Become Confident with Composition Part 2 - Nature and Macro Photography
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- #naturephotography #macrophotography #nature
Welcome to Part 2 of my mini series on how to become confident with composition. In this film we look back at the images I made in Part 1 and discuss why they failed and what I could have done better to improve them. In brief, the original composition in each case was far too cluttered and often included too much of the surrounding elements, so I address all this and more in this video. Nature photography is fast becoming one of the most liked of all genres of photography, so getting your images to stand out is key to getting the recognition they deserve. One of the best places to start is by nailing your composition.
Support me here
Become a channel member. / @simonboothphotography
Links to all my socials media and supporter pages: linktr.ee/Simo...
Or just make a donaton: simonboothphot...
Affiliate Products: Kase Filters, Kingjoy Tripods and Vallerret Photography Gloves hsimonboothphot...
I thought I needed a new camera but you have shown me I only needed new eyes to see with.
Just take more time and be more considered when composing. It's very rewarding once you transition to seeing this way.
Less is definitely more! One brilliant photographer, two interesting videos and three stunning pictures! These lessons are certanly worth getting your knees wet for. Love it!
Thank you so much Peter.
A big yes! thoroughly enjoyed the format from good to excellent and would appreciate more of the same. especially of how you manage to find such images . Thank you again.
Thanks Alwyn
Excellent stuff Simon! Lots of food for thought here. Both videos have made me re-evaluate my woodland approach. Thanks for sharing your knowledge once again.
Cheers Tim. I like how the two videos worked together. It was more of an accidental idea really. it's surprising how these things come togteher.
Thanks Simon. An excellent video. More please!
Thanks Julian. It seemed to work well as a format.
Just loved the last two videos, Simon. This is a great teaching method , Thanks and keep them coming . KB
Cheers Ken
Great photography, and explanation of the process of thought behind each image. Thank you.
Thank you for watching.
Delightful shots Simon, I would imagine when you're out you can lose track of time as you are so immersed in what you're doing, which is no bad thing at all.
I do until I get hungry and then it's game over! :-)
Aha so that is what you changed! I can't remember what I thought but getting close is always the best option. All that clutter in the first video didn't draw your eyes to anything as there were too many distractions. Beautiful images that really caught the attention. Thank you Simon.
Glad it was a useful exercise for you Jill. Thanks for watching both parts.
Thank you! I truly enjoyed this presentation. It's enjoyable to watch someone who enjoys there profession and willing to to show others. Please keep doing these type of segments. I have learned more then I thought I would. 😂
Thank you.
A nice video. In the second photo I saw a little face of a dog in the left corner. And the third one is beautyful.
Thanks Wim. I saw a face in the pre edited shot.
Love the third image Simon, concept of your 'film' production is very nice.
Thanks Jan. It was good to bring something new to the table.
That was great to watch. After watching, I think my biggest problem is not getting close enough. The last one was my favourite but they were all lovely. Thanks, Simon.
I see it a lot on my workshops. Less is always more!
After shooting images for going on 50 years, I thought I had a good eye for recognizing great compositions. Then I discovered your videos. You’ve given me a whole new perspective on visualizing compositions in the woodland. Thank you!
Thank you too for watching
Thanks for sharing your composition ideas. You have three lovely images. See you next time.
Thanks Michael. See you soon.
The best thing that can happen to any photographer of woodlands and macro subjects is to find your channel, subscribe and stay.
Top drawer stuff.
That's a great compliment Steven, thank you.
Great video - thank you for this. I enjoyed this format. I like that second image a lot - it looks almost like some ancient art on the wall of a cave.
Thanks Rich. Yes I think that was my favourite of the bunch.
Every time I watched your videos they inspire me to go out and look harder for these types of images. I love the often unexpected results when they get onto computer. More of this please Simon.
Thanks for watching Mike
Great lessons! Twenty years ago I was struggling with woodland photography, a neighbor and community college photography instructor, told me to move closer to my subject. I have followed his advice and I am shooting more and more macro every year. Thanks Simon, your knowledge of nature and photography is outstanding!
Cheers Nick. It's such good advice too.
