The highs and lows of Landscape Photography

[@gordonelwell7084]

The internet (and YT) is awash with self proclaimed experts and others all professing to provide us with just the right nuggets of experience and knowledge. Few come close to those expectations. But the Nigel Danson videos never disappoint. One of my favorite presenters whose videos I always devour as soon as I see a new one. Keep it up Nigel!

[@randyschwager84]

You are so fortunate to be surrounded by natural beauty! Your bad days greatly surpass the good days where I live! Thanks for taking me along!

[@philippr8600]

Again some great photos and true and honest description - I really like the shot with with the walls and a single tree (19:15). Thanks for sharing!

[@MadsPeterIversen]

That shot at 19:22 is phenomenal! And I love the church too - I think I recognise it from when I visited you 😍 glad you came out and felt that excitement!

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks mads it was an ace day

[@jensjorgensen5088]

I do love that shot of the gate! 8:41

[@jimbruton9482]

Knowing when and how to use foreground elements in your landscape photography is a sign of a very good photographer. Excellent shooting Nigel!

[@LarryMarvin]

They picture you took of the open gate and pathway really draws my attention. It makes me feel like I'm going off on an adventure.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

I really like the shot of the open gate and path beyond!

[@SpaklesDr]

I went out these past two weekends for a hike and photo session with nothing but my z7ii and the 24-120. Came back with some wonderful photos of fog inversion and sunrise. Always hit or miss...just got to get out there.

[@JasonLorette]

Loved the gate/path picture, and the snowy gate tree ice crystals…it’s always a crap shoot when we go out…sometimes you just have to enjoy the ‘being out’ part I guess. 📸😎

[@davidhenderson4875]

Love your honesty Nigel you tell it like it is for us photographers

[@karenbergmann209]

Love the photo of the gate and path.

[@peakadventures_]

Reason I don't do landscape no more is the travelling, it's like an hour and 15 min just to get to nearest location (peak district/Derbyshire) and that's not including the hikes to get to a location, so to get a sunrise shot for example I'm setting off off at like 3am in summer time (all depends where I was going,and how far the hike was) , plus I'm a biker (only form of transport) it just became a pain. Carrying all the weight on my back all day (almost 20kg when I took my tripod) , I was going in all weather's, including some snow/ice (lucky I never dropped my bike looking back it) so I was constantly cold within the first 30 min of setting off, once we got out of summer time, but I enjoyed doing it for the most part. So I started doing wildlife photography instead, I'm Carrying a significant amount less weight, I don't have to travel as far to get shots. If I'm ever in a location and I see a beautiful landscape I will take a shot or several but I'm done going out just to do landscape photography now days

[@jpdj2715]

Not a morning type of person, I understand your point about how early you need to leave. The first assignment you want to give yourself is to shoot landscapes at walking distance from home. If you have wildlife "around the corner", then you have landscape options. And, start shooting compositions and leading lines, ignoring the light. Find a great composition today, shoot it again with great light tomorrow - gives you time to think about what "great light" would be and how it will make your photo better. Sunrise shots are different than sunset - both have a "reddish" warm period but in the AM the sky is much more lucid. During the day, human activity and heating by the sun bring dust and air in the sky and that makes the sunset warmer. It also makes for hazier landscapes. If you look for warm, switch to sunset, maybe. I prefer the sunrise light and that preference makes me suffer. As you shoot wildlife now, you probably are out there at the day's edge. Because that's when we tend to see wildlife and are able to shoot it. The 20kg weight - man, what are you shooting with? How much do you bring? I have Peli/Pelican cases and these are very heavy when empty. But they float and are watertight and resist a lot of manhandling. And only when filled to the brim may approach 20kg. But on a shoot, I bring a camera with 2 or 3 primes. I have a tool belt with a lens bag for each lens, including the one on the camera. My belt (probably no longer sold) hangs on suspenders and the camera hangs off that too. The weight of the camera is not on my neck but on my shoulders and hips. I have matching neck straps on the camera that attach to hooks on the suspenders The point is, you cannot bring everything. With a contemporary camera you don't need a tripod for landscapes, I opine. But if you go on a hike with one, hang it off your hip belt and loosely tie it to your upper leg, above the knee. If I bring a tripod, then it's a lightweight carbon traveller tripod with magnesium ball head, modified so it has a panorama disc with Arca quick release on top. With a nodal slide (panorama disc rotating under the lens's nodal point) I can shoot a row of panorama shots with perfectly matching foreground. This means, I can use a 20mm prime to get 14mm landscapes with much higher resolution even (that we don't actually need, but imagine one day in the future we want it ;) ). We almost don't need a tripod any longer for photographer-induced motion blur with today's cameras with IBIS. But our worst enemy is vibration and this can be triggered in a tripod by e.g. wind. Buying a Gitzo System 5 is not a guarantee against vibration. If your tripod has a hook to hang stuff from, under its centre column or centre plate, then you can tie the tripod down with one or more tent lines and matching number of tent pegs. These lines can get excited by wind, but that's a matter of finding strong enough thin enough or more than one of different lengths, or having an apron around the tripod. It's also a matter of making decisions as to use cases. Focus on wildlife today, on landscape tomorrow. Look at the weather forecast for the next couple hours. If the light outside does not look like landscape then it is a wildlife day, maybe. I have worked with technical people a lot and I had two problems with them: they were creatures of habit and not inclined to think outside the box, and they tended to explain the impossibilities. They did not see that these two are sides of the same coin. I've seen bikes with a trailer. If the landscapes are "public" land then sleeping in a small tent may not be forbidden. The latter would not work for me. I wake up broken after a night in/on lightweight camper gear. But it might for you. Bottom line, you may just need an introverted buddy with a car that you can help with your thinking and vice versa. Just make sure between the two each compliments, supplements, and reciprocates.

