Why I shot just B&W to IMPROVE my PHOTOGRAPHY

[@blue_ranger]

Really ignorant question from a beginner here... Is there any advantage to shooting in mono, when you could shoot normally and make it mono in PS or LR later?

[@NigelDanson]

Good question!. The advantage is that you will get to visualise the scene and shooting in mono when in RAW keeps the colour data that you then use in LR to process.

[@blue_ranger]

@@NigelDanson Ah, Ok. That makes sense now. Thanks for replying, Nigel. I appreciate it.

[@wullieg7269]

Love how you make it look yellow filtered, not orange,not red,my first would be red n pola...have you thought?,I left my I.r. filters at home!,Dang!..

[@thekev506]

I'm my (limited!) experience, what makes a great B&W photo isn't necessarily what makes a great colour photo, so by restricting yourself it'll make you look for what makes the image work with the settings you're using.

[@jkmoore1120]

It takes colors out of the equation. I've often looked at scenes with great color but then looked in B&W and they just weren't all that good.

[@JohnPaul-ii]

It’s all circles, photography started out with B/W only. Now with a simple change of settings we have the choice to use it again. As for the walls, history of dry stone walls dates back some 3500 years. Mostly in the uplands of the UK, to mark out boarders, fields and control sheep. There are numerous websites that are dedicated to the subject. Thanks for sharing an amazing part of the country Nigel. Truly stunning scenery.

[@carlmeibergen8149]

Thank you Nigel, your 'one thought' reminder was exactly what I needed at the moment. Also appreciated that you stopped shooting and simply enjoyed the beauty around you. Your work is greatly appreciated.

[@frederichore1890]

NICE! Great tips, nice dialogue at a gentle pace, no screaming and puffed up commentary like many other vids. Your drone aerials add to the videos too. Kudos! Cheers from Montréal.

[@michaelvhurley]

Nigel - This may be my favorite of your excellent content on KZbin. Indeed B&W as a way to view directly in-camera and great for you to commit to B&W for these images as a way to improve your already excellent photography. Also, your filming is next level lately. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@bobsanders3439]

Really enjoyed this Nigel. I found it because this year I'm determined to focus on b&w landscape photography and I'm going to be in that area in November. Thanks for inspiring me!

[@scotty4418]

Over the last year been drawn to Black and White more and moving in a different direction with my photography. That's why I love it, as there no boundaries, just opportunities to try something different

[@scottk.8494]

I'm new to photography but I'm having a blast and your channel without a doubt has been the most helpful. You've really helped me understand how to use some of the editing tools tools, inspire me and provide great things to consider. Plus, I just enjoy how you explain things. In one of your previous videos you stated that you don't understand why more people aren't "clicking the Bell." It looks like your setting up your content as designated "For Children". This is preventing people from getting enabling the Bell notifications. I don't know why but when content is setup for children some features are disabled. Your content is safe for kids but not really made for kids like Disney or something. When I click on the Bell it informs me that the feature is not allowed because your content is created for children. Thanks and I hope this helps!

[@tjcuneo]

Enjoyed the B&W images. The split image showing exactly what you were seeing in the viewfinder was very helpful. (ie. height of camera and angle of view). Thanks

[@kevinnewsome5767]

Absolutely breathtaking. Watched it back-to-back, standing in front of the large screen the whole time. Brilliant!!

[@andrewgallup3890]

Good theme and presentation. My first 35mm camera was bought in 1967 and B&W was much more affordable than color. After getting back into semi-serious photography a couple of years ago I think I subconsciously see in B&W. I feel a composition basis is simply line and light. That can make a good photo, then you can drive yourself mad with the other things to make a great photo.

[@mikebaginy8731]

An interesting video, Nigel, thanks. In the latter 90s I worked in Telford for some months. I should have photographed Snowdonia more, very beautiful landscape.

[@davidbailey4976]

Excellent Nigel. Thank you. That pano B+W towards the end was amazing.