A great couple of videos, and of course great final shots.
Throughly enjoyed this series of videos, wonderful images that you captured.
Very well planned out compositions, resulted in beautiful final images.
Excellant images Simon and a great video.
I really enjoyed that Simon. The woods here are largely coppiced and chaotic and so often need simplifying in some way.
Thanks Simon for two videos taking us into your process for composing. I very much enjoyed your images and expansive thoughts about how you might edit while you were composing. It is vital to understand your editing options while shooting. Cheers!
Cheers Shaun. Thanks for watching again.
Interesting watch Simon thank you. The last image was beautiful well done.
Great videos Simon. I would definitely like to see more like this!
I think this is a great format for teaching composition and your thought process when making the photos.
Glad you think so John
That was very enjoyable to watch Simon. Rodders 👍. Ps hope you are doing well.
I'm doing great thanks Rodders.
Thank you for this set of two videos. It was a great exercise after the first to find what I would have done different. Unfortunately I’m not on Facebook, so couldn’t follow the discussion. But after seeing the video today I can say I was on the right track on all three 😊
That surely must be reassuring. You've been a member for some time now, so perhaps you have Learned to See.
Thank you, Simon. Please do more
Amazing shots! Really like them!
Excellent video Simon!! Loved the process and as always all 3 shots were amazing!
Excellent content as usual, you have a gift for seeing things to photograph on the woodland floor.I learn something new every time I watch one of your video's. thank you for sharing.
I loved the concept and approach. Nice job!
Best couple of videos yet, this was excellent.
Thank you so much
Great stuff.
Outstanding teaching moments. Would love to see more of these. Thank you for your efforts. Images are wonderful.
Glad you like the idea Becky
Going in close vastly improved all three images, in fact it was the difference of night and day. This technique has really given me food for thought and where once I would’ve ignored a subject because the scene looked too cluttered, I will be applying this method of going in close when there is a need instead of walking on. Thank you for sharing Simon and I thought the concept of the two videos was very informative.
I always say if you think you are close enough then go closer.
This was a great teaching moment! You are a patient and thorough teacher....outlining not only what is best but why. Please do more in the future.
Will bear it in mind Sandra, thanks.
I like the new leaf/frond image, it is so much better and I also like the muted earthy tones too... but I did a screen capture and rotated the file 180 and did a B/W conversion 🧐 just offers an option... the second image reveals a floral pattern, a subjective... an artistic image 🙂 I also love the new close up of the oak leaf and the contrasting colour with the green poking through... It is also a delightful story of the dead leaf and the new life emerging.... but I also would rotate it 180 so that the veins and their angular structure (main vein and their off shoots) of the leaf flow up, not downward... the main vein climbs from bottom left to top right and the smaller veins lift up, not down... and that still maintains the power of the two oblique lines.... but once again I live by the mantra that what meets your vision, style and purpose is the right choice... I just appreciate your willingness to share your thought process and respect your art Simon 🙂
Cheers Dave. As for the rotation, it's certainly a personal preference.
Extremely interesting to see this kind of could be and should be approach to the final photo 👌
Thanks for watching
Great presentation and image redo, Simon. All things 'Great and Small', I love them all! Thank you.
Thanks Lynne
3beautiful images you have such a good eye for seeing compositions and then to dissect them further thank you I will be looking closer myself 🙏
Thanks Gary
I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I learned a lot about how I can improve my observations of a subject as well how best shoot the scene. I would like to see more videos along this manner.
Thanks Bett
Well it’s nice to know your advice is rubbing off on me, not a million miles away from how the images could be improved but obviously your improvements are superb. Love this type of Vlog, it gets you thinking about composition and it’s importance and getting rid of distractions. More of the same please Simon 👌👍 the last image was a keeper 😉
Thanks for watching Garry and taking the time to leave a comment.
Found myself staring at the floor, as much as the brook in Padley Gorge this week. I did find a leaf on a log and could not resist the temptation to 'do a Simon'. Really enjoyed seeing the 'before and after' images and hearing your narrative. Like the first image the most. Thanks Simon.
Cheers Steve. I’ve not been to Padley yet this year.
