MASTERING EXPOSURE | A Landscape Photography Tutorial

Getting the right exposure is a fundamental part of photography. In this tutorial I explain why the exposure you take in the field and the resultant edit are two different things. And I also share some tips for getting the correct exposure in different scenarios.
COMING SOON.... 40+ videos on improving your photography - Landscape Photography MASTERCLASS - geni.us/master...
Where I get my MUSIC - goo.gl/7LWnFh
All my gear (inc. clothes) is listed here - www.nigeldanso...
NIKON GEAR (Main STILLS camera)
Current landscape camera - Nikon Z7 - geni.us/nikonz7
Awesome telephoto lens - Nikon 70-200m f/2.8 - geni.us/nikon70200
Fav lens - Nikon 24-70mm Z f4 - geni.us/nikon2470
Great wide angle lens - Nikon 16-35mm f/4 -geni.us/MCglWI
Amazing Bokeh - Sigma 24mm f1.4 geni.us/Sigma24
FUJI GEAR (Main FILM camera)
Fujifilm X-T3 - geni.us/fujifil...
Awesome Bokeh - Fuji XF35mm F2 - geni.us/fuji35f2
Sharpest long zoom - Fuji 50-140mm F2.8 geni.us/fuji50140
Killer wide angle lens - Fuji 10-24mm F4 - geni.us/fuji1024
OTHER PHOTO GEAR
Awesome sensor brush - geni.us/brush4...
GorillaPod - geni.us/Kb9mV
The great printer I use Canon P1000 - geni.us/cIIc
Clever camera strap (peak design) - geni.us/PDstrap
Great bag for hiking - Tenba 24L - geni.us/orPwh
Great bag for travel (carry on) - Tenba 32L - geni.us/tenba32l
Super light Benro Travel Tripod UK - geni.us/Benrot...
A must have for tripod (L bracket) - geni.us/myLbra...
Lightweight tripod - Benro Mach3 Carbon Fiber Tripod - geni.us/benrom...
Paper I use for all my prints - Fotospeed - geni.us/fotospeed Use DANSON10 to get 10% off your paper.
Screw on ND filter - geni.us/polarp...
My fav filters - www.formatt-hi... (USE NIGEL10 for 10% off)
#photography #photographytips #exposure

[@ReidoMato]

Great tips, Nigel. Thank you. Hugs from Brazil.

[@macronencer]

This idea that what we are doing is limiting noise by maximising incoming light was one of the few things I grasped very quickly when I began photography, and I think that was because music production is another interest of mine. If you're recording an instrument that will be mixed quite low in a song, you don't record it at a low level, you record it close to full scale 0dB, to keep the signal to noise ratio high so that the noise floor is pushed down later on. This seems to me exactly analogous to getting the most light possible onto your sensor without clipping, and darkening the image later. Great video, thank you!

[@Dexter_84]

Same logic behind it, just a different kind of signal 👍

[@Yalelax]

Landscape photographers working in the modern digital era relate perfectly to your work flow Nigel. Modern digital editing techniques have allowed one to interpret a given image in a virtually unlimited manner. As a consequence a reasonable goal when exposing is indeed to "capture all of the data". I might add that recent advanced in various RAW processing programs and sensors have allowed one to recapture details in highlights and shadows. As a consequence the necessity to bracket exposures might be less compelling. Thanks for taking the time to share the information Nigel.

[@dannynash5713]

Mads was right! This is the best video out there on “Exposure” I’ve ever seen! Beautiful job Nigel! 👏👏👏🙋‍♂️

[@lassetornkvist9454]

I am a beginner in photography, even though I have tried to take pictures for 10-12 years. I have been working in the creative sector for 50 years. As a typographer at the beginning, but mostly as a graphic designer and AD during my working life. Having now become a senior citizen, the past six months have been a wild hunt for learning from "good" photographers online. After plowing through at least 50 of them, I just got more confused! But... your small information and explanation videos have opened my eyes. Much - like this movie - is actually quite obvious. Therefore, so good. Thank you, Nigel. I will hold on to your hand and skip all others' conflicting tips. You show the way instead instead of telling me exactly how to do and let me keep and develop my creativity. I love it!

