IMPROVE COMPOSITION by learning from your BAD PHOTOS | 5 simple tips

[@stuartdrury4253]

Thank you, thank you thank you thank you, Nobody in my camera club has sat down and gone through this, and the fact that I can sit and listen and learn from a master in landscape photography, again and again, until it's firmly in my head, is a massive knowledge gainer, which will I know bear fruit later. Inspirational .

[@Yellowscale]

Nigel, no exaggeration: your content about "failed photos" is some of the best photography education content I come across on a regular basis. The contrast and intentionality about examining _why_ photos didn't work, and identifying what you'll do next time to prevent it, is priceless learning material. I know how much time and effort it takes to prepare these "why it didn't work" videos, so thanks for consistently producing them! Keep them coming. Funny enough, a big body of water is the #1 thing that ruins my compositions - I tend to forget that it's essentially negative space, and too much of it makes for a really unbalanced image.

[@zackchoy1969]

Great Video!~ Great tips!~ (8:00) Balance (10:23) Separation (11:39) Focus (13:16) Leading Elements (14:55) Stickiness

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks - useful!

[@trevorcrossley3054]

I love that photo as you said "you find something new in all the time", fantastic shot, good show and thanks Nigel.

[@giselesmith7795]

Thank you again. I do believe I am a more thoughtful photographer due to watching your videos and a better photographer for having the education.

[@johnsholian4318]

I like the honest self-critique of your photos. It helps to see others, especially professionals, break down the elements of a successful or rather, unsuccessful photograph. I experience that feeling of disappointment all too often when I upload a batch into Lightroom, knowing that there are some that are good but could have been better with a simple shift in composition. Good tips as always Nigel. Cheers!

[@Djoarhet001]

The one with the raindrops feels very relatable. It's so easy to succomb to tunnel vision and composition seems to be the first to go out of the window. The amount of times i've looked at my photos in lightroom and went 'Well if only I took two steps to the left'... Yeah, a lot. Also I really dig that last Iceland photo. Great stuff sir!

[@MikeNicoli]

i love that photo with mountains, snow linghts, and the little church! Great job Nigel!

[@martharetallick204]

My favorite too.

[@PhilOfPaRaDoX]

As a photographer myself, your work is just beautiful, you are a real inspiration

[@robertfalcone8031]

Thanks, very helpful tips. Being able recognize the mistakes is a great step towards better photos.

[@davehayford4294]

Nigel, I really appreciated your self critique here......The 5 - Elements are already in a card and in my photo backpack. Thanks for Sharing.

[@ScoTreVan]

Thanks Nigel, I will keep them in mind on the next shoot, cheers

[@jemaluang1]

Well said ! Happened to me too many times, but do learn a lot from you, thanks Nigel.

[@obscurity7]

This was one of the most useful and helpful videos I've seen in a while. Some of the images you were showing just weren't resonating with me, and when you discussed them in the video, I understood why.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks - appreciate that! Glad it helped!

[@AlynWallace]

Another great vid pal, done fantastic advice. Loved that image of the light hitting the church

[@wendynewing8834]

Really useful information. Thanks Nigel. The last image is stunningly beautiful.

[@yitzchallevi8208]

Love your heart and the way you find beauty in all things... thank you

[@cragfast06]

Brilliantly helpful video, Nigel! You’ve explained these concepts wonderfully well. Thanks for all the hard work that went into making this video.

[@RonDonson]

Kudos to you Nigel. It is difficult to critique ones own work subjectively. You’ve done it brilliantly. I have to separate myself from the experience of taking the photo before I can look at it critically. That usually requires some time for me. Often I’ll print something I think is good and look at it in my studio for a long time. I may see that I didn’t quite get the composition I hoped for or I’ll see some ways to improve the image and print with some processing tweaks. Again, thanks for another very useful video.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Ron - that print technique is one I use as well. Helps so much to see your image in print.

[@ianbrown704]

another superb vlog, useful and certainly adds thought to the process - thank you Nigel.

[@annthomstad635]

Really enjoyed this Nigel. Will be so helpful when I try to figure what works and what doesn't with my own images. Great work!

