There was a quote that goes something like this: "The novice cares about the equipment, the professional cares about the money and the master cares about the light."
My very 1st lens that i got with my Minolta SLR (1986) , was the all-mighty ''Standard'' lens, better known as the 50mil. Still have that lens today ! Love that lens . . .
Learning to look for light was the biggest thing I learned to help my photography. I actually learned it from a UK street photographer named Roman Fox. I would look at his images and try to figure out the commonality that I loved in his images. He uses light so well. So, now when I'm in landscape photography situations I try to remember this as well. Sometimes those light and shadow detail shots are really nice. It also makes me slow down and look around before shooting. Really great advice Mark!!! Have a great week!
Ansel Adams said, "A photograph is usually looked at-and seldom looked into." I think his wisdom is also true with the scene in front of us. We tend to look at the scene but not look into the scene. I know that I am guilty of that, and this video here is a great reminder of how I can improve my photography. So, thanks for sharing this philosophy, Mark. Another informative and inspiring video.
One of the things I've learned in my photography is to not go so much for epic, but for essence. I've often been disappointed in the past that I don't have many grand landscapes in my portfolio, but I've been increasingly thankful to add many, "essence" images taken at longer focal lengths that communicate much more than a huge, wide shot ever could. One of my favorites trees to shoot is a Magnolia with it's amazing, fragrant, large flowers. If I were to take a wide shot of the tree, even in full bloom, it does not faithfully render the essence of it like a close up of a single flower. In answer to your initial question, it's always been a 50 mm. That focal length has always been one of my absolute favorites for everything.
100% agree about essence and 50mm and perhaps this is why I have always gravitated towards macro photography. I am a firm believer that you can make even the most mundane object resonate if you can capture it in the right way. I view it as a challenge, even... Sometimes the essence of a subject is not conveying the whole thing but the "heart and soul" of it... Like the flowers of the magnolia. The signature of many plants are their flowers so these become the focal point you are trying to highlight. Aspen are a beautiful tree, but a super wide shot may not convey its white bark which is part of its soul. One of my favorite shots is a close up of an Ash burl that looks like an alien landscape. I learned on my dad's Pentax 35 mm film camera with a 50mm about 15 years ago and only recently bought a Lumix G85 and rediscovering my old twin passions of botany and photography has been a real pleasure.
I have a 58mm for my 35mm SLR that I really like. It is just enough longer than the "normal" lens to give a more intimate feel without taking you out of the normal visual perspective.
You have gone from photography from your head to photography from your heart. You probably started from your heart then when learning the skills switched to your head. You photographs are beautiful. I am just a novice but I get it. To lose that joy and then find it again is the greatest thing.
Your experience is exactly my experience… My first lens was a 14 to 22 EF-s lens. I got frustrated after all my images were the same!! I have a photography friend who looked at me like I was crazy when I said my favorite lens for landscapes these days is a 100-500!
thank you very much, everyone around me is obsessed with compelling photos of light and sunsets and sunrise, I feel like I have a better idea for my next photography trips, I appreciate your video, thank you again
My first lens was a 70-200mm. As a novice, having a zoom lens sounded the most versatile and made composition easy as a beginner. I still use it when I do landscape photography today if I want to photograph places in the distance or isolate a feature of the landscape without including foreground.
*The Best Photography advice of All-Time* I have watched COUNTLESS hours of RU-vid videos so I can claim myself a sort of RU-vid Photography Video Expert. And the advice in this Video is the Best you'll ever watch. Period
You make excellent and valuable points about looking for the light, looking in all directions, finding different compositions, and experimenting with focal lengths. What has helped make that work for me was getting rid of the tripod unless absolutely necessary for low light or long exposures. Some studio shots and pixel peeping convinced me that I did not need to use a tripod for the vast majority of my shots.
I went overboard and have several wide angles both full frame and apsc but recently purchased the Sony 90mm f2.8 Marco and with its 3 focal ranges it opened my eyes to so much more.