[@joostlohman4498]

Thanks Nigel, you're not only a talented photographer but also an excellent teacher! Here is my tip for ETTR: - I use spot metering and point the spot to the brightest part in the scene that I want to have some detail. - I expose that point by +3 stops. - The on-camera histogram may show some clipping but I know I can recover that from my RAW file in Lightroom. Obviously this approach depends on the camera you use but it is very easy to test. Once you know it gives you confidence that your exposure is spot-on. Just my penny's worth. Keep up the good work.

[@photography3569]

The last couple of weeks ive unsubscribed many big youtube channels because of the Ads and useless content. Im very happy that ive found you on youtube and thanks a lot about the information. More photography and less gear! Have a great day!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much

[@MegUSN52]

Thank you for this video. That picture of Pebbles was gorgeous!

[@Forthejoyofphotography]

Excellent. The best explanation I have come across. I am very pleased that you correctly said that whilst ISO forms part of the 'exposure' triangle (film days). Your sensor cannot physically gather any more light. That is something people repeatedly (and wrongly ) say that increasing the ISO increases the sensitivity of the sensor to light. No. Increasing ISO just increases the 'signal to noise' ratio of the light already gathered by the sensor that the aperture and shutter speed has allowed to be passed through to the sensor. Thank You.

[@rhann73]

Thank you, Brian. I was about to make a similar comment to thank NIgel for defining ISO properly, but you have done it for me. I wish people could get this in their heads-that ISO nothing more than signal amplification AFTER the sensor collects its information.

[@rbr747]

You’re very good at explaining these sorts of things at the right level for me

[@randyschwager2515]

I’ve watched countless blogs of yours and have dramatically improved my photography as a result! I’ve been searching for an understandable approach to histograms and I finally found it! I’ve been locked up so far for 10 days with COVID and have been binge watching Nigel! Thanks!

[@alancobb387]

I’ve always understood the principles of ISO, aperture and chitter speed but never quite understood what to do when taking a photo. The part where you explained about setting ISO as low as possible, the aperture for depth of field and then shutter speed for the exposure was revelatory. I cannot tell you how many books I have read and videos I have watched where that simple explanation has not been made obvious. Brilliant, thanks so much!

[@formerlybernard6460]

i have spent nearly two weeks going from the very first vlog up to here so far - i cant keep up with the usefulness. my ideas book has practically doubled in size and i have a ton of post it notes all over this desk. this is excellent. thank you,

[@sutv6754]

I agree. I've been finding this out just by doing a lot so it is good to get confirmation. Exposer is key. Thank You.

[@garywedley9601]

I’ve struggled for years with understanding exposure and the histogram !... thank you so much for making something this complicated, much more easy to understand. Excellent work thanks Nigel 👍

[@Luis1958able]

Outstanding explanation, clear and objective. What I have learned is to always carry a tripod and as a result concentrate more on playing with the F-stop and shutter speed, and at the same time mantaining my ISO as low as possible. my energy in nature is more towards what I see and feel in a hand held way instead of setting up the shot and using a tripod. And no doubt, it makes a lot of sense to start trying out using a tripod and opening the oportunitty of bracketing my images as well. Thank you Nigel, and I want to add that you have some magnificent photos of what has been yoir experience in and with nature. Cheers man!

[@mtcrun]

Thanks Nigel. I end up shooting a lot in very bright conditions, so this was very helpful to guide me how to get the most data possible for the final image.

[@RunNGunPhoto]

Very comprehensive video, thank you Nigel!! I'm really tired of the new school of thought on underexposing the image as much as possible and "fixing it later."

[@dequ-1]

Probably the best digital photography tutorial on KZbin. Outstanding Nigel thank you!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Neil

[@GH-oc9jo]

First time I've ever had someone explain the histogram in a meaningful way. Thank you.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks for the kind words

[@torbjornskarby3106]

Probably one of the best learning film ever in this topic ! THANKS a lot !