Greetings from Brampton Ontario Canada. I must echo many of the previous comments. I have always struggled with compositions but I believe I have improved after watching your videos. A "trained eye" is so essential in composition. Keep up the good work Simon.
It’s always nice to pass on knowledge and also for free Don.
Really informative and full of handy hints and tips. Would really like more of this type of video very informative, thank you great as always.
Really appreciate your comment, thank you.
Simon, thank you for the two comparison videos. I can tell that I have learned much from you and I truly appreciate that. Immediately on the first “bad” shot I could hear you voicing the words “too much clutter.” That gave me a chuckle. The second image was stunning. There is nothing more beautiful than the regeneration of Mother Nature. Thanks again for your efforts- much appreciated. Cala
Thanks for watching Carla
I like all 3 pictures. But I especially like the second picture. Keep it up, your pictures are great!
Glad you like them and thank you Dieter.
It was a fun exercise.Abstracts are generally my favorites, so I especially liked the second photo. Thanks!
Thanks for watching Peter
Loved the last image. The leaf's veins almost look like they're embracing the moss. I enjoy the two video's format; good to enforce composition techniques and focusing on a subject.
Thanks for watching Richard
Loved this two-parter! Thanks for all your effort in making these films for us. Beautiful detail and images
Thank you Steve
Hi Simon, I think the other comments have captured our enjoyment and learning achieved through these two videos. May I suggest that you could make this type of in-depth exploration of your ‘art’ , another branch of your channel, a ‘masterclass’ if you like. It would complement your regular videos and allow those that wished explore in greater depth your range of techniques. Personally, I would happily pay for regular, if not frequent, tutorials of this type.
To be fair Chris, you all ready pay plenty enough and you have my utmost gratitude for that. I just wish time was more on my side. The usual videos are easier and quicker to produce but I will do this again.
Just a great pair of videos. It made me feel like you've been along with me on a few of my hikes and took note of my composition habits. Thank you for reminding me of what can be done with thought and patience.
You’re welcome John and thanks for your contribution to the channel.
Great comparisons and the photos made it more easily understood. I like what you've done here.
Thank you so much
Thank you. Wonderful images but particularly the last one. More please.
That's very kind of you to say, thank you
Ashamed to admit that ive only recently started watching your channel. Your work is outstanding and love the way you explain things. I love woodland photography but this has really got me thinking about looking for those smaller intimate scenes.
Welcome to the channel 😃
Thoroughly enjoyed the format of the two videos. Knew that going in closer was probably the key. My challenge is to go in "close enough" and not worry about the representational aspects. I am making good progress in that regard in no small part thanks to your studied, careful and patient approach to presenting your thoughts and methods. Your final shots were all very enoyable but I particularly liked the sycamore and fern composition.
Glad it has proved helpful for you Bill
Brilliant concept with those two videos. Looking forward to new ones in spring and summer :)
Thank you so much.
Lovely job buddy, nice little series and like I said before great idea! In rebel shots and vision as always
Yeh, it seems to be a popular idea. I’ll definitely do it again.
Lovely images Simon and great content. Thank you.
Thanks Chris
Simon. I loved these two videos. As usual, these are beautiful images¡ Thanks for sharing and for your thoughtful explanations.
Thank you so much Benjamin
Wonderful (as usual) but even better. Watching you, I hope I can better learn to see compositions.
I'm sure you will Ken
Yes Simon, great exercise and happy for you to do more of this. I have often thought if I were to take lessons from three landscape / nature photographers in the world right now, who would they be. I reckon Simon you would be one. The first reason is you are technically very good. Another is you have a great love of nature and this imbues your work. But perhaps the main reason is you have great vision and you happily embrace close-ups and abstraction. I find it remarkable that you almost invariably come away with good if not great images.
I'd be interested to hear who the others would be?
@@SimonBoothPhotography It is difficult to say, but Len Metcalf would be one. His photography is very different and what sets him apart is he is not afraid to be different - just love what he does. Krista McCuish and Sandra Bartocha are doing some gorgeous close a up stuff and I am sure I could learn a lot from them. Then you then have people like Joe Cornish and Simon Booth who are willing to take on the complexity of woodland. There is a lovely thoughtfulness and precision to their work. I also admire photographers like Arild Heitmann, Huibo Hou and Hengki Koentjoro and Bruce Percy. They are very different sorts of photographers, but again creating beautiful work.
