This is easily the best piece of work I've seen to guide photographers in their art. The points you raise are valid and stand the test of rigour and challenge. I say this because I viewed this video when you first showed it and have applied your theories and looked at how they stack up. For me the video helped me to realise that my overall goal is to be an eye witness to what I see and like any witness, the more observant one is, the more reliable the testimony becomes. I've always loved panoramas and long exposures, so I guess what you said finds a resonance with me, however the lessons I took form this don't simply focus on this resonance but on the more on the practical aspects of your photographic ideology that's helped to improve my photography and understanding of the landscape, so a I think I owe you a huge thank you.
Hey Tony. That is possibly one of the nicest things anyone has said in a long long time. Profound, well thought out and deep! Im glad it has had a positive effect on you. Thats probably the one thing i was trying to achieve once, by doing that particular video. Im humbled...and you are welcome! Best wishes. Ewan
I honestly don’t know how you don’t have a million followers. Your quality in teaching, shooting and video is top notch. I hope you receive the following you deserve and grow fast.
You had me at "Photography is not a thing, it's a feeling". As you always Ewan, you distill and describe complexity in a compelling and comfortable manner. What a pleasure.
Thanks Ted. Glad you liked that. It resonated with me years ago too. This was complex to put together but this is part of my workshop teachings for the advanced and plays a part in my speaking circuit. Thanks for the contact. Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages So here's the deal. Next time you get home to Scotland and you're planning a workshop there, I want to sign on. Living in Canada I'll never do the long flight to NZ, but Scotland is doable. Whaddya say?
The bit about discipline is really interesting to me; you put it into clear words. I don't have a film camera, but I've increased friction by keeping my camera zipped in a camera cube, in a backpack, with the lens cap reversed, and by contracting the tripod legs fully or partially. It makes it so I only stop and set the camera up when I truly think I have a shot. I spend much more time looking at the landscape with open eyes instead of snapshotting through a camera viewfinder or display, and the % of keepers is a lot higher. It can make for a hectic setup if there's suddenly really good light or atmosphere, but I think it's overall worth forcing myself to be more deliberate. Thanks for this video, hope to see you make more.
Hi there. Sorry for the delay, as i try and respond to each comment quickly. Thanks very much for your feedback and your perspective. Good trick actually. Put stuff in the way of the ability to be able to repond quickly. Im glad the vid resonated with you! = ) Ill be trying to make more in 2023. Kind regards, Ewan
You don't need to apologise for the video being so long, it was just as long as it needed to be and all the better for it. Before you suggested that I might listen to it again, about a quarter of the way into it I had already decided that I would listen to this video as often as I needed to and until I have best understood and implanted in memory the 11 guidelines you have compiled for us. Thank you for this video, Ewan, I wholeheartedly appreciate it.
HI Ronnie - many thanks mate. I always appreciate interaction and feedback to ensure i can keep doing stuff that does help. Hope this one works for you. Any questions, just sing out! Kind regards, Ewan
“Style is consistent And not all over the place like there’s something wrong with ya” made me laugh out loud and a dedicated instant follower. Brilliant
Thanks Mike. Appreciate that mate. I enjoyed getting some of these points across. There are a few home truths in there indeed. Thanks fir the subscription. Much appreciated. I lol get more content out after the new year. 😊. Regards. Ewan
Hello Ewan, I can only repeat myself over and over again: I have never seen such impressive, lasting videos about photography before! Not only the beauty of your landscape shots and the effort you took to get there, but also a much more emotional side of photography. The real why! So far I have mainly done animal photography - years ago, after a day I came home with 1000 pictures, threw 600 straight into the trash and after several selections there were maybe 10 left. Nowadays I pay much more attention to details, such as the surrounding landscape, the play of light and shadow ... and maybe I still have 100 photos - but at least 10 of them can remain. It is a long process of rethinking - and sometimes difficult when photographers next to you are on fire with a frame rate of 10 or more images per second. Take a deep breath and wait for the right moment! Your thoughts on this big topic are very helpful to me and to a large extent also reflect my own feelings, but there is still a little more discipline missing ... I am trying to work on it and I look forward to each of your fantastic videos! Thank you very much for your efforts to enable us, the viewer, the right view through our viewfinder ... best regards Thomas
Thanks very much Thomas, Thats a very humbling piece of feedback indeed. Discipline is a real important part of it all huh!? I shall be tackling this topic in another video in the near future when i get some ofmy other content completed form this last trip. As i answered someone before - ill do a shoot analogue with your digital vid in the near future, to emphasise this point a little. I may even go shooting with a film photographer to have a chat about it, so that is not jusy my opinion, but that of someone actively engaged in the analogue industry. Kind regards, and thanks again. Ewan
This is an absolutely brilliant video Ewan, well done. I have probably taken more from this one video than all the photography videos I have watched in the last 5 years. Hope you and family are all well.
Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. You make a lot of very interesting and useful points. The two that struck a chord with me are 1) you are the artist and no critic can tell you that any element of your photo is wrong because if you’re happy with the shot then that’s what matters. If you aren’t happy with the photo then you wouldn’t present it to your client or the world via social media, etc. 2) the need to be disciplined when shooting. I started out with film cameras and would get so frustrated with spending money on film and processing and only getting 1 or 2 decent photos from a 36 roll. Digital cameras don’t bring these costs but if you shoot 100 shots in the hope of getting 1 good one then you’re going to incur the cost of replacing the camera body so much sooner than you would if you were more disciplined in pressing the shutter. A very good and well presented video. Good on you!
Ewan, Thank you for this particular video. It helps me somewhat see the "why" of my photography. I will return to these concepts often. There is value here.
Thanks Guy. I got your email - I will respond in the next day or two when i get some time to sit down and relax.. flipping open the laptop! Kind regards, and thanks for watching, as well as your interaction! Ewan
This is a very good video Ewan. As stated below, you deserve many more followers, lets hope the algorithm treats you well. Certainly got me thinking, thanks for that.
HI Gary, Thanks very much for that. Yes, Im not sure how to grow the channel any quicker. More content maybe!? Im happy with the concept of less being more though. Thanks for watching! Regards, Ewan
It looks like a fair few people have got there before me, but these are the films I look forward to most of all my subscriptions. Everyone else below has put it better than I can! Thank you Ewan.
@@EwanDunsmuirImages everyone's tastes are different! These are informative, beautifully shot, inspiring and wonderfully delivered, they deserve to be seen by many more people. When's the next one due?!
@@hoonior - Appreciated. The next one has been started and is the first of a few where i start to visit some locations through the south island. They take me about one week to rpoduce, and will ger right onto it once i get a few other deadlines cleared away this week! = ) regards, Ewan
That has to be one of the best videos I have seen. Each point made was a point that should be taken on board. Only you can take your photography forward not rules or judges. Brilliant 👏 👏.
Been waiting all day to watch this Ewan and I wasn't disappointed. Very deep and meaningful and we've come to expect nothing less from you. I imagine this took some time to put together so I'd like to thank you for your time and effort...thank you.
Hi Tim. Thanks Mate. It was stressful to conceptualise and put together. Caused a couple of sleepless nights for sure, not withstanding probably hundreds of takes! Ewan
Ewan, your ethos, patience and commitment to your craft, art, is inspiring. As someone who has lived in New Zealand, with brief forays overseas, for 76 years, 50 of them as an amateur photographer, I have rarely, if ever seen photographs as beautiful as the ones you take away. I've seen what you have seen but rarely captured the moment with my camera in a way that doesn't leave me still wanting to explain what I have photographed. Thank you for detailing the guidelines that explain how you achieve the results you get. I wonder how many times I will have to `attend this class before it sinks in and I might get to the next level with my camera.
HI Tony, many thanks for your kind and detailed feedback - I am glad that the work that i pour over, has resonated with you. We surely are lucky indeed to be able to get out amongst this beautiful country! I hope the content of the vid wasn't too confusing. Its something i have been practicing for years and so makes perfect sense to me! The trick to getting very real but beautiful photos, is all in the time of the day I think, when it is vastly different tohow most people see the scenes that we do - just at different times of the day and in different light! Kindest regards. Ewan
Hi Ewan I enjoyed your vlog you have given some excellent advice for someone loves photography, I can resonate with you in waiting for the right moment I waited yrs to get the right conditions for a image luckily it was only 1/2m from my home I had seen the composition years before the image is nothing with out one element which is fog as in the back ground is a landfill site so I woke up with no intention of photography but on throwing back the curtains during the night a peasouper had come down so shouting to my wife as I threw on my clothes I see you in a few hours and hurried to the location and the composition I seen years before .That image went on to win a photography competition and become on of my best sellers . So patient does pay off and looking for compositions as you walk around you learn to use your photographic eye see it as in my style which is BW you just have take your time it will come ..
I lack discipline - there, I’ve said it !!! I wouldn’t describe myself as a landscape photographer but over the past year, I have engaged more with the genre as I have found the processes involved to be very helpful in focussing what you describe as ‘workflow’. Although your absolutely excellent discussion has been within the context of your work as a landscape photographer, I think it is transferable across many other aspects of photography, and as an artist, artistic endeavour in general. I think there is value in defining a framework for a ‘mission statement’ as again, this helps to provide a focus for the more disciplined approach I certainly need. Your discussion does merit repeated viewing and keeping it to a reasonable length has allowed you to define some headlines for a framework which is worthy of greater exposure .... many thanks for raising the bar on a lot of the landscape photography UA-cam content I have been watching over the past year. Glad I found you.
Thanks very much Trevor for your feedback. I felt that half way through shooting this over 10 days, that I should have kept it wider at Photography, not just landscapes, as I think you are absolutely right in your thoughts. I try my best to use my experience to date professionally to help others through the YT medium, and I hope that from time to time.. the depth of my thinking around photography shines through. I try to be benevolent with my time and advice on this and my reasons for doing youtube have changed over time, and now firmly sit in the 'education' piece. There is little education in setting up and the narrative being the same in each video, only the location changing. Gary Gough made a poignant point on YT recently... He stated "Not all experts on UA-cam, are"! which resonated with me. Ill keep trying! Thanks for your interaction. Ewan
Thank you Ewan for a truly inspiring insight into your passion for photography and sharing your principles with all photographers around the world. Thank you!!!!!
