The Location Myth in Photography You Probably Believe 🤔 

Huge thanks to everyone who has bought my composition ebook - I hope you're enjoying it. Your support means a lot! For those looking to improve their photography, grab your copy on sale now: geni.us/MyeBooks

For me, photography is not about the results. Photography is about the process. Being out somewhere with the camera trying to make art. I rarely travel more than a dozen miles from home.

I'm a self employed window cleaner in Lincolnshire, I always have my (heavy) camera bag with me, I find it helps with my mental health (which is sometimes really bad) even if I don't get my camera out of the bag. When it does come out then the magic happens, thanks for your constant inspiration Henry, photography is my strength.

Hi Henry. I like the way you are connecting with the majority of us in the last couple of videos. Great when you slip in one of these types of video occasionally.

Love how you post-processed that leaf photo!

Exactly Henry. And the thing that ALSO grinds my gears is the people that say 'oh you need a DSLR camera otherwise, you're not a photographer'. SAYS WHO!!!!!!????????? You can get the same results with a point and shoot camera, EVEN a smartphone. You don't NEED an expensive camera to do it. All the other concepts of photography like composition and lighting come from experience and knowledge. Not necessarily with JUST a camera.

Those kind of trails are what I always hike and when you slow down, you see the details of nature. Your images are beautiful !

Great leaf image, Henry. Another good reason for going local is that you can see the location at different times of day and in different seasons and weather, and see how the light changes, an important part of the photographer's toolbox.

I couldn’t agree more Henry, some of my favourite images I take are when I’m walking around with my aps-c camera in an unassuming location, I don’t always need epic with the GFX!

I live in a rural area in a village on the coast. I make a valliant attempt to walk every day (LOL) and always have at least a point and shot camera with me. Watching your videos inspires me to injoy the moment and as you said, I am sometimes surprised at getting some of my favorite shots so close to my house. Thanks for the motivation.

I have a park on my doorstep and I'm often found wandering around there taking photographs. Sometimes I focus on intimate photography and use my Sigma 105mm macro lens or my 50mm Nikon. Sometimes I'll go out with my Nikon 24-120mm lens and do something a bit more epic. I'm particularly fond of exploring my local park when a mist gathers or when there's a fresh snow on the ground. However, I do like getting away from my local area to explore unknown territory as often as I can. So I just want to thank you Henry for inspiring me to the point where I've just at age 54 passed my driving test. It was watching your videos that made me start taking lessons and made me follow it through to a successful conclusion. Cheers. I'm heading out with my camera on Sunday for my first wee trip with my camera. :-)

Great video Henry. Now that I'm retired I seldom leave home without my camera. I have a small sling bag that only just fits the Z7 and 24-200. I regularly go on 10 mile hikes. Man, Dog, Camera. Heaven.

I go out to enjoy the outdoors and grab a few pictures in a way to relax. I’m not a professional but I am always happy when I get back. You have introduced me to using a compact camera when I don’t want to lug twenty pounds of gear. You e-book has helped me to look at compositions in a better way and thanks to that. Keep them coming my friend. 😊

Excellent Video Henry, My thoughts are it's not looking for the EPIC Image, but doing exactly what you mention and just get out there and enjoy finding and taking images. My view on Epic is to at least set myself one photo challenge a month. Now that could be visit somewhere I have not visited, or set out to do something special in the field of photography like a particular genre, or water, lines, or faces etc. Keep up the great work Henry Awesome as always

Couldn't agree more Henry 😊 if the only time you get excited about photography, is when you see the perfect final edit of a photo you have taken, then maybe it's time to find another hobby 😅 it's wonderful when it all comes together, and you get a stunning final image, but there is so much to love about the whole process. I must admit, I still get bored editing now and then, but the more I learn and practice, the more fun it's getting ;) you talked the other week about that feeling of excited anticipation when you're out on a shoot, and that's also one of my favourite things with photography ❤

I'm moving in another month to a great little place out of the city, five minutes from a couple of state parks filled with coastal redwood forest. I've decided my first assignment will be photographing my postage stamp of a back garden! The midafternoon light there is glorious. The fun along the way is the best part. Thanks for that.

I see that you're on the 1st page when I searched "photography locations in Scotland". I've also linked it to a post on my Phil Clayton Photography FB page for anyone interested or travelling to Scotland and on my personal FB account 😉

Henry, once again it's great to see you showing us how we shouldn't feel less inspired by more accessible locations and reminding us that gear isn't a barrier to enjoyment of photography! I've really enjoyed the previous weeks vlog, and this one just added to it.

