Hey, ben. Beautiful to see the rocks red color and unbelievable pastel blue sky. Yes, I think that is magical to see. the formation of the sedimentary very beautiful. Thank you so much for this video and see you again soon. Regards Martin
Thanks Brett! It sure was a fun subject to stumble across. I take a lot of photos of stuff along the trail with my iPhone, then flip through the photos to figure out which subjects to pursue when coming up with a plan for the day.
Thanks Jim! I've always loved those little details that represent a brief moment in time. Back when I was new to photography, I took a photo of some mud cracks with raindrops out in our local desert. It was on an old 4 megapixel camera, but even when I was new to photography, I recognized the appeal of a subject like that. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks David! That's one of the reasons I love returning to familiar locations. You get to know so much about the various elements. If you were to plop me down in the Sierra on a backpacking trip, I'd have no clue where to point my camera. It's funny how that works.
Hi Ben, absolutely love the dried mud image. The colours and textures are just amazing. The reflected light made such a huge difference. Your patience paid off for sure. The rain drop marks add an extra element as well. The large format 3D quality really adds so much to this image. Many thanks for another great video.
The birds in that part of the video are one of the few I have a full ID on since I was able to see them. They're white throated swifts and are are cliff-dwelling birds with unique wings. I used an app to get the ID of some of the birds I hear down by the river and it gave some names, but I wasn't able to see them to verify. My favorite bird in the area is the canyon wren. It's the signature birdcall of the canyons of southern Utah.
Things you don't expect to hear from Ben #1 "Well, close enough" it made me laugh anyway! Followed up quickly with "I didn't have much regard for the scene when I was photographing it" there's hope for use mere mortals yet. Great intro, I was starting to think you weren't going to speak the whole video and it would be the birds chirping. A joy to watch again and a week with both Ben Horne and Ewan Dunsmuir it doesn't get much better.
Thanks as always Andrew! I sure love the sound of morning down in those canyons. Between the bird songs and the white noise of the river, it's such a calm and peaceful place. I hope that bush is still hanging onto that loose and sandy bank next year when I return. I'd love to give it another shot with good light and a more thorough composition. It seems that's often the case with many of my photos. I give it a shot, am not quite satisfied with the result, and return the following year determined to make it work. It's that fire burning within me that brings me back year after year. Thanks as always for watching and commenting Andrew!
who knew dried mud could be so captivating? 🙂 as for the image at 20:20, there is a photograph there. maybe with absolutely pristine sand / earth and more contrast between the rock and its "tail". maybe...
Dried mud is awesome. So many wonderful possibilities. :-) There is beauty in every direction down in those canyons, though sometimes it's difficult to photograph because there are many elements that don't work well with each other, or perhaps the light is a bit flat. The more you spend there, the more stuff you notice. I love that moment when something catches my attention, then I have that epiphany moment that there's a wonderful subject hidden in plain sight right in front of me.
Especially enjoyed on this one how the video really showed flat light when you were waiting for the clouds to move off, and how alive the video became when the clouds did move (specifically the mud shot).
Okay, the part where you said you tried to lock your tent with your car fob had me laughing! I'm guilty of doing similar! Yeah, I find the dried mud flakes quite satisfying. Good attention to the raindrop details. I often find your videos rather satisfying to watch and listen. As always, thanks for sharing, Ben.
Thanks Bryan, and I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video. In addition to clicking the lock button on the nonexistent key fob in my pocket (I don't even take it backpacking with me), I also attempt the keys/wallet/phone check with a brief sense of panic that my wallet is gone, only to remember I intentionally left it behind. It's funny how so much of that stuff is so engrained.
Thanks Tom! Light sure does make a huge difference down in those canyons. It's crazy how it can feel like someone is turning a switch on and off when even a small cloud passes overhead. Thanks as always for watching and commenting Tom!
I can see how that could work with black and white film and some added contrast. There are so many wonderful elements down in those canyons, it it would be fun to see how a dedicated B&W photographer would approach a canyon like that. Thanks for watching and commenting John!
