I follow a lot of landscape photographers. You were one of the first and still one of my favs. I'm so sorry for your pain and I hope you don't get worse. I always felt like I could easily have a beer with you and conversation would be effortless. I'm from Vancouver Island (yes, taken over by Adam Gibbs and Gavin H.) but it was the landscape that got me into photography. But I am a work in progress and I'm slowly getting better thanks to you. Wishing you a safe and painless recovery. Keep walking and keep exercising within safety. And of course, thank you for the years of education and inspiration. Will keep on supporting.
Sorry to hear about your back Nick. Hope it clears up in the near future. Wish you the best in 2023. I like your way of thinking and you life philosophy. Take care!
Oh My! I feel for you. I had a crushed C5 disk with loss of nerve and muscle strength in my left arm. I finally got surgery after an episode I could not move. I hope you find relief. Thanks for all your instructional videos, especially the Photoshop ones.
I absolutely love your comparison on photo performance with athletic performance! If a person wants to get to the next level of performance there is no doubt that constant improvement is imperative! A musician with the " good enough" attitude would have no audience or their mother would be their only fan! LOL! .......Take care of yourself Nick. You're personality as a photographer and workshop instructor is admirable!
Amen to the message. On the back- been there (diving accident). Suffered exactly as you describe. After 11 years, did a fusion of L4-3-2-1-S1. This was back in the days of bone grafts and 10 month recoveries. Now it's screwed together and walking around in a week or two. As usual, the only regret is I waited too long. Of course, with crappy insurance, there's the money thing, which is quite formidable. In the NE, it could be $100K plus, easy. I can honestly say, I know where you are, and you have only my best wishes. The odd result, though, is any chair that is comfortable for me is death to a normal back. Never have to worry about anyone pirating your computer chair...
I have been there Nick way too many times. About 15 years ago I had to have a disc removed from my neck. They removed the disc in my neck, put in a piece of bone from my hip and then a titanium plate to fuse it. I had some lower back pain at the time and over the years it got worse until I was on Gabapentin for about a year and then the neurosurgeon found two discs in my lower back needed the same surgery as you had. They cleaned up one disc and then screwed up the second disc when the surgeon drilled to hard into the vertebrate and tore the duiral sack around the spinal cord and did some nerve damage. I never quite recovered from it. 2016 I was having some issues walking and pain so he went back in and cleaned up the scar tissue and cleaned around the nerve root. I was good for about a year and a half until I started having some pain again. Finally 2019 both ruptured. The pain was horrible, had to use a cane, walker and wheel chair to get around. Within 3 weeks I was back in to the hospital. He removed both discs, put in two artificial discs, some titanium rods and screws and completely fused that part of my lower back. I was out of the hospital 48 hours later and I felt the best I have felt in 15 years. Finally pain free, can walk but with a limp, no more Gabapentin. I still will get some twinges if I do something stupid but on the whole life is a lot better.
Ow! Bad memories of my own bad back. Get better soon my friend! Your mention of Adams’ Moonrise is particularly apt. I was amazed the first time I saw the original of that shot vs. what Adams created in the darkroom
Many times l too have thought l would not make it through but we do and though l go in for my fourth double fusion back surgery later in the year l tend to see my back problems as the reason l discovered the wonderful world of photography as l would not otherwise have slowed down enough to find it. Unfortunately l don't get enough pain relief to run workshops or anything else but that does not stop me enjoying and displaying what l go out and do with my camera, promise to keep up the good work and so will l.
Hope feel better soon.....praying for you. Saw my dad suffer similar issue so kinda know what your going through. Nick "it will get better" to quote your video today.
Dear Nick, this too shall pass. I affirm strength and restoration to your back, and allowing you to once again live your life fully. You are Loved very much Nick.
The information you shared was inspiring. I have herniated pain from my L4 & L5. Don't let the pain stop you from continuing to be your best. Love your work. God bless!
I bought out your courses I have been delaying, I know it’s not much but I hope it helps! …and I look forward to learning more from you. You’re in my prayers Nick, you got this, take care of yourself first and foremost. ☺️👍
Nick, thanks for the inspiring video. I’m excited to continue my Photoshop journey. I sincerely hope you find your way through your back issues. Please continue to let all of us know how we can support you. We’re here for you.
