SIMPLE TIPS for PHOTOGRAPHING in HARSH LIGHT

[@hartsphotography]

More of this type of video please Nigel it represents the time of day a lot of us can only shoot in. Some really useful tips.

[@jebaug]

Agree! This video was very helpful. Being an amateur, more often than not “life” dictates when it is possible to go shooting. And that is rarely when conditions are perfect. So, to get some insight into how to make the most of unfavourable conditions is extremely valuable. It doesn’t get any better than this… :)

[@jeremycurle6880]

seconded

[@desertgecko4549]

Agreed, but I wouldn't necessarily call this harsh light. I consider mid-day light in the open, not filtered through trees, to be harsh. Consider someplace like Death Valley, or Arches National Park, at noon on a cloudless day. Then we'll talk about harsh.

[@hartsphotography]

Hopefully Nigel will comment be good to hear his thoughts as this is a popular thread.

[@aicalhoun]

Good advice for something I have been struggling with lately due to constrained schedules. Thank you.

[@julianheritage6436]

I'm unable to shoot sunrise and sunset due to work and home commitments, so it's always inspirational to see youtube photographers shooting in the middle of the day as that's often the only time I can get out. Also received Woodlands book this week, very nice work!!

[@19jgr55]

Enjoyed your video. But for a different perspective, I was entranced by the fact you could walk around in the woodlands looking for compositions. This time of year we walk around looking for snakes first compositions second. Only in winter do compositions come first.

[@jimwlouavl]

Thanks for the reminder not to wait for perfect conditions to get out. Your videos have a great feel of just walking around with you. A teacher turned my attention to the varied greens of spring, and I think you captured that here.

[@Matt__just_a_guy]

your videos blow me away Nigel. Incredible editing. Beautiful content. And so informative.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much

[@BlomgrenEbbe]

I love when you do videos like this one. It is your discussion which is the best part. I learn such a lot of it it. The process is better than the "1-2-3" result.

[@stephenrelf3911]

Thank you. I love learning by looking through your eyes. Ironical constructs of heat and light. In the 'land down under' your "heat" is a cool morning and your dazzling "light" is that of blue and golden times of the day. Cheers

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

It's always good to be able to come up with 'something' in 'bad' lighting because this is often where you find yourself on vacation (not a dedicated photo trip) because you can't always be at each place you see at the 'right' time of day regarding the light. That's pretty much where I find myself every time on vacation (shoot in whatever light/conditions are available when you just happen to be at whatever place you're visiting at that time of day. If you waited for only good light, a 1 week vacation would turn into a whole month :)

[@byoregon1]

I like your in-field comments on what does and doesn’t work about the composition. I’m with you on the heat. Anything above about 20 gets me complaining. I think you British guys take those rock walls too much for granted. We don’t have anything like that here in the western U.S. I find myself wondering about who built them, how long ago, did they work, and so on. Thx for the interesting video.

[@evzevz06]

Those are "dry stone walls". What's really impressive is seeing them in fairly remote places, going up the Steepest of mountain faces

[@byoregon1]

@@evzevz06 Thanks. Just read the Wiki page on them. As someone who lives in a place where the oldest man made structures are maybe 250 years old, I’m in awe of the deep history of those things.

[@shimmeringreflection]

I'm glad you filmed your ritual leading up to the shoot, including making the coffee, as it shows the steps you took to put yourself in a creative state. Nice touch

[@billballard2019]

Thanks for this one, Nigel! I saw several lovely B+W compositions in this one...but that's just me, as I prefer B+W over color (colour) for most of my landscape work. And on the music...I do agree the vocals are a bit overpowering. Thank you again for all of the work you share!

[@PatchesCody]

Just a great way to start the upcoming week by watching this Sunday's video. Not only is it educational but I particularly enjoy the inspirational aspect of videos like this one and the bonus is that one feels as if you're along for the hike there with you experiencing the wonder of nature; the quiet, the smell. I've liked this one so well I will be highlighting it in my (FB) smartphone photo group now approaching 1000 members. I've highlighted your videos on many Sunday mornings. Thanks for the awesome 15-20 minute productions you do. We all know how long it takes to do these. And, cheers from Florida.

[@jean-marcducommun8185]

Whatever daytime you'r out with the camera the videos are always full of inspiration and beautiful to watch. I particularly liked the music in this latest one as it liked the different locations to a lovely "composition". As always: Thank you!

