5 Signs You're PROGRESSING in PHOTOGRAPHY
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- In this episode "5 Signs You're PROGRESSING in PHOTOGRAPHY" I discuss the power of recognizing personal improvement. Photography in the digital age can feel very temporary as the majority of the images created are posted on social media and eventually slide off into the digital archives rarely to be seen again. We tend to only see what we've created in recent months and when we do this we're not able to appreciate and recognize how we're progressing. As humans, we all want to "be better", we don't have to be the best right now. but we do want to feel that we're progressing and moving in the right direction. After much consideration, I've come up with 5 signs you're progressing in photography - if you can say yes to at least one of these, then congratulations you're moving in the right direction!
If you enjoyed this video, please consider giving it a thumbs up and let me know what you think in the comments below - I guarantee I'll get back to ya.
Cheers!
-Mark D.
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17 minutes of video, it'a long one...BUT MAN YOU FREAKING NAILED IT! WOAH! I've learned from this much more than i could ever learn from 2hrs of other videos, Keep this up! Love it Mark!
Arkw0w Music to my ears! Stoked to hear you got something out of it - Appreciate the comment man!!
You got that right ArkwOw, I've been watching every video of Mark's that I can find and he's easy to follow and understand!
Hi Mark. Having just subscribed to your channel and having watched a few of you videos I can say I love your down-to- earth friendly approach. I'm about to retire and will have a lot more time to devote to my photography. I hope that at 65+ I'll still have enough time left to make big improvements. We're blessed nowadays to have so much info and advice on TH-cam. So I'm glad to have come across your channel. Thanks.
Videos like this make you more likable than many of your colleagues with millions of subscribers, followers or that... they’re losing something that you still got!
It’s meant to be as positive as it can be :)
You should be a Photography teacher, you will definitely helped a lot of begineers and even those taking pictures for years now. I've only watched 2 ( so far ) of your videos and it helped me see or refreshed my memory. The Spiral Rule of Thirds video was very interesting and it made sense. I wish i'd seen your TH-cam videos years ago, i just saw it today. Keep Up The Great Work You're Doing.
Hey Mark! This is much more helpful than I had expected. Thank your for showing and comparing pictures and talking about them in detail, instead of just listing the points. Also, I've been ignoring the histogram till now and I will definitely be paying attention to it from now on. Thanks and cheers from a new subscriber !
Balagopal Thank ya so much! Glad to hear the video was helpful. Paying attention to my histogram was a huge eye opener for me.
Excellent emphasis on tracking your progression as a photographer. I particularly liked the focus upon what you the photographer think about your own work. Sadly many folks fall into the trap of posting their images online and then modifying their technique based solely upon the likes and opinions of others. One of the biggest advantages of being a hobbyist photographer is that YOU are really the only one you have to please...so don't throw that freedom away! As someone who spent years trying to please newspaper and magazine editors whose tastes were often dramatically different than mine I can assure you that pleasing yourself allows much more room for improvement. As Mark pointed out in this video digital photography by its very nature makes it easy to lose track of your progress. One technique I employ to combat this is to periodically add images to the desktop wallpaper slideshow that runs continuously on my iMac. From time to time I just minimize Lightroom and watch the slideshow for ten minutes. At this point in time I have 4 different slideshows which I rotate periodically. One is for landscapes, another for wildlife, etc, etc. I can't tell you how much of an uplift watching these slideshows gives me, particularly on days when my photo editing is not going well. Try it, you'll like it!
Great insight Mark, I can definitely relate to all of them, post-processing I think is the bane of all hobbyists and is probably the hardest thing to learn but for me it goes hand in hand with light - while I can't get out shooting in the right light I've actually learned to stop shooting in the wrong light just for the sake of it as I was finding it was those types of photos I was overcooking, literally trying to make something out of nothing doesn't work (for me anyway). So I guess yes I have progressed but still have a way to go lol - Thanks for the video
The info on the histogram was great! Especially after watching a video and seeing how much processing has to be done before printing if that isn't correct. Thanks for all the info you share!
