I don't recall in which video you mentioned this, but you said that you wanted to spend your money on traveling to beautiful places (and not take pictures in your hometown). I'd love to see you do a video about how to find beautiful things to photograph in your hometown. Maybe it would be more cityscapes or parks or whatever, but it would really open things up for part-time photographers who can't fly off to somewhere exciting every few weeks or months! Plus it would be a topic I've never seen covered on UA-cam.
When I get asked about my pictures, I am always telling people it's all about the waiting. I completely agree with your tip about shooting through the event. The worst is looking at the rear view mirror in the car and seeing the shot you didn't wait for. Great video again.👍
Absolutely spot on with this video. One of my very favorite photos was taken at the Maroon Bells near Aspen CO. I got there early and got some really nice shots just before and as the sun's rays hit the very tip of the peaks. However, not too long after that most of the other photographers left. I stayed a while longer and before too long, the wind stopped and the lake became as smooth as glass. I got a fantastic shot of the mountain reflected perfectly on the lake. Those other photographers that left - they missed it. I've never forgotten that lesson.
Hey Mark, I agree with all positive comments I read on YT; you really do have a great ease of teaching what you've learned along the way, and your humility and modesty are endearing. But I want to say a huge thank you for giving so FREELY of yourself and your time. I would lay down a LOT of coin to learn everything that you give away so generously. If ever you are in the Canadian Rockies, I will gladly sign up for ANY and ALL workshops you might be willing to give, no matter the price. Your lessons are invaluable, man! Thank you from a big fan in Canada!
Mark, Your video reinforces and summarizes my recent experiences. I made a commitment to get out more and so I have been going out before and after work to various spots to shoot. And each time I learn a lesson - and the points you discuss are all right on. It is humbling. And the way to really understand is to go out and shoot. I drove to a site today, 30-35 minutes before sunrise thinking that I was all together but started cursing in the car when I saw the most brilliant color in the sky and I still had a few miles to go! I'd say allowing enough time to get to your destination keeps anxiety down, keep extra clothes in the car, snacks, water etc. I cant shoot when I am hungry! Patience is HUGE! Great video - Thank you.
Ever since I stumbled upon your channel, without being weird, I've been in love. You truly love what you do, don't pump bs gear reviews, and talk about subjects that actually matter. Please don't change.
Same here. I really like the content and presentation - clean, no hype, no hipster bullshit. I am a (bad) amateur photographer, i only do it for fun as a hobby but i am always looking for tips to improve, etc. That's how i found Peter McKinnon and i binged-watched almost all of his videos. At first they were very nice, full of information and useful. I've been following him for a while, and no offense to him but slowly all his videos are turning into this "new age YT" thing with tons of B-roll, intros, outros, plenty of crap and very little actual content and information. Lately he's been actually adding 5-10 mins at the end of each video with practically random shit that even if sometimes funny... are just bullshit and sorry but "ain't nobody got time for that". It's actually starting to look like main-stream media. I am not on youtube for "high production value" main-stream media shenanigans, i am looking for honest, precise and good information. So yeah, i appreciate it when people stay concise and true to their feelings rather than turn their channels into a "gotta pump a video every day" thing. Then again, i am well aware that unless they do that, they won't be able to live off it, so... even if i hope this channel will remain as i like it, i have no high hopes since a man's gotta live. Enjoy it while it lasts, i guess :)
Well done. #5 I think is the most important. Never forget, this is supposed to be fun. I love to do landscape photography and I like to fish. I tell everyone, even if I don't get a great photo or fail to catch a fish it was still a great experience, in the grand scheme of things, It really was never about captureing a photo or a fish. It was about enjoying the time spent. Thanks for the video.
I have been taking landscape photography serious for about a year now and last sunday was the first time I shot like you describe in this video and it did indeed get me my best photo's so far! Listening to your 5th point put a smile on my face because it is so true. I stood on top of a dune for 2 hours watching the clouds and landscape change color and the sun set, with nothing but how great the picture was going to be on my mind. Best feeling ever. reminded me why I love photography.
I couldn't agree more with all 5 of your insights. Clearly you've given it much thought and your enthusiasm shines through. It took me quite a while to come to the same conclusion as your video. But then I had to discover all 5 points for myself. I sincerely hope others who watch this video will realize the potential it offers. Many thanks.
Mark, totally agree with Tip 1, shooting through the event is also great to slow you down a bit so that you can appreciate the beauty of the event in reality and not just through the lens👍
You are spot-on with your top 5 tips. Your presentation is a great reminder to help me keep focused! And I’m looking forward to your new production setup!
Yesterday I somehow found your video on UA-cam, you are probably right, UA-cam must be promoting you more after your 10,000 subscribers. I have been working on trying to set up a channel based on life in Japan. But I ended up watching your videos and just binged leaving your channel on the entire afternoon and would do some work and would start listening closely when I heard you say something interesting (which was quite often). This morning I turned on your channel again and continued watching. I really like your sincere, honest and straightforward approach. Your true self shows through as a very good and honest person. Thank you very much! I will continue to watch your channel. Best of luck with the big move to full-time! Your background set up of your office is really neat and well organized! And I like your Yoda from the first set up! I am a Yoda fan also. :)
All great points! Too many times I've gotten images that I would have never had if I had gotten to a site later, or left early. Patience, appreciating the scene, and being open to different compositions are all keys to capturing keepers.
Mark, your videos are great. I’m picking up my camera after years of not shooting and your tips have greatly improved my ability to compose. I’m still a novice but seeing the improvements is so satisfying.
Mark, on my preparation for a sunset I will review the satellite view to determine if there are clouds below the horizon especially if ihave clouds above the horizon with a clear sunset. If there are no clouds below the horizon, then i have the potential for light to bounce up under the clouds after sunset. I have seen up to 3-4 phases of a sunset. Thank you for the great video and valuable information.