[@alma175w]

Really appreciate the insight as always. Especially the word “stickiness!” Such an elusive and useful intangible.

[@mikehart5723]

It's great to self critique and the learning that comes from this video is so useful as a way to improve composition .

[@Wolfgang-ni9kl]

Hi Nigel, i like your videos and your great images. Thanks for your VLOG and learning from your "bad photos". Hope we will see more images and videos from Faroes.

[@TheAndyMaan]

I think the first 15-20 seconds of this video sums up every time I get back and look through my photos 😂. Great video again though Nigel and I do feel like the tips you and other photographers are putting out there are starting to work their way into my mind, definitely still got a long way to go but the way I look at the scene in front of me is a lot more methodical than it was even 6-12 months ago, when I first started to really get into landscapes and mainly focus on that. Thank you for these fantastic videos and all the amazing advice you are willing to share with us all.

[@stevehubbard3490]

Great video Nigel, I’m going to add all of this to my Landscaping reminder list, at the top! Seems like you have problems when you get too cold? Don’t we all!!!

[@OhCrazyEggs]

Thank you! This is a very enlightening video! Invaluable advice!

[@JoDaniels]

Again an inspiring video! Excellent tips, not only to analyse my photo’s afterwards but also very valuable to improve the basic rules. Thanks Nigel!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks for watching - really appreciate and glad it was useful

[@manxjohn73]

You have a natural talent to teach. Another great vid. Will be coming over for a 1to1 very soon !

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks John - appreciate that! Just a quite note that most dates in 2019 booked up now.

[@kevinmarshall7604]

Fantastic scenery and really realistic tips very helpful video.

[@Valentascream]

After watching this I had to subscribe great advice look forward to more!!!

[@brianwickliffe73]

I really appreciated this video. I often times get stuck now liking my photos, much like l liked the ones of yours that you didn't like as much. I think this video is also about how not to stagnate with your photography, how to be more critical about your work to take it to the next level.

[@pianandrill]

Again very informative video. This is one of those i'll be banging my head with several times.

[@scotty4418]

A very informative and insightful vlog Nigel. Always great to see your images and listen to your thoughts on them as you explain in a way that make learning about a particular subject very enjoyable

[@tamasdragon]

Very, very helpful again! You just seem to hit the main points I struggle with.

[@LMR65]

Loved the image in Iceland. Has a Middle Earth feel to it. Thanks for your tips and videos.

[@jacquesdubord6844]

Hi Nicely.This video is awesome, the explanation and exemples are absolutely fantastics. Thanks. Jacques from Québec Canada

[@ruchirsrivastava4828]

Really informative for a beginner like me, thanks Nigel. I always felt something is missing in my landscape photos. Hope to use your guidelines to improve them. Just a minor request, it would be helpful if you can also show the camera settings with the photos. Or is there a reason for not displaying that?

[@andychattaway5620]

Great scenery and interesting topic. I love the photo at 12:45 the foreground is interesting and is joined to the mid ground by the beautiful light on the water leading from the rocky foreground. Also the light rays shining onto the foreground become leading lines and draw the viewer into the photo 🤔

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Andy

[@ckphoto6531]

@@NigelDanson I agree with Andy on this one. I was just about to make the same comment and saw he had already pointed it out. It may not be a conventional leading element, but in this case it completely works.

[@andychattaway5620]

@@ckphoto6531 We are all aware that sometimes we think our photo is great but our judgment was maybe impaired due to an emotional connection and memories of the moment which subsequent viewers can't appreciate. Watching Nigel's video it occurred to me that sometimes we can also convince ourselves that a photo is rubbish when it isn't (to others at least).

[@martinjn2920]

It works for me as well, I really couldn't see anything wrong with this picture, to be fair I would have been happy coming home with any of those less powerful images.

[@sander5086]

Some really helpful tips again, I will think about them on my next trip to Scotland!!!

[@DBentham65]

Nice video, but that last image( Iceland) is stunning . Excellent work Nigel.

[@AlexBerger]

Lightrays in that bay are incredible. Have never seen anything quite like it. Must be the combination of geography, orientation, temperatures, and micro climate.

[@rodrigodemarchi1184]

Again, thanks for the content! I hope that one day I can also visit this amazing place!

