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!!!
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.
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.
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.
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
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 :)
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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. 😁😁🏴
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.
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
Very good video, thank you so much! Sometimes my camera is very close to the foreground, then focus to infinity will not work, even with f/16. What really helped me was a DoF app and then selecting a focus point that decreased my near limit to less than 1m or something and the far limit to infinity. Best results with focus stacking though. But I don't want to take 3 pictures all the time and then spend more time to process the images in post. Focus stacking for me is just some sort of last resort. And you are absolutely right about the kit lenses :-)
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! ;)
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!!!
Simple and concise, Thomas! Have been making a check on each item you mentioned. Focus stacking would be my next best thing to consider, instead of merging in hdr, photomatix. Thank you!
Excellent, practical advice all around. I've used the focus to infinity technique since I saw your video of a few years ago where you put several focusing methods to the test and found that it worked best, or at least as well any of the more complicated methods you tried. It always works for me. I also recommend testing your lenses to determine which aperture produces the sharpest results. I found that all of my lenses (good but not "L" quality Canon lenses), start to suffer from diffraction above F11, so I never shoot beyond that unless I'm going for a starburst effect.
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
Great advice, very thorough. I would like to add that lenses have sweet spots i.e. best focal length to aperture for optimal sharpness dxomark.com is a great resource for checking this. They have a great database of lenses and bodies to check what the best settings to use are. I find my prime lenses are best for sharpness though as they fixed glass as opposed to any of my zooms.
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
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!!!
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.
You still inspiring people even in the lockdown situation. Amazing photographer!!!
Straight forward, no fluff. Thank you.
I don´t think most ameteour photographers really comprehend the value of this video, thank you mate...
I promise you this video will be very popular ;D
I agree!
Like the 60's style haircut. It reminds me of the British Invasion Era of the Beatles. 😆👍🎵🎶🎹
@Phil Weatherley Love your wit Phyllis.
Struggled with focusing for years! You've answered all my issues in 10 mins.... cheers 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.
Susinct. Accurate. Helpful. Compressive. Great job.
Thank you thank you thank you. I've learnt more from this video than i have in the last 30+ years of photography.
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.
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
Proper helpful for a starter like me.
Thanks Tom I used your this Focus method on my first time to Rocky Mountain Colorado trip and got pretty good images thanks you....
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 :)
Very straigtforward and interesting! Thank you so very much for this lesson!
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
This is now my favourite video on this subject! Brilliant, 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
That was very helpful. Far less complicated than what others make focusing to be.
Excellent, highly useful episode, Tom.
So helpful! Thank you for sharing.
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.
One of the best quick summaries I’ve every seen. I’m saving and may put these ideas on a 3x5 card. Thanks
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
Thank you so much for your simple and down to earth honest conversation. wonderful :)
Thanks Thomas! Very useful tips!
Another great video with great advice. Thanks.
The moving sea in foreground tip was precious, thanks.
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.
That lighting setup is looking great in this video! love whatever you have done
Thanks a lot for this video. I found it very useful and interesting for the different methods and for the tips.
Mate, loved the way you explained. Specially at 9.19. 'Don't take this as definitive guide ----'. Subscribed immediately.
Nicely explained, will follow your technique in future. Thanks for sharing valuable knowledge.
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.
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. 😁😁🏴
Thanks for sharing these helpful focusing tips.
About the straps, I use peak design ones with anchor link, you can take them off in a second, very usefull😁
Very much enjoyed this video. Took notes and decided your info is like a 'cheat sheet'. Easy to remember. Thanks.
Very envious of all that hair. 😀 Video is good too. 😀👍👍👍
Thanks Thomas very usefull video thanks to tha all information thank u
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.
Hands down the best vid on landscape focusing. Great video Thomas! 👍
Great tips and lots of great examples. 👍😎
The ONLY video you need on focusing landscapes. Look no further; this covers it all. So, watch it and get out shooting!
Great explanation
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
Wow! A massage amount of great information. Thank you very much.