Mark, I recently got back into photography. I have been discovering gems along the way that I would never have seen and photographed had I not been walking around the area I had planned to shoot. For example, the other day I went to shoot the Lynnhaven House in Virginia Beach, VA. An old historical house built in 1725. There was a boardwalk path through a section of woods on the property that led to another path that was SO full of color (fall) that I came back at another time just before sunset to capture the light. Same composition but beautifully different lighting! Thanks for the video. I'm learning a lot. I really appreciate your sharing the shots from your own work to illustrate your points.
Love this video. I probably watch it about once every 4-6 weeks. Makes me slow my butt down and enjoy what I love doing. I hope you had a great holdiay with family and friends.
Great video, Mark. I went to shoot this morning; arrived at 05:30, sun wasn't due to rise until just before 07:00, and I definitely got my best shots and colour before the sun rose.
Useful and concise post, summarizes key points you’ve mentioned in prior vids. Doctor Mark’s Miracle Mantra for Guaranteed Meditative Bliss - good pics, too.😃 All adds up to confidence, but would add caveat to also expect the unexpected. Great premise about knowing your gear - when it’s part of you then anxiety fades. Sony cams not good enough for vids, eh? Sounds like a first step to a switch to Fuji - start with home vids, then see how it goes for venues. Video camera, lights - quiet on the set, then new wardrobe and perhaps makeup? Ready for a close-up.
Great top 5. I would add a 6th though and that might be an extension to planning. On-site composition. When you frame your shot make sure you have the elements you need and don't have things in your frame that you don't want. Look at all edges and corners, assess whether you need to focus stack to get that awesome foreground (you are shooting low, right) in focus as well as the background in between. To be able to do this effectively you need to have done the 5 things you mentioned, especially the last one.
I found Tip #2 really helped me out a lot in recent years. Beside what you've mentioned in the video, sometime the preparation help you discover a location or a spot that creates a different composition that most people don't know about. Also, I found Instagram is very helpful to find out what a location is like in the last couple of days, a lot time before I'm heading to a location I want to know if the trail is accessible or if a lake is still frozen, etc., checking images on Instagram based on location tag really helps out here. Love your videos btw, binge watched a lot of them :D
Great tips Mark! Today I was shooting some tiny flowers in macro...wind was blowing..I was waiting and waiting. The sun went behind the clouds and the wind got harder, picked up the tripod and started walking away. Yep, two minutes later... wind stops, sun comes out (almost sunset) and it was a beautiful warm glow. Made it back just in time to reset and hope I got one good one since the wind settled and light was good only a few seconds.
Thank you so much for your videos Mark! I've really been benefiting from your tutelage. I'm a new camera owner and I'm watching your videos (and other guys) on the daily to try and catch up. Your content is fantastic! I really appreciate you sharing.
I had to stop your video after just the first tip and write this comment Mark. When I was at Mesa Arch the skies were totally overcast and I thought I was crazy (true) or stubborn (true) or an ignorant photographer (a beginner yes, but wanting to keep learning) by staying put, sticking around, and “shooting through the event”. Just like you, though, as I was about to leave, the color under the Arch turned beautiful orange and I got my keeper. Thank you for acknowledging the process. I don’t feel quite so crazy, stubborn, or ignorant!
Great Video Mark.. ... I like your five Tips especially arriving at Location extra early and staying till the very end Light can change in minutes and moments can be lost. It has been a couple of years ago photographing Sea Scapes in San Diego ... that I left early after a Sunset that was not very promising and within 15 min the Sky Exploded in Color. That was a lesson I will not soon forget. I liked what you said about enjoying the moment and the Beauty and not getting to caught up on the Image itself. I think you will enjoy the Fuji xt3 ...I purchased mine last year and love it is Amazing Video and Stills Camera
Bruce Pritchett Thanks so much Bruce! Can’t wait for my Fuji to arrive tomorrow - I’ve been trying to find a good reason to get into the Fuji system for years.
HA I got goosebumps and starting smiling there at the end as well! Very good tips Mark!! You touched on "Practice", I say, "practice, practice, practice!" Sadly, so many folks expect to walk up to a scene and snap away and then wonder why their snapshots are not images. They see your image and instantly say, "You must have used Photoshop!". No fool, I practice, practice, practice and as you mention I put in the time to do my best to create an image. Anyway... off the soapbox for now. Again very good tips and like you said too, there are more, but you wanted to keep limit the topic. Your 5 tips are what I would call are the foundation tips/steps. Thank you again and really enjoy your videos. ~Ron
Great tips! Only one that’s really affected me is to get out and shoot, a lot. Photography takes practice just like other art forms. Shoot anything and everything with purpose , practice composition and experiment with different settings so you understand what changing the settings do without thinking about it, and only way to master this is to practice. I now treat all shooting is practice and try to keep focused instead of putting a shoot on a pedestal, makes it more fun too especially on hikes etc.
Great tips, as always! I just shot sunset last night over the Columbia River Gorge on the Oregon side and I made sure to get there 1.5 hr early and stayed until I needed my headlamp to see the trail back to the truck. I'm still pretty new to shooting sunrise/sunset events but super glad to have people like you sharing useful tips like these. I quite enjoy the meditative process, as well as the great outdoors.
Great tips Mark, I only wish somebody did this for me when I got started a few years back. Shooting through the event is invaluable advice, as is researching your locations. Great video!
I really enjoyed this video, Mark. All of your tips were well explained and helpful for a beginner such as myself. I always find that having lots of time on location provides a much better experience and usually much better results. Shooting through the event is something that I will keep in mind with all of my future outings. Great video. Cheers!
Hey mark - new subscriber but as you said it was just the inevitable because I enjoyed the series of mistakes and tips you've had recently. All your videos are so relate-able that I actually able to identify the mistakes I have been making in my year 2 of photography. Thank you for sharing and being yourself.
Great video and advice been through those moments of nervousness and sweating hands when getting to a place you also make an excellent point know your gear for sure. 👍👍
Your tips are excellent. I would add to plan a bit for beyond. You might only plan to shoot one event, yet something expected pops up, so you're gone much longer than anticipated. For instance, a sunset turns into the blue hour and before you know it, there's a beautiful moon. So, I plan extra in terms of lenses, clothing, and water.
