How to choose the BEST FOCAL LENGTH in Landscape Photography | from 14-200mm

[@NigelDanson]

What did you think of the 4K - an improvement or not worth it? 👍🏼

[@tom.m.mancini]

Great 👍

[@joyofthemomentphotography2621]

I watch on my mobile, so didn’t notice any difference, sorry 😳

[@nblt2147]

An improvement for sure! 4k in 2020 is a must do 😉

[@2DogAle]

Watched it on my laptop and it looked really great although I personally don't care about 4K, 1080... what ever. The content of the vlog is what I like the most here.

[@alejandro_mery]

4k might feel like too much, but 1080p doesn't look crispy even on small screens

[@TheNikonphotog]

So many videos are “talking heads” and ineffective educationally. Your use of explanations/concepts PLUS actual examples is quite effective. More work for you, but a great more learning for us watching. Thanks.

[@josiahtm866]

Nigel: shows an image Me: Huh.. that looks nice Nigel: So as you can see this one doesn't really work Me: This photo just doesn't work does it?

[@BrunoChalifour]

I guess we are referring to the same image (see above), one I do think works! ;o) ...at least for me. It is also more difficult to take because there is no clear easy cookie-cutter recipe to fall back on-whereas object in the foreground and mountains in the background has become sickeningly common among non-creative landscape photographers (as is the colored gradient filter (pink or orange) for the sky!

[@MattySkydaddy]

Seriously... who dislikes something as brilliantly done as this video?

[@AfricanWithNoFlies]

It is an occupation, some use Jesus as an example. Even he was crucified

[@bobcarter4343]

I sold my 11-16 mm wide because it made distance objects so small. Like a beach pier image, the beach foreground was detailed, but the pier was so small you could hardly see it. Wish I had watched this video prior to buying that lens. This was an excellent video. Thank you.

[@glennmitchell6696]

I have shifted to using telephoto zooms for landscapes a lot. I like the telephoto compression for the details it provides. I combine them into panoramas with many shots. When I was in Bryce Canyon NP back in Feb., I ended up with breathtaking panoramas with 100-200 shots. I wanted maximum details from the snow on the hoodoos and I wanted them up close in my photos. So I shot at 100mm.

[@ThomasParis]

Regarding UWA, I went on a landscape photography workshop quite a few years ago and the teacher told us if we're going to shoot with an UWA lens, we should be close enough we could touch the foreground. Not a rule, of course, but I do think it's a good way to remember UWA lenses tend to work better with very close subjects.

[@BrunoChalifour]

And the ones for which you need scale, proportions, and vertical/horizontal lines to be distorted. ;o) Let us not forget some of the shortcomings of such lenses.

[@PhilipBallGarry]

A superb workshop Nigel - thank you! . We are indeed fortunate that you are prepared to share your "secrets" with us in such an unpretentious manner again. Enlightening, thought provoking and inspiring. A free masterclass from a true master. I've been snapping for many years, yet the "dark art" of focal length has alluded me over the years. In the past, choosing the right focal length for the balance of a composition has been something of an accident for me. Often I've stumbled across it rather blind. Something in my head knows that a scene lends itself to a particular lens, but I've never really nailed it down before. Landscapes had me reaching automatically for the widest lens I have. When reviewing my images later, one or two seem to have just "worked" but the reason has alluded me too. When I've asked others, the reply has been that "you just know". That is neither helpful nor encouraging. Quick question, as I may have missed it - the focal lengths you mention, are they with reference to full frame (i.e. is 40mm, 27mm on a cropped APSC sensor)?

[@BrunoChalifour]

Full-frame.

[@thephotoyak]

I sometimes take my 300mm prime, on my crop body 480mm FF equivalent. You can really find some cool and unique compositions. Especially in "big" country. The other advantage of long telephoto shots is uniqueness. You're not getting the same old image that has been shot thousands of times before.

[@amaan1169]

agreed 💯

[@MadsPeterIversen]

So many good photos! I'm actually making a similar video for Tuesday, however, focusing on when the telephoto was the better choice over my wide-angle. Btw those Golden Gate photos were beautiful. I obviously like the zoomed in versions for the same reason you said, however, the 26mm version is actually really lovely too. The simplicity and toning makes it quite nice although the balance is a bit off :)

[@NigelDanson]

thanks Mads

[@stuartbanks46]

I would love to see you both on a trip together :)

[@rogercooper9695]

Thanks for sharing in such intimate detail Nigel. Your commitment is evident in your photography. Your delivery style is a pleasant change as I didn't have to slow down the playback speed as I often have to. So many opinions on this aspect of photography but your opinion is well supported by wonderful results. A very useful watch. 🙏

[@Kaisolostudio]

It’s awesome that you’ve actively used your old 70-200 for that long 👏🏽 goals right there!

