Should More Photographers Be Prepared to Experiment?

[@giblyn11]

Nice one, Chris. Glad you're back posting videos!

[@morgankarlsson3042]

Good job! 🙂

[@RiccardoPareschi]

Experimenting is the best thing to do, it’s fun and creative. Wonderful shots Chris.

[@CraigNiesenPhotography]

Chris, great video on an excellent topic. I love the black and white of the tree and the new composition, including the boathouse. The outtakes at the end were a fabulous addition. Thank you for sharing. Peace and Safe Travels -Craig

[@purewolfking4146]

Spot on Chris it’s soul destroying when you get a couple of bad trips and so important to have those days on known sites.

[@johnjtoth7633]

A super vlog, as usual. I agree with the topic and assessment. We need to change things up once in a while- part of what one of your earlier videos struck on - have some fun. I enjoyed seeing different parts of the area where some of your more iconic images were taken.

[@JamesParkerPhotography]

LOL - love the little outtake at the end. There is a fine line between experimenting and when knowing that it's better to keep the camera in the bag. I find that if I see something that attracts my eye, I'm more likely to do my best to make it work, and that includes experimenting. But, if it's just a bland scene, it's just as you said - you need to know when to cut your losses and head home.

[@brianbeattyphotography]

Great video Chris. I definitely agree that the icons are great teaching and learning spots, but a lot of the fun is getting out to new places and trying to create something original.

[@hughwolfe1176]

Chris thank you for another glimpse of your beautiful countryside. Someday my wife and I want to visit the UK as we both have ancestry there, she’s Scottish while I claim Wales although I’ve not traced an exact location that’s a future project… As I’ve often said about my photography “I don’t know what I’m looking for till I see it”, thus experimentation is a huge contributor… Stay safe and take good care of yourself as well as your wife.

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Great video loved that scene of the lake district at the end , just sublime

[@paulcookphotography]

Great vlog Chris. Spot on with this. I experiment quite a bit, fail a lot, but it's that one time of success that keeps me trying again, which to me usually equates to growth of some kind. Love the tree image at 4:06, one of my recent favorites of yours! Nice work mate!

[@sander5086]

Great advice Chris. Don't buy a chainsaw!! The view from that hill looks great, enough potential for a portfolio image!!

[@rosssayer6524]

Really good info Chris, keep going on your woodland journey. When I try woodland images I also carry my Macro lens just incase I don't find a composition, being able to adapt. Just watching this vlog I almost thought there was a composition behind you at 5:42 with the track, fenceline and that one tree. Have a good week.

[@acmdv]

5:52 In Black & White with the sky in the background and the light coming from an angle could have been an interesting image.

[@huwalban]

I think the answer to your question in the title is yes. Experimentation is a great way to both develop and learn, however you need to be prepared to learn from the experience. Additionally, if you experiment and the answer is "No", don't park it. Write it down somewhere and review it. I do this with everything I try - I have a notebook, that I write all of these things down in, that I review every year (normally over a sherbert during New Years) and it is rare for me to not find something to re-try through slightly wiser (and maybe older) eyes. Stay safe bud

[@MiguelACoronaDM]

LOL - the chainsaw! Indeed Chris, failure inspires positive change. Good advice. BTW - that mound in the background at 1:55 - looks interesting. No opportunity there? (So asks me the non-Lake District experienced photog)

[@timrosenburgh9485]

Enjoyed the video Chris. Like you I like the usual location's. I was never into woodland photography but during our challenge last year I really enjoy it now, but like you said you are not guaranteed to get a decent shot. Nice image's especially the landscape one.

[@MSACoachMike]

That last image of the boathouse with the winding road could be a potentially great image at Blue Hour if there were vehicles on the road and you had a 10-20 second exposure. The light trails could lead the viewer through the frame. (Since you were talking about experimentation....) 😀

[@exploringsoutheastarizona2167]

Hi Chris, experimentation & practice are the best ways to learn photography, also a little imagination doesn't hurt either.

[@VintageInsightPhotography]

I really enjoyed this video, Chris. Experimentation and stretching one’s boundaries is key to improving. Thanks again.

[@jimwlouavl]

Good topic and video. I’m curious how many photographers share their experiments. I do.

[@yoki9743]

One thing I would add Chris is to always check by flicking the camera into the vertical plane... so many times a shot "appears"... you can obviously do this before putting the camera on the tripod.... try it.... Yoki...

[@wildfisher]

Great to see you getting out and about again Chris, getting your mojo back. 🙂

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Chris: I enjoyed this video and hearing your perspective of change and experimentation. Change is what gives life meaning and keeps the creative juices flowing. Cheers, Keith

[@jbairdexp]

Nope, I rarely experiment. It only seems to be when I have a lot of time that I try and do something different. Perhaps that woodland you visited might be good for a bit of ICM?

[@jimwlouavl]

Chris Sale doing ICM. It would have to be something really special.

[@oddbjrnaustevikfoto]

Excellent as always mate! The he best way to learn is to try it, then try again. PS: I can honestly not say how many times chainsaws have ruined my takes as well! I'm starting to suspect our mutual friend James Burns!

[@mickcarr5031]

Good vid Chris, what tripod head is that you use? cheers.

[@lakesrhino1]

Good vlog Chris, I am trying different locations with differing results but I am enjoying. You already know I am not really into woodland so the initial area you were in was not very inspiring but the final view with the bigger vista I thought was great.

[@TravelsofRedRover]

Hi Chris - I totally agree about using the iconic locations to become a better photographer. However, to reach the next level it is important to develop skills on being able to identify compositions in less iconic locations. I like to experiment with new locations and conditions. I enjoyed watching you struggle with new locations. It is a very hit and miss process but the potential for that totally unique portfolio shot is worth the crap shots. Not to mention what you might learn in one location is what you need in the next. Finally, sometimes it is better to put the camera back in the bag and enjoy the location. Take care. Bye for now.

[@ashstubbings2603]

Yes, Chris, I would agree. When knew to photography a camera will work far better than a chainsaw! LOL

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

When you're guaranteed to get a decent shot, you're not stretching and challenging yourself enough. ;-)

[@_indrid_cold_]

Chris - A question I’ve wondered about for a while; I know you are a landscape professional, but do you ever get the opportunity to feature wildlife from the Lake District?

[@nigelwest3430]

I think in the age of digital photography that it's important to push the boundaries of your ability, How else will you learn/progress, Unlike when old gits like me started, it doesn't cost you a penny

[@burkhardmatzing3159]

I'm caught by the idea of using a chainsaw to improve as a photographer ... 😀

[@Paul9]

🤣 I don’t know what it is lately but it seems everywhere I go taking photos there is some tw@t with a chainsaw ruining the tranquility.

[@TimberGeek]

Well I do have three working chainsaws. ;-D

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Experimentation and embracing failure, isn't that what it's all about? I do want a chainsaw though.