A flash with a proper diffuser. This helped me out not in landscape, but basically in every other scenario. And improving in one branch improved in parallel all other branches as well.
The L-Bracket totally helped my photography as well... but not just for use with the tripod but I will actually use it as a tripod itself! Simply by placing it on a solid surface for quick and easy stability.
As a photographer for 35 years and a musician for 50 years, the equipment helps you to achieve what you envision as a photographer and a musician up to a point. As a trumpet player I can make a $600 trumpet sound like a $6000 trumpet but it takes more effort to play the $600 trumpet. When a novice trumpet player plays the $6000 trumpet, the sound will be like a $600 trumpet. The equipment will make the process of creativity easier but it is what's between the ears that creates the final results.
My wife and I are both photo hobbyists. Two years ago I told my wife I wanted an L-bracket. She said I want one too. I asked if she knew what it was. She replied no, but if I wanted one, she wanted one.
The piece of gear that improved my photography the most wasn't photography gear but outdoor gear. It gave me the chance to be more and longer outside, everywhere and in any kind of weather! :)
Another gear suggestion: tripod without center columns. If you can get the camera to just above ground level, that opens a whole new world of landscape photography angles. Not only that, but there's flowers, fungi, insects, etc (even without a macro lens) that are way more accessible to shoot from their level instead of from way above them.
I thought a tripod with a center column can get you closer to the ground than one that does not have a center column. You mount the camera on the bottom of the center column.. If you don't like it being upside down, buy instead of an L bracket, a full bracket that goes around the camera that has arc swiss plate on the top of the camera. The lens and camera can touch the ground which is as close as you can get.
@@IAmR1ch way, way too much faff. Besides all the hassle of inverting the column, I've got the tripod legs in my way. Screw that. All I have to do is spread my tripod legs out, mount the camera on the left side of the L bracket and then flip it to the right. My camera is 3 inches off the ground and fully accessible. If I need it lower than that I'd just rest it on the ground.
I usually fold the legs upward then flip the whole setup upside down. But I hate doing that because using the camera upside down takes a lot of practice. Plus, then aren't locked into position and I'm always scared it going to slip. Not good when doing this right over water.
I totally agree with your thoughts about cropping images from cameras with lower resolution in post processing. That’s one reason I sold my X-T2 and switched to Nikon Z7. Now I have more resolution to crop my images. Of course your 100MP camera is a beast and gives you way more room for that, but maybe there are more affordable cameras in the future with higher resolution. A sturdy tripod is mandatory for my photography as well as a L-Bracket. The only thing I don’t use anymore is a camera-strap because I put my camera as often on my tripod as I could. I find the strap quite annoying. But this is my personal preference. Have fun in Acadia!!
Totally agree with walking around with the camera without a lot of equipment or a tripod. I keep my Fuji X-T4 in a hip bag and use a peak design wrist strap to carry when I take it out. No strain on the neck, no flopping around, and its so easy to pop in and out of the bag when needed. An all day solution.
Man.... I really respect you. You are the best photographer content producer on youtube. I follow a ton of them and you always deliver honest, real content. Cheers Mark. I appreciate you.
100% agree on the strap. I am 10x more likely to take a picture on the hike to a destination if my camera is already out. Plus, those animals sneak up so quickly so I have to be ready!
A big one for me was going from standard screw on filters to magnetic ones. I really hated to change filters, but now it's so quick, I find myself more willing to try different filters much more often. You didn't see the deer run behind you at 15:00. But then you saw some out In front of you.
I think that the growth you captured on the log is called Pale Scale Lichen. Lichens are an organism that is actually a symbiotic combination of a fungus and an algae. They are a very cool organism!
Love my over the shoulder BosStrap. It lives on my camera. If I need to secure it for tripod use I have a could clips that work to secure it to the tripod. I also carry a light-weight, short, folding step-stool. Being older it helps getting back up from a low position.
I’ve been using a tripod from Leofoto with a built in leveling base, which is handy when shooting panoramas. I also incorporated a L bracket from Kirk Enterprises with their quick release system that allows quick transfer from my Black Rapid camera strap to the tripod and back to the strap. That is a real time saver.
What helped me most was going for a lighter camera body plus lens to improve my handheld photography. But I understand your point of view on the higher megapixel count for cropping.
Instead of a standard camera strap, I use a hand strap when not on the tripod. It is always attached to the camera so it makes for a quick and easy transition.
I dont crop very often, but my main cameras are a Fuji X-T2 and X-T3 and whenever I do crop (or zoom in to check that tings are in focus and what not) Im almost always disappointed. The photos look gross up close. But yesterday I took my X-T100 (which has a normal sensor) out for the first time in a long time, and holy cow, the image quality when zooming in or cropping is SO much better! I really hope Fujifilm uses a normal sensor in the X-T5 or the X-H2. Or that they make an X-T300 with two memory card slots (and a normal sensor ofc). Id switch to it so fast!
Great video Mark. A solid proper backpack changed things the most for me. I can carry everything I need hiking, both photo gear and food/water in much more comfort. It really helps you make it through a long day with less fatigue.