You made me laugh at the end of a cut. You were talking and came to the end of a thought and simply said, "I don't know how to end this." Beautiful. True.
I'm glad you enjoyed it Tony! It was one of the many times my mind goes absolutely blank after talking about what's going on, and sometimes it's fun just to roll with it rather than recording (yet) another take. :-) Thanks as always for watching and commenting!
I like both your images and your videos even though i must confess that i absolutely don't understand the attraction of large-format film. Please keep doing what you do and I'll keep watching!
Thanks Kevin! If you ever have a chance to view a large format transparency with a loupe in and work with a large format camera, you'll be convinced. Nearly all large format photographers these days are well versed in both digital and large format film, yet prefer to work with large format film. The sense of satisfaction is unparalleled with any other format I've worked with.
Another fantastic video, thank you so much, Ben. As enjoyable as it was relaxing, as always. Laughed out loud at your “I don’t know how to end this” moment 😆👌🏼 By the way, really been enjoying your Creative Banter podcast too. Keep up the great work. Huge gratitude, Dan ☺️🙏🏼💚
Thanks Dan! That's fantastic to hear you've been enjoying both the videos and the podcast. We'll be back with a new episode this week after a brief hiatus because of summer travels.
Every video you share with us mere mortals is a masterclass in understanding light, subject and composition. I honestly can't thank you enough for what you do and how open you are with your process. Counting the days until the release of your new ebook. Keep up the good work, excited to see the next episode Ben :)
Thanks Kevin! That's very kind of you, and it's one of the reasons why it's important to return to a location on a regular basis. It's interesting how last year when I visited this canyon, I didn't find any photos I was satisfied with, but on this years visit, after becoming more familiar with the canyon, I captured several photos that now reside in my portfolio. I look forward to revisiting this canyon again next spring and learning even more about it. I'm sure there are plenty of subjects I walked past without recognizing the potential on this trip, but will discover on future visits. Thanks as always for watching and commenting!
The way that using film and large format makes you be very careful and intentional about what to photograph and the fact that your process then results in bringing your trips to a natural end is a very cool thing. When I shoot medium format film, I most certainly am more critical and particular about what I photograph. However, now that I have the equipment to also shoot medium format digitally, that has probably served to make me less particular about the images I make; which, I think, causes me to make more mediocre photographs. I say all of that to say “thanks” to you as your process (and format) serves as inspiration for me to be more careful and thoughtful as to what I photograph and when.
Thanks David! That's one of the aspects of this process that I've embraced through the years. There's something to be said about limitation and accountability when it comes to working with film. I'm more willing to be patient and wait for the right conditions, and to weigh the pros and cons of a particular subject or composition. I know at some point I will need to go back to digital when 8x10 color transparency film is no longer available, but I hope that day is long in the future. I've been eyeing the Fuji GFX system and lenses, but I know that even if I try to use it the same way I approach large format, it'll never have the same degree of limitation I need to produce the sort of work I'm satisfied with. It sure will be lighter, smaller, and less expensive in the long run though. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks Christopher! Yup, that photo indeed required some front tilt to align the plane of focus and get everything in focus. It doesn't take much tilt, and a loupe really helps with the process.
Hey, ben.
Beautiful to see the rocks red color and unbelievable pastel blue sky. Yes, I think that is magical to see. the formation of the sedimentary very beautiful. Thank you so much for this video and see you again soon. Regards Martin
Thanks Martin! It sure is a wonderful place to spend time. A truly special place. Thanks as always for watching and commenting!
I LOVE the dried puddle of mud mate, looks great, excellent contrast.
Thanks Brett! It sure was a fun subject to stumble across. I take a lot of photos of stuff along the trail with my iPhone, then flip through the photos to figure out which subjects to pursue when coming up with a plan for the day.
@@BenHorne the iPhone is the best composition finder
That's the kind of meal prep I like to see in a video! 39 seconds. No wasting my time with 1/3 of the video prepping/cooking/eating! Thanks Ben!
Hah! Yup, just enough to provide a bit of context but without becoming a camp cooking video. :-)
The dried raindrops in the mud ripples shot are very satisfying for some reason - that extra little dimension that really adds to the story.