[@ianbarnes1406]

Great to see you embracing B&W photography Nigel. I find that the simplistic images like your last shot with the moon and those lovely clouds have a timeless quality that will endure long after the appeal of the over-saturated, mega-vista landscapes has faded.

[@jimt249]

As you mentioned dry-stone-walling to keep sheep from straying reminded me of a bit of trivia most people probably don't know about. Until the beginning of the twentieth century farmers used a rhyming counting system to keep track of the numbers of sheep they had, which was particualrly important in the days when flocks were moved between fells for grazing, or before and after shearing, and is thought to go back to the middle ages, although based on an ancient Celtic counting system. There were different dialect variations, mostly in Cumbria and Yorkshire, but also Cornish, and there was also a Welsh variant. The Swaledale version was the subject of a famous, and poignant, song by Jake Thakray in his usual witty and dead-pan manner. The words are in groups of five Yan (1), tan (2), tether (3), mether (4), pip (5); azer (6), sezar (7), akker (8), conter (9), dick (10); yanadick (11), tanadick (12), tetheradick (13), metheradick (14), bumfit (15); yanabum (16), tanabum (17), tetherabum (18), metherabum (19), jigget (20) The farmer would place a stone on the ground or put a mark on his crook for each count of twenty (jigget) then start again.

[@lindakarlin2980]

Super video. I love shooting landscapes in B&W. Thank you for more inspiration.

[@roberthennessey5702]

Very nice Nigel beautiful as always with you. There are so many times, I get excited about what I'm about to shoot, I forget to take a step back and really take in the vistas...like you said put camera away and look at these areas and vistas and enjoy them. Thanks Again Nigel

[@AdamMatthewsPhotography]

Great reminder that practicing photography skills is like any other skill....focus deeply on one thing at a time. I've been coming to this realization as a photographer in the last couple of weeks, even though I've done it elsewhere (music, skiing...)! I'll also definitely be using that great Mozart quote. Hard to argue with that level of genius.

[@terrynewmanphotography]

Nice relaxing video for a Sunday with a coffee. Love that vista in B&W with the dark foreground and sunlit mountain.

[@hamsterneckliving]

I love how in this one you showed video from the photo’s perspective of you setting up the shot and looking at horizontal and vertical, and stepping left or right to get the path at the best angle for the shot. That was very helpful. Please talk through some more shots that way with the video. Very helpful!

[@robcoates4394]

What one thing will I practice when out next? Monochrome of course! This video is so inspiring, the landscape so spectacular and, not least, the video editing between the hand-held, the tripod and the drone is superb. As you said last week, there's nothing better than being in the mountains on your own. Cheers from DownUnder. 😊

[@grainned1801]

Great video this week. Really enjoying them 😀. Thank you Nigel.

[@Bill-YellowDogWelding]

I enjoy shooting in the B/W mode and save as RAW files. I get the b/w on the screen but wait until later to see what the image looks like in color on my monitor. A little bit of both worlds. Excellent video with some interesting and thoughtful points, thanks.

[@celinemorisset5533]

Oh so good Nigel. Thanks for bringing us along. Lots of learning!

[@G0FUW]

Still struggling to get out to do anything other than checking out locations within an hour or two of home - so my one thing is 'scouting'. Don't have a van and don't feel confident to stay away from home. This week's government U-turn has knocked the confidence back a few pegs. Had a great day out on Exmoor and visited some amazing ancient woodland, now tagged for a return visit in Autumn. Stay safe Nigel.

[@garypearson5414]

Stunning.... As a local guy also to these areas, I always see things totally different when I watch your vids, hopefully one day I will see this beautiful countryside half as good as you do, well done 👍

[@andrewmckinney3053]

Many thanks, Nigel .... I really enjoyed this video. As a result of early settlement of Australia by peoples from the British Isles, there are stone walls everywhere .... great for photography :)

[@glttheriault]

Great video and great challenges. I like the transition of colour video to the B&W part. It was easy to see visually what you were explaining. Amazing place!

