Make GREAT photos when you can - it's all about training your eye.

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[@toine1915]

Hi, Andy. This is exactly what I meant by those words. You made it a perfect video. With very good examples too. I never thought these words would make a certain impression on you. Thanks for this educational video. I'm really going to work on this and regain the joy in photography that I had in my early years. Greetings from the Netherlands, buddy, Antoine. PS. Nics glasses, my friend.

[@AndyBanner]

Thanks, Antoine. Hope you are well

[@ledesclos5321]

You indeed are a rising star in the world of photography. Thank you.

[@AndyBanner]

Now I know you're as crazy as I am.

[@myimagecapture2266]

Thanks Andy for reminding me why I love taking pictures. When I look back at my photographs I realized that the most interesting shots are the ones from locations where I have returned again and again. Often times the locations and the shots are images most photographers would ignore but for me they are unique and creative. By the way I love the first shot in this video. Cheers

[@AndyBanner]

Familiarity breeds contempt in so many cases, but it also builds knowledge

[@kentfaithwendyzeng]

Loved the emphasis on exploring different perspectives and finding beauty in unconventional subjects. Perfect advice on focusing on local areas too!

[@AndyBanner]

Thanks, Wendy. Good to have K&F on Board.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

sage advice Andy I spent several years trying (and failing) to become a professional racing cyclist and my mantra always was "train to your weaknesses, race to your strengths" that way sooner or later you're always racing to your strengths. I guess photography is similar (though physically less painful!) 🙂 I'm guilty of staying within my comfort zone by and large. Though I transitioned from landscapes / seascapes to more nature / macro through necessity. I struggle to get out and about due to my health these days, but do try some indoor stuff when I'm really stuck. Still life, oil and water, etc are great fun. I do find your videos very inspiring 🙂

[@AndyBanner]

You're a good photographer, Nick. Do whatever you find enjoyment in. But yes, train to your weaknesses. Great advice. Take care.

[@happymystic9800]

After watching three of your videos I feel it is a good place to leave a sub. I really like your approach of identifying photo subjects. 😊

[@AndyBanner]

Awesome, thanks.

[@daviddaw999]

I don't have a problem with your endorsement of K&F Concept products: I have bought a few things from them and have always been very pleased with both price and quality.

[@AndyBanner]

Cheers, David. It's perfectly good stuff in my experience - I wouldn't promote it otherwise.

[@SteveMorris1964]

Having a little binge on the videos I've missed lately, haven't been feeling great so haven't been out and haven't watched any TOG vids, anyway, another enjoyable video Andy, since watching you, I have made a concerted effort, to see something in what is, at first glance, the mundane and boring. On closer inspection, like a lot of things, they're not boring and hide hidden gems if you take the time to look. I'm away in Krakow next weekend and will be taking your advice with me. Keep up the good work mate, Steve.

[@AndyBanner]

Have a great time in Poland. I really need to travel more. The furthest I have been in a year is Sudbury....

[@lee-annecarpenter6844]

Great content! This is a concept I wish to embrace more!

[@AndyBanner]

Thanks. Hope you get some great images

[@cernach13]

I'm so glad youtube recommended your channel. It's a joy to find someone that appreciates the simple things in life and teach others how to appreciate it through their art form. Yourself, Courtney Victory, Wild and Free Victoria & Ian Worth are some of my favorite photography channels. You all present yourselves as down to earth photographers that just like sharing your work with us and explaining how you approach your composition before taking a shot. Keep up the good work and I'll keep watching!

[@AndyBanner]

I enjoy Courtney's work too - I know she lurks around here sometimes - @CourtneyVictoria if you're here somewhere, say hello. I was not aware of Wild & Free Victoria, but have looked at her work and, yes, that's well worth a sub to. ~ Thank you for your support. It's much appreciated.