Nothing like back pain, nerve pain is worst. Good on you for coming back with your videos. Always lots of knowledge generously given. Our photography helps us through
Why is it that so many great photographers have bad backs ? Having damaged disks L1 to L5, I have already mastered the back issues. Now I just try too work on being a good photographer. Keep the faith Nick, stay safe 🇦🇺
Nick, I hope your back heals. I really like your teaching style, it works for me. I'm grateful you work through the pain to put tutorials out that work. Hope your back settles down.
Inspiring as always. I'll fill in to teach your workshops, that way everyone will be ready to start from the beginning and need dozens of tutorials and re-dos when you heal up. Seriously, thank you for the motivation and joy of learning. Take care.
Nick - Sorry to hear about your back, been watching you for a few years ... I think you are a great teacher and I find you inspirational ... I'm going to get to one of your workshops one of these days! But I immediately went to your website and bought all the tutorials. Get well soon!
thanks for another video, Nick. This" chewing the fat" type video is great--like having a cup of coffee with you. I, like many of the people who commented, have had a spine problem and the nerve pain. For me, the single thing that has helped the most is physical therapy. I don't mean go to PT 3x per week for months. I mean go once or twice to learn the techniques, then do them at home on your own every day for the rest of your life. That might not be the best thing for you now if you are in the acute stage, might have to wait till the pain lessens a bit then then be very gentle. I know this is a depressing time, but don't give up! We need you. Your video's and courses are the best out there IMHO.
Get well Nick. Had back problems 15 years ago.. Seams that the solution was a bad hip. M on M replacement - still get twinges from time to time. Surgeon also told me to loose weight as it would help. I was 12 stones. Please carry on telling it like it is. If your ever in France you have a place to stay. Thank you.
Nice video man you are so positive and a nice person. My back often hurts too, but by staying positive we can recover. I am also a photographer and learn a lot from you.
You’re one of the best and just keep Getting better! I’ve learned a ton from you going to sign up for your Photoshop courses to try to get to the next level. Get better soon my friend!
Sorry to hear your back issue is causing you so much grief Nick and stopping you from partaking in your passion, from a fellow Groundsman of 41 years I hope you get some relief very soon and get back in the field showing us your incredible skills, best wishes 🤞xx
I just saw the first 3 minutes of this post. So sorry to hear about the back pain. My father went through the same think and I have an idea of how painful it can be. I hope you recover soon.
Nick, thanks for doing this especially when your back is feeling awful. I hope you have a speedy recovery. As a fellow back pain suffer, I empathize with what you are going through. I did want to make one comment on a point you raised, that I agree with: getting it right in camera. This is a term that is often misunderstood. Getting it right in camera, does not mean making images with a single shot. It means that the images that you make that are designed to meet your end vision are all as 'right" as can be in camera so you do not need to try to "fix" mistakes in post processing. If your goal is to create a landscape image that is sharp throughout, getting it right in camera means that you have given thought to how many input images you will need to achieve your vision and then have made them as technically correct as possible in camera knowing that you will still need to combine them in post. Getting a waterfall right in camera means that you have taken a sufficient number of correctly exposed images, that can be combined in post to achieve your goal. Net-net getting it right in camera does not mean you only take one image per final image. It means that you take the "right" images in camera to achieve your end vision, which may involve blending etc in post.
I know back pain very well. Never had to have surgery, but I was immobilized a few times in my life. Working part time as a farmer at an Aberdeen Angus farm cured me. Talking about learning new things. :) All the best! I feel with you. Get well soon and don’t go insane! Peace!
Sorry to hear about your recent back injury. Hope the inversion table, walking, etc. will help you get back to workshop season and eventually golf. Thoughts are with you! Loved your passion in this video. At times, felt like you were speaking directly to me as there are times I have to tone down the "it's good enough" thoughts that creep into my mind. Thanks for this one from the heart. WTF, I'm retired, I waste plenty of time so there's plenty to spare for growth in my photography. Now off to your website to see which of your tutorials to start with; kinda thinking of your most recent PS tutorial as I need to spend more time on focus stacking and exposure blending. Sending tons of healing thoughts! Hope you are able to get back to the workshop season soon and get back on the course next spring!
