I've been a follower of this channel for a while and I still think that the combination of entertainment and education is still one of the best out there. Thank you.
I've carried a camera around for nearly fifty years and it wasn't until the last ten years or so (youtube) that I started to understand that a good picture is created more than captured..
- Talks for three minutes as epic crepuscular rays daub the mountains and lake with beautiful dappled light while we silently scream TURN AROUND AND TAKE THE SHOT - Finally turns around at 10:23 and comments "At the moment, it's dark" - Viewers around the world: face-palms
I'm always amazed at how you can hold your camera so still, especial hanging so close to the water, and push the shutter without blurring it. Great photos. Things to aspire to.
It's almost like all of my decent photos I was instinctively thinking this, but never could put my finger on why I liked the photos. Thanks for bringing it to lite!
I also have been a follower of this channel for a few years, and though it took me years to see the light as far as the combination of entertainment and education, and I would add, wonderful humility, I finally have. I'm hoping that the advice in this video helps me to improve my photos. I'm not the most deliberate photographer so far, but I hope to change that, largely because of the advice in this video, which really clicked for me. James, I really appreciate all the work you do!
You have access to some of the best mountain and lake landscapes, and I love that you like the overcast days to shoot such scenery. The only time I want to shoot landscapes is when it is cloudy/overcast. There’s something about that weather condition that puts me in a pensive mood. As always, thanks for sharing your craft.
This one was extremely helpful. I always like to see the unedited process photographers I like go through. To many times we see the finished product and think and believe, the process is perfect. We think, as amateurs that the process is completely flawless. Thanks for letting us inside your mind while creating an image!
I'm subscribed to several photography channels and most of the time, the videos seem to consist of more of the technical aspect of photography. And while I understand the concept of telling a story with your photos, I feel like that's one of the more difficult things to do. When you're dealing with people, it usually means being in the right place at the right time with the right settings on your camera and already knowing the best composition for the story you're trying to tell. Obviously, with landscape photography in a lot of cases, you're subject matter isn't going anywhere and it's more of a matter of waiting for the "perfect" light. All that being said, I think this advice really helps with finding those stories to tell and how to find the best composition. Long story short, more videos on the artistic aspect of photography would be much appreciated.
Just found your channel the other day and I'm hooked got to be honest. The down to earth relatable content is where I'm at, plus I think you understand your craft well so I'm learning a lot from your stuff. I'm thinking I'll understand most of it when I'm out and about with my camera but enjoying it all 👍 cheers
I really enjoyed seeing the thought process behind your photos. I’ve always wondered how much analytical thought photographers put into their composition. This is really instructive. Thank you!
Wow man. That was an original educational thought, right here on TH-cam. Such a rare thing these days and so well-explained, so critical to good composition. Well done and thanks.
That is classic sitting in New Zealand grabbing some tips for my students and came across James vids and thought these are great!! Kia Ora all the way from NZ.
Great video! I really enjoyed this one and yes it made sense. Your Italian structure is a dock, at least that’s what we call them in America. Anything floating and in the water that you use to get in and out of the boat is a dock. Thanks for making these videos!
Really enjoyed the vlog James. Fabulous location there. I can see why you like it so much. You always know when a chinook is coming over by the sound! Subscribed!
James, you have the knack of making sense of the insensible. Excellent episode, great photo tip. I will use it next time I’m out shooting. Cheers from down under 👍🏻🍷❤️📷
James, just clicked your affiliate link for the G9 and it has £700.99 off just now with Amazon Prime...sitting at "only" £799 at the moment (£999 with the 12-60)! Obviously still a lot of money but that could be a game changer for some of us looking to change our systems. Trade in etc. Anyway, another class video mate. Book is excellent as well. Just thought I'd point out something you may want to bring to people's attention in future vids! (If the price is still the same) I've been looking at my APS-C Canon differently since I opened the Amazon tab, just can't stop thinking about the incredible shots of sheep I could get.. Brilliant to see your channel growing the way it is, thoroughly deserved. Cheers again
Love your video's only started watching a couple of month's ago but have watched most now. Love your presentation style & advice, "Jigsaw" is without doubt best analogy for a photo I have heard, for me anyway. That comment turned on the "light bulb" so to speak. Great stuff, if you ever get to OZ again make sure you come to Tasmania you will not regret it.
