I've been doing photography for a decade and only now learn that the mirror is up when you're in live view. Duh, Angel. That's why I watch Heaton vids! Or should I say, Shaggy from Scooby Doo! ;)
You nailed this! Whatever prep you did to produce this video, put it in a jar and use it again and again when you do tutorials. Really chilled, positive and clear - much appreciated.
love the help, a great tool to come back to. I think I'm going watch that bit about shapes a few more times. I love the idea, but it take a few for things to stick in my head, but great video Thomas.
good common sense advice. Given the high number of pixels my camera has (Sony A7R iii) another "trick" I employ sometimes when I cannot focus stack but need a deeper depth of focus is to simply shoot the scene wider than I need (i.e. 20mm when 24mm is the framing I want). As we all know, the wider the shot, the deeper the focus range is. Then I just crop in post and still have a very large image.
THANK YOU! I'm so glad that other people are taking the same approach as I have been afraid to divulge due to the obsessed nature of many "serious" landscape photographers. But, honestly, if the extreme corners or foreground of your images aren't perfect, that's usually a visual HELP, not a hindrance! Leading the viewer's eye is one of the most powerful tools that a photographer has, and it can be ruined by over-thinking focus technique, and needlessly focus stacking or making sure the foreground/corners are tack sharp, when the main subject is in the central zone of the image... Also, to anyone who thinks diffraction isn't a concern: You might as well trade your 40-60 megapixel sensor in for a 12-24 megapixel sensor, if you shoot at f/22. You're wasting all your technique for tripod stability etc, not to mention the money you spent on your camera, if you don't perform a very careful test to determine where diffraction comes into play for your particular setup, and draw your own line in the sand at whatever aperture you deem to be the limit of acceptability. Good luck! Thanks for sharing, Thomas, I can't wait to see your next "real" adventure!!!
This is useful to a lot of people that started on digital. Thank you! People should look at old lenses with distance scales and depth of field indicators though
While I don't do a load of landscapes, especially not during lockdown I really appreciate these tips. It's great to have this video, I've taken notes, and look forward to putting this into practice
Straps keep the tripod from blowing over in wind. And, I loosely hold the strap when making log exposures on a tripod, and I've never had a sharpness problem. A strap is just another security option.
Thomas........ your "DO" is getting huge mate!!! You could use "focus to infinity" to capture all your hair in buddy! haha........ Another great short and to the point video. Cheers!
Haven't enjoyed a vlog as much in a long time, welcome back. Hitting a subject which everyone struggles with, simplifying the knowledge and making it understandable in your own style. And i must say you yourself look a lot brighter and cheerful. 😁😁🏴
Fab video, Tom! Thanks and I hope you and your wife are well and safe. Being locked down here in Atlanta is driving me bonkers, so your videos are a big relief! Sean
Double-distance focusing; find the closet point in the image you want in focus and double that distance, relative to your camera position, for a focus point. Easier, faster and arguably more accurate than hyper-focal/i/3 in focusing.
Well as far as I'm concerned this IS the definitive guide on focusing landscapes! Thank you as always Thomas. This just makes me look forward to getting back out there even more. Stay safe and be well :)
Thanks, #Heaton that is the best guide to focus landscape shots. I was and am a bad focus guy but I haven't happen to be lead by this good videos on YT (my photography teacher).
Fab, as I don’t have photoshop I always focus to infinity even with close up foreground. And I agree if it’s slightly off it leads you into the scene. Never had a problem doing that.
Hi Thomas. Your tutorials are always very interesting and a pleasure to watch. I’ve got a photo shoot on this Sunday, Mundaring Weir in Western Australia. Landscape. Normally I use manual focus with maximum focus peaking, I light the scene up, usually on F11 to F16 maximum. I use a remote to focus & take the shot. Every photo shot to me is a learning curve. I mess up, learn, try again. I make the usual mistake of shooting in bright sky and I’m a slow learner and mess up by blowing out the highlights, using exposure comp. & find the bloody shadows are toooo black. One day I’ll get it all right. Stay safe Thomas. Thank you.