[@peakadventures_]

@jpdj2715 ? I'm very much a morning person, I'm typically up and out by 4.15am during summer some times earlier. Not just on my days off,but for work too! Something I've always done. No wildlife doesn't equal great landscapes or landscapes in general my area is very much built up its surrounded by towns and few farms with a hand full of wetlands..like I stated, closest place is Derbyshire, I've been all around where I live for 30yrs so I know, I'm not into town/cityscapes, the trees in the woodlands near me aren't anything worthy of taking a photo of either, trust me I was searching every other day for years! Occasionally I'd stumble across some untouched fungus to photograph and that's it. I'm very much aware of the difference between sunset/sunrise 🙄 ? Like I stated I'm out before sunrise for wildlife photography and I'm still out somewhere as the light becomes too low to shoot in. I can be out 14hr or more in summer time when we have good light.. wildlife is most active first thing in a morning , midday and last thing in the evening, sunrise and golden hour is the best time to photograph wildlife. Certainly not mid day with harsh light. I brought everything i wanted to use and used everything I brought every time. Flask of coffee Few sandwiches Gloves Hat Manfrotto 190 tripod Canon R5 Rf 50mm f 1.2 Rf 24 -105 f4 Rf 100- 500 F4/F7.1 Rf 100mm macro Rf 1.4x converter Alta sky 53 Pocket size sanitizer First aid kit just in case I didn't just go up there to take a wide angle shot of some land scape like some novice, I'd pick multiple compositions out of just one area is was stood in, hence the telephoto. Macro for if I saw some cool looks fungus or pattern in a tree ect. Everything served a purpose what i brought Personal preference when it comes to tripods, want a sharp image with long exposure..you 100% need a tripod! Want a not so sharp image, feel free to point and click. My decision is made I'll do it as and when I see a decision landscapes or seascape

[@cinavik]

I like to go out in the middle of the night, early mornings, even mid day is a fun challenge. Going as often as possible helps with luck in being in the right place and time. Can't always get a great shot but I can always get a good hike. I care about landscape because with climate change, who knows how long these vistas will last...😢

[@mr.t5610]

Love your content, Nigel.

[@paullavin5449]

I loved the picture with the sheep, wall and beautiful light on the hill. The shot with the two vehicles is also very nice. A little influence from James Popsys is never going to be a bad thing. Somewhere between the two of you lies perfection. 👍

[@Ed-davies]

I can very much relate to everything you raised in this video. Loved the shot of the gate and winding path. ❤

[@gerlindevanduijn3710]

Fun to see this locations at the lake again Nigel! Love the gate shot! So jealous of the snow😍😍

[@mariebird01]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing your thoughts as well as your emotions about the choices you make. Amazing shots as always.

[@noname123-y8j]

Yet another excellent video of stunning work! Love the Gate photo and the inclusion of man-made objects. The inclusion of the cars is captivating and wonder as to the story of the cars in this setting. Absolutely loved the photo of the reeds. Definitely captured the solitude and atmosphere of the scene. For me what you spoke of regarding having enjoyed your time randomly shooting is a gem in the haystack, in that, for me it is this kind of photography that keeps the stinkin thinking out of the creative process. However, it’s also that stinkin thinking that is also necessary to/for creating stunning images. Absolutely loved the images during the first part of this video when you were struggling, but definitely appreciated the latter images as well knowing the backdrop of your experience. You are such a gifted artist and I love watching your videos. Wishing you the best and looking forward to seeing more of your work/content!

[@r2drone227]

Wonderful adventure with beautiful photographic opportunities that surprised you and entertained me. Interesting video of two great days with your camera

[@geraldclarke8868]

Excellent, slightly jealous of Harris trip, was there 9 months ago, had an amazing time. Definitely got to revisit.