One of our favourite parts of Wales, we have stayed at the campsite on the side of that lake many times, loads of stunning walks directly from the camp.
I didn't realise I did this till you explained it...from time to time I have a go at making a picture from not much an they turn out okay.... I'm going to concentrate on trying it ongoing with my photography 👍
Thanks for the advice. I find that my photos I like most are those where there's something crept in I didn't spot when taking it. I'll be looking out for them as pieces of the jigsaw in future.
Awesome concept of "puzzle pieces" and taking each one separately. Well explained and coherent presentation with you typical added humor. That's why I keep coming back! Plus I love the ending, as a prior US Army Chinook, CH-47D pilot always great to see one flying especially in such a beautiful place!
Interesting and useful advice indeed! I put it in practice the other day in a location near where I live I just knew had a few interesting shots (for me at least) in it somewhere, but couldn't quite nail it. Earlier I fell into the 'trap' of obsessing over finding the shot that I had in mind, and getting frustated about not being able to find it. This time around set out taking shots of some of the parts I felt could/should be in the final thing I had in mind, work it at different angles, introducing a new element, or let it feature less prominent or dropping it all together as I went along. Ultimately it got me a shot that was a helluva lot closer to what I had mind. No award winning photo by any means (still too new at photography) but the proces was a very interesting and valuable experience indeed. Interesting also to 'relive' it as it were after downloading the pictures to the computer and essentially seeing it play out as you manage and work your way through the days photos so to speak.
Wow. Those explanatory images during the beginning are magical. Especially the boat,jetty,lake & thé structure in the middle of the lake with the vignette effect of the foliage. Marvellous🤗🙏
lol when the light rays were kicking off behind you I was dying 😆 I Ike the jigsaw idea. Light could completely change the jigsaw of course-quite literally illuminating pieces of the jigsaw that deserve the attention. I bet in most cases there’s always one absolute base element or piece of the jigsaw that you just have to build around, so once you know what that is it makes it easier to let either the light or other conditions dictate how you complete the jigsaw. I’m really running with this metaphor here...it works! 👏🏻👍🏻
makes complete sense, thinking back it's exactly what i've been doing last 3 years since i started, the picture i was told should tell a story, jigsaw pieces seems better IMO. great video, liking the out door stuff. have been hitting moorlands recently and the new forest. the water levels are terrible but i am finding lots of tree type photos surrounded by water, even around the Cotswold.
![[TH] 2024 PMSL SEA W2D1 | Fall | ต่อเนื่อง ในสัปดาห์สอง](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ElcO9uC_Dbk/mqdefault.jpg)
James from about 7:00 for about three minutes I didn't listen to a word you said, was busy enjoying watching the light change
Fine by me :)
The beams of light shining down on that lake you missed whilst yapping were amazing! 😜
Awesome place. Cheers James
Jep, i agree
It was like the rollerskating pandas in that old Kit Kat advert.
Yes, the marching God-rays were great!
Beautiful
I was looking at the beams too! Amazing backdrop to the to- camera chat!
I've been a follower of this channel for a while and I still think that the combination of entertainment and education is still one of the best out there. Thank you.
Thanks so much :)
I've carried a camera around for nearly fifty years and it wasn't until the last ten years or so (youtube) that I started to understand that a good picture is created more than captured..
- Talks for three minutes as epic crepuscular rays daub the mountains and lake with beautiful dappled light while we silently scream TURN AROUND AND TAKE THE SHOT
- Finally turns around at 10:23 and comments "At the moment, it's dark"
- Viewers around the world: face-palms
haha!
When I saw that, I thought he's surely taken a few shots of that already. Turns out, nope.