[@stevesmith-sb2df]

It’s nice to be allowed to walk about and experience the world. Where I live all the land is private with no trespassing signs.

[@roberthennessey128]

Beautiful landscape ....the walls are amazing. Thanks for the perspective in black and white.

[@bernadettebecher5668]

Any only you to enjoy the view! Thank you again for great information and scenery.

[@ChrisPattonPhotography]

Really liked this week's vlog, you got some great black and white images 👍

[@fredericodeazevedo]

Excellent, Nigel! I also try to think in b&w when I see beautiful textures! I think it’s more simple to compose.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@alanbell2156]

If we're talking B&W landscapes in the modern era there's one name that springs to mind: Thomas Joshua Cooper

[@lesliewood8382]

Never having visited the UK, I really enjoyed this fantastic video. Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@leireunzueta4551]

I find it really hard to see in b&w when I photograph landscapes, but that last pano was really beautiful with all those layers!

[@infraredthomas]

I had one of my cameras converted to infrared bnw. I've gotten so used to shooting bnw that I instinctively look for textures, leading lines, contrast, patterns - as you mentioned - that are ideal for bnw.

[@haroldmassey5966]

Fantastic views. I must admit black and white does look great sometimes. Thanks for the video. That climb made me out of breath.

[@alanhumbard8298]

You showed us how B&W has it’s place in the photography world. Great job on the photos.

[@JohnHuntPhotography]

Love your videos Nigel. Everything you do is so simple to follow. You're fast becoming my favorite landscape photographer :-))

[@joblogstravel3392]

For me, B&W is where I go when I feel I’ve “missed” a shot but really want to rescuer it. For some reason B&w is more forgiving. 🌸

[@graciousness15]

wow you just eead my mind

[@sterlingsilver5937]

Thanks Nigel! Your content has helped my photography improve.

[@ronpearce7198]

Outstanding presentation and photography. Really needed this on Sunday morning.

[@rymack5715]

Another excellent video, Nigel! Thank you! I’m hoping to pick up my first macro lens next week after having borrowed one from a friend, so I plan on focusing on macro photography!

[@cristovaosilva2992]

Very nice and inspiring video, Nigel! Snowdonia looks amazing. Thank you!

[@kafountineful]

A very nicely produced film - and it is always good advice to concentrate on a single aspect of style or imagery when out on a trip, but sometimes harder to maintain and avoid the temptation of reverting back to standard practice - especially with such stunning vistas - but you are correct in saying that there is more learning in this approach and it can be beneficial to progressing skills in the long run.

[@anthonyplancherel8274]

Fabulous stuff Nigel! Great shots and a great video. The Doom style first person shooter explanation showing composition is really effective. Wonderful stuff!!!! Also good to hear the catch phrase and hear you talking to your drone again😀 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@NigelDanson]

Doom! That was a great network game

[@souadchatta7997]

Thank you for taking such beautiful place ! I love the shots in monochrome!

[@NielsdeKemp]

I can incorporate these insights in my streetphotography video’s as well! Thank you 🙏

[@martinsivakov1481]

Incredibly great views! Thanks for the video Nigel👌🏼

[@MikeChesworthPhotography]

Great video this week and what a stunning location. I have always struggled with Black and White in the Landscapes. This really helped. 👍

[@danieldowns2756]

You always find the capture no matter where the location is and that's a skill that can't be taught. For someone who has access to the best landscapes/locations in the world it's so nice to see that little old Snowdonia still get's you exited. I loved all the images in this vlog but the iPhone composition of the wall and style was inspirational. 💯% on🔝 photographer 📸✔

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks Daniel - appreciate that

[@wm.jordandent9242]

Literally came to your channel, torn between the b/w and color renderings of some photos. Timely upload! Thanks from Delaware

[@erikyoung2193]

That was wonderful to watch. Beautiful shots as always

[@lisabradley9288]

Stunning photos Nigel, keep up the good work.

[@klaush.peters9060]

Great b+w photography, Nigel, I enjoy it.