[@joesimo11]

That was very informative. Another great tutorial, many thanks.

[@ashishchaudharicool]

Nigel, this tips seems to be very helpful and practical. I would make sure from next time onwards I review those images by considering your 5 tips and see what works out and what doesn't. Glad you could demonstrate this points using your images and what corrections can be made. Loved it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Love from India. ❤️

[@ashhall2640]

Your videos are great, i watch every week. You should do a video based on your old film photography, I would love to see some of your earlier images.

[@kernowjago1999]

Another fantastic video. I’m struggling with my images at the moment so this self critique is going to help me 👍🏼👍🏼

[@990drifter]

Nice, fair and honest appraisal of your own work and like you said, nice images, but, I understand when you say not necessarily superb images. Your explanation of words such as spacing have become very apparent to me in recent weeks and mnths and all makes very much sense. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good, honest and relaxed manner in which you present, best wishes.

[@carlinschelstraete682]

Great video Nigel. Love your channel! I actually think your photo at 15:11 does have visual staying power.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks - I have to admit it has grown on me!

[@carlinschelstraete682]

@@NigelDanson Glad you responded to my comment and that you agree. Congratulations on a powerful channel! Enjoying all the creative content and inspiration here in California. Love the human side of the photo adventures. 500px.com/emailcarlin

[@denisefoote647]

So helpful, thank you.

[@sutejotan5817]

awesome tips. thank you.

[@RobinWhalley]

What an Epic intro sequence. You shared some excellent advice and ideas about composition. I also see you learned your lesson and packed a KitKat (they don't roll like apples) 🙂

[@moondawn1000]

Excellent tutorial thank you.

[@yujinlandscapephotography.7787]

super photographer Vlog, sir. Always the top of this mountain will meet, i believe to you. 👌👍

[@yujinlandscapephotography.7787]

👌🙋

[@keithtruman7422]

Really enjoyed the self-critique section Nigel. Wow! The Faroes are amazing. (BTW, on the first image you shared midway thru the video, there is a bright blue "stick" looks like a blue pipe just to the left of centre)

[@NigelDanson]

Good spot - they were the path markers... water pipe!

[@simply.matias]

Great video as always, Nigel! So basically you would scout for those good locations and wait for best conditions 😊

[@NigelDanson]

Yep indeed!

[@phooesnax]

Beautiful work. Wonderful venue. I think you are too hard on yourself. We would be thrilled with any of these! Jim

[@tjsinva]

Great breakfast of sticky food for thought to start the day. Having to climb that mountain twice for B-roll has to be a chore. Someday there may be a drone that can track and follow you. Kim Grant release a funny blooper reel this week about the trials of vlogging. Looks like I'll be seeing you in St. Louis at the GEP event. Looking forward to it. Cheers!

[@NigelDanson]

Great 👍

[@bambamkrjha]

Superb photography.....worthy lessons...love❤from india..wish you all the best.😊👍

[@mikemitchell3889]

Nigel, Great stuff. Very "Sticky!" Thank-You, Mike

[@mikebarber6813]

Thanks Nigel, really helpful. Not really sure I got 'stickiness' will have to go back and watch again :-)

[@NigelDanson]

Think of it as compelling - you want to keep looking and find new elements

[@Dario_Daniele]

Hi Nigel, I think you have dropped some stunning images, however you demonstrated very well how we photographers must be always critical to ourselves in order to improve our works. I am most of the times, even though I majorly receive positive feedback from people.

[@markpursglovephotography]

Superb Nigel, such a beautiful place. i think the images are Great, Epic. :)

[@valrion.photography]

Beautiful images and great tips Nigel! I know balance is important in photography. But then I would like to know what you think about negative space in minimalist photography. How can balance be represented in such unusual situation?

[@manxsteve]

Great vid and very helpful. One thing I disagree with is the first image to illustrate the importance of the leading elements principle. All rules are made to be broken etc and I think this image is sufficiently strong that it does so. The foreground is punchy enough that I personally don't really perceive any lack of leading elements.

[@myokfile]

Grand and stunning!

