For those of you new to Attilios channel I just want to say that aside from the great information he provides you he also reads your comments. In my opinion, this is a big deal. I have learned so many things from him.
Hi Attilio, my husband and I follow you and love your work. Our nephew is a landscape photographer in Australia (we are in New Zealand). I know he follows you religiously and is a huge fan. Check out his great waterfall photography in the rainforest - Jeremy Payne Australian Landscape Photography Adventure. - Oh and please come back to NZ soon! Cheers Pam.
I have been to the Point Reyes shipwreck and to the trees over the road. Where were the trees? We walked back to the house at the back of the road and there were a million people there. We can't remember where it was though
I actually have 2 questions .. would you still prefer a physical grad ND filter, or do you think in most cases you can use Lightroom to add a darker sky in post? And secondly: do you typically use a polarizer together with a Little or Big Stopper in your sea/landscape photos ..? Thanks for your feedback!
ISO (Noise) + DR isnt a problem on smaller sensors anymore. I would bet that 90% of your community wont notice any difference between PQ in General. Take the camera, you already own, get a cheap Manual ultrawide (samyang 12 f2 for different mounts) and youre fine for Astro/landscape). Dont forgot that most of your viewers are probably newbies.
While it is true that prime lenses give better quality, it is also true that the difference in quality between a prime and a zoom, nowadays, can be difficult to appreciate for most users and, of course, what will act as a bottleneck to the quality of your photography, in effect, will be the worst piece of your equipment and that, undoubtedly for a beginner, will be you. So, with Atilio's permission, my recommendation is that you don't choose between a prime or a zoom because of the difference in quality but because of other considerations. It is true that a prime will force you to work more on composition and will help you learn, but it is also true that a zoom is "several lenses in one" and will allow you to experiment with the different points of view that different focal lengths provide, which will help stimulate your creativity. It is a question of style. Price and weight are also a consideration. And although I'm also a fan of using a tripod, I think you have to force yourself not to give up hand-held shooting on the right occasions, so if your camera doesn't have in-body stabilisation, make sure the lens is stabilised too. As for buying a full frame camera, 2 years ago my girl gifted me a new equipment and told me not to worry about the price. I compared the Fuji X-T3 (APSC) Sony A7III (FF) and Nikon 850 (FF). I compared prices and weight of the complete equipment I wanted (body plus lenses) and I chose the Fuji for price, but mostly for weight. A telephoto lens is going to be much bulkier on a FF than on an APSC. I must admit that I was also very attracted to the retro aesthetics of the Fuji. To this day I haven't regretted it. It's true that any of the 3 cameras would have been very good cameras, much better than my ability of course. And for resolution, dynamic range and image quality I was very tempted by the 850 but the weight difference was already too much and we mustn't forget that in landscape photography you have to walk with your equipment on your back.
The very last thing you should worry about is sensor size. It's a bit like the halcyon days of film, when as professional commercial photographer I started by using 5x7 plate cameras because it looked impressive and soon discovered that my 35mm minolta took shots, which pleased my clients and was so much easier to carry around. Digital full frame is a misleading term as it means nothing other than it's 35mm equivalent. I've taken hundreds of landscapes shots for publication using 8 megapixels and a much smaller sensor and haven't as yet had anybody query sensor size as a signifigant component in achieving decent images. Sensor size to my mind is more in line with ego, image (personal) and digital mythology.
I'm not a big fan of "zoom with your feet", because I'm often shooting around water and steep stuff. One thing I love about the versatile range of my 24-105mm f/4L is the ability to stay above the high tide line of a beach swept clean by the ebbing tide, and try different compositions by zooming. Once you walk up to that foreground object and leave footprints, there's no going back! The same applies to snow, frost, delicate wildflowers, anything which will show traces of your intrusion. I've even ruined shots by failing to realize I had splashed water onto the dry portions of rocks poking out of a lake edge, and it stood out in the finished image.