Mark, great video. Mine would be a tripod. After a 30+ year hiatus from a semi professional photographer career, my beautiful wife told me to get back into it in my retirement years. So I sold my pickup truck and a few other things and got a Canon RP with a kit lense, a few other accessories and a cheapo tripod. Y’all all know the kind!!! Around $100.00’s and they are just the best. Well y’all guessed it that 2 days after the warranty ran out I was out on a landscape shoot and the cheapo plastic grommets on 2 of the legs just disintegrated. Luckily my $2000.00 ‘s worth of equipment wasn’t damaged. So I went home and sold everything else I could and bought a really good tripod. Never again will I risk that. Now while I couldn’t afford the tripod you have, I have an “IFootage” in the carbon fiber and it’s well worth every penny I paid it. So I guess as every pro would tell you. Don’t let your valuable equipment sit on toothpicks!!!!!!!!!
I great reminder, to somehow try and get up close with an interesting subject. Either through a longer lens, or a shorter lense that forces one to go closer to the subject. My biggest pitfall is to try and frame as much as possible, and get an overwhelming panoramic vista in my composition/frame, only to find that they lack a particular point of interest, something to focus on...lacking something. Getting up close and personal is a great thing for me to work around some of that.
Love the simplicity. Solid tips. For myself I use : mirror less camera EOS-M. Light weight, I'm more likely to take it along on an outing. Also it has a flip screen when you otherwise can't see the screen anymore. Often using Macro lens, it opens a whole new world that most don't see. Circular pole filter, yes really adds more colours and contrasts. Still looking for a good light but sturdy travel tripod. Also started sailing and can't yet find the right composition to share this amazing feeling of gliding with elements through the water.
Great timing on a few of these going into foliage season. I often find myself trying to shoot the grand landscape when the detail shots usually turn out so much better. #1 benefit to culling out the lenses, so much lighter to hike with 😂
Awesome video! I bit the bullet and got the Peak Design Carbon Fiber tripod. Hurt a little in the finance range but man it is amazing! I have put it through the ringer. All through Africa, sand, salt water, wind, rain, etc. It has stood up and has been amazing! Super steady and definitely worth the expense.
Great exercise Mark, something I need to do more often as well. I really enjoy our weekly check in, certainly worth my time. I learn something every week. Thanks!
I did Iceland a few years back took a ton of pictures, planning to go back and look at Iceland with a wide or long view. Thanks for the video it was very good 👍
I agree with your list. And the cropping in post to make of for visual shortcomings during the photo taking is a great advantage. But the weight is what keeps me at the sidelines. How was lugging all those kilograms? This is what is making me wait for and hope the cropability of the XH2 with 40 mp (2022?) will be worth the wait.
I really liked the picture of the lichen growing on the broken branch on the ground. I can’t stand living in an area surrounded by pine trees because it’s green all year long, that image you took was a nice unique take on something you can see every day.
One of my favs of your videos Mark. It really makes me want to go find good things with a camera. (maybe not the GFX, that's a bit outside my resources .. lol)
I’ve been focusing on lighter gear, including Ultralight Outdoor gear. It helps me choose between carrying more camera tools or to just carry less weight over all. This enables me to go faster and longer when needed, catching more perfect photo spots at the right time.
The saying is that one can't see the forest for the trees, which means when one can't see the big picture because you're lost in the details. The challenge of woodland photography is to see the trees INSTEAD of the forest. I personally find slightly overcast days better for shooting in the woods. The highlights of dappled light can be brutal to handle, while softer light makes it easier to reveal and explore details. I did a video last year about L-brackets myself. Can't imagine working without one. The biggest advantage, besides keeping your composition stable, is being able to keep the camera itself stable because it remains over your tripod's center of gravity when shooting vertically.
Hi Mark, the saying goes " can't see the wood for the trees".,, kinda the story of my photography really. As for favouring taking shots of grand scenes, if they're there, fill your boots, its just an embarrassment of riches, not something to be concerned by. However, being able to see a variety of shots can be no bad thing. .. and nobody could sensibly criticise you for saying a good camera helps your photography. For sure great kit doesn't make you a great photographer, but it surely doesn't hurt! As ever, another really interesting video and thanks very much for sharing ..
I understand your advice to cut down on the number of lenses - you have two. My four includes a cherished macro lens that you apparently do not have. In addition, you've properly advised photographers to make and act on a goal or photo plan before going out, enabling one to bring only the lens or perhaps only two lenses for that day's shooting, thereby cutting way down on the weight of one's camera bag.
Filters and polarizers for sure!! It took me a while to find the right set and really grasp what situations they can be applied too, but now a total game changer!! Great video!
Another fantastic video Mark, thank you. I would say purchasing a really good quality tripod improved my photography loads . I have used numerous lower budget ones in the past , I feel a lot more comfortable now that camera shake isn't that much of an issue anymore
Ah no way, you're going to be in Acadia next week? As a local, Nova Res Bier Cafe in Portland for a few good drinks - Old Port is always a fun time. Hacker's Hill in Casco, ME for an incredible 360 sunrise/sunset that isn't up in Acadia. - You should nail peak foliage with your trip though. At least down here in Southern Maine I'd say we're probably at about 30-40% of peak right now. Enjoy your trip Mark.
Hey Mark! Great tips as always. I’m not sure if your American Photographer’s Insurance will be effective in Canada, but I’ll check it out just in case it works for us, too. Sounds like you’re on the same “Iceland photography hangover” I’m sure we’re all experiencing to some degree. So many great locations and thousands of photos to scroll through while readjusting to normal life at home again. You mention here, again, the importance of having a polarizing filter with you; can you believe the circular polarizer for my wide angle lens I’d ordered for the Iceland trip just arrived two days ago?! I wished I’d had it for some of those water falls, but now I’ve got an excuse to go back! Have a fantastic trip to Acadia!! :D
Thanks for another great content. Using different angle lens, but more important, explore as many different Subject as possible and also taking shots in many different locations and sometimes without waiting for the perfect light have improved my Photography. A final Word, the more I teach the more I learn 😊
Another relaxing and informative video, Mark. Thank you. BTW, I just mentioned you again in a video that’s uploading right now, citing the photographers/CZcamsrs who I love to follow. Take care, mate. 👍🦘🇦🇺
Have you looked at the new Tamron 18-300 zoom? I had the opportunity to test it and I think it will be a game-changer for me on my longer back-country adventures.
