The BEST SETTINGS for the SHARPEST PHOTOS

[@SikandersDesiVlogs]

Nigel, I can watch your videos for hours just for one single reason, your passion of photography, it is so contagious and I love to listen to every little tip you share with us. Thank you Nigel!

[@i.m.5621]

Another great video, autumn mood and tips. A small note on the recommendation to avoid vibration at 5:17: I prefer to use the Exposure Delay function, 3 sec (d4 in the Nikon Z6II menu option) instead of the self-timer.

[@peterturner1919]

Lovely shots Nigel, what I would love to see is a cheap camera and lens challenge. A lot of beginners start from basic gear like a cannon 1100 or equivalent , love to see you do one of those videos 😊

[@danthegeetarman]

Very cool video. As a beginner, I love when photographers actually describe _why_ they choose certain settings. I’m learning to be more intentional with my settings (including ISO). Videos like this are an incredible help

[@NigelDanson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@randyschwager84]

Your videos are so helpful! No one on the Internet teaches like you do! Thanks for all you’ve taught me over the years! And thanks for taking me along. I have my fingers crossed to win that Z8 when you hit 500,000!!!

[@ekdavid]

this is my favorit channel on youtube nowadays, keep up the great work!

[@lynnecliffe3056]

Nigel, we need more time to savor each picture. I will save this to watch again. Sharing your experience is valuable. What mood and nostalgia you have created with an experienced eye and photography skills. You exuded renewed enthusiasm. Thankyou for sharing your talent.

[@Pete-r5j]

Another great tutorial video, love these type of videos you make I learn so much from you. It's always a bit of a challenge for knowing where to focus, but now the way you explain it makes it so much more easier. Thanks Nigel I really appreciate this post

[@glennn.3464]

Some very good tips to getting sharp shots. I also, especially with anything astro, put my camera in full manual and manual focus and then lightly touch the rear screen with a 2-3 second delay. That way I’m in control of critical focus and the only thing that happens when I touch the rear monitor is that the shot gets taken with nothing able to change.

[@peterwalsh4964]

I'm sure that you've said all these things before, but now I can say 'I know that! And I know that too! I think I'm starting to get the hang of this.' A great refresher and makes me feel more confident about what I'm doing. You can't repeat this stuff too many times. 👍

[@deanjelcic9299]

Great video and great photos like always 👌😊 You really live in a great location for photography 😌

[@ericthibaultphotographie]

Awesome work and video Nigel, thanks to one of your earlier videos, I caught a glimpse of the replacement foot that you've installed on your 100-400mm and replaced mine as well. So much easier to work with a feel safer with it :)

[@GkPhotographic]

Thank you Nigel . what always stands out to me in your content is that connection and love you have with nature . it has inspired me for years , mow its enough for me just to get out and walk and snap away . iv just pulled the trigger on an R8 with a 24 to 107 2.8 , the things we do to get that sharpness . be safe from Dublin Eire .

[@anetestuce]

Thank you, Nigel, your videos are so inspiring, makes me want to grab my camera and go out in any type of conditions!

[@andrewknowles6731]

Still laughing about you losing the boathouse and then finding it again, I do that kind of thing all the time! Great video and I learned lots as usual, Thanks Nigel.

[@gnarzee4336]

6:00 😂So relatable. Going to your favorite shot location only to find it isn't there anymore (or so you think).

[@TLM823]

Excellent tutorial, as always! Figuring out where to focus is a constant challenge for me… going to try and put this advice to good use… thank you for all you do.

[@macgyver5108]

12:00 a little trick I use for astrophotography is add an _extra_ weight hanging under the tripod so it's "rock solid" and of course a remote shutter control. I just tie some 550 cord to the tripod (like around that shaft with the adjustment knob on the bottom of yours) with a loop on the end, then slip a workout weight of some sort through the loop and let it hang out there. I don't want ANY wind influence because exposure times can run MANY minutes long so I use a beefy 20lb dumbbell, but you could even use a lesser weight like 5-10lbs, OR just use what you're _ALREADY_ lugging around, like use a carabiner instead of the loop and just hang your _camera gear backpack_ off that! Cheers...

[@MarkRomine]

Wonderful images in this film Nigel!