This film really gives an insight into how your mind really works on all things photography. I found it both intriguing and confusing at the same time for whilst I am deeply passionate about photography and the landscape, I hadn't really thought about it to this extent. It's for that reason it's taken me this long to comment! Point one, I could be doing it for the wrong reason? Point 2, I'm not sure I will ever have a style and there could be something wrong with me :-) Point 3, I've never had a statement of intent, let alone two of the damn things! Point 4, I reckon I have this nailed and it's probably UA-cam? Point 5 is one that I agree with...who gives a..., Point 6, half the time I don't know what I'm going to find and I do occasionally find myself making poop :-), Point 7, I tend to work with any subject I find on the day that works with the light I am dealt with and as such, no style I think? Point 8 is something that I do seem to have, Point 9 was the one the really resonated with me. A point very well made indeed! Point 10, This one I struggle with. Point 11 is another point well said...I could not agree more! One big takeaway from this for me is that I do not think very deeply about photography itself, but I am very connected with the landscape and nature and as such seem to navigate through many of these points subconsciously. You had me befuddled there for a while!
Hey Simon, You are so funny. You are also very hard on yourself, but i get that this message is too technical for those who feel photography a little more than i do, as i have to work really hard at it! I always appreciate your comments and feedback though... whatever you have to say! Thanks Simon
This video resonates with me, and I will keep those points in mind for all my future shoots. Shoot less, and be prepared to wait out for the best of the best lights!
11.27 an example of why I never enter competitions. Photography is purely subjective, relying on others opinions to validate your "art" is totally counter productive. Hope you are recovering from your latest adventure Ewan.
Cheers Paul. Yeah, I agree completely and thought it was an important point to get across, as many other photographers and clients suffer at the hands of ill informed judges, which is never good for the industry. Ewan
I agree I no longer enter photography comps. I did for 3 years and got as far as Bronze. I then realised I didn't like being competitive, I realized there is a formula that is required, judging was very subjective. The stress of looking up the results was not the reason I took the photograph in the first place. I now only shoot for ME, and if someone enjoys the image enough to buy a print it is a bonus, not a requirement.
Hey Paul. Nice! Im glad you enjoyed it.I actually made the point of asking other photographers at photography locations, their thoughts on their why's. Surprising how few had even given it any thought. Regards, Ewan
Thanks Ewan. Wow, I need to watch this over several times to soak up the thoughts! Loving your channel - some of the most thoughtful and inspirational ideas for photography I’ve seen. Really appreciate the time and effort you put into them - hopefully more to come? Meantime off to watch this video again! !
HI Boris. LOL You watch as many times as you want! = ) Thanks very much for your kind kind comments. I try my best to be a little different with the stuff that i focus on and hopefully will have new content in the next little while! Kind regards, Ewan
I've been following for a while now ... unfortunately I've watched this just now. A milestone and a relief to the more "popular photographers" here ... Stay as you are and keep your perspective ... take care
You are welcome Ian. I once gave Royal Photographic Society feedback on their feedback on someone elses work, which i was as unqualified to , as they were in the first place. My point was that Photography IS a feeling . Thanks Ian. Glad you took the time to watch it! Ewan
Omg this video gave me goosebumps, I was so absorbed in it. Thank you so much for sharing some of your wisdom with us, as a amature photographer I never really scensed the depth of thought required to "taking the shot" the relationship with the landscape, output ect. Its amazing what this one video has done for me personally on my photography journey Out of all the photographers out there, if I could go on one workshop, it would be with you. Thank you so so much
Hello Damian. Many thanks for your very kind words sir. Humbled. This vid took some time to conceptualise as all this stuff rumbles around in my head and was throught provoking tp have the challenge of putting into words. Many thanks re the workshop comment. I do very few workshops each year, but this next year have workshops in Norway and Iceland, Scotland and New Zealand, all fo which are small numbers and high 1:1 time. My website and email are down under construction at the moment and I can be notified here should you wish to enquire further, or email em on ewan.dunsmuir@gmail.com. Thanks again. Kind regards Ewan
Took these guidelines in as best I could over two sessions Ewan, it made me more aware of just what it is we do when taking landscape and other aspects of photography, Most importantly for me I am learning from you in the way you explain why what and how, if ever I manage to take some good landscapes in the future a lot of what you have given me and anyone else whom wishes to listen, you certainly have a stake in my images, thank you
Hey Tom. This is what this channel is actually all about. I try to benevolent with my time, efforts and the ability to share experiences I have been lucky enough to benefit from, with others... all without trying to sell stuff, or do it for the income. Art is for everyone! Regards, Ewan
Wow, really appreciate your advices. Shifting from software development to photography and never though about such things as output, for example. Thank you.
Hey Alex, Thanks Man. Output is really important huh. I know people who shoot for IG and advertise selling prints. As they dont sell, its due to framing and intense colourways, which wont sit well in peoples house for long without tiring of them. My stuff however - useless on IG!
A lovely deep dive into your thoughts, processes and motivations Ewan. Equally a trumpet call to people to consider their own reasons for photography and the production of images from the landscape. Lots of food for thought and consideration. Thank you.
Thank you for your insights. The most amazing light I saw was on the way from Kirkwall to St Margarets Hope, 6am moonset sitting on Scapa bay, nowhere to stop to take a photo. The Orkneys have the most beautiful light and colours. I love using my Rolleicord and 120 film.
Hello. Thank you and you are welcome! Yes, you certainly do get some magical light in Orkney for Photos. I must get back into MF film sooting again! Kindest regards, Ewan
Discipline hit home for me. I was photographing in a bluebell wood, ferns were in my foreground, then bluebells with plantation trees beyond. The light kept changing with cloud hiding and showing the sun, I was waiting for soft light on the ferns and no/low highlights on the tree trunks. Another photographer showed up, set his tripod about 4 metres to my left, told me he was shooting film, took a couple of frames, and left nodding that he was done. I was still waiting for the light on a composition that had taken a lot of time to find and get in position for, using a tilt shift lens to get straight trunks and good focus. It confused me, I was unsure what he had photographed. That doesn't make me disciplined, but I often think of that moment, and thought of it while watching your piece on discipline. Interesting thought provoking video. Cheers, Marshall Black.
Hi Marshall. Thanks very much for your feedback. The one thing i did note when i was shooting film was you kinda knew how what you just shot was going to transfer to the film when you shot it, if you understood the Dynamic range and latitude of the film you were shooting with. It was a bot of a trick as that guy you mentioned didn't have the luxury of checking his stuff right away, there fore had to judge his gut and make a call! Keep going with it. You could always take a long exposure when the mottled light hits like that and this way, the LE will record all of the moving light over time, softening the variance between light and dark. A bit like this shot here - www.flickr.com/photos/eos1969/46242568764/in/dateposted/ Regards Ewan
Great video, Ewan. Very deep and thoughtful and lots to take in. You are correct in that a second or third viewing is really necessary. I discovered your video via Brett Wood’s recent collaboration with you and am more than happy to subscribe to your channel.
Hey Grant. Thanks man. I think as creators on youtube - we take for granted people who take the time to watch nd subscribe. It certainly doesnt go un noticed on me and thw commentary is the same thing that keeps me going with it all. It was nice to have met up with Brett. He's a really lovely guy! I appreciate your support. Ewan
Hi Ewan, thank you for a very thought-provoking and timely video. I am tentatively returning to a long-term project after lockdown. Your principles, particularly the why and discipline elements, will have a big impact on how I go about my practice. Keep safe.
I enjoyed this video very much. It raises some very important questions that all of us need to ask ourselves. Distilled and to the point. Great work man, thanks for sharing.
Hi Harald. You are more than welcome. Hope it helps. This stuff forms part of the public speaking circuit that i do and workshop teachings. Not everything should cost money though... which is why I have shared this. thanks for watching and responding. Ewan
A very moving and thought provoking video. I think that being a hobbyist gives me a degree of flexibility not available to you because I am not making a living from my images. That said, many of the principles that you mention are still highly relevant. When I started photography as a young man I shot on a Yashica TLR camera taking 6 x 6 images. I still love that format, along with the 6 x 17 images. But I didn't know about rules and just composed it a manner that felt right. It wasn't until I started shooting with 35mm that i discovered rules and decided they weren't for me. I think the Yashica gave me the discipline that you mentioned because I only had 12 images to play with with. Even now with a large capacity SD card I rarely shoot more than a dozen images on a shoot. unless i am shooting wildlife. Quite recently I have been using the zoom lenses less and returning to using primes. I think they instil that sense of discipline more because I have to consider each shot because I cant just stand there and zoom until the composition is right. I still shoot icon large vistas but then i turn my eye to more intimate landscapes focusing on shape, texture, colour and contrast to better capture that sense of connection I feel with the outdoors and nature. I think your video is one that i will watch several times because I feel there is more to your principles than can be gleaned from a single viewing. Thank you for sharing I look forward to your next video. Stay safe and try not to stress too much.
Cheers John - yes - you will indeed get many of these points indeed already regards the discipline stuff in particular having shot 66. I appreciate you once again, interacting here John. Much appreciated mate.! Regards, Ewan
Fantastic Video, you made me realise one fundamental flaw in my photography and that is "it`s for me", if others don`t appreciate the emotional attachment I have to the image and the memories it evokes then I should not let it get to me, that and the fact "You cant make Ice-cream out of poop " :)
Hey Paul. Sorry about the delayed response. Yes indeed, it should only matter to you, and you alone.. If others like your work... then that is a bonus, rather than the expected! Keep shooting. Kind regards, Ewan
This is probably one of the most informative and valuable videos I have watched on UA-cam, thank you for putting it together Ewan! As an 'enthusiast' (whatever that means) looking to take my photography to the next level, there was so much here that was relevant and useful for me, and so many points that I think all photographers should take on board. I will certainly be returning to rewatch this and attempting to implement as much of your advice as I can. Time to get working on that statement of intent... ;) Sam.
Cheers Sam, Some good feedback, right there. Glad you took something form it, as I wasnt sure how it would be received. It was stressing me out, planning all the messages and shooting locations. Ewan
It must have been a logistical nightmare! I think that there are many photographers like myself out there, who probably have an ok grasp of the technicalities, but are looking to take their art to the next stage and produce something that has meaning, depth and a personal style. Not just another instagram friendly 'wow' shot, but something a bit deeper. I think this video will really resonate with anyone in that position. S.