I'm always amazed at how you can hold your camera so still, especial hanging so close to the water, and push the shutter without blurring it. Great photos. Things to aspire to.
I look forward to your videos. Your dry humor accompanied by photography information is priceless. Well done.
Cheers Patrick :)
I think the light at the second lake was absolutely amazing. One of those times you just soak it in as the landscape is painted.
Instructions Unclear...Im now out buying a Jigsaw puzzle, but it has a beautiful landscape photo on the box. 🥂
haha!
😂👍
I'm binge watching your 2020 vlogs. This was one of the best pieces of composition advice I've ever heard. I'll be out trying it. Thanks.
Normally i get bored instantly just listening to people talk but this is the only person that doesnt make me bored listening for 15 minutes
Your compositions of yourself on the hillside talking to camera are neatly balanced and a joy to for the eye to rest on. Thanks!
Thank you for teaching WHILE you create. So refreshing.
"Sun is ruining everything" proceeds to take an epic shot with sun light peaking through :D
That's a bit rich, coming from a Brit. 😂😂
It's almost like all of my decent photos I was instinctively thinking this, but never could put my finger on why I liked the photos. Thanks for bringing it to lite!
Same!!
The advice makes sense, more sense than not wearing boots just to keep the orange laces clean 😊
haha, I just can't do it!
I also have been a follower of this channel for a few years, and though it took me years to see the light as far as the combination of entertainment and education, and I would add, wonderful humility, I finally have. I'm hoping that the advice in this video helps me to improve my photos. I'm not the most deliberate photographer so far, but I hope to change that, largely because of the advice in this video, which really clicked for me. James, I really appreciate all the work you do!
Wow. Not only did that all make sense but , not for the first time, you've changed completely how I go about making photos !
Awesome! :)
Great piece of advice, and it makes so much sense. So glad you shared it, and can't wait to go and try it out.
Awesome! :)
8:30 godly light in the background
You have access to some of the best mountain and lake landscapes, and I love that you like the overcast days to shoot such scenery. The only time I want to shoot landscapes is when it is cloudy/overcast. There’s something about that weather condition that puts me in a pensive mood. As always, thanks for sharing your craft.
Thanks for watching :)
Witty mixed with great advice in such a lovely location. Brilliant video. As always i'm looking forward to the next one
This one was extremely helpful. I always like to see the unedited process photographers I like go through. To many times we see the finished product and think and believe, the process is perfect. We think, as amateurs that the process is completely flawless. Thanks for letting us inside your mind while creating an image!
Thanks Robert :)
I'm subscribed to several photography channels and most of the time, the videos seem to consist of more of the technical aspect of photography. And while I understand the concept of telling a story with your photos, I feel like that's one of the more difficult things to do. When you're dealing with people, it usually means being in the right place at the right time with the right settings on your camera and already knowing the best composition for the story you're trying to tell. Obviously, with landscape photography in a lot of cases, you're subject matter isn't going anywhere and it's more of a matter of waiting for the "perfect" light. All that being said, I think this advice really helps with finding those stories to tell and how to find the best composition. Long story short, more videos on the artistic aspect of photography would be much appreciated.
"Oh! A sheep! I can see a sheep down there." I just love how you can still be surprised by sheep's presence in a scene. :D
The light moving through this video at the 8.30 mark is amazing
Very simple but useful advice. Thanks and thankyou to the person that gave it to you in the first place.
Every time I see one of your videos James, I can't help but hope you say "This is Sparta!"
Probably the best piece of advice I've heard too. Now I have something new to think about to improve my photos. Thanks for sharing!
Just found your channel the other day and I'm hooked got to be honest.
The down to earth relatable content is where I'm at, plus I think you understand your craft well so I'm learning a lot from your stuff.
I'm thinking I'll understand most of it when I'm out and about with my camera but enjoying it all 👍 cheers
I really enjoyed seeing the thought process behind your photos. I’ve always wondered how much analytical thought photographers put into their composition. This is really instructive. Thank you!
Awesome! Cheers mate :)
Your jigsaw point makes totally sense. Thank You for sharing.
