Yes, back in 1986 at my workplace, and I won first, second, and third place. Never entered anything since. My family has been bugging me for years to start a web site, but as you/other UA-camrs point out, you make almost nothing from print sales, so why would I do it? That maybe gets to the question of why we take photographs: for ourselves as we enjoy the challenge and getting out there, or for others?
Would love to see more videos like this! It's really helpful to hear someone say "here's what this photo needs" and then proceed to explain how to accomplish it. I might do some of these edits a little differently, but it's good to get the wheels turning and thinking about how I'd approach them.
Great video, the only thing I would do different is to mention the photographers’ names while you put each photo up. It can help those photographers with traffic to their own sites whether it be Instagram, etc. Thank you for doing this.
Happy to be part of this photo critique, I submitted the hut in the snow photo. Great video Mark! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels the pressure to deliver as much value as possible in the shortest amount of time. I think sometimes we should just chill out, people love longer and slower pace kind of videos.
Thank you, Mark! In my personal view the best video in a while. It really shows how minor changes and especially a tighter crop can completely change the feel of an image.
Hi Mark, thanks for using my image for the critique. Mine was the 3rd last image of the tiny tree on the island. You are 100% correct in that there was no light, it was very flat. The sun hadn’t came over the fells and it had just started raining. Thank you so much for the advice on how you would have edited it differently, it’s much appreciated.
I found this interesting as I pass it several times each year. You found a different viewpoint than most images that I have seen. You may know that the tree does catch early sunlight in autumn and spring, and fog is not unusual in the Rydal area, so well worth a return visit if you are near enough. Well done and good luck.
@@michaelt7320 I live not too far away so will go back again. I thought I’d look for a different composition from the usual images I’ve seen and by total accident I stubbled across this viewpoint. I was going to photograph elsewhere but it was so calm that particular morning the water was like a mirror. The common shot is with fog giving the separation from the background but I was very fortunate that I could place the tree within the water. Thank you very much for the kind words Michael.
Very nice video, as usual. I just wanted to add a personal feeling about cropping here because I mostly agree with the importance of keeping what is most important in the picture, but the subject can be "multiple" I'd say, like at different levels. I'm not a native English speaker; therefore, it's quite hard to explain. I will take the third image you choose in the video to try to explain myself on the matter : On this one, I see two very important things to keep in mind: - The subject, which is a combination of sun/sun rays + trees/houses playing hide & seek with mist - The global "morning feeling" And to keep both of them, I wouldn't crop verticaly, nor use a square format. Because although the subject would be better "displayed", with the scene's most important details clearly in focus, I reckon we would lose the feeling of "vastness" or the great sentiment of " such a promising day !" we have when we witness this kind of landscape and atmosphere. In this photograph, many little details are worth our attention, but the "good vibe" comes from the whole scene, a wide horizon full of beauty, serenity, etc. In my humble opinion, it's where the landscape format "shines" the most. As photographers, we love to be part of what we witness and try to capture in order to share those fractions of time and place with others. This picture shows a very large portion of the horizon and of land "experiencing" the same atmosphere/weather condition, and that's what I would try to protect more than a more aesthetic/focused composition. Square and portrait are great for details, and I could very well use them in this photograph but in an even tighter manner, depending on the source resolution (I would try a tight square crop on each of the houses in the middle, for example, and post them side by side like a tiny stare contest between the two of them :D ). But as I said, in a lengthy way (my apologies), I see more value in the large format because it helps to somehow connect. We probably all have memories of similar morning views, and I strongly believe that part of what makes them so dear to us is the "grandeur, the majesty" and the whole space around or in front of us being filled with this mist and beautiful light. It's a personal opinion, I repeat myself, but the vertical crop, as nice as it could be, removes too much of it. Here we are given a very high point of view, we can see very far and wide, and so I find it a little sad to compress things. I feel as claustrophobic as you in front of the 11th ^^ (just kidding, I felt a lot worse in front of the (beautiful) 11th one) And I have a permanent vertical screen attached to my computer, so I know the happiness of being able to enjoy portrait photography displayed as it should, not squeezed between black or white bars on a landscape oriented screen :D Sorry for the long post, and as usual, I'm looking forward to your next video :)
What a great video. I love the way you share your thoughts and demonstrate how you make the subtle changes showing which masks and luminance you use . It is fascinating to see watch others edit. Thanks. I watch a lot of your videos. Happy New Year.