Thanks for sharing your humble perspective on LP. .This video shall guide lots of enthusiasts. Having a good story behind the captured shots what drives me, gives a flash back of entire process/journey while taking that shot Thanks again! Good content
Many thanks bsAn studio. You'd be surprised how many professional shooters, whilst well placed in their respective disciplines... havent given this much thought. Thanks for the interaction. You take Care. Ewan
Nicely done and produced. I'll refer back to this one often. Although you don't have the number of followers of the "famous" UA-camrs, your channel is leagues beyond those in professionalism and quality. It is just a pleasure to watch your content without asking for money, join as a patreon, multiple ads, and promotional distractions. Substance and quality not quantity and popularity.
Hi Steve, Thats an awesome thing to say. Thank you very much indeed. I do this to share locations and knowledge, and must admit, its harder than i ever would have thought, and may admit that from time to time, that I've contemplated giving it up, as i have so many competing demands for my time. Its comments like yours... which keeps me going with it, so thank you! Ewan
Thanks Ewan, A great Video and a meaty subject. To be honest my first watch was in 4 large bites, I will need to revisit it. I think this is a template for your work and you will refer back to it in future Vlogs. Well done
Hey Tony. Sorry mate - i was sure I had responded but dint appear to have. I plan to refer to this indeed in fitire vlogs as its what my shooting is all about! = ) Regards Ewan
Wow. How thought provoking was that?? Always an amazing opportunity to be inside your thought pattern and thanks so much for your honesty and insights. I can tell I'll be referring back to this video many, many times for inspiration and motivation. Thanks again.
Thanks Ewan for such a wonderful and insightful approach to photography. I have only watched this video tutorial once so far, but I am sure I need to watch it many more times. Your advice and approach is wonderfully different to so many out around the world today, I agree with you on so many points. One point regarding the difference between shooting film & digital. As an 18yo (now 66yo) I shot only B&W, developed my own film & printed my own prints. Now I shoot digital, initially suffered the "take 100 shots & see if any of them are ok" to trying to restrict myself to slowing down and shoot like I only have 12 0r 24 frames. I love the process of moving from imagining to final print. My first inspiration to get back to photography at 50yo was Ken Duncan, a definite style, but he incorporates much of what you talked about. I also love the approach and images of Glenn Mckimmin, Adam Gibbs, Simon Booth, Alister Benn & Thomas Heaton who have a similar perspective. This youtube tutorial is unique in the world today, congratulations and thank you for sharing your wealth of experience. Cheers!
Thanks Phil. The shooting discipline is really important and Ill be doing a vid at some point on "shooting Analogue with your Digital" Ill coin the phrase "Danalogue"! You'll need to watch it and see where i take it. Might be a bit odd, but a cool concept. Thanks for your interacton and feedback Phil. Always enjoy hearing from you mate. Was speaking about you last week with Brett Wood. Hope you are well. Regards, Ewan
A really thoughtful piece (or rather many pieces) Ewan. You could make an entire series from these pearls of wisdom "The Dunsmuir Way" ....... Thank-you for taking the trouble to put this together. I think I need to watch one at a time over the next couple of weeks😉
No apology required for a long video. All good reminders as to why and how . My favorite band is Marillon , one of my favorite songs by them is Ocean cloud . Its about 18 mins long and is a master class in musical story telling ( imho ). Your work flow is like this song.
Hey David. Thats an awesome thing to say mate. Thanks very ,much. Glad you enjoyed it. It 'troubled' me doing this vid, as it was a head sctratcher as to how to make it! E
@@EwanDunsmuirImages i'm very guilty of taking to many images , this just hit home to me so much about my images moving up to the next level. Excitement gets the better of me but thats WHY i do photography im on the North Norfolk coast uk , its very beautiful . Its your outer Hebrides images that so inspire me . We are moving house soon and im going to buy one of your prints as a centre piece in the living room.
@David Starkey what a quality gesture! Bravo David. I have to echo your points about Ewan's outer Hebrides imagery, they really are sublime arnt they? I particularly like Bay of Skaill,Orkney
@@davidstarkey3002 - That would be awesome David. Ill be happy to have printed, whatever you need at the time. Let me know on ewan@ewandunsmuriimages.com Regards
This is a great video, I watch it regularly to keep myself on track with my photography, I call it "my eleven commandments of photography". My only criticism is that you should produce videos more often. Thank you very much.
Hi Massimo. Many thansk my forend. "11 Commandments" - I like that. If I had only thought of it when i was putting a title to it! Re the other content, pes, absolutely. When life slows down to a walking pace again, Ill be sure and do more, as i have some content planned and in the pipeline, for whenever i get a little more time. Life is too busy. (Good complaint though). Kindest regards - Ewan
Many thanks Neil. A complex one, but one each subsequent video, will refer back to the points covered her. Glad you got something from it! Regards, Ewan
Hi Ewan, I feel a little disrespectful using your first name as this is only the second film I've had the pleasure of watching from you. Up until this year I have been an unhappy snapper: often arriving home and when I've viewed the images I've made; being disappointed with most only finding one or two I'd consider printing. In March I thought enough is enough I need to become a more intentional photographer. I began writing down what I wanted to achieve and how/what I needed to do to make it happen. I have, for a long time enjoyed heritage and architecture and decided to begin a project of photographing my local towns buildings some of which were pioneers in the development of the cloth trade. I realised the first 12 buildings I shot, I had only taken 20 shots, a vast reduction in quantity for me. I needed to reshoot two a couple of days later. These were all B/W and while shooting I was thinking about texture, detail, light, shadow with colour not being a consideration. I have 15 buildings now and the weather has changed somewhat so I will have to wait for similar conditions as per the previous images. hopefully producing a body of work with a common feel. Watching your film, I have realised unknowingly I have employed most of your suggestions, which for me gives me hope I am finally on a positive track of shooting less and achieving more. When I was a teenager, I purchased my first 35mm (Nikon EM) but with part-time job could only afford to buy 24 frame film and develop/print it - I was more careful then. Drifted away from photography for many years only getting back with it three years ago and now with digital a thousand shots are easy to take on one card, but why would I need a hundred all the same! I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you for putting into words what I didn't realise I was doing... I've noticed there are others on this platform who have tens of thousands of followers but not the quality you display in your thoughts and images. Thank you again for sharing.
Hi Paul. Glad you have come along for the ride! Thank you = ) This video was a difficult one for me to put together, taking months pouring over the content and moreover... how to get it across in an intrinsically linked way, as whilst common sensible (I think) it is deeply complex, ad I know it loses some people given its complexity. (I was stressed shooting this given this). I do know, that being aware of these things each and every time you shoot - it becomes somewhat second nature and certainly makes your work... more consistent. The trick being to make sure your work [my work], mechanical! I know that with this video, it has been the one which seems to be the farthest reaching as it is trying access a different depth to photography and the philosophies behind it, rather than "scene, f11, 30s exposure, ND filter, soft grad from the top... and click" each time. The other reason i did this was so that you can see elements of the applications of these points in my other videos hopefully. I shall also continue to use this framework to be referred to in other videos (as component parts) which i shall produce into the future once life settles down a bit! Learning myself, was an unintended consequence from doing this video, but i too... took stuff away from having poured over it for months pre recording it. I really appreciate your feedback Paul - deep and well thought out and im glad this vid was able to affirm with you, that you are more than likely bang on track! Regards, Ewan
Hi Ewan: As the new year is upon us, I thought it would be appropriate to review this video once again. As often happens, I picked up even more important detail the second time around. I am in my mid-60's but learning never stops so thank you so much for sharing your vision and inspiration with us. Best wishes for a successful 2021. Cheers, Keith (Canada)
Hi Keith. Sorry Buddy, i would appear to have not replied to your message. Apologies. I hope you are well and having a good (fast) year. Its april already!!! Regards, Ewan
Hi Ewan: No apologies necessary. How are your home renovations going? I hope that you are able to get out and see New Zealand and capture some new images. We are hoping to get to Scotland in the fall, and we have a trip planned for 2023 to both island in New Zealand. It will be our second time back and we can't wait. Cheers, Keith (Canada)
@@keithpinn152 House is plugging away thanks. Been out ONCE with the camera, which is once more than the month prior, and the month prior to that! Hope you get to Scotland. That'd be awesome!
Hi there. It was long and wasnt sure how its length would be received. Lots of stuff in there though! Glad you watched it and will revisit it too! Awesome! Regards, Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages Ewan, this is a video that I will watch over and over. I received the latest Cole Thompson newsletter this morning in which he shared similar sentiment to yours in respect of photography judges and critics. He also shared this story ... A young artist was exhibiting his work for the first time and a well-known critic was in attendance. The critic says to the young man: “would you like to hear my opinion of your work?” “Yes” says the young man. “It’s worthless” the critic says. “I know” the artist replies, “but let’s hear it anyway.”
Hi Ewan, just reflecting on this f11 Guidelines. Ken Duncan did a documentary with Ray Martin a few years ago called "Chasing the Light". If you get a chance It's worth a view for seeing another very passionate photographer over many decades and a pioneer landscape photographer. Ken is very successful at what he does and from viewing him at work first hand the success comes from passion and connecting with the landscape before he hits the shutter button. Cheers!
Hey Phil, Thanks very much. Yeah, I have followed Ken Duncans stuff, since about 1990, when he started doing his Australia Wide series in Panorama format. I havent seen the doco, but Ill be sure and have a look. Appreciate you taking the time Phil. = ) Ewan
Good to listen to. I’ve taken a camera out wherever I have been for quite a few years now (more than I want to own up to) and technically not every photo has been “correct”, but as you say ~ it’s how I see and how I wanted the image to be. I kind of look as my subject, scene, vista and see what I want to capture and what I want it to be before I even have my camera out. Post processing is generally minimal if I’ve managed to have had my camera view settings rightish. Yep, looking at photos on a phone etc very often does not show ‘the actual scene’ as I take an image, produce it to as near what I actually saw / witnessed when pressing the shutter on the original scene. In a small size it doesn’t work and can be quickly skimmed over by the viewer. However, enlarge (large TV for example or in a large printed format) it often shines as the details, the shadows which do have depth and details come to life. Thanks for this and because travel just now is so hectic / unpredictable is why I stay home ~ after all, the Scottish Highlands has so much to capture. Be true to myself, and be honest is I think what you are alluding to¿
HI James, thanks for your comment. Art is a funny thing, and its something that being a unique to you item - i wanted this to come across in the video, which was really difficult to convey. Im glad you took something out of it. With iphones and ipads etc - have kinda wondered whether social media and technology have spoiled the creation of works which are best viewed large as you say, or whether they in fact have celebrated photography but sharing art with more and more people. Much of my work which i print big, looks better the larger it goes. Looking at doing a 2.6long print for a client just now. It will be awesome to see (Image here www.flickr.com/photos/eos1969/49472141142/in/dateposted/ ) Thanks for your interaction and thought you have given to your feedback. Much appreciated. Cant wait to get back to Scotland to do a workshop next year! = ) Ewan
I have an EPSON P800 with roll attachment which means widest is 17” … I have my pano of Loch Maree which is 6’ long hanging in my hall. My 6’ pano is something I’ve wanted to know how to since early 20’s so bucket list slowly getting ticked off ✔️
Im just trying to up my photography game to give all my social media platforms a better quality and a consistent look. Even in that realm everything you said is relevant and applicable. How a photo looks going from Strava to IG to FB dictates the shot I choose to take.
