One Composition Skill that'll Forever Change Your Photography!

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In this week’s episode, we discuss one composition skill that'll forever change your photography. Out of the many different techniques required for photography, compositional skills are perhaps the most difficult. There is a ton of information available with regards to helping others improve their compositional skillset, but the technique I discuss in this video is one that I rarely hear mentioned and it's something that has improved my compositions the most. This is a simple technique to apply and I hope you'll have as much success with it as I have. Thanks so much for watching this week's video. - Mark D.
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[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

The photo I was most excited about didn't work out, but I hope you enjoy the ones that did make the video.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

Hi Mark it’s really interesting I’m an Australian and it’s interesting I would not of had it for the woodland I would’ve probably had it for the beach and tried to incorporate some of their woodland in a beach shop. In Australia there is often this type of woodland very close to the shore line and it is often difficult to shoot depending on the light because the woodland is often so thick there’s not a lot of light getting in but it is interesting how many of the American and English photographers like to shoot the forest in the woods where is Australian photographers will go to the beach and shit. It’s always good to try things though and it sort of open my eyes to the possibility of Woodland photography.

[@clear_image_photos5477]

something I find myself doing is, angle the ball joint on the tripod, and have the tripod under my arm, really helps stabilize it, and i don't have to get overwhelmed with moving the tripod back into my bag. I already miss enough wildlife shots lol.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

@@clear_image_photos5477 I have just invested in the new Ulanzi tripod. It is awesome and it’s light carry and you can quickly fold the legs down but keep the camera on and quickly set up again making it a much more mobile device There are heaps of videos on this tripod and it’s revolutionise the way I’m doing photography again. No more lugging the big heavy tripod around. So long as the tripod is stable and still which this one is then that’s all you need I’ve always said the tripod does one thing keeps the camera still in need of achieves that it’s doing its job

[@clear_image_photos5477]

@@nevvanclarke9225 it's very handy having something like that, when I go hiking, I like to take pictures of every opportunity, mostly birds, occasionally deer or hawks, snakes etc but hate having to take the 5 minutes to set up the tripod again and 5 min to put it back when I want to get a nice photostack of something. Only thing is, it still limits your range a bit, but that's still a compromise I allow especially since 90% of my photos or scenery and just keep the camera in my hands for the photos I don't expect (a deer walking in front of me )

[@nevvanclarke9225]

@@clear_image_photos5477 I have a cotton carrier that goes over my chest and I keep the 70 to 200 on that chest first and then I have the wide angle lens and camera inside the backpack. Having two bodies is such an asset when you go out and not having to change lenses. I know it’s a little bit of extra weight but I just look at the fitness aspect as well. If I have to change lenses mid shoot I just get really annoyed.

[@bernzmedia]

To me, you are the Bob Ross of landscape photography and that is meant to be a compliment.

[@KaylaFaithful]

I get that same soothing feeling from his videos as Bob Ross as well!

[@MLC48]

Yup, that's the way it goes with great light!

[@kevinroberts1888]

Great shots! I love getting out to the woods for photography, even the ones I visit regularly, I always seem to find new compositions.

[@dougheizenrader2280]

As a lifelong Oregonian, I really enjoy these locally shot images and videos from photographers such as your yourself as you discover this beautiful state. For me, as I’m surrounded by this beauty everyday, it’s often hard to see the compositions that abound right in front of my eyes! It’s all so familiar, dare I say boring, that I tend to miss it. Seeing it all though your eyes allows me to rediscover the beauty, and recognize that what can seem ordinary and boring, can actually be beautiful and worthy of my photographic attention. Thank you for that!

[@mikebartow9415]

Some of the most rewarding photos (at least for ones’s self) is being spontaneously capturing the unplanned.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Agreed!

[@alanhumbard8298]

Your video was the best I’ve seen of adapting to what Mother Nature gives.

[@ralphtroutman184]

Thanks for sharing Mark. I don't feel quite as bad about chasing around to find the right spot. You are really right that it is a lot of fun!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to do it Ralph!

[@gabrielmeyer7661]

Hey Mark, your videos are much appreciated. It seams you get better with time….thanks and please….keep on

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Gabriel!

[@mariecruttenden2887]

Those light rays! Wow! Talk about potential composition overload. You embodied the conflict that all photographers face when the light goes off in a scene like yours. Great video!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Marie!

[@noelmallia]

Well done great video as always! and thanks for sharing this information every week with us

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to do it Noel!

[@kreygscott]

Words of wisdom Mark. You're absolutely correct. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've made the mistake of allowing my tripod to grow roots only to revisit the location several times before I could walk away with an image I was really happy with. Great content mate. Keep it coming.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@rolandholtz8250]

I knew that taking on this channel was a good idea, thanks Mark!! Roland from good old Germany

[@wimscheenen3535]

Thanks for sharing. I like your outdoor video and the story you tell in them 👍🏻

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks - this is always great to hear!