One thing I will say and this is mainly for new photographers, but also experienced... when doing landscape and going somewhere for the first itme (say a national park) it's a good idea to scope. Not only do you figure out where you want to be (and any possible obstacles) at sunrise or sunset or whatever, but you also know what the area is like. You can even take your camera and try a few different compositions during the "harsh light" hours as you likely won't be as focused on getting the money shot at that time, but you can experiement, so when you do come back for sunset or sunrise, you have an idea of what you want to do. I know this sounds pretty basic, but for me, it's helped a lot because I'm not fumbling around in the morning while I only have, say, 45 minutes or 2 hours of good light. I already have an idea of what I want to do. But also don't be afraid to experiment too. Things can change between scoping and the next day when you're actaully shooting, but scoping a location the day before does help (you could even go the day before for sunrise or sunset with the intention of finding the good shots, and then come back another day (if the weather cooperates) to realy drill down and get the shots you want. Of course, some will say "shoot it now" while you're there, and you can, but the point is scoping and then coming back if you need to. If you can't come back later, then scope during the day (during the harsh light) and come back that evening.
It's getting easier yet more complicated for me. One minute I'm shooting landscape at f/13, within the next few minutes I'm shooting macro at f/2.8. The sky conditions drive me batty sometimes. Today I actually returned to a downtown big city location. Haven't been there since 2019. The water fountain is back online ( it's a combo scene). The skyscrapers, old churches and sculptures where a lot of fun to capture as a bonus. It's nice to park the car right next to all the action, instead of those difficult hour plus hike ins. It's hot here right now, highs over 90F everyday. Time to slowdown and stay in the shade. 😊
Mark, great video!!!! I absolutely fall into the one shot wonder mode and then come home very disappointed not only because I really do not hav anything note worthy. But, then spend hours trying to find one photo to justify my time…. Another tip is when you get focused on a scene, take a step backwards and just turn 180 degrees. The number of times I have done this and found a better shot is amazing…. Great content and love the reminder…. Thanks for sharing each week and keep snapping! Look forward to your posts each week.
Most people have to accept the lens that is fixed to the camera or as part of a kit. The fixed lenses are generally 35-40mm focal length and 50mm separate prime lens used to be a regular fitment. When I changed my system I accepted the 24-120mm kit lens with pleasure because it gave me the range that I used most of the time and as a kit there were huge savings over buying the items as separates. I take the view that the most important aspect of photography is not what lens you have but what photographs you take. Its no coincidence that many of the top professional photographers have a fixed lens compact in the bag when the shot is more important than the equipment.
The first lens I had that came with the 5D Mark III was a EF 24-105mm f/4L the first lens purchased after that was a telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.
I started out with a 24-70mm and found it actually gave me the opposite experience where it encouraged me to do grand landscape where I could but also play with more intimate compositions as well.
My first lens is (it is still with me every time I go out to take an image) the XF 18-135. I took some of my favorites with this one, I love the versatility and the overall quality of this lens.
Always went with a telephoto myself. Wasn't really into grand vistas. Think because they're hard to find in my area. Unless you want to do the ocean, which is way overdone in my state. I think the tourist department forgets we have an interior. It is interesting to watch when wide angle photographers vlog and I'm looking at them walking by some of the most gorgeous scenery at their feet, while they're just walking by. Those mountains in Nepal are incredible.
My first lens was a 50mm 1.4 that came with my Nikon FM. When Mother Nature is not co-operating sending boring sky, I switch gears and concentrate on a single flower or plant, Lichen on the rock can render interesting patterns. I will also slap the ND filters on and do some long exposure.
Great suggestions. I have not used the longer lenses much for landscape. But know I prefer the more abstract frames. You've connected alot of dots for me. Tx very.
First lens purchased was an 85mm, but was for portraits. First landscape specific lens 14mm. Honestly think the 85mm is more useful for landscape unless like you said, you are in front of a grand vista.
First lens I ever bought (used) was a Topcon® telephoto. Why? I was a student at Case Institute of Technology in the early seventies. This meant being in the city. Which also meant that limited landscape opportunities. Or so I thought. There was plenty around and your site has helped me to realize this as I still live in the same area. Keep up the great work!
Great video Mark and great timing, as I fall into this trap as well. This is going to be a huge help for my mindset next time I go out. Quick question, do I see an old Sony Sport Walkman behind you? Talk about memories of mowing my lawn as a kid and listening to one of my “mixtapes!”
What a insightful and eye opening video tutorial Mark. Awesome away from regular video. Super useful. Opening the horizons of thinking when on the location. 👍😍
Mark, I like getting into the details of a scene, but in my mid-octogenarian years, I cannot comfortably tote several lenses. So, I shoot with a small high-resolution 28 mm lens-Leica Q3-and crop into the details to create my photographs. If necessary, I use Topaz to denoise, sharpen, and up-scale.
