Game-Changing Photography Advice I Should’ve Applied Years Ago!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

🌟QUICK QUESTION: What's the one thing you wish you started doing years ago?

[@adkjeep1]

Slowing down at an area to explore the prospects of images as well as learning how important composition is and how to apply it to put it all together

[@MarcusNunes]

Creating a photography group. Here in Brazil, with our crime rate, it is way safer do go out with friends to photograph than do it alone.

[@michaelgoulding4425]

Photography 🙄

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

@@michaelgoulding4425 Me too!

[@PracticingPhotography]

I wish I had switched to RAW much earlier than I did. I didn't switch until I started learning how to use LightRoom.

[@troporobo]

Great tips! Number 8 could be "get comfortable with being uncomfortable ". Being out in less than perfect weather, out of bed pre-dawn, getting to hard to reach locations are all things I should do more of.

[@Calypso-rb9sf]

This is so true. My photos are definitely better when I get up early and venture out in weather that others stay home in.

[@jtinoco9859]

“Higher resolution versions of the garbage pictures I was taking…” What a better way to sum up what it takes to become a better photographer. We learn from making mistakes. I totally agree. Great video once again. Thank you Mark!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Hahahha - thank ya friend - glad you enjoyed it!

[@paulkay8986]

Great video once again Mark. I'd maybe add one other: get a pocket sized notebook and put it in your camera bag. I use mine so I can free my mind of the tech related stuff like doing focus stacking on the D850 - because the notebook helps me remember how to do that - and just think about the creative process. It also includes lots of notes about those post processing techniques that you perhaps don't do that often, so it's not ingrained in the mind. If you're wanting to capture the essence of that location too, so you can reflect that in the final post image, you can make some brief notes about how that place makes you feel, or the elements that first caught your eye...

[@mishkalarsoncreations]

I’m one year into my adventure after many years away from the camera. I’m still not sure what genre I want to zero in on, but you sharing your experience is so helpful! Many thanks!

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

GAAAAA! You stopped at the beginning of the best part!! Can't wait to see Katie's experiences with and reactions to the Sony. And tell her not to worry about anyone else's reaction to her photos. If she is excited about making them and they please her then that is enough because that is what it is all about.

[@donhendricks3190]

On my Calendar: WEDNESDAY - MARK DENNEY - LEARN & BE INSPIRED. Every week. Thanks my friend! See you next week.

[@brucekraft744]

Excellent points, Mark! I would like to add that it is enormously helpful to print your best ... large. I find that the process of getting an image to print that you can be proud to show is one place where the photography get real. After I do that, I find that I am doing much more creative work. It also gets to be a good motivator.

[@calebsteuer]

Thanks Mark! As a beginning Nature Photographer I appreciate all of your videos.

[@larryb0315]

Absolutely one of the best video's I have seen in a long time. I will definitely start putting your suggestions to good use, Mark. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and for presenting it in a clear, concise professional manner. I have also been guilty of focusing on what's in front of me, only to turn around and be amazed by what was behind me!!

[@christopherchall7056]

Excellent advice, concisely delivered! Thank you. The one thing I wish I'd done years ago: PLANNING. Serendipitously expecting the image to come together just because you go to a beautiful location, is like throwing a dart at a dart board with a blindfold on. Deciding on your subject and planning accordingly gives you a better chance of coming home with keepers. That being said, you always have to be open to the unexpected. "Going out empty" is usually what you come home with, unless, of course, you're Jay Maisel.

[@amerphoto1]

ROTATE...really hit home with me. We were photographing the comet Neowise a couple of summers ago. We were so fixated on getting our shots of this fascinating comet that we did not notice what was going on behind us to the south. We finally had to pack up to go home and when we turned around, I said OMG...look! There was the Milky Way in our face and in full bloom! It was the beginning of a new venture for us to begin our Milky Way journey.

[@tjsinva]

Great advice! #7 and #6 are key. Get out and shoot. Simple photo walks, alone or with other photographers, can be really enlightening if done with purpose. Photo workshops at iconic locations are extremely worthwhile. 👍🥂

[@steveshubert]

Yet another excellent tutorial, Mark. Thanks again for investing your time in us!

[@rebegre]

So encouraging to hear your story. I have been a photographer for 13 years. (Meaning I have had a business for that long.) I have struggled because of being a military wife and constantly moving. I am tired of making my business reliant on the clients that are around me with each move. It is just too much to restart my business every 2 years or less. So I am going to to start working on an online presence. I am sure I don’t know what I am doing yet but I will learn and videos like this really help.