[@kevinwhitehead6373]

Toning the blown highlights around the sun is a great idea! Thanks Nigel.

[@pasrol]

I love your photos, the way you explain and your positive vibes. Even your pronunciation is perfect for that of us who are not English speakers.

[@josephstanski5180]

I love the tip about toning highlights - use it a lot in publishing in mags. Thanks again Nigel for another great tutorial.

[@hidsvid]

Thank you, Nigel. I learned something new. My favorite is, "Photography is about fun. Don't get too carried away with the technical stuff." What a great way to sum up 15-minute talk about the technical stuff!

[@TexasBamaGal]

This video was so helpful. All of your videos are very professional - striking the perfect balance by making it personal and informative. I appreciate how you get right to the point and we don’t have to watch you walking around the forest being a doofus for ten minutes before showing us one picture. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Teri... I am a doofus occasionally 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@diba4645]

professional correct! People - THIS is the precise truth - don't listen to other rather confusing theories. This man among few others is teaching you right

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks a lot for that 👍

[@iancooper5451]

Very very well explained. No matter how good we think we are, we still need to refer back to basics and Keep It Simple.

[@MadsPeterIversen]

Probably the best video on exposure I've ever seen! Absolutely fantastic job there, Nigel! The last part with the different photos was great to illustrate the concepts :)

[@NigelDanson]

Cheers Mads... been thinking about it for a while now... appreciate that!

[@PessachRubin]

perfect focused tutotial video , just perfect

[@Noealz]

love those majestic shots with the drone

[@elka3507]

I thank you so much for your videos. And I also am grateful for these technical videos as learning to make better photos is first of all learning what I am doing. So many thanks from Germany and please keep on teaching and I keep on watching and learning.

[@MonoSubstance]

Thank you for this fantastic video! Until now i didn't consider doing a 2 step approach... Shoot and then edit. But after watching your and a couple of other videos i realize that this is the way to go if you want your images to look artistic

[@QuarkCharmed]

Great and absolutely correct tutorial. I've been shooting landscapes for a while, but only started using this 'expose to the right' technique a year ago or so and it tremendously improved the quality of my images. They often recommend to 'expose for highlights' but that doesn't work well for landscapes. In landscapes, always use histogram and always push it to the right without clipping the highlights. Thanks for broadcasting the right way of exposing :) It should be noted, however, it's only applicable if you shoot RAW and aim for postprocessing, and it has to be done carefully as if you go too far to the right, you lose the detail forever.

[@winstonward5772]

Only got to watch this today but oh my word!!! amazing..... I was always doing the opposite i.e. going more to the histograms left and underexposing and I always done away with blown out sun shot photos.... thanks Nigel

[@ralphwatson7036]

Great timing! I was watching exposure videos last night trying to understand it better. Your take "blows the others out of the water".

[@Alel90]

Thanks to another video that was saying that having a more exposed shot would give me much more information on Lr, with your detailed explanation it convinced me to do it. And most importantly separating the idea from shot image and final image !!! Really good explanation, Thanks

[@HappyHubris]

Amazing video! Edit: It's criminal that this video has fewer views than generic camera reviews or clickbait photography content. Great for the novice and it really made me think about photography in a different way (exposing to collect information instead of trying to optimize the JPEG).

[@oldmalty8412]

Cracking video Nigel. The correct or rather optimal exposure for a digital sensor, is such a technical subject, it is really difficult to provide a set of simple rules. Every rule of thumb you can provide, immediately brings a handful of exceptions or caveats to mind, so thanks for such a concise and helpful stab at bottling the most important bits ! I think separating the in-camera optimisation from the look and mood of the final image is absolutely vital and certainly one of the less intuitive aspects of exposure. My advice is watch this video several times ! The insight is densely packed and won't be easily grasped in its entirety, on the fly.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much - I really appreciate that!!!!