Don't be too hard on yourself for shooting the grand landscape views in Iceland. LOL, I had the opposite problem. I spend a lot of money on airfare, hotel, etc. then catch myself focusing on macro content. You know, closeups of leaves, ice, etc. Stuff I could be shooting at home! Great video Mark.
Great video, its true i love. Hand held because of the freedom of movement and force you to have an opend mind for composition and final photo, love your channel
Interesting video. My wife is constantly reminding me yo grab some details as well as the wider scene but sometimes I get that "buck fever" and just look at the whole scene. We are going to Lake Superior this week and I am going to start employing this technique. It may help me to slow down and think about a scene before I shoot.
I often find myself scanning a whole area through the viewfinder -- then zooming in an out on different things - sort of part of the composition process I guess.
I am going to rip you a little about the Fuji GFX100s. First most pro photographers say it is the person, not the gear that makes the photographer especially in reference to the camera. If you only shoot landscapes the reality is the GFX100s has only a slight edge in dynamic range over Canon and Sony mirrorless, and Sony/Canon still haw smaller body/lens. An R5 can produce a 100 mb file. If you stitch multiple files together. But if you shoot anything else, the GFX100s will never have fast AF, if you shoot sports, It will never have eye or helmet AF. If you shoot birds, it will never have 20-30 fps.
Downsizing from FF to M43 system for better portability and stabilization improved my photography. I tend to take lots of phographs of the same scene with slight variations in order to capture the best lighting condition or improve the perspective...and I don't like deleting my photos. 100 megapixels would be a disaster on my end especially when traveling or photographing my family.
2 lenses, right. I have 20 lenses across 3 systems plus some other straglers (10 or so) for older film systems. That said, only 4 cost over $200 and 3/4 are used very regularly (most were $100 or less and some under $10). Maybe I have a GAS problem or is that just being called a collecter?
I agree about everything you said. Usually found out the hard way about what works and what doesn’t. I do feel validated that I have all that you recommended except for the medium format camera. I have a question about increasing the number of mega pixels. I shoot with the Sony A7iii at 24 mega pixels. I agree that if I need to crop I’m losing a lot of pixels. Also thinking about printing. I’ve been thinking about picking up an A7r3, but now Adobe has upgraded ACR and LR to quadruple the number of megapixels (24 to 96 for my A73). It almost sounds too good to be true that the issue you raised about cropping could be solved by this (or I suppose with Gigapixel AI). What do you think? Thanks for another great video.
How did you know you were ready to take the plunge and go full time landscape photographer? I will end up there, I just hope my opportunity does not just float past me unrecognized. I very much relate to the getting caught up in the grand overview of a scene though, easy to do here in Central Oregon.
I am just back from Iceland. I totally understand your feelings about your photographic experience. What is the brand of the strap you are using? One that wide is very appealing.
Great video Mark - I would say a smaller bag improved my photography - Less gear to carry, making choices between 2 lenses is much easier than carrying my entire gear! Question: Which screw on filters are you using?
Mark I couldn't agree with you more. I go off and shoot beautiful high intensity landscapes in the Rockies and my wife says they are beautiful but not something she wants on the wall. then I shot something a bit abstract and it end up being feature in our home?
Som people will think I'm crazy, but a remote control shutter release is the best investment for the money (about $35). I shoot with a Canon 90D (soon to get the R6) and find in low light with a tripod nothing beats being able to click off these shots while standing up straight!
Anyone who says it's not about gear has never went from a canon rebel to a canon R6 or better.. switching camera bodies improved my photography by a lot. The dynamic range for one, being able to shoot at higher ISO, and faster autofocus has been awesome.
..."can't see the wood for the trees" is actually the saying. The origin? The origin is actually from a place called Bath, in England (where I live). It refers to a concourse of houses that were designed by the architect John Wood. There was a tree planted directly in front of these houses, and it grew quite large. So people began to exclaim: "You can't see the Wood for the tree!"
thanks for that info and it is always interesting to see how over time a "saying" gets changed. Another one related to Britain is "cutting the mustard" and I am sure you will be able to explain what reality is regarding that one.
Odd answer. I had an 18-200 zoom lens that was really soft. I took it on a trip, and when I returned, I was really disappointed in my results. Hmmm. So I started digging in to how to make sharpers photos. I practiced, changed my techniques, and really improved. But... still soft. Hmmm. Then I bought a 16-80, a fantastic lens, sharp, and BAM. A world of improvement from a quality perspective. If I hadn't driven myself to master a soft lens, I probably would have remained ignorant of my poor technique.
Felt the same way about L brackets until I picked one up for a workshop in January of 2020. After the workshop I don't know how I had lived without one all of these years.
Hey Mark, how are you, thanks for the video, i´m writing from México and i love your camera backpack, can you tell me the brand please? Beautiful photographs of a beautiful place by the way.