Great video. I'm pretty new to photography ( with a real camera ). I literally discovered the histogram by accident 1 day before watching this. It makes so much sense to me now. When you just use the exposure compensation meter, it's an average of the exposure for the whole shot. If you use the histogram, you can actually make sure you properly expose the shadows and make sure you get that detail without noise. Thank you 🙏
Thanks Mark. Have been working hard in all the phases you covered. Didn't know until now how to measures my progress. Still have a long way to go.
Always great studying your ideas/tutorials Mark. I suffer from feeling inadequate a lot of the time. I watch. I listen. I go forth & mess it all up. Then I kick my own Butt ( bloody hard to do at my age). And I keep trying. I appreciate every word & idea. Thank you Mark for your attitude & knowledge. Neville J.
Really enjoyed this video Mark. Informative, relaxed, & professional. I think you made everyone who watched it feel better about their photography!
Gary Stanley Mission Accomplished! Thanks for the comment Gary - much appreciated!
Post processing part resonates a lot. Takes a while to know how to get better at editing and not obsess over colors and super bright images. Definitely good to compare how use of light and composition changes in images as well. So many good tips and a lot of good information and advice! Thanks a lot!
A huge way to boost confidence and creativity - a great help. Thank you.
It’s good to have a different perspective that folks struggle with their own reassurances. I see the progression work my wife and I are doing but we have work to do yet. Thanks for the video
Hey Mark, Thank you for sharing your Self Check Progression Checklist with us...I just returned from Maui. As you might guess, I have quite a load of images to filter thru to find the honored few that I will choose as “Keepers”. I got into photography just over four years ago, when my golf game went south on me. Your Progression List will serve as a Report Card to measure my progress fairly and accurately..again thanks for your fine efforts.
Thank you Mark, I’m enjoying and learning from your detailed and down to earth approach. Thanks
Another great video, Mark! I especially enjoy your videos because I love landscape photography the best, and have improved. The Utah images in some of your other videos are great, I've been to some of those same places there. If you havent been to The Burr Trail Switchbacks and Grosvenor Arch in Utah, I totally recommend!
You should also consider teaching classes on photography. Not only are your images fantastic but you are so knowledgeable. Great video and fabulous information!
Regina Oster Thank ya so much!! Hopefully l’ll be teaching a college course this spring😉
I have been the owner of DSLR for 6 months 23 days. The most notable improvement in my photography is post-processing. When reviewing my earlier work I can't believe how oversaturated my pictures are. I am happy to say those days have gone.
You got really great vids, you got a perfect approach talking about taking photos, calm and professional. Not just another populist. Keep up the great work!
bjurra Thanks so much!!
Hi Mark!
Been following your videos for the past month an' half and find them to be very informative & aligned.
Do maintain your standard keep up the good work!
Bye.
I do it often and self reflect on my photos and my style of photography. Colour grade , composition, story telling. I watched the whole thing anyway and thank you so much☺️at the moment I got my comps on point but I still struggle to find my colour style ... but small progress is still progress right 🤗thank you Mark. You have my follow here and on Instagram.
Oh and thank you for the takeaway on the edit side. I always wanted a unique look for all of my images and now they look all the same but they lost their own story / soul. I try to figure it out and keep the work up. Thanks🤗
Great video Mark thank you!! I was down in the dumps not feeling it lately and this really picked me up. I guess I'm doing pretty good with these 5 just have to work on the last one...
Thanks for putting the "rut" time out there, perhaps because I am in the midwest it seems to be late Feb or March ... no much look good, snow melting, everything looks gray... as others have stated here, learning a lot from your channel. Thanks much!!!
Hi Mark, it would be good for you to revisit some of your older picture locations and reshoot it to show the difference you would make to them, especially the bird box one
Mark, loved your video again! I appreciate your points in each of your shows. Usually four or five points. Excellent so as not to overwhelm. Excellent, easy-going style. So many photographers' videos are so hyper that after four or five minutes I'm not learning anything. I find myself vibrating and wanting to jump ship FAST!
I appreciate your sharing your earlier photos and critiquing them. However, I don't necessarily agree how "bad" they were. I kept hoping that you were going to show how they could have been fixed to make them right. For me, I especially liked your birdhouse photo. Probably could have been improved post process, cropping, but definitely a good photo! On the flip side, I find some of the photos you really like now, with the fast flowing water in the foreground, distracting. One of those flowing water photos needed distracting elements removed (I learned that from one of your other videos :)
I realize in the end it is mostly about subjective likes and dislikes. But thank you for your videos. I am learning a lot from each one. Good work!