Packed up thought i got some Great Pictures of the Sunset. Bombing the hill on my bicycle i notice it got even BETTER lights and colors. Ugh, Stay till its GONE...Love your videos
Thanks again - but I like that your vids are like a chat !!!!! I have my mug of tea & sit in the other chair & - listen for a bit !!!! Adding the odd word or noise occasionally - Don't let all this trendy lighting go to your head !!!! 😉😉. Couldn't agree more with your points - make yourself time !!!!!! Looking forward to the next illuminating instalment !!
Thanks so much, Mark. Very helpful as always, and without bells and whistles and jarring music. That sonorous speaking voice is perfect when one wants a few tips and it’s first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Quick question: seeing how many shots you take at a given shoot, would you do a video on your workflow/organizational system someday? I’m presently stuck in no man’s land between Apple and Adobe: backing up all my RAW files both to iCloud and the CC via Lightroom, and I can’t figure out which way to go once my storage starts getting low. Are external drives really fast enough to edit from? Do you just use LR for photo organization and storage? You seem like a sensible guy, very curious about your approach to the not-so-glamorous side of this art form. Thanks again and keep ‘em coming!
Good Stuff Mark..all tips related to slowing down, take your time...On another note it's ironic. I picked up an X-T3 (and X-T20) six weeks ago. Ive moved opposingly. My A7R3's are my go to for my portrait business, My X-T3 is my landscape go to, or my get away and relax body. I appreciate what you do Landscape is my release. Portraits are my bread and butter.
Every tip/suggestion in this video is great, but shooting through the event is were I need to be more patient, I’m done photographing a sunset (south Florida by the Everglades), I get back in the car and notice a completely different sky, next time I’ll bring a chair and wait until the park ranger tells me that it’s time to go home. LOL Keep up the great work you're doing, it is appreciated.
Hi Mark, thank you for the very helpful video. In my early days of landscape photography, I tended to overdo most of those effects on LR - it was helpful learning from you that less is more and to keep it simple. On a separate note, I admire your courage to get off the corporate ladder and follow your passion for landscape photography. You're an example that it could be done and I find that inspiring as I've been itching to pull that plug too. If I could make a request; can you make a video that covers how you have your camera set up and how you've made use of the camera's seemingly limitless customizations for its buttons and dials. I'm using the A7RIII and I'm new to Sony so seeing how you have your A7RII set up would be helpful. Thanks for reading and keep up the good work. Mark
Great video! Vielen Dank für die tollen Tipps! Ich fand das Video sehr interessant. Du hast die Punkte alle sehr gut erklärt, so das ich als Anfänger damit auch meine Fotografie verbessern kann. Vielen Dank dafür.
@@MarkDenneyPhoto He says: Thanks for the great tips! I found the video very interesting. You explained the points well, so that a beginner like me can improve my photography. Thanks for it.
Again... just a new camera owner. I’m wondering about a resource for composition. For example; I was just thinking I’m going to be taking pictures of a castle. Is there a point where that picture changes from landscape to portrait as I zoom in or physically approach it? If so, I need to learn those rules, right? I’ll practice with our school on my camera, but I’m wondering at what point to change lenses, add subjects (people), or if I’m just being silly and it makes little difference with my beginner camera and lenses.
That's a great question Lynn! It really just depends on the type of photo you're trying to capture. I'd suggest trying all of your lenses from various different vantage points, just so you can find out what you like and what you don't like.
I would rank Know your gear as #1. It helps if you come from the analog "stone age". Preparation is also a great advice. Scout the location in advance.
great choice on the camera and lens - they're my primary video kit (and I use them for some stills when I need to go ultra-wide). I don't think you'll be disappointed :-)
Great information, thank you! PhotoPills, Skyguide, Clear Outside, and LunaSolCal, I depend on all of these apps. Sunset, Milkyway and sunrise...that is a great photo adventure day.
Thanks Mark! I actually have been getting a lot of information from you and I appreciate it and it’s working! I was in Nova Scotia over this last weekend. Let’s write down by the ocean with the waves were crashing in the rocks big time I’ll be posting that on my Instagram but your tips I Lightroom composition everything you have been helpful. I was in Nova Scotia over this last weekend. It’s right down by the ocean where the waves were crashing in the rocks big time I’ll be posting that on my Instagram but your tips I Lightroom composition everything you have been helpful. I find myself now on everything that I shoot. 1234... 1. Close, 2. Mid Range, 3. Distant Range, 4. Frame it. My composition has really increased just after watching that video of yours. And so those are the four things I look at. There might be one or two others but those are my main things to make sure that I’m getting Dubb in my photos. Rather than just taking a Snapchat like you had said. In the morning I’m off to Tucson Arizona. Hoping to get some really great shots of Tombstone Arizona. One thing I’ve been looking at doing here that’s working as well. I’ve been googling images of places I’ve never been before and at least attempting to re-create some of those shots at somebody else took before in a different way. And that’s been leading me down a good path on getting my own ideas in my own shots. Then my own compositions. So your channel has been very helpful for me thank you Mark appreciate it
I am watching this today away over a year later. Another good reason to arrive early is to get the best spot especially when its a well-known place and a lot of photographers are there.
Thanks Joel! I looked at the Sony a7 series as well, but really just wanted to test Fuji out for video - I heard the video from the xt3 is fantastic. The Fuji will be really just for video, but I'll shoot some stills with it but my main still camera will be my Sony a7rii.
According to your tip 5, something that goes hand in hand with it: Don't look at pictures you see from other photographers, look at their pictures you don't see. Since it can really push your confidence down because you only see their best pictures most of the time. Always remember: They have captured at least as much bad images as you have, so don't worry if you sometimes come home with no good picture at all. Something that goes hand in hand with the get there early - stay late tip: Improve you improvising skills. Something can always go wrong. Even if it's just that the weather doesn't turn out as expected - or your flight got canceled. Look for other possible pictures then - but don't forget your original target composition, it might work out one hour later or so.