Hi Nick, really hope you get past your back issues and return to the things you love doing. Thank you for reminding me to spend my time more wisely. I am 51 and love playing electric guitar. I have recorded many tracks but I have so much more to learn. I waste so much time watching TV as you said. So I have decided to take you advice and invest in myself. Cheers mate 🙏
Nick so sorry to hear about your back. Just this year at 5x I am having spinal neck issues that is causing some pain and numbness in my hands etc. Prayers for a better future for you. Good information here Nick thanks for sharing. I'm a 90% LR user... I go to PS for focus stacking but would like to use it more.
Good luck with your back issues and I hope you have a speedy recovery. I enjoy your content and practical approach to photography and post processing. When I started having a little back pain my wife suggested that I look at the Olympus camera system. It has been a game changer for my photography. Micro 4/3rds does not limit my style but what I have found that it is not just the gear because it is all good and will help you create good images. You have to have the vision, passion and desire to get better and not blame the gear and/or the post processing software. Thanks for being a creator and keep it up.
Having had the same kind of surgery and nerve pain, I can only feel with you when it comes to being scared for even more pain. Hold on, we need inspiration from people like you!
Hey Nick, don't let the bastards get you down. Its a cliche - but, If you simply mentor or provide inspiration to one person or a few people and motivate them to reach greater heights - you have done more than any of the naysayers who puke their vitriol onto the world from the dank depths of their mommy's basement. Remember this - I don't come her every week for their opinion or experience - I come here for yours! Good luck on the back thing. I just finished 4 major back surgeries spanning fall and winter after breaking my back in the spring of 2021. Me and a tree got into an altercation after I cut it down. I guess I pissed it off. Like you I am self employed but live the meaning of fighting for every inch, for every day and for every moment of my life. Never give up - when you can't run you walk, when you cant walk you crawl, and when you can't crawl, when you can't do that - you find someone to carry you. Never give up! As I stated in the comments of your last vlog - your tutorial inspired me to finally put Photoshop on my computer and just start learning it! Thanks!
Thanks for the great content you always present us with. I tend to have spine problems. I am OK now but I know how it is and I would like to give you all the support possible. Please therefore accept a small donation from my end with the hope you get better soon and keep doing the excellent work you have been doing. Greetings from the foothills of Mt Fuji.
I'm joining the crowd to wish you speedy and lasting recovery! You were definitely preaching to my choir when you spoke of the Photoshop learning process. I tell people that I'm happy to pay for the Adobe subscription because I view that money as spent on quality entertainment!
I've been watching your videos for quite some time and always learn something new. Thank you! To support your channel I just purchased "Essential Photoshop for Landscape Photography" and look forward to learning new things that I can apply to my post-processing workflow. Back pain sucks! I hope it heals quickly and you aren't in too much pain.
I love your “ramblings“. Your contribution to photography and the photo community are humongous. You can do that even laying in bed! So do not give up hope! By the way I’ve had very serious back problems that I have worked out of. If you ever want to call me I’ll tell you how I did it. My first career was in exercise science, and I have finally found a way to get rid of my back problems. Literally during Covid I couldn’t even barely walk. And nothing was helping. Now my pain is down between a zero and a one on a 10 scale and it was definitely in the nine zone. My goal is to bulletproof my back, and I’m 55 years old. Anyway thank you for sharing the wealth of information here. I could not agree more about Photoshop. People avoiding Photoshop are avoiding phenomenal optimization of images, even if they are more literal. And no, Lightroom cannot do it! There’s hundreds of things that Photoshop can do that Lightroom cannot do up to par yet!
I understand the feeling you are right now, back pain problems off an on for a year now and I am a sign maker and a self employed as you I could not even enjoy my mild winter in Malta when that is the time I get some cloud definition. I am getting frustrated but please keep fighting I know sometimes looks difficult. Stay safe. try some easy core and be careful what you add when hiking.
Flexeril and gabapentin for back issues!! Lots of stretching too always helped me out. Hopefully your back eases up soon, it’s literally a pain in the ass. Thanks for the words of wisdom.
Cudos for making the effort reaching out to your audience when you are obviously in significant pain. Like yourself and others here I also have had a bad back plus a discectomy. Started as a teenager and I'm now 67. I agree with your sentiment for constant learning and always pushing yourself to improve. Although I use Capture One and Affinity Photo one needs to push the boundaries of what can be achieved. As you said vision is the hardest aspect but unless you realise what is possible, this is where tutorials come in, then there may be limitations that you are not aware of. You always have good information to impart. I hope that your back improves quickly.
