I've been shooting for nearly 60 years and still constantly learn. Part of this learning is the modern tech, our cameras can do so many fantastic things now. When my eldest son went off to college, some years ago, I gave him my old Nikon D200 and an f1.8, 50mm prime. Instructions were, learn how to use it in manual mode, zoom with your feet, learn light, then composition... With modern tech, understanding how to use our amazing apparatus is a must but learning first how to use and tame light, then onto composition I feel is key to the best grounding in photography.
I have digital camera's,but recently have got a 35mm film camera and a couple of lenses. Shooting 35mm film and B&W has honed my skills. Loving the 35mm camera. Makes you think about your composition and everything that goes with it.
What a great picture of the trees at 16:00. I would probably have tried to get them from top to bottom ins one frame, leading to absolute c..p. That’s why you are the master.
15:53 love the silhouetted trees with the loch in the background. Cutting off the base of the trees and excluding the foreground was a stroke of genius. I need to be braver.
I agree, study Adam Gibbs! You keep telling us to slow down and I try to take that to heart. Also, look at your own work! When I look back at all the photos I've taken, the ones I like most are cityscapes taken with my Fuji x100s. That camera is fun!
A tip I have is when im looking at other photographers images (and mine in editing), and my initial instinct/thought is "i like that" or "wow"....I then immediately follow it with "why?". It then puts me into a technical view of the image. I analyse why i like the image, what makes it something that got my attention. Balance? Foreground interest? Colour etc?. Trusting your gut reaction to a visual stimulation will guide you to improving your photography and down the path of creating images you enjoy the most. So next time you're scrolling on instagram and you like an image, dont keep scrolling. Spend a few seconds asking "why do i like it?" I do similar thought process with images that I'm not so fond of. Or images that are close but something isnt quite right. Much like Adam does with his two compositions here at @06:30 to 9:30 ish From this I find my eye is more critical and honed in when out and about. Enabling me to see potential images before I even touch my camera.
I'd have been having a word with myself about the missing element from the focus stack too, but that aside the pano view knocked my socks off. A wonderful piece of work. As for the big learning curve, colour grading is where I rarely feel comfortable.
Hi Adam, hope all is well in your world! My one thing that improves photography is having the correct gear, but not necessarily photographic gear. for me it's about having the right outdoor gear that keeps you warm, dry and comfortable. Be it boots, scarves, jacket, or hat etc. The more comfortable you are, the more likely you'll spend more time out in the field and not jack it in at the first sign of bad weather. People spend thousands on cameras etc, but don't make the right investment into the stuff they wear or take with them. My favourite item on photo gear.....my Jetboil!
I know you've done this in the past, but I really find when you go from the field to the editing process and explain the weakness or strength of a composition quite interesting and useful. Thanks for sharing.
Alan what has helped me is to invest in getting better and not just in gear. Attending photo workshops and learning in the field. Watching many of your and other YT creators I respect videos and applying what I have learned. Getting better at post processing from practice and learning on YT and in classes. Most importantly is just getting out often and continually working with composition and learning from a lot of mistakes. Each of these over the past few years has contributed to my improvement.
It appears if you are from Great Britain it improves your chances of being a good photographer... according to the numbers on TH-cam! ❤ Seriously, study the works of photographers you admire and see what makes their work great. Also, return to the same locations you are familiar with and try to improve upon your last images. The seasons, weather, and tides make each visit different and challenging! I am very fortunate to have the 2018 Landscape Photographer of the Year living a few km away from me. So if we shoot in the same locations I can compare my images to a professional's images and cry, I mean see ways to improve my photography.
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Thank you for these tips. I also take the opportunty of this comment to thank you for the great source of inspiration that your photography is for me.
saying we had in baseball coaching days was not practice makes perfect but actually, Perfect practice makes perfect play. So important part of that is don't just go out and shoot but have a purpose. What are you trying to get better at ? how are you going to get better when out in field etc that's why channels like yours and the other photo gurus are super handy to see how others work to see where you may be going wrong in your efforts !
All good tips! My thoughts are similar to Ian's. Learn from others but shoot for yourself and don't compare yourself. Take it slow and figure out what your goals are with your photography before investing in tons of gear (Henry). Practice, practice, practice (Adam) and return to locations in different seasons and conditions (Paul) for comparison even if you can only travel locally. Having a project of some kind keeps my creativity flowing. And watch a lot of TH-cam channels when the weather is too crummy to get out!!
Thanks indeed Square Space for sponsoring this genius photographer, we're all blessed by his wisdom, photography and collection of mates. I'd definitely go to squarespace if I had pictures worth displaying.
The best advice you gave me as a new photographer to improve my photography was to look for the light, where is it, what’s it doing and how will I embrace it in my composition. Always appreciated that - Dorothy in Victoria
Thats the one I expected one of the group to give, but they didn't. Its certainly the thing I would say. Most newbies don't really understand how to really look at/for light.