Thanks Mark for this photo critique video - it is much appreciated. Mine was the photo of the river with bridge over that you thought was too sharp. I watched your video of a few weeks ago where you told us your 7 editing moves to complete a photo, so had already looked at your approach to softening images with the texture, clarity and dehaze sliders and agree it does make the photos better. This photo was taken before that so as a beginner I think I fell into the trap of wanting everything sharp!
I agree with your comment. I didn't realize how "crunchy" my finished photographs were until I put one of my photographs on canvas. When I saw it, it became abundantly clear what Mark was referring to. The photograph you submitted is lovely.
Mark, these kinds of videos are really helpful. They show us different ways of approaching editing and the thinking behind the choices you make. Thank you!
Mark, a terrific video. Loved the fast paced review of your various editing choices. Learned a ton. Always do but this one will get watched multiple times. Thank you! Would love to see more like this one. I’m also beginning to anticipate your choices….a good thing. It means I’m learning. Happy Holidays.
Thanks Mark for selecting my image. It was the first one in the video. Good to hear your feedback. My thought on it was that there were not many panos on that location. But your feedback on the light was great thanks.
Thank you Mark for this video. I enjoyed seeing the "before and after" edits of these wonderful landscape photos. It's very useful to see how slight changes can make these images pop. Your comments on my Jordan Pond photo, at 12:04 minute, was very timely. I had edited the photo using "point color" in the color mixer to make the fall colors pop but using the primary channels gives richer colors without looking over-saturated. Hope to see more videos like this.
Your explanations are so clear and concise. I did not always agree with what you did to some of the photos. However, your reasoning about what you did and why is extremely helpful. I absolutely love the subtlety of your changes. I totally agreed with your crops in every case. Getting that subject focus is important to me. I particularly liked your emphasis on areas of interest and encroachment.
A great video, Mark. Good to see a variety of different images, even non-landscape, and your editing style and process on them. Seeing a familiar location (in my case, the lone tree in the lake) gave a real sense of connection; other watchers may have felt the same with scenes familiar to them. Thanks for another great year of helpful and informative videos.
For me, your best video for quite some time. I love this type of content as it hammers home the point that photography is very subjective. One person's masterpiece is another's blank canvas to edit. This fascinates me. Although I have been a keen photographer for decades, I am fairly new to Lightroom and the biggest issue I have is workflow. I tend to crop first but after that I am all over the place. Do most people have a set order for editing or is it governed by the image? I would be really interested in how photographers handle this. I am a very organised person but my editing is so disjointed.
I always learn so much from your videos and they have helped my editing immensely. This one provided several new insights/things to consider when critiquing my images. Thank you for consistently delivering great content and best wishes for 2024.
Mark, I provided the pano photo of the mountains reflecting on the lake. You suggested that it was too claustrophobic. I saw your point. I went back and opened up the top and bottom crops and then brought in the left crop. The result is better. Thanks, I was constrained too much on a 1x3 pano crop aspect ratio that matched the aspect ratio of my pano paper. I reprinted and trimmed off a few inches on both sides. It looks better on the wall.
- You were worried about cramming as much as possible into the video… but, personally, the first edit, the first 3 1/2 minutes taught me an amazing load of information.,The rest of the video was cream.👍👍
Great video Mark! I greatly enjoyed how you described what you were looking for, how you edited and why. As someone relatively new to learning post processing, it was VERY helpful to see the editorial steps you took to make the photos even better. I have to ask rather naively, we're these photos jpegs or Raw format? Thanks again and here's wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Safe holiday season.
Many of those I did not agree with your crop choice. But I think that just shows how divergent our tastes/preferences can be. In any event, explaining the why in your choices certainly opens my eyes to other options (not the first with you).