Absolutely as relevant for these platform and please dont be offended by my commentary. It's just an observation as i do one to ones with people who are really successful on IG, but struggle to sell prints, as the palette in the iG shots are at odds wth what people look for in images for their homes. Its good that you recognise rthe difference from one platform to another so that that affects the way that you shoot! Awesome. Regards, Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages your commentary was bang on 👍 .....and thanks for reminding me how bloody cold my old home country is! That's why i now live in the topics 😉
When you are scouting an incredible landscape what specific element of that environment makes you stop and just know that that scene is a must capture? In your artistic hierarchy are you drawn to shapes, colors , light, etc.? Just wanted to know how your gut tells you that this is the shot, I have looked at shots people I admire have taken at places I have shot at and I’m always blown away at what they saw that I didn’t. That form of genius is something that cannot be learned . I think that is God given. I would just love to see the scene you are looking at then hear the thought process in your head dissect and evaluate the possibilities while coming to the final set up. Haters will be haters. The photo of the boy was spectacular. I loved it
HI Blue Jay - Thanks very much, and thats a realy good question. You may notice on my vids that im always looking around and my eyes are continually drawn away form the camera as i continually look around. There is nothing actually wrong with me but always looking through my viewfinder eyes, studying not just the scene and shapes but the light and the interaction of the light and the scene itself., in the near, the middle and the far distances, so as not t limit my 'scope' These scenes I generally shoot, are either pre scoped out on prior trips, which causes me to create my composition within that scene, or sometimes, some shots just STOP me in my tracks. These moments are generally random alignments of everything all at once, such as composition - colour, light, texture and contrast. (see statement of intent part of this vid) I generally find myself gazing at something which caught my eye, and ask myself, "what is it, that i like about this scene,' what stopped . and how do i make the most of it'. This is all part of a fairly complex process which starts with shooting less and seeing more giving yourself time to study things in great detail. The more i do this aspect, the quicker and clearer I can form an impression in my minds eye. This of course is all coupled with a little but of good luck too of course. Long answer, sorry. Hope that helps. Thanks for your interaction. Much appreciated. Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages again forgive me because I’m new to you but I think it would benefit people like me if you did a video going from finding a location, finding that moment, then straight through to the finished product. I love how you think and seeing you struggle through a composition then follow through with post processing would be master class worthy You truly are gifted and all your efforts to teach are priceless. Forgot to tell you initially that those framed images were remarkable Thank you for all your hard work and kindness. I wish all creative people were was engaging as you. Much appreciated
@@bluejay3945 - Hey. Thanks for that. Ill try and look at doing this all in one from start to finish, despite being really busy, in the near future. I am working on a video which I ma pulling together which might touch on some of these aspects from a couple of location (Landscape Photography from the roadside) but wont do all aspects. Have a look at my vid - "How to shoot Panoramas", which may be as close as we will get until I address this in a specific video. That video is from a scene that stopped me in my tracks and I talk through what caught my eye and touch on some PP work, but not the full process. Thanks again! Ewan
On a vlog by Alister Benn with I think TJ Thorne, I said they were Marianus Trench deep in their thoughts, you my friend are Arne Saknussemm deep! (I think you're old enough to get it!) :-) It all describes you and your work perfectly, on one watch I get it, yet I don't get it, are all 11 transferable to everyone interested in producing quality work? I'm not sure, maybe after a few more watches I'll get to 11 or maybe it will happen while i'm sitting somewhere this afternoon looking out over the Firth. A joy to watch as always and most thoughtful content. Safe travel home.
Hi Andrew. Yeah, I do give my stuff some deep thought indeed. I think you need to watch it a few time as they are all revolving around one another. All aspects are both transferable and probably necessary to producing consistent work i think. Keep watching it Andrew. Cheers man. Ewan
Blimey ............... that's made me stop and think. There is a lot to take in in this video, but all of this makes perfect sense, how many of us get back to download our images and are generally disappointed with the results. After listening to the various sections of this video and being honest with myself, I can definitely hold up my hand and say "Guilty". Time to slow down, stop and think before pushing the shutter button. Thankyou. 📷👍
Hey mike. Many thanks fi your comment and feedback. It took me some months to conjure up these thoughts which have been ruminating around in my very busy mind fir several years. Wasn’t easy to pull them altogether. Hope it all made sense. Regards. Ewan.
I prefer film to maintain discipline. I feel guilty, which I switch from 120 to 35 because of more options to fail. However, Bob Ross reminds me that happy mistakes are okay.
Good for you man. I’m Te press to go film for a bit again just to affirm the discipline element but it is a lot of work with processing and scanning and so forth. Maybe I’ve become a little lazy. No such thing as happy mistakes indeed. Regards, Ewan
Its a good question. I often go away into the mountains hiking many hours in. Im a photographer who hikes, not a hiker who takes photographs. If i didnt do photography, then i wouldnt be hiking 2500 up a mountain for a walk. I use photography as my medium to catalyse my getting out. Ewan
blooming rule of thirds especially huh! Rules are all ok, but for flips sake - dont let it rule your world = ) Thanks again your interaction Christopher. Nice to hear form you! Ewan
LOL, Thanks Bob. This was a stressful trip, of 10 days, 3500kms to be covered, 14 videos to shoot, 7 locations to visit, recheck timings of workshop itineraries and meeting up with two other professional photographers for a shoot. Winter time in a campervan in NZ when you are tired... is stressful, and tiring! Ewan
Ewan, thank you for the most definitive masterclass. This video has to be THE best photography video I have watched, and one that I will be watching and watching again in order to apply these 11 fundamental points. My head is spinning with thoughts, and my soul enriched from your sage advice. Great that you have caught up with Brett as well. Thank you once again.
Cheers Andrew. Im glad you relate to it and that you can feel like you can get something from it. We actually had a little talk about you. He is a lovely guy! Regards, Ewan
This is easily the best piece of work I've seen to guide photographers in their art. The points you raise are valid and stand the test of rigour and challenge. I say this because I viewed this video when you first showed it and have applied your theories and looked at how they stack up. For me the video helped me to realise that my overall goal is to be an eye witness to what I see and like any witness, the more observant one is, the more reliable the testimony becomes. I've always loved panoramas and long exposures, so I guess what you said finds a resonance with me, however the lessons I took form this don't simply focus on this resonance but on the more on the practical aspects of your photographic ideology that's helped to improve my photography and understanding of the landscape, so a I think I owe you a huge thank you.
Hey Tony. That is possibly one of the nicest things anyone has said in a long long time. Profound, well thought out and deep! Im glad it has had a positive effect on you. Thats probably the one thing i was trying to achieve once, by doing that particular video. Im humbled...and you are welcome! Best wishes. Ewan
I honestly don’t know how you don’t have a million followers. Your quality in teaching, shooting and video is top notch. I hope you receive the following you deserve and grow fast.
Thanks very much Joseph, thats a lovely thing to say. Ewan
I second this!
@@adventure_seekers - Thanks Peter! Much appreciated mate.. Once the travel opens back up - we need ot do something adventurous! Regards, Ewan
I agree! Hopefully when he has, he’ll mention my little channel!
Excellent advice. Love the, “can’t get ice cream out of poop” statement. Also the film strip example, so true.
Thanks man, And thank you for your continued support! Ewan
You had me at "Photography is not a thing, it's a feeling". As you always Ewan, you distill and describe complexity in a compelling and comfortable manner. What a pleasure.
Thanks Ted. Glad you liked that. It resonated with me years ago too. This was complex to put together but this is part of my workshop teachings for the advanced and plays a part in my speaking circuit. Thanks for the contact. Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages So here's the deal. Next time you get home to Scotland and you're planning a workshop there, I want to sign on. Living in Canada I'll never do the long flight to NZ, but Scotland is doable. Whaddya say?
@@tedsimonett431 - Sounds like a plan. Look forward to that, whenever the planet allows us to do such things again. Ewan
It will... it simply has to!
Hey Ted. Hope you are well. Can you send me your email address and Ill put you on my mailing list for the 2023 Scotland Workshop! = )
The bit about discipline is really interesting to me; you put it into clear words. I don't have a film camera, but I've increased friction by keeping my camera zipped in a camera cube, in a backpack, with the lens cap reversed, and by contracting the tripod legs fully or partially. It makes it so I only stop and set the camera up when I truly think I have a shot. I spend much more time looking at the landscape with open eyes instead of snapshotting through a camera viewfinder or display, and the % of keepers is a lot higher. It can make for a hectic setup if there's suddenly really good light or atmosphere, but I think it's overall worth forcing myself to be more deliberate. Thanks for this video, hope to see you make more.
Hi there. Sorry for the delay, as i try and respond to each comment quickly. Thanks very much for your feedback and your perspective. Good trick actually. Put stuff in the way of the ability to be able to repond quickly. Im glad the vid resonated with you! = ) Ill be trying to make more in 2023.
Kind regards, Ewan
You don't need to apologise for the video being so long, it was just as long as it needed to be and all the better for it.
Before you suggested that I might listen to it again, about a quarter of the way into it I had already decided that I would listen to this video as often as I needed to and until I have best understood and implanted in memory the 11 guidelines you have compiled for us. Thank you for this video, Ewan, I wholeheartedly appreciate it.