I wondered when I first saw your set up how you were going to deal with that tree( 6:25) and other separation issues too... not just skill... but behaviour too... SLOW down... take your time! I could spend my whole life just seeking out beautiful lichen images... Thanks for sharing your adventures Adam... 🙂
What helped me in the beginning except for going out to take pictures is watching TH-cam videos from you and many others. And reviewing images taken by you and the other TH-cambers.
I struggle with compositions especially when in a new area. I started carrying an old empty slide mount and look through it to frame a shot and get an idea of lens selection and my position before I pull out the camera.
Adam great to see you in the UK, thanks for coming over and showing these other guys why you literally are the best! Ian is a fantastic photographer too, very inspiring! 👏😀👍
Brilliant tree shot. So many good ideas to learn and develop. Sometimes go out with 1 camera and 1 lens and see how you get on with the conditions in an area you are familiar with, good chance to focus on learning more about how the camera works.
Great video Adam. Love the shot through the pines. I found the waterfall quite challenging to photograph mainly due to the small birch tree and finding a place to position it. It was great to meet up. 🙂👍👍
Ian's advice is along the lines of what I've learned. You'll not progress very far until you realize you are taking images for yourself, you have to make yourself happy first!. This will also help you decide which advise or ideas are worth pursuing and which don't fit your direction. Even well meaning ideas from the best photographers on the planet aren't for everyone. Look at others work, read, listen to podcasts, watch videos, everything and anything and pick and choose what works for you and what just isn't helpful for where you'd like to go. Be patient, once you feel out that direction things will make more and more sense. Of course you can't do any of this if you can't make choices! Plant your flag!
Beautiful as always. Looks like a lovely time on Scotland. In addition to all the sound advice you had on the video I’d recommend getting a book or taking a course on basic design/composition principles. Having that foundation helps immensely in composing shots before you even break out the camera.
Learning to shoot in manual is important. Too often we take for granted letting the camera make the decisions instead of understanding the relationship of the different settings on our camera. I started out on a fully manual Nikon FM and still use it to this day. Of course, I also carry my GFX 100s and all I have learned over the years with the Nikon continues to serve me well with more modern gear.
Very good tips. I've always felt that doing the reps in a familiar location can foment some creativity. Since you're in the Isles, a quote from Samuel Beckett, " Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." Cheers
Great video mate and fab to meet up with you as always. Mad for that Scots Pine shot there at the end. I love that I was up in that area for about 45 minutes and didn’t even see that as a potential image! 👍🏼👍🏼
This was a really nice video, Adam, which I quite enjoyed. Loved your last shot too. Excellent tips on improving ones photography as well. I agree with Paul that having a location close by that you can return to often can be a great help. Besides figuring out different comps it can be so interesting seeing how weather conditions change a scene. Slowing down and getting absorbed into the scene is what has helped me alot over the years.
Honestly, I think perhaps the single most important thing I've learned from your videos is the importance of good composition and keeping it simple. Me, I'd say do it for yourself. At least that way if you mess up nobody else knows. And a good hat! 😄
Alyn has passed away in the last few days - a great photographer who loved the night sky and shared his knowledge to help us all enjoy it more and how to capture it .🥲
Thanks for posting. Always look forward to an Adam Gibbs video. Great pictures with an explanation of strengths and weaknesses. The tips were helpful Shoot local, (unless you live in Kansas). Go back as different conditions can change a scene so much. I would add having more than one lens focal length. Sometimes being able to get the whole scene in a shot is helpful, sometimes being able to compress a scene can also be helpful. Again, thanks for posting and treating us to your flair for finding and fine tuning a composition.
Great to see you meet up with Ian and Henry who I also follow. I would like to say try different types of photography to see what gives you the most satisfaction...😊
It was great to meet you at the show Adam and I enjoyed your presentation. I need to get up to Scotland at some point. The landscape around there is awsome.
Returning to photography as I close in on retirement. Tips most helpful as landscape has become my focus. Successfully resisting Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) :-)
I'm only at the half-way mark in your video where you're analyzing your improved position for shooting the waterfall. I agree with you that it's quite an improvement but I'm not agreeing with your choice of aspect ratio...not only does it feel awkward (not a pano and yet not typical 3:2 or 5:7) but it includes a lot of unnecessary elements on both the left and right edges--if cropped out would improve the aspect ratio and do a better job of filling the frame with the main subject(s). And voila, that's exactly what you did--yay! ok, back to the video...
Love seeing you with some of my other idols 👍🏼👍🏼 I wouldn't have dared to cut off the big tree in your last pic, but damn... it works 😍😍 So, I learned something again, again 🙏 Thanks
Really enjoyed the tips from you all and how you critiqued your waterfall shots, Adam. Super last image / silhouetted trees against the Loch. Thanks for sharing 😊
I didn't say hello at the NEC but i enjoyed your talk at the Kase stand. This vid looks like a typical days photography for me, frantically trying to make something of the 5 minutes of decent light that shows up out of every 2 or 3 hours!