[@PaulHarveyAustralia]

Thanks Nigel. Harsh conditions is what we have here in Australia :). For most of us hobbyists, videos like this are handy as we simply fit photography in when we can. Trying to make the most of harsh conditions in Australia is super tricky. Thanks for all your insights.

[@rlfisher]

You've inspired me to go out and try to be creative in less-than-ideal conditions. Go Giants!

[@rayzalaf8988]

Great vid very informative, just subscribed, I often wonder with videos like these, how many extra miles you walk getting the walking away shots and then coming back for the gear.

[@lorrettaclarke709]

This is one of the best videos I have seen in years - particularly about planning, scouting ie when you said putting a mountain/hill between you and the sun. I have been struggling with going to locations and roaming aimlessly to find good light and compositions. I have the added disadvantage of living in CA and ofte lacking clouds, struggling with harsh light. please, please make more of this type of video, including direction of sun in the morning, shooting from top of mountains v shooting in valley with light direction and harshness. For instance, I went to a park with open sculpture rocks, and went in the morning for good light only to realize that the light was boring and flat, then I realized that once the sun had come over the rock sculpture, it would be too harsh.

[@NigelDanson]

glad you enjoyed it

[@lorrettaclarke709]

@@NigelDanson Would love more as above scouting and working out where the light is going to be. This is a hole that has not been utilized by other online photographers. cheers for now.

[@johnd9357]

Loretta, download the app “photopills” and you can literally pre plan your shots. You can use augmented reality to see exactly where the sun and moon will be at any time of the day. It’s very useful.

[@ghostofgw7781]

I am a newbie with a camera, i'm learning so much from your chanel and i did a few.. ,but you have always a different way of seing things sometime in litlle details and its amazing .Thank you soooo much !

[@Michael-Bennett]

Nothing like the trees in early spring! Love the willows/birch(?) in the opening shot with each branched lined in glowing yellow/green.

[@grahamegannon9708]

Interesting video Nigel. I sometimes end up for one reason or another in the woodland during midday with bland skies and struggle with compositions. You demonstrated some good tips which I will take on board the nest time I am in woodland under those conditions. More videos like this one please.

[@garethfish4154]

Thanks Nigel, great video. I was up in the Lakes last week, Keswick in fact and tried to do some of this sort of photography. Interesting therefore to hear your thought processes. And you are right it was VERY dry...many becks and ghylls were empty, the Derwent was very low

[@rachael_padman]

Thanks Nigel. That is very thought-provoking, and explains why I've got odd photos right when I didn't expect to, but also why I failed to find anything when I thought I should.

[@jasonp9508]

I especially liked how you took us through your thought process in the field. Very insightful.

[@circusmodern]

I'm so delighted to have found your videos. The nature, the pace of the video, the information -- all invaluable!! You've put so much care into their making!! Thank you!!

[@duckfan7684]

Really liked this!!

[@jesusalvarado6074]

I can not hit the “Like” button enough every time I see your videos! Yesterday I went out shooting in the woods and I kept thinking what would Nigel do? And today you responded with another great woodland video! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and wonderful pictures!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much Jesus! I really appreciate your continued support

[@joncothranphotography9375]

Great images Nigel! That mid day light really can work in a beautiful area like that. Thanks for sharing!

[@dfinlay587]

I live in SoCal, so harsh light is a way of life. I shoot events and sometimes it is incredibly hard to work with. Nice job!

[@domhaughton6809]

Another really helpful video and a reminder that the middle of the day can be used. Thanks Nigel.

[@alanwrobleski]

I live in Arizona so this is some great advice... it's harder doing landscapes than you would think around here, because the sky hardly ever has any clouds to work with

[@martharetallick204]

Another Arizonan in the house. Representing from Tucson!

[@lorrettaclarke709]

Amen. Live in california. Really hard without clouds!

[@danielzaremba2677]

Lovely video as always, Nigel. Now as summer is just around the corner these tips are very very handy, thanks so much and looking forward for next Sunday's video.

[@glynparry6598]

Midday or not some beautiful images.. and valuable information and insights. Thank Nigel 🙏

[@carlosm9323]

Nice video mate, very educational. I learned a lot. Thanks for sharing.