HI Ronnie - many thanks mate. I always appreciate interaction and feedback to ensure i can keep doing stuff that does help. Hope this one works for you. Any questions, just sing out! Kind regards, Ewan
“Style is consistent And not all over the place like there’s something wrong with ya” made me laugh out loud and a dedicated instant follower. Brilliant
Thanks Mike. Appreciate that mate. I enjoyed getting some of these points across. There are a few home truths in there indeed. Thanks fir the subscription. Much appreciated. I lol get more content out after the new year. 😊. Regards. Ewan
Hello Ewan,
I can only repeat myself over and over again: I have never seen such impressive, lasting videos about photography before! Not only the beauty of your landscape shots and the effort you took to get there, but also a much more emotional side of photography. The real why!
So far I have mainly done animal photography - years ago, after a day I came home with 1000 pictures, threw 600 straight into the trash and after several selections there were maybe 10 left.
Nowadays I pay much more attention to details, such as the surrounding landscape, the play of light and shadow ... and maybe I still have 100 photos - but at least 10 of them can remain.
It is a long process of rethinking - and sometimes difficult when photographers next to you are on fire with a frame rate of 10 or more images per second. Take a deep breath and wait for the right moment!
Your thoughts on this big topic are very helpful to me and to a large extent also reflect my own feelings, but there is still a little more discipline missing ... I am trying to work on it and I look forward to each of your fantastic videos!
Thank you very much for your efforts to enable us, the viewer, the right view through our viewfinder ...
best regards
Thomas
Thanks very much Thomas, Thats a very humbling piece of feedback indeed. Discipline is a real important part of it all huh!? I shall be tackling this topic in another video in the near future when i get some ofmy other content completed form this last trip. As i answered someone before - ill do a shoot analogue with your digital vid in the near future, to emphasise this point a little. I may even go shooting with a film photographer to have a chat about it, so that is not jusy my opinion, but that of someone actively engaged in the analogue industry. Kind regards, and thanks again. Ewan
This is an absolutely brilliant video Ewan, well done. I have probably taken more from this one video than all the photography videos I have watched in the last 5 years. Hope you and family are all well.
Hey Davie, Cheers Man. Nice of you to say that. Hope life in the Borders is treating you all well. Regards, Ewan
Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. You make a lot of very interesting and useful points. The two that struck a chord with me are
1) you are the artist and no critic can tell you that any element of your photo is wrong because if you’re happy with the shot then that’s what matters. If you aren’t happy with the photo then you wouldn’t present it to your client or the world via social media, etc.
2) the need to be disciplined when shooting. I started out with film cameras and would get so frustrated with spending money on film and processing and only getting 1 or 2 decent photos from a 36 roll. Digital cameras don’t bring these costs but if you shoot 100 shots in the hope of getting 1 good one then you’re going to incur the cost of replacing the camera body so much sooner than you would if you were more disciplined in pressing the shutter.
A very good and well presented video. Good on you!
Many thanks Del. Im glad you found some of it worthwhile. Kind regards. Ewan
Ewan, Thank you for this particular video. It helps me somewhat see the "why" of my photography. I will return to these concepts often. There is value here.
Thanks Guy. I got your email - I will respond in the next day or two when i get some time to sit down and relax.. flipping open the laptop! Kind regards, and thanks for watching, as well as your interaction! Ewan
Good work mate, as you know already I agree with the points you make. And yes we are always evolving & learning.
Cheers Brett. It was great to get out on that shoot up the hill too! E
This is a very good video Ewan. As stated below, you deserve many more followers, lets hope the algorithm treats you well. Certainly got me thinking, thanks for that.
HI Gary, Thanks very much for that. Yes, Im not sure how to grow the channel any quicker. More content maybe!? Im happy with the concept of less being more though. Thanks for watching! Regards, Ewan
It looks like a fair few people have got there before me, but these are the films I look forward to most of all my subscriptions. Everyone else below has put it better than I can! Thank you Ewan.
Thanks Martin. thats quite an accolade as Im sure you follow several really good Photographers and Vloggers. Kind regards, Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages everyone's tastes are different! These are informative, beautifully shot, inspiring and wonderfully delivered, they deserve to be seen by many more people. When's the next one due?!
@@hoonior - Appreciated. The next one has been started and is the first of a few where i start to visit some locations through the south island. They take me about one week to rpoduce, and will ger right onto it once i get a few other deadlines cleared away this week! = ) regards, Ewan
That has to be one of the best videos I have seen. Each point made was a point that should be taken on board. Only you can take your photography forward not rules or judges. Brilliant 👏 👏.
Hi Colin. Thanks for the feedback, and glad you took something away from it. Im sure judging panels wont want to hear that! LOL Regards, Ewan
One of , if not the, most inspiring insightful videos I have seen on photography. Thank you Ewan for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Len - Much appreciated. Thats a very kind thing to say. Im glad you took something from it! = ) Regards,
Ewan
I saw the video twice, and I think I will come back to it in the future. Thanks.
Thanks Andres. Hope it made sense. Regards, Ewan
Been waiting all day to watch this Ewan and I wasn't disappointed. Very deep and meaningful and we've come to expect nothing less from you. I imagine this took some time to put together so I'd like to thank you for your time and effort...thank you.
Hi Tim. Thanks Mate. It was stressful to conceptualise and put together. Caused a couple of sleepless nights for sure, not withstanding probably hundreds of takes! Ewan
Ewan, your ethos, patience and commitment to your craft, art, is inspiring. As someone who has lived in New Zealand, with brief forays overseas, for 76 years, 50 of them as an amateur photographer, I have rarely, if ever seen photographs as beautiful as the ones you take away.
I've seen what you have seen but rarely captured the moment with my camera in a way that doesn't leave me still wanting to explain what I have photographed.
Thank you for detailing the guidelines that explain how you achieve the results you get. I wonder how many times I will have to `attend this class before it sinks in and I might get to the next level with my camera.
HI Tony, many thanks for your kind and detailed feedback - I am glad that the work that i pour over, has resonated with you. We surely are lucky indeed to be able to get out amongst this beautiful country! I hope the content of the vid wasn't too confusing. Its something i have been practicing for years and so makes perfect sense to me! The trick to getting very real but beautiful photos, is all in the time of the day I think, when it is vastly different tohow most people see the scenes that we do - just at different times of the day and in different light! Kindest regards. Ewan
What a good video! Thnx.v.m.
Hi Paulus. You are very welcome! = ) Regards, Ewan
Hi Ewan I enjoyed your vlog you have given some excellent advice for someone loves photography, I can resonate with you in waiting for the right moment I waited yrs to get the right conditions for a image luckily it was only 1/2m from my home I had seen the composition years before the image is nothing with out one element which is fog as in the back ground is a landfill site so I woke up with no intention of photography but on throwing back the curtains during the night a peasouper had come down so shouting to my wife as I threw on my clothes I see you in a few hours and hurried to the location and the composition I seen years before .That image went on to win a photography competition and become on of my best sellers . So patient does pay off and looking for compositions as you walk around you learn to use your photographic eye see it as in my style which is BW you just have take your time it will come ..
Hi Stephen. Well sspotted. Well waited.Rewarding too huh!? Thanks for the interaction and story. Impressive. Kind regards, Ewan
I lack discipline - there, I’ve said it !!! I wouldn’t describe myself as a landscape photographer but over the past year, I have engaged more with the genre as I have found the processes involved to be very helpful in focussing what you describe as ‘workflow’. Although your absolutely excellent discussion has been within the context of your work as a landscape photographer, I think it is transferable across many other aspects of photography, and as an artist, artistic endeavour in general. I think there is value in defining a framework for a ‘mission statement’ as again, this helps to provide a focus for the more disciplined approach I certainly need. Your discussion does merit repeated viewing and keeping it to a reasonable length has allowed you to define some headlines for a framework which is worthy of greater exposure .... many thanks for raising the bar on a lot of the landscape photography UA-cam content I have been watching over the past year. Glad I found you.
Thanks very much Trevor for your feedback. I felt that half way through shooting this over 10 days, that I should have kept it wider at Photography, not just landscapes, as I think you are absolutely right in your thoughts. I try my best to use my experience to date professionally to help others through the YT medium, and I hope that from time to time.. the depth of my thinking around photography shines through. I try to be benevolent with my time and advice on this and my reasons for doing youtube have changed over time, and now firmly sit in the 'education' piece. There is little education in setting up and the narrative being the same in each video, only the location changing. Gary Gough made a poignant point on YT recently... He stated "Not all experts on UA-cam, are"! which resonated with me. Ill keep trying! Thanks for your interaction. Ewan
Thank you Ewan for a truly inspiring insight into your passion for photography and sharing your principles with all photographers around the world. Thank you!!!!!
Hi Thor. Many thanks my friend. Always a pleasure when something that i try to do... hits the mark! Kindest regards. Ewan
This film really gives an insight into how your mind really works on all things photography. I found it both intriguing and confusing at the same time for whilst I am deeply passionate about photography and the landscape, I hadn't really thought about it to this extent. It's for that reason it's taken me this long to comment! Point one, I could be doing it for the wrong reason? Point 2, I'm not sure I will ever have a style and there could be something wrong with me :-) Point 3, I've never had a statement of intent, let alone two of the damn things! Point 4, I reckon I have this nailed and it's probably UA-cam? Point 5 is one that I agree with...who gives a..., Point 6, half the time I don't know what I'm going to find and I do occasionally find myself making poop :-), Point 7, I tend to work with any subject I find on the day that works with the light I am dealt with and as such, no style I think? Point 8 is something that I do seem to have, Point 9 was the one the really resonated with me. A point very well made indeed! Point 10, This one I struggle with. Point 11 is another point well said...I could not agree more!
One big takeaway from this for me is that I do not think very deeply about photography itself, but I am very connected with the landscape and nature and as such seem to navigate through many of these points subconsciously. You had me befuddled there for a while!
Hey Simon, You are so funny. You are also very hard on yourself, but i get that this message is too technical for those who feel photography a little more than i do, as i have to work really hard at it! I always appreciate your comments and feedback though... whatever you have to say! Thanks Simon
This video resonates with me, and I will keep those points in mind for all my future shoots. Shoot less, and be prepared to wait out for the best of the best lights!
Many thanks . Should try it, the disciplined element, is quite refreshing actually! Regards, Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages yes, for certain. And a big thank you, my guru.
Stumbled across your channel.. Really like the content and the teaching. Great stuff. Back to my binging on your vids now...