Thanks Jim! I've always loved those little details that represent a brief moment in time. Back when I was new to photography, I took a photo of some mud cracks with raindrops out in our local desert. It was on an old 4 megapixel camera, but even when I was new to photography, I recognized the appeal of a subject like that. Thanks for watching and commenting!
You do that landscape justice. It looks like beautiful country.
Thanks David! That's one of the reasons I love returning to familiar locations. You get to know so much about the various elements. If you were to plop me down in the Sierra on a backpacking trip, I'd have no clue where to point my camera. It's funny how that works.
Hi Ben, absolutely love the dried mud image. The colours and textures are just amazing. The reflected light made such a huge difference. Your patience paid off for sure. The rain drop marks add an extra element as well. The large format 3D quality really adds so much to this image. Many thanks for another great video.
Thanks as always Ash! It sure is fun when subjects like that are hidden there in plain sight. Thanks as always for watching and commenting!
Sounds like a flock of bushtits at 8:06. I'd have been all over that while waiting for the light. Good video!
The birds in that part of the video are one of the few I have a full ID on since I was able to see them. They're white throated swifts and are are cliff-dwelling birds with unique wings. I used an app to get the ID of some of the birds I hear down by the river and it gave some names, but I wasn't able to see them to verify. My favorite bird in the area is the canyon wren. It's the signature birdcall of the canyons of southern Utah.
Great video as always Ben. Really appreciate how you explain your thoughts when photographing.
Thanks Robert!
The cracked mud shot with the rain drops looks nice and such details the film has captured.
Thanks Vishwas! It sure was a fun scene to compose, and pretty much right on the trail as well. Thanks as always for watching and commenting.
Things you don't expect to hear from Ben #1 "Well, close enough" it made me laugh anyway!
Followed up quickly with "I didn't have much regard for the scene when I was photographing it" there's hope for use mere mortals yet.
Great intro, I was starting to think you weren't going to speak the whole video and it would be the birds chirping. A joy to watch again and a week with both Ben Horne and Ewan Dunsmuir it doesn't get much better.
Thanks as always Andrew! I sure love the sound of morning down in those canyons. Between the bird songs and the white noise of the river, it's such a calm and peaceful place. I hope that bush is still hanging onto that loose and sandy bank next year when I return. I'd love to give it another shot with good light and a more thorough composition. It seems that's often the case with many of my photos. I give it a shot, am not quite satisfied with the result, and return the following year determined to make it work. It's that fire burning within me that brings me back year after year. Thanks as always for watching and commenting Andrew!
That last image is cracking. No pun intended.
Thanks as always Prashant! :-)
who knew dried mud could be so captivating? 🙂
as for the image at 20:20, there is a photograph there. maybe with absolutely pristine sand / earth and more contrast between the rock and its "tail". maybe...
Dried mud is awesome. So many wonderful possibilities. :-) There is beauty in every direction down in those canyons, though sometimes it's difficult to photograph because there are many elements that don't work well with each other, or perhaps the light is a bit flat. The more you spend there, the more stuff you notice. I love that moment when something catches my attention, then I have that epiphany moment that there's a wonderful subject hidden in plain sight right in front of me.
Especially enjoyed on this one how the video really showed flat light when you were waiting for the clouds to move off, and how alive the video became when the clouds did move (specifically the mud shot).
Thanks Mitch, and it sure is crazy how much of a difference a single cloud can make. It's like someone is flipping a switch.
Okay, the part where you said you tried to lock your tent with your car fob had me laughing! I'm guilty of doing similar! Yeah, I find the dried mud flakes quite satisfying. Good attention to the raindrop details. I often find your videos rather satisfying to watch and listen. As always, thanks for sharing, Ben.
Thanks Bryan, and I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video. In addition to clicking the lock button on the nonexistent key fob in my pocket (I don't even take it backpacking with me), I also attempt the keys/wallet/phone check with a brief sense of panic that my wallet is gone, only to remember I intentionally left it behind. It's funny how so much of that stuff is so engrained.
