blue skies with harsh, high contrast light is very common. This video gives me some great food for thought. Time to study your Luminosity and Contrast e book I think!

[@Alister_Benn]

I con't wait to get back to NZ - such a beautiful country, whatever the light...

[@klaus.bernhard]

Great thoughts Allister 💪

[@Alister_Benn]

Many thanks, much appreciated.

[@Hirsutechin]

Sound was great this time, Alister. :-) I have to remember the scope for playing with the colours to reach a satisfactory result in monochrome is greater than in film days, for example the ferns in the Florida Keys. Off to try Saturday's shots (harsh sunlight) again.

[@Alister_Benn]

Great, delighted to hear that! Yes, color is everything in BW! ironic huh?

[@williamdesevo2089]

Thanks for picking my question. I noticed you didn't attempt to pronounce my name -- no worries there as I've heard my name butchered a.hundred times in all sorts of ways. The biggest mistake for some reason is adding letters that aren't there notably an R. Its actually pronounced Dee-See-vo. I did get corrected once when I went to Italy (I'm half Italian/half English American) and was told the correct pronunciation was Day-Say-vo. I guess my father's family Americanized way back when they came here. My wife and I travel a lot in the western US and we usually encounter blue bell skies a lot and its just something we have to deal with here. A lot of this part of the country is desert and clouds especially in the summer are hard to come by. I liked your take on taking on what the day and the land give you. Thanks again.

[@Alister_Benn]

LOL - yes, I would have butchered it!! Great question...

[@stevethompson8154]

Possible question for future video answer... Alister, our Nikon bodies have in the shooting menu “Set Picture Controls” with in that several options. What do you set your options at and why? I have heard some settings allow for more post processing dynamic range thus more possibilities for our final image. Thanks

[@Alister_Benn]

That is a great question, thanks! I may need to break my "don't talk about gear" rule :-)

[@iank1638]

Yes I’m interested in that too, I previously thought it just affected JPEG so have been shooting in vivid , but now realise it may effect Raw files. In which case neutral sounds more sensible. Not sure we need a whole video on it but a wee comment if you know the answer would be helpful. Great tutorials, I’m finding they really open up my creativity. I’ve seen too many highly saturated wide angle big foreground landscapes and feel more at home with your style which is much more varied , original and authentic. Thank you so much

[@blivieriphoto]

Haahaa, you got me Alister. I just came back from the Everglades matter of fact, and sat down to watch your video. Shocked to hear my name! Ah well. Its all good. Great examples of shooting in harsh light. Its funny, just last night on IG I follow a local here in Miami who asked which light was bad or something of that nature. I answered with a quote from you. "No such thing as bad light, only lack of imagination". He answered back I had the best answer of all. But of course! :) Speaking of light and expectations, tonight I had a certain prehistoric entity blocking my boardwalk trail where I wanted to shoot the sunset from. So I decided to do some smaller scenes, some funky trees, and a bit of 'lubber grasshopper' porn instead. lol It was quite entertaining. Thanks Alister!

[@blivieriphoto]

Oh, and light, definitely light. If there is no light, you can't see anything. :)

[@Alister_Benn]

Yeah, you deserve a shout out!! You owe me $40 for the quote :-) :-) ;-)

[@blivieriphoto]

@@Alister_Benn Heehee $40. Check is in the mail my friend :P

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

"What's more important: Composition or light?" Me: "Yes". Can't wait until tomorrow!

[@Alister_Benn]

Yeah, I enjoyed that one :-)

[@mikeholgate445]

I like photography in strong light conditions. Using the term “harsh” light is putting a negative emphasis on things so perhaps we need a new phrase to encourage a positive response. You mentioned harsh light and powerful light in the same sentence - which is more positive?😊 Love the channel - love what you are doing for us - many thanks.

[@Alister_Benn]

Actually I agree with that 100% - perhaps the word "harsh" was used as it is a search term here on KZbin. Not my judgement, just working the algorithm!! :-)

[@jaywilliamsphoto]

‘Poor light’ is what I generally consider as a moment to show what you’re made of. It’s also the time I’m most frustrated haha. Though I feel my photographs are more artistic in those moments.

[@Alister_Benn]

LOL - yes, we have to put ourselves on the line in those moments and show who we really are - occasionally we don't like being reminded of the answer! :-) Thanks for your great insight.

[@photonsonpixels]

Thank you for your wonderful tutorials, Alister. Question: Do you edit your photos using Lightroom only or do you use Photoshop and perhaps other programs as well? If you do use Photoshop, can you give us an idea of when you feel that PS is warranted and why? And, in your new video series, do you explain only LR edits or do you also go into PS? Thanks again, Alister.

[@Alister_Benn]

Hi, thanks again for your comment. Yes, I use PS quite a bit, mainly for very focussed luminosity work, or for warping, perspective work, or focus stacking, exposure blending. Anything that requires a lot of precision I tend to do in PS. The BW Processing Course on Video only covers Lightroom, but goes into serious depth and of course is always in the RAW environment, which is a huge benefit.

[@photonsonpixels]

@@Alister_Benn Thank you for your reply, Alister.

[@guykerr8111]

Tried several times to access from You Tube and it will not come up. Tried the link from the e-mail and it worked

[@Alister_Benn]

I've changed the link - hopefully that works better now.