Lovely video Adam. I always enjoy seeing trips here to Scotland although you guys need to venture away from Torridon next time!... come east to Aberdeenshire! Also.. at 12:02 you missed a perfect Hardcastle Lichen subsrcibe :)
I'm a little leery about offering suggestions considering who has already chimed in, but I would say carry your camera all the time. I am about to take mine to the grocery store. When I have it with me, I seem to enjoy where I'm going and what I'm doing more. I never know when I'll find something I like, and it may be very different from a landscape. Maybe it helps with "eye training" as it were. I love the scene and the image @ 15:50. I've been taking more verticals and I saw the big tree over the little tree as a vertical mother and child sort of thing. Happy trails!
My eye for composition must be improving! When you first got to your first position on the river my first thought was, the other side would make a better composition, and in the end you went across and captured a quite beautiful image of the falls! personally I love the birch tree as well as the small rhododendron! My big question is how did you cross the river!?
Been to that location (use the same car park) its very good as is the drive to get there. Looks like tyoical conditions for West Scotland ie it cant make its mind up or its raining ;) Agree, your 1st image -- just look in the bottom lefthand corner and cant see the main waterfall. I have 'Lichen' and Subscribed
from a portrait photographer who is also a sub par landscape photographer, communication with your subject will always help improve things, not sure how that would translate to landscapes, though maybe it can be looking for things that speak to you in a scene, focus down on those elements and work to get them looking as good as possible , then simply complement a good photo with a bit of editing since every photo needs a thank you and editing seems to be the best part for that
Great when you hang out with outher photographer. Get to know your local area and keep returning when the conditions are shifting. Learn your gear so you dont miss any oppartunaties and learn compositions.
Great imagery after the number one shot Adam. Liked the number two image over the number three image, for what its worth. So frustrated that I didn't go the photography show at the NEC. Just to have seen the TH-cam elite there let alone a chance to maybe chat and thank you all in person for the great work you all do for us all on this side of the medium. Take care.
My man Adam. What's up? This is a really good video. The questions you're asking the guys are spot on. What makes you a better photographer? Of coarse, Henry's answer was great. As in, keep it simple. Learn how to use the manual settings on your camera. I'll go one further. Get a manual film camera, and learn to shoot with that. At he same time you should look at other peoples work to give you a more rounded view of things. As always, Adam the shots you presented are really nice. But the silhouette of the trees against the lock in the background was really really nice. It had that calming effect as you look at it. That is what you want to do. Touch an emotion. Great job Adam. Peace! my friend!
Hi Adam I stumbled across this your video a few days ago.. But I loaded it to watch later.. So it's now later and watching 😊. It's also the first time I've heard of you.. I've been into Dslr photography since mid 2018.. So heading for 6 years. You right experience is the only way to get better? I live in Walvis Bay Namibia but my ancestory is Scottish although I haven't yet set a foot in Scotland.. Would love to though one day.. I started photography because of my love of sunsets and then decided to try out dslr.. And bought a second hand canon D550 and that first month or so of having it I was like what the heck have I got my self into lol.. I didn't understand the exsposure triangle.. But a friend kindly did a little crash course.. And I slowly started to learn.. I do come from a special needs back ground. So things can feel so daunting.. But I have kept at it.. And last year I was featured in a in flight magazine.. Which I so appreciate them doing for me. But definitely in photography you can always learn a new thing.. Just like in life you can never know it all..
Sorry I missed you at the photo show in Birmingham. I love your perspective on composition. Good advice from you and the others on what helps one to become a good photographer. I wish I could follow your advice on gear. I’m too much a tech crazed person. I get way too much gear. Sorry, but I love getting gear. But that’s why I’m not great on composition. I need to switch my priorities.
Thanks Adam, enjoyable video as always. Perhaps on your next video, you could make a short tribute to Alyn Wallace, who tragically has died so young. Thank you.
Improve by showing your images to many other people and finding out what they see (often strikingly different than what you saw), probing about how the image makes them feel and why, and asking about what elements speak strongly to them. Include both experienced photographers and non-photographers. Don't look for approval. Look for ways to make your photographic communication stronger. Such feedback will help you understand much more than technicalities.
I really study your work. That's why I switched to Fuji Medium Format. You are the best! Why do you use the teleconverter if you shoot at 100mm with GF 100-200mm?
Hola Adam, posibilidad que en algun momento pueda comprarte uno de tus libros, sobre todo este ultimo en español?. Animate solo una tirada de algunos pocos, y no tengo la menor duda que los vendera, porque se que aqui en España, tienes muchos adeptos. Gracias soy fanatico de tus trabajos en una palabra eres mi mentos hace mucho tiempo.