[@anthonyc1883]

"When you understand how to use MANUAL mode it's going to AUTOMATICALLY make you a better photographer." Love it! ;-)

[@creationimagesphotography]

Thanks Mark! I am new to your channel, but like what I've seen so far. You are clear and concise. I love your advice to "Rotate." I've been in that situation too many times to the point where I look for shooting locations that are up high enough for a 360 view. Keep up the great content.

[@deepotter6774]

Aced it again, Mark! This is a succinct checklist of what every landscape photographer should know. I’ll be sharing this with some people I know who are relatively new to photography since it answers so many questions and will hopefully lead them down a straighter path to good photos than I went through. 😳👍

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks a million Dee - really appreciate ya sharing it!

[@Akiraly14]

Thank you so much for these amazing prices of advice Mark! Your knowlage in photography and spreading that out for other to learn is a beautiful gift. You inspire me so much to go out and take beautiful pictures. You are a treasure Mark 💚

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

You're too kind Alex - thanks man!

[@tititatiti]

Thank you so much for this inspiring and helpful video. There is one word that for me explains your success: honesty. Keep up the great work!

[@tyeeggleston6159]

I think the "light bulb" moment was that i didnt necessarlily need a better camera just better "glass". I started with a Canon T6 (which i still have and use) to a Canon 5d III. I love my Full frame but im sure i could have done pretty close to the same thing with my T6. Great advice Mark, ive learned and have grown sooo much over the last 5 years in my comps, and lighting and everything else.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear you enjoyed it!

[@MSmith-Photography]

I also had a Canon T6 and spent a good amount of time learning the basics and shooting as often as I could. I did upgrade to better lenses only upgraded the body (a 77D) once I felt that I reached the limits of the T6's abilities.

[@tyeeggleston6159]

@@MSmith-Photography I do like my T6...i use it for carrying around if i need something light..i keep a 16-35 Sigma lens on there...its just about right for what im shooting at the time...except for real long distance stuff..I have used it for Astro (meteor) stuff...

[@lawoman4602]

WOW did I ever need this advice! I am newly inspired even at 67 yrs. old and self-taught. Yes, I do some of this but now I can do so much more. Thanks, Mark!

[@derekcrook3723]

Great advice ! Timing is everything ! If your lucky your subject will align with the best lighting and background just long enough for you to capture it !

[@fatfeministhippy]

I always love how encouraging and supportive your videos are. I really enjoyed getting to see the comparison from the first photos you took to now - so much improvement. Thanks for giving those of us early in our journey great foundational advice! Really appreciate you.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Anna - great to hear you're enjoying them!

[@wendytodd9673]

Great advice, turning around is always something I need to remember.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Wendy!

[@paulasimson4939]

"Higher resolution versions of the same garbage photos" - wow! That puts it in a nutshell. For me, taking my time to look and see rather than spray and pray is what I would tell my past self.

[@louiebodenstaff6772]

Awesome advice Mark, thank you! ... words to inspire and improve your photography, for sure!

[@ruudmaas2480]

Some people do learn fast. But everyone has to take and have the time to develop.

[@danielschmaderer]

Anyone looking for advice, PLEASE listen to Marks advice. He is 100% right on what he’s saying. No need to worry about constantly upgrading camera gear if you’re just starting out. Practice makes perfect and working on composition will 100% help more upgrading camera gear. People like Mark have helped me with my photography in such a major way, as shown in my profile picture. Practice practice practice and learn your camera until you’re ready to upgrade.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much Daniel!

[@stephenschmid492]

Thanks, Mark. I appreciate your emphasis on trying to teach us something, rather than just accompanying you on a travelogue.

[@scothowe539]

Thanks for the excellent video Mark. I wish my back yard looked like yours.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Scot!

[@gsdg2004]

Love your videos man. Been working and waiting for a while and finally purchased my first camera. I cant wait to go shoot some landscape photography. Thanks for all the great advice!!!

[@ronanderson9960]

Awesome tips Mark! I have also had that same thing happen to me on the coast of California, I was looking down the coast, shooting for about 30 minutes, got ready to leave, turned around and this lighthouse on this rocky point was staring at me! Wow! Great video! Thanks

[@grantnewton5705]

I remember starting out, and my tutor at a night class encouraged us all to take more images in portrait/vertical format …. Prior to that point less than a third of my images were in this format, but after lifting my ratio to 2/3 of my images in vertical format, my compositions were stronger and my images were better….. if helped me to avoid fitting too much in my composition and really identifying my subject better. It also challenged me to look a subject in many different ways, resulting in more thoughtful compositions, regardless of which format I chose.