22:14 Hey Mark! Thanks for the critique. I submitted the photo of the Oregon coast and the thing you pointed out is the exact thing that bothers me the most about the photo. Unfortunately I didn’t notice that detail until I started editing it. One of those “AAAHHHHH 🤬” moments. 😂. I have a version taken with a wide angle lens that fixes that issue but then the seastacks are smaller in the background so I just have to try to look past that one part in this one 🤷🏽♂️
That last photo is indeed gorgeous. However, there's one thing I would change. I would alter the composition so that the house is not quite so close to the right side of the frame. Seems a little tight to me. Excellent video though. I would love to see more like it. Thanks.
Loved this video, Mark. Explaining your thought process and artistic intent is very helpful. Especially liked your composition tips on the rock formation / tree canyon photo to keep in mind that can’t be changed in post.
Yes I've entered photo contest. Usually enter in the local county fairs. Loved your video today. Like seeing how you bring everything to life, make things pop. Thank you
Great video and you highlighted twice what I need to work on! To be more specific, I need to work on a LOT of things 😂, but thank you for noticing the small things such as the reflection of the rock in Oregon touching the log in the foreground. The photo’s you presented were amazing and your adjustments were minor, but gave the photo’s more of a WOW factor.
Love this video Mark 👍👊. It's something that I definitely struggle with, ie are my photos any good. I wish there were more outlets for critiquing work. Fair play to you for doin this and fair play for doin it in such a tactful manner. Maybe next time I'll get to submit. Please keep up the wonderful content.
As one of the many hundreds or thousands who have been to Ear of the Wind in Monument Valley (thanks to Diné guide Carl Phillips), I have to agree about the placement of the snag. I can't help feeling that the snag was placed there by Central Casting.) It's such an obvious ("inevitable" per Ansel Adams) photograph that it calls for careful placement.
I think that the screen you edit on makes a big difference, I have noticed looking at my edits on someone else screen make me sometimes rethink my edit.........Happy Holidays!
As always I learn so much from your videos and the enthusiasm makes it enjoyable. Thanks for your critique of my photo I’ll do my best to keep your composition suggestions in mind
Last image just needed a bit of a tilt towards the left side and thats pretty much it. The image before that was the one that actually didn't need any editing at all, the vignette actually turned it into sometrhing less of what originally was in my opinion. Other than that everything else i agree and they needed a bit of adjusting... These last 2 though.. not at all... except for the minus left tilting on the very last one
The photo of the seascape that was apparently taken during midday because of the harsh sunlight, would you suggest using an ND filter for midday shooting if the light is gonna be so harsh?
🌟 QUICK QUESTION: Have you ever entered a Photo Competition?
Yes, back in 1986 at my workplace, and I won first, second, and third place. Never entered anything since. My family has been bugging me for years to start a web site, but as you/other UA-camrs point out, you make almost nothing from print sales, so why would I do it? That maybe gets to the question of why we take photographs: for ourselves as we enjoy the challenge and getting out there, or for others?
Once last month, for a local Swiss contest.
Yes ,, I frequently do ..
Never.
yes, its interesting to conpete and spread my message
Would love to see more videos like this! It's really helpful to hear someone say "here's what this photo needs" and then proceed to explain how to accomplish it. I might do some of these edits a little differently, but it's good to get the wheels turning and thinking about how I'd approach them.
Great to hear you enjoyed it Dave!
I agree. Seeing how to soften the sun shape is something I see in better Photographer’s images but never knew how to do that. This was so helpful!
Great video, the only thing I would do different is to mention the photographers’ names while you put each photo up. It can help those photographers with traffic to their own sites whether it be Instagram, etc. Thank you for doing this.
Happy to be part of this photo critique, I submitted the hut in the snow photo. Great video Mark!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels the pressure to deliver as much value as possible in the shortest amount of time. I think sometimes we should just chill out, people love longer and slower pace kind of videos.
Your photo is breathtaking!
@@heidiletko6805 Thank you mate
Loved your stunning photo.
Thanks for sending in the photos Simon! It's an incredible image.
That's an amazing photo! I'm glad you submitted it for Mark's input.
Thank you, Mark! In my personal view the best video in a while. It really shows how minor changes and especially a tighter crop can completely change the feel of an image.
Happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Hi Mark, thanks for using my image for the critique. Mine was the 3rd last image of the tiny tree on the island. You are 100% correct in that there was no light, it was very flat. The sun hadn’t came over the fells and it had just started raining. Thank you so much for the advice on how you would have edited it differently, it’s much appreciated.