Thomas thank you so much for your focusing tips. I am watching your videos backwards (from newest to oldest) and have been asking myself all this time “I wish Tom would tell us what he’s focusing on,” well here is the explanation I needed. Great content. Thank you
Nice concise guide Thomas. Some of us older photographers can't trust our own eyes for focus like we used to. Using the spot focus during Live View is a Godsend in that case.
Hello, Really good information, and the video looks great. Would it be possible to detail what was the light setup for this video and what lens you used? Thank you
From someone who has really struggled with improving my landscape images. This is a video with such simple and easy advise that I already know if I follow and adapt your focus rules to my scenes I will improve for sure. Thanks Tom
Thomas: Very well done. Covered all the essentials and was very helpful. I follow you, Nigel, Simon, Mads and Mark Denney. Every time I watch I learn something or reinforce what I already knew. Thanks!!!
Could you please tell me what L-bracket you use (and maybe why this brand in particular)? Thanks. BTW: although I don't shoot landscape because I am too stupid to find good spots and compositions I like your tips and the calm way you present them
I've been doing photography for a decade and only now learn that the mirror is up when you're in live view. Duh, Angel. That's why I watch Heaton vids! Or should I say, Shaggy from Scooby Doo! ;)
At 5:00, "Bits are soft in the foreground, bits are soft in the background, no one cares, no one cares." Love it, thanks for keeping it real.
Brilliant... Thank you
Straight forward, no fluff. Thank you.
Thank you thank you thank you. I've learnt more from this video than i have in the last 30+ years of photography.
This is now my favourite video on this subject! Brilliant, thank you!
Very envious of all that hair. 😀 Video is good too. 😀👍👍👍
Thanks!
So, I am only now figuring out how to filter and see these Thanks, so thank you for the donation. I genuinely appreciate it. Sorry for my late reply!
Another great video with great advice. Thanks.
You still inspiring people even in the lockdown situation. Amazing photographer!!!
Very straigtforward and interesting! Thank you so very much for this lesson!
Thank you so much for your simple and down to earth honest conversation. wonderful :)
I promise you this video will be very popular ;D
I agree!
I have looked a long time for this video, all the information in a few minutes 🥳
Excellent, highly useful episode, Tom.
Thanks Tom I used your this Focus method on my first time to Rocky Mountain Colorado trip and got pretty good images thanks you....
So helpful! Thank you for sharing.
You nailed this! Whatever prep you did to produce this video, put it in a jar and use it again and again when you do tutorials. Really chilled, positive and clear - much appreciated.
love the help, a great tool to come back to. I think I'm going watch that bit about shapes a few more times. I love the idea, but it take a few for things to stick in my head, but great video Thomas.
good common sense advice. Given the high number of pixels my camera has (Sony A7R iii) another "trick" I employ sometimes when I cannot focus stack but need a deeper depth of focus is to simply shoot the scene wider than I need (i.e. 20mm when 24mm is the framing I want). As we all know, the wider the shot, the deeper the focus range is. Then I just crop in post and still have a very large image.
That was very helpful. Far less complicated than what others make focusing to be.
Mate, loved the way you explained. Specially at 9.19. 'Don't take this as definitive guide ----'. Subscribed immediately.
Thanks a lot for this video. I found it very useful and interesting for the different methods and for the tips.
THANK YOU! I'm so glad that other people are taking the same approach as I have been afraid to divulge due to the obsessed nature of many "serious" landscape photographers. But, honestly, if the extreme corners or foreground of your images aren't perfect, that's usually a visual HELP, not a hindrance! Leading the viewer's eye is one of the most powerful tools that a photographer has, and it can be ruined by over-thinking focus technique, and needlessly focus stacking or making sure the foreground/corners are tack sharp, when the main subject is in the central zone of the image...