[@trevorfentiman5283]

Like the way you both see and approach your photography, the reasoning behind each carefully thought out image is what entices me to follow you, doing reviews on items is your choice and it’s nice now and then to see how products stand up to constant use, keep them coming

[@AndyBanner]

Thank you. Really appreciate your feedback

[@simonpayne7994]

Quite right. My opinion is that a photographer should be capable of doing justice to any kind of motive. According to my thinking, a seasoned photographer should be able and willing to take a picture of anything that a non-photographer might happen to need. No matter what has to be photographed. This even includes videography to a certain extent. Apart from that, as Andrew says, there is always some sort of shot that you can take, basically everywhere. Then put a frame around it, and, abracadabra, you have a work of art. At least, sometimes. 🙂

[@AndyBanner]

Sometimes - yes, only sometimes. But the more your exercise and work those creative muscles, the better it all gets.

[@simonpayne7994]

@@AndyBanner I am not so sure you can train creativity. I am also not quite sure you can train composition talent. 🙂🙂🙂

[@AndyBanner]

You absolutely can do both. Creativity builds upon success and through inspiration. Composition is most definitely a skill you can acquire - nobody is born with this innate ability, it's acquired and honed like every other human skill.

[@simonpayne7994]

@@AndyBanner Some people do not have an antenna for composition. They simply do not see the difference. Just as some people do not have an eye for a motive. Apart from that, people are not all equally creative. I see this among my own relatives. Of course, I have probably read everything ever written about composition. More subtle things like triangles, spirals, repetitions and whatnot. I have never consciously applied them. I usually just sort of see how to arrange things and what to leave out of the picture. The main thing is that you are able to recognize what is wrong with a picture so you can do better next time. What must be trained is the effect of converting the 3D scene in front of you to a representation on a flat 2D medium. This is especially critical doing woodland. Tangled branches in 3D that look really great become a cluttered mess in 2D. In general, faking depth is certainly something you can learn. But the rest seems to me to be rather talent dependent.

[@Elements795]

Enjoyed this “down to earth” video Andrew. Your style (and content!) appeals to me. The video portrays the reality faced by many newbie photographers who are not fortunate enough to live in a major city / other tourist or picturesque location, yet encourages the photographer to “make the best” of their immediate location and think outside the box a little. Yes, I enjoyed this and look forward to your next video. Sub’d.👍

[@AndyBanner]

Thanks. Your wording also contributes to the perception that there's nothing to shoot. The problem is that we perceive certain places or Types of Places to be more photogenic than others. This is far from the truth. Those places we might think of as being photogenic are often because the photo is obvious. You don't have to hunt for it - the shot is not only easy, it's so easy that a million people who passed here before got their phone out and have the same bloody shot. What we need to do is LOOK beyond the obvious - always.

[@yaffulwoodpeckerpresents7784]

Enjoyable video as usual. I did enjoy the second to last image. It's wonderful. Or perhaps it's the humour.

[@AndyBanner]

I was going to call that shot "No shit, Sherlock" but decided against it.

[@daviddunmow]

Hi Andrew. I liked the sea wall and steps at picture 1. The curve of the wall meeting the stairs had such texture and colours looking along the wall going up the steps. You have once again made an interesting and informed video. It is absolutely inspiring. I also take 10x42 binoculars .when I scout. As I find the smaller field of view helps pin point interesting images to investigate and maybe take a image or two. David

[@AndyBanner]

The binoculars is a good idea. I would definitely have to swap the 20l bag for the 30L one though!. :-) Thanks for your support

[@pauldarville3843]

Another interesting video, great concepts, thanks Andrew!!

[@AndyBanner]

My pleasure!

[@iphoneography]

Damn!! I really thought you were going to compose, and take a photo of the sand, ocean and post @ <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="630">10:30</a> - that would look very nice.

[@AndyBanner]

I just didn't see the potential of it at the time. I do now you mention it, of course...

[@petefox5307]

Just found your videos,very impressed,very good content,also,myself being a local Norwich amateur photographer gives me food for thought,thank you,Pete.