I found this interesting as I pass it several times each year. You found a different viewpoint than most images that I have seen. You may know that the tree does catch early sunlight in autumn and spring, and fog is not unusual in the Rydal area, so well worth a return visit if you are near enough. Well done and good luck.
@@michaelt7320 I live not too far away so will go back again. I thought I’d look for a different composition from the usual images I’ve seen and by total accident I stubbled across this viewpoint. I was going to photograph elsewhere but it was so calm that particular morning the water was like a mirror. The common shot is with fog giving the separation from the background but I was very fortunate that I could place the tree within the water. Thank you very much for the kind words Michael.
Very nice video, as usual. I just wanted to add a personal feeling about cropping here because I mostly agree with the importance of keeping what is most important in the picture, but the subject can be "multiple" I'd say, like at different levels. I'm not a native English speaker; therefore, it's quite hard to explain. I will take the third image you choose in the video to try to explain myself on the matter :
On this one, I see two very important things to keep in mind:
- The subject, which is a combination of sun/sun rays + trees/houses playing hide & seek with mist
- The global "morning feeling"
And to keep both of them, I wouldn't crop verticaly, nor use a square format.
Because although the subject would be better "displayed", with the scene's most important details clearly in focus, I reckon we would lose the feeling of "vastness" or the great sentiment of " such a promising day !" we have when we witness this kind of landscape and atmosphere.
In this photograph, many little details are worth our attention, but the "good vibe" comes from the whole scene, a wide horizon full of beauty, serenity, etc. In my humble opinion, it's where the landscape format "shines" the most. As photographers, we love to be part of what we witness and try to capture in order to share those fractions of time and place with others. This picture shows a very large portion of the horizon and of land "experiencing" the same atmosphere/weather condition, and that's what I would try to protect more than a more aesthetic/focused composition.
Square and portrait are great for details, and I could very well use them in this photograph but in an even tighter manner, depending on the source resolution (I would try a tight square crop on each of the houses in the middle, for example, and post them side by side like a tiny stare contest between the two of them :D ).
But as I said, in a lengthy way (my apologies), I see more value in the large format because it helps to somehow connect. We probably all have memories of similar morning views, and I strongly believe that part of what makes them so dear to us is the "grandeur, the majesty" and the whole space around or in front of us being filled with this mist and beautiful light.
It's a personal opinion, I repeat myself, but the vertical crop, as nice as it could be, removes too much of it. Here we are given a very high point of view, we can see very far and wide, and so I find it a little sad to compress things. I feel as claustrophobic as you in front of the 11th ^^ (just kidding, I felt a lot worse in front of the (beautiful) 11th one)
And I have a permanent vertical screen attached to my computer, so I know the happiness of being able to enjoy portrait photography displayed as it should, not squeezed between black or white bars on a landscape oriented screen :D
Sorry for the long post, and as usual, I'm looking forward to your next video :)
Hands down best channel to learn the ins and outs of photography.
What a great video. I love the way you share your thoughts and demonstrate how you make the subtle changes showing which masks and luminance you use . It is fascinating to see watch others edit. Thanks. I watch a lot of your videos. Happy New Year.
Nothing better than having coffee on Xmas eve and watching this video. Made me even lean forward a bit in on the couch. Well done!
These kind of review and edit videos are verybhelpful, Mark. Also like your patient teacher style. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Mark for this photo critique video - it is much appreciated. Mine was the photo of the river with bridge over that you thought was too sharp. I watched your video of a few weeks ago where you told us your 7 editing moves to complete a photo, so had already looked at your approach to softening images with the texture, clarity and dehaze sliders and agree it does make the photos better. This photo was taken before that so as a beginner I think I fell into the trap of wanting everything sharp!
Thanks for sending in your photo Brian! Incredible work my friend!
I agree with your comment. I didn't realize how "crunchy" my finished photographs were until I put one of my photographs on canvas. When I saw it, it became abundantly clear what Mark was referring to. The photograph you submitted is lovely.
That last photo is beautiful. At first I thought it was a painting. Thanks for the editing suggestions.