[@BrandiJo-h3z]

Again, terrific video. And great calendar. What item was in the hotshoe when you were at the camera at just over 14m into the video? I have skimmed the comments to see if anyone else asked, but didn't readily find anything.

[@alexwaterton9769]

Excellent Video Nigel, well put together and presented. Clear and easy to follow and understand. Always a pleasure to follow and watch.

[@ianbarnes1406]

Very 'Mads-looking' composition at 10:03, with you in the frame 😁

[@davidpalmer5290]

What a great video and the drone course sounds quite tempting. One video I would love to see, if you have not already done one, is how to choose a tripod and the tripod head to go on it. They can get quite pricey and some advice would be great. Just an idea. Thanks 😀

[@pauldarville3843]

Informative video, thanks Nigel!

[@Jake-vt4ow]

Beautiful images! Thank you, Nigel.❤ I agree and want sharp, clear photos to post, print, and enter in contests.

[@joanl3115]

Great tutorial 👏. Really appreciate that you’re sharing the settings ‼️📸. Absolutely love drone footage 🎥💯

[@jamesmlodynia8757]

Depth of field not only depends on aperture, but focal length, sensor size and distance to subject some times you need a lot of depth of field and at times the subject should be sharp but an object close to the camera can be slightly soft. Last fall i photographed a lighthouse about a half mile from the shore, i used a Fujifilm XH2 and a 100-400mm Fujifilm lens. I found a tree on the shore that had branches with an opening and was able to photograph the lighthouse through the opening of the tree. I was able to capture the river and the branches framed the left and right sides oof the photo with overlapping branches along the top and bottom the trees and leaves are out of focus but not to the point that they are colored blobs but it gives you a sense of you being very close to an object but your focus is on an object in the distance. Their is enough water in the photo to give depth but not so much that it makes the lighthouse look small, because the trees aren't so ii focus it leads your eyes to the lighthouse and the hills behind with autumn's colors.

[@cinavik]

Jeroen is fantastic, learned a lot from him as well as your channel

[@polisheverything1970]

Yeah I wouldn't mind using a 48mp FF camera with all the bells and whistles too to take my photo's with, I borrowed my friends FF Panny S1R for a week and the ease of being able to capture a shot (or should I say a great shot) is a damn sight easier than with a more modest or budget friendly camera. Lovely photo's by the way, gotta love calm water days for getting a soulful photo. Best wishes from Yorkshire Nigel.

[@davidrushworth658]

Thanks for a most inspirational video again Nigel. Beautiful scenery and compositions. I've just traded my 24-70mm for a 24-120mm and love that extra reach. Cheers 😁

[@RudyCrossette-h5e]

Hi Nigel, thank you so much for all your videos, brilliant, extremely useful to a beginner like me. Thank you for sharing. R

[@dreamship563]

Really good video as always. Love watching your videos. You are a great inspiration. Which Rab jacket you have in the video? thank you.

[@hamsterneckliving]

Like a mini masterclass. So much packed in this video. Thank you!

[@gailmager4147]

Thanks again for the great tips. The boathouse was funny, glad you found it. Nice moody images.

[@michaelmurphy9846]

Another great vlog. Thank you Izzy. I know you don’t do gear vlogs but could you tell me the benefits of using that monitor on your camera? Thank you. tv

[@mikepanton]

Those tree shots are amazing.

[@richardinwood4290]

One of your best and most useful as I am struggling with the topics you discuss. Please more on this "sharpest: photos theme.

[@NigelDanson]

Glad it was helpful

[@richardinwood4290]

@@NigelDanson In your video you comment that you would put up a link to you photo pills video which I would like to follow up. I couldn't find the link please.

[@NordicNatureArt]

Another great video Nigel! I love the shot of the hut across the water 💚

[@davidmporterphotography]

Thanks as always for the helpful video. I was curious what backpack you are using in the video? Looks like a good, simple not too big day pack size.

[@mrtaffspoon]

Did the Loughrigg circular walk last month from Ambleside. What superb scenery. You seem to have taken some of the same shots of Rydal Water as me. Highly recommended area to photograph 👍

[@demipita9090]

Hi Sir Nigel, when you are shooting in the rain are you preparing your gear , specially the camera, more than the camera weather factory it is? Sorry for my English. Thank you so much for your help and response

[@Benderbydesign]

beautiful country side. 👌👍

[@richdoak9349]

Great video Nigel, I always aim for max sharpness but I always love to edit soft. Do you find the same with your woodland work?