Since you're in Scottland this will apropos; being "frugal" - or poor; I bought glass I could afford easily. But my shots on the forum I used frequent looked meh compared to a couple other shooters. Compositions looked fine, but softness, lack of contrast and greens that did not seem lively - compared to one fellow at least. I had to up my game by upping my glass budget. By a lot. Even then I got burned on one more lens (looked decent at the camera store!). Now ten + years later with the new glass even better....(at least some of the kit lenses today knock the socks off the old stuff). But if you seem to have hit a plateau art wise and editing wise but you have not upgraded your glass I'll suggest that would be the next area to invest in.
Learn to be patient. Try and stop taking photos you desperately want to work but know in your heart are never going to. Then you can focus a lot more on what is going to work.
If you come across a scene that catches your eye, don't just photograph it. Ask yourself what is it about the scene and try to find the best location or angle to make the most of it.
I think the one thing that helps tremendously with your photography is going out and buying the most expensive gear on the planet!..(I'm kidding, obviously 😁😁) Seriously though, practice, practice and more practice! Don't practice until you get it right..practice until you CAN'T get it wrong!
IMO you should crop the second image to a square. The rocks at left and right just aren't that interesting, compared to the cascade and that little tree. The framing birch lends a nice touch. But, the rest of the composition doesn't work for me. EDIT: I wrote the above comment before coming to your final image. Great minds think alike!
I love when photographers tell you not to fuss over gear while carrying £10,000 - £15,000 worth of camera equipment 😅 if that was true, you'd be shooting with a Nikon D80 or something. Gear makes a huge difference to not only image quakity but also what your able to capture. A kit lens 24-50mm is never going to out perform a 24-70 f2.8 for example. A Crop sensor is never going to perform as well as full frame in low light as another. Gear is required to a certain extent. My golden rule is never go in for the entry level gear. Keep saving and at least be using semi-pro because youll quickly outgrow Entry Level Gear.
I don't see it this way. The quality or aesthetics of any photograph is not reliant on the type of camera, the sharpness of a lens or the size of a sensor. There is some amazing work out there by photographers who use very little equipment and poor-quality glass. Yes, I use expensive gear, but that is only because I like using good-quality gear. The gear has no value if you don't know what to point it at. Before using high-quality gear, I used run-of-the-mill equipment with cheap lenses. I still make prints from some of those files, and not once has anyone told me, great shot. Too bad you had such poor equipment. Doesn't work that way. Now, if we are talking about capturing moving subjects, then yes, camera gear has advanced dramatically, but it still boils down to knowing your subject and knowing when to press the shutter. No amount of gear, however good it is, will make you a better photographer.
It's not until you've ignored all that advice - of not fussing over gear - and drop 1000's on the latest and greatest cameras/lenses, that you realise it's actually very little to do with gear. It's a very expensive lesson. But try taking away my exotic glass away from me. It ain't happening.
Now then, Now then. What is the World coming to? First Gavin Hardcastle gives 'Pro' tips, Thomas Heaton is doing Instant photography with Nick Page (I woz (nearly) there) and YOU are twiddling your knobs... I just can't cope.
I've been shooting for nearly 60 years and still constantly learn. Part of this learning is the modern tech, our cameras can do so many fantastic things now. When my eldest son went off to college, some years ago, I gave him my old Nikon D200 and an f1.8, 50mm prime. Instructions were, learn how to use it in manual mode, zoom with your feet, learn light, then composition... With modern tech, understanding how to use our amazing apparatus is a must but learning first how to use and tame light, then onto composition I feel is key to the best grounding in photography.
I have digital camera's,but recently have got a 35mm film camera and a couple of lenses. Shooting 35mm film and B&W has honed my skills. Loving the 35mm camera. Makes you think about your composition and everything that goes with it.
What a great picture of the trees at 16:00. I would probably have tried to get them from top to bottom ins one frame, leading to absolute c..p. That’s why you are the master.
15:53 love the silhouetted trees with the loch in the background. Cutting off the base of the trees and excluding the foreground was a stroke of genius. I need to be braver.
What a great group of guys.
I agree, study Adam Gibbs! You keep telling us to slow down and I try to take that to heart. Also, look at your own work! When I look back at all the photos I've taken, the ones I like most are cityscapes taken with my Fuji x100s. That camera is fun!
Great advices from ye All!! Might make a good ongoing series Adam asking others for their nugget
A tip I have is when im looking at other photographers images (and mine in editing), and my initial instinct/thought is "i like that" or "wow"....I then immediately follow it with "why?". It then puts me into a technical view of the image. I analyse why i like the image, what makes it something that got my attention. Balance? Foreground interest? Colour etc?. Trusting your gut reaction to a visual stimulation will guide you to improving your photography and down the path of creating images you enjoy the most. So next time you're scrolling on instagram and you like an image, dont keep scrolling. Spend a few seconds asking "why do i like it?"