[@RiccardoPareschi]

Hi Mark, great video, great advices. This video should be seen once a week not to forget these tips. Every time I watch a video of a photographer, I want to change or buy a gear, but then I ask myself the question "do you know your camera well?" (NO) or "you could have done better with last week’s photos?" (YES). Lately I’ve just been going out with only a 50mm to try to improve my composition and not be lazy... and look around me 😁

[@caloy4573]

Thank you for sharing . It means a lot to me. Truly grateful.

[@dons7991]

Mark, All excellent points! "Rotate" is special for me. At sunset (while shooting the setting sun), if there are clouds in the sky they will be lit up (behind me) by the setting sun. And arriving at a sunrise location, during the blue hour, allows me to photograph the clouds being lit up by the rising sun before it actually is visible above the horizon. I enjoy your videos. GO DAWGS! Let's do it again! ;o)

[@rlfisher]

Everybody, newcomers as well as seasoned pros, can benefit from this advice/reminders. I wish that, years ago, I had been more involved in "working the scene," rather that staying stuck in one place clicking off image after image.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear you enjoyed it Roger!

[@tmpart1]

Those are all great. A couple for me that shifted my whole approach and raised my skill and the impact of my photos were: in addition to "rotate", you can add, "Look Down". I'm continually amazed at what is at your feet. The second is on a compositional note. Take the time to identify the exact element of the scene that caught my interest or that inspired me and ensure I build the composition around that. Thanks for nudging me to take a fresh look at all these basics.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

This is such a great video Mark. Thank you! I’m gonna share this with a bunch of photogs InShot with. Cheers mate.

[@merlebecker8417]

Mark - Thank you - two is multiple of one (1 thing learned), so have to give you 2 thumbs up for the video. Going to pass this on to friend who wants to expand beyond just pt n shoot and reference as well, your web site.

[@alanplatt888]

I think so good was this video, I will need to watch it again to appreciate the seemingly genuine advice you are sharing. Brilliant !

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much Alan!

[@barret8]

for me no.6 and no.7 are the most important, i've spent too much time researching camera tech - that's not a waste of time, but i think i did too much research and too little shooting. good video!

[@kobiorama]

It's all so true, yet we all do those mistakes and never forget to repeat them even when we know they are mistakes :). On thing though - sometimes harsh light is all we have. We have limited time at a cetrain location, and can't always (most of the time...) wait for a better light. I'd add learning how to get the most of "bad" light to the list.

[@alchristensen8121]

I was a photo minor in college. The first class of Photography 101 the instructor said that some of the students were probably gearheads and he was about to piss them off. He said we could use only one lens - a fixed focal length one - all semester. He didn't care which one we picked, but we had to stick with it. He said gear was just a tool and what he was there to teach was how to see. We weren't going to take photos, we were going to create art with cameras. So we worked on composition and light. It turned out only a couple of the gearheads had good design sense, and some of the best photos were by an English major.

[@nickshepherd8377]

Very interesting video. Thank you. Not sure about travelling to find greater photo opportunities. I have won many photo awards, and they have all been within 5 miles of my house. The reason for my success was an intimate knowledge of the area and the ability to time things in “perfect conditions”. Sure new locations are stimulating but in my opinion, you are less likely to get better images!

[@SlosOnline]

Would love to see a video on your process of sorting through photos post shoot. How do you decide among several photos of basically the same composition/subject? Love the videos and can't wait for more!

[@shellyinsouthoz]

Thank you Mark. Your videos are always packed full of excellent photography advice and I'm truly grateful 🙏❤

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Shelly!

[@azjoe_6310]

It's funny what you said about how you never turned around and what was going on behind you: One morning at the Grand Canyon at sunrise I thought it would be super crowded at an overlook (the one that jets out from the trail like the shape of Florida). As soon as the sun came up I was by myself because I was facing west where the sky was spectacular as was the light hitting he canyon)--everyone else was facing east.

[@iaincphotography6051]

Had a chuckle about rotating, some years back as the sunset is about to happen there were 8 photographers waiting for it. I was on the other side of the pier looking in the opposite direction where the sky was amazing.

[@kwchalky02]

Great video Mark. I agree with you completely. Of course if you are doing a professional job and your photo is going to be displayed on a billboard then you need an appropriate camera that gives the required detail, but other than that, the gear you use is way down the list of important ingredients and the composition (the subject and how you present it in the frame) is most important of all. Does the subject stand out, is your eye drawn to it? etc. I think that one thing you might add (that you have mentioned in other videos) is balance within the composition. I'm meaning balance of objects and space and dark and light. I think that can be a powerful one. 🙂 Cheers.