[@gnmurray5955]

It’s good that you referenced PhotoPills but I do think you should have mentioned the relevance and importance of the Circle of Confusion. Most calculations for depth of field and hyper focal focus are based on viewing an 8”x10” print which for most serious photographers is a very low standard indeed. Far better to access the Advanced depth of field page in PhotoPills and input a CofC relative to your own standards. A good start for a 45mp sensor would be .003mm-.004mm. Then it wouldn’t be necessary to “double or triple the hyper focal point”. And that’s where focus stacking comes in….

[@ReversusLaxus]

You should have this much more subscribers! I like your style a lot and have thought about the giveaway exactly today, because I thought it should have happened a long time ago 😅 Thank you for all the relaxing and informative videos 👍🏽

[@lead-dog]

Thanks for showing how to use Photo Pills to determine DOF. I have that app because of you but I really don't use it very much. Very difficult to master if you ask me. If you could fit a few tips in some of your future videos about how you use the app, it would be most appreciated by me and maybe others I'm sure. Great video. Love to learn from you. I don't see a link to the other video you mention where you discuss "Photo Pills". Could you please tell me how to find the other video? Thanks Nigel.

[@1870Bigman]

Great video as always. I’ve ordered TWO cloths as they look great 👍🏻

[@youphototube]

Hey Nigel, you were shooting a shot at ISO 400 and 800. But there is more dynamic range at ISO 500 than 400 on the Z8. Would 500 not have been a better option for your low ISO shot?

[@alwynwilliams2661]

Hi Nigel lovely images again and some very good advice Cheers!

[@MisekPetr]

Very nice video, one question, do you have on camera stabilization on or off with Z 100 - 400 mm on tripod?

[@lylestavast7652]

loved the bassoon backing...

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

I think if I took that picture with the sheep and the bird flying through the frame, I would have retired from photography a happy man. Fantastic picture 👌

[@callumjohnson9433]

Can you do a lens comparison please? On the 24-120 and the 28-400. Within the same focal lengths are they equal in IQ or does the 28-400 struggle?

[@stefankuhn6887]

One question, Nigel: did younger consider to take landscape photos with a higher aperture like 1,4 … 2,8? It will be hard with the zoom lenses but with a prime it could be worth a try. What do you think 🤔?

[@darcybrown7369]

thanks Nigel, did I miss where the link to the photo pils app video is?

[@paulcollingridge8387]

Hi Nigel, I've followed your videos for a loooong time and followed your journey. I'd love to see a video where you are accompanied by a physiotherapist or osteopath who explores the whole of a field-day with you and you discuss together subtle changes to protect the long-term health of yourback/skeleton. Boots, kit, packing distribution, walk duration,.... Full deep-dive

[@MattMurddock]

Lol wow

[@mikehart5723]

Nooooooo, it's a video about a deep dive into photography, let the fitness you tubers do the other bits 😂

[@johnalmberg7512]

Hi Nigel, I wonder if sometime you could address the issue of composing for a screen or book or magazine, vs composing for a print that will hang on a wall. I find that many of my favorite photos just don't work when printed, framed, and viewed from a distance. The subject is too small, or is lost in the background. It's not just me. I have a book of photos by Henri Cartier Bresson and I think many of his photos would fail if they were printed and viewed from across a room. My mother-in-law is a painter, and her paintings always look good framed and hung, but she has total control over her subject and background. Oddly, I've never seen this topic addressed in a video or photo book. I wonder if you have any thoughts or tips on this subject. Thanks!

[@erniedevries3243]

Near the end, you mentioned a video that would display up in the corner, but I don't see it and can't seem to find it by looking through your list of videos. I also looked for it in the description, but no luck. 😢

[@HR-wd6cw]

Personally I would not use touch AF for triggering the camera, even though something like a 5 or 10 second timer should be enough to stabilize the camera. I usually just use the focus joystick instead to select focus points and while this may not matter to some, tapping the screen soemtimes could lead you to move the camera slightly and your composition to be off slightly so I prefer to use the focus stick instead, make sure I have the composition where I want it and then gently push the shutter button and use a 5 second self timer (or ideally, I try to use a wireless trigger, but not everyone carries those).