I do similar thought process with images that I'm not so fond of. Or images that are close but something isnt quite right. Much like Adam does with his two compositions here at @06:30 to 9:30 ish
From this I find my eye is more critical and honed in when out and about. Enabling me to see potential images before I even touch my camera.
Thanks for that
I'd have been having a word with myself about the missing element from the focus stack too, but that aside the pano view knocked my socks off. A wonderful piece of work. As for the big learning curve, colour grading is where I rarely feel comfortable.
Hi Adam, hope all is well in your world! My one thing that improves photography is having the correct gear, but not necessarily photographic gear. for me it's about having the right outdoor gear that keeps you warm, dry and comfortable. Be it boots, scarves, jacket, or hat etc. The more comfortable you are, the more likely you'll spend more time out in the field and not jack it in at the first sign of bad weather. People spend thousands on cameras etc, but don't make the right investment into the stuff they wear or take with them. My favourite item on photo gear.....my Jetboil!
Excellent, tip Adrian. Thanks!
@@QuietLightPhoto Your flooded tree image is now at the framers with Paul's. They'll be reading in May. I'll drop you an image when complete.
I know you've done this in the past, but I really find when you go from the field to the editing process and explain the weakness or strength of a composition quite interesting and useful. Thanks for sharing.
Alan what has helped me is to invest in getting better and not just in gear. Attending photo workshops and learning in the field. Watching many of your and other YT creators I respect videos and applying what I have learned. Getting better at post processing from practice and learning on YT and in classes. Most importantly is just getting out often and continually working with composition and learning from a lot of mistakes. Each of these over the past few years has contributed to my improvement.
Four of my favourite photographers... Great to see collaboration.
It appears if you are from Great Britain it improves your chances of being a good photographer... according to the numbers on TH-cam! ❤ Seriously, study the works of photographers you admire and see what makes their work great. Also, return to the same locations you are familiar with and try to improve upon your last images. The seasons, weather, and tides make each visit different and challenging! I am very fortunate to have the 2018 Landscape Photographer of the Year living a few km away from me. So if we shoot in the same locations I can compare my images to a professional's images and cry, I mean see ways to improve my photography.
Thank you for these tips.
I also take the opportunty of this comment to thank you for the great source of inspiration that your photography is for me.
saying we had in baseball coaching days was not practice makes perfect but actually, Perfect practice makes perfect play. So important part of that is don't just go out and shoot but have a purpose. What are you trying to get better at ? how are you going to get better when out in field etc that's why channels like yours and the other photo gurus are super handy to see how others work to see where you may be going wrong in your efforts !
Love the Scots Pine. And thanks for supporting the other guys...
All good tips! My thoughts are similar to Ian's. Learn from others but shoot for yourself and don't compare yourself. Take it slow and figure out what your goals are with your photography before investing in tons of gear (Henry). Practice, practice, practice (Adam) and return to locations in different seasons and conditions (Paul) for comparison even if you can only travel locally. Having a project of some kind keeps my creativity flowing. And watch a lot of TH-cam channels when the weather is too crummy to get out!!
Two Tips -- Walk around you subject if you can and view it from different angles, get out in your neighborhood and shoot what you find. Mike
Thanks indeed Square Space for sponsoring this genius photographer, we're all blessed by his wisdom, photography and collection of mates. I'd definitely go to squarespace if I had pictures worth displaying.
Thanks!
Thank you!
Really appreciate listening and learning your thoughts about how you compose different photographs!
The best advice you gave me as a new photographer to improve my photography was to look for the light, where is it, what’s it doing and how will I embrace it in my composition. Always appreciated that - Dorothy in Victoria
Thats the one I expected one of the group to give, but they didn't. Its certainly the thing I would say. Most newbies don't really understand how to really look at/for light.
I wondered when I first saw your set up how you were going to deal with that tree( 6:25) and other separation issues too... not just skill... but behaviour too... SLOW down... take your time! I could spend my whole life just seeking out beautiful lichen images... Thanks for sharing your adventures Adam... 🙂
What helped me in the beginning except for going out to take pictures is watching TH-cam videos from you and many others. And reviewing images taken by you and the other TH-cambers.
Bloody hell , that Pine tree shot is just superb, great to see you out and about with Paul in Torridon again
I struggle with compositions especially when in a new area. I started carrying an old empty slide mount and look through it to frame a shot and get an idea of lens selection and my position before I pull out the camera.
Adam great to see you in the UK, thanks for coming over and showing these other guys why you literally are the best! Ian is a fantastic photographer too, very inspiring! 👏😀👍
Legend!
Brilliant tree shot. So many good ideas to learn and develop. Sometimes go out with 1 camera and 1 lens and see how you get on with the conditions in an area you are familiar with, good chance to focus on learning more about how the camera works.
Great video Adam. Love the shot through the pines. I found the waterfall quite challenging to photograph mainly due to the small birch tree and finding a place to position it.