[@lesliewood8382]

Just what I needed to hear. Thanks!!!

[@DarrenJSpoonley]

Mark you are ok another level with your info and delivery !! Fantastic once again buddy !! #findajobyouloveandyouneverhavetoworkagain :-)

[@urselfandtom]

Such a great video, Mark. Thank you.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

THanks Mitch!

[@stephaniehaughton9664]

Great video. I, too, have spent hours on one scene only to turn around to something spectacular behind me. I had to learn that one the hard way too!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Stephanie!

[@teresababer5310]

Again, this was great! Thanks much.

[@nancybateman7378]

Bingo! Another informative video. All your points well discussed. Some were 'spot on' to me and very applicable to my photography as well. Great work!👍

[@richardpesce5325]

All great points Mark! I have made mistakes on each and every point and learned a lot from those. Practice, practice, and practice!

[@jeffolson4731]

Turning around is a great thing to do. I went to a beach to photograph the sunset over the Olympic Mountains. I turned around and found a much better image, the Belt of Venus had turned Mt. Baker an orangish pink and it was reflecting off Swan Lake. Had to get rid of an antenna in post but the image turned out to be the best image of the evening. As I was lining up my shot, 180 degrees from everyone else, one photographer noticed and commented that I was getting the better image.

[@RobBowesPhotography]

Great video as usual , one thing I learnt early on is that what looks like a good compositon to the eye can look very different from what the camera sees , that why I always no go low and rely on the viewfinder , as for not turning around that has to be one of my worst things , ive forgotten how many times I have missed whats behind me, I get to focused on what I am shooting , same can be said for moving from left to right of where you're standing , a few feet either way can change the shot completely sometimes. Keep up the good work :)

[@BudBetz]

Nice video Mark. Lots of good common sense in here. I too am a victim of “better gear” instead of more practice! Thanks!!!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Bud!

[@robertbirnbach2312]

Many years ago in art school ( well before phones and digital cameras) a teacher told us you have better tools than Cartier Bresson ever had but almost none of these pictures will still be looked at 50 years from now. That is only multiplied by 1,000. Also the notes about a trip are spot on I have lived in SF BAy Area for the last 30 years surrounded by beauty but I took my best pictures last year in Boone N.C. because it was new to me so I see it with new eyes. So I gave myself the challenge to see the things that I see every day with new eyes, try and take a picture a week that I like no matter where I am.

[@willilaufmann38]

Mark I enjoy your videos and your relaxed presentation 👍👍

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@thomasdamore4653]

Mark, nailed it. I learned hard way about #2, rotate. I missed some epic shot now I'm on a swivel. Always take notes during your videos and thanks for the tips.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

THanks Thomas!

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Great lessons, I will take to heart

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank ya James!

[@scottk.8494]

One thing I like to do when it's mid day light or the colors aren't prime is shoot in black and white with the internal orange or red filter. It's a different look, changes things up a bit and can make the seemingly uninteresting, interesting.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

I bet that's pretty interesting - never tried that before!

[@scottk.8494]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto I started doing it a few months ago and don't know why I didn't try it earlier! I've only been into photography since 2020 but I didn't even know they had the filters built in. I'm in Arizona now and often the colors are bland, the sun is bright, and the sky is cloudless but the cactus and mountains look good in B&W!

[@davidaldridge6870]

In really bright harsh sunlight, I'll often put on an IR72 filter and try some infrared images for the same reason

[@scottk.8494]

@@davidaldridge6870 I'm not familiar with this yet so it's one more thing I'll have educated myself with.

[@robwasnj]

I couldn't agree more! In difficult harsh light B&W can really be the answer to making certain scenes work. If color isn't adding to a photograph I often process them as B&W, even wildlife sometimes and it's something people aren't used to seeing in B&W.

[@neiljones3154]

I started with manual in the days of "analogue" film photography. I still have my light meter, but these days it's working with a Bronica ETRS I possess. That said I got a digital camera a couple of years ago and have been relearning my photography with it since, with your help. Thanks for keeping it simple enough for someone who learnt how to do things in the "Stone Age".

[@robertdavis1255]

Thanks for sharing your experience with great comments....I wish I had that advice when starting out....I spent too much time researching gear & not enough time out shooting pics...all your points are valid & I wish I was able to travel in my younger days...( I am 78 yrs old) but just love taking pics of whatever interests me... cheers from Australia 😀

[@MSmith-Photography]

There's one instance when rotating really paid off one. I'd been taking photos in a city park and I was on the verge of heading home after taking a photo of a frozen creek. I turned around and saw a group of three spruce trees and the sky was a rich orange colour. One of my best photos ever.