Gday Mark I am enjoying your channel its funny you have to go thru the shit I got here to late or the damm where is that spare battery and miss some of those moments and yes you are so right get there early set up and have that coffee cheers mate
I was thinking about getting the same camera for vlogging mainly because I shoot sony and I couldn’t find an affordable wide angle zoom for my a6500 but I don’t think t-3 has built in stabilization which I don’t like and tamron is about to release the 17-28 f2.8 and if it is as sharp and affordable as the 28-75 is I’ll probably just buy that.
Hi Mark I am going to Arches, Monument Valley and planing on taking some landscape photos. Some during the day and some at sunset. What do you recommend I have a Canon 90D DSLR camera and I have 18-135 kit lens and also a prime lens 35mm. What advice do you have on which lens I should use and settings
Hi guys, anyone know which app Mark was showing on the right-hand side of the screen at 7:35 to check for the direction of light at different times of the day? Thanks!
I envy those that can travel to great sites for landscape shoots. Sadly, I am limited to the Midwest, shooting Historical Sites, Mississippi River (barges & riverboats), and Farms....Americana. Perhaps someday I'll get a chance to go toward the Rockies.
Hey Mark, With so many images captured, how do you go through everything and pick out what to edit? I find myself getting confused looking at the images of such similarity that I can't figure out which one to edit or use.
Hey Becky! I usually try and pick the photo that has what I call the pack of the event. So either the image that has the most color in the sky for instance or the image that has the best flow of water for example. That usually helps me to narrow things down a bit.
Hello Mark.... Thank you for the GREAT video.... Just a quick question? Why not go with a Sony A7III for Video as you already have the 16-35 2.8 GM. Just curious!
Jay Wagner Thanks Jay! I almost went that route but I wanted a dedicated camera lens setup that was just for filming and the A7iii and an additional lens would have costs quite a bit more than the Fuji setup I went with. Plus I really wanted to try Fuji out for video as I’ve heard such great feedback regarding the video files coming out of the XT3.
Hi Mark, question. Your "shoot through the event" tip, do you manually take your shots at random intervals or do you "time lapse" it by, say, taking a picture every 5 seconds or something?
I don't recall in which video you mentioned this, but you said that you wanted to spend your money on traveling to beautiful places (and not take pictures in your hometown). I'd love to see you do a video about how to find beautiful things to photograph in your hometown. Maybe it would be more cityscapes or parks or whatever, but it would really open things up for part-time photographers who can't fly off to somewhere exciting every few weeks or months! Plus it would be a topic I've never seen covered on UA-cam.
When I get asked about my pictures, I am always telling people it's all about the waiting. I completely agree with your tip about shooting through the event. The worst is looking at the rear view mirror in the car and seeing the shot you didn't wait for. Great video again.👍
Brett Haddock Thanks Brett! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Getting goosebumps knowing that this moment will never happen again. Makes me both addicted and fascinated by photography.
Absolutely spot on with this video. One of my very favorite photos was taken at the Maroon Bells near Aspen CO. I got there early and got some really nice shots just before and as the sun's rays hit the very tip of the peaks. However, not too long after that most of the other photographers left. I stayed a while longer and before too long, the wind stopped and the lake became as smooth as glass. I got a fantastic shot of the mountain reflected perfectly on the lake. Those other photographers that left - they missed it. I've never forgotten that lesson.
Hey Mark, I agree with all positive comments I read on YT; you really do have a great ease of teaching what you've learned along the way, and your humility and modesty are endearing. But I want to say a huge thank you for giving so FREELY of yourself and your time. I would lay down a LOT of coin to learn everything that you give away so generously. If ever you are in the Canadian Rockies, I will gladly sign up for ANY and ALL workshops you might be willing to give, no matter the price. Your lessons are invaluable, man! Thank you from a big fan in Canada!
Thanks so much for this comment Natalie - it really means a lot! You've made my day:)
Mark, Your video reinforces and summarizes my recent experiences. I made a commitment to get out more and so I have been going out before and after work to various spots to shoot. And each time I learn a lesson - and the points you discuss are all right on. It is humbling. And the way to really understand is to go out and shoot. I drove to a site today, 30-35 minutes before sunrise thinking that I was all together but started cursing in the car when I saw the most brilliant color in the sky and I still had a few miles to go! I'd say allowing enough time to get to your destination keeps anxiety down, keep extra clothes in the car, snacks, water etc. I cant shoot when I am hungry! Patience is HUGE! Great video - Thank you.
Thanks Eileen! I've been there before as well, it's the worst when you miss it!
Ever since I stumbled upon your channel, without being weird, I've been in love. You truly love what you do, don't pump bs gear reviews, and talk about subjects that actually matter. Please don't change.
NetGawker Thanks so much for this comment - truly appreciate it🙏
Same here. I really like the content and presentation - clean, no hype, no hipster bullshit.
I am a (bad) amateur photographer, i only do it for fun as a hobby but i am always looking for tips to improve, etc. That's how i found Peter McKinnon and i binged-watched almost all of his videos. At first they were very nice, full of information and useful. I've been following him for a while, and no offense to him but slowly all his videos are turning into this "new age YT" thing with tons of B-roll, intros, outros, plenty of crap and very little actual content and information. Lately he's been actually adding 5-10 mins at the end of each video with practically random shit that even if sometimes funny... are just bullshit and sorry but "ain't nobody got time for that". It's actually starting to look like main-stream media. I am not on youtube for "high production value" main-stream media shenanigans, i am looking for honest, precise and good information.
So yeah, i appreciate it when people stay concise and true to their feelings rather than turn their channels into a "gotta pump a video every day" thing. Then again, i am well aware that unless they do that, they won't be able to live off it, so... even if i hope this channel will remain as i like it, i have no high hopes since a man's gotta live. Enjoy it while it lasts, i guess :)
Well done. #5 I think is the most important. Never forget, this is supposed to be fun. I love to do landscape photography and I like to fish. I tell everyone, even if I don't get a great photo or fail to catch a fish it was still a great experience, in the grand scheme of things, It really was never about captureing a photo or a fish. It was about enjoying the time spent. Thanks for the video.