[@SethPay]

Excellent instruction and examples Nigel! Definitely have not been following the ETTR guideline. This info and the way you explained it has given me more context and has truly helped me understand exposing the best way possible 👏🏻👍🏻

[@MaliDaviesPhotography]

Thoroughly explained, really helpful to anyone wanting to understand the best exposure. The one thing that stands out for me and it’s how I’ve improved my photography, when you say about getting the most data. Packing the histogram with all the info. This is spot on for getting Th best results in post. Anyone starting out should watch this 👍

[@pixelcountphotography5093]

Hi Nigel. Just found this older video and it is most helpful. I was exposing to the left for shadow detail but this makes more sense. Your channel is one of the best on here and very informative so thank you. Hope your back is getting better, I just love your dog, he looks like a real character.

[@rstuffy]

Thanks for the simple explanation of why ETTR is important. Well done.

[@colinwaylett9122]

What a great knack you have of explaining things in a way that is easy to understand. Looking forward to more of your videos.

[@robertstephens1868]

Thanks so much, Nigel, for sharing your expertise, & as usual, presenting your tutorial so clearly. Your videos I so often view more than once.

[@stefankuhn6887]

Well explained, Nigel! Concerning bracketing: I often use dedicated exposures instead of symmetrical bracketing, e.g. +3, +2 and -1 when I have three different areas in the photos. In 80% of the cases I get better results.

[@JohnPaul-ii]

Was helpful to see the before shots as well as the edited version . Lightroom makes it very easy to bring out the images I am trying to recreate. Thanks again for your time Nigel.

[@TheOlandex]

ETTR - something I originally learned from Bruce Barnbaum's "The Art of Photography". This can be a breakthrough bit of insight for many as it was for me. Understanding how your sensor's photosites collect so much more data when exposing to the right makes a massive difference. As usual Nigel you explain it superbly and with such great examples. Thanks.

[@markusviol200]

Maybe the best video in 2019 about photography yet... Not only did you bring up tips to get better, you also could explain why this (ettr für example) is so important.Thank you Nigel. I take a bow, sir!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Markus 👍👍👍

[@travelingtricia]

Always happy for the arrival of Sunday mornings ~ as it always means more informative video from Nigel. Your presentation of information is simple to understand and follow. Thank you.

[@paulasimson4939]

Extremely helpful. I'm glad that you aren't afraid to give more technical explanations, you don't "dumb down" your content. I've never heard digital ISO explained that way. I know in film it refers to the sensitivity of the stock, but always wondered what it really meant in digital terms. Even that quick tip at the end of toning your highlights slightly with orange was money in the bank. I'm off to review some of my photo's now and give it a try.

[@gregoryjamesboyce]

That was so good. So many nuggets/pearls of wisdom. Thanks Nigel.

[@dozerjohn]

Lol, I've been shooting landscapes since 2006 and somehow Nigel always teaches me something new. I thought I knew something but apparently I didn't understand it, thanks for the ETTR primer.

[@Alister_Benn]

Another excellent video, you explain the point excellently and it's one everyone needs to understand. It's so easy for these basics to get lost in the more demanding search for creativity. Applying these techniques to muscle memory is an excellent step on the road to expressive landscape photography.

[@mphughes256]

Seeing this late but what a perfect video! Answered questions I didnt even know I had!

[@waterman308]

you're a great teacher Nigel. And you employ the best models :) .You and Simon.

[@jimtipton8888]

There are great photographers, there are great teachers, than there's Nigel! Thanks for raising my photo IQ! Great video! Very well explained! Cheers and well wishes!

[@SimonGodfrey]

This is very useful Nigel, thank you for taking the time to share with us. I'm looking forward to trying this out when I'm next out with my camera.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Simon

[@johnthomasdoyle1964]

Thank you Nigel. This has been a great help as I don't retain information from reading, so seeing it helps a great deal. I have loads to learn a lot I will never understand but as long as I can improve my photography I'll be happy. I enjoy the way you share your knowledge and experiences. Keep up the great work.

[@danmaynard120]

You’re a great teacher mate, great way with words and explanations. Easily my favourite videos to watch each week.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks a lot Dan

[@sallycarilli7779]

Great video Nigel! I've really been working on improving my work and I love your teaching style. Thank You!

[@GillesQuennevilleGQ]

Thank you Nigel. I have to say,,,how much I love your dog.