I went to London a few weeks back for a day trip with my wife, wasn't a photography trip, and instead of carrying my Sony A390 or my Lumix G2 I took my Samsung WB150f compact camera to document the day, it's not the greatest of cameras but it did the job. Now I am looking at getting a better compact camera.

Found your blog, Henry. So much helpful information - love that you linked your videos - for when I finally do get there!

Great content and sentiment Henry, thank you.

What wonderful photos, Henry! I loved the solitary leaf, and - what appeared to a favorite of yours - the white flower. By coincidence, the day before I was in a nearby pine forest looking for simple and tiny subjects (wild mushrooms) in a nearby pine forest, and in the afternoon tried-out my shiny new flashgun and diffuser on some flowers in my garden. It was a very enjoyable few hours, and I learnt something from the trips. (It was worth being out in the winter chill. Yes, Australia can get _cold._ ) So to watch your clip the following day provided validation and inspiration.

I enjoyed the video as usual Henry. You are absolutely right, you don't have to go to fantastic location's all the time. I trip to a nearby Wood or a nearby seaside town is just as good and very enjoyable. Catch you on the next one.

The best camera is the one you have in your hands. Great video Henry!

I get it in similar way. Actually I started photography as an excuse for myself to go out and spend more time in the Nature. So even if I get back home without nice photos - im still happy because I feel nicely exhausted by walking in park or riding bicycle.

Perfect timing Henry. Just last weekend I went to a local reserve to find fungi to photograph and had a great time as well as enjoying the woodland walk. Next time I will take my macro lens and a small tripod but got some cool images. Most of my images are epic scenery too but I did enjoy the intimate shooting experience too as I could share the searching with hubby who came along as an extra set of eyes!! Keep up the great videos!

Great vid and photos, the reasons and ideas for being outdoors brought it home, to remind me to get out there. Top job 'H'

I love this type of video, Henry. Your images are beautiful and you have highlighted the importance of just enjoying the process of photography without getting hung up on gear or results. I have just googled your blog post and I'd highly recommend it for anyone who is heading to Scotland soon. It's full of great advice and information and so detailed. It deserves a high google ranking for all that excellent content.

Sometimes I don't have time to go out so I love just wander around home with my camera and the macro lens and spend time looking for tiny subjects, flowers and bugs, it's relaxing.

I Googled your blog on Scotland! Nice job on that! Thanks for taking me along!

Thanks for this vedio. Understand, nature alone is epic! Local, your hometown nature is epic! So many focus on the grand vedio with shots most people could never take or have the means to take. BUT, explore you world and find those epic shots!! SIMPLITY IS EPIC!!!! PLEASE do more vida like this. And yea, practice so when you find yourself there, you are ready!!! New sub here

Another great video, and interesting subject matter Henry. I do this kind of thing about half dozen times a year, in the late winter months early spring I venture up a pathway that runs along side my local railway line, and I capture images of what is growing on the wall top, I do not have a point and shoot, so either use my phone camera or my camera, and enjoy shooting raindrops which are can have there own landscapes reflected in them, the whole process of the above is relaxing and therapeutic

Great video, thank you! 📷

I used to do this so often, find small things to photograph. Somehow I started doing this less, kind of a shame! Maybe I should do this again sometime! I love the image of the leaf at 7:15!

The ebooks are excellent, just like the videos…Oh and not much scrolling required on the Google search, you were right in the no.1 spot! 👍

Great video, its always nice to spend time and take photographs in your local area!

Great video. I agree with the sentiment

Hi Henry great video I think it’s all about getting out enjoying nature and slowing down and taking it all in, to me that is what it’s all about 😍

Well said Henry!! I have heard many “Pro” photographers say you can’t get good images without being in front of the seven wonders of the world (for lack of a better phrase). However, I have never subscribed to that idea. I think you can get good images just about anywhere. Will they be award winning? Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be good. Thanks for sharing!!

When you have mobility issues, going to places such as this is a godsend 😊👍

I love that you are capturing the beautiful complexity of simple images. I was thinking that the moss-covered stone fence would have been another beautiful image to capture. And have you ever looked closely at the bark on trees? They are all so different. Some have patterns and colors, other are craggy and rough. They are incredible.

Going to Scotland in one month, already bought your ebook on photo locations. Will be visiting a couple of them. I often shoot locally, photographers like you inspire me to do so. Only thing is, I'm not really a "bad weather" person 😅 so I go out only when it's dry.