Having gone through back issues myself, including a laminectomy, your story resonates deeply. I know that intense fear you feel whenever you tweak your back. You wonder: Is this the big one? I'm hoping you get better soon friend. I appreciate you and your content. Thanks for what you do.
I feel for you as I'm going through some similar problems with my spine. It makes every day a challenge physically and mentally. Walking with our gear to take a photo can become almost to much to bear. It can put us in a bad place, this pain we are having. I have your older PS course and I will be purchasing your luminosity course this week. Best of luck on getting some relief soon.
Could you do online 1 on 1 mentorship while you’re recovering? A great opportunity for folks who can’t come on a workshop, and want to learn more from you! You could also create a kickstarter/gofundme for healthcare costs - so many of us have benefited from so much content you’ve created for free and would like to give back (and your back seems an important reason to do it)!
I watch the video to see how you feel now i really wish you speed recovery, everything will be okay don't overtaking what the future will be hoping for you speed recovery and success with the work all the best
Everything you have been saying about back pain I experienced it and it reminds me of how severe is the nerve pain that travels through the leg and makes standing up impossible. I can attest to definitely improving the post processing makes an old photograph more pleasing and that has been my experience.
I feel with you. Back pain and nerve pain are horrible. I myself have struggled with it for several years. Last year the nerve pain got so bad that I had to have surgery. The operation was successful, and today I'm fine, but I can't carry all my photography equipment with me when I go out for a walk. Hope your back gets better soon. Be optimistic. Looking forward to seeing many great pictures and videos in the future :)
Don't try to hide that Stormlight Archive quote at 26:30, mr. Nick 'Dalinar' Page. Anyway, I'm really sorry for you back pain and hope it get well soon. Looking forward for your next on-the-field video, you can get through this! Take care. PS: Just bought Advanced Concepts Volume 1, digging into it right now \m/,
Would you ever consider doing "online workshops" during this time to help people with post processing photos and photo critiques. I know that would be something I would be interested in and it could be a revenue stream for you when your are physically limited to outdoor events. My hope and prayer is you recover quickly and completely and get back to the two things you love, photography and golf. I really appreciate your sharing of knowledge and your open and honest approach. Best wishes to you.
Hey man sorry to hear about your back issues flaring up. I've never had back surgery, but I have suffered from lower back issues my whole adult life...and it absolutely sucks!!! You are one of those no-nonsense photographers that inspire me in my landscape photography. I've learned so much from you and will continue to learn, as I've signed up for one of your courses on Luminosity Masking..and others as I complete this one. I hope it helps even is a little bit. Praying for you, your health, and your wealth! Hope to see you back at it again soon.
I feel for you, Nick. According to the Doctor, I had a lower back issue in the early 2000s that would have left me paralyzed if not dealt with. I had surgery, and luckily I had a 98 percent recovery. For several years afterward, I still had some numbness in my foot. Since then, the numbness has gone, but I still have occasional pain from the area where they took the bone for the laminectomy. Hang in there, brother!
Dear Nick i i understand your pain as no other. i have a troublesome back, fotografie helps motivate me to get out and go for a walk. The process of photography helps me to keep me from going Koekoe☠ Take care
Lots of wisdom shared! Thanks Nick, I thought your comments were very relevant especially regarding motivation and PS. Hang tough Nick. I’m definitely in on a few courses.
I’ve had some back issues as well. Not as severe as yours but painful just the same. I hope and pray that you get some relief soon without any more surgery. I really messed my knee up last December and was off work and stuck in a chair for months. The bills started piling up and self doubt really started setting in. Money was starting to run out and the guilt of not being able to contribute or help in any way. I also thought about calling it quits and thought about suicide. I’m so glad that my family saw the signs and got me in touch with people who helped me through it all. Take care of yourself and I’ll be praying for you and your family.
I really like your message here. Sorry to hear about your back issues. I really admire you and your work, and agree some one-on-one virtual mentorships would be great. I for one would be interested. As far as the critics go…I don’t get what motivates people to argue on these things. I feel like if you don’t agree, then don’t agree and move on. Why people feel compelled to argue perplexes me. I guess I have better things to do, but I digress. Best wishes Nick!