The difference the reflected light makes to the dried mud is amazing, makes it so rich
Thanks Tom! Light sure does make a huge difference down in those canyons. It's crazy how it can feel like someone is turning a switch on and off when even a small cloud passes overhead. Thanks as always for watching and commenting Tom!
I think @3:02 would make a nice photo. Especially b&w with contrast
I can see how that could work with black and white film and some added contrast. There are so many wonderful elements down in those canyons, it it would be fun to see how a dedicated B&W photographer would approach a canyon like that. Thanks for watching and commenting John!
You made me laugh at the end of a cut. You were talking and came to the end of a thought and simply said, "I don't know how to end this." Beautiful. True.
I'm glad you enjoyed it Tony! It was one of the many times my mind goes absolutely blank after talking about what's going on, and sometimes it's fun just to roll with it rather than recording (yet) another take. :-) Thanks as always for watching and commenting!
Amazing that you have the patience to respond to so many comments. Thank you for giving so much to the community@@BenHorne
I like both your images and your videos even though i must confess that i absolutely don't understand the attraction of large-format film. Please keep doing what you do and I'll keep watching!
Thanks Kevin! If you ever have a chance to view a large format transparency with a loupe in and work with a large format camera, you'll be convinced. Nearly all large format photographers these days are well versed in both digital and large format film, yet prefer to work with large format film. The sense of satisfaction is unparalleled with any other format I've worked with.
1:25: a couple of layers of duct tape around the handles of the cup works too.
That's a good tip. I've thought of doing something similar, but have wondered if it would just become a melted mess.
Another fantastic video, thank you so much, Ben. As enjoyable as it was relaxing, as always. Laughed out loud at your “I don’t know how to end this” moment 😆👌🏼 By the way, really been enjoying your Creative Banter podcast too. Keep up the great work. Huge gratitude, Dan ☺️🙏🏼💚
Thanks Dan! That's fantastic to hear you've been enjoying both the videos and the podcast. We'll be back with a new episode this week after a brief hiatus because of summer travels.
Every video you share with us mere mortals is a masterclass in understanding light, subject and composition. I honestly can't thank you enough for what you do and how open you are with your process. Counting the days until the release of your new ebook. Keep up the good work, excited to see the next episode Ben :)
Thanks Kevin! That's very kind of you, and it's one of the reasons why it's important to return to a location on a regular basis. It's interesting how last year when I visited this canyon, I didn't find any photos I was satisfied with, but on this years visit, after becoming more familiar with the canyon, I captured several photos that now reside in my portfolio. I look forward to revisiting this canyon again next spring and learning even more about it. I'm sure there are plenty of subjects I walked past without recognizing the potential on this trip, but will discover on future visits. Thanks as always for watching and commenting!
The way that using film and large format makes you be very careful and intentional about what to photograph and the fact that your process then results in bringing your trips to a natural end is a very cool thing. When I shoot medium format film, I most certainly am more critical and particular about what I photograph. However, now that I have the equipment to also shoot medium format digitally, that has probably served to make me less particular about the images I make; which, I think, causes me to make more mediocre photographs. I say all of that to say “thanks” to you as your process (and format) serves as inspiration for me to be more careful and thoughtful as to what I photograph and when.
Thanks David! That's one of the aspects of this process that I've embraced through the years. There's something to be said about limitation and accountability when it comes to working with film. I'm more willing to be patient and wait for the right conditions, and to weigh the pros and cons of a particular subject or composition. I know at some point I will need to go back to digital when 8x10 color transparency film is no longer available, but I hope that day is long in the future. I've been eyeing the Fuji GFX system and lenses, but I know that even if I try to use it the same way I approach large format, it'll never have the same degree of limitation I need to produce the sort of work I'm satisfied with. It sure will be lighter, smaller, and less expensive in the long run though. Thanks for watching and commenting!
The image of the dried puddle of mud has so many details to explore. Did you use a little front tilt?
Thanks Christopher! Yup, that photo indeed required some front tilt to align the plane of focus and get everything in focus. It doesn't take much tilt, and a loupe really helps with the process.