Thanks for another great video!
another awwwwwwsome video keep smiling
🇮🇹 la migliore spiegazione che si possa avere thanks🇮🇹
Very good video, thank you so much!
Sometimes my camera is very close to the foreground, then focus to infinity will not work, even with f/16. What really helped me was a DoF app and then selecting a focus point that decreased my near limit to less than 1m or something and the far limit to infinity.
Best results with focus stacking though. But I don't want to take 3 pictures all the time and then spend more time to process the images in post. Focus stacking for me is just some sort of last resort.
And you are absolutely right about the kit lenses :-)
As a fairly new photographer these tips are awesome. Very easy to understand, thank you.
Thanks for the tips, definitely been pointed in the right direction for shooting landscapes 👍
Great video Thomas. Great overview, short and to the point! Real Worth the time watching it! Thanks
Very good video, Thomas.
Thanks a lot I enjoyed it.
Thanks for sharing the video and your focus techniques Thomas cheers 👍🙏
Lots of fantastic points in this one. Thanks!
Finall, some practical stuff for the Everyman, fabulous
Thomas, another great post. I started watching you because I like nature, but I am learning and Want to try some of your techniques.
Great Video Thomas, good reminder of focusing principles Thanks Tony
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! ;)
Thanks Thomas, so clearly and succinctly explained. I has put a lot of thought into the right perspective.
Hi Tom, excellent video, as usual, sitting and talking photography can be just as effective as being out in the field. Cheers mate,
Well put together a video, very helpful suggestions. You summarized the important aspects in clear, definitive terms. Thanks for posting this, Thomas!
Thank you for the great helpful tips
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. 👍
Great Video Tom!
Thank you Thomas - always pick up great tips watching your videos.
Thanks a lot! Whoever does landscape photography, he's an aperture guy!
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!!!
Brilliant video, lots of good tips here.
This is a nice quick guide...thank you!
Great video. Sums up the most things to know about focusing.
Really good stuff, Thomas. Many questions answered.
These are great tips. Thanks so much for all your content..now to get out there and shoot, shoot, shoot.
Simple and concise, Thomas! Have been making a check on each item you mentioned. Focus stacking would be my next best thing to consider, instead of merging in hdr, photomatix. Thank you!
Thanks Thomas ! I must use the tripod more and try to lock the mirror.
These tips are really helpful. Cheers! 😁
Nice honest video
Great video Thomas! I appreciate you
awesome info in this video. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I cant wait to apply some of these techniques.
Thank you so much for telling everyone about the center column. Lots of great advice, well done!
Excellent, practical advice all around. I've used the focus to infinity technique since I saw your video of a few years ago where you put several focusing methods to the test and found that it worked best, or at least as well any of the more complicated methods you tried. It always works for me. I also recommend testing your lenses to determine which aperture produces the sharpest results. I found that all of my lenses (good but not "L" quality Canon lenses), start to suffer from diffraction above F11, so I never shoot beyond that unless I'm going for a starburst effect.
Thanks for some great tips Tom
Thanks for the tips! Very informative.
Thanks Thomas this was great!
Whoa!! That was my village at 5:38!!
Glad you didn't give a talk on hyperfocal distance. And well done for the new hairstyle, swept back like that is quite dashing.
Why? I would've liked to hear his take on hyperfocal distance.
He kind of did when he said to focus 1/3 - 1/2 into the scene
great video! please, make more content like this one.
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
Very concise,and helpful. Been a bit afraid of focus stacking, because of the masking, would love to see more explanation on that.
Great video. Thanks!
TH, how do you do it?! Get so many excellent tips into one short video, I mean! Always worth watching. Thank you.
Awesome information, thank you so much.
Great advice, very thorough. I would like to add that lenses have sweet spots i.e. best focal length to aperture for optimal sharpness dxomark.com is a great resource for checking this. They have a great database of lenses and bodies to check what the best settings to use are. I find my prime lenses are best for sharpness though as they fixed glass as opposed to any of my zooms.