[@fpoastro]

For me at least youre narration of the panic/moving/trying to stay calm in that situation is pretty much the norm and something I work my butt off to try to stop but it never happens. While I love taking photos I try to remind myself that I still capture these images in my memory so they are not lost even when they are missed. Really great chronicle of the "chaos" (one of your favorite words) of being in a cool spot wishing you had a dozen cameras. Great video.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to enjoyed it Mark!

[@michaelgoulding4425]

Great stuff Mark, enjoy the remainder of your trip 👍

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Michael!

[@michaelhale416]

As always, another awesome video. Chaos is definitely the word to describe the situation. Happens all too often for me (lack of patience). I guess that is why the best photographers, like yourself, pre-plan most of the time. Keep up the great work. Cheers.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Michael!

[@sahbisamer5360]

i saw this on instagram and was just waiting for the video, totally loving your work

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@sahbisamer5360]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto any chance in this time of the year to do something that reunite " lac - fog - fall "

[@troporobo]

Hey Mark, thanks for yet another great episode. I’m a northwest native, with many years on the Oregon coast and now on an island in Puget Sound. Knowing something about your style, I’d suggest you need to get out to the Olympic peninsula, specifically the Hoh River valley and the beaches to the west. You’ll get more atmosphere and spectacular forest scenery then you’ll believe, when the weather cooperates, which is of course not every day! Next time you’re out this way, I’d be honored to drive you around and hike the trails in search of compositions.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

I'll actually been in Olympic next May - can't wait for it!!

[@raewebb6365]

What a great Woodland made even greater by the light. Enjoyed this very much

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to hear this Rae!

[@marilyngiannuzzi9867]

I agree.I always look around for awhile without my tripod,so much easier for me!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks for checking out the video!

[@jackphillips1383]

Thanks!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much Jack! This really means a lot - thank you!!!!

[@tonymollengarden]

Great video as always! I’m constantly trying not to put the tripod down and just walk around with my camera first to discover better shots. It’s hard though once the tripod is setup to breakaway from the shot 😅

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Much appreciated Tony!

[@davidhendrickson9446]

You're truly alive. Much better than corparate America!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Agreed!

[@rudyrodriguezjr.]

Great Video! Great shots.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

THanks Rudy!

[@douglashohulin5087]

It seems you always have your act together while I'm searching and wondering what I'm doing wrong. It's helpful to know that what we envision doesn't always come to be but keep looking and remember to enjoy the journey.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

It's great to hear I seem like I have my act together as it feels totally different between my ears🤣🤣

[@jimswift2400]

Chasing the light, isn’t that Landscape photography in a nutshell? Nice job.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

That's true!

[@clear_image_photos5477]

very fun video, wish we had exciting forest area like this where I live.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidjboozer]

Welcome to Oregon! I live about 89 miles east of the coastline.... Beautiful place! Great video by the way Mark!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it David!

[@davidjboozer]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto I Enjoy them all, and rewatch my favorites as I can. Thank you for all the hard work, it really does matter to many of us out here wanting to grow our photography skills as beginners... God bless.

[@Djdelae]

As always, great video with some good tips and techniques. When are you going to host a workshop in NC instead of overseas? Keep these videos coming.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks David! Nothing in 2023, but perhaps in 2024.

[@lusl1094]

Thank you for another great vid. I like to use my phone camera to try and find compositions before I set up my tripod. Other times while waiting for good conditions, I will set up the tripod where I want to capture the image, then take my camera and walk around taking other shots until the conditions I'm waiting for occur.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!! Yes the phone is critical!

[@suryas4425]

I love your videos

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@TheGentlemansCode-i8r]

Subscribed, i like how you explain everything and have the same gear, or at least almost, what sony camera do you use Mark?

[@KellyPettit]

Some great photos! This is Adam Gibbs wheelhouse. Looks like yours as well.

[@markallemang7745]

Another excellent video. And so frustrating to be really excited about a photograph and it just doesn't work out. Or to be really happy with the result and everyone who sees it is like, "eh, it's ok"

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks a million Mark!

[@simonf6977]

I fully expected you to say “Quit yapping…..and start snapping,”!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Ahhh - I should have!

[@markgoostree6334]

Light changes, and with it comes those extra decisions! Don't worry, you made good photographs. Sounded like you had fun.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Mark!

[@indraalapati989]

Great one. Not sure if this is in your radar, I would appreciate if you can make some content about metering. Thank you.

[@trinasculley4989]

Great video. I spend a lot of time in the northwest forests and along that coast. I have difficulty finding the right settings to capture the detail of the subject when trying to shoot backlit like with light rays. Either the subject is too dark or the back light is too bright. Can you offer any suggestions for settings or filters? I have a 10-16 wide and a 16-300 zoom. I would appreciate any help. Thank you.

[@joedc8169]

That was great. I thought I was doing it wrong . I set my camera on the Tripod, get set up, take a few setup shots and then I see something and pick up the camera and tripod and try to get back to the original. lol, You do nice work. I get a lot out of your Videos always well done.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear this Joe!