Mark, these kinds of videos are really helpful. They show us different ways of approaching editing and the thinking behind the choices you make. Thank you!
Happy to hear it was helpful James!
Mark, a terrific video. Loved the fast paced review of your various editing choices. Learned a ton. Always do but this one will get watched multiple times. Thank you! Would love to see more like this one. I’m also beginning to anticipate your choices….a good thing. It means I’m learning. Happy Holidays.
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Mark for sharing your excellent talent!
Thanks Mark for selecting my image. It was the first one in the video. Good to hear your feedback. My thought on it was that there were not many panos on that location. But your feedback on the light was great thanks.
Thank you Mark for this video. I enjoyed seeing the "before and after" edits of these wonderful landscape photos. It's very useful to see how slight changes can make these images pop. Your comments on my Jordan Pond photo, at 12:04 minute, was very timely. I had edited the photo using "point color" in the color mixer to make the fall colors pop but using the primary channels gives richer colors without looking over-saturated. Hope to see more videos like this.
Thanks for sending in your photo Brian!
Your explanations are so clear and concise. I did not always agree with what you did to some of the photos. However, your reasoning about what you did and why is extremely helpful. I absolutely love the subtlety of your changes. I totally agreed with your crops in every case. Getting that subject focus is important to me. I particularly liked your emphasis on areas of interest and encroachment.
Thanks so much!
Wow! Masterclass Mark! your editing skills also helped on composition too!
Thanks Andy!
Great video! I liked the mid tone trick.
A great video, Mark. Good to see a variety of different images, even non-landscape, and your editing style and process on them. Seeing a familiar location (in my case, the lone tree in the lake) gave a real sense of connection; other watchers may have felt the same with scenes familiar to them. Thanks for another great year of helpful and informative videos.
Great to hear you enjoyed it!
For me, your best video for quite some time. I love this type of content as it hammers home the point that photography is very subjective. One person's masterpiece is another's blank canvas to edit. This fascinates me. Although I have been a keen photographer for decades, I am fairly new to Lightroom and the biggest issue I have is workflow. I tend to crop first but after that I am all over the place. Do most people have a set order for editing or is it governed by the image? I would be really interested in how photographers handle this. I am a very organised person but my editing is so disjointed.
Thanks for sharing.
What a great video, Mark. Such useful information. You continue to inspire and we are fortunate to have you as a resource in our photo journeys.
This was fantastic! You are a master editor and you explain everything very clearly! Please do more of these as they are very helpful!
This was super helpful! It’s very fun watching you edit other people’s photos. Gives me good ideas of how I can improve my pictures!
I enjoyed this video, very helpful. I always appreciate the magic you create with your crop adjustments.
Thanks so much Susan!
My wife often loves my work, but she can give a lot of very critical feedback for sure!
I always learn so much from your videos and they have helped my editing immensely. This one provided several new insights/things to consider when critiquing my images. Thank you for consistently delivering great content and best wishes for 2024.
Mark - these were really useful - please do more of these!
Thanks Mark. Always helpful and constructive.
Mark, I provided the pano photo of the mountains reflecting on the lake. You suggested that it was too claustrophobic. I saw your point. I went back and opened up the top and bottom crops and then brought in the left crop. The result is better. Thanks, I was constrained too much on a 1x3 pano crop aspect ratio that matched the aspect ratio of my pano paper. I reprinted and trimmed off a few inches on both sides. It looks better on the wall.
- You were worried about cramming as much as possible into the video… but, personally, the first edit, the first 3 1/2 minutes taught me an amazing load of information.,The rest of the video was cream.👍👍
Great video Mark! I greatly enjoyed how you described what you were looking for, how you edited and why. As someone relatively new to learning post processing, it was VERY helpful to see the editorial steps you took to make the photos even better. I have to ask rather naively, we're these photos jpegs or Raw format? Thanks again and here's wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Safe holiday season.
I enjoyed this editing process to see different perspectives. Thanks, lets see more of these.
Very very helpful Mark! The "X" shortcut to make a crop portrait! Thank you!
Many of those I did not agree with your crop choice. But I think that just shows how divergent our tastes/preferences can be. In any event, explaining the why in your choices certainly opens my eyes to other options (not the first with you).