Simple but very sound advice on composing an image. Very helpful.
Wow man. That was an original educational thought, right here on TH-cam. Such a rare thing these days and so well-explained, so critical to good composition. Well done and thanks.
Thanks so much mate - I appreciate it :)
Great reminder that it is the pieces that make the whole.
I really enjoyed all these shots, especially the one with the sun peaking over the mountain. Great advice as well!
Cheers Max :)
Just got my G9, so stoked
That's great advice James, I appreciate you sharing it. Thanks.
Great video and great advice, absolutely makes sense! Such a beautiful landscape, and the light was so good too while you were talking!
Very informative and entertaining as always James !
James, your sense of humor is just so good 😂
That is classic sitting in New Zealand grabbing some tips for my students and came across James vids and thought these are great!! Kia Ora all the way from NZ.
Perfect sense and awesome photos! Looking good Popsys!
7:55 beautiful sun rays passing over the lake and he missed it all 🤦🏻♂️
haha, standard!
Love that location, always spoilt for choice what to photograph there. Another great video thanks
thanks, a good illustration of how to apply working rules of photography composition to a particular setting.
How beautiful!!! Love your perspective
Best Stills in Motion episode yet!
Totally makes sense! Thank you James!
I was vaguely thinking along those lines, but I love the metaphor. Good stuff
A fantastic way to put it. And you are very fun to watch. Great stuff.
Great video! I really enjoyed this one and yes it made sense. Your Italian structure is a dock, at least that’s what we call them in America. Anything floating and in the water that you use to get in and out of the boat is a dock. Thanks for making these videos!
Great advice James and beautiful scenery!👍
Really enjoyed the vlog James. Fabulous location there. I can see why you like it so much. You always know when a chinook is coming over by the sound! Subscribed!
Cheers Gary - what a place hey! :)
love this advice! thanks for sharing the pics. interesting edits, low contrast and split toning goodness
Great advice I am definitely going to be able to incorporate that thanks for sharing
"to which I responded.... 'wot'" 😂😂
Thanks, James! Will apply these ideas in my next shoot. Good video!
Excellent video and thanks for this lovely share !
Great video James, great photos! Thanks very much!
Absolutely great advice and way to present. Thanks!
Whoa! 8:00 Stunning vista!
James, you have the knack of making sense of the insensible. Excellent episode, great photo tip. I will use it next time I’m out shooting.
Cheers from down under 👍🏻🍷❤️📷
Cheers Bruce, awesome! :)
This was actually super helpful. I struggle sometimes trying to figure out my composition, this is a great way to break it down.
Awesome! Thanks Paula :)
Great video, as always! Makes perfect sense. Keep on the good work!
I love your videos! I always learn something and I always laugh.
James, just clicked your affiliate link for the G9 and it has £700.99 off just now with Amazon Prime...sitting at "only" £799 at the moment (£999 with the 12-60)! Obviously still a lot of money but that could be a game changer for some of us looking to change our systems. Trade in etc.
Anyway, another class video mate. Book is excellent as well. Just thought I'd point out something you may want to bring to people's attention in future vids! (If the price is still the same) I've been looking at my APS-C Canon differently since I opened the Amazon tab, just can't stop thinking about the incredible shots of sheep I could get..
Brilliant to see your channel growing the way it is, thoroughly deserved. Cheers again
dude i love your channel and work. I started following you not long ago and I'm hooked. Come to NZ when the borders open again man!
I makes a lot of sense. Thanks James.
Love your video's only started watching a couple of month's ago but have watched most now. Love your presentation style & advice, "Jigsaw" is without doubt best analogy for a photo I have heard, for me anyway. That comment turned on the "light bulb" so to speak. Great stuff, if you ever get to OZ again make sure you come to Tasmania you will not regret it.
Awesome - thanks mate, and I love Tasmania, would love to be back soon!
That actually does make sense!!
1. Beards coming along strong mate 💪 2. That is the best analogy for making creative pictures! 3. Love the cheeky music 🎶
Cheers mate 🙂👍🏻
You win, you win. Congratulations on the most words per minute video!
haha!