[@stevemozzie6497]

As an amateur and someone who doesn't have to sell prints, there are times when an image hasn't quite turned out the way I wanted it to. But, the story behind that photograph is as important and it would certainly be a keeper. Took photographs of fell runners on a misty, drizzly day at the top of Holme Moss. I was hunkered down on the wet grass with runners splashing their way through a boggy section. The mist affected the autofocus and the results weren't what I'd hope for. Love them because of the memories.

[@NigelDanson]

Yeah - I agree Steve. Personal memories and so important in photos

[@GingerPhotographer]

As always, great info!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

I great video. Can you tell me what time of year was this and would October be to late and cold. I have sent you a couple messages not hit reply’s yet

[@NigelDanson]

Hi Paul - it is late October. It could be cold at that time of year and wet and windy. But then in the Faroes it can be like that anytime!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

@@NigelDanson thats what i was a little worried about, when was this filmed?

[@NigelDanson]

Paul Compton PDphotography late Oct

[@AndrewDawes]

Wow Nigel. More stunning scenery from the Faroes! It’s a beautiful area that is definitely on my bucket list. I was soo close this autumn but unfortunately it just want in my plan this time. Some excellent tips on that all important lesson we need as photographers “oh no!”, the elusive LCD screen has tricked me again! I think balance is a very important improvement that I would definitely critique my own photography on. Just looking at how features or elements of the scene for together and compliment one another more. But I think there is a more important lessons in looking at your own photos, stepping back, and identifying the negatives of an image opposed to “I don’t know why I don’t like it”. And then of course working on those features 😁 Great video mate 👍

[@jesse113553]

Andrew Dawes can’t wait to see your creations from the Faroe Islands.

[@lookforbeauty1964]

Master class !!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@gcarmichael]

Great video - as always! What is the name of the music you used?

[@JamesSymmonds]

Took a bit of work to find out where you were shooting using only visual hints but I think I found it! Villingadalsfjall?

[@clairebrooksphotography]

Really subtle balance between separation and leading elements. Totally get what you mean by stickiness though. Great vid, thank you. Lots to think about. Heard a few grumbles about squarespace linking up with a company who offer free images, wondered what your thoughts are on that? And lastly, thanks for your support with my kit failure this weekend... On a paid job for me as a newbie, I had to try hard not to let it throw me off balance.

[@TheTuscaloosa]

Nigel, the day your audience give you a like even before they watch indicates you do the right thing😄😄 thats what i did today.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much

[@paulmuadibatreid]

Great Thanks :) One question: which month have you been in the Faroe ? How long was a day ? Have a great day

[@gurunath1710]

Stickiness? That's something quite new. Care to elaborate a little on that? Seems something to me that's probably quite subjective. Great images as usual, and completely agree about the other points - especially the focus and leading elements (connection as I would like to call it).

[@flygaren40]

Great video and very good tips :)

[@Rudy60426]

great video and awesome photo's

[@squirls8814]

Some really helpful tips in this video, thank you. I'm not sure I agree with your comments about balance though. Does a picture need to be "pleasing" to the eye to be great? Perhaps lack of balance helps to creates drama? It was one of my favourite images. I agree with your comments about the "stickiness" photo - not something I would have thought about, but it works really well on the zoom in the video because of the level of detail. I suppose because there are so many different ways of seeing images these days, a picture that doesn't necessarily work well in one medium - i.e. a photo on the wall, can be totally amazing in another such as video, collage etc.

[@NigelDanson]

I do agree with you as all ‘rules’ are made to be broken!!

[@SiegfriedFarnonMRCVS]

Were those photos taken using the xt3? 10-24mm lens?

[@SiegfriedFarnonMRCVS]

Great photos....

[@Pilantravis]

Which mic do you use? Is it the same for outdoor shots?