[@dptully]

Nigel, Just received your new Woodland book. WOW, amazing, feel like I could just reach out and get lost in any of the photos. Wish we had some trees like that here where I live. Love the photo of Pebbles, he must be a very patient dog to let you take photos all day and not play. Thank you, looking forward to number three.

[@NigelDanson]

Glad you like it 👍🏼

[@eamonoc2268]

Thanks Nigel, some great insights on how to plan a midday shoot and especially how to organise the direction of the light and the background. The dark green tree was obvious after you pointed it out.

[@tremaincheerful4189]

As several folks previously pointed out, sometimes mid-day is all the time one has for photography. Your tips about angles of the sun are invaluable as I am often out at 11am or 2pm. In this video, your comparisons of the same trees viewed from different angles illustrated the difference very effectively. The inclusion of a dark hill behind lighter trees, great technique! As for the "heat", I think high humidity is a big factor in perceived warmth. On a dry day in New Mexico, 26C can be quite comfortable, but at 80 percent humidity, in Virginia, unbearable. As ever, thank you for your useful advice and well-shot tutorials. Your list of equipment and gear is also much appreciated.

[@peterfritzphoto]

Love this kind of video, Nigel. Just realised I hadn’t subscribed (now fixed), and didn’t know you had another book - Vistas - also fixed (purchased). 👍🇦🇺🦘

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks

[@glennricks]

OK, I'll wade in on the 14 degrees heat, Wha?? 14 degrees here is winter and far from hot. Any way, love the video and great to cover harsh light photography, lots of that here. So looking forward to getting out in the blistering heat and finding some great compositions. Thank you once again, Nigel. Already looking forward to next weeks video.

[@airship9637]

14c = 57f

[@SlimCase01]

The way you frame yourself in the scene👌🏾

[@gabewebyt]

Fabulous episode this week. By total coincidence, I was doing exactly the same thing last week where I had blue sky conditions in a valley, and the sunlit spring leaves against the dark valley walls looked amazing. Definitely good practice looking for something different!

[@mawavoy]

Nigel, glad you are able to get out again. Thanks for the tips.

[@MarkRomine]

Those back lit shots were gorgeous!

[@bettina7104]

Thank you for taking us on your trip. I’ve learned a lot..

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Some great shots for harsh light. Good tips

[@jonstout7635]

I am convinced that England has the best of photographers and the best of nature’s beauty.

[@NigelDanson]

👍🏼

[@travellingjoey]

Just watched this video today (2024-03-15) and I must say that after two years, your video is still the best source of how to shoot in Harsh Light. Thank you for making it 👍

[@shriharirao8647]

Thank you for making such a nice video about landscape photography and what to look far ..

[@MichaelShainblum]

Great work man! I really dig that shot at 11:16 beautiful composition, also 16:54. Really nice in-field vlog!

[@philippecarpentier801]

🇨🇵 Bonjour Nigel, Bien vu le repérage pour la saison automnale 👍😉

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great simple tips Vlog, Thanks for sharing, Have a great week

[@alpharho_photo]

Thanks Nigel! It's great to see a way to get away from the typical preferred shooting hours. I take a lot of shots in national parks and am limited from shooting at dawn/dusk due to operating hours. This content provided good insight into how to handle it. Keep it up!

[@mariebird01]

Excellent midday woodland shots along with great explanations, as ever. Your natural videos give a good balance of inspiration and instructional information too. Thank you Nigel. Worth another watch before I go out with my camera for my midday stroll.

[@anthonyplancherel8274]

Excellent video Nigel! Really good tips and great images as always

[@colinshawhan8590]

Coffee, I thought you were a tea guy! I love this video because I often shoot when I am on the road for work. I'll pull over at a state park or a local lake and just walk for an hour and look for photographs. It's always at the harshest, most boring time of day. But I have found interesting wildlife, and a feature like a waterfall looks good any time of day. Or a cave. Good stuff man, keep it up!

[@andybamforth]

Cracking video, the hardest time of day, definitely. I've been working toward the conclusion you come to. The difference is you put it so well. Thanks for the fantastic videos.

[@davidmill7289]

Very interesting and useful tutorial thanks Nigel. Great to learn about the impact light has at different times of day. Fantastic location and shots - I particularly liked the cloud over the crag shot and the one with the dangling branch.

[@AndyBanner]

Love your use of Velvet Moon. Brilliant for this kind of content, which is awesome too.