The best camera is the camera in your hands , I'm about to switch my dslr nikon do to it's weight I love it but an injury makes it hard so I'm actually looking in to micro four thirds not that it fit my normal things in low light and sport but I will make it work 🤗
Bags don't need to be fancy so I'd rate filters in my Top 5 instead. #6 for me is a great layering system. One needs to be prepared for hiking and shooting in all kinds of weather. Your Arc'Teryx shell is a perfect example.
Thank you Attilio, your explanation of dynamic range was simple and direct and very easy to understand. Yes, hopefully soon we will have more freedom to move around to photography all the beautiful nature around us.
I think as well you have to think what you want to achieve with it. If you dream on achieving the point where you can sell your prints, then you have to invest a good bit of money, but if you just want to do it as a hobby, to post it on ig, then there are cheaper options too. The important thing is not to give up on taking your photos just because you can't afford the besd gear out there. Except for the tripod, you definitely should get a good tripod, otherwise is just money down the drain and clutter in your house.
I was confused about the gear used in landscape photography, I believed that only medium format can give nice pictures.Thanks for the valuable information.
Same as you I have D810 with Nikon20/1.8, also Nikon 70-200/4 and 6 more lenses up to Nikon 200-500/5.6 for bird and animals photography coupled with D500. I think you missed one important gear in post processing which is fast computer with good IPS monitor, that is properly calibrated such as Benq Sw271 which I use. Otherwise I enjoy your presentations and videos.
Do you plan to switch to the Z system at some time, Attilio? I just got a new Z6 this week, just paid 1400 € for it with the very good 24-70 lens. Very happy :) Moved from Nikon to Fuji in summer but wasn't happy (even though the Fuji usability is excellent)
At 1:07 do I see the letter "a" from your logo.. and nearly ar.... in reverse.. (Mirror)... Getting to your video.. Great video.. Also important is having the right clothing for the weather.. I've been with other photographers getting sprained ankles because they did have the right footwear... same as wearing layers on clothing not one thick jacket...
Thanks Attilio, my aim this year is to acquire my first full-frame camera and filter system, but it will also require some new lenses. The Canon crop-sensor lenses are not much use on full frame, even with an adaptor, because you end up only exposing part of the frame. One other thing I would add, no matter what type of photography you do, you can be on your feet all day, so good shoes are essential.
Next question: How we can make money with landscape photo? Can you, Attilio? Is there a reasonable market out of stock images (it is not a big deal)? Sell prints? What you do with your wonderful imagens?
Dear Attilio, thinking about long exposure, what is your opinion about the EOS 5D SR and the EOS 5D mark III camera bodies. Which in yr opinion is best and why?
I had been using for some years the Canon 700D which is an APS-C (Crop Sensor) camera. My lense was the superb Sigma 18-35 F1.8! I took really great shots but times passed by, I finally purchased a Sony A7III and what can I say.... BOOOOM. The dynamic range is exceptional, noise handling took my frames 5 levels up! I do a lot of images at dawn and in pitch black night. The Canon (though I liked it really much) always struggled at any ISO > 800. Black shadows suddenly became purple and the noise started to come in like taking pictures in a snow storm. With the Sony I do really enjoy, having a gear that won't disappoint me. There is nothing more sad than standing 3h at night taking images of the milky-way but realizing in post processing that the MOMENT I HAVE CAPTURED is not what the camera was able to store..... If you don't have the budget, by second hand! Try, learn, experience and grow... Save money and then by the gear you have been looking for (so desperately). And I tell you what...again, you will grow! :-)
Considering the leaps smaller sensor cameras have taken in recent years the differences in iq, dr and noise capabilities have become much less noticeable. If you then add factors like size, weight and cost smaller cameras are a lot more attractive today than they where some years ago. Especially from a landscape view point since the gear might get dragged all over the continent. Nigel Danson makes a perfect example of this comparing the prints from an aps-c, a ff and a medium format. Sure, the bigger sensors have their pros but they are a lot smaller these days compared to before.
I concur as I now shoot with an APSC sensor (26 MB) and find it fulfills, for me, everything that Atillio discusses. I also find that software today permits adjustments allowing us to print in very large sizes, My switch to APSC was predicated solely on weight as my backpack felt as though it was loaded with bricks.