It was great to meet up. 🙂👍👍
Ian, yes it was a great meetup. We'll have to do it again sometime. Loved the evening chat. Till then, take care.
Really enjoyed this Adam. My favorites were the lichen covered boulder and the tree silhouette. Best regards - Robin
Ian's advice is along the lines of what I've learned. You'll not progress very far until you realize you are taking images for yourself, you have to make yourself happy first!. This will also help you decide which advise or ideas are worth pursuing and which don't fit your direction. Even well meaning ideas from the best photographers on the planet aren't for everyone. Look at others work, read, listen to podcasts, watch videos, everything and anything and pick and choose what works for you and what just isn't helpful for where you'd like to go. Be patient, once you feel out that direction things will make more and more sense. Of course you can't do any of this if you can't make choices! Plant your flag!
All good point, thanks!
Some nice images Adam. Like the last shot in the series with the falls. Thanks again.
Beautiful as always. Looks like a lovely time on Scotland. In addition to all the sound advice you had on the video I’d recommend getting a book or taking a course on basic design/composition principles. Having that foundation helps immensely in composing shots before you even break out the camera.
Great tip!
Love you Adam
Nice crew to hang with. Carry on. 👍🥂
Learning to shoot in manual is important. Too often we take for granted letting the camera make the decisions instead of understanding the relationship of the different settings on our camera. I started out on a fully manual Nikon FM and still use it to this day. Of course, I also carry my GFX 100s and all I have learned over the years with the Nikon continues to serve me well with more modern gear.
Very good tips. I've always felt that doing the reps in a familiar location can foment some creativity. Since you're in the Isles, a quote from Samuel Beckett, " Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." Cheers
Great video mate and fab to meet up with you as always. Mad for that Scots Pine shot there at the end. I love that I was up in that area for about 45 minutes and didn’t even see that as a potential image! 👍🏼👍🏼
Where'd the retro Canucks hat come from! Didn't think I'd see someone in the UK being a supporter of my local team.
Cheers, Henry! We'll have to all do it again soon. Was a good laugh and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening chat.
This was a really nice video, Adam, which I quite enjoyed. Loved your last shot too. Excellent tips on improving ones photography as well. I agree with Paul that having a location close by that you can return to often can be a great help. Besides figuring out different comps it can be so interesting seeing how weather conditions change a scene. Slowing down and getting absorbed into the scene is what has helped me alot over the years.
Honestly, I think perhaps the single most important thing I've learned from your videos is the importance of good composition and keeping it simple. Me, I'd say do it for yourself. At least that way if you mess up nobody else knows. And a good hat! 😄
Yes a good hat s a prerequisite to success ;-)
Make time, take your time on composition, don't rush too much once you're on location.
So much mood in the 15:40 shot. Great.
RIP Alyn Wallace
Miss that guy 😢😢😢
💔
What happened to Alyn?
@@brianbrooking496 he died in hospital
Alyn has passed away in the last few days - a great photographer who loved the night sky and shared his knowledge to help us all enjoy it more and how to capture it .🥲
Love the rock image. Beautiful. Nice video Adam .
Thanks 👍
Thanks Adam for another interesting, useful and entertaining video!
My pleasure!
Thanks for posting. Always look forward to an Adam Gibbs video. Great pictures with an explanation of strengths and weaknesses. The tips were helpful Shoot local, (unless you live in Kansas). Go back as different conditions can change a scene so much. I would add having more than one lens focal length. Sometimes being able to get the whole scene in a shot is helpful, sometimes being able to compress a scene can also be helpful. Again, thanks for posting and treating us to your flair for finding and fine tuning a composition.
Loved the 4x5 photo of the trees and loch. Terrific image!
You earned a like from the title alone, good word play! (Poor Ian & Henry 🤣 )
Great to see you meet up with Ian and Henry who I also follow.
I would like to say try different types of photography to see what gives you the most satisfaction...😊
Great suggestion!
@@QuietLightPhotomy pleasure Adam....
I've been watching you on TH-cam for 8 years, I can get a lot from it. Regards
Thanks for sharing the ones that don’t work. I learn a lot from those as well.
You bet!
It was great to meet you at the show Adam and I enjoyed your presentation. I need to get up to Scotland at some point. The landscape around there is awsome.
Absolutely!
Returning to photography as I close in on retirement. Tips most helpful as landscape has become my focus. Successfully resisting Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) :-)
I'm only at the half-way mark in your video where you're analyzing your improved position for shooting the waterfall. I agree with you that it's quite an improvement but I'm not agreeing with your choice of aspect ratio...not only does it feel awkward (not a pano and yet not typical 3:2 or 5:7) but it includes a lot of unnecessary elements on both the left and right edges--if cropped out would improve the aspect ratio and do a better job of filling the frame with the main subject(s). And voila, that's exactly what you did--yay! ok, back to the video...