Mark I so resonate with the challenge of using a long lens in a dense setting! It's a little counterintuitive but has produced some of my favorite shots. Could I come say hi in Acadia? I'm going up to MDI next weekend as well :)
Great video as usual Mark. I'd love to hear what you think of using a Hoodman Loupe. Some people swear by them, others not so much. I photograph in all sorts of light, including the harsh light during the day and think this would be a useful addition to my set up but it is quite pricey. Thoughts? I think the 2 lens approach is something I need to take up as I normally take 3 lenses and the weight becomes a factor on longer walks. Cheers! Alwyn
Although a bit pricey for the mere hobbyist that I am, a geared tripod head along with an L bracket made life a bit easier for me, especially when using bigger/longer lenses.
Great video as always Mark. I'm curious if you've ever considered a macro lens? I found when I was doing my project 365 several years ago that a macro lens could help me get a shot for the day when inspiration was flagging. Thinking about my recent trip to Indiana Dunes, I feel like I might have gotten some better shots if I'd taken my macro lens.
Personally, I'd love that camera (so no flack). The problem is 67yrs with asthma and heart issues...There is a Hasselblad store near here, maybe I will try to borrow one of them just to see. Really the 5ds is heavy enough for me though!! Autumn (or Fall) is here soon, so off to the 'New Forest' then. As usual, a very enjoyable video Mark, thanks. And, I know its corny but learning to think out a situation, and educating myself to do that has helped me the most. + my old Rolleiflex
11 years older and although never used the Rollie, of course the Mamiya TLR, Kowa 6 and lastly the Hassy C and motor drive version to photograph hundreds of weddings over 33 years was standard. Now after many different digital camera, the choice is with the Fuji XT 20 with multiple lenses simply because the two lenses I would deal with today would be the 16-80 and the 70-300. I like to work handheld generally as I don't print.
Nice video Mark! As a hobbyist looking to make a little money on the side, the higher megapixel count helps me go back and learn something new. Maybe I would shoot a landscape and after watching one of your videos find a portrait composition. With the 61mp of the A7RIV I can have that option later in post. Thank you for your informative channel. PS Have you ever shoot wildlife? You missed a good chance at 15min in the video.😉
@@MarkDenneyPhoto put one on all the time. It is as important as the neck strap. On our last trip in China on a boat, she fell and landed on the camera and lens shade. Shade cracked and easily repaired with some tape but camera perfect and it was around her neck with a strap. She -- not so great and a year later another fall without a camera and worse and this year a worse fall and now needs a walker. See what old age can do to you?
When it comes to buying gear , my motto is Buy nice so you don't have to buy twice ! Great content as usual. It's not cold enough for a coat in Nc yet, LOL.
My biggest improvement has nothing to do with my equipment. I have been "exercising" restraint when out and about with my camera. I am slowly understanding that, though beautiful to look at, not every scene makes a great photograph.
@@phlotographer That's exactly how I have approached my photography throughout the years. It's time for a change. I have thousands of "nice images" that I can choose to play with. I am concentrating on quality, not quantity.
More I shoot more I understand croping is so powerful. I was thinking how do they capture those awesome woodland images. Then I realised they crop alot of picture but becose massive megapixels image's stays sharp and they already visualise how final crop will look. Dont judge me it took me quite time to understand that :D
a car! A car is the most important (needed for now). Because at 30, I already have severe back pain from having to take the train/walk+hike to the location with my backpack on
QUICK QUESTION: What piece of gear improved your photography the most?
Definitely has to be the tripod. Pretty basic. But does wonders for someone with unsteady hands like me.
A flash with a proper diffuser. This helped me out not in landscape, but basically in every other scenario. And improving in one branch improved in parallel all other branches as well.
Additional grip 😌
My first polarising filter !
The L-Bracket totally helped my photography as well... but not just for use with the tripod but I will actually use it as a tripod itself! Simply by placing it on a solid surface for quick and easy stability.
As a photographer for 35 years and a musician for 50 years, the equipment helps you to achieve what you envision as a photographer and a musician up to a point. As a trumpet player I can make a $600 trumpet sound like a $6000 trumpet but it takes more effort to play the $600 trumpet. When a novice trumpet player plays the $6000 trumpet, the sound will be like a $600 trumpet. The equipment will make the process of creativity easier but it is what's between the ears that creates the final results.
My wife and I are both photo hobbyists. Two years ago I told my wife I wanted an L-bracket. She said I want one too. I asked if she knew what it was. She replied no, but if I wanted one, she wanted one.
Love it!
The piece of gear that improved my photography the most wasn't photography gear but outdoor gear. It gave me the chance to be more and longer outside, everywhere and in any kind of weather! :)
Another gear suggestion: tripod without center columns. If you can get the camera to just above ground level, that opens a whole new world of landscape photography angles. Not only that, but there's flowers, fungi, insects, etc (even without a macro lens) that are way more accessible to shoot from their level instead of from way above them.
I thought a tripod with a center column can get you closer to the ground than one that does not have a center column. You mount the camera on the bottom of the center column.. If you don't like it being upside down, buy instead of an L bracket, a full bracket that goes around the camera that has arc swiss plate on the top of the camera. The lens and camera can touch the ground which is as close as you can get.
@@IAmR1ch way, way too much faff. Besides all the hassle of inverting the column, I've got the tripod legs in my way. Screw that. All I have to do is spread my tripod legs out, mount the camera on the left side of the L bracket and then flip it to the right. My camera is 3 inches off the ground and fully accessible. If I need it lower than that I'd just rest it on the ground.