Yeah I don't think you really need a FF camera nowadays. Dynamic range shouldn't be an issue if you're on a tripod since you can just ETR or exposure blend if really necessary. Around 24MP is more than enough to print A2 and you can always shoot panos if you want a larger file size.
Thank you for your valuable tips. They have improved my photography greatly. In a week I will be travelling to the Australian Outback and your tips will enhance the photos I will take I am certain.
Attilio, I hope what I have to say here won’t sound too critical. I really like your channel and your videos. I even gave this video a thumbs up cause I like what you’re trying to do here! But I have some serious reservations with your recommendations, assuming we are talking to folks who are totally new to photography. . First, sensor size. To be clear, there are a LOT of ‘professional’ photographers who use APS-C with amazing results. And I know of a couple who use micro four thirds as well! A new shooter would be very unlikely to print large enough to need that size sensor. Nigel Danson did a great video blind testing the diff between FF and APS-C for prints that is worth a look. Very hard to see the difference unless you pixel peep or print HUGE. I shoot APS-C and am more than satisfied with my resolution and dynamic range, and I print a lot of my work. Print sizes, you do not have to print huge! If you’re new to this, printing will be expensive and you’ll likely be unhappy with your prints in short order as you improve your skills. Landscape photography can look amazing printed small. Please see the fantastic BW work of Adrian Villa who sells all his prints at 8x8 or 6x6. Tripods, you do not NEED a tripod for landscape photography. You can shoot off tripod, I do all the time, again many ‘pro’s’ do as well. I do believe tripods are indispensable tools for landscape photography in general and for as et of very specific creating styles, but don’t conflate extremely useful with necessary. Software. Sigh. Eventually, yes, but man I can’t imagine being a new photographer and trying to work out the fundamentals of light, composition, exposure etc. while also working on raw files and figuring out real post precessing. I think it’s much more important to learn about what and how you like to shoot, then learn about how to extend that with better processing later. My big concern that I have is I see so many relatively new photographers who take rigorous notes on this sort of advice and end up creatively paralyzed by the technical ‘requirements’ they’ve accumulated, not understanding these are at best ‘best practices’ for a specific style of photography and not for ALL landscape photography. If I was blogger I guess this is where I would have made a friendly ‘rebuttal’ video, but I wrote this novel instead. ; ) Please don’t be too offended, I really do value your work and advice, this is meant as a credibly counter debate only.
Hi David... thanks for your comment which of course does not offend me at all. I just disagree with it. I would have followed this tips (not rules) I would have saved a lot of money....that’s me! :-)
@@AttilioRuffo Thanks Attilio! One of my many other hobbies is traditional wooden boat building, where we have a saying about the costs of learning a new craft… ‘we all pay for our education, one way or another’. That cost for folks learning on their own is most often paid to our mistakes, which we hopefully learn from. I’m on the other end of your POV here I think where following very specific recommendations and views about what landscape photography is or what tools it requires, initially cost me my creative freedom. What matters most is both of us learned from our mistakes and improved in our craft. So don't think of it as money lost, but education earned! ; ) Cheers!
Great advice Attilio I actually upgraded my d5600 to a d810 and the difference is massive, I do miss the swivel screen though! The 6th thing I would say you need is drive, drive to get up to catch that early sunrise in summer, drive to go out in the miserable weather in winter!
Love your videos. Thank you. I have been shooting landscape,since 1971. Years of film..etc. I bought a D810 ,about a year after it came out.. and love it. I still use my Nikon prime lenses, 24,35,50, ,105 Macro. That's all I need. Gitzo 1327 Tripod. This gear suits my style perfectly.
Hi Attillo, I currently have a nikon D750 with 24 to 120mm lens (it came as kit). Any recommendations for proper use of this lens? Thank you in advance.
totally agree with the first 5 stuff. My 6th....a good monitor at least 100% sRGB space. Just one question, I know that you tried the Lee polarizer and now you use Haida, many photographers say that the lee polarizer is the best, is that true? The price difference is also considerable .... Ciao 👍
Great advice Attilio, I have just added a prime lens to my lenses. I did not do at the beginning what you suggested. I Bought cheaper tripods at first. I am trying to find a great tripod now. The first Nice tripod I bought had the clamps instead of the screw legs. I can't tell you how many times I pinched my fingers... lol. very aggravating. But.... I am considering the ifootage, but now moving toward FLM tripods, as it seems a good value for the cost. I have a light Benro tripod that is my travel tripod, which is a keeper. Time to sell off all the tripod mistakes I have made... LOL, so I can step it up without having to spend too much money out of pocket. Keep posting. Love your videos!.