Praying you feel better soon and you get a good resolution with your back injury. My dad used to get really bad back spasms and he had to lay down on a hard floor. I started with Lightroom and I do pet photography primarily. Getting out leashes in LR was difficult to say the least. When I got the Adobe subscription it made a huge difference taking out leashes in Photoshop. I love Photoshop. I do still manage images and do global adjustments in Lightroom. My issue with images especially those entered into competitions is adding something to the image that was not there. For example, changing a summer/Spring scene into a winter wonderland with snow (snow overlays etc.). That to me is more digital art than photography. I asked another pro photographer who does wildlife his distinction between digital art and photography art. His opinion is that the image should faithfully represent what is actually there. If it doesn't, like adding snow to a summer scene, then it's digital art. So, I like his definition. Just my two cents. I hope you feel better soon.
I love my inversion table! My back is no where near the shape of yours but, the issues I do have drastically improve with some hang time! I hope things mend up for you soon, sir!
I really hope your back gets better without the nerve pain or surgery…. I appreciate you videos and desire to push people to get better. I agree with about everything you say here… but I do have one minor thing to point out. There is a 1 stop ND grad. I own one made by format hi tech for a Colin p holder. And while I agree that they are not of much use on digital, if you shoot film, particularly slide film, you’ll find them useful. But even then I wouldn’t go past about 2 stops and always a soft edge.
Nick I just watched this a couple of days ago and I yeah I don't envy you. I hope you heal to a point where you feel better; even though it may never be 100 percent. But these days with so many advances in medical, you never know so just keep yourself as active as you can, keep your mind busy even if it's not photography related. Talking about grad filters; I think you are spot on. I'm not a pro and I have never used one in my life so perhaps I shouldn't really comment about this but from a purely logical standpoint, to me all it does is add more weight to an already heavy bag full of goodies (talk about adding more strain on one's back). I would rather save that option for later in post rather than ruin my photo because I didn't have my filter completely straight or something like that.
I had to learn my entire work life. That much that I simply don't want to invest this much free time for learning photoshop, sitting in a dark room staring on a screen. Which I already do 8h a day at work. I prefer to develop my photography as an art, not a craft. The photographs that impressed me the most over the years were rarely the shiny ones.
Our heart goes out to you. All in all, it was probably a bad move for humans to try this standing upright thing, and some of us pay a steep price for that evolutionary move. P.S. In my photography club I was asked to do a session sharing post-processing tips, and I focused mostly on the very technique for highlight control you covered in your last video. I gave you a plug.
Nick hang in there. Not an easy thing I know, but I like to say that "better days" are coming. Just focus on that thought regardless of your current state. It happened for you in the past and it will again. I just had my 7th eye surgery today and it has been a major two year disruption to my life and photography. I began in photography well over 50 years ago but I am just as eager to learn today as when I started. My darkroom knowledge and skills were honed with endless learning and years striving to be better. When I jumped to digital it was a major catchup game for me and there were times that I was ready to throw in the towel and give up because of the steep learning curve I was facing with PS. Your videos helped keep me in the game and gave me the hope I can could still create an image in PS that would be worthy of my darkroom prints. Have you in my prayers.
Finally, I'm watching the whole replay after just missing the live stream. I used to be in the "Lightroom is good enough" camp. Then I bought your PS course. Mind. Blown. I can't promote your course enough. Or Gavin's. Or anybody who makes Photoshop accessible. Even intimate scenes benefit from Photoshop. I must correct your math. Re the time lapse exposures for lightning: a 0.8 second exposure time at one second intervals means that the shutter is open 0.8 seconds out of every 1.8 seconds, but closed 1 second out of every 1.8. So that's actually a 55.6% chance of missing a strike, which still isn't bad if there's enough lightning around. 😉
Sorry to hear about your back pain. I am glad I never had to endure that, as the pain killers are so addictive. I like your message about growth and Photoshop is a great place to be. Everyone I know except me loves their Wacom tablets. I am left handed and using the shortcut keys feels so awkward. I've found it's easier to continue using a mouse. I've tried to learn twice, once even putting away my mouse for several weeks. It never stopped feeling awkward. I think the only way to ever learn the Wacom would be to completely remap the keys so they are easily accessible to my right hand. Maybe someday. I am open to any tips.
Dude Nick I feel your pain man...I got medically retired from the Army because of 2 ruptured disc's, degenerative disc disease, and Fascioarthritis in my hips, pushing myself in the Army ruined my body, but I wish you the best man....I'm not gonna pretend your problems are an easy fix but, I've helped my pain by refusing to let this make me sedentary....the more I move/walk/hike the better I feel....I hope the best for you man