Hey Man, Thanks very much. Appreciate you looking and your comment! Regards, Ewan
11.27 an example of why I never enter competitions. Photography is purely subjective, relying on others opinions to validate your "art" is totally counter productive. Hope you are recovering from your latest adventure Ewan.
Cheers Paul. Yeah, I agree completely and thought it was an important point to get across, as many other photographers and clients suffer at the hands of ill informed judges, which is never good for the industry. Ewan
I agree I no longer enter photography comps. I did for 3 years and got as far as Bronze. I then realised I didn't like being competitive, I realized there is a formula that is required, judging was very subjective. The stress of looking up the results was not the reason I took the photograph in the first place. I now only shoot for ME, and if someone enjoys the image enough to buy a print it is a bonus, not a requirement.
One of the best videos I have watched in a long while. All made complete sense and left me thinking about my own why?
Hey Paul. Nice! Im glad you enjoyed it.I actually made the point of asking other photographers at photography locations, their thoughts on their why's. Surprising how few had even given it any thought. Regards, Ewan
Thanks Ewan. Wow, I need to watch this over several times to soak up the thoughts!
Loving your channel - some of the most thoughtful and inspirational ideas for photography I’ve seen.
Really appreciate the time and effort you put into them - hopefully more to come?
Meantime off to watch this video again! !
HI Boris. LOL You watch as many times as you want! = ) Thanks very much for your kind kind comments. I try my best to be a little different with the stuff that i focus on and hopefully will have new content in the next little while! Kind regards, Ewan
Thank you for this excellent video. The why the how the vision, important lessons well explained, you are a great teacher. 👌
You are welcome - Im glad it resonated wth you! Kind regards, Ewan
Crazy good! Thank you, thank you. Impactful and concise. I loved the 120, 35, and SD correlation. Less is more. So much to absorb.
Hey Christopher. Many thanks my friend - and for your interaction. Your feedback is always appreciated. = ) Regards, Ewan
I've been following for a while now ... unfortunately I've watched this just now. A milestone and a relief to the more "popular photographers" here ... Stay as you are and keep your perspective ... take care
Hey Tom. Sorry my frend. I seem to have missed replying to your kind comment! MAny thanks for the kind feedback. Much appreciated!
Thanks Ewan for a thought provoking video - it was well worth my time watching to the end .... hopefully you make it home soon. Kia Kaha!
Thanks Grant.I did but what a stressful trip. E
Ewan.. brilliant! Photography is a ‘feeling’ resonates loud and clear and makes total sense.. thanks my friend
You are welcome Ian. I once gave Royal Photographic Society feedback on their feedback on someone elses work, which i was as unqualified to , as they were in the first place. My point was that Photography IS a feeling . Thanks Ian. Glad you took the time to watch it! Ewan
Thanks Ewan, Great video with sage advice. Really enjoyed it.
Thanks very much Trev. Glad you made it to the end! Regards, Ewan.
Impressing words by an impressive man...thank you very much for this video :-)
Thanks very Much Dr Hoffman! kind regards indeed.
Ewan
Omg this video gave me goosebumps, I was so absorbed in it. Thank you so much for sharing some of your wisdom with us, as a amature photographer I never really scensed the depth of thought required to "taking the shot" the relationship with the landscape, output ect. Its amazing what this one video has done for me personally on my photography journey
Out of all the photographers out there, if I could go on one workshop, it would be with you. Thank you so so much
Hello Damian. Many thanks for your very kind words sir. Humbled. This vid took some time to conceptualise as all this stuff rumbles around in my head and was throught provoking tp have the challenge of putting into words. Many thanks re the workshop comment. I do very few workshops each year, but this next year have workshops in Norway and Iceland, Scotland and New Zealand, all fo which are small numbers and high 1:1 time. My website and email are down under construction at the moment and I can be notified here should you wish to enquire further, or email em on ewan.dunsmuir@gmail.com. Thanks again. Kind regards
Ewan
Hey Ewan, just found your channel and throughly enjoyed your philosophical approach to photography....it was neat.
Many thanks Keith. Much appreciated mate! Regards, Ewan
Took these guidelines in as best I could over two sessions Ewan, it made me more aware of just what it is we do when taking landscape and other aspects of photography, Most importantly for me I am learning from you in the way you explain why what and how, if ever I manage to take some good landscapes in the future a lot of what you have given me and anyone else whom wishes to listen, you certainly have a stake in my images, thank you
Hey Tom. This is what this channel is actually all about. I try to benevolent with my time, efforts and the ability to share experiences I have been lucky enough to benefit from, with others... all without trying to sell stuff, or do it for the income. Art is for everyone! Regards, Ewan
Wow, really appreciate your advices. Shifting from software development to photography and never though about such things as output, for example. Thank you.
Hey Alex, Thanks Man. Output is really important huh. I know people who shoot for IG and advertise selling prints. As they dont sell, its due to framing and intense colourways, which wont sit well in peoples house for long without tiring of them. My stuff however - useless on IG!
@@EwanDunsmuirImages Makes a lot of sense, thanks!
Wow.....your video blew me away! Your guidelines have provided me a roadmap and new inspiration to improve my photography. Thank you so much!
Thanks Mark, you are welcome. Ewan
A lovely deep dive into your thoughts, processes and motivations Ewan. Equally a trumpet call to people to consider their own reasons for photography and the production of images from the landscape. Lots of food for thought and consideration. Thank you.
Cheers Geoff. You are welcome. I probably should have challenged everyone to discuss their Why too. All the best. Ewan
Thank you for your insights.
The most amazing light I saw was on the way from Kirkwall to St Margarets Hope, 6am moonset sitting on Scapa bay, nowhere to stop to take a photo. The Orkneys have the most beautiful light and colours. I love using my Rolleicord and 120 film.
Hello. Thank you and you are welcome! Yes, you certainly do get some magical light in Orkney for Photos. I must get back into MF film sooting again! Kindest regards, Ewan
Ewan...wow....well done and thank you....
Hi there S Mcanally. Thanks very much, and you are welcome!
Love your discussions on Photography Ewan. I particularly love your thoughts on Photography put forward here.
Many thanks. I hope it all made sense on here. Makes sense in my head at least! LOL Regards, Ewan
Ewan, your points and views are spot on and explained in a manner that was very thought-provoking and real.
Thanks very much Wayne. Much appreciated. Ewan
Perfect lesson. Many many thanks🤗🤗
You are welcome. I hope it resonated!
Discipline hit home for me. I was photographing in a bluebell wood, ferns were in my foreground, then bluebells with plantation trees beyond. The light kept changing with cloud hiding and showing the sun, I was waiting for soft light on the ferns and no/low highlights on the tree trunks. Another photographer showed up, set his tripod about 4 metres to my left, told me he was shooting film, took a couple of frames, and left nodding that he was done. I was still waiting for the light on a composition that had taken a lot of time to find and get in position for, using a tilt shift lens to get straight trunks and good focus.
It confused me, I was unsure what he had photographed. That doesn't make me disciplined, but I often think of that moment, and thought of it while watching your piece on discipline.
Interesting thought provoking video. Cheers, Marshall Black.
Hi Marshall. Thanks very much for your feedback. The one thing i did note when i was shooting film was you kinda knew how what you just shot was going to transfer to the film when you shot it, if you understood the Dynamic range and latitude of the film you were shooting with. It was a bot of a trick as that guy you mentioned didn't have the luxury of checking his stuff right away, there fore had to judge his gut and make a call! Keep going with it. You could always take a long exposure when the mottled light hits like that and this way, the LE will record all of the moving light over time, softening the variance between light and dark. A bit like this shot here - www.flickr.com/photos/eos1969/46242568764/in/dateposted/ Regards Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages Interesting idea with the long exposure, might have to give it a try. Thanks Marshall
Great video, Ewan. Very deep and thoughtful and lots to take in. You are correct in that a second or third viewing is really necessary. I discovered your video via Brett Wood’s recent collaboration with you and am more than happy to subscribe to your channel.
Hey Grant. Thanks man. I think as creators on youtube - we take for granted people who take the time to watch nd subscribe. It certainly doesnt go un noticed on me and thw commentary is the same thing that keeps me going with it all. It was nice to have met up with Brett. He's a really lovely guy! I appreciate your support. Ewan
Hi Ewan, thank you for a very thought-provoking and timely video. I am tentatively returning to a long-term project after lockdown. Your principles, particularly the why and discipline elements, will have a big impact on how I go about my practice. Keep safe.
Hi David. Im glad it has resonated with you on a couple of levels. Ewan
I enjoyed this video very much. It raises some very important questions that all of us need to ask ourselves. Distilled and to the point. Great work man, thanks for sharing.
Hi Harald. You are more than welcome. Hope it helps. This stuff forms part of the public speaking circuit that i do and workshop teachings. Not everything should cost money though... which is why I have shared this. thanks for watching and responding. Ewan
A very moving and thought provoking video. I think that being a hobbyist gives me a degree of flexibility not available to you because I am not making a living from my images. That said, many of the principles that you mention are still highly relevant. When I started photography as a young man I shot on a Yashica TLR camera taking 6 x 6 images. I still love that format, along with the 6 x 17 images. But I didn't know about rules and just composed it a manner that felt right. It wasn't until I started shooting with 35mm that i discovered rules and decided they weren't for me.
I think the Yashica gave me the discipline that you mentioned because I only had 12 images to play with with. Even now with a large capacity SD card I rarely shoot more than a dozen images on a shoot. unless i am shooting wildlife. Quite recently I have been using the zoom lenses less and returning to using primes. I think they instil that sense of discipline more because I have to consider each shot because I cant just stand there and zoom until the composition is right.
I still shoot icon large vistas but then i turn my eye to more intimate landscapes focusing on shape, texture, colour and contrast to better capture that sense of connection I feel with the outdoors and nature.
I think your video is one that i will watch several times because I feel there is more to your principles than can be gleaned from a single viewing. Thank you for sharing I look forward to your next video. Stay safe and try not to stress too much.