But can the base of your camera touch the ground?
@@IAmR1ch it does if I put it on the ground.
I usually fold the legs upward then flip the whole setup upside down. But I hate doing that because using the camera upside down takes a lot of practice. Plus, then aren't locked into position and I'm always scared it going to slip. Not good when doing this right over water.
I totally agree with your thoughts about cropping images from cameras with lower resolution in post processing. That’s one reason I sold my X-T2 and switched to Nikon Z7. Now I have more resolution to crop my images. Of course your 100MP camera is a beast and gives you way more room for that, but maybe there are more affordable cameras in the future with higher resolution. A sturdy tripod is mandatory for my photography as well as a L-Bracket. The only thing I don’t use anymore is a camera-strap because I put my camera as often on my tripod as I could. I find the strap quite annoying. But this is my personal preference. Have fun in Acadia!!
Totally agree with walking around with the camera without a lot of equipment or a tripod. I keep my Fuji X-T4 in a hip bag and use a peak design wrist strap to carry when I take it out. No strain on the neck, no flopping around, and its so easy to pop in and out of the bag when needed. An all day solution.
Man.... I really respect you. You are the best photographer content producer on youtube. I follow a ton of them and you always deliver honest, real content.
Cheers Mark. I appreciate you.
Really appreciate that!
Not really gear, but CZcams videos, such as yours, have helped me to learn about my camera and keep me inspired to be better.
100% agree on the strap. I am 10x more likely to take a picture on the hike to a destination if my camera is already out. Plus, those animals sneak up so quickly so I have to be ready!
A big one for me was going from standard screw on filters to magnetic ones. I really hated to change filters, but now it's so quick, I find myself more willing to try different filters much more often.
You didn't see the deer run behind you at 15:00. But then you saw some out In front of you.
I think that the growth you captured on the log is called Pale Scale Lichen. Lichens are an organism that is actually a symbiotic combination of a fungus and an algae. They are a very cool organism!
Love my over the shoulder BosStrap. It lives on my camera. If I need to secure it for tripod use I have a could clips that work to secure it to the tripod. I also carry a light-weight, short, folding step-stool. Being older it helps getting back up from a low position.
I’ve been using a tripod from Leofoto with a built in leveling base, which is handy when shooting panoramas. I also incorporated a L bracket from Kirk Enterprises with their quick release system that allows quick transfer from my Black Rapid camera strap to the tripod and back to the strap. That is a real time saver.
What helped me most was going for a lighter camera body plus lens to improve my handheld photography. But I understand your point of view on the higher megapixel count for cropping.
Just a curious newbie . What body did you go from and to?
@@warlordpriest1 actually going from full frame to mft. Especially saves weight on the lenses
Thanks. That’s totally understandable.
Instead of a standard camera strap, I use a hand strap when not on the tripod. It is always attached to the camera so it makes for a quick and easy transition.
I dont crop very often, but my main cameras are a Fuji X-T2 and X-T3 and whenever I do crop (or zoom in to check that tings are in focus and what not) Im almost always disappointed. The photos look gross up close. But yesterday I took my X-T100 (which has a normal sensor) out for the first time in a long time, and holy cow, the image quality when zooming in or cropping is SO much better! I really hope Fujifilm uses a normal sensor in the X-T5 or the X-H2. Or that they make an X-T300 with two memory card slots (and a normal sensor ofc). Id switch to it so fast!
Great video Mark. A solid proper backpack changed things the most for me. I can carry everything I need hiking, both photo gear and food/water in much more comfort. It really helps you make it through a long day with less fatigue.
Mark, great video.
Mine would be a tripod. After a 30+ year hiatus from a semi professional photographer career, my beautiful wife told me to get back into it in my retirement years.
So I sold my pickup truck and a few other things and got a Canon RP with a kit lense, a few other accessories and a cheapo tripod. Y’all all know the kind!!! Around $100.00’s and they are just the best.
Well y’all guessed it that 2 days after the warranty ran out I was out on a landscape shoot and the cheapo plastic grommets on 2 of the legs just disintegrated.
Luckily my $2000.00 ‘s worth of equipment wasn’t damaged. So I went home and sold everything else I could and bought a really good tripod. Never again will I risk that.
Now while I couldn’t afford the tripod you have, I have an “IFootage” in the carbon fiber and it’s well worth every penny I paid it.
So I guess as every pro would tell you. Don’t let your valuable equipment sit on toothpicks!!!!!!!!!
Another great advantage of L-brackets: It's a tripod-plate that you don't have to remove in order to change your battery!
I great reminder, to somehow try and get up close with an interesting subject. Either through a longer lens, or a shorter lense that forces one to go closer to the subject. My biggest pitfall is to try and frame as much as possible, and get an overwhelming panoramic vista in my composition/frame, only to find that they lack a particular point of interest, something to focus on...lacking something. Getting up close and personal is a great thing for me to work around some of that.
SO nice to see you out of your studio 👍🏼😃
“Pockets of interesting light” sums up my life
Well stated regarding the extra Mpixels...It is almost an enhancement of zoom lens capabilities! TY!
Love the simplicity. Solid tips. For myself I use : mirror less camera EOS-M. Light weight, I'm more likely to take it along on an outing. Also it has a flip screen when you otherwise can't see the screen anymore. Often using Macro lens, it opens a whole new world that most don't see. Circular pole filter, yes really adds more colours and contrasts. Still looking for a good light but sturdy travel tripod. Also started sailing and can't yet find the right composition to share this amazing feeling of gliding with elements through the water.