That was great. I love to watch and listen to you edit. I've picked up so much. Thank you.
Great video…would love to see more. I always enjoy your helpful videos. Thanks.
22:14 Hey Mark! Thanks for the critique. I submitted the photo of the Oregon coast and the thing you pointed out is the exact thing that bothers me the most about the photo. Unfortunately I didn’t notice that detail until I started editing it. One of those “AAAHHHHH 🤬” moments. 😂. I have a version taken with a wide angle lens that fixes that issue but then the seastacks are smaller in the background so I just have to try to look past that one part in this one 🤷🏽♂️
Thanks for sending in your photo Steven! Incredible work!
That last photo is indeed gorgeous. However, there's one thing I would change. I would alter the composition so that the house is not quite so close to the right side of the frame. Seems a little tight to me. Excellent video though. I would love to see more like it. Thanks.
Excellent video and some amazing photos!
Loved this video, Mark. Explaining your thought process and artistic intent is very helpful. Especially liked your composition tips on the rock formation / tree canyon photo to keep in mind that can’t be changed in post.
Thanks Jackie!
Yes I've entered photo contest. Usually enter in the local county fairs.
Loved your video today. Like seeing how you bring everything to life, make things pop.
Thank you
Some great practical ideas in there, thank you.
Thanks for this video great information!
Interesting viewpoints. Definitely liked to hear your insights on these.
Always helpful tools and techniques. Kudos to all contributors; well done! I especially liked the hut in the snow; WOW!
Thanks, glad you liked it!
I enjoyed this critique. I hope you do more of these.
Beautifull video. This is very educational.
Great video and you highlighted twice what I need to work on! To be more specific, I need to work on a LOT of things 😂, but thank you for noticing the small things such as the reflection of the rock in Oregon touching the log in the foreground. The photo’s you presented were amazing and your adjustments were minor, but gave the photo’s more of a WOW factor.
Great video Mark, and some great photos everyone. I learned a lot from your thought process and editing technique, very informative. Thanks!
Love this video Mark 👍👊. It's something that I definitely struggle with, ie are my photos any good. I wish there were more outlets for critiquing work. Fair play to you for doin this and fair play for doin it in such a tactful manner. Maybe next time I'll get to submit. Please keep up the wonderful content.
A wonderful critique.
Great video, Mark! I love this king of video, I think that we can learn lot of them. Hope we can see other videos like this one 👍
Great video. Very helpful!
As one of the many hundreds or thousands who have been to Ear of the Wind in Monument Valley (thanks to Diné guide Carl Phillips), I have to agree about the placement of the snag. I can't help feeling that the snag was placed there by Central Casting.) It's such an obvious ("inevitable" per Ansel Adams) photograph that it calls for careful placement.
Good LR tips.. Thank You.
thanks for the fuji vids. I have one XT30 ii arriving today
thank you very helpful
Thank you for a great video with fantastic tips. Are there free cheap software that enable these operations?
Crisp and informative ..Much appreciated.
Great video, some helpful tips
I think that the screen you edit on makes a big difference, I have noticed looking at my edits on someone else screen make me sometimes rethink my edit.........Happy Holidays!
As always I learn so much from your videos and the enthusiasm makes it enjoyable. Thanks for your critique of my photo I’ll do my best to keep your composition suggestions in mind
Lol. I don’t have your problem. My family is brutal. They have made me want to give up photography altogether.
Last image just needed a bit of a tilt towards the left side and thats pretty much it. The image before that was the one that actually didn't need any editing at all, the vignette actually turned it into sometrhing less of what originally was in my opinion. Other than that everything else i agree and they needed a bit of adjusting... These last 2 though.. not at all... except for the minus left tilting on the very last one
The photo of the seascape that was apparently taken during midday because of the harsh sunlight, would you suggest using an ND filter for midday shooting if the light is gonna be so harsh?
What a missed opportunity! Need to subscribe to the newsletter. Would have loved for you to review one of my images.
Cabin in show looks like AI to me.
Thank bag 18l 181
0:29
Monthly occurrence? 🧐🧐
anything that would improve my editing would be welcomed.