[@MEisLOLtoday]

Nigel, First, thanks for such an interesting and (actually) magical video. Felt like I was on a really fun hike trip. You videos are always really fun to watch. Secondly, but mostly, so far I really think that you are the only photographer I've watched that actually brings innovation to composition concepts. The ideas you're sharing, the small details, are enlightening and are SO inspiring. The scenes you've shown in the video, in which I think I would find myself lost and out of ideas how to compose an image, and how you presented the solutions and compositions in such harsh and non trivial conditions are a real gift for the imagination. Keep up the great work!

[@aaronpalaian9116]

That last image was the banger! Perfection 👌

[@uhaggar]

What a fantastic video Nigel, I am often lost when taking photos when not in the golden hour and when you are travelling you often have no choice. Thanks for sharing your skills and knowledge 👏

[@mattcom2]

Very well done. I appreciate the walk-through approach to explaining your reactions and decisions in the field, plus the diagrams after the fact illustrating decision points.

[@itsEr1cTV]

More of these types of videos! Love it

[@lakshmisrinivasan7159]

I love this video Nigel, the videos which you explain on the field are fantastic ! Keep going, take care

[@martinfamily2013]

Great to wake up to one of your vids. Deffinatly will have to visit the lake district when i move to preston sometime nxt year.

[@StewartBairdPhoto]

So much effort put into these videos, thanks

[@ashfield001]

NIgel, loved the photo of the Snipe in this video. Such a beautiful shot of a wonderful bird in its natural environ. 🏆 🌟☀️

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks

[@utkarshbhatnagar39]

Hi Nigel, I am learning a lot form you, all your videos are really interesting and your approach to take us along your shoots, giving us insights and the hands on approach is really commendable. Thanks for such awesome videos. In the last bit of the video you talk about the "Rules" and "Balance", do you have some video where you talk about these subjects.

[@ianbarnes1406]

Timely video Nigel. I've been seeing some of Charlie Waite's old photos on Instagram lately and it reminded me how often his photos seem to have been taken during the daytime in summer, with shadows almost directly beneath trees etc. It's just a matter of developing the eye to see the shots, I guess

[@Tainted-Soul]

Thanks Nigel for someone that works shifts and then finds it hard to get up on the weekends this show you can get good photos at mid day..... I have just got to try harder :)

[@huangkate8714]

Thanks for sharing. It can’t always jump out bed at 3:00am in every weekend for catching landscape at dawn. Very useful tips. Hate the heat though.

[@NigelDanson]

You can 👍🏼

[@meneerhalfwerk7096]

Every frame of this video looks like a great shot

[@robertmeyerson1618]

Love your insights and of course your images !! Thanks.

[@alwynwilliams2661]

Brilliant, more of the same time of day would be great please !

[@Bassiavet]

Soon after the global lockdown.. This video will be helpful for travel photographers, as we don't always get the best light, so we have to squeeze the best of it..

[@billblair7804]

Nigel, yep but also helps you are so far from the equator. We are around equinox yet your shadow was quite long ... hence able to get shady sided hills be good to see what approach you take with truly overhead sun. 👍 Regardless, some really useful tips here. Thanks

[@themountainwanderer]

So lovely, those trees look fantastic and your photography is beautiful. Also a huge difference from what I can find here, so it adds to the enjoyment :)

[@HR-wd6cw]

Love the camper van. I always told myself that if I could put together even a crude camper van (with a bed, small desk and a place to put a 1-burner st ove) I would get out more and do more landscape photography (I live in a rural area mostly surrounded by cornfields so not quite the same terrian you have in most of your videos). But that is one of my goals -- build an inexpensive camper van so I can just go where I want and not have to worry about hotels (which is the biggest hurdle, both location and cost).

[@lookforbeauty1964]

Every type of light has a silver lining !!. Stunning pictures in spite of the so called "harsh light".

