Photographing Zion, Fall 2023: Episode 2 (Large Format Landscape Photography)

[@Cphoto1954]

I shot with 4x5 for about 8 years, so I can appreciate the amount of work you need to put into an 8x10, which is even more challenging. I appreciate your honesty in your videos that not every image is as good or as perfect as one would like, we are all there but not all want to admit it. Thanks for no commercials too, wish more people would do so. Happy shooting in 2024!

[@BenHorne]

There sure is something very rewarding about the process, even when things don't turn out quite as planned. That's very cool to hear that you worked with 4x5 for 8 years. I would imagine that experience has served as a framework for other aspects of photography as well. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@peterfritzphoto]

Lovely work, Ben.

[@lfac]

There is something quite unusual but beautiful in the second photo, it trees kind of blend with the background but they really don't. And the stone background is very dynamic.

[@BenHorne]

It's one I'll have to take some time to gather my thoughts on. Perhaps I'll need to see it on paper to see how it does. I scanned it but haven't done any test prints of it yet. Thanks for watching!

[@MichaelZieschang]

In the first scene at around minute 7-8:30 I'm impressed by the lines in sandstone formation behind you and the leaning trees. I think that could be a decent black and white composition

[@TravisRhoads]

Always fun to see where you go wandering...

[@BenHorne]

Thanks Travis!

[@chromagraphphotoart]

Always good to sit down and relax to your measured tones Ben. I wish I was as relaxed on shoots!

[@BenHorne]

Thanks! I think so much of that is a result of the location. In many cases, the light will remain the same for a while, so it instills a sense of calm while working.

[@photoflooddays]

It's always nice to watch your videos. One of the few things that bring me calm in this crazy world. And lovely photos as always!

[@brianmckeever5280]

The image @13:20 is terrific to my eye. Nice video!

[@BenHorne]

Thanks Brian! I was just looking at that photo again yesterday and have found myself liking it. I lessened the contrast a bit, then cooled it down a little bit to build some color contrast. I find it interesting how our perception changes with time. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@MeasuredLight]

Another fantastic, relaxing video! Thanks for sharing Ben! I really like the first composition. I couldn't see it was soft on my screen though

[@Ezrabastian]

I loved the large ponderosa shot. It looks like an out of place giant redwood. No complaints. Enjoy it!

[@BenHorne]

Thanks! That side canyon in particular has a rather prehistoric feel to it with those big trees. Such a wonderful place. Thanks for watching!

[@JSB_family]

Many thanks, sounds good!

[@BenHorne]

Thanks so much for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@smokingxgunx]

I never get tired of your videos, commentary and pictures.

[@BenHorne]

Thanks so much!! That's so cool to hear!

[@caryconover]

Envious of those tranquil exposures. I drove out to western Kansas last week to do some landscapes on the border. High winds made large format photography impossible. I was able to get a couple shots at 1/30th.

[@BenHorne]

It sure isn't fun trying to work in strong winds. I've certainly had that experience in Death Valley. At a certain point, I just pack up the camera and just enjoy being out in nature.

[@davidmcculloch8490]

Love the warming filter effect. It's something I often use in post, after shooting with my DSLR, as I hate most camera renditions of green.

[@BenHorne]

It's one of those small things that can make a big difference. Thanks for watching and commenting David!

[@brianbeattyphotography]

Nice one. I’m glad the backlit maples made it to their own video too 👍

[@BenHorne]

I had that idea of doing some extended clips leading into this trip, and that scene was a natural candidate. I have one more such clip later in this trip, and will do more of them for future trips as well. If anything, it gives me an excuse to just sit quietly and enjoy my surroundings.

[@brianbeattyphotography]

@@BenHorne no excuse needed to sit and take in the experience!

[@johndoddato2662]

Thank you for taking us on your journey.

[@BenHorne]

And thanks for watching John!

[@markbray3038]

Thanks Ben Great video - " Next time "

[@BenHorne]

Thanks as always Mark!

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

I like the red maple image. It's one that forces you to study it to separate back and foreground and see the detail therein. nice one Ben 🙂

[@BenHorne]

Thanks! It's one of those photos that will certainly grow on me with time. I never quite know what to think about those when I first see the film, but after I live with them for a while I like them more. In this case, I decided to cool down the image a bit to lessen the red/magenta cast, which created more color separation between the leaves and the wall. Thanks as always for watching and commenting!

[@AndreaLivieriPhoto]

Always inspiring, Ben! Great episode and I love the ponderosa pine shot. And yeah, the version with the warmer filter is spot on.🙂

[@BenHorne]

Thanks Andreas! I may have to look back at my previous photos and see how my focus was then. Maybe my first try at that scene was the best afterall.

[@urtzivera6775]

Love the first one...congrats! Nice calm videos!👏👏

[@BenHorne]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Boredoldman]

Thanks for sharing another interesting video!

[@xijiang2728]

Happy New Year to You!

[@BenHorne]

Thanks! I hope you have a fantastic 2024 as well!

[@bosco9291]

The filming, pace and mood, is just great. I wish you'd show a cut of the final photo just after showing how it was taken, I'd definitely watch all your videos then, just my very clear preference.