[@ThomasParis]

"Sometimes it is better to be in nature and savour the moment."

[@tjsinva]

Looks like endless opportunities for the landscape photographer. Good insight. Rock on!

[@mirkolanux]

amazing... shocking storytelling Nigel😳 it is always a pleasure spending times with you and your experiences. Photography as a chance to “live”, properly :)

[@peaceuponpeace1]

The entire video is a piece of art 🖼 😍

[@crowtheri]

Love that whole range - GlyderAu, Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach are all awesome. I was there three weeks ago. Your shot over to Tryfan looked spectacular. I am assuming you got up to Y Foel Goch or Gallt yr Ogof from Garth. Love the field videos, Nigel. This is why we watch you and this film is of real quality. What is difficult to articulate, and would be especially welcome, is why you are there and what emotion and feelings you take with you and develop whilst in the field. Pushing towards this end of photography would certainly help me to develop these elements into my work. Keep going!! :)

[@suaihiamkamei3968]

Your track as background music are amazing

[@carlmorris1276]

Could never see the interest in shooting in black and white when I have a perfectly good camera that shoots colour, going to give it a go, thanks Nigel

[@jjpaque03]

Thanks for the conversation and the pointers.

[@matssandquist9258]

I must say I´m impressed how you edit and cut your film from vlogging camera and drone. It looks like you have a hole camera team behind you. I guess it must be a lot of work doing these vlogs.

[@NigelDanson]

Thanks! Yep it is quite hectic! Ha ha

[@jimbean532]

Beautiful images! Love the quote by Peter Adams. Thank you 🙏

[@MonkeeHang3r]

Bloody brilliant!

[@dragonzoltan]

Nigel, superinspiring approach, and wonderful images. I especially liked the ending - very human point, kudos! :)

[@gashead2]

I have to practice focus, my eye sight isn’t what it used to be and I have cheap lenses so I have to be very careful to get it right or I have a soft image. I love Snowdonia and thanks for sharing your visit with us.

[@gashead2]

Unfortunately a D90 doesn’t have that unless I have missed it! if it does I then I need to read the manual!

[@N0SAjREkLaw]

Thoroughly enjoyed that thanks some great tips👌✌️

[@robertfleckenstein5031]

Dear Nigel, just remember a few things in black and white, If you want to portray a subject dramatically in your final print than "crank up" the contrast. In the opposite way, if you want to make a subject seem calming then make the tones smooth and the print low contrast. And last try one effect that is sure to grab your viewers and that is to intentionally over expose your subject then lower the highlight areas a bit; one would call that over exposure and under development. That technique developed by my dentist in the 70's is sure to please. R.F.

[@williamskellyr]

Actually you quoted Samuel Smiles ... whose quote implies there is "only one" path to doing many things - the shortest. "The shorter way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time" a quote by Mozart implies there are "multiple" paths to doing many things. Surely in photography, there are multiple paths and journeys that lead one to doing many things, and many to the same destination.

[@tacituskilgore8379]

I spent a tonne of money on cameras and lenses that render colour amazingly. Then I shoot mostly in black and white. I love it.

[@SamyT1994]

You did well, since your black and white photography benefits from the high end equipment. (better microcontrast means better black and white photos)

[@TheWillRogers]

Really dug the direction/editing in this video.

[@jeffmcquinn3430]

Another great episode. Thank you for sharing.

[@andreak4280]

fantastic images & vid... very good info, thanks so much! 🙏🏼

[@Tutorials-dz]

You make me feel in love with photography 🌹thank you very much

[@Fernando-wv2lk]

This landscape is so Braveheart. hahahaha Amazing content. Thank you for sharing knowledge.

[@alexandresilvaphotography2278]

Wonderful scenery as always. Just don't forget to take a picture of the Milky Way which would be absolutely wonderful.