[@asadilyas10]

Recently went for a hike. I wasn’t too happy with the photos I got. Then this video popped up in my feed. It was actually really helpful!

[@detectivejonesw]

That first photo right at the start at 14mm is absolutely mindblowing! And there's some really beautiful images here - love it!

[@johndoherty6448]

Very thoughtful video, Nigel. Focuses (pardon pun) me to plan what kind of capture I'm after, rather than bring ALL lenses in the hope of covering all bases.

[@WolfQuantum]

Back in my film days my favorite landscape/nature camera & lens combo was the Nikon F4s with the Nikon 300mm/F4 using Fuji Velvia 50. I loved getting deep into a small part of a scene which often had more visual impact. It was also great for compression. A favorite shot of my wife's (taken mid-90s) is a tight shot of some maple leaves that were turning taken in the rain. In the background was the green grass, a yellow hay field, and the blue sky. The 300mm easily turned that background into a creamy swath of blue over gold over green. Good video on reminding people to look at things in a different way than the old comfortable.

[@BrunoChalifour]

A 300 mm is probably not the most used lens for landscapes (Nigel is a good example) and there are probably reasons for that. ;o)

[@marc6652]

I did the same exercice to know what was the focal lens I used most. And I was surprised to see that it was around 50mm. Since, I travel with a single 50mm and it's a pleasure to look for the best angle of view and frame with this key constraint. After 40 years of photo, with many cameras and tones of gear, I'm the happiest with a good body and a 50 F/1.8 lens (ex : 55 F/1.8 Sony Zeiss or 50 F/1.8 Nikon Z). But I understand that some may need or appreciate a lens for each purpose.

[@lea4777]

You're the first person who actually explained it clearly. Thanks

[@MatthewSaville]

I love how you showed the framing of your tighter shots in reference to where they were in the ultra-wide frame! That was really helpful in learning how to pick a tighter shot... I'm thinking of pairing the Nikon Z 14-30mm with the Z 24-200mm for lightweight landscapes and travel, but I haven't heard much from a serious landscape photographer about how sharp the 24-200mm is. Have you had a chance to check it out in-depth yet, Nigel?

[@juhaniviitanenphotography1607]

Great talk about focal length choices! There really is a composition for each of the focal lengths. I use 14mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm for landscapes.

[@peterjulianphotos4659]

Nigel it's always so good to see the passion you inject into your photography. Whenever I watch your video's 1) I have subject envy (but realise that I've also got great locations), 2) I'm impressesed with how you're able maintain the enthusiasm regardless of whats going on around you. PS Stocksness and the Sea Stacks always make me want to jump on a plane..... Till next time, bye for now.

[@cowboyblairehobbsarts5398]

You inspired me to take my photography to a stronger goal for my Hobby / business. My strength is Landscape, seascapes and floral photography

[@GaziAshiq]

17:45 Thank you very much for those woodland scenery. it's amazing

[@jean-marcducommun8185]

As far as I can see you'r the best in terms of explaining landscape photography. Excellent videos in every aspect and a real pleasure to watch because you concentrate on the content and not on your person. Thank you so much for sharing your valuable knowledge!

[@johndc7446]

This is gold for those who are just starting photgraphy. Thank you.

[@welfiblablabla]

Great video Nigel 👍 love how you superpose different focal lenghts on the wide angle shot to zoom into the other pictures

[@leoneldp]

This is the most comprehensive lens guide I've seen on KZbin. Great content Nigel, I love it when you lean on the educational side.

[@zackzepeng9034]

I'm really baffled seeing those brilliant photos. This was somehow really inspiring. I'll get a lot more out of the house this fall. Thank you.

[@Glenn.Cooper]

Hello Nigel - first - I LOVE that you're doing 4K - please keep it up. I've recently just upgraded to a 4K color-calibrated monitor in hopes that I can better discern the subtle differences in images and video, and so I appreciate it. I also want to say that I really enjoy your content. You're a fantastic photographer and your explanation of subjects like this is fantastic. Keep it up!