Love seeing you with some of my other idols 👍🏼👍🏼
I wouldn't have dared to cut off the big tree in your last pic, but damn... it works 😍😍 So, I learned something again, again 🙏 Thanks
Can't beat a collab! great guys!
Really enjoyed the tips from you all and how you critiqued your waterfall shots, Adam. Super last image / silhouetted trees against the Loch. Thanks for sharing 😊
Glad you enjoyed it
I didn't say hello at the NEC but i enjoyed your talk at the Kase stand. This vid looks like a typical days photography for me, frantically trying to make something of the 5 minutes of decent light that shows up out of every 2 or 3 hours!
Pretty much😆
Lovely video Adam. I always enjoy seeing trips here to Scotland although you guys need to venture away from Torridon next time!... come east to Aberdeenshire!
Also.. at 12:02 you missed a perfect Hardcastle Lichen subsrcibe :)
I'm a little leery about offering suggestions considering who has already chimed in, but I would say carry your camera all the time. I am about to take mine to the grocery store. When I have it with me, I seem to enjoy where I'm going and what I'm doing more. I never know when I'll find something I like, and it may be very different from a landscape. Maybe it helps with "eye training" as it were. I love the scene and the image @ 15:50. I've been taking more verticals and I saw the big tree over the little tree as a vertical mother and child sort of thing. Happy trails!
Good knob advice and great images
Thanks 👍
Technically it's 'noob' but I'm not gonna be a knob about it.
My eye for composition must be improving! When you first got to your first position on the river my first thought was, the other side would make a better composition, and in the end you went across and captured a quite beautiful image of the falls! personally I love the birch tree as well as the small rhododendron! My big question is how did you cross the river!?
Wellies rule the day
Been to that location (use the same car park) its very good as is the drive to get there. Looks like tyoical conditions for West Scotland ie it cant make its mind up or its raining ;)
Agree, your 1st image -- just look in the bottom lefthand corner and cant see the main waterfall.
I have 'Lichen' and Subscribed
from a portrait photographer who is also a sub par landscape photographer, communication with your subject will always help improve things, not sure how that would translate to landscapes, though maybe it can be looking for things that speak to you in a scene, focus down on those elements and work to get them looking as good as possible , then simply complement a good photo with a bit of editing since every photo needs a thank you and editing seems to be the best part for that
Great when you hang out with outher photographer. Get to know your local area and keep returning when the conditions are shifting. Learn your gear so you dont miss any oppartunaties and learn compositions.
Great imagery after the number one shot Adam. Liked the number two image over the number three image, for what its worth. So frustrated that I didn't go the photography show at the NEC. Just to have seen the TH-cam elite there let alone a chance to maybe chat and thank you all in person for the great work you all do for us all on this side of the medium. Take care.
cheers!
My man Adam. What's up? This is a really good video. The questions you're asking the guys are spot on. What makes you a better photographer? Of coarse, Henry's answer was great. As in, keep it simple. Learn how to use the manual settings on your camera. I'll go one further. Get a manual film camera, and learn to shoot with that. At he same time you should look at other peoples work to give you a more rounded view of things. As always, Adam the shots you presented are really nice. But the silhouette of the trees against the lock in the background was really really nice. It had that calming effect as you look at it. That is what you want to do. Touch an emotion. Great job Adam. Peace! my friend!
Hi Adam I stumbled across this your video a few days ago.. But I loaded it to watch later.. So it's now later and watching 😊. It's also the first time I've heard of you.. I've been into Dslr photography since mid 2018.. So heading for 6 years. You right experience is the only way to get better? I live in Walvis Bay Namibia but my ancestory is Scottish although I haven't yet set a foot in Scotland.. Would love to though one day.. I started photography because of my love of sunsets and then decided to try out dslr.. And bought a second hand canon D550 and that first month or so of having it I was like what the heck have I got my self into lol.. I didn't understand the exsposure triangle.. But a friend kindly did a little crash course.. And I slowly started to learn.. I do come from a special needs back ground. So things can feel so daunting.. But I have kept at it.. And last year I was featured in a in flight magazine.. Which I so appreciate them doing for me. But definitely in photography you can always learn a new thing.. Just like in life you can never know it all..
Top tips videos, that’s what improves my photography 😅
That and slowing down and being more deliberate.
Absolutely
Improve my photography ? More travel ! It's motivating.
Keep practicing is probably the best advice. Get out there and learn your way around your camera.
Always!
Sorry I missed you at the photo show in Birmingham. I love your perspective on composition. Good advice from you and the others on what helps one to become a good photographer. I wish I could follow your advice on gear. I’m too much a tech crazed person. I get way too much gear. Sorry, but I love getting gear. But that’s why I’m not great on composition. I need to switch my priorities.
No worries I love gear as well
Hi Adam, I was at the NEC and managed to bump into Nick Page, but did not manage to see yourself which would of been great.