[@_TheDeanMachine]

Great video, I live pacific northwest and conditions are always like this, everyday

[@richard5005]

Nigel great 👍 video. Nice learning tool for just going out on the trail shooting in any tight . Sunrise and Sunset are not the only subject mater to capture exciting images . You helped me to confirm this with this outstanding video in taking interesting images in any light . Also you are forcing me to look observe my surroundings and capture the images in the best light possible while being mindful to follow the rules of photography as best as possible. Cheers 🍻 Nigel 😀Richard

[@paulrainford70]

Great video and lovely images as always Nigel. 👍🏼

[@mm-hw9ku]

Living in Arizona and trying to shoot landscape is a totally frustrating experience. We have ideal weather for tourist and others who seek to escape rainy/cloudy weather. But try to take successful landscapes in this desert environment is a challenge. Polarizers and ND filters are my friends. I do try to get out in mornings or evenings. Sunsets are great. But again no clouds and clear skies are a boring topic. Lately I have turned to smaller macro type photography. This up close view of desert flora and fauna might be a better endeavor. Thanks Nigel. As a recent pacemaker implant patient you have helped me through my recovery. It’s no fun going unconscious while out hiking on a photo shoot. Cheers from Arizona.

[@NigelDanson]

Hope it is going ok. My biggest shock was how heavy it get the first few days. 4 years later and I don’t often notice it

[@JFW5358]

Another excellent video, thanks Nigel. Definitely inspired to follow your tips. Eagerly awaiting the arrival of my copy of Woodlands.

[@julianz342]

Thank you, Nigel! Love Your videos 😊

[@paulkingization]

One of your best videos. Long time follower and first time I have commented!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much Paul

[@entertherealmofchaos]

What a lovely place. The part where you said about stopping yourself from adding in more and more nice trees is so me.

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

I like this Vlog subject Nigel. Realistic for many of us with busy lives. Maybe, with your 24-200mm lens as this is the only realistic priced lens for z mount at the moment. Maybe, without hills too. Or perhaps that is a stone too far. I have had 2 days of cloudless blue skies on holiday in Exmoor & another day tomorrow. So disappointed & frustrated. Not taken an image again today. Oh landscape photography is impossible sometimes but, put in perspective of life.

[@wendling46]

Great video ! U should definitely do more !!! 🙌

[@SeanOMara04081989]

Thanks for making this video. I’ve been struggling with inspiration lately and having difficulty getting out at sunrise/sunset, so this video really speaks to me.

[@NigelDanson]

I'm so glad!

[@EkheEntertainment]

awesome! thanks a lot for sharing your perspectives. It reminds me that Photography is more in the head than hands...

[@michaelcolburn3985]

Absolutely love your videos, and your eye for composition. Also, your ability to edit in such a beautiful and natural way. I want to learn more about how you create such soft and detailed images with such perfect color and light. I appreciate all of your work. Just noticed you have a masterclass available. I can’t wait to enroll. I need another week before I’ll be able.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks so much

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

Love your discussion of the composition process. i have learned so much.

[@ianwilson1375]

At last a video about what I guess the majority of amateur photographers do, photograph during the day in less than "optimum" conditions. More videos like this please Nigel. Also, just received "Woodlands" - what a fantastic collection of photos. Now ordered "Vistas", and waiting for "Seascapes". It doesn't get much better than this!

[@NigelDanson]

Awesome - thanks 🙏🏻

[@janwilson9485]

Lovely shots - lovely video! This one, in my opinion, is one of your most accomplished videos. You always produce good photographic results where ever you are, but I guess its a lot easier in good light in an epic landscape. This really seemed to show you at your most inventive and creative. I may be biased as its more the type of shooting situation I find myself in walking the dogs (sadly not the lake district) and its given me a lot of pointers. Thanks.

[@OPHIUCHUS666]

The 14 degrees heat made me laugh!! used to leave near Stoke and could see people in flip flops with bermudas when it was like 4-5 degrees outside. Sick!! Imagine that in the south of France people still have winter jackets and scarfs when it's 20 degrees outside!! Nice video by the way.

[@martharetallick204]

Same here in Arizona. No short sleeves during the winter months.

[@andrewherbert9938]

Thanks Nigel , love Borrowdale always so much to point a camera at

[@angelaoneill51]

Really loved this video. Was out in the same conditions on Tom Heights this weekend and tended to use my 70-200 to pick out details. Love your images Nigel.

[@NigelDanson]

I love Tom heights - one of my fav spots. Hope you got something good

[@dannynash5713]

Super fantastic video Nigel! 👏👏👏

[@McKinnellPhotography]

Great video Nigel, helps to put aside the myth that you can't get good photos in harsh light. Would be great to see a video on how you processed the last image to get that painterly effect. Thanks, Steve

[@nevillewatkins4997]

Lovely images Nigel. It's such a beautiful time of year. And Silver Birches were put there for just that reason. :-)