[@johncasey6403]

Wow, Another great presentation, as an instructor for over 25 years and now retired, I really appreciate your casual, yet indepth exlanations!! You give great detail as to what lens or focal lenght, BUT the why reasons are so good!! Keep up the great job!! Thank you again, J Casey MN, USA👍👍

[@seanholt1092]

Great content Nigel! Loved your unique perspective and insights on focal lengths. Such beautiful images.

[@829mike]

Great information! Very helpful. So much that I had never really considered before when shooting. I tend to get into too much of a hurry, and don't take the time to walk around and look for different angles; to really work the scene.

[@BrunoChalifour]

Thank you for sharing your experience with landscape photography Nigel. I think this is a very useful video for landscape-photographer wannabees as you make very good points that you thoroughly illustrate (which is one of the great assets of this video). Great idea too to include your usage of various lenses at the end. A few complementary notes: "Our peripheral vision is about what a 21 mm lens sees"... Hmm not quite. Our peripheral is far superior to what a 21 mm lens sees. In fact we see between 180-200 degrees with our peripheral vision vision (what your 2 eyes open actually see. Experiment 1: look straight and extend both your arms laterally and move them back (still laterally) to the point you will stop seeing your hands... and see what field of vision / angle you get. My results are about 190-200°). Now our 3-D vision (the common ground seen by our 2 eyes at the same time) is between what a 21 to 24 mm lens would see (depending on our eyes). Try it (experiment 2): look right ahead of yourself. Close your right eye and bring your left hand in until you can see it in the left field of your vision; repeat with with your left eye and right hand while keeping your left hand in place. Then your two hands will give you the angle of field covered with your 2 eyes/3-D vision. Within that our "attention" vision is a little smaller than what a 50 mm sees, something between 60 and 70 mm (probably why a lot of zooms stop or start at 70 mm). On top of that we have another kind of vision, our "reading" vision that covers something between 1 and 2 degrees of angle (that is why our eyes move when we read a page) [Experiment 3: While typing, look at your key-board without moving your eyes and you will realize that you can only see one key totally in focus. One of the reason most landscape photographers, street photographers and photojournalists tend to use anything between 28 and 50 mm (which made the success of Leica Ms) is because these lenses (28-35-50 mm) cover an area we use when we look with an average attention (while reading or looking at details with precision requires our most precise vision, the reading one). By the way focusing at infinity may not be the best way to get a maximum depth of field. The same 24 mm lens stopped down at f 9 (why 9 rather than f8 or 11 which are more standard apertures? ) focused at 1.9 m will give a depth of field starting at 1 m and extending to infinity (so greater than 2.4 m to infinity as mentioned in the video; in such a case, 1.9 m is called the "Hyperfocal" distance. It is a very useful notion both for landscape and street photography (knowing how to use a lens in manual focus mode too by the way)). I am of the opinion that the best lens for whatever situation, including landscape photography is the one you have. Then, obviously, you have to adapt what you photograph to your tool. It can be challenging but it also forces you to look for creative solutions. Once you have been photographing for some time it might be a good idea to try and only photograph with one known focal length (24, 28, 25 or 50 mm), and nothing else. Use a prime lens (cheaper than a zoom) or set your zoom at one focal length and do not change it. This approach has several merits: It gives coherence to your work (the "scale", one of the good points Nigel mentions, remains the same). It will force you to try different vantage points, to move around your subject. It will teach you what your lens exactly embraces so that you can anticipate a potential image and its composition without even bringing the camera to your eye (it can be a very effective way to develop your photographic vision). Finally, as mentioned above, it can definitely stimulate creation and originality. We see too many landscape images taken with an ultra wide angle lens with a rock, tree, bush, flower, etc. ... in the foreground and mountains (or other subjects) in the background (the Muench family style). It has become a very cookie-cutter strategy that has been used to the thread. I am personally kinda sick of it (probably why I love the first image taken with a 16 mm (7:00) that Nigel dismisses rather than the second one (14 mm) of the Isle of Skye). Agreed the second one is spectacular and may amaze a fresh and young audience but it soon wears thin. Just photograph emotionally and thoughtfully. Find your voice and your focal length (remember though they may evolve with time).

[@CassidyHansen]

The insight about losing focus on the far away trees was great. I've been trying to get everything in focus!

[@Andrewp1949]

Many thanks again Nigel for some very helpful tips on how to concentrate on the best focal length which has inspired me to think about taking several shots of the same scene rather than just think that I have got it right at first go!