Excellent advice and well presented.
James! The light at 8;18 is utterly gorgeous and you're just nattering on and on and on!! haha Love your videos.. ;)
haha!
One of our favourite parts of Wales, we have stayed at the campsite on the side of that lake many times, loads of stunning walks directly from the camp.
Thanks for going through the effort to explain this!!! 😊❤️🤩
This video is fantastic. While our subconscious may be on this page, hearing it like this makes it so much clearer. Excellent work keep it up.
Thanks! :)
The moving sun beams in the video were exceptional. I'd have liked to see a compisition that costs those sun beams
Good advice and makes sense. Great video to prove the point.
I didn't realise I did this till you explained it...from time to time I have a go at making a picture from not much an they turn out okay.... I'm going to concentrate on trying it ongoing with my photography 👍
Thanks for the advice. I find that my photos I like most are those where there's something crept in I didn't spot when taking it. I'll be looking out for them as pieces of the jigsaw in future.
That's a beautiful spot, great photos.
Thanks mate!
Made perfect sense, and an excellent lesson.
Awesome concept of "puzzle pieces" and taking each one separately. Well explained and coherent presentation with you typical added humor. That's why I keep coming back! Plus I love the ending, as a prior US Army Chinook, CH-47D pilot always great to see one flying especially in such a beautiful place!
Great tips to start a new week with. 👍
Thanks mate :)
Videos like this really make me miss the UK! Love the videos and advice, James
6:29 James "got to the end of the lake" How did you do that???? I always keep walking in circles at those places!!
haha!
Can’t wait to watch it tonight🤓
Very helpful, and yes it makes sense. Cheers.
Great tips James, enjoyed the video. Thanks....
Good explanation of composition. Thanks
This focus, light and how sharp that rock in foreground is makes my brain think it's just a green screen
Thanks James .
Love it! Makes a lot of sense! Thank you, now I am a subscriber!
How beautiful shadow of the mountain surfs over the lake at 08.20u. It happens in your back, but must have seen it in post production.
Yep, kicking myself! :)
Interesting and useful advice indeed! I put it in practice the other day in a location near where I live I just knew had a few interesting shots (for me at least) in it somewhere, but couldn't quite nail it. Earlier I fell into the 'trap' of obsessing over finding the shot that I had in mind, and getting frustated about not being able to find it. This time around set out taking shots of some of the parts I felt could/should be in the final thing I had in mind, work it at different angles, introducing a new element, or let it feature less prominent or dropping it all together as I went along.
Ultimately it got me a shot that was a helluva lot closer to what I had mind. No award winning photo by any means (still too new at photography) but the proces was a very interesting and valuable experience indeed. Interesting also to 'relive' it as it were after downloading the pictures to the computer and essentially seeing it play out as you manage and work your way through the days photos so to speak.
Wow. Those explanatory images during the beginning are magical. Especially the boat,jetty,lake & thé structure in the middle of the lake with the vignette effect of the foliage. Marvellous🤗🙏
Thanks Keith :)
You’re most welcome. THANKS
lol when the light rays were kicking off behind you I was dying 😆 I Ike the jigsaw idea. Light could completely change the jigsaw of course-quite literally illuminating pieces of the jigsaw that deserve the attention. I bet in most cases there’s always one absolute base element or piece of the jigsaw that you just have to build around, so once you know what that is it makes it easier to let either the light or other conditions dictate how you complete the jigsaw. I’m really running with this metaphor here...it works! 👏🏻👍🏻
Haha, as I was editing the video!
Oh gosh you're hilarious!!!! So happy I stumbled upon you video. Very helpful too!
makes complete sense, thinking back it's exactly what i've been doing last 3 years since i started, the picture i was told should tell a story, jigsaw pieces seems better IMO. great video, liking the out door stuff. have been hitting moorlands recently and the new forest. the water levels are terrible but i am finding lots of tree type photos surrounded by water, even around the Cotswold.