I like the wide and long strategy for the Lens. Sturdy tripod is a must for me as my handheld is very bad.
Great timing on a few of these going into foliage season. I often find myself trying to shoot the grand landscape when the detail shots usually turn out so much better. #1 benefit to culling out the lenses, so much lighter to hike with 😂
Awesome video! I bit the bullet and got the Peak Design Carbon Fiber tripod. Hurt a little in the finance range but man it is amazing! I have put it through the ringer. All through Africa, sand, salt water, wind, rain, etc. It has stood up and has been amazing! Super steady and definitely worth the expense.
Great exercise Mark, something I need to do more often as well. I really enjoy our weekly check in, certainly worth my time. I learn something every week. Thanks!
Mind blowing tips and awesome photographs, keep it up bro 🎉
I did Iceland a few years back took a ton of pictures, planning to go back and look at Iceland with a wide or long view. Thanks for the video it was very good 👍
I agree with your list. And the cropping in post to make of for visual shortcomings during the photo taking is a great advantage. But the weight is what keeps me at the sidelines. How was lugging all those kilograms? This is what is making me wait for and hope the cropability of the XH2 with 40 mp (2022?) will be worth the wait.
I really liked the picture of the lichen growing on the broken branch on the ground. I can’t stand living in an area surrounded by pine trees because it’s green all year long, that image you took was a nice unique take on something you can see every day.
One of my favs of your videos Mark. It really makes me want to go find good things with a camera. (maybe not the GFX, that's a bit outside my resources .. lol)
I’ve been focusing on lighter gear, including Ultralight Outdoor gear. It helps me choose between carrying more camera tools or to just carry less weight over all. This enables me to go faster and longer when needed, catching more perfect photo spots at the right time.
Love that photo of the lichen on the branch
Thank you!
The saying is that one can't see the forest for the trees, which means when one can't see the big picture because you're lost in the details. The challenge of woodland photography is to see the trees INSTEAD of the forest.
I personally find slightly overcast days better for shooting in the woods. The highlights of dappled light can be brutal to handle, while softer light makes it easier to reveal and explore details.
I did a video last year about L-brackets myself. Can't imagine working without one. The biggest advantage, besides keeping your composition stable, is being able to keep the camera itself stable because it remains over your tripod's center of gravity when shooting vertically.
Saw your comment on the guy who made square space photography website using your photo. I click your website and saw amazing content you have
Hi Mark, the saying goes " can't see the wood for the trees".,, kinda the story of my photography really. As for favouring taking shots of grand scenes, if they're there, fill your boots, its just an embarrassment of riches, not something to be concerned by. However, being able to see a variety of shots can be no bad thing. .. and nobody could sensibly criticise you for saying a good camera helps your photography. For sure great kit doesn't make you a great photographer, but it surely doesn't hurt! As ever, another really interesting video and thanks very much for sharing ..
I understand your advice to cut down on the number of lenses - you have two. My four includes a cherished macro lens that you apparently do not have. In addition, you've properly advised photographers to make and act on a goal or photo plan before going out, enabling one to bring only the lens or perhaps only two lenses for that day's shooting, thereby cutting way down on the weight of one's camera bag.
Filters and polarizers for sure!! It took me a while to find the right set and really grasp what situations they can be applied too, but now a total game changer!! Great video!
Thanks Daniel!
I would agree that using filters when needed, such as around water and in shots like fall colors have helped me out.
Another fantastic video Mark, thank you.
I would say purchasing a really good quality tripod improved my photography loads . I have used numerous lower budget ones in the past , I feel a lot more comfortable now that camera shake isn't that much of an issue anymore
Ah no way, you're going to be in Acadia next week? As a local, Nova Res Bier Cafe in Portland for a few good drinks - Old Port is always a fun time.
Hacker's Hill in Casco, ME for an incredible 360 sunrise/sunset that isn't up in Acadia.
- You should nail peak foliage with your trip though. At least down here in Southern Maine I'd say we're probably at about 30-40% of peak right now. Enjoy your trip Mark.
Jusy relocated the brunswick area myself. Colors are coming down . Thanks for the spots!
Great video Mark. It brought some insight for me on what needs to be done every once in a while.
Hey Mark! Great tips as always. I’m not sure if your American Photographer’s Insurance will be effective in Canada, but I’ll check it out just in case it works for us, too. Sounds like you’re on the same “Iceland photography hangover” I’m sure we’re all experiencing to some degree. So many great locations and thousands of photos to scroll through while readjusting to normal life at home again. You mention here, again, the importance of having a polarizing filter with you; can you believe the circular polarizer for my wide angle lens I’d ordered for the Iceland trip just arrived two days ago?! I wished I’d had it for some of those water falls, but now I’ve got an excuse to go back! Have a fantastic trip to Acadia!! :D
The photos in this video are really stunning, I love nature details
Thanks so much!
Thanks for another great content. Using different angle lens, but more important, explore as many different Subject as possible and also taking shots in many different locations and sometimes without waiting for the perfect light have improved my Photography. A final Word, the more I teach the more I learn 😊
Thanks so much - great to hear you enjoyed it!
Thank you Mark
Another relaxing and informative video, Mark. Thank you. BTW, I just mentioned you again in a video that’s uploading right now, citing the photographers/CZcamsrs who I love to follow. Take care, mate. 👍🦘🇦🇺
Have you looked at the new Tamron 18-300 zoom? I had the opportunity to test it and I think it will be a game-changer for me on my longer back-country adventures.