[@anthonyplancherel8274]

Fabulous video...all videos where you have explained things, be it exposure, dof, colour, composition, or this, it is always sooo much clearer than other videos/sites. Shows that your presentation of the concept is really well thought out beforehand and really well delivered! Top notch Nigel! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@davehayford4294]

One of the better videos I have seen explaining the different focal length. Thanks for sharing.

[@ChrisDefalcoblues]

I like my 24mm lens, sharp and clear images, and easy to put in the bag with the 18-55mm, travel light and simple.

[@matglenday5428]

Brilliant explanation of different lens and the focal range, I'm now going to try use my 70-200mm more often than my 16-35mm to get more compositions when there isn't much of a foreground in the shots. Thank you for this video amongst many of the others I've been binge watching this afternoon. I seriously wish I had come across your stuff earlier!!

[@bobtaylor364]

Thanks again Nigel, really interesting video on understanding range and limitations of different focal lengths, something I've not really understood, up till now!

[@gavynlong472]

I just found your videos, so I am coming about two and a half years late to the party. There is a lot of good information in the videos I have watched so far. I began photography in the film era, 1966. At the camera shop where I purchased my camera and lenses (prime lenses at the time) the pro said take one lens and go to a location where you can easily return and spend the day there. You will learn the capabilities of that lens. Repeat with the others. This is something I still do. It keeps me comfortable with the lenses, having to adapt to the lens rather than change to another one. Thank you for the good advice. I look forward to future videos.

[@calneitz3681]

Thank you Nigel for these videos . I've just recently purchased a entry grade canon and really found your explanations on the different aspects of photograghy very easy to get a basic guide to start taking my camera off the auto. and most important is the compositional aspects. I am a painter and find myself using 3+ different pictures too make my painting compositions and now being able to get my own pictures to make these paintings instead of using other artists photos is going to be great. Thank you again.

[@LindaSmitWildlifeImpressions]

Wonderful video....as usual. I very much enjoy watching your photos and videos. I am a wildlife photographer, but seeing your amazing landscape photos makes me very enthusiastic about learning landcape photography.

[@nrice3623]

Great images Nigel. I'm envious of the amazing locations that you and UK photographers have close by!

[@alwaysforwardyt]

I love the 28mm, my heart broke when you went from 24mm to 30mm 😢 (Just kidding.) To me, the 28mm is wide enough to show a landscape, narrow enough to get close and isolate subjects, etc. Very versatile and ideal if you only can take one lens with you, as when going on holidays. Thanks for the video anyway!

[@davidc8356]

Nigel, Thanks very much for a brilliant and simply explained photography skill. My biggest take-away is "move your feet" and consider all compositions. Especially with shorter focal lengths. I tend to stay where I am and decide what photo to take! That's what amateurs do!! Your photography is something to aspire to. Cheers.

[@photosbyjosef]

Another excellent in video. I am a seasoned professional and I learned so much from this video I cannot thank you enough. I'm about to watch it for a 3rd time I'm literally reading down notes.

[@afrosoul34]

I’m fortunate enough to live in Scotland, about 1 hour from Glencoe and on the edge of the trossachs national park (you’d love the trossachs) As someone who is relatively new to photography I am finding your videos very accessible, informative and really enjoyable. Keep up the good work and please come back to the glens of Scotland...it doesn’t rain ALL the time, honest!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@MLC48]

Thanks you sooooooo much for explaining how to most effectively and artistically use these focal lengths. Clearly explained.

[@johnburgess1547]

If you remember the days of Ansell Adams in Yosemite, he used a lot of long focus to give huge compression which made the distant rock formations look massive. Love the demonstration of the various focal lengths

[@BrunoChalifour]

Not always. In fact many images were taken with a normal lens (300 mm for a 20x25 camera), and some with wide angles, especially when he started to use Hasselblads.

[@JoelJohnPhotography]

Such an interesting video.. Your explanation of focal lengths and when or why to use them was fantastic. So much information in one video. 👍

[@janroos7518]

Very, very informative video about focal length use (and focus in woodland too)!! Thanks again!

[@foilpainterfantasyartist1711]

Thanks to KZbin, I can learn from other photographers from around the world. Thanks for another great video about different focal lengths.