[@AndyBanner]

Welcome aboard, Pete. If you fancy a shoot, let me know. There's a local photowalk group called ShutterBugs that do regular Norwich walks if you're interested

[@petefox5307]

@@AndyBanner Hi Andy, thanks for the reply, I'm down Cromer in the next couple of weeks, I'm Admin of the Hellesdon Community Group, I post several pictures a week on there, check it out, send a message or request, cheers Pete.

[@AndyBanner]

If you fancy a photowalk, I am just along coast in Mundesley. Will take a look, cheers.

[@Arripa-777]

Love the colors of the last shot ! Thank you ! 👍🏼

[@AndyBanner]

Yes, it's got a lovely colour to it. Thanks

[@Ricalex67]

It’s kinda funny. I always stick to a particular genre when I take my camera out but I discovered something. My 48mp iPhone 15 went with me on my last little venture out and I started taking shots of, well, utter rubbish! Broken signs, abstract angles of buildings, close ups on the beach….. it was a real eye opener. I didn’t have to worry about the technical details, I just got the composition, or not, depending HOW I saw something. I’m afraid to say I got addicted and came home with the most successful random photo walk I’ve done. Why it somehow grave me more freedom I don’t know but I fully intend to do it again, and when walking the do on one of the local beaches, my phone is a lot easier to use than concentrating on a backpack with a dog in tow. Yes I know, a phone isn’t a camera according to some, but the quality coming from my photos were good. I know it’s limited but it was one lens, and basic. It kinda freed me up to get creative somehow.

[@AndyBanner]

Phones are great devices for images. I just hate the user experience of it. Obviously, it's very limited in what it can do but there are many excellent phone photographers out there and, if I could get SwiftCam to provide a grip on loan, I would so a video on phone photography but they seem disinterested in partnering.

[@Ricalex67]

@@AndyBanner andrew ive just done street photography in cardiff after picking up a new ipad ( total mobile photographing and editing). Yet again it was thoroughly enjoyable. This is getting addictive. Burst shooting, shoot from hip, etc etc. it was just pure fun.

[@AndyBanner]

Good stuff. Enjoyment is key. The images can be as good or as bad as you like so long as you enjoy the process.

[@cindyshebley]

Wonderful video - thanks for sharing your thoughts and visions

[@Philhellene1]

Another great video. And I also really enjoy K & F products.

[@AndyBanner]

Cheers, Phil. K&F stuff represents excellent value for money in my view. I have bought K&F products and I have been given some. I would not hesitate to buy more or recommend them to others - my reputation is at stake after all and I won't squander that for a few quid in commission - that's why the online image editor will not be featuring anywhere in my socials.

[@stephenbrasure4331]

Good content but the when the music started playing, I thought I had two videos playing at the same time! You really need to check your sound mixing.

[@AndyBanner]

Thanks for pointing this out. Out of interest, are you using headphones? I try to be careful with the music, but sometimes muff up the levels or make a mistake in the final edit and export without noticing. Is there a specific part that's a problem?

[@michaelhall2709]

I rather liked the shot of the lobster pot and the structure behind it, though the lighting could have been better. What about it didn’t work for you?

[@AndyBanner]

I am glad you asked that, Michael. For me, the gap between the top of the pot and the building is too big. It's a no-man's land of the image that cuts it into three areas that have no particular link. It's a problem I often experience and (annoyingly) don't identify until I have got it on a bigger screen - I need to be more considerate of this issue when live with the composition - not trying to save the poor thing in Photoshop.

[@johnchipperfield3367]

Excellent andy, I thought looking along the side of the curvature of the wall, with the concrete steps would have made a good shot. In my humble opinion, 6.12 minutes into the video.

[@AndyBanner]

I was eyeing up that curved sea wall too but couldn't find an angle and/or something commanding enough on the beach to balance the shot.

[@user-pq2ed6yj4s]

In the image at 8.00 I found the yellow warning sign stopped me viewing to the end of the beach. Would you remove the sign in photoshop? With the shed and lobster pot, could you use a wide angle lens and a wide aperture to compress the distance between the whole shed and the pot?