John Wagner Thanks so much for watching and commenting on the video John! Happy to hear the videos are helpful and you’re able to grab some useful information out of each of them!
Mark, I just recently discovered your channel and have to say I love it. You're approach is very simplistic and very easy to follow along. This video itself has made me rethink my approach and visualization. Keep up the great work 👍👊
Marc Morici Really appreciate Marc! Glad you’re enjoying the videos man!!
Great video. I think I have progressed with the technical and compositional aspects but I am still at that stage where I am over processing things and I am now very aware of it. Time to step back and reassess things. Thanks for the video.
Stuart Fillmore Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it. I find myself still over processing at times, but knowing that I have a tendency of doing that is the most important thing.
Awesome video ! I learned a lot ! Thanks keep up the great work!
Interesting video , need to get back to it sometimes to check self progression .
Thanks a lot 🙏😉📷
I also think care needs to be taken judging a photo or exposure based on the histogram. If you look at some of your great photos like the coast in Kauai or the waterfall, the histogram is pushed to the left since they are rather low key. I found that I expose for highlights since I know I will bring back the shadows in post. However, if there is massive contrast between shadows and highlights, exposing for highlights will lose the shadows.
Just seen this Mark. Really helpful and a great structure for assessing how far we’ve come as photographers - thanks. I wonder when the right time is to upgrade? I have a D5600 which I know I need more time with before I can justify why I need to change. Just need to resist the temptation in the meantime!
Great stuff Mark. Thank you so very much. Give up the Great work.
As usual amazing work! I've enjoyed every single minute! 👏👏
Awesome! Appreciate ya letting me know - thanks Adam!!
Hey Mark thanks for another video it really showed me how i progressed in my photography adventure
Awesome! That's great to hear!
Great video Mark, THANKS!
Many thanks Bob!
what a dope video
that is quite encouraging
thanks for sharing this with us, really enjoyed watching this
Glad to hear it man! Thank ya!
Well darn somebody tell you that you are doing it right. What a concept.
My main issue has always been composition but I'm working on it. Thanks for this video
I'm with you on that - I think composition much like post processing is one of those things that you can never truly master as its always evolving.
Excellent video indeed.
I am learning so much from your channel. Keep it up, sir! :)
I really like that image of the road to the right with the sun on the left but, in hearing you say that you dislike it, it makes me wonder/question my thoughts when it comes to composition and within that, I guess that's why I have such a small following on Instagram.
Thanks, Mark, I really am learning a lot from you.
Very helpful! Thx Mark
Thanks Ronald!
I stopped shooting HDR, so yes, I've improved lol.
Lol, I know what you mean! Funny how thats a stage we all go through.
pvcollectives I started shooting in good light with GND filters. I also learned that you can't force a scene to look good. If the light isn't there, it just isn't there. You gotta move on, adjust your location or find a different composition.
I don't say this often in a photography topic, but I couldn't agree more on the chosen topics! Very true. Debateable for me, is the "you histogram has to look like this" message... but at least true for your average correct exposure photo :-)
Much appreciated, Andy and thanks for the comment. The majority of the time I use my histogram just to ensure that I'm not losing any information in the highlights or shadows, but the largest benefit to me was probably just understanding how the histogram works along with what actually affects it.
Mark Denney you are right. It was the same for me. Best to first understand the „rules“ and then you can go ahead and break them for artistic purpose :-)
Haha exactly! Well said!
Agreed, Andy! I am learning that the main value of histogram viewing is to avoid clipping, especially to the right.
Great video.
Learned a lot with this video! Thank you so much!
While I don't disagree with your 3rd point, regarding multiple lense choices, I would argue that only bringing 1 lense (maybe even just 1 prime) will be a more challenging exercise to develop your skills. Being forced to look for different compositions than I usually shoot has been very rewarding and developing for my own photography. More so than having a bigger selection of lenses.
Kom Mentar I think it’s a matter of what your used to as well. Meaning, if you already shoot with multiple lenses then only shooting with one would be a great creative challenge. And, if you normally shoot with the same lens all the time perhaps having multiple lenses to select from would also be a good exercise. Anything to shake it up really!