[@idontwantacallsign]

Thank you for a great video. I think people have to think more about which focal length they choose even before going to a place they want to photograph. I think it's very individual which focal lengths people prefer, and it mostly depend on what you look for. I earlier had zoom lenses from 24 and up to 300mm (24-105, 70-200, 100-300) and a single 20 mm. What I found was that 20, 24, 50, 70, 100, and 200 was my most used focal lengths. It made me shift to primes, because I almost always used either the long or short part of the zoom lens I used. For me it also makes sense to use on focal length and concentrate on that one.

[@SpeedyNeo]

You find it more convenient to carry 5 primes and swap them in the field? This is an honest question, as I am your opposite. I have only primes and considering getting zooms!

[@richandgem]

A really clear and informative video Nigel. I must admit iam often guilty of just grabbing my wideangle lens all the time. Certainly has given me something to think about. Cheers.

[@paulortiz2035]

Wide angle lenses are fine. But most people never get low enough to take a proper picture! Low as in less than 30 inches from the ground, with something interesting in the immediate fore ground, and usually an equal sized sky section to the lower section. A tripod is really handy! Once you shoot from closer to the ground your pics might/should improve dramatically with your Wide angle lens.

[@gordonelwell7084]

Great content, as usual . . . I thought one of your most important points was at 17:00 and on where you spoke of moving with your feet. This is an important concept that many photographers miss. Moving forward and backward with your position is not the same as zooming in or out. The scene perspective (relative positions of closer and further objects) changes when you zoom with your feet. Zooming with a lens pretty much just keeps the same perspective and is not the same as zooming with your feet. Also, I think we tend to have clusters of images around 24mm, then again at 70mm, etc because we are happy to accept "close enough" instead of changing a lens to get a few mm more or less. Multiple bodies with a different lens is an advantage in that regard, but I can understand the limits that has as well (both cost and weight of lugging around). Good stuff Nigel. I always watch your content as soon as it appears. Learn a lot too, and your videos help me learn and/or reinforce knowledge I already have.

[@paulortiz2035]

A good donkey is an invaluable piece of equipment! Just ask Ansel!

[@ToddGrivetti]

I have more success shooting my Tamron SP 28-105 mm along with my Tamron 10-24 mm. Really like them both for landscapes, especially when planning on a panoramic stitched image. Great content Nigel.

[@andreasfischer8829]

Great and helpful video, Nigel. Thank you for sharing your experience with this beautiful images.

[@hanifmacca]

I only watch your photography videos on a proper monitor so 4K looks stunning here. keep it up!

[@tremaincheerful4189]

I agree, why look at a video about the finer points of photography on a tiny pinched screen?

[@hemsathc]

One of your best videos yet! Thank you for this detailed walk through of focal lengths. Gives me lots of places to go from here.

[@windydecastro1533]

Just found Nigel. Best photography instruction on KZbin. Thank you!!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much

[@rogerhampton4592]

Fantastic video, thank you. So much to think on before pressing the shutter button!

[@mofi3641]

thx for your videos...everyone is great and enriches my photography! it's a joy to watch at your explanations with great photos.

[@peterturner1919]

Thanks for all your work , I'm new to landscape photography as normally I do astrophotography. Watching Alwyn Wallace one day and he mentioned yourself, so rather than having my gear sitting idly I thought to give it a go. I live 10 minutes from the hook peninsula in rep of Ireland so I love your seascape videos, had my first go last week following your settings guide and pleased with the results. It's a complete different discipline to my normal photography but really enjoying the challenge. Thanks for your helpfull advice.

[@darrendavy4248]

Really enjoyed this video, learnt so much, great photographs and information about lenses and there uses, cheers Darren.

[@haidulidu]

I think the best video(al least for me), if you don't know what lens you need/want! 👍👍 Helped me for sure!

[@ruudmaas2480]

My experience is a bit different. I started taking photographs with primes. Always intimid or small vista shots. A lot of woodland. Until now because of the use of primes and the APSC setup (all Fujifilm) I only use 16mm, 35mm and 50mm (APSC) primes for all my photographs. Lastly I bought a tele-zoom 55-200 fujifilm. I now can take some intimid shots of a big landscape. But the weight of that tele-zoom does not invites itself to be used. What a brick in resemblence to a prime. For me a prime-setup (light weight) works the best. Specially when doing the long photo-hikes. Yes with that setup I can not make those intimid details of a big vista at big distances. But really I love to shoot woodland and close up scenes. The above mentioned primes are enough. With those focal lengths for me it is also easier to connect to those scenes from a perspective and creative view point. Next the wide angle photographs. It is all taste of course but I do not like does photographs with a big emphasis on the foreground and a looktrough at small(ish) background. It is not how we humans look normally look at a landscape. I do also shoot with 16mm prime (also in woodland). That way I can go up close to the main subject and have the included surroundings also in focus. So all in all I'am a big fan of your woodland photographs..