[@steviesteve750]

I only use my tripod when the shutter speed I want demands it, usually long exposure stuff. I can handhold to 1/15s with IS though not ideal and of course focal length dependent. There's nothing better than being able to continually adjust and find new compositions in changing light!

[@Bonsainz]

Great video enjoyed it, just wondering what lens did you use for this, have you moved away from 16 35GM and 100 400gm?

[@victahh281]

Mark, another great video of something many of us can relate to, chasing light and recomposing in a rush! If I may, I'd like to suggest a topic which is White balance. I usually leave mine set to auto, as conditions can change by the minute. However, at times, images I've taken seconds apart appear vastly different, one may be much cooler than the other, which makes selecting the best image of the set more difficult as they need to be edited differently. Any suggestions?

[@stephenschmid492]

If you shoot in raw, you can set the white balance while editing.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I always carry two cameras for this very reason one will be mounted on the tripod and then I’ll start scouting around with the handheld camera are you the problem with that method is it does involve lugging to quite heavy NikonD850 cameras all around the place but it comes with rewards as well if you get some interesting shots I always have the wide angle lens set up on the tripod and then handheld I put the 70 to 200 on but then sometimes I switch them over as well you mentioned about not liking the tripod around I’ve just invested in a Ulanzi tripod which is much lighter and easy to move about with camera on

[@cherbertsimagery]

Great tip. I find I once I get set up on the tripod I don't move around a lot.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks for checking out the video!

[@SimonWillig]

In this video I sense the same feeling that I experience when facing changing conditions: fomo.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Yes!!

[@frankkearney1429]

Hi Mark - What "L" bracket are you using in this video please? It doesn't appear to be RRS, and I am in the market for one similar to yours. Love the vids, and thanks. Cheers!

[@trevorphillips3276]

What a beautiful area. By chance did you capture a wider angle image at the 9:50 make of the video. That was a beautiful composition on the video. And if not, do you ever look back at your videos and kick yourself for not seeing those shots at the time?

[@jennyoakley7668]

Basic question sorry but what settings do you need to capture those light rays?

[@blujeans9462]

I'm sure you considered this, but decided against it - so, what was the reason for not doing a low hyperfocal image of that mass of white flowers as the foreground, with the sun pouring through the gnarly trees in the distance? Either way, great location - and nice images!

[@goranritterfeldt2608]

Thanks a lot. Very inspiring as always. Just one thought… when you showing the pictures they have always a very light background around the photo and that is a little distracting and don’t allow the photo to stand out. Take care. Göran from Latvia

[@tjsinva]

Chasing light, what a concept. Endless, eh? 👍

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Indeed!

[@samjones5129]

This might be a weird question, but what pants are you wearing? I’ve been looking for a new pair for hiking and those look really nice. Great video as always!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

They"re from Fjallraven - expensive but incredible pants.

[@samjones5129]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto thanks!

[@charleskear9530]

You're not reading too much into it. I took a photo in WA near Mt. Ranier where a standing Cedar had an arm (branch) over his fallen friend. I wish I knew how to add to the post so you could see it.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Charles!

[@tdawg719]

Whats that tripod ball head called? the one with the holes drilled in it

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

It's the Aspen Ballhead from Colorado Tripod Co

[@steveroden6670]

Given that the Fujifilm GFX has a maximum ISO rating of 102,400 with noise and colour resolution very well controlled at ISOs close to this, I don't really understand the necessity to use a tripod. Added to this is a huge sensor and five-axis image stabilization, which allows for hand-held shooting at slower speeds than were ever possible when I first started taking photographs, sixty years ago. I do use a tripod myself for those shots where the light is not very bright, water needs to be smoothed using slow exposure, focus stacking and bracketing, and where a long lens benefits from stability, however, I am not convinced that it is required for the equipment that you use Mark, and as you seem to indicate in your video, you can be far more creative and capture more images when wandering around using hand-held techniques. What do you see as the advantages of a tripod? I really enjoy your videos.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

The biggest advantage to me has nothing to do with keeping the camera still rather it's all about composition refinement, being able to make subtle changes to dial in a composition.

[@ElMeach]

How about this for a t-shirt: photography is chaotic!!!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Love it!

[@ryancrouch3238]

What tripod head is that? You told me during the workshop, but now I can’t remember.

[@40Rodsta]

Forget it. I had my money with them for almost a year and they could never give me a production date. Very poorly mananged company.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Hey Ryan! It's the Aspen Ballhead from the Colorado Tripod Co.

[@ryancrouch3238]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto Thanks!

[@davecorry7723]

What was the one composition skill? Look around for other compositions before the one you selected? Follow the light-rays?

[@jrt2792]

I only bring the tripod if I NEED a long exposure.

[@iRabb]

I enjoyed the video, but it’s not clear to me what the skill is that you referred to in the title.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

It's looking for compositions handheld rather than putting the camera on the tripod immediately.

[@iRabb]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto thanks 🙏

[@OutdoorActionPhoto]

Maybe, like me, you are a little to tethered to your tripod at times. I know I get that way, and by the time I unlock, that great shot just to the left is gone.

[@fpoastro]

8:40 is the bible