I was in Iceland just a few weeks ago. There are so many areas that are hard to get close to, having my 70-200 really helped me get closer and isolate specific areas, as you said. I have thousands of pictures that will now take me a lifetime and a half to sift through and process. Such an amazing country to visit and experience.
Great examples again mark. I'm not as far as you I think but I gave the same goal. Not being dependent on weather or location anymore. I just gave myself the order to try and find a shot in any condition. And I think starting my own youtube channel deffinitly helped massively because I force myself to get out more. But in the end it all comes down to being creative. Looking around for different things. I just decided to not plan anything anymore. I'm just taking everything as it comes. Then you just don't get caught in that tunnel to one image. And if that image didn't work I would get home disappointed. But now 9 out 10 times I find something I'm happy with 🙂
Sage advice, my friend. You inspired me to dig deeper into compositions a while back, and it has served me well, especially in poor conditions, like you pointed out. Thanks!
my first lens was the 18-135mm (apsc so more like 28 to 200 ) kit lens that came with my camera , since then i got a 10-20mm wide angle and a 55-300mm which is great for picking out detail ...
That Icelandic hot-spring shot fooled me - I thought it would be 50 yards across at least! But all good advice. I've been trying to "look at the light" for years now after attending a seminar by Michael Freeman but it's so easy to be fooled by only seeing the landscape. Definitely a hard skill to master. The other one is seeing an image as a set of shapes rather than objects, I'm still working on that too.
Shoot film. Film expresses light in a way that digital doesn't hit without a great deal of image editing. Color film responds better to highlights and overexposure while digital responds better to underexposure and dark scenes.
@@Superbustr Depends entirely on the film. Positive films work differently to negative. Some only have a DR of 5 or 6 stops, others up to 12 or more. I started off with film in the 60s, even working briefly in a darkroom as a technician's assistant, but I only use film today for a few specific shots where I think it will suit the subject. Digital just offers so much more control and so much more comfort in so much less time. But understanding light and structure in composition is a skill that applies regardless of the medium.
@@alangauld6079 With digital you get the speed but give up physical ownership of all of your photos. Without being physical, digital photos get lost in the ether due to technological hardware & software changes. Digital photos and film photos take essentially the same amount of time to process, the caveat with film being that you really need your own dark room and scanner to be able to process your photos same day since quick turn around labs are few and far between. For me digital allows be to spray and pray, taking hundreds of photos in one day of which only a few photos may actually be any good. I would rather take less photos that are of better quality on film to reduce the amount of time on the computer selecting, processing, and editing.
@@Superbustr Not if you print them - as I do. I have framed prints all over my home and in several albums. Some are from film others digital. As for 'spray and pray' that's down to the photographer! I rarely take more than 50 shots in a day which is about the same as I did with film. Most trips I only take about 10-20 (I'm primarily a landscaper). The discipline of composing a shot and working out the light you want doesn't change with the media, that's down to the photographer. But digital does make some things much easier, like HDR and focus stacking both of which were extremely hard (often practically impossible) with film.
First lenses and still in use was the kit lens 18-55 and 55-300 mm. The 18 mm on a crop sensor has been quite a limitation of late but I love telephoto for landscapes especially when in Iceland and GSMNP last year
The lens I use the most for my personal photography is an 18-200 (on an APS-C body). The difference in quality afforded by better lenses is much less important for me than having a lens that will get the photo that I want when I'm hiking in the desert or mountains. I have longer and shorter zoom lenses and single focal length lenses of various lengths, but that's the one that I use for the vast majority of my landscape and wildlife work. That one lens allows me to take the picture that I see in the scene in front of me nearly all the time and the ability to zoom in camera so I don't have to discard as much in post is at least as valuable to me as a lens that is tack sharp at its one focal length.