[@AndyBanner]

Wide angles do not compress - telephotos do. There's a limit in what can be done here as this is private land and to get a clear shot of the lobster pot, I have to position the lens through a 5-bar gate. This creates further restriction in position and thus there are many compromises that need making. Without the gate, I would probably get closer with a wide angle and then open the aperture to create more depth to the sheds but that's in an ideal situation.

[@user-pq2ed6yj4s]

@@AndyBanner You are correct about the lens, sorry for that comment.

[@AndyBanner]

No need to be sorry.

[@chetkostrzewa746]

Thanks, useful and educational as usual. But I wonder with respect to your own work, to what end? Are you looking to evoke an emotional response to individual images, or suggest a narrative with a collection of your images?

[@AndyBanner]

An interesting question and one that probably deserves a video response. The long and short of it is that I closed a business down and wanted something to do that might earn me some money by making KZbin Videos. Well, that went well... It's improving now but it's taken a very long time to get to the "heights" I am currently enjoy. Beyond that, there are many personal reasons, some of which I have spoken about in past videos where I've made no secret of my mental health difficulties and, ultimately, I want people to see my work, be inspired by my words and visuals and go and get better. Would I love to earn a living off what I do? Yes, but not as a photographer for hire - the moment it feels like a job is when I need to do something else.

[@laurielphotography1118]

Enjoyed the video, Andy. Nice captures! After viewing the last shot I was wondering if, aside from water, clouds, and grasses, there are any unusual situations where you would use long exposure? Have a great week!

[@AndyBanner]

Thanks. Hmm. Interesting question. Of course, ICM is technically a long exposure. Light trails of vehicles on roads. Another use of long exposure is in busy places where you want to make them look empty. A long exposure of a plaza or similar with people walking though (not megabusy) can obliterate the human forms. A few such images stacked can work incredibly well. I use long exposures for light painting and also for getting the light from the lighthouse on occasion. Astro needs long exposures (I have no experience of this), aurora shots, moon. There are lots of use cases I guess.

[@laurielphotography1118]

@@AndyBanner Yes, I am familiar with these but I was curious if there was an unusual situation where you found long exposure, something you wouldn't normally use, gave an interesting effect. Perhaps a quiet scene in the woods or something. You may have answered my question when you mentioned light painting. Do you have a video on that subject? Thanks Andy.

[@AndyBanner]

I don't do a lot of light painting. I have some ideas on it, but haven't done too much. I will put one of my light painting shots in a community post - it's far from my best work.

[@ianbrowne9304]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="350">5:50</a> look behind ya! Look! there's a curve, sunlight , shadows , shape .... 🤣 I type that as soon as I saw the stairs and before you did turn around 🤣 Tip for less experienced : a good soldier, or a good hunter will always be looking behind just in case they missed something because the light wasn't right . I have found many photos in my car/truck mirrors ---- think opposite lighting Just a little annoying point for me ; <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="515">8:35</a> music is drowning out your voice Andrew. Without text on the screen I would be totally lost :( . I usually turn off because of music , but you always have surprise --- like the wire/fish trap in the grass 👋👋. The lesson for me ; 'the shed finished the photo'

[@AndyBanner]

HI, Ian. Thanks for your support. I suffer from tinnitus and often have volume up higher to deal with it. I don't share the experience of having the music drown out my voice as you describe, though it should have been quieter, for sure. I am trying more to deal with this as you're not the only person to comment about this. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. As for "It's behind you!", it's definitely isn't just a phrase for panto season.

[@ianbrowne9304]

@@AndyBanner But you don't have 70yo smashed up hearing (industrial/tone deafness) AND tinnitus ;) and tracers of autism. I wouldn't say it if it wasn't a problem for me at that particular time Andrew. 🤣I can drive for 12 ++ hours with no radio or music No; I have no intention of going without your wonder inspirational videos ; but music/accents are the main reason I turn off so much youtube . Cheers mate.

[@AndyBanner]

Some assumptions there. I certainly have a number of traits that have similarities with ADHD. Concentration can be challenging and repetitive tasks that involve a degree of thinking are killers. Physical repetitive tasks not so much. It's all very strange.