Iceland Landscape Photography - Did it make or break me?
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- čas přidán 30. 09. 2023
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Iceland was my first workshop for the autumn of 2023. As many of you know I had suffered with poor mental health again over the summer after having COVID, and I was a bit concerned about the trip. In this video I share my thoughts and images from the trip.
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Alister, the content (photo’s particularly) are excellent! The creativity is phenomenal. The darkness does indicate your countenance at the time, but that is a component of anyone’s creativity in that moment. Thank you for sharing not only your work, but more importantly, yourself. Keep on snapping!
Great reminder that photography can be all about the experience, not getting the shot you think others or social media want to see from you. It's freeing when you give yourself permission to take a photo just because you like what you see.🙂
Light Punching Through (early in video) of the shot on the sea doesn’t highlight Iceland, doesn’t degrade how uplifting that shot is. Love it.
What am I going to say - for me it was an adventure that can't be compared with any other photography trip. It meant going out without pretending. Showing up in the landscape as who I was at any given moment. Embracing nature, embracing each other, feeling ourselves, being nourished and healed. Your images immediately brought back visual but also emotional memories. It was special and I'm grateful for the experience I had. ❤
Rush , Subdivisions will give you a big hug
For long, I found my hometown very ugly, and found it difficult to find places worth of taking a photo of. But since I started watching your videos, I was reminded of a different creativity inside me of, as you say, just noticing and taking in things that do interest me, instead of waiting for the impossible. I can actually enjoy taking my camera with me suddenly. Thank you for the inspiration, reminding me of the creative aspects I had forgotten.
I too try to find quirky images. Simply wondering around with eyes open you experience more than the people who need to produce an image everyone loves. The blue light reflections I love. Although I've photograph the seacoast many times at sunrise I watched the blue light move across a rock and waves. My photographs never looked great while my memory provides me a wonderful memory.
Alister, your perseverance is inspiring. For me finding something that I enjoy helps me stay focused and not dwell on negative thoughts. They say that an idle mind is the devils playground. Photography has become an important part of my wellbeing, I don’t always get the keeper shots but just being out there in my local park is usually enough to keep me balanced on the tightrope that I walk everyday. Thanks for sharing, I always enjoy your videos.
Many thanks, I appreciate that a lot. Yeah, some people take it so seriously - they must make a product!
A brilliant story and video. I concur, take what you see and if you like it that is all that matters. Thank you for sharing all your thoughts, Alister
Thanks for sharing your Iceland experience. Went to Mammoth Lakes last week and the first day was very cold with light rain and hail! I wish I had carried warmer clothes as the clouds and mist were so moody. I did get a few shots, running back and forth from the car. The remaining days were perfectly clear, and the colors are more vibrant, but I like the moody shots better. Getting out and capturing the wonder and beautify I see, to share with others is amazing therapy.
Lovely thankyou, really love the images you showed us.
I wear rose coloured glasses & everything looks great from behind the camera, just a happy clicker.
I didn't do much photography I wanted to preserve my back for Spain. I'm waiting to be there and see a different landscape than usual. I have no expectation, just enjoy time in nature and learn from you, from your experience in photography and life. I'm feeling fragile at the moment and hope to draw some energy, creativity, tears and joy from this ocean and the group. Thanks mate and see you soon.
Can’t wait
That was a great session Alister. I agree, I'm 69yo & just take photographs to please my curiosity. Up untill 4-5 years ago I was entering competitions & hoping others would compliment me and give be awards & validation. I found it undermined the reason I started photography & particular "Landscape Photography". I'm now satisfied to just be happy with getting a reuslt I WANT to look at and no one else. Although, it is noce to have positive comments from others. Cheers from Aus until next week.
*Sending virtual cuddles Take care, Alister.
I’ve been in a bit of a creative hole for the last year, it feels like. In some ways having something to get you out can be a good thing. For me it was just taking some pictures of my partner’s riding lesson last weekend. Trying to capture the movement of the horse. Just fired up something as we come into autumn.
8 years since we did the Westfjords - got blazing sunshine for a week….
Love picture number 5 and 8! The message “deal with what you have” is so important!! Thank you for making these important and inspiring videos 💚
Many thanks - I am now in Spain with wall to wall blue sky and loving it ❤️
great set of photographs. thanks for sharing.
Excellent output, Alister!
This year has been different as SWMBO officially retired starting January 1st so my weekday wanderings have shrunk but I do have a companion. We did take a town sponsored lighthouse tour on Long Island Sound where I made a couple of images that "blew up" (at least for me) on Flickr.
It's funny I go to Iceland every year in November because my wife attends Iceland Noir and it give me a week to explore. Now November is not the best month to explore Iceland. It's not summer and it's not winter so it is challenging. It's beautiful none the less but I find the photography challenging. When I got home last year I was really disappointed with the photos I took until I started to go through the photos on my phone. I would spend the day texting my wife iPhone photos that were exactly me pointing my "camera" at things I thought were cool. At the end of the trip I had a wonderful time just being out and about in an amazing landscape that is far removed from my humble home here in rural New Hampshire. I'm planning my trip for next month and I hope to take your advice and just point my "big" camera at things I think are cool and enjoy my time out in nature!!
I used to feel like I had to make that image but I went out with Tony Higginson one day and it literally changed the way I approached photography. Since then I'm shooting whatever I like, doesn't matter if it's a grand vista or rocks on the beach. It's about making a memory of something that made a connection with you and the landscape. In my own experience when I started shooting what I liked, my quality of images went up too. People are so caught up in that one main subject but in reality there are subjects all around. Tony once told me focus on details and the bigger image becomes easier to make. And it's true. Great videos Alister really enjoying them.