Thanks I really enjoy your videos I’m ashamed to say I can’t remember where I learned this about light first from but it’s the first thing I look for now when I go out I travel a lot so I’m not at one place very long and waiting for the light to get perfect with his preconceived composition always hindered me and enjoy your videos very much thank you for production
A good video. For the first 20 years of my photography I only had a fixed 35 mm lens and only really got interchangeable lenses since using digital cameras. On a trip to Switzerland a couple of years ago I only had 3 lenses on a APS-c camera an 11-22, and a 28 and 85 mm prime. I rarely used the wide angle for landscapes and for the bulk of my shots including panos used the 28 mm f1.8 and for more intimate shots used the 85mm. This video reminded me very much about TJ Thorne's book "there is no such thing as bad light" and Sarah Merino's "intimate landscapes" They are both talking about the same thing as you are here but you added the interesting part of chasing light. I use a Fuji system and mostly shoot with a 16-55 but also carry and regularly use the 70-300 I do have a couple of wide angle primes but enjoy most my 90mm f2 as it makes you think about what you are shooting.
The first lens that I bought was a wide angle lens. I really enjoyed the video and you provided some great points to think about when going out for photography.
Another really great video and commentary. Yes, photography is supposed to be FUN! Thanks for the encouragement to look for interesting light in any condition or location. :)
First lens was 24-70 equiv. mid-range. I think its a good range to be in because it kinda takes away the extremes on both ends that we often tend to gravitate towards.
I don't know that I've ever purchased a lens specifically for landscapes. That said, I spent the last weekend at Glacier NP using mostly the Zeiss 60mm and 120mm on my Hasselblad 503cx. The horizontal field of view would correspond to 35mm and 70mm on full-frame, respectively.
I did buy the tamron 17-28, but that for real estate, architecture. but I had someone online advise me saying that the best landscape lenses are the normal-telephoto ones.
You have some great ideas for photographers to upgrade their success rates when out and about photographing the scenery. I think most people when starting out are interested in finding interesting subjects, but with practice you realize differing light conditions can turn a otherwise dull subject into a great photo and photography is after all, all about the light. Also, I am lucky to live 1,200 ft high on the side of a hill with a view of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island and the California Coastline. Using a wide angle lens most often gives me an uninteresting photo. However, if I look closely at portions of the scene as you did and use a telephoto lens, there can be many interesting smaller scenes to capture. Also, Quite often, the cloud/sky conditions are not particularly exciting across the entire sky, but right where the sun is setting it can really create a beautiful sunset. Here too, a telephoto lens makes the day. I am about 22 miles from the coast line so a long lens is essential for me. My longest good lens is a 300mm which on my crop sensor camera is 480mm which is quite good. However, I also have a Canon SX60HS point and shoot camera with a lens that goes out to something like 1,700mm and is stabilized. The only problem with using all the capabilities of this camera at a distance of 22 miles or more is that the atmospheric distortions make the photos look out of focus. Anyway, your video gave some very good tips to new and seasoned photographers for improving their craft.
I got an 18-105mm kit lens with my first camera, but the first lens i purchased (which was the week later) was a 35mm prime and I used it more than than the wide angle, super sharp too for a relatively cheap lens.
My first landscape lens purchase was my Sigma 10-20 f3.5 and, yes, I have found that I do not use it as much as I thought I would for the very reasons you mentioned. I actually find myself using my Sigma 150-600 more for landscapes than my wife angle.
My first lens I purchased was a Fuji 50-140. Next was a 2x converter. After that a Fuji 10-24. I recently purchased a Fuji 90mm macro. Thinking of getting a Viltrox 13mm 1.4 for Milky Way photography
If i am for marriage or indoor, wide angle otherwise 60-600 Sigma is what i need. I would say thinking about stories in a photograph one should avoid and focus on getting good shots. Also avoid toxic advice of some photographers. I appreciate your honesty in sharing genuine experience. Finding good people as photographer is important and there are.
This is one of the most applicable photography videos I've ever seen on RU-vid! When I started out in the hobby, I also fell prey to the "wide angle composition syndrome" which left me feeling completely helpless whenever the sky was boring or completely frustrated at many locations (THERE'S NO FOREGROUND INTEREST HERE ARGH!!!) My schedule and family dynamics don't allow me to go out shooting when the conditions look promising. I get small windows of time to go shoot and I need to make good use of em no matter what the conditions are. Eventually I started thinking a little more outside the box just as you describe in this video. Rarely do I get great conditions when I'm out, and rarely do I get to go to amazing locations. But I have come to believe that a good photographer should be able to produce good photos no matter the circumstances. Mads Peter Iversen is a photographer/youtuber who has been a great inspiration to me in this regard. He lives in Denmark but imo he produces more good photos than anyone even despite the fact that he's usually shooting in a place that many would consider "boring".