543dp3555 Well said! It’s all about the “process”
Great video again Mark. You have such a pleasant "bedside manner", I love listening to what you have to say. Thank you.
Really appreciate that Stuart!
I love your subtle sound effects.
I have been taking landscape photography serious for about a year now and last sunday was the first time I shot like you describe in this video and it did indeed get me my best photo's so far! Listening to your 5th point put a smile on my face because it is so true. I stood on top of a dune for 2 hours watching the clouds and landscape change color and the sun set, with nothing but how great the picture was going to be on my mind. Best feeling ever. reminded me why I love photography.
Sohe Oh that is the best feeling! I love it👍
Excellent video. Every one gets better. Kudos to you.
Thanks so much - glad you think so!
I couldn't agree more with all 5 of your insights. Clearly you've given it much thought and your enthusiasm shines through. It took me quite a while to come to the same conclusion as your video. But then I had to discover all 5 points for myself. I sincerely hope others who watch this video will realize the potential it offers. Many thanks.
Really appreciate this Daniel! Thank you!
Mark, totally agree with Tip 1, shooting through the event is also great to slow you down a bit so that you can appreciate the beauty of the event in reality and not just through the lens👍
100% agree!
You are spot-on with your top 5 tips. Your presentation is a great reminder to help me keep focused! And I’m looking forward to your new production setup!
Jimmy Wilson Thanks Jimmy! I’m hoping I’ll have the new setup all dialed in in time for next weeks video.
Yesterday I somehow found your video on UA-cam, you are probably right, UA-cam must be promoting you more after your 10,000 subscribers. I have been working on trying to set up a channel based on life in Japan. But I ended up watching your videos and just binged leaving your channel on the entire afternoon and would do some work and would start listening closely when I heard you say something interesting (which was quite often). This morning I turned on your channel again and continued watching. I really like your sincere, honest and straightforward approach. Your true self shows through as a very good and honest person. Thank you very much! I will continue to watch your channel. Best of luck with the big move to full-time! Your background set up of your office is really neat and well organized! And I like your Yoda from the first set up! I am a Yoda fan also. :)
Mike Matsuno Thanks so much for this Mike! Super happy to hear you’re enjoying the channel as well - love Yoda!
All great points! Too many times I've gotten images that I would have never had if I had gotten to a site later, or left early. Patience, appreciating the scene, and being open to different compositions are all keys to capturing keepers.
Tony Gouge Thanks Tony! 100% agree with ya👍
I always absorb so much value from your talks. I truly appreciate what you do. Thank you for the knowledge you are sharing. Keep it going!
Mark, your videos are great. I’m picking up my camera after years of not shooting and your tips have greatly improved my ability to compose. I’m still a novice but seeing the improvements is so satisfying.
Steve Stalvey This is great to hear Steve! Nothing beats seeing progress - awesome feeling!
I’ve probably watched this video 7 times. So much goodness here. Thanks !!
Yes, enjoy the process! Therapeutic... Thanks Mark!
Mark Goeman Indeed!
Your videos are always personalised....Thank you.
Mark, on my preparation for a sunset I will review the satellite view to determine if there are clouds below the horizon especially if ihave clouds above the horizon with a clear sunset. If there are no clouds below the horizon, then i have the potential for light to bounce up under the clouds after sunset. I have seen up to 3-4 phases of a sunset. Thank you for the great video and valuable information.
Mark, I recently got back into photography. I have been discovering gems along the way that I would never have seen and photographed had I not been walking around the area I had planned to shoot. For example, the other day I went to shoot the Lynnhaven House in Virginia Beach, VA. An old historical house built in 1725. There was a boardwalk path through a section of woods on the property that led to another path that was SO full of color (fall) that I came back at another time just before sunset to capture the light. Same composition but beautifully different lighting! Thanks for the video. I'm learning a lot. I really appreciate your sharing the shots from your own work to illustrate your points.
Excellent video Mark. Thank you for for your contribution to the photo community
My pleasure - glad you enjoyed the video!
Such an inspiration Mark.. Great tips.... This video helps a lot... Thanks...
cesar herrera Thank you Cesar! Truly appreciate it!
I watch a lot of photography videos but you have made the complex easy to understand. My new favorite UA-camr
These instructions are very clear and understandable. Thank you so much for sharing these valuable experiences.
Mark, Another great video! I had not thought of tip #1 - shooting through the event.
Recycle Retirement Much appreciated- glad you enjoyed it👍
Yet another awesome video, Mark. Cheers for the advice mate. Appreciate it.
Max Chill I appreciate ya Max! Thanks for watching.
Hi Mark, thanks for another useful bunch of tips. All well noted.
Céline Morisset Many thanks Celine!
Love this video. I probably watch it about once every 4-6 weeks. Makes me slow my butt down and enjoy what I love doing. I hope you had a great holdiay with family and friends.
Thanks so much Mickey! Really glad to hear it - hope you had a nice holiday week as well!
Great video, Mark. I went to shoot this morning; arrived at 05:30, sun wasn't due to rise until just before 07:00, and I definitely got my best shots and colour before the sun rose.
Very helpful video. Thank you for your great experience sharing to others.
Useful and concise post, summarizes key points you’ve mentioned in prior vids. Doctor Mark’s Miracle Mantra for Guaranteed Meditative Bliss - good pics, too.😃 All adds up to confidence, but would add caveat to also expect the unexpected. Great premise about knowing your gear - when it’s part of you then anxiety fades. Sony cams not good enough for vids, eh? Sounds like a first step to a switch to Fuji - start with home vids, then see how it goes for venues. Video camera, lights - quiet on the set, then new wardrobe and perhaps makeup? Ready for a close-up.
Great top 5. I would add a 6th though and that might be an extension to planning. On-site composition.
When you frame your shot make sure you have the elements you need and don't have things in your frame that you don't want. Look at all edges and corners, assess whether you need to focus stack to get that awesome foreground (you are shooting low, right) in focus as well as the background in between. To be able to do this effectively you need to have done the 5 things you mentioned, especially the last one.
Thanks Frank! You're spot on!