Summer late morning to early afternoon is the best time for IR photography
Good tips. I am now using my histogram! It's funny, I was going to say that first pic was really good! I have much to learn.
If you are shooting a landscape in lower light, which do you tend to sacrifice first e.g., ISO, Aperture or Shutter speed? I know it depends but in general. I am reading a book called Understanding Exposure. He likes to shoot in F/22. I tried but everything was very under exposed. Also, for those water shots, what type of ND filters do you like? We are heading to Zion NP soon.
Reviewing old photos is the only way. Plus someone you can trust that will be honest with you. My wife had to be trained to be honest.
David B Yes! An unbiased opinion is a powerful thing!
Summer in Southern California is awful. It usually reaches 100 degrees, making photography unbearable :(
For those of you who are about to purchase a camera, and live in a state/country where the Summers are this hot, wait until late Fall/early Winter. Buying it then will give you the ideal weather to practice right from the get go.
Summer is hands down my least favorite season - I'm so glad it's finally coming to an end and lovely autumn will be here before ya know it!
Mark Denney Me too, and I always thought I was the only one! Everyone is enjoying summer and I’m like "nah, I’m waiting for autumn" 😄
Did you give up on the Apple Watch? I saw it in lens in each hand clip but not in your main set. Great video! Keep it up!!
Jordan Lewart Never! Love my Apple Watch
Very helpful! Thanks ♥️.
I like the soft colors in your studio, are you using LED lights? I’m a new subscriber and appreciate your content very much!
I can't agree with your info regarding the histogram. It's going to read differently for different types of photos, like if there is a lot of black or a lot of white in the image, or even just an abundance of dark or light colors.
Use the histogram to make sure you aren't blowing out or burying everything. Aiming for the middle at all times just doesn't work.
Thanks for this video it was helpful
It could be interesting to store old RAWs and show how you would edit them nowadays in compare with old post-processings.
I agree! I think going through some of your old photos and seeing how you would post process them now would be interesting.
Hello Mark, This video was an eye opener. Thank you for great tips. I have a question, a lot of people shoot at Blue hour, around 15 min after sunset. How the histogram would look, If we go by histogram, would'nt it be overexposed?
Would you make a video on it?
Hi Vivek - the histogram we look a bit different when shooting in blue hour or other low light conditions. The most important thing here is to ensure that you're not clipping any on your highlights or shadows. You want to make sure there are not any spikes on the extreme left hand side or extreme right hand side of the histogram.
Thank you! :)
Filip Schlembach Glad to do it - thanks for watching it👍
Whoops! I just reread my first post and want to make clear the "you" and "your" was addressed to the reader and not to Mark himself...he has quite obviously committed to photography on a professional rather than a hobbyist basis...so he still has to worry about pleasing others! He has my fullest sympathy.
Helpful video and true to me
Russ Lee Glad to hear it was helpful! And appreciate the comment letting me know👍
Yes sir
What if my early work is actually better??? It seems I have improved in post but I made better photos with my old supezoom before I got my DSLR setup!
My histogram never looks that good. I will pay more attention to that in the future. Thanks.
Why do you not use a watermark anymore? do you find it amarturish, or is it just barely visible?
1 year later today. How's this year comparing?
Nice & Thanks :)
Glad to do it! And, glad to hear ya liked it!
You are honest man
I Watched some of your videos I think you are in the same situation as I was 6 years ago lost my job and jumped and bought camera started landscape photography
I past this but believe me I west my 6 years time with landscape photography there is no money on this
I don’t want to disappoint you but try to my story
These day make money with photography almost impossible
If you try to sell photos in stock websites that is super hard to make money
I give you one super advise start products photography with products photography there is still money but if you feel products photography not for you then the best way think about different business
Thanks
I literally just started taking pictures, and I’m kind of annoyed with how green everything is.
Hell yeah check out my Instagram it's amazing how much I've improved in a year. Definitely in editing. @thelectrifier
I hope, you think every photograph you have ever taken is complete crap is one of them
Are you a full time photographer or a hobbist?
Thiago Perilo Hey Thiago! Full time although in the summer it doesn’t feel like it as much👊