[@MichaelJones-jm2me]

Great Video. Great advice for people starting out. Experience makes you better, along with learning the basics.

[@erwinbodo8850]

Thanks for another excellent set of tips.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to do it Erwin!

[@hueandsteve1989]

Thanks for sharing, great advice.

[@danielpittman889]

Actually, my landscape photography improved dramatically after I watched your video about using portrait orientation, foreground objects, and leading lines.

[@elloelloelloo]

Thank you, Mark!

[@janwilson9485]

Brilliant video - succinct and useful tips. My only criticism would be that having 'been there, done that, and got the T shirt' Ive made so many of those mistakes that I should now be the best photographer in the world. Guessing I need to focus on those tips more!!!

[@jeanpierredhondt4413]

Great video Mark, good tips

[@claudie_1902]

Such a great Video Mark 👌I looked and found myself nodding my head over and over again 🙂When you talked about rotating, I noticed that your video camera is often in a different place in your room and I like it 🙂 Thx a lot - Claudia

[@shmikey100]

Great video as always Mark! Thanks for the tips!! Can I ask what would be your top 3 suggested titles for composition that you feel helped the most?

[@michaelt7320]

Great video once again, Mark. I know that I've been guilty of not getting out enough to do photography as opposed to research it and look at equipment. As you said, manual understanding is really key: understand manual and you can't fail to understand shutter priority and aperture priority. I look forward to next Wednesday! Thanks.

[@TomaszTwojFotograf]

Great quote: "I was doing the same "garbage" image but in higher resolution - better gear"

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

I really like the advice to turn around. If you watch me scouting, you would think I was worried about being stalked by a bear.

[@williamdavidson1490]

Serial Killer's and Animal's alway come up on you from behind lol, great tips as always tks.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

🤣🤣🤣

[@gord_tomlin]

Good advice in this video, with plenty of concrete examples. I feel like I've been on the right track with most of these, but I wish I had attacked manual mode earlier. My ongoing problem is getting in the reps. Makes me feel like retiring to get more time on my hands!

[@brewerleadership]

Well said Mark!

[@nore8141]

I think I spent to much money on lenses and a Flash which I only used in out Photography Class. Great video and commentary and the tips, appreciated.

[@07wrxtr1]

09:00 - Manual mode - once you start using it, ya rarely to back to A/Tv... My only gripe is when Canon locks out random things because you're in manual mode... like the "bulb" thing on the R5 had me puzzled til I remembered that tiny button in the dial... whoops!!

[@frstesiste7670]

Agree that the gear isn't super important, but a flippy screen certainly made it easier to vary the camera position (I've bad knees and occasionally a bad back).

[@DigantaGogoi]

Great video Mark ❤👍

[@Jsfrog]

Back problems - I sure do know about them! Awful, terrible, immobilizing pain. Guided by the teachings of a wonderful physical therapist, I now religiously do routine core exercises of various types, and have avoided the awful pain of past years. If you haven’t tried that route, Mark, I highly recommend giving it a try.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

I'll have to try that out - thank you!

[@DaveKingMusic]

Great stuff as usual! Thanks!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Many thanks Dave!

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Good video and totally agree on most of it. I need to work on that lower perspective thing it is a bit of a week spot. But I do disagree on the part where you talk about travel. I do agree that travel is a great thing for photographers but I think the local area can be very rewarding two. I think it's even more rewarding when you pull a killer shot out of a local area. Of course, it depends on where you live. I live in the boring flat overcrowded netherlands so if I can find local shots everybody can 🤣

[@gabyisphoto2379]

Oh Rotate.... absolutely !!! so many times until I "got it"

[@jimswift2400]

Great video I might add one caveat when it comes to equipment. If you have to spend money on equipment spend it on lenses. I upgraded my Canon “kit” lens to a wide angle lens and it helped a lot.

[@DickHoskins]

Excellent advice.

[@maszekmeans]

This is awesome Mark

[@StephenBridgett]

Excellent advice

[@paulmilovich2982]

Great informative video Mark, just want to say thanks!!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

I appreciate that Paul - thank you!

[@Suhailkhan53]

Awesome advice and tips

[@mikeray4902]

Putting money in a bag and not touching it. Photography wise, wish I would have started making images sooner. Photography is like golf. Everybody makes a good shot from time to time, but everyone is shooting for the perfect game.

[@chrisjohn1138]

Thumbs up from myself Mark, and definitely agree with the last point, get the reps in. The last 2 years has definitely pushed that home to me, get out and push that shutter button people.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks a million Chris!