[@tubularificationed]

I like the quote "Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field". I make a note of that, that can be useful in the future to throw that into discussions about pictures, which were made by bokeh-peeper-nerds for bokeh-peeper-nerds ;)

[@augustuswright8541]

I've been thinking my next camera ought to be the new M Monchrom. This only confirmed the idea. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@gabewebyt]

Do check out the DPReview TV review of the M -- they point out because the image is being captured raw in B&W, there's no way do things like darken (what was originally) the blue tones -- a kind of adjustment that is really powerful IMO.

[@davidharrison8948]

Some gorgeous images. Thank you 👍🏻

[@gabewebyt]

Love this episode, probably because I love B&W myself and love these images. Would be great to continue see regular B&W-focused episodes.

[@jjualvare]

Would like to see a video on how to create a Noir preset in Lightroom for landscape. Thanks.

[@pavelperina7629]

It must be really hard to produce this kind of videos. I mean preparing topic, carrying tripod and camera for filming and other for taking photo, taking microphone and drone, processing video footage afterwards which I personally hate to do. Sometimes I'm not sure if you are alone and drone can follow some flight path or if you have some mate who can hide on top of the hill :) My problem with shooting B&W would be to pre-visualize the output. My camera has two or three presets, but I can imagine processing photo in completely different way - for example with green-yellow-brown grass and gray sky it's possible to make yellow much brighter than green and create contrast based on color and to apply different contrast or brightness to different areas.

[@holgerkeller9634]

Great video and an amazing location. Just to double check - all your pictures are focus stacks (I think I heard you saying that you took two pictures with different focus...)?

[@vladot1976]

Great nature,love the photos! Tomorow is myday in mountains😀!

[@RezaRadDM]

Amazing, I loved all of them.

[@CookedLight]

I will be practicing how to use the X-T1 that I just bought! The moon shot is amazing, calendar 2022? Can’t believe we’re on the 8th page of 2020 already.

[@NigelDanson]

No - it seems 2020 is surreal

[@SimonWillig]

What a wonderfull area to be - I definitely have to go there sometime myself! As for B&W: I never go out with the intention to shoot in B&W - it Just happens in postprocess. Maybe I should....

[@NigelDanson]

Try it 👍🏼

[@dfinlay587]

Really great. Mostly I shoot in color, then switch to mono in post. More after the fact. But I can see the benefit of going to mono in camera. Did you experiment with any coloured filters, polarizer, etc.

[@snoopaka]

Maybe it is just my monitor, but do you want much absolute black in your monochrome landscape images or do you want some detail in all of the shadows.? Lovely images as usual.

[@korffyboy91]

1:07 standing in the most beautiful landscape "... hoping to get some shots" 😉

[@NigelDanson]

ha ha - it is quite spectacular.

[@korffyboy91]

Really magnificent scenery and great video as per usual

[@band1tt]

It can be ever so beautiful standing there but can be a hell to get a good photo of it :)

[@iZogAdventure]

Amazing to get out in the camper van. We haven’t been out in ours for what feels like a long time. Looks quiet/empty compared to what I’ve seen on news reports.

[@NigelDanson]

It was fairly quiet to be honest but I was there midweek.

[@jpdj2715]

When learning black and white, it helps to study the "zone system". [title data SE&O] "The new zone system manual" by Minor White, Richard Zakia & Peter Lorenz 1976, Morgan & Morgan, New York. This is like an update on Ansel Adams' zone system photography The "original": "The Basic Photo series," part 2, "The negative," and part 3, "The Print." by Ansel Adams 1968, Morgan & Morgan, New York Alternatively: "New photography series, Workbook in creative photography" by Josepha Haveman 1971, Morgan & Morgan, New York

[@jonfletcher147]

Brilliant Nigel

[@jiffijoff9780]

You didn't happen to stumble upon James Popsys, who is @Snowdownia/Wales at the moment as well? That would be some pretty cool double feature episode! :-)

[@orphanuprising]

Is this James' backyard?

[@thomasfarley2688]

Fantastic video, thank you for publishing it. And all the better from being away from the "honey pot" areas!

[@pattymattes7124]

Beautiful! Did you happen to see Comet Neowise?