Also, to anyone who thinks diffraction isn't a concern: You might as well trade your 40-60 megapixel sensor in for a 12-24 megapixel sensor, if you shoot at f/22. You're wasting all your technique for tripod stability etc, not to mention the money you spent on your camera, if you don't perform a very careful test to determine where diffraction comes into play for your particular setup, and draw your own line in the sand at whatever aperture you deem to be the limit of acceptability.
Good luck! Thanks for sharing, Thomas, I can't wait to see your next "real" adventure!!!
Thanks Thomas very usefull video thanks to tha all information thank u
Thanks Thomas! Very useful tips!
These tips are really helpful. Cheers! 😁
Nicely explained, will follow your technique in future. Thanks for sharing valuable knowledge.
Susinct. Accurate. Helpful. Compressive. Great job.
Very much enjoyed this video. Took notes and decided your info is like a 'cheat sheet'. Easy to remember. Thanks.
One of the best quick summaries I’ve every seen. I’m saving and may put these ideas on a 3x5 card. Thanks
Great tips and lots of great examples. 👍😎
I don´t think most ameteour photographers really comprehend the value of this video, thank you mate...
Thanks for the tips, definitely been pointed in the right direction for shooting landscapes 👍
The moving sea in foreground tip was precious, thanks.
Like the 60's style haircut. It reminds me of the British Invasion Era of the Beatles. 😆👍🎵🎶🎹
@Phil Weatherley Love your wit Phyllis.
This is useful to a lot of people that started on digital. Thank you! People should look at old lenses with distance scales and depth of field indicators though
Thanks for another great video!
While I don't do a load of landscapes, especially not during lockdown I really appreciate these tips. It's great to have this video, I've taken notes, and look forward to putting this into practice
Thomas, another great post. I started watching you because I like nature, but I am learning and Want to try some of your techniques.
Hi Tom, excellent video, as usual, sitting and talking photography can be just as effective as being out in the field. Cheers mate,
Very good video, Thomas.
Thanks for sharing the video and your focus techniques Thomas cheers 👍🙏
As a fairly new photographer these tips are awesome. Very easy to understand, thank you.
Thanks for sharing these helpful focusing tips.
Straps keep the tripod from blowing over in wind. And, I loosely hold the strap when making log exposures on a tripod, and I've never had a sharpness problem. A strap is just another security option.
A very concise and excellent video. Got some great tips for a subject that I have personally struggled with in the past. Thanks for sharing. 👍
Thomas........ your "DO" is getting huge mate!!! You could use "focus to infinity" to capture all your hair in buddy! haha........ Another great short and to the point video. Cheers!
Wow! A massage amount of great information. Thank you very much.
Haven't enjoyed a vlog as much in a long time, welcome back. Hitting a subject which everyone struggles with, simplifying the knowledge and making it understandable in your own style. And i must say you yourself look a lot brighter and cheerful. 😁😁🏴
Good discussion and good tips. Just subscribed.
That lighting setup is looking great in this video! love whatever you have done
Hands down the best vid on landscape focusing. Great video Thomas! 👍
Fab video, Tom! Thanks and I hope you and your wife are well and safe. Being locked down here in Atlanta is driving me bonkers, so your videos are a big relief!
Sean
Double-distance focusing; find the closet point in the image you want in focus and double that distance, relative to your camera position, for a focus point. Easier, faster and arguably more accurate than hyper-focal/i/3 in focusing.
awesome info in this video. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I cant wait to apply some of these techniques.
Well as far as I'm concerned this IS the definitive guide on focusing landscapes! Thank you as always Thomas. This just makes me look forward to getting back out there even more. Stay safe and be well :)
About the straps, I use peak design ones with anchor link, you can take them off in a second, very usefull😁
Great Video Tom!