[@josegulias]

Give a try at some vintage primes. Olympus OM 135 3.5, small and sharp, in apsc gives you a fov of 200mm. For landscape manual lenses aren´t a problem so...

[@ibarrabenjamin1]

I’m with you. The 55-200 feels like a huge lens for me (and it’s so small if compared with that Nikon in the video) that I’m inclined to do primes instead. Hopefully Fuji comes up with a compact, slowish, telephoto prime lens soon.

[@mikni4069]

The problem with primes is that you might be in situations where you can’t move much about and therefore you risk that you would not be able to get the best possible composition . Another problem is that you will open op your camera more often, potentially exposing the fragile parts, many solves this with more camera bodies than you otherwise would have brought with you with a zoom lineup. The weight gain is not very great when you jump into pro gear or semi pro gear. Many better primes in the FF format weights +500g making them only slightly lighter than zooms. This means that if you carry two or more in that range you would typically end up with more weight, in some cases the primes are just as heavy, bulky as zooms in fact Sigma and Cannon make some behemoth primes that make any zooms seem like a toy. With my system I save weight by using zooms because of those heavy massive primes.

[@bobkoure]

I started with primes too - on film. I also missed plenty of shots and dropped at least one lens because I was hurrying (often because an interesting critter popped into my landscape).

[@Rawwhhh]

I have a 50mm and a 105mm on a full frame. I love my lens choice.

[@davidatkinson1413]

Fabulous video Nigel. I was just pondering what I need from a workshop that I going on next weekend in the Canadian Rockies and choice of focal length was one of them, so the timing is impeccable. Thanks again.

[@danielodonoghue3529]

Great video NIgel. My 24-105 is an absolute favourite, and probably used 60%.. My 14-24 is used much less - maybe 15%...and finally my 70-200 around 25%.

[@andrewjcg]

Probably the best video I’ve watched for choosing a landscape lens! Great insight with easy to understand examples.

[@brandieshaw9484]

Thank you so much for this video! I have been trying to figure out how to shoot vistas and literally doing it backwards.

[@Festvangelist]

Well done. I personally will spend vacation time in the Alps and am anticipating focusing on compression with my telephoto zoom vs detail. That may change of course depending on what the image opportunity presents. With wide angles get close to your foreground and mid- range use your feet and with your zoom compose your image. I travel for other reasons that are not necessarily for photography purposes but story telling with strong imagery. Creative compositions are the key to engage someone when sharing your photography. Cheers and love the Highlands.

[@muhammadarifulislam7159]

LOL. I have just started my landscape photography journey with 14mm prime. I was wondering why it's so difficult to compose a scene considering all my major subjects were very far. Thanks for your explanation. I had a hunch but it clarifies now.

[@calrobinson7981]

That pic with the swan is awesome!

[@sunrise_sunshine]

Very interesting to know in what focal length is used most of the time. Thanks for making this video, I learnt a new subjectct today.

[@janettemitchell6864]

Very interesting video today I loved the explanation about the different focal lengths

[@robertdavis1255]

Absolutely loved this video... I have been waiting for someone to explain the various focal lengths as I am learning more about photography & this is an area I did not understand...

[@Kilticstudios1]

Thank you so much for this video! It answered a million questions for me. You got a new fan, buddy!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks! Appreciate that

[@aronlengyel]

Very beautiful pictures. Thanks for this most instructive video.

[@Stracman]

Really useful to see examples with their focal lengths, thanks Nigel

[@HillHyker]

Brilliant video. You explain things so well. Thanks for sharing this information.

[@johnny.santos]

Absolutely fantastic shots, I was amazed. I don't usually comment on YT videos but I had to on this one. Congrats man, subscribed!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks / appreciate that

[@NJM1948]

Just getting interested in landscape work (usually taking architecture, street and flowers etc) but looking to expand into landscapes and this excellent video hass really opened my eyes as to the possibilities. I always thought landscape was wide angle work, but your stunning shots at longer focal lenths has inspired me. I can now use my mostly zoom lenses to find the most common shooting length and then invest in a couple of primes. I shoot Fuji so have a chart with the 1.5 crop vs FF to emulate your distances. Thanks very much for this excellent video. Liked and subscribed!!!