Spent the summer shooting close up flowers and bees. Going back to more landscape photos took a few minutes of mental adjustment.
At 15:00 minute mark, seeing the deer running in the background, right before you say you see them in front of you! LOL! Good video. Thanks.
Don't be too hard on yourself for shooting the grand landscape views in Iceland. LOL, I had the opposite problem. I spend a lot of money on airfare, hotel, etc. then catch myself focusing on macro content. You know, closeups of leaves, ice, etc. Stuff I could be shooting at home! Great video Mark.
Great video, its true i love. Hand held because of the freedom of movement and force you to have an opend mind for composition and final photo, love your channel
Thanks so much!
Camera Strap. Gives me room to set up different shots. Great advice Thanks.
PPA is a great resource for both photographers and photo businesses. Why don't you put you lens hood on your lens?
An L bracket that mounts directly to head without a plate makes things simple. 👍🥂
Wonderful tips Mark! I think that I can put to use some of these and improve at least part of my photography. Thanks!
Thanks Jon!
I agree that 2 lenses are the way to go for landscape but I still have my kit lens for the occasional portrait or similar picture.
What an amazing video, made me enjoy every moment of it, also just realised I've been shooting intricate scenes and need to go for some wide ones...
Interesting video. My wife is constantly reminding me yo grab some details as well as the wider scene but sometimes I get that "buck fever" and just look at the whole scene. We are going to Lake Superior this week and I am going to start employing this technique. It may help me to slow down and think about a scene before I shoot.
I often find myself scanning a whole area through the viewfinder -- then zooming in an out on different things - sort of part of the composition process I guess.
I am going to rip you a little about the Fuji GFX100s. First most pro photographers say it is the person, not the gear that makes the photographer especially in reference to the camera. If you only shoot landscapes the reality is the GFX100s has only a slight edge in dynamic range over Canon and Sony mirrorless, and Sony/Canon still haw smaller body/lens. An R5 can produce a 100 mb file. If you stitch multiple files together. But if you shoot anything else, the GFX100s will never have fast AF, if you shoot sports, It will never have eye or helmet AF. If you shoot birds, it will never have 20-30 fps.
Downsizing from FF to M43 system for better portability and stabilization improved my photography. I tend to take lots of phographs of the same scene with slight variations in order to capture the best lighting condition or improve the perspective...and I don't like deleting my photos. 100 megapixels would be a disaster on my end especially when traveling or photographing my family.
Awesome video as usual. I love these on location videos. Thanks again mark.
Thanks so much!
National Parks annual pass.
Peak Design camera belt clip.
Subaru with good ground clearance.
Wife who sees a scene differently than I do.
6 days late ... But great taste in camera strap! Great video bud .
2 lenses, right. I have 20 lenses across 3 systems plus some other straglers (10 or so) for older film systems. That said, only 4 cost over $200 and 3/4 are used very regularly (most were $100 or less and some under $10). Maybe I have a GAS problem or is that just being called a collecter?
I agree about everything you said. Usually found out the hard way about what works and what doesn’t. I do feel validated that I have all that you recommended except for the medium format camera.
I have a question about increasing the number of mega pixels. I shoot with the Sony A7iii at 24 mega pixels. I agree that if I need to crop I’m losing a lot of pixels. Also thinking about printing. I’ve been thinking about picking up an A7r3, but now Adobe has upgraded ACR and LR to quadruple the number of megapixels (24 to 96 for my A73). It almost sounds too good to be true that the issue you raised about cropping could be solved by this (or I suppose with Gigapixel AI). What do you think?
Thanks for another great video.
How did you know you were ready to take the plunge and go full time landscape photographer? I will end up there, I just hope my opportunity does not just float past me unrecognized. I very much relate to the getting caught up in the grand overview of a scene though, easy to do here in Central Oregon.
100% My Canon 70-200 F4L, it gave me a better eye, I can see so many more shots now.
TKS Mark, can you share any preferred source(s) for selling the lens/bodies that you let go of as you pared down?
I am just back from Iceland. I totally understand your feelings about your photographic experience. What is the brand of the strap you are using? One that wide is very appealing.
It's the Peak Design Slide strap
Great video Mark - I would say a smaller bag improved my photography - Less gear to carry, making choices between 2 lenses is much easier than carrying my entire gear! Question: Which screw on filters are you using?
Mark I couldn't agree with you more. I go off and shoot beautiful high intensity landscapes in the Rockies and my wife says they are beautiful but not something she wants on the wall. then I shot something a bit abstract and it end up being feature in our home?
Som people will think I'm crazy, but a remote control shutter release is the best investment for the money (about $35). I shoot with a Canon 90D (soon to get the R6) and find in low light with a tripod nothing beats being able to click off these shots while standing up straight!
Anyone who says it's not about gear has never went from a canon rebel to a canon R6 or better.. switching camera bodies improved my photography by a lot. The dynamic range for one, being able to shoot at higher ISO, and faster autofocus has been awesome.
True!
..."can't see the wood for the trees" is actually the saying. The origin? The origin is actually from a place called Bath, in England (where I live). It refers to a concourse of houses that were designed by the architect John Wood. There was a tree planted directly in front of these houses, and it grew quite large. So people began to exclaim: "You can't see the Wood for the tree!"
thanks for that info and it is always interesting to see how over time a "saying" gets changed. Another one related to Britain is "cutting the mustard" and I am sure you will be able to explain what reality is regarding that one.