Great video Thomas. Great overview, short and to the point! Real Worth the time watching it! Thanks
Struggled with focusing for years! You've answered all my issues in 10 mins.... cheers Thomas.
These are great tips. Thanks so much for all your content..now to get out there and shoot, shoot, shoot.
Thank you Thomas - always pick up great tips watching your videos.
Brilliant video, lots of good tips here.
Thanks, #Heaton that is the best guide to focus landscape shots. I was and am a bad focus guy but I haven't happen to be lead by this good videos on YT (my photography teacher).
Fab, as I don’t have photoshop I always focus to infinity even with close up foreground. And I agree if it’s slightly off it leads you into the scene. Never had a problem doing that.
Lots of fantastic points in this one. Thanks!
Hi Thomas. Your tutorials are always very interesting and a pleasure to watch. I’ve got a photo shoot on this Sunday, Mundaring Weir in Western Australia. Landscape. Normally I use manual focus with maximum focus peaking, I light the scene up, usually on F11 to F16 maximum. I use a remote to focus & take the shot. Every photo shot to me is a learning curve. I mess up, learn, try again. I make the usual mistake of shooting in bright sky and I’m a slow learner and mess up by blowing out the highlights, using exposure comp. & find the bloody shadows are toooo black. One day I’ll get it all right. Stay safe Thomas. Thank you.
Great explanation
Thomas thank you so much for your focusing tips. I am watching your videos backwards (from newest to oldest) and have been asking myself all this time “I wish Tom would tell us what he’s focusing on,” well here is the explanation I needed. Great content. Thank you
Thanks a lot I enjoyed it.
This is a nice quick guide...thank you!
Proper helpful for a starter like me.
Thank you for the great helpful tips
Nice concise guide Thomas. Some of us older photographers can't trust our own eyes for focus like we used to. Using the spot focus during Live View is a Godsend in that case.
🇮🇹 la migliore spiegazione che si possa avere thanks🇮🇹
Well put together a video, very helpful suggestions. You summarized the important aspects in clear, definitive terms. Thanks for posting this, Thomas!
TH, how do you do it?! Get so many excellent tips into one short video, I mean! Always worth watching. Thank you.
Great video Thomas! I appreciate you
Thanks Thomas this was great!
Thank you so much for telling everyone about the center column. Lots of great advice, well done!
Thanks Thomas, so clearly and succinctly explained. I has put a lot of thought into the right perspective.
Hello,
Really good information, and the video looks great.
Would it be possible to detail what was the light setup for this video and what lens you used?
Thank you
Really good stuff, Thomas. Many questions answered.
Great Video Thomas, good reminder of focusing principles Thanks Tony
From someone who has really struggled with improving my landscape images. This is a video with such simple and easy advise that I already know if I follow and adapt your focus rules to my scenes I will improve for sure. Thanks Tom
Finall, some practical stuff for the Everyman, fabulous
Great video. Sums up the most things to know about focusing.
Thanks for some great tips Tom
Thomas: Very well done. Covered all the essentials and was very helpful. I follow you, Nigel, Simon, Mads and Mark Denney. Every time I watch I learn something or reinforce what I already knew. Thanks!!!
Whats the settings on the camera? Just center focus? Thanks
Thanks mate I’ve learned quite a lot of things from you today
very helpful tips. thank you! certainly will help when i'm out in the field.
Thanks Thomas ! I must use the tripod more and try to lock the mirror.
What about focusing on the hyperfocal distance?
Hi Thomas, random question, but what is the make of the top you are wearing in this video? Really like it, cheers!
Thanks for the tips! Very informative.
Nice vid! Keep 'em comin'!
Very concise,and helpful. Been a bit afraid of focus stacking, because of the masking, would love to see more explanation on that.
Could you please tell me what L-bracket you use (and maybe why this brand in particular)? Thanks.
BTW: although I don't shoot landscape because I am too stupid to find good spots and compositions I like your tips and the calm way you present them
great video! please, make more content like this one.