I found Tip #2 really helped me out a lot in recent years. Beside what you've mentioned in the video, sometime the preparation help you discover a location or a spot that creates a different composition that most people don't know about. Also, I found Instagram is very helpful to find out what a location is like in the last couple of days, a lot time before I'm heading to a location I want to know if the trail is accessible or if a lake is still frozen, etc., checking images on Instagram based on location tag really helps out here. Love your videos btw, binge watched a lot of them :D
This instructions are very clear and understandable. Thank you so much for sharing this valuable experiences.
Why this channel has still not crossed 100k
One of my fav channels which need more love
Keep doing the good work 👍👍👍
Babar Asghar Thanks so much! Maybe one day🙏
Mark, I'm loving your channel. I'm an older beginner and you've helped me a lot. Seriously. Cheers from Alberta.
Neil Summers Much appreciated Neil, thank you.
Great tips Mark! Today I was shooting some tiny flowers in macro...wind was blowing..I was waiting and waiting. The sun went behind the clouds and the wind got harder, picked up the tripod and started walking away. Yep, two minutes later... wind stops, sun comes out (almost sunset) and it was a beautiful warm glow. Made it back just in time to reset and hope I got one good one since the wind settled and light was good only a few seconds.
Thanks so much! Hope your photo turned out well!
A thing that actually happens a lot is that the wind drops durring/after a sunset or sunrise. It's also a period that tempatures changes most.
Valuable information, Thanks.
Patrick Whittaker Thanks Patrick! Glad to hear it!
Great video. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Keep it up! Thanks.
Thank you so much for your videos Mark! I've really been benefiting from your tutelage. I'm a new camera owner and I'm watching your videos (and other guys) on the daily to try and catch up. Your content is fantastic! I really appreciate you sharing.
Very Informative ... Thanks Mark
Great video, thanks so much for taking the time to upload these very useful tips. Very much appreciated! Greetings from Dublin, Ireland ✌️
I had to stop your video after just the first tip and write this comment Mark. When I was at Mesa Arch the skies were totally overcast and I thought I was crazy (true) or stubborn (true) or an ignorant photographer (a beginner yes, but wanting to keep learning) by staying put, sticking around, and “shooting through the event”. Just like you, though, as I was about to leave, the color under the Arch turned beautiful orange and I got my keeper.
Thank you for acknowledging the process. I don’t feel quite so crazy, stubborn, or ignorant!
Mark Muller Thanks for this Mark! I too have that feeling sometimes, but it sure feels good when you’re rewarded at the end!
I use a Fuji X-T3 for my channel as well. You are not going to be disappointed! I love my fuji and also your channel. Thanks for all you do!
West Coast Cajun Cuisine Thanks so much - really appreciate it! Can’t wait for my XT-3 to arrive🤗
Great Video Mark.. ... I like your five Tips especially arriving at Location extra early and staying till the very end Light can change in minutes and moments can be lost. It has been a couple of years ago photographing Sea Scapes in San Diego ... that I left early after a Sunset that was not very promising and within 15 min the Sky Exploded in Color. That was a lesson I will not soon forget. I liked what you said about enjoying the moment and the Beauty and not getting to caught up on the Image itself.
I think you will enjoy the Fuji xt3 ...I purchased mine last year and love it is Amazing Video and Stills Camera
Bruce Pritchett Thanks so much Bruce! Can’t wait for my Fuji to arrive tomorrow - I’ve been trying to find a good reason to get into the Fuji system for years.
HA I got goosebumps and starting smiling there at the end as well! Very good tips Mark!! You touched on "Practice", I say, "practice, practice, practice!" Sadly, so many folks expect to walk up to a scene and snap away and then wonder why their snapshots are not images. They see your image and instantly say, "You must have used Photoshop!". No fool, I practice, practice, practice and as you mention I put in the time to do my best to create an image. Anyway... off the soapbox for now. Again very good tips and like you said too, there are more, but you wanted to keep limit the topic. Your 5 tips are what I would call are the foundation tips/steps. Thank you again and really enjoy your videos. ~Ron
Pedal Power Touring Thanks for this Ron - really appreciate it!
Home Run King
Man your number 5 Tip is so on point. Thanks Mark
Great tips! Only one that’s really affected me is to get out and shoot, a lot. Photography takes practice just like other art forms. Shoot anything and everything with purpose , practice composition and experiment with different settings so you understand what changing the settings do without thinking about it, and only way to master this is to practice. I now treat all shooting is practice and try to keep focused instead of putting a shoot on a pedestal, makes it more fun too especially on hikes etc.
Chase Thanks Chase and well said! It’s all practice at the end of the day!
You remind me of a guy I went to high school with he had an relaxed way about him. Enjoy your videos, well done.
Mike
Sully Grills Many thanks Mike!
Once again your advice is spot on! Thank you sir!
Robert Campbell Thanks Robert, I’m glad you think so!
Good advice for sure especially for me
Pace Clyncke Much appreciated Pace - thank you!
Great tips, as always! I just shot sunset last night over the Columbia River Gorge on the Oregon side and I made sure to get there 1.5 hr early and stayed until I needed my headlamp to see the trail back to the truck. I'm still pretty new to shooting sunrise/sunset events but super glad to have people like you sharing useful tips like these. I quite enjoy the meditative process, as well as the great outdoors.
Much appreciated Ryan! I bet you came away with some great images - that's an awesome area!
@@MarkDenneyPhoto Yes it is! It was a little bit cloudy but I am overall pleased with the shots I got.
Great tips Mark, I only wish somebody did this for me when I got started a few years back. Shooting through the event is invaluable advice, as is researching your locations. Great video!
Many thanks as always! I love the research process almost as much as the trip itself sometimes :)
Been watching some of your videos by now - great content, earned yourself a new subscriber there!
Der Ed Many thanks - it’s very much appreciated!
Thank you for this great video. Loads of passion there, and it shines through and passes over. How about time-lapse through an event?
I really enjoyed this video, Mark. All of your tips were well explained and helpful for a beginner such as myself. I always find that having lots of time on location provides a much better experience and usually much better results. Shooting through the event is something that I will keep in mind with all of my future outings. Great video. Cheers!