Next time!
Hi adam, so your best shot of the day was getting the exposure right on your face😅
You could have even gone even further with the second waterfall shot by cropping off the left side and making it a square format.
Thanks Adam, enjoyable video as always. Perhaps on your next video, you could make a short tribute to Alyn Wallace, who tragically has died so young. Thank you.
Awsome
Improve by showing your images to many other people and finding out what they see (often strikingly different than what you saw), probing about how the image makes them feel and why, and asking about what elements speak strongly to them. Include both experienced photographers and non-photographers. Don't look for approval. Look for ways to make your photographic communication stronger. Such feedback will help you understand much more than technicalities.
great points
You need to love your own images and can’t expect others to do the same. It’s such a subjective thing. Find your own path.
I really study your work. That's why I switched to Fuji Medium Format. You are the best! Why do you use the teleconverter if you shoot at 100mm with GF 100-200mm?
Helps to focus closer
"Return to an area which is close to you," says the Canadian on location in Scotland.😂😂
Hola Adam, posibilidad que en algun momento pueda comprarte uno de tus libros, sobre todo este ultimo en español?. Animate solo una tirada de algunos pocos, y no tengo la menor duda que los vendera, porque se que aqui en España, tienes muchos adeptos. Gracias soy fanatico de tus trabajos en una palabra eres mi mentos hace mucho tiempo.
Since you're in Scottland this will apropos; being "frugal" - or poor; I bought glass I could afford easily. But my shots on the forum I used frequent looked meh compared to a couple other shooters. Compositions looked fine, but softness, lack of contrast and greens that did not seem lively - compared to one fellow at least. I had to up my game by upping my glass budget. By a lot. Even then I got burned on one more lens (looked decent at the camera store!). Now ten + years later with the new glass even better....(at least some of the kit lenses today knock the socks off the old stuff). But if you seem to have hit a plateau art wise and editing wise but you have not upgraded your glass I'll suggest that would be the next area to invest in.
Learn to be patient. Try and stop taking photos you desperately want to work but know in your heart are never going to. Then you can focus a lot more on what is going to work.
The Scots pines silhouettes, I think I prefer the original group
If you come across a scene that catches your eye, don't just photograph it. Ask yourself what is it about the scene and try to find the best location or angle to make the most of it.
👏👏👏👏👌
The two knobs have gone to Peta Pixies...
Review my photos for how it could be shot differently or better.
positive elimination... lichen that 😊
I think the one thing that helps tremendously with your photography is going out and buying the most expensive gear on the planet!..(I'm kidding, obviously 😁😁) Seriously though, practice, practice and more practice! Don't practice until you get it right..practice until you CAN'T get it wrong!
IMO you should crop the second image to a square. The rocks at left and right just aren't that interesting, compared to the cascade and that little tree. The framing birch lends a nice touch. But, the rest of the composition doesn't work for me.
EDIT: I wrote the above comment before coming to your final image. Great minds think alike!
12:12 You forgot to say lichen subscribe.
I love when photographers tell you not to fuss over gear while carrying £10,000 - £15,000 worth of camera equipment 😅 if that was true, you'd be shooting with a Nikon D80 or something. Gear makes a huge difference to not only image quakity but also what your able to capture. A kit lens 24-50mm is never going to out perform a 24-70 f2.8 for example. A Crop sensor is never going to perform as well as full frame in low light as another. Gear is required to a certain extent. My golden rule is never go in for the entry level gear. Keep saving and at least be using semi-pro because youll quickly outgrow Entry Level Gear.
I don't see it this way. The quality or aesthetics of any photograph is not reliant on the type of camera, the sharpness of a lens or the size of a sensor. There is some amazing work out there by photographers who use very little equipment and poor-quality glass. Yes, I use expensive gear, but that is only because I like using good-quality gear. The gear has no value if you don't know what to point it at. Before using high-quality gear, I used run-of-the-mill equipment with cheap lenses. I still make prints from some of those files, and not once has anyone told me, great shot. Too bad you had such poor equipment. Doesn't work that way. Now, if we are talking about capturing moving subjects, then yes, camera gear has advanced dramatically, but it still boils down to knowing your subject and knowing when to press the shutter. No amount of gear, however good it is, will make you a better photographer.
It's not until you've ignored all that advice - of not fussing over gear - and drop 1000's on the latest and greatest cameras/lenses, that you realise it's actually very little to do with gear. It's a very expensive lesson. But try taking away my exotic glass away from me. It ain't happening.
Now then, Now then. What is the World coming to? First Gavin Hardcastle gives 'Pro' tips, Thomas Heaton is doing Instant photography with Nick Page (I woz (nearly) there) and YOU are twiddling your knobs... I just can't cope.
Do you really have to love fog, mist rain and the horrid British weather to take nice photos? you guys spend more on water proof clothes than film ;)