A truely very helpful and interesting type of Video. For me to repeat in any case, thanks a a lot for this format, klaus
You are very welcome Klaus
Was very interessting. Thank you for sharing your thoughts :-).
Have a nice time.
Thank you! You too!
Great lessons! I hope you'll do more. Thanks.
Cheers for that
Hey Simon, that image at 12:00 that you have been talking about for a bit...well, there aren't words. If I took that image it would be on my wall. That is the kind of image I am looking for as I pursue macro photography. Many thanks for sharing this and for the 2nd part of the videos on composition. Kudos, sir. What an eye you have and a fine aesthetic as well.
Thank you Jim. Glad you enjoyed the format of this one. Not easy to put together but I will do it again.
Thank you so much for this video. Sll your videos are usually great, but this one has become my favorite
Glad you enjoy it Raul. Thank you.
Really enjoyed that Simon - I was close on a couple of the images. Really love them all. They are so captivating in their own right.
That's great in that you were near to my own vision. There are always other possibilities but I liked these.
Thank you for sharing your video Simon theirs no doubt about it Simon your an absolute genius when it comes to the intimate nature scenes I wasn't sure what to expect until I saw the difference between the first and second photos fantastic abstract, art photography really enjoyed the video
Thank you kindly John
Really excellent approach to "tutorial" video. Extremely useful. Thank-you
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you very much for your advice.
You are welcome!
Thank you! This has been a fun and informative series and I hope you will do it again in the future. It was great to interact on FaceBook with others and to test my own composition ideas. While I didn’t nail changes on any of the three photos, it helped reinforce my thinking and provided much needed affirmation. Too bad the Kingfisher didn’t show up.
It was at least good that you were able to give it some thought, even if you didn't get there fully. You may well have got something just as nice, if only slightly different
Simon, I really like this style of videos from you. I learned so much. I’m new to this type of landscape photography so I would typically take photos like the first ones. Your video helped me improve my composition. Please continue and thank you!
Thanks Robert
Thank you very much. This kind of videos is very useful!
You are welcome!
Very nice Simon, I took up photographing late in life , so I use your beautiful images , techniques , and instructions to train theses old eyes how to finally see what is around me, thank you sir best wishes - John
Thank you so much
Thoroughly enjoyable video. I've watched a fair bit of your channel now and it has made a noticeable benefit to my photography - I bought a couple of extension tubes and have started looking down a lot more! You have opened up a lot more creative possibilities and for that I thank you!
Great to hear that, cheers.
Great film Simon, you really make the Art of close up/nature photography look so simple. Thankyou for taking us all with you.
Thanks Mark
I definitely like this style of macro photography. The environment is dense with such images but I sometimes have a hard time recognizing them. Your videos give me ideas that enable me to successfully capture my own instances of nature's art work.
Good luck with your searches.
I have the technical stuff down pretty well, and have been looking to improve my composition. This video was so helpful, to be able to listen to how you process this shot in your mind for a proper set up has helped me significantly. Thank you. I would request more like this, take the pedestrian/amateur composition like I would do at this point, and then explain how you improved it including all the reasons. This was just a fantastic film. Cheers!
I will keep it in mind Mark, thank you.
Really enjoyed that format! The suspense was killing me...
Sorry Robert :-)
i know that kingfisher feeling well. i've spent many an evening sat out with my 100-400 waiting to see some dippers but nothing. and then when i'm not prepared, they're all around!!
It came as no surprise really. I thought I may as well do my dialog there as anywhere else. I'd have been pretty shocked had it turned up. I'm rarely that blessed with good luck.
Simon what lens were you using? Do you need a macro lens? Currently only have a 18-200 Nikon Z lens, would that do?
I use a macro but not everything that I photograph during this type of work requires 1:1 magnification. What you have will certainly work. Look for subjects that are within your range.