Your thoughts are always stimulating Alister. I like your more abstract intimate shots more than the big scenes but that is a personal choice. I feel these are the images that speak to me more about your creative individuality. Unlike you I don't have to make a living from my photography, so I have none of the pressure of a professional landscape photographer like yourself to please others. I can do my own thing and make images I want to make and photographs that please me - if other people like them that is great but it is not my primary motivation. As for light, the only bad light is no light. Yes, the light can make or break an image, but in my experience there is no light you just wouldn't bother going out in. Grey overcast days can be brilliant for woodland and close-up photography. And if the light is bright harsh and contrasty, try monochrome or look for refractive light patterns in water. If you are waiting around for some magic light to happen in a majestic landscape you will almost never take a photograph. On a side note, I would argue - a little bit contrary to you - that what looks good (cool) to the eye does not always translate to a good photograph and the opposite is true - sometimes the scene that doesn't catch your eye is the photograph. The camera doesn't see quite as the eye sees and I like to take advantage of this to create interesting images. Training yourself to see and recognise what makes a good photograph is half the battle.
Exactly! On my worst days, I find myself driving around on backroads, looking for anything and maybe something to drive the blues away. It can be grass in the wind, drifting snow or a tiny bird that suddenly appears and all is well. Nature heals me and so do your vlogs- thank you so much.😊
Thanks for bringing once again a positive and genuine analysis of your process. I stopped shooting images 5 years ago after a respected photographer I knew and admired was killed in a freak accident when away on an adventure in the US. He had just became a father and his family was here in Australia when it happened. It somehow tapped into my own mortality, how could someone so respected, funny, helpful and young be taken like that. I haven't been able to do much with my camera since then. I hope to return to it soon and your words about enjoying the moment, the experience resonate with me. I can remember the thrill and joy when capturing a moment that had to be captured. It filled me up, I think once I get into the field again, I will find my mojo once again. Cheers, Rich
Great video - as usual ❤
Thank you ever so much for this one, Alister! Very simpel, very beautiful photos - simply beautiful. I love to hear you are getting better mote and more. I think such a emotional reaction happens naturally when our organism is exhausted after a period of being engaged with a virus. Anyway - it‘s real nice to see you back in the mode of an enthusiastic photographer and nature loving man. Looking forward to hear and watch your oncoming impressions of Spain. With kind regards and my best wishes , Martin
I think is is wonderful that you first recognised how you were feeling, and then considered others at that time... truly selfless.. As for the trip and how it helped you, that's great ...
The images you identified in the landscape were special, and brought out aspects that I never appreciated when I was there.. a big lesson learnt for me 👍
This, my friend, is one of your best and most inspiring videos. Selfishly, I loved seeing your workout with the 100s as I am still immersing myself into it and still desiring to explore all of its capabilities. I am actually opening up my mind to use the jpegs. Number #5 of your shots really impressed me.
Interested in your use of a black mist filter on some of those images Alister
Fantastic first look, I look forward to seeing what you will make of these when you do process them!
Definitely some beautiful photos Alister.
Shapes and light is what I will take away from this selection of your Iceland photos.
I’m starting to get back into photography after a very busy year working, I’ve had a completely break since April because I’ve just not had the time. Shamefully I’ve not even been watching any photographers on CZcams either.
I’ve also had a set back with a broken ankle 3 weeks ago which is going to delay any photography as well. The one thing that would help my mental health would be a bit of time in the countryside with the camera, but it looks like that’s going to be quite a while away.
Hi Alistair, great video. I'm definitely going to try out the 65x24 aspect ratio. Not able to crop in camera but will keep in mind next time I shoot. I'm recovering from two open heart surgeries and still have hole in the heart issues so getting out and about can be quite challenging physically and mentally. I live on the edge of Exmoor so can find plenty of inspiration locally but it's frustrating. The spirit is willing...etc etc. I love the mind set of photographing what excites you personally. I post on Facebook for family and some local photographers, whom I respect. Have to admit I do get a buzz from a few likes, the 'grand vista's' are most popular but I also have an infrared converted camera that produces very different artistic images that I really enjoy, not so popular with my 'audience' though! Love following your photographic and emotional journey. Keep up the good work.
Allister---great news !-I'm off to the Eastern Sierra this week and not exactly excited either... this is my 30th year in the business so maybe that's it? But one I get going and on the way I'll be fine. Also I have a great group! This area is perhaps my favorite west of the Mississippi so it will be wonderful.--Lets' chat when we are both butting up 2023... maybe a podcast!--Best regards,
JG
Good to hear nobody killed you and you appear to have enjoyed the trip.😁
I like those images and recently something's starting to click that the self enjoyment is what it's all about. Along with that I've recognized that if I do the best I can without stunning light, then that's all you can do. Don't get me wrong I still want to shout at the World but little steps.
Anyway any names of Pano photographers of the 70s/80s to look out?
Colin Prior started it all off for me. Thanks for the greet comment thanks
@@Alister_Benn aye did the occasional pano 🤣
Thanks for the JPEG recommendation. Looking at RAW captures on the back of the camera can be depressing.
"Throw a wobbler"?
ugly rant - but only because i actually and truly care. please please please consider dropping the video title as question trope. it's over. thank you for your channel.