I enjoy the end-to-end process of photography. Working out where I am going to go, scouting around, getting some images, processing and, often, making a photobook. I just love that process and, yes, a great image is just an added bonus. 🎉🎉🎉

Another spot on photography subject Henry! No epic landscapes in my western Wisconsin USA location. For me, going out with the camera is all about the anticipation of finding and creating something special and the excitement when it happens. If it doesn't, being buzzed by a hummingbird or stared at warily by a deer and her little fawn is just as good. BTW, my Google search found your article on the top of the second page of my results. Nice article with that unmistakable Henry Turner touch!

Henry , a point well made regarding practice. A small group of us locally go out weekly and take images, sometimes 'epic' locations , more often parts of the town or country where we live, the more you work at photography and be constructively critical of your own offerings and learn from it , the better your images will become. We should not forget this is a journey and you do not pick it up, and be the maestro in 30 days. As always this video enjoyable and certainly makes you think and engage. Love the reduced cost approach to increase your google search engine rating 🤣

That leaf image was a beauty Henry and done a google search for your blog and it came up as the second link on my google page. Totally agree experience first, image second as being out is the priority. I done a couple of images recently that I took in my home town and the one thing about being local is the chance to keep honing the photography craft so when you do go to the epic locations your more attuned to what you should be doing.

Thanks Henry for an interesting video & comments. I would love to get out more & take pics of whatever I fancy as I am not physically able too these days (81 yrs old)...so I really appreciate & enjoy your work... looking forward to seeing more of your experiences... cheers from Australia 🦘🦘😊

Thanks!

Your book is on place four of my Google search 😃. I also just sign up for your news letter while scrolling through your page. As I am limited mobility wise, I do a lot of local shooting. I have to say though that I live in a quite photographable area, so that helps a lot 😅. But I like to do that kind of "spotlight" photography as I call it as a relaxing little practise, preferably with limited gear like your little canon, especially after a rain shower. But man, Henry, I so love the leaf picture and your editing! All the best from Germany, wish us luck for tonight so we can meet at the semi finale 😬😅

Hello Henry. Your video made me think about why I do photography, and I believe it goes like this. First, and most importantly, I love being out in nature, I always have, even when I was a little nipper and knee high to a grasshopper. Secondly, I love photography, and being out with my camera, I do landscapes mostly, but I happily try other genres also. I'm happier when I go home with some images that I really like, but it rarely spoils my day if I don't, and these days I will just delete if I don't like the photos that I took. I enjoy visiting epic locations, but most of my work is in and around Norfolk, where I live, and I like that. In short, being out in nature with my camera is good for my soul, and it fills me with happiness! So yes, I agree with what you said. I do like the idea of getting a little point and shoot though, so I can just stuff it in my pocket when out walking the dog etc.

Thought l was the only one who just enjoys being out with the camera. Brilliant work,,,,,,,

The wonderful thing having a local area you like to take photos can be the familiarity. If you get home and realise a photo didn't turn out the way you had hoped it is possible to go back and try and take the shot or something similar again. For me it has been a great way to build my skiils and confidence as a photographer.

Totally agree with the sentiment of this vlog. I thought your editing of the vlog was excellent and continuity was uninterrupted even when switching scenes. Very clever!

I live in a National Park here in Germany 🇩🇪 and i love the adventure of searching for my own unique "epic " photos in Schwabianland 😂! Scotland is own my bucket list to visit one day but i love the small adventures too!!

Henri, Just looked for your blog on Google, US website… You were #6. Enjoyed the blog as well having lived in Scotland for a few years before returning to the States. Really enjoy your work, thanks for sharing! As always, keep snapping…

Hi love seeing your images. Can you advise how you get the black looking background in images you showed like one with wet leaf etc. Thanks

We live in the country and have a State Park about 5 miles away. We are super lucky to have such a nice place to shoot. Plenty of creeks and trails full of magical subject matter.

Hi Henry, I always love your videos!!! I don't comment that much, for that I'm very sorry!!! How do you make a living as a full time landscape photographer??? Who do you sell prints to??? Hahahaha an idea for a video!!! I love being in the woods it's so peaceful! The one inch size point and shoot cameras are crazy good!!! Perhaps one day they will make a come back!!!!👍👍👍