[@EBzerozero]

Very informative video. This shows that a nice image is more than 1/500 of a second...

[@nblt2147]

Very interesting topic. And what to say about your images that illustrate your video: always wow! 🤩

[@izakgreyling8872]

Thanks for the demostration/explanation on how different focal lenghts can be used in landscape photography.

[@mattjpnw]

Really enjoyed hearing about the statistics of how many portfolio shots you got at each focal length. Great video!

[@HR-wd6cw]

I think the biggest "mistake" I see people do (and I've done this too) is to immediately see a scene like that shown at 1:15 and immediately pull out the wide angle and start shooting. And maybe it works, but sometimes it doesn't. I was talking with some people in a forum recently and a lot of people (especially beginners) forget that with foreground subjects (if there are any) a wide angle may not be the best choice, or if you have a winding/rolling road through a forest, you may want to use a longer FL for the depth compression. The other thing too is I think some people forget to work the scene too. Yeah maybe the wide angle shot is what you saw and fell in love with and where like "I have to get that shot" but forget to zoom in and take apart the scene. Of course this doesn't work with all scenes, but I think it can with more than most people realize. I tend to start wide and then work my way in... shoot the overall scene, and then start taking pieces of it depending on the scene itself.

[@BrunoChalifour]

There is now way (unless you use focus stacking) that you can equal the depth of field of a wide angle with longer lenses. Yes if you want to compress space (and your landscape ... into a smaller version of it) you can use a long lens... but are you photographing a landscape anymore? It sounds as if you are extracting a detail from what could have been a landscape)) One thing why talk of "some people", this implies that others don't and we could also focus on those... ;o) "Working one's way in" means you do not "see" your final image before taking it, you may need more practice before sharing any advice.

[@seantomlinson3320]

Very nice Nigel. I've seen a lot of your videos and I think this may be your best tips video because of the variety and excellent example.

[@paulortiz2035]

Your 'sunset shot in San Francisco' was actually a morning shot, seen from the headlands, shot back toward San Francisco. (There is no big hill on the other end of the bridge, the city end, beside you can see the city in the picture with most of the bridge, too!) I lived in SF for nearly 8 years and took many, many similar pictures. But your sunset pic is a morning pic for sure!

[@altrujillo3566]

This is remarkably great video - thank you Nigel! Whenever I read a question from a beginner about what size lens to use for landscape I'm going to suggest they watch this. FYI, I've shot a number of landscape images with my 100-400L and have had a great time using this focal length. Thanks again!

[@faruambient]

great video. love my 70-300 mm for landscape!

[@stevenl.passalacqua3953]

Very very interesting. By the way I tried to take some pictures in pano mode as you showed us in one of your previous videos. I tried it not only with the landscape, but also with subjects much closer, obtaining results that I like very much. The first time I tried it was at Bradegate Park in Leicester and shared the photos on a Leicester FB photography page. They were noticed by the Bradegate Park blogger and he contacted me asking if he could post them on the park's blog. For me all this are satisfactions, which I was able to obtain thanks to you.

[@MrRicardo1101]

I'm Brazilian photographer and I had learned a lot with you. Congratulations for one more great video and thankyou

[@mawavoy]

Nigel, another great educational video. Thanks for sharing, and giving us another look at some of your amazing body of work.

[@joelrollins2841]

Thanks so much for the great chat. Can’t wait for this Covid mess to get under control so I can attend one of your workshops. Until then, cheers. ☕️

[@slyne1000]

Hey Nigel, Just got my calendar today and I have to say "Its Joost Fantastic!". You must come to visit us on the West Coast of Canada in British Columbia and we'll take you on a photo-shoot you won't forget! Cheers!

[@brucewalter2689]

I hike with my gear and carry a Nikon D850 and almost always a Nikon 70 - 200. I almost never carry another lens because I have enough weight on my back already. And, I shoot a lot of landscapes. Depending on the capture I will create a panorama while holding the camera in portrait mode. It works beautifully and saves me a lot of additional weight.

[@domhaughton6809]

Another superb and really helpful video. I've learned so much watching you Nigel. Really appreciate the effort you put into this channel.

[@trondhelgehie6771]

I’m using 50mm (on full frame, orre equivalent) in 90% of my photos, and almost always pano stitch.. Thanks for the video👍