[@kevlockwood8950]

Enjoyable video as ever Nigel. The week of snow was amazing wasn’t it? I was out most days, either here in the Calder Valley, or in the Yorkshire Dales. Saturday the 11th was the real star, with -8 temperature and hoar frost. I sympathise with you re the Brathay visit. I had very similar conditions in that area last November. Reflections were the only thing to work with. It was a tough couple of days 😊

[@57sapke]

Love the images, thanks. 🙏

[@nigelpugh7003]

Great images Nigel

[@amaimani]

I just wonder why I went and bought Z 24-120mm. Now my 24-70 and 7-200mm goes with me if I really really need them. Great captures and stunning photos ND ❤

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Great video and very familar topic 👍🙂

[@Gary-LX58UDV]

Great video and images👍

[@mikedodsonlabview]

Great video as always. Question; what’s mounted in the hot shoe of your camera?

[@jonathanholmes6285]

Can you comment on your ND filter use? Fixed? How many stops? And what is the key benefit (as you still use it when there is no water)?

[@tjsinva]

Snow, fog, and hoar frost? Seems like a reach, but we can always dream. Nice images! Carry on. 👍🥂

[@timrosenburgh8597]

Another great video Nigel. I think that you were beating yourself up too much when you were out at the beginning. The image's from the drone were amazing. I thought the image's of the gate and the path were really good. Enjoy yourself in Harris.

[@prasad_pant]

Great video Nigel.. Need your help on this one please.. So my Nikon d5300 LCD got blanked and it will cost about 180 USD for repairs. I mostly shoot landscapes and astro with Tokina 11-16mm and 50mm prime lens in harsh weather conditions of Himalayas. Looking for upgrade, my requirement are: 1) Good Battery life 2) Weather sealed and robust, lightweight body 3) Cheap (Under 1000 USD including a wide lens) 4) Looking for great photography dslr and dont expect great video capabilities Which camera would you recommend? How about Nikon d7500 which would be compatible with my current lenses as well? Or would you recommend anything else? Any Canon/ Sony apsc (I will have to sale my lenses in that case) Thanks in advance!

[@davidewersphotography1013]

good day nigel.

[@antonoat]

Great stuff Nigel, inspiring as always. Anyone know what's happened to James Bell, he doesn't seem to be active on KZbin anymore!

[@hillsrgood1]

I was saying the same thing to my other half

[@tedbrown7908]

What does the cold do to your camera?

[@seppajp]

Cameras are fine in cold environment. Thing that lags is batteries so you need keep them warm. I use Sony-camera and those batteries are quite prone to get cold. Only thing that is important when photographing in cold environment is keep your photo gear dry when you come back inside. Condensation is your enemy nr 1. For example keep your gear inside camera bag and let it warm few hours. When things are warm up take all out and put it on some where warm and dry place to dry more. Same with that camera bag. Greeting from Finland.

[@HezuFoto]

@@seppajp As another Finn familiar with the cold conditions I can agree with the above, more often it is the photographer, which gives up in the cold weather rather than the camera gear.

[@marknicholson5293]

Kodachrome is in deed legendary but back in the day Velvia’s saturated palate was eating Kodachrome’s pastel lunch. Kodak answered with E100 which is better suited for scanning-the way photographers seem to be using film today. All in all, Kodak’s current technologies and film line up are not only good, they are plenty good enough. For now, I would rather see Kodak bet on a business model that will sustainably produce the excellent products they currently have. If and when a competitor steps up to research and develop better film technologies that threaten Kodak, well I think Kodak can wait and see about that.

[@chrissveenphotography]

We are always going to be our worst critics. I actually really enjoyed your Lake District photos and saw potentially a couple of others in the video. I have been surprised by some of the photos that I have taken that have sold in which I didn’t think they were that great. You never know.

[@albert25hoo]

Hi Nigel, that's landscape photography, once you are out, do not chase your expectations, but observe, enjoy, experiment. At least I enjoyed your video and images. Bert.

[@ORWELLGEORGE-r6i]

Ω, με το που ξεκιναει το βιντεο στο χιονι πισω αριστερα εχει ενα "μοναχικο" δενδρο και γυρω-γυρω χιονι. Ετσι οπως φαινεται στοβιντεο θα ηταν ωραια μινιμαλιστικη φωτογραφια , διχως προφανως να ξερω πως ακριβως φαινονταν στην "πραγματικοτητα" .

[@paulfowler3416]

You can just edit out the sleeper, nice shot.

[@MakersTeleMark]

No one buys landscape photos. Sorry man.

[@Michael_Robinson]

Great photos at the end! I do have a suggestion based upon the photo at 15m42s. Although it’s possible to get fantastic photos with wide lenses that highlight a foreground element with striking scenery in the background, there are times like this one where the background element becomes too small. I’d love to see a scene like this taken two ways: one with a wide focal length like you’ve done here, but also the same scene using a telephoto focal length taken from a distance with the same framing. In this case, I think the compression would have benefitted this photo by increasing the perceived size of the mountain. 🏔