[@martincutrone5816]

Well done. Straightforward explanation of ETTR and its' importance. Coming from a film background, difficult at times to push exposure to the right, when I am so used to being careful to avoid over-exposure when shooting color slide transparencies. A useful idea is to experiment as you say, shoot the same scene with ETTR, then push to the right further with + exposure compensation. I was surprised how the brighter, over-exposed appearing image on the JPEG histogram actually were better images with less dark area noise. In some scenes, one can push 2 or even 3 stops over the JPEG ETTR displayed on LiveView, and still have a good final product. Experimenting like this has helped me to exploit the most out of my sensor and improve my final images. Thanks for a good explanation!

[@NigelDanson]

Good to hear and thanks for the comment

[@grantharbert5921]

Thank you Nigel, very professionally produced video. Love your pictures and your easy way of teaching, looking forward to the next one!

[@toddholmes1719]

Thank you! Ever since my switch from film to digital (surprisingly recent) I’ve been searching for the best ways to adjust the in-camera shot to get the optimal final image. You provided an amazing explanation!

[@JamesLanePhoto]

“Unless you’re exposing for sunspots” hahaha, that made me laugh. Then a little comment pops up saying “16 stops is enough for sunspots” - I love how you went away and researched that haha. Top video man!

[@kennypringle4580]

I enjoy all of your videos. Your choice of music is an added bonus👍

[@1025mahoney]

Would love to hear more about your bracketing method! Would love to start incorporating this into my workflow, just a little unsure how to start. I've experimented before, but never felt like I "knew" what I was doing....

[@pauldowney7130]

Terrific lesson, Nigel! I’ve now got great crib notes to practice with. Thanks 😃

[@giselesmith7795]

Again, you've provided a good, easy to understand tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@MrJPVERCETTI]

Awesome video, Nigel! Very useful information!!!

[@kevinshipp7489]

Once again expertly explained and made so much sense... Thanks Nigel oh and pebbles 😊

[@YoungTang]

always love the soft music you use for the background, goes perfectly with all of your tutorials.

[@johnsholian4318]

Thanks for the split toning of the highlights tip! That’s a new one for me. Well done Nigel. Cheers!

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

Good morning Nigel, I feel shooting into the sun with those blown out highlights has become your trade mark or style. I often say when I look at an image oh “very Nigel Danson”. Reading the histogram takes practice. I have found it can be difficult to judge on occasions with the XT-2. Metering modes I have not been able to master, but I will keep practicing. Wish you had been around when I started in photography 8-9 years ago as you always give wonderful advice & tips.

[@wenyulian9584]

Great video again! Especially, for the iso part, you explained perfectly. Many KZbin “experts” mis-explained it. Love your video. My favorite! Channel for photography!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much 👍👍👍

[@gailmager4147]

Great tips , easy and well explained, thx for another great video

[@markstpierre]

Awesome! Maybe your BEST video for value to the viewer. If this is any indication of what your MasterClass will be like, then it will be world class, must have.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Mark - masterclass will have a lot of content like this and in more detail... 👍👍👍

[@desgardner7169]

A very interesting video, although I have been taking digital pictures for 18 years or so its good to be reminded what everything means as we tend to rely on auto this and auto that, I have always said I try and get it right in the camera first time but we all know at times this is not possible, thank you Nigel for a very interesting learning video and I do believe there is room for many more of these learning videos...I find them most interesting...well done and well spoken......

[@techassyst]

Great video explaining the reasons to try ETTR and how it helps it is always good to see your in camera photos before the editing , as an amateur we see your finished photos and forget about all the hard work in the studio to finish them. Many thanks keep making the videos they are very informative

[@andreleroux7484]

I have learnt so much from your work and apply your advice religiously.

[@chrisgeerling9037]

Thanks Nigel. I was taught to expose in the middle - get the picture in-camera and avoid post-processing. But I was never able to get what I wanted. The pictures were good but flat and boring. You've helped me realise that it's the composition that is captured in-camera - the artwork is achieved afterwards with a little bit of love. You've also convinced me about ETTR. Now I see the light! Cheers.