[@JerryYoung-t5u]

Hey,Nigel……A big thanks to you from your fan in China. You have a unique insight of photography which taught me a lot at the very beginning of my photography……Undoubtfully,photography is important for me at the moment，which helped me to step out of my depression and find adorable views outside （you know there is a lot pressure in Chinese high school）……even though I’ve only had an old and heavy DSLR (Nikon D810) I still insist to take it out to take some photos outdoor……Like you said, a good journey is much more important than the camera itself ……Wish you to go further on photography and keep on making fantastic videos on this channel. Support from China ❤

[@malchouse1640]

Great video ,Thanks Nigel

[@andyd6104]

Omg Z8! What an amazing thing to do

[@davidkrause2724]

Serious question-why do you care about ISO given the new improvements in noise reduction in LR?

[@JackVJohnson]

I've long been in the habit of using either an IR remote or an intervalometer for shutter release on my Canons - no vibration from touching the camera, and no 2 second delay, which is nice for e.g. catching a lull in the wind. I never see any of the photographers I follow on youtube doing that - is it really that uncommon?

[@DanVanburen]

What camera company do you recommend

[@AndyBanner]

You had me for a minute, Nigel. That boatshed should be Grade 2 listed just for us.

[@UweRoclawski]

What are the best settings for unsharp photos? Asking for a friend!

[@andrewsmith1110]

I can do you a masterclass for that aspect 😂

[@ThorSC88]

I think that I really might want to use this app at some point. I do have it but neved use it, but I want some sharper pictures.

[@copenhagenbypede]

What a nice little "head" you have on your tripod, can you tell which one it is?

[@JohnJones-xy9pg]

It’s an Agratech ballhead

[@Gary-LX58UDV]

Great video and thanks for the info👍

[@ericerickson6537]

The hard part is carrying the gear. I love the 100-400 but it is heavy and large and doesn’t fit well in the bag?

[@JohnJones-xy9pg]

Where’s the link to the Cloths ?

[@dawei566]

Yeah, I heard he mentioned ISO 22.😅 . I got confused from there onward.

[@samankanzi]

Something useful 👍👍👍thanks

[@trevorsneath4665]

I miss DoF scales on lenses 😞

[@michaelwoof823]

f22 not iso 22, but i don't care, your video is brill!

[@raphaelcoelho1557]

I was noooo Nigel is using his telephoto with the camera attached to the tripod head! Then you were only showing what not to do😂

[@jpdeardenphotography]

Fantastic video. Really enjoyed and I'm enjoying your series on your van build. I'm disabled and wheelchair bound and have just got a adapted Mercedes sprinter with lift and it's now opened so many opportunities for me to get out shooting plus cause it's drive from my wheelchair and my wheelchsir tilts back 45° u can sleep in it so got so many trips planned for next year. Scotland. Ireland, Europe etc. I would love to win the z8. Nikon send me cameras and lenses for me to review for my youtube channel and i absolutely love the Z8. Unfortunately financially I can't afford being on a di Glen income. I'm currently testing the 28-400 F4-8 paired with the Z8. If you would like to do a photography collaboration for youtube please get in touch. Would really enjoy a day out shooting somewhere accessible etc. Looking forward to the upcoming and final completion of your van build

[@retirewithjames6745]

Helpful!

[@pmc7105]

I'm surprised that the 24-120mm is sharpest at f/4. Kind of unfortunate when using it for landscapes. I'm going to have to check my 24-105mm to see if I'm in a similar situation.

[@emanuelbief7088]

I think the best photos come out when you're not worried about taking the best photos.

[@colinreidcr]

From what Ive gathered: F8-F12 possibly F16 ISO 100-400 anything above 1/125 but depends what your doing long exp etc 2nd timer Bluetooth remote tripod

[@Rhinoskin62]

Bearing in mind he's referring to sharpness in landscape. This rule changes in what ever you into. street is an example where not everything is sharp

[@ŠtěpánRataj]

Who also heard Kingfisher at 4:50? :D

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Great video - I loved that you talked about the various factors of selecting your aperture and not just always setting it to f/11 or something like that.

[@NigelDanson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pmwalker]

New Tripod Nigel?