Stephen Woodburn Thanks Stephen for the comment and glad to hear the videos are helpful!
Hey mark - new subscriber but as you said it was just the inevitable because I enjoyed the series of mistakes and tips you've had recently. All your videos are so relate-able that I actually able to identify the mistakes I have been making in my year 2 of photography. Thank you for sharing and being yourself.
Ajay Vangapaty Thanks so much for subscribing Ajay - really appreciate it!
Great video and advice been through those moments of nervousness and sweating hands when getting to a place you also make an excellent point know your gear for sure. 👍👍
Many thanks - it's amazing the nervous feeling you can get from photography when the light starts changing quickly!
Your tips are excellent. I would add to plan a bit for beyond. You might only plan to shoot one event, yet something expected pops up, so you're gone much longer than anticipated. For instance, a sunset turns into the blue hour and before you know it, there's a beautiful moon. So, I plan extra in terms of lenses, clothing, and water.
Adara Jennifer Thanks so much Adara! Good point regarding the potential for an extended event👍
Great tips!
Glad to hear - thank ya!
Packed up thought i got some Great Pictures of the Sunset. Bombing the hill on my bicycle i notice it got even BETTER lights and colors. Ugh, Stay till its GONE...Love your videos
Awesome thanks for the video
Thomas Bowan You bet Thomas - thanks for watching it👍
Thanks again - but I like that your vids are like a chat !!!!! I have my mug of tea & sit in the other chair & - listen for a bit !!!! Adding the odd word or noise occasionally - Don't let all this trendy lighting go to your head !!!! 😉😉. Couldn't agree more with your points - make yourself time !!!!!! Looking forward to the next illuminating instalment !!
Colby Burke Thanks Colby! I appreciate ya watching👍
Tip #5 couldn't ring truer. That's what I love about photography.
Awesome shirt by the way... Aloha from Makawao!
Wonderful info, Mark! Liked, Subscribed, and notification set!!! Please don't get fancy...Just stick with your great info well explained.
Matt English Thanks Matt! Really appreciate it👍
Thanks so much, Mark. Very helpful as always, and without bells and whistles and jarring music. That sonorous speaking voice is perfect when one wants a few tips and it’s first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Quick question: seeing how many shots you take at a given shoot, would you do a video on your workflow/organizational system someday? I’m presently stuck in no man’s land between Apple and Adobe: backing up all my RAW files both to iCloud and the CC via Lightroom, and I can’t figure out which way to go once my storage starts getting low. Are external drives really fast enough to edit from? Do you just use LR for photo organization and storage? You seem like a sensible guy, very curious about your approach to the not-so-glamorous side of this art form. Thanks again and keep ‘em coming!
Good Stuff Mark..all tips related to slowing down, take your time...On another note it's ironic. I picked up an X-T3 (and X-T20) six weeks ago. Ive moved opposingly. My A7R3's are my go to for my portrait business, My X-T3 is my landscape go to, or my get away and relax body. I appreciate what you do Landscape is my release. Portraits are my bread and butter.
Rich Ackerbauer Thanks Rich! I’m with ya - Landscape Photography is the best “get away”!
Nice tips, also great backdrop you've got there - though I think I mentioned that before, not sure
Thanks man!
Great video Mark. Very good tips, looking forward to hear about your new XT-3. I'm kicking the can all the time, but getting closer to buy every day.
Lars Mouret Thanks Lars! I’ll be sure to keep ya updated!
Every tip/suggestion in this video is great, but shooting through the event is were I need to be more patient, I’m done photographing a sunset (south Florida by the Everglades), I get back in the car and notice a completely different sky, next time I’ll bring a chair and wait until the park ranger tells me that it’s time to go home. LOL
Keep up the great work you're doing, it is appreciated.
Enrique Thanks Enrique! Appreciate ya watching!
Hi Mark, thank you for the very helpful video. In my early days of landscape photography, I tended to overdo most of those effects on LR - it was helpful learning from you that less is more and to keep it simple. On a separate note, I admire your courage to get off the corporate ladder and follow your passion for landscape photography. You're an example that it could be done and I find that inspiring as I've been itching to pull that plug too.
If I could make a request; can you make a video that covers how you have your camera set up and how you've made use of the camera's seemingly limitless customizations for its buttons and dials. I'm using the A7RIII and I'm new to Sony so seeing how you have your A7RII set up would be helpful.
Thanks for reading and keep up the good work.
Mark
Mark Golbo Thanks so much for the kind words Mark - really appreciate it!
Nice video! And going out when the weather is changing can create most dramatic sky :)
simply.matias Indeed! Stormier the better if ya ask me!
@@MarkDenneyPhoto Haha, it's risky but the payoff is leveraged 😃
Great video! Vielen Dank für die tollen Tipps! Ich fand das Video sehr interessant. Du hast die Punkte alle sehr gut erklärt, so das ich als Anfänger damit auch meine Fotografie verbessern kann. Vielen Dank dafür.
Thanks Michael! I'm not sure what the rest says, but I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
@@MarkDenneyPhoto He says: Thanks for the great tips! I found the video very interesting. You explained the points well, so that a beginner like me can improve my photography. Thanks for it.
Eugene Braack Thanks Eugene👍
Again... just a new camera owner. I’m wondering about a resource for composition. For example; I was just thinking I’m going to be taking pictures of a castle. Is there a point where that picture changes from landscape to portrait as I zoom in or physically approach it? If so, I need to learn those rules, right? I’ll practice with our school on my camera, but I’m wondering at what point to change lenses, add subjects (people), or if I’m just being silly and it makes little difference with my beginner camera and lenses.
That's a great question Lynn! It really just depends on the type of photo you're trying to capture. I'd suggest trying all of your lenses from various different vantage points, just so you can find out what you like and what you don't like.
I would rank Know your gear as #1. It helps if you come from the analog "stone age". Preparation is also a great advice. Scout the location in advance.
great choice on the camera and lens - they're my primary video kit (and I use them for some stills when I need to go ultra-wide). I don't think you'll be disappointed :-)
during the meanwhilst I’m pretty exited to start testing it all out!