I actually purchased a 50mm f1.8 as my first lens beyond my kit 18-55, and 55-250 lenses. Later after a long time I managed to buy a wide angle Sigma 15-30 which is good enough for my APS-C EOS700D.
Awesome information. It was like a slap in the face eye opening experience. I have been fixated on the grand scene and not the smaller details. I will diffidently take this info to the field. Thanks.
Some great tips for things to focus on but I had a really hard time getting through this video and I'm not even sure why. I absolutely appreciate the content of it, just didn't hold my attention well throughout.
All i have is the kit lens that came with my SonyA7iii, the 24-70. Ive been a hobby photographer for several years but I feel like my photos are boring. Im dying to learn more. Love your videos!!
I’d love to see you do a challenge of shooting out during the mid-day, harsh sun. As I’ve traveled over the years I’m more likely to only be able to shoot midday and not early morning or late in the day. How do you approach and shoot midday?
Similarly, I today enjoyed this YT video from Swedish macro photographer, Micael Widell; "4 Reasons Macro Photography is Addictive," in which he states his first reason is he can do macro in harsh sunlight. Also similarly, he looks down and is always productive-- much more than landscape photography, which is very enjoyable to him. I think that the slow and simpler styles suggesting today by Mark and Micael often allow us as photography more deeply connect with the intimacy of what is right in front of our eye and all around us.
If you look for contrasting light, like interesting shadows or where the light is diffused through the leaves and branches of a tree. Best ways to beat the harsh light.
I've been a photographer for over 40 years. My first lens was Nikon 50mm 1.4. I wanted wider and bought a 35mm but not wide enough for me. When I purchased my 20mm I went crazy with it. Years later, I use a 16-35mm zoom for most of my landscape/seascape images. I used a 24-120mm lens too, it just depends....
I recently upgraded to the Canon EOS R and bought the classic 50mm 1.8. Since then I’ve also purchased the 16mm 2.8 macro. I find that I’m challenging myself to shoot only the 50mm. I’m thinking of doing a series of just 50mm images.
Cool! Same here and interesting to see someone else just getting the R recently. I don’t have the 16mm but am enjoying the 50mm a lot. That’s pretty much become the standard lens that’s always on the camera and I only switch if I have something specific in mind.
The Fuji 16-55 was my first lens in the Fuji system. I eventually got the 70-300 and it became my main go to. When I was shooting Nikon DSLRs, I was mainly using primes, but I also didn’t know what type of photography I wanted to shoot, where as I mainly go for Wildlife and landscape these days.
I'm considering the 70-300 to shoot a variety of things, but definitely wildlife, landscape and sports. Would you mind giving me a quick overview of how you like it and why? I have an XT-3. Is the lens stabilization sufficient for wildlife without IBIS? Thanks...
@@charliejg I currently shoot on an X-T4 which has IBIS, but the lens itself has stabilization, so you should be perfectly fine with the X-T3. I mainly use it for wildlife. It’s an amazing lens, very sharp, and focused quick. Probably not easy to see, but my profile picture of a Peregrine Falcon was taken with that lens and it came out great! The reach is usable, but if I need more reach, I know a 1.4x teleconverter would do just fine, even with a 1 stop hit on my aperture. I highly recommend it.
Telephoto lens without a doubt a Tamron 28-200 lens so I could frame the picture the way I wanted it. I used it for five years until i up graded my camera and lens
My first lens was a 24 to 70. My first prime was a fast 50. When I was using the 24 to 70, I basically favored 35 to 60 mm range. I think 50mm and 35 mm are the two most indispensable for me. Obviously you use the lenses that will do the job, but those 2 are the most essential to me. (I use full frame so adjust those focal lengths down if you are aps-c or m4/3
Nikon Kit lens 18-55. It came with the camera so I didn't buy it with landscape specifically in mind but it was usually what I used for landscape at first. Not always at its widest focal length. Actually this is pretty useful in many situations. There was also a 70-300 lens in the kit.
I bought a superzoom (28-200 mm for full frame) as my first, and so far only, lens. I've not yet checked what focal lengths I actually have taken my favorite photos with, but I think I tend to zoom in at least a bit. I shoot various things, not only landscapes, but in any case, I more often would like to be able to zoom in more than to have a wider angle. Though a wider angle would have been handy occasionally, too: with northern lights and some sunsets.