For me the 6th thing is Extra Batteries, especially if carrying around Sony Mirrorless cameras. "Don't put a piece of plastic in front of your lens" Take those words seriously viewers, I learned that the hard way. Ordered a set of plastic ND filters for $35 and my photos were horrible. I ended up spending the $160 on a glass set and was night and day difference. Great video.
Hi Attilio: I agree with all of your recommendations, but I would add to the selection of a tripod would be a 'good' ball head and actually I would recommend a 'geared' head for the tripod. I have recently purchased a gear-head and I am finding that my compositions are getting much better because if causes me to slow-down and compose better images through the fine-adjustments that a gear-head can offer. Bye-the-way, did I detect a new potential T-Shirt option? Cheers, Keith (Canada)
This year I purchased a better tripod, carbon fiber. I ordered a ball head for it. It's still on backorder but last I heard they should ship sometime in April. Thank you for letting us know the essentials. I always enjoy your videos!
Wow! This is first video I have watched that simplifies some basic landscape photography information. I wish I had this information earlier when I was purchasing my camera 2 years ago. I had started using it and experimenting with my new camera. Then the pandemic happened and had to stop as family members came down with Covid. I used a hybrid camera camera before that was very limited. Hopefully this year will be much better. Any recommendations on reading materials for photography.
Professor, great lecture, wish that I still had my Nikon camera and lens, but they were sold by my Son, he was out of work. Now I shoot with a used Leica X1, awesome images. Looking forward to next week, stay safe
Very interesting video. Concerning the camera bag, you said a bag opening from the back for security. I would more say opening from the back so that when you put it down on a wet or muddy soil, it is not that part of the bag that goes back into contact with your back for the rest of the hike. 😉
6 point could be good sense for composition. Tip: Cam erlear on the place. Walk around, find the best composition and than wait for the est light in the late afternoon or early in the morning.
Thank you Attilio for another clear, motivating and inspiring video. The only downside of your videos is that they only come out once a week... my sixth item is definitely a remote shutter release. By the way, it comes a bit late but I failed to comment on last week's video which I absolutely adored. Take care Attilio and yes, we'll go out and about soon and no-one will stop the army of landscape photographers!
Thank you so much for this video, this helps me answer my concern but I am dilemma right now and where I need your help. I am starting off landscape and product photography learning and for that, I am considering buying my very first DSLR FX camera (yes it is Nikon), my choices are D750 or D780 with a 20mm 1.8 lense and kit lens. What you suggest about the body especially because I am confused between them. Another brand I looked at was Sony A7iii.
Attilio I have been following you for a a good few years now since I started landscape photography in 2014 . You inspired me so much to the point that I want to be just like you . You are a humble and honest man . Stay well my friend . Keep doing what you love , my belief in life is whatever you choose to do and if you enjoy whatever you do only then will you be good at it ! Doing it for money is to me the wrong reason . Do it because you love doing it , let your passion show in your work . Thank you for your blogs 🙏🏻
Thanks Attilio, another useful video. I have a questions, in your opinion what camera is a good choices for the landscape: D750 or D810 at the moment both camera is good value (second market of course) or maybe Z6? Thx.
Bel video, come sempre! Una domanda, per cortesia: com'è la visione attraverso la lente che appoggi sul display il live view? Mi piacerebbe comprarla, ma temo che non dia una vuona idea dell'immagine ( io possiedo d800e) Grazie!
@@AttilioRuffo cool - ill be sure to watch - I "try" to inspire folks to get out w their cameras and connect w nature and embrace the therapy that nature photography can provide. Emphasis on Try. :) I think you do the same