[@colinreidcr]

does my r10 have iso 64?

[@MattMurddock]

Aww, a little R10. I think its base iso is 1000.

[@colinreidcr]

@ damn that sucks

[@stuartmarsden4142]

Your EVF and lcd will give you all you need to take a sharp photo

[@hyperraptor5484]

Food for thoughts: Landscape photography is not about to tell a story in the same way as for example street photography (for example documenting the life of a homeless man in a back ally or a poor kid in Nepal). Landscape photography is about to document the beautifullness of nature and trigger that escapism-nerv of the audiens (”Wow, I want to travel to see beautiful parts of the earth”). That means that when a streetphotography triggers the audiens emotions by describing a story of the gritty, dirty, ”ugly” part of the world it does not necceserly have to be the sharpest possible photo, but a landscape photo has to be tack sharp in order to give you that kick of how beatutiful nature can be. This is just my point of view - whats yours?

[@_._Stefan_._]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I'm just curious at a 60th of a second why you're not shooting handheld don't understand that at all especially with a Z8 and all that stabilisation. Also a reminder if you are putting your camera on a tripod I'd like that turn off your stabilisation on the lens and also the body as well sometimes it kicks in for whatever reason even when the camera is not moving. You definitely get sharper photos without stabilisation on if you are on a tripod if you are handheld, put your stabilisation on. I've moved away from shooting on tripods especially with zoom lenses. They just is no need and even a lot of the slower shutter speeds I can do handheld with my GFX no problems. I've been watching a lot of William Patino and he talks about not having a tripod and how it just frees you up.

[@giganicrik]

Ive been taking photos for quite a few years now...but whats iso 22? Is that a secret setting in specific camera's?😂😂

[@lynwoodjordan]

That’s way faster than iso 2.8! 🤓

[@NigelDanson]

Ha ha

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

Yes I caught that too. ISO 22. My camera's lowest native ISO is 160 but I don't get any diffraction at that setting. 😝

[@timrosenburgh8597]

Hi Nigel. I heard ISO 22 as well lol. I enjoyed the video as usual and as always good tips. Great image's as usual. Look forward to the next one.

[@JVNPhoto]

Almost? Almost all the eruptions? 😂

[@NigelDanson]

Of course you took the bait 😂

[@JVNPhoto]

@ Of course I did!

[@Mr.Monta77]

Why is sharpness such a big deal? As long as a photo is ordinary sharp, most viewers just don’t care. They care much more about the story you tell, what point you try to convey. Forget about your sharpness ‘addiction’. It’s a waste of time.

[@suzieq7000]

For prints, sharpness makes a huge difference. I get compliments all the time on my sharp images as I’m sure Nigel does too. For social media or KZbin no one would notice the difference.

[@andihartstein]

As a professional photographer, my thought has always been that I want to learn *how to do it* so that when I need to do it, I can. My first photography teacher once told our class that she wanted us to learn the “rules” so that we could intelligently break the rules. That’s something that’s always stuck with me and rung true for me as I learn a new skill. I hope that’s helpful!

[@jremi]

Sure, this is correct but between 2 great compositions that tell a story, people will prefer the sharpest one every time, especially on printed photos. For those who only want to post on social media, I agree it does not matter.

[@tomheim9516]

A soft image can't be rescued in LR or PS the way exposure and even composition (via cropping can). You blow focus and the image is a no-go. And speaking for myself, I expect the elements of an image that should be in focus to be sharp. If they aren't, the image is less than it should be.

[@mrlau630]

For me, clarity is important.😅

[@stevef2114]

Sorry but this was a poor video... you didnt really speak about anything on getting sharp images, bit on iso and fstop for the shots you were taking (which in the case of your images wasnt about sharpness at all but depth of field which is completely different) and tapping the back of your screen with a timer setting on... its hardly new revelation. You focused stacked images also... and didnt even mention that. The images were poor.. not a deal breaker, but using an app isnt photography... this is the issue now with tech. There is no reason for anyone to learn photography fundamentals. Apps, and histograms... and thats it.

[@Ricardo-SW]

"...anybody that's siubscribed, I am going to give that [Z8] away to." Wow, 500k Z8s!😃 I suspect you meant to say it would go to ONE of the subscribers. Not that I'd complain if I were to receive one!