I think we need to redefine what is an "epic photograph". I've gone to a number of areas in Ontario and shot epic photos. Wide vistas, sunsets, sunrises, panoramas, events, etc. Earlier this year I bought a 105 mm macro lens for my Nikon Z5. And I have to say that I photographed what I would call some epic images in my back yard garden especially after it rains. I've taken my macro lens on a hike in my local woods to look for small images of things. Which I would say have turned into epic images. Which brings me back to the question; what is an epic photograph? And I think for me the answer would be, that image, that photograph, that speaks to me. Have you ever looked at a composition either with your eye or the back of your camera and heard that voice that quietly says, yes. It doesn't matter what it is your photographing or where you are. But suddenly it's just there and you're in the zone. Then bang there is the image and it's epic. Sure we've all shot our fare share of rubbish photographs that leave you with: what the hell was I thinking? If you where to line up 10 photographers and asked them; what is an epic photograph? They'd more than likely give you 10 different answers. But that's ok because that what it's all about. So again; what is an epic photograph? Sorry didn't mean to turn this into an esoteric discussion. But that is the nature of our art.

I enjoyed this video and I especially like to see photographers show photos that are different from what they usually share. I am retired and photography is just a hobby for me. I enjoy trying different genres, including macro, landscape, portraits, street photography, etc. However, I always wonder if I would be better off focusing on one area and getting better at it. How do you find that balance between immersing yourself in one genre and exploring many types of photography?

I went out this week to the Leeds Liverpool Canal, in the Liverpool end, and walked a couple of miles along there, just to practice with my camera and tripod, Also I like taking photos with my Iphone 14. Loved the video. I bought the ebook last week, and have just Googled your blog.

I can enjoy trying to take a bumble bee in my front garden just as much l as taking some great landscape shots up in Norway. Fully agree its the process of getting out and having a go. Thats one great pocket rocket of a camera you have there Henry. Must be quite liberating without camera bags and all the tackle you take around. Like the "square crop foliage" collection you are creating 😅 Ps found your blog (was about 8th down). now going to read it.

Thank you for doing this. I own a Z9, Z8, and all the lenses to support our biennial trips to South Africa, plus those to catch the moments that beautiful Vermont affords. However, more and more, I resist getting in the Toyota to seek out photo opportunities because getting in the Toyota is part of the huge world problem. Rather, I resist turning the car key and instead heading to the woods around us, seeking the little pics: little pics that might do my little things for helping to save this great big beautiful world.

I've got to agree with you Henry. I can't get mors than a few hundred yards from my flat as my fibromyalgia has got so bad the last couple of years or so. I have taken many more and better foties in that time, yet my scope for foties is very limited these days. I am lucky that I live c. 400m from Kendal Castle and c. 200m from the River Kent. Two of my foties have gone onto Flikr explore recently even though they were only taken within 400m of my front door. Keep up the good work. ❤

This vlog reminds me of this saying... “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks” John Muir So true.. just being out there is the key, the magic happens whenever you do.... Andy C

Hello mate! How's things? Another video I'm really glad you made, because I fully agree with you. You don't have to visit these epic, grand vistas to get epic photographs, and it's a good job to, or else I'd have got bored a long time ago! 😂😂I've taken some of the best photographs I've ever taken in my local woodland or even in my local park! As you know, I find it a bit difficult to travel very far, (at least, I do when I try it too often!) So sometimes I have to make the most of where I can actually get to. 😊😊 It's been good practice for me actually, because it's forced me to photograph something a bit 'different' in an area that is very familiar to me. By the way, I looked on Google for your 'Top 10 photography spots in Scotland'. Your site was the 4th on the list!

I agree - I got a few local woods around, and I'm still capable of producing decent shots there. Sometimes I won't even take my DSLR - just my phone at times to practice my composition, and simply work with what I got that day. Sure, sometimes I'll think "I wish I have my DLSR with me", but as I said, you have to work with what you got.

I walk because I hate running 😂 Photography for me is hobby but one I’m passionate about. I have been fortunate enough to visit numerous epic locations both at home and abroad but I feel just as privileged to be in my local area whether that be for landscapes, wildlife or urban shoots. I have learned from not only yourself Henry but others I follow to “look closer” the smallest subjects can make for incredible images if you get things right. Your intimate images are testament to that 👌 and it doesn’t matter what gear you have, virtually everyone owns a smartphone now that have really good cameras (when’s the last time you saw an advert for a smartphone where it mentioned you could make a phone call with it) 🤔 Since taking up photography more seriously a few years back, I certainly view the world differently and it’s opened my eyes to the wonders around us every day 😉❤️📷

Great to see the mighty little G9X being put to serious use. But be warned - do NOT put it in a pocket. The G9X is (a) not sealed the way a good quality SLR is and (b) you can't clean the sensor. Together, these two things are a very nasty combination. It doesn't take much at all to get dust and grime into the unsealed G9X, and then you start getting horrendous blotches on your pictures. The only way to clean it is to completely disassemble the camera. This is a non-trivial procedure, well beyond the skills and tooling most people have: you have to take it to a professional camera repairer and the cost is high - several hundred dollars or about 1/3rd of the cost of the camera in the first place The answer is to have a clean, lint and dust free container to carry your G9X around in. You simply can't treat it the way you can treat a 5D or an EOS R. (Ask me how I know.)