[@Krrypton]

Frankly, with digital cameras all you need is to get the exposure more-or-less right, and you can tweak it afterwards. In fact you kinda have to if you shoot raw, since you'll get a pretty flat image no matter what. And if you shoot JPEG you still have post-processing - only instead of doing it on your computer, it's done in camera by applying a "picture profile" (i.e., a preset).

[@grahampayne5073]

Very interesting video. I enjoyed the part about bracketing as I also bracket 5 shots when taking photos in difficult lighting situations. All new photographers should learn and understand the exposure triangle.

[@robertwhitemoto]

Thank you Nigel... my take aways 1) no single right histogram, 2) must experiment with bracketing, 3) great photo of your pup :)

[@edwinscox]

Nigel, I think I have been underexposing many of my images! Your video helped me understand that the sensor, with more light received, captures more data. I can then use Lightroom to decrease the exposure for the final image, but I will have more data to work with. Thank you!

[@NigelDanson]

Brilliant

[@enduraman1]

Nice video I like your idea of us exposing to the right to get the most dynamic range and reviewing the histogram and editing it to darken it in post

[@johncallery814]

Great information. Your content has me feeling like my process is sound. A few years ago I was shooting JPG/Raws, but as I grew more knowledgeable about ETTR and the histogram my resulting JPGs were poorer, but my Raws after editing was superior.

[@paulf6]

Great video, Nigel! You explain things so clearly. Keep up the great work.

[@gregpantelides1355]

Thank you so much Nigel! I've just recently started incorporating digital into my toolkit (I'm mostly a B&W 35mm film shooter). Your video is really going to help me from blowing out my highlights. With film it's so simple...just expose for the shadows...but the learning curve in digital was really discouraging me. Thank you so much for this my friend! I feel freshly inspired! Please keep creating beautiful art for our world. :-)

[@sheilagatehouse7589]

Well explained, always enjoy the way you present your videos, thanks Nigel. 👍

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Sheila 👍👍👍

[@ML5Photo]

Brilliant way to explain for beginners. Great Content again

[@olivernemo7280]

Very clear explanation of exposure Nigel much appreciated, thank you.

[@yitzchallevi8208]

It's about loving light... holding fast to the light!

[@yitzchallevi8208]

Love ya Nigel!

[@julianj7d374]

Great video. I'm not a dog guy but your dog is beautiful. Also the photo of your dog is a gem. Really lovely photo.

[@jscook54]

Excellent teaching tutorial! Your teaching style is superb.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much Janet

[@markattardo]

Extremely useful video! Thank you! Sometimes it's easy for me to get caught up in the "rules" and forget when to break them... Note to self, the white point is more guideline than actual editing rule.😎

[@christina8433]

Thank you for such a wonderful video Nigel!

[@anthonyplancherel8274]

Marvellous video! Great explanation and the tip about getting all the data in camera while on location is sooooo important. I was lucky enough to join a pro on a workshop last summer and that nugget of information was one of the most useful tips I took away from the day! Since then my images have had so much more scope for editing and much better noise control! Made a huge difference! Other photog channels are entertaining...this one is entertaining and educational! Excellent stuff once again Nigel!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much Tony

[@mikemitchell3889]

Nigel, Well presented, and a delightful repast for those hungry for technical knowledge. Thank-You, Mike

[@G0FUW]

Nicely done Nigel, especially with the examples to illustrate the points. I saw another pro explaining the ETTR and he noted that the range of tones across the histogram is not linear, so by not using the right hand quarter means you are restricting the range to about half. I am not sure if that is scientifically true but it certainly made me lean towards 'over exposing' , without completely blowing out the highlights - I have now got a feel for how much jpg blinking is OK in RAW.

[@NigelDanson]

It is true 👍

[@rosscrawford2980]

I find your videos so helpful Nigel! You put everything in such simple terms which is great for a beginner like me. So many things I was confused about are now a little easier thanks to you. Looking forward to your masterclass! 👍🏻

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks a lot Ross - appreciate the kind words