Odd answer. I had an 18-200 zoom lens that was really soft. I took it on a trip, and when I returned, I was really disappointed in my results. Hmmm. So I started digging in to how to make sharpers photos. I practiced, changed my techniques, and really improved. But... still soft. Hmmm. Then I bought a 16-80, a fantastic lens, sharp, and BAM. A world of improvement from a quality perspective. If I hadn't driven myself to master a soft lens, I probably would have remained ignorant of my poor technique.
Felt the same way about L brackets until I picked one up for a workshop in January of 2020. After the workshop I don't know how I had lived without one all of these years.
Game changer!
Hey Mark, how are you, thanks for the video, i´m writing from México and i love your camera backpack, can you tell me the brand please?
Beautiful photographs of a beautiful place by the way.
Mark I so resonate with the challenge of using a long lens in a dense setting! It's a little counterintuitive but has produced some of my favorite shots. Could I come say hi in Acadia? I'm going up to MDI next weekend as well :)
Great video as usual Mark. I'd love to hear what you think of using a Hoodman Loupe. Some people swear by them, others not so much. I photograph in all sorts of light, including the harsh light during the day and think this would be a useful addition to my set up but it is quite pricey. Thoughts? I think the 2 lens approach is something I need to take up as I normally take 3 lenses and the weight becomes a factor on longer walks. Cheers! Alwyn
Although a bit pricey for the mere hobbyist that I am, a geared tripod head along with an L bracket made life a bit easier for me, especially when using bigger/longer lenses.
I love my geared head but sometimes miss the greater up and down angles, afforded by my ball heads.
Nice parameters
Great video as always Mark. I'm curious if you've ever considered a macro lens? I found when I was doing my project 365 several years ago that a macro lens could help me get a shot for the day when inspiration was flagging. Thinking about my recent trip to Indiana Dunes, I feel like I might have gotten some better shots if I'd taken my macro lens.
Mark, which fotopro tripod is that? Thanks✌🏻
Personally, I'd love that camera (so no flack). The problem is 67yrs with asthma and heart issues...There is a Hasselblad store near here, maybe I will try to borrow one of them just to see. Really the 5ds is heavy enough for me though!! Autumn (or Fall) is here soon, so off to the 'New Forest' then. As usual, a very enjoyable video Mark, thanks. And, I know its corny but learning to think out a situation, and educating myself to do that has helped me the most. + my old Rolleiflex
11 years older and although never used the Rollie, of course the Mamiya TLR, Kowa 6 and lastly the Hassy C and motor drive version to photograph hundreds of weddings over 33 years was standard. Now after many different digital camera, the choice is with the Fuji XT 20 with multiple lenses simply because the two lenses I would deal with today would be the 16-80 and the 70-300. I like to work handheld generally as I don't print.
Eliot Porter used to shoot moss, lichen and decay on trees and he was successful. In this case, the trees are feature of the forest.
Nice video Mark! As a hobbyist looking to make a little money on the side, the higher megapixel count helps me go back and learn something new. Maybe I would shoot a landscape and after watching one of your videos find a portrait composition. With the 61mp of the A7RIV I can have that option later in post. Thank you for your informative channel. PS Have you ever shoot wildlife? You missed a good chance at 15min in the video.😉
Hi Mark… Question.. do you ever use a LensHood ? Without it makes me feel very uncomfortable 😳
I usually only use one when it's raining or when direct sunlight is coming across the front of my lens causing flares.
@@MarkDenneyPhoto put one on all the time. It is as important as the neck strap. On our last trip in China on a boat, she fell and landed on the camera and lens shade. Shade cracked and easily repaired with some tape but camera perfect and it was around her neck with a strap. She -- not so great and a year later another fall without a camera and worse and this year a worse fall and now needs a walker. See what old age can do to you?
When it comes to buying gear , my motto is Buy nice so you don't have to buy twice ! Great content as usual. It's not cold enough for a coat in Nc yet, LOL.
Thanks a million Tom! It's just an outer rain shell:)
@@MarkDenneyPhoto just messing with you, can’t wait until it cools down some here .👍👍
I LOVE my 70 - 200mm for Landscapes :)
Polarize the World My Man! 🤘
Mark how do you like the GFX100S? I have it but I found it way less thrilling than my old GFX50R. What am I missing? The colors just seem Meh to me.
My biggest improvement has nothing to do with my equipment. I have been "exercising" restraint when out and about with my camera. I am slowly understanding that, though beautiful to look at, not every scene makes a great photograph.
take an exposure anyway. Five years down the road you may find just the right edit that makes the image something you will enjoy.
@@phlotographer That's exactly how I have approached my photography throughout the years. It's time for a change. I have thousands of "nice images" that I can choose to play with. I am concentrating on quality, not quantity.
Have a question or just wanted to confirm. Does Circular Polarizers work on mirrorless cameras (Nikon Z6) the same as DLSRs?
Yes. The polarizer affects the light entering the lens when it’s coming from certain angles outside. They also work with film cameras for example. :)
More I shoot more I understand croping is so powerful. I was thinking how do they capture those awesome woodland images. Then I realised they crop alot of picture but becose massive megapixels image's stays sharp and they already visualise how final crop will look. Dont judge me it took me quite time to understand that :D
a car! A car is the most important (needed for now). Because at 30, I already have severe back pain from having to take the train/walk+hike to the location with my backpack on