I don't have a problem going out locally to hike with my camera, in fact taking my camera is a good excuse for a hike. Also, where I live I'm a couple of hours from many interesting landscapes so I don't have to travel far. But your point is well taken, get out locally as often as you can with your camera.

I really love your solitary leaf photo. I see your setting. But may I ask what metering mode did you use, so that it looks so moody? Was it spot metering?

I use to to have same camera was Sony was getting good enough pictures your right don't relly need to have expensive camera

Hi Henry, wonderful shots of the flowers. Cmon then, tell us how you did the processing for that captures, the dark background is amazing and shows the flower head of to its best. Stay loose mate👍😎

Love this vlog with your little canon camera but I wish you had displayed the out of camera photo as well as the photoshopped image because I bet there's quite a difference between the two images?

I've learned to take pictures anywhere. Its about finding the interesting images in what normally looks like a benign environment. Oftentimes you don't get an epic shot, but sometimes you do and it surprises you.

I teach photography.No I don't have a RU-vid channel because I prefer to have face-to-face teaching with my photography.But I echo Henry's thoughts.That photography can be a simple simple walk through a nice area with a small camera or even a phone I prefer people to have a camera because it gets him off their phone but it's always enjoyable

I have found that there is always an awesome local location I have not photographed that I have yet to visit.

So, I decided to take a shot of Scotch Whisky each time you said "EPIC' and eye thot ths was a grreeat videeo! i reellly enjoyyed itt a lott!! EPIKK! HA!! clksacm lcacnsalk

I dont mind if you dont go to Epic places. In fact, as someone who suffers from osteoarthritis and i cant walk very far, i love seeing how you get great images from the ordinary things in life...like leaves this week..keep it up Henry

Make the ordinary, extraordinary!

I avoid Honey Pot locations - hate queuing, especially for an image. Some of my most visually appealing photos were taken in my garden.

Hi Henry, could I possibly pick your brain? I'm doing the NC500 in August, I'm taking a Nikon d7500 with a kit lens, and a sigma 18-50 (I think )macro would these be sufficient, if not, what would you take ( I'm just beginning) thanks for any input. Ps: really enjoying your videos.

I love this kind of vid 👌 always interesting and love your take on it I’ve had a lot of health issues that have made it hard to lug my big camera kits about a lot of the time. I also love macro photography, now most of the time I have my iPhone and an anamorphic and macro lens to go with and that all fit in my pocket. The quality is not the same but it’s enough to enjoy and it’s kept me taking pictures! I also have gimbal and love doing landscape Timelapse’s. Tryfan is about 15 mins from me and there’s some brilliant things to photograph underfoot that get missed 😃

In the close up photos how do you get the black backgrounds please?

Question please Henry, how did you achieve the black background on the image of the Sea Thrift and the other little flower please? Inspired by your video, just need to get out at every opportunity and take photos. Practice and practice.

Oki Bro - if you don't mind, I was admiring your shoes. Would you be willing to share some info on them please?

I will go anywhere, it’s the whole experience for me that matters and I absolutely love nature.

How many megapixels does your point and shoot have?

Shinrin-yoku?🌲🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌲

mate the local woodlands(national trust/ forestry england/country estate land) is my only choice! Amazing what you'll find.

Found your blog on google 👍

👍📷😎

I'm actually a bit bored of the epic locations like Patagonia and Iceland that all the RU-vid photographers adore. There are thousands of unknown but equally beautiful views all around the world. Staying local taxes your creativity more too - limitation makes you work harder to get great shots, like with your compact camera choice. Cheers, good video as ever!

Henry buauty is every were just stand and look 👍

Wow, that leaf at 7:11 is 'National Geographic'.

The best photography happens in your local woodlands!! (Landscapes is easy) 😀👍

If you are out and about be grateful and enjoy your photography whatever and remember those less fortunate!

This weekend, instead of going out with my sigma 150-600mm, I'm going out with my 17-55mm to get some intimate shots around a wildlife reserve.

I have taken great pictures in an epic location, my back garden.

"Top 10 Photo Spots in Scotland" Googled, read, and bookmarked!