Cheers John - yes - you will indeed get many of these points indeed already regards the discipline stuff in particular having shot 66. I appreciate you once again, interacting here John. Much appreciated mate.! Regards, Ewan
Fantastic Video, you made me realise one fundamental flaw in my photography and that is "it`s for me", if others don`t appreciate the emotional attachment I have to the image and the memories it evokes then I should not let it get to me, that and the fact "You cant make Ice-cream out of poop " :)
Hey Paul. Sorry about the delayed response. Yes indeed, it should only matter to you, and you alone.. If others like your work... then that is a bonus, rather than the expected! Keep shooting. Kind regards, Ewan
This is probably one of the most informative and valuable videos I have watched on UA-cam, thank you for putting it together Ewan! As an 'enthusiast' (whatever that means) looking to take my photography to the next level, there was so much here that was relevant and useful for me, and so many points that I think all photographers should take on board. I will certainly be returning to rewatch this and attempting to implement as much of your advice as I can. Time to get working on that statement of intent... ;) Sam.
Cheers Sam, Some good feedback, right there.
Glad you took something form it, as I wasnt sure how it would be received. It was stressing me out, planning all the messages and shooting locations. Ewan
It must have been a logistical nightmare! I think that there are many photographers like myself out there, who probably have an ok grasp of the technicalities, but are looking to take their art to the next stage and produce something that has meaning, depth and a personal style. Not just another instagram friendly 'wow' shot, but something a bit deeper. I think this video will really resonate with anyone in that position. S.
@@BosePhotography Cheers Sam. Appreciate your tdepth of thought. But yes, a nightmare to plan. lol Ewan
How very thought provoking, thank you ...👍🏻
Hey James. Thank you, and you are very welcome! Regards, Ewan
Thanks for sharing your humble perspective on LP. .This video shall guide lots of enthusiasts.
Having a good story behind the captured shots what drives me, gives a flash back of entire process/journey while taking that shot Thanks again! Good content
Many thanks bsAn studio. You'd be surprised how many professional shooters, whilst well placed in their respective disciplines... havent given this much thought. Thanks for the interaction. You take Care. Ewan
Nicely done and produced. I'll refer back to this one often. Although you don't have the number of followers of the "famous" UA-camrs, your channel is leagues beyond those in professionalism and quality. It is just a pleasure to watch your content without asking for money, join as a patreon, multiple ads, and promotional distractions. Substance and quality not quantity and popularity.
Hi Steve, Thats an awesome thing to say. Thank you very much indeed. I do this to share locations and knowledge, and must admit, its harder than i ever would have thought, and may admit that from time to time, that I've contemplated giving it up, as i have so many competing demands for my time. Its comments like yours... which keeps me going with it, so thank you! Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages selfishly speaking, please don't give it up entirely.
Thanks Ewan, A great Video and a meaty subject. To be honest my first watch was in 4 large bites, I will need to revisit it. I think this is a template for your work and you will refer back to it in future Vlogs. Well done
Hey Tony. Sorry mate - i was sure I had responded but dint appear to have. I plan to refer to this indeed in fitire vlogs as its what my shooting is all about! = ) Regards Ewan
What a great video, it makes me think about my own workflow and realise there is a lot of room for improvement.
Thanks Hugo. We all have scope to manoeuvre and keep growing. Ewan
Ewan, quite simply. Thank you.
Thanks Paul. Appreciated man. Ewan
Wow. How thought provoking was that?? Always an amazing opportunity to be inside your thought pattern and thanks so much for your honesty and insights. I can tell I'll be referring back to this video many, many times for inspiration and motivation. Thanks again.
You are very welcome. Kind regards, Ewan
Thanks Ewan for such a wonderful and insightful approach to photography. I have only watched this video tutorial once so far, but I am sure I need to watch it many more times. Your advice and approach is wonderfully different to so many out around the world today, I agree with you on so many points. One point regarding the difference between shooting film & digital. As an 18yo (now 66yo) I shot only B&W, developed my own film & printed my own prints. Now I shoot digital, initially suffered the "take 100 shots & see if any of them are ok" to trying to restrict myself to slowing down and shoot like I only have 12 0r 24 frames. I love the process of moving from imagining to final print. My first inspiration to get back to photography at 50yo was Ken Duncan, a definite style, but he incorporates much of what you talked about. I also love the approach and images of Glenn Mckimmin, Adam Gibbs, Simon Booth, Alister Benn & Thomas Heaton who have a similar perspective. This youtube tutorial is unique in the world today, congratulations and thank you for sharing your wealth of experience. Cheers!
Thanks Phil. The shooting discipline is really important and Ill be doing a vid at some point on "shooting Analogue with your Digital" Ill coin the phrase "Danalogue"! You'll need to watch it and see where i take it. Might be a bit odd, but a cool concept. Thanks for your interacton and feedback Phil. Always enjoy hearing from you mate. Was speaking about you last week with Brett Wood. Hope you are well. Regards, Ewan
Ewan Dunsmuir Images Thanks Ewan, I hope Brett was complimentary 😁
@@PMCN53 Of course he was!
@@PMCN53 - of course he was. we both were!
A really thoughtful piece (or rather many pieces) Ewan.
You could make an entire series from these pearls of wisdom "The Dunsmuir Way" .......
Thank-you for taking the trouble to put this together.
I think I need to watch one at a time over the next couple of weeks😉
Thanks Bryan. I hope you find them helpful. Regards, Ewan
No apology required for a long video. All good reminders as to why and how . My favorite band is Marillon , one of my favorite songs by them is Ocean cloud . Its about 18 mins long and is a master class in musical story telling ( imho ). Your work flow is like this song.
Hey David. Thats an awesome thing to say mate. Thanks very ,much. Glad you enjoyed it. It 'troubled' me doing this vid, as it was a head sctratcher as to how to make it! E
@@EwanDunsmuirImages i'm very guilty of taking to many images , this just hit home to me so much about my images moving up to the next level. Excitement gets the better of me but thats WHY i do photography im on the North Norfolk coast uk , its very beautiful . Its your outer Hebrides images that so inspire me .
We are moving house soon and im going to buy one of your prints as a centre piece in the living room.
@David Starkey what a quality gesture! Bravo David. I have to echo your points about Ewan's outer Hebrides imagery, they really are sublime arnt they? I particularly like Bay of Skaill,Orkney
@@davidstarkey3002 - That would be awesome David. Ill be happy to have printed, whatever you need at the time. Let me know on ewan@ewandunsmuriimages.com Regards
This is a great video, I watch it regularly to keep myself on track with my photography, I call it "my eleven commandments of photography". My only criticism is that you should produce videos more often. Thank you very much.
Hi Massimo. Many thansk my forend. "11 Commandments" - I like that. If I had only thought of it when i was putting a title to it!
Re the other content, pes, absolutely. When life slows down to a walking pace again, Ill be sure and do more, as i have some content planned and in the pipeline, for whenever i get a little more time. Life is too busy. (Good complaint though). Kindest regards - Ewan
Great video.
Many thanks Neil. A complex one, but one each subsequent video, will refer back to the points covered her. Glad you got something from it! Regards, Ewan
Worth the wait, this is what we need more of in youtube videos "thinking" . Still working out statement of intent :)
Yeah it can take a while but the whole exercise is revealing on its own!
@@EwanDunsmuirImages as im discovering
Hi Ewan, I feel a little disrespectful using your first name as this is only the second film I've had the pleasure of watching from you. Up until this year I have been an unhappy snapper: often arriving home and when I've viewed the images I've made; being disappointed with most only finding one or two I'd consider printing. In March I thought enough is enough I need to become a more intentional photographer. I began writing down what I wanted to achieve and how/what I needed to do to make it happen. I have, for a long time enjoyed heritage and architecture and decided to begin a project of photographing my local towns buildings some of which were pioneers in the development of the cloth trade. I realised the first 12 buildings I shot, I had only taken 20 shots, a vast reduction in quantity for me. I needed to reshoot two a couple of days later. These were all B/W and while shooting I was thinking about texture, detail, light, shadow with colour not being a consideration. I have 15 buildings now and the weather has changed somewhat so I will have to wait for similar conditions as per the previous images. hopefully producing a body of work with a common feel.
Watching your film, I have realised unknowingly I have employed most of your suggestions, which for me gives me hope I am finally on a positive track of shooting less and achieving more. When I was a teenager, I purchased my first 35mm (Nikon EM) but with part-time job could only afford to buy 24 frame film and develop/print it - I was more careful then. Drifted away from photography for many years only getting back with it three years ago and now with digital a thousand shots are easy to take on one card, but why would I need a hundred all the same! I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you for putting into words what I didn't realise I was doing... I've noticed there are others on this platform who have tens of thousands of followers but not the quality you display in your thoughts and images. Thank you again for sharing.
Hi Paul. Glad you have come along for the ride! Thank you = ) This video was a difficult one for me to put together, taking months pouring over the content and moreover... how to get it across in an intrinsically linked way, as whilst common sensible (I think) it is deeply complex, ad I know it loses some people given its complexity. (I was stressed shooting this given this).
I do know, that being aware of these things each and every time you shoot - it becomes somewhat second nature and certainly makes your work... more consistent. The trick being to make sure your work [my work], mechanical!
I know that with this video, it has been the one which seems to be the farthest reaching as it is trying access a different depth to photography and the philosophies behind it, rather than "scene, f11, 30s exposure, ND filter, soft grad from the top... and click" each time. The other reason i did this was so that you can see elements of the applications of these points in my other videos hopefully. I shall also continue to use this framework to be referred to in other videos (as component parts) which i shall produce into the future once life settles down a bit!
Learning myself, was an unintended consequence from doing this video, but i too... took stuff away from having poured over it for months pre recording it. I really appreciate your feedback Paul - deep and well thought out and im glad this vid was able to affirm with you, that you are more than likely bang on track! Regards, Ewan
Hi Ewan: As the new year is upon us, I thought it would be appropriate to review this video once again. As often happens, I picked up even more important detail the second time around. I am in my mid-60's but learning never stops so thank you so much for sharing your vision and inspiration with us. Best wishes for a successful 2021. Cheers, Keith (Canada)
Hi Keith. Sorry Buddy, i would appear to have not replied to your message. Apologies. I hope you are well and having a good (fast) year. Its april already!!! Regards, Ewan
Hi Ewan: No apologies necessary. How are your home renovations going? I hope that you are able to get out and see New Zealand and capture some new images. We are hoping to get to Scotland in the fall, and we have a trip planned for 2023 to both island in New Zealand. It will be our second time back and we can't wait. Cheers, Keith (Canada)
@@keithpinn152 House is plugging away thanks. Been out ONCE with the camera, which is once more than the month prior, and the month prior to that! Hope you get to Scotland. That'd be awesome!