[@EduBroncano]

Good morning Nigel! Very useful video, as usual. About the one with too much ocean at the bottom, why not just crop it? It seems pretty square format, you can go with a 16:9 format by croping this ocean. Just an personal opinion. But anyway these photos are amazing!! 👌

[@harrogatefan4976]

What was that village called? with the little church Nigel

[@NigelDanson]

Vidareidi, Faroe Islands

[@tobyehillier]

What you call stickiness is called the hook in musical terms... The part of the composition that grabs your attention and brings you back to the piece. Personally, the fish farm on the water interested me more for scaling than the church did, but it didn't catch your eye at all! Again, like music there are set rules that can be broken creatively because the mediums to tell the story are so subjective in their nature... One man's meat is another man's poison 🤗

[@lunarisdawn4543]

Great video! Thx 🙂

[@claudiamuller9404]

Thank you for your helpful tips. I try to realize but is not easy. Netherless I don`t give up. It`s so a stunning landscape and impressive images. I have a question, do you need for landscape photography 42 mil. pixel? I will buy the Nikon Z6 next year they have only 24. pixel is that enough?

[@NigelDanson]

Hi Claudia - more that enough. My Fuji is similar and great for prints up to A2 👍👍👍

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

What are they raising at the fish farm?

[@NigelDanson]

Salmon

[@paulm8157]

Confused by separation vs connection - need to watch this one again. Is "stickiness" another way of saying "emotional impact" or simply "memorable"?

[@NigelDanson]

stickiness is wanting to keep looking at the photo and exploring it. Uncovering new elements

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Regarding the Z7, people in the discussion forums keep telling the world that landscape photographers *routinely* need to push the exposure in editing 5 or 6 stops to brighten specific areas of the photo (shadows). Since you have a Z7 and you shoot landscapes, I was just curious...is that a normal/routine practice (VERY OFTEN lifting shadows 5 or 6 stops in editing)? I sort of doubt it's a very common practice to need to do it often, but since I don't shoot landscapes, I don't see a need to do that. I do shoot a lot of nature and often have very bright and very dark areas in the same photo, but I don't find myself ever boosting the shadows more than 1 to 2 stops at the most (2 would be really pushing it for me).

[@Hirsutechin]

Some forum discussions are best ignored. Pure horseradish.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

@@Hirsutechin That's true, but unfortunately some newcomers may not know any better and actually believe a lot of that nonsense.

[@NigelDanson]

Forums are definitely best avoided. Never push it that far.... z7 is fine!

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Nigel Danson That’s what I thought :-)

[@DerJohnnyWalker]

Have a look at Sean Tuckers "Embrace your shadows" and you get different sight on this topic :-)

[@Lostsage01]

Wait, I thought The Fifth Element was supposed to be love? 😀 Great video as always - cheers

[@PersuasiveVideoWorks]

Hey #NigelDanson great analysis, and tips... thanks helpful... David

[@BMRTV]

14:03 I'd love to see this image with a person standing looking down toward the lake/horizon.

[@matssandquist9258]

Is there a risk that you over analyze your pictures the longer you are in to photographing? I know when I started I only saw the picture as it was and liked it or not. Not thinking of guiding lines, balance, rule of third and so on and I think so are the most of people who only looking to pictures. You like it or not. Of course thinking of rules is maybe what make a good picture but are we more fussy the more we do this? Do we lose the moment in the creating process?

[@NigelDanson]

I completely agree with you in that you either like it or don’t. What I am trying to do is help people create better images and in that way need to try and break it down. 👍

[@kenmcintyre7142]

How depressing. If the image at 8:05 "doesn't work" then I have never taken am image that works and probably never will. Perfection is the enemy of very good...

[@NigelDanson]

It is far from perfect Ken. I actually don’t think it works for exact reasons I said. I agree it is a nice image but for me it isn’t balanced. I just wasn’t happy considering the location. The one I have just posted on IG is more balanced.

[@DerJohnnyWalker]

Exactly may thoughts... But I have to admit, that his "perfect" photos are indeed even better.

[@MattRiddell]

Nigel Danson what’s your ig?

[@paulwayman5137]

Helpful as always Nigel. Just one thing though, any chance of you using a different adjective, instead of AMAZING. I mean this in the nicest possible way, as your'e such a nice, genuine guy.

[@criostoirocuinn]

Much preferred 15:00 to 15:40, had a slight minimalist quality to it, 15:40 has too much and is too busy (imo)

[@stevebennettphotography]

I have a lot of learning material 😀

[@jeremypayne4665]

Not all hero's wear capes!