And let’s not forget resisting the urge to change composition moments before what you’ve patiently been waiting for is about to happen 🙄😁
Steve Bennett Hahhaha I thought I was the only one that struggled with that!
Hi Mark, would you make a video explaining and kind of teaching how to understand the triangle?
Alejandra Chandler I’ve thought about a video on that very topic👌
Please! That would be awesome.
Great information, thank you! PhotoPills, Skyguide, Clear Outside, and LunaSolCal, I depend on all of these apps. Sunset, Milkyway and sunrise...that is a great photo adventure day.
Thanks Mark! I actually have been getting a lot of information from you and I appreciate it and it’s working!
I was in Nova Scotia over this last weekend. Let’s write down by the ocean with the waves were crashing in the rocks big time I’ll be posting that on my Instagram but your tips I Lightroom composition everything you have been helpful. I was in Nova Scotia over this last weekend. It’s right down by the ocean where the waves were crashing in the rocks big time I’ll be posting that on my Instagram but your tips I Lightroom composition everything you have been helpful.
I
find myself now on everything that I shoot. 1234...
1. Close, 2. Mid Range, 3. Distant Range, 4. Frame it. My composition has really increased just after watching that video of yours. And so those are the four things I look at. There might be one or two others but those are my main things to make sure that I’m getting Dubb in my photos. Rather than just taking a Snapchat like you had said.
In the morning I’m off to Tucson Arizona. Hoping to get some really great shots of Tombstone Arizona.
One thing I’ve been looking at doing here that’s working as well.
I’ve been googling images of places I’ve never been before and at least attempting to re-create some of those shots at somebody else took before in a different way. And that’s been leading me down a good path on getting my own ideas in my own shots. Then my own compositions.
So your channel has been very helpful for me thank you Mark appreciate it
This is great to hear and I really appreciate you stopping by to let me know, it means a lot!
I am watching this today away over a year later. Another good reason to arrive early is to get the best spot especially when its a well-known place and a lot of photographers are there.
Thanks Martin!
For landscape I like to say it's not exposure triangle but a square. Since you can manipulate the ambient light with filters.
Janne Ranta That’s a good point Janne!
Great tips! Thank you! Question. What are camera aside the xr3 did you consider ? Will you be using it for stills?
Thanks Joel! I looked at the Sony a7 series as well, but really just wanted to test Fuji out for video - I heard the video from the xt3 is fantastic. The Fuji will be really just for video, but I'll shoot some stills with it but my main still camera will be my Sony a7rii.
According to your tip 5, something that goes hand in hand with it: Don't look at pictures you see from other photographers, look at their pictures you don't see. Since it can really push your confidence down because you only see their best pictures most of the time. Always remember: They have captured at least as much bad images as you have, so don't worry if you sometimes come home with no good picture at all.
Something that goes hand in hand with the get there early - stay late tip: Improve you improvising skills. Something can always go wrong. Even if it's just that the weather doesn't turn out as expected - or your flight got canceled. Look for other possible pictures then - but don't forget your original target composition, it might work out one hour later or so.
Goat Eye Photography Both good suggestions for sure! Thanks for sharing!
thank you
iGG Vec Glad to do it!
That's my home town your sportin' on your t-shirt!...and I should tell you I am now looking for a 16-35mm to finish me off!
Steve Bearman Love me some Hawaii and a 16-35😄
Gday Mark I am enjoying your channel its funny you have to go thru the shit I got here to late or the damm where is that spare battery and miss some of those moments and yes you are so right get there early set up and have that coffee cheers mate
Thanks so much John! Glad to hear you're enjoying the channel!
I was thinking about getting the same camera for vlogging mainly because I shoot sony and I couldn’t find an affordable wide angle zoom for my a6500 but I don’t think t-3 has built in stabilization which I don’t like and tamron is about to release the 17-28 f2.8 and if it is as sharp and affordable as the 28-75 is I’ll probably just buy that.
Austin Wiley Yeah that’s really the only drawback but the 10-24 is stabilized so that’ll help.
Hi Mark
I am going to Arches, Monument Valley and planing on taking some landscape photos. Some during the day and some at sunset. What do you recommend I have a Canon 90D DSLR camera and I have 18-135 kit lens and also a prime lens 35mm. What advice do you have on which lens I should use and settings
Great video nice
Hi guys, anyone know which app Mark was showing on the right-hand side of the screen at 7:35 to check for the direction of light at different times of the day? Thanks!
Jun Zhan Hi Jun! It’s as app called Lightrac
I envy those that can travel to great sites for landscape shoots. Sadly, I am limited to the Midwest, shooting Historical Sites, Mississippi River (barges & riverboats), and Farms....Americana. Perhaps someday I'll get a chance to go toward the Rockies.
Hey Mark,
With so many images captured, how do you go through everything and pick out what to edit? I find myself getting confused looking at the images of such similarity that I can't figure out which one to edit or use.
Hey Becky! I usually try and pick the photo that has what I call the pack of the event. So either the image that has the most color in the sky for instance or the image that has the best flow of water for example. That usually helps me to narrow things down a bit.
Hi, new subscriber here to your channel. I enjoy your content and relaxed method of delivery.
Stephen Singleterry Thanks Stephen - really appreciate it man!
@@MarkDenneyPhoto Just added you on Instagram, too.
Hello Mark.... Thank you for the GREAT video.... Just a quick question? Why not go with a Sony A7III for Video as you already have the 16-35 2.8 GM. Just curious!
Jay Wagner Thanks Jay! I almost went that route but I wanted a dedicated camera lens setup that was just for filming and the A7iii and an additional lens would have costs quite a bit more than the Fuji setup I went with. Plus I really wanted to try Fuji out for video as I’ve heard such great feedback regarding the video files coming out of the XT3.
Hi Mark, question. Your "shoot through the event" tip, do you manually take your shots at random intervals or do you "time lapse" it by, say, taking a picture every 5 seconds or something?