Thank you, Ewan! It was a long one, but a good one. Lots of very good information! I honestly think I will refer back to this more than once :)
Hi there. It was long and wasnt sure how its length would be received. Lots of stuff in there though! Glad you watched it and will revisit it too! Awesome! Regards, Ewan
I'm ok with long videos when the content is good :) Love your work Ewan!
Thanks again,
Nathan
@@MeasuredLight - Many thanks Nathan. Really appreciate your support and commentary. Kindest regards, Ewan
Great to hear your thoughts on photography, now I just need more time :)
Thanks Mark. Time is something which there is a shortage of sadly Its important though huh! Ewan
Mate, brilliant as usual. Thank you.
Thanks very much Steve. Appreciated. Regards. Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages Ewan, this is a video that I will watch over and over. I received the latest Cole Thompson newsletter this morning in which he shared similar sentiment to yours in respect of photography judges and critics. He also shared this story ...
A young artist was exhibiting his work for the first time and a well-known critic was in attendance.
The critic says to the young man: “would you like to hear my opinion of your work?”
“Yes” says the young man.
“It’s worthless” the critic says.
“I know” the artist replies, “but let’s hear it anyway.”
@@stevemckenzie4731 - LOL, never a truer word has been said! Funny. Ewan
Great work
Hey Michael - Many thanks mate. Regards, Ewan
Hi Ewan, just reflecting on this f11 Guidelines. Ken Duncan did a documentary with Ray Martin a few years ago called "Chasing the Light". If you get a chance It's worth a view for seeing another very passionate photographer over many decades and a pioneer landscape photographer. Ken is very successful at what he does and from viewing him at work first hand the success comes from passion and connecting with the landscape before he hits the shutter button. Cheers!
Hey Phil, Thanks very much. Yeah, I have followed Ken Duncans stuff, since about 1990, when he started doing his Australia Wide series in Panorama format. I havent seen the doco, but Ill be sure and have a look. Appreciate you taking the time Phil. = )
Ewan
brilliant!!
Thanks very much and my apologies for the delayed response. I try not to miss the feedback as they are important to me. Kind regards. Ewan.
Good to listen to. I’ve taken a camera out wherever I have been for quite a few years now (more than I want to own up to) and technically not every photo has been “correct”, but as you say ~ it’s how I see and how I wanted the image to be. I kind of look as my subject, scene, vista and see what I want to capture and what I want it to be before I even have my camera out. Post processing is generally minimal if I’ve managed to have had my camera view settings rightish. Yep, looking at photos on a phone etc very often does not show ‘the actual scene’ as I take an image, produce it to as near what I actually saw / witnessed when pressing the shutter on the original scene. In a small size it doesn’t work and can be quickly skimmed over by the viewer. However, enlarge (large TV for example or in a large printed format) it often shines as the details, the shadows which do have depth and details come to life.
Thanks for this and because travel just now is so hectic / unpredictable is why I stay home ~ after all, the Scottish Highlands has so much to capture.
Be true to myself, and be honest is I think what you are alluding to¿
HI James, thanks for your comment. Art is a funny thing, and its something that being a unique to you item - i wanted this to come across in the video, which was really difficult to convey. Im glad you took something out of it. With iphones and ipads etc - have kinda wondered whether social media and technology have spoiled the creation of works which are best viewed large as you say, or whether they in fact have celebrated photography but sharing art with more and more people. Much of my work which i print big, looks better the larger it goes. Looking at doing a 2.6long print for a client just now. It will be awesome to see (Image here www.flickr.com/photos/eos1969/49472141142/in/dateposted/ )
Thanks for your interaction and thought you have given to your feedback. Much appreciated. Cant wait to get back to Scotland to do a workshop next year! = )
Ewan
I have an EPSON P800 with roll attachment which means widest is 17” … I have my pano of Loch Maree which is 6’ long hanging in my hall. My 6’ pano is something I’ve wanted to know how to since early 20’s so bucket list slowly getting ticked off ✔️
Im just trying to up my photography game to give all my social media platforms a better quality and a consistent look. Even in that realm everything you said is relevant and applicable. How a photo looks going from Strava to IG to FB dictates the shot I choose to take.
Absolutely as relevant for these platform and please dont be offended by my commentary. It's just an observation as i do one to ones with people who are really successful on IG, but struggle to sell prints, as the palette in the iG shots are at odds wth what people look for in images for their homes. Its good that you recognise rthe difference from one platform to another so that that affects the way that you shoot! Awesome. Regards, Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages your commentary was bang on 👍 .....and thanks for reminding me how bloody cold my old home country is! That's why i now live in the topics 😉
@@breathestrongcycling3672 Thanks Man. You are welcome and lucky you! E
When you are scouting an incredible landscape what specific element of that environment makes you stop and just know that that scene is a must capture? In your artistic hierarchy are you drawn to shapes, colors , light, etc.? Just wanted to know how your gut tells you that this is the shot,
I have looked at shots people I admire have taken at places I have shot at and I’m always blown away at what they saw that I didn’t. That form of genius is something that cannot be learned . I think that is God given.
I would just love to see the scene you are looking at then hear the thought process in your head dissect and evaluate the possibilities while coming to the final set up.
Haters will be haters. The photo of the boy was spectacular. I loved it
HI Blue Jay - Thanks very much, and thats a realy good question. You may notice on my vids that im always looking around and my eyes are continually drawn away form the camera as i continually look around. There is nothing actually wrong with me but always looking through my viewfinder eyes, studying not just the scene and shapes but the light and the interaction of the light and the scene itself., in the near, the middle and the far distances, so as not t limit my 'scope' These scenes I generally shoot, are either pre scoped out on prior trips, which causes me to create my composition within that scene, or sometimes, some shots just STOP me in my tracks. These moments are generally random alignments of everything all at once, such as composition - colour, light, texture and contrast. (see statement of intent part of this vid) I generally find myself gazing at something which caught my eye, and ask myself, "what is it, that i like about this scene,' what stopped . and how do i make the most of it'. This is all part of a fairly complex process which starts with shooting less and seeing more giving yourself time to study things in great detail. The more i do this aspect, the quicker and clearer I can form an impression in my minds eye. This of course is all coupled with a little but of good luck too of course. Long answer, sorry. Hope that helps. Thanks for your interaction. Much appreciated. Ewan
@@EwanDunsmuirImages again forgive me because I’m new to you but I think it would benefit people like me if you did a video going from finding a location, finding that moment, then straight through to the finished product. I love how you think and seeing you struggle through a composition then follow through with post processing would be master class worthy
You truly are gifted and all your efforts to teach are priceless. Forgot to tell you initially that those framed images were remarkable
Thank you for all your hard work and kindness. I wish all creative people were was engaging as you. Much appreciated
@@bluejay3945 - Hey. Thanks for that. Ill try and look at doing this all in one from start to finish, despite being really busy, in the near future. I am working on a video which I ma pulling together which might touch on some of these aspects from a couple of location (Landscape Photography from the roadside) but wont do all aspects. Have a look at my vid - "How to shoot Panoramas", which may be as close as we will get until I address this in a specific video. That video is from a scene that stopped me in my tracks and I talk through what caught my eye and touch on some PP work, but not the full process. Thanks again! Ewan
On a vlog by Alister Benn with I think TJ Thorne, I said they were Marianus Trench deep in their thoughts, you my friend are Arne Saknussemm deep! (I think you're old enough to get it!) :-)
It all describes you and your work perfectly, on one watch I get it, yet I don't get it, are all 11 transferable to everyone interested in producing quality work? I'm not sure, maybe after a few more watches I'll get to 11 or maybe it will happen while i'm sitting somewhere this afternoon looking out over the Firth.
A joy to watch as always and most thoughtful content.
Safe travel home.
Hi Andrew. Yeah, I do give my stuff some deep thought indeed. I think you need to watch it a few time as they are all revolving around one another. All aspects are both transferable and probably necessary to producing consistent work i think. Keep watching it Andrew. Cheers man. Ewan
Blimey ............... that's made me stop and think. There is a lot to take in in this video, but all of this makes perfect sense, how many of us get back to download our images and are generally disappointed with the results. After listening to the various sections of this video and being honest with myself, I can definitely hold up my hand and say "Guilty". Time to slow down, stop and think before pushing the shutter button. Thankyou. 📷👍
Hey mike. Many thanks fi your comment and feedback. It took me some months to conjure up these thoughts which have been ruminating around in my very busy mind fir several years. Wasn’t easy to pull them altogether. Hope it all made sense. Regards. Ewan.
I prefer film to maintain discipline. I feel guilty, which I switch from 120 to 35 because of more options to fail. However, Bob Ross reminds me that happy mistakes are okay.
Good for you man. I’m Te press to go film for a bit again just to affirm the discipline element but it is a lot of work with processing and scanning and so forth. Maybe I’ve become a little lazy. No such thing as happy mistakes indeed. Regards, Ewan
" Without the camera I wouldn't be seeing??" (4.35). Why do you need a camera to see?
Its a good question. I often go away into the mountains hiking many hours in. Im a photographer who hikes, not a hiker who takes photographs. If i didnt do photography, then i wouldnt be hiking 2500 up a mountain for a walk. I use photography as my medium to catalyse my getting out. Ewan
Nicely explained I felt!
Whatever ancient painter who came up with the rule of thirds (etc.) I would have liked to have poked him in the eye with a sharp stick. 😶😶😶🙄😛
blooming rule of thirds especially huh! Rules are all ok, but for flips sake - dont let it rule your world = ) Thanks again your interaction Christopher. Nice to hear form you! Ewan
Way too serious mate. You are not directing a funeral. Lighten up.
I disagree completely!
LOL, Thanks Bob. This was a stressful trip, of 10 days, 3500kms to be covered, 14 videos to shoot, 7 locations to visit, recheck timings of workshop itineraries and meeting up with two other professional photographers for a shoot. Winter time in a campervan in NZ when you are tired... is stressful, and tiring! Ewan
Ewan, thank you for the most definitive masterclass. This video has to be THE best photography video I have watched, and one that I will be watching and watching again in order to apply these 11 fundamental points. My head is spinning with thoughts, and my soul enriched from your sage advice. Great that you have caught up with Brett as well. Thank you once again.
Cheers Andrew. Im glad you relate to it and that you can feel like you can get something from it.
We actually had a little talk about you. He is a lovely guy! Regards, Ewan
Thanks Ewan. I wondered why my ears were burning 😀