[@BenHorne]

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the video! Showing the photos just after taking the photos works sometimes, but there are other times that it really disrupts the flow of the video. Since I have no clue how it turned out after taking them, my own commentary in the moment often doesn't match the end result. I might say it feels great after taking the photo, but not like the photo whatsoever. I like to stay true to the moment with the videos, which involves me not knowing how they turned out. I share my thoughts about the photos at the end because it allows me to have a greater perspective. Putting all of that in the middle of the video just seems to break up the flow a bit, but I do understand why you would want to see them right away.

[@sonholee5769]

Love both photos. Really great.

[@BenHorne]

Thanks! It sure was a wonderful day spent in Zion.

[@darrelltheriault5793]

Pleasant video, thanks for taking us along. I have heard you on several occasions talk about sitting on an image for a while to see how your perception evolves. I’m curious about your thoughts on this approach versus that first look, the initial impact and impression which arguably you can only have once. I have considered that there is a possibility of “talking yourself” into an attraction to an image over time. Perhaps it is more a reflection of the complexity or depth of an image which requires greater time to appreciate. Thanks again and HNY!

[@stohlenttv]

Thanks for another great video, Ben. Beautiful work.

[@BenHorne]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mhc2b]

Enoyed your video. My only question is pertaining to your metering methodology. I would love, on some of your shots, if you went into some detail on what you spot metered on, how many readings you took, and from those readings how you determined your final exposure. Thanks

[@BenHorne]

I'll need to create an updated metering video at some point in the near future. I keep it pretty simple really. I'll start by spot metering the gray card, then log that into memory and see how bright and dark all the various subjects are. Sometimes that's all I need and I just use that setting, but if some areas will be too dark or too bright, I'll switch to my other method which is to meter the darkest area that should contain detail, and then the brightest area that should contain detail. By logging those into memory and hitting the average button, it splits the difference and with that new setting I evaluate how bright and dark the various subjects are. If it all looks good, I'll use that setting, and if it still seems off, I'll try a slightly different exposure that seems to work better. The entire process takes maybe 5 to 20 seconds.

[@fubband]

Lovely tranquil stuff as always, Ben, and a bevvy of beautiful b roll compositions too 👍🏻🙌🏻

[@BenHorne]

Thanks as always! It's tough to go wrong in a place like Zion where there's so much beauty around every corner!

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Beautiful images, Happy New Year

[@robertamoruso919]

Great video as always Ben. Nice to see images from the box set created during this visit.

[@tremainwilliams2468]

Happy new year, Ben. I wish you the best of luck this year.

[@BenHorne]

Thanks as always Tremain! I hope you have a fantastic 2024 as well!

[@micmojo]

0:26 Hi Ben, big fan of your channel since many years! May I ask what dark cloth you are using on this trip? Thanks! Jan

[@BenHorne]

Thanks! The dark cloth is from Wanderer, and it's their ultralight dark cloth. It's not 100% lightproof because of the lightweight materials, but that's a tradeoff for the extremely compact size when folded and very low weight. Both weight and bulk are important when going on my backpacking trips, and also appreciated on these trips when I'm just out for the day.

[@kenblair2538]

The softness of the ponderosa pine, doesn't bother me, Its still a great image. Both images are super. My wife, sometimes, looks over my shoulder, at your images. Today, she commented , " is he a 21st century Ansel Adams ?" I responded , "yes". KB.

[@BenHorne]

Thanks Ken! I may have to look back at the image I shot when I first photographed that scene and see how well I did with the sharpness of the ponderosa. Who knows, maybe I got what I needed the first time I photographed that scene. Although I do appreciate the Ansel Adams comparison, his beard game was far stronger than mine will ever be. ;-) Thanks for watching!

[@trevorsneath4665]

The 2nd photo is beautiful! Happy New Year Ben.

[@BenHorne]

Thanks! I hope you have a fantastic 2024 as well!

[@BryanDorr]

Inspiring, calming, and satisfying. I admire your dedication to quality. Thank you for sharing your adventure, Ben. Happy New Year!

[@BenHorne]

Thanks as always Bryan! Always great to hear from you!

[@andrewherbert9938]

Happy new year Ben , love these videos , thankyou for taking us to Zion once again it’s definitely my favourite location of yours

[@zpeckler]

Wonderful video as always, Ben. I know you've mentioned it in a previous video, but I can't recall where you got that viewing card from. I think using one might be helpful for me as well when working through my compositions.

[@BenHorne]

You can find them on Amazon for less than $10. I carry mine in my pocket at all times on my photo trips. Such a great tool. Here's a direct link: www.amazon.com/Color-Wheel-Artists-View-Catcher/dp/B001DKMZNG/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3ULGK6EZGC07W&keywords=color%2Bwheel%2Bartists%2Bviewcatcher&qid=1704500415&sprefix=color%2Bwheel%2Bartists%2Bviewcatch%2Caps%2C637&sr=8-5&th=1

[@sam7479]

Nice video. Where did you find the framing tool at 12:46 ?

[@BenHorne]

Hi Sam! You can find them on Amazon. I swear by it keep it in my pocket at all times when I'm on my trips. Here's a link: www.amazon.com/Color-Wheel-Artists-View-Catcher/dp/B001DKMZNG/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3ULGK6EZGC07W&keywords=color+wheel+artists+viewcatcher&qid=1704500415&sprefix=color+wheel+artists+viewcatch%2Caps%2C637&sr=8-5

[@sam7479]

@@BenHorne Thanks.