Struggling to come away with images? + Woodland Photography
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- čas přidán 28. 08. 2024
- Do you struggle to come away with successful images? In this video I talk about my routine to making the most out of locations, while doing some woodland photography.
Join me in the rather dark and windy Buckholt/Cranham Woods, Gloucestershire. In the spirit of Halloween, while setting up for the second image in this video, the wind carried a rather low voice singing/chanting. I expected a man to appear somewhere within the vicinity taking a stroll or perhaps walking a dog. Alas, I was completely alone and didn't bump into another soul for a good hour or so.
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Hello! Thanks for watching! A quick note, any 'noise' you can hear in the audio is actually wind!!! Yes, the wind was so heavy and loud it picked up on my lav mic! There were all sorts of things falling out of those trees because they were moving around so much.
I’m so glad I found your channel! I’ve been a professional photographer for over 30 years and I’ll be the first to admit I can improve my work. I love your fresh simple approach, your quirky sense of humor and how comfortable you are in front of the video camera. Your videos are instructive yet easy to follow and enjoyable to watch. Keep up the great work!
You are so fun and down to earth. Never change. I'm 57. I live in Miami, Florida. Photography has been my hobby for over 20 years. Even though it's hot here, you've inspired me and I'm about to head out to my local botanical garden with renewed excitement. I haven't picked up my camera since the beginning of the year.
Loved that statement about why there is no bad light!
I've also found that when looking back at all my old un-edited/unused photographs there can be some real gems in there, like "Why didn't I use or notice this pic before" Especially when I take photos with a very specific vision in mind, for example in portraits I tend to be looking for a certain expression on someone's face, disregarding others that are actually a better image. It's this reason I now keep all my images, because sometimes I can CULL too harshly with a narrow mind. It's important to have that goal you set out for but it's also important to be open.
Another thing can be being too impatient when culling images. Or on location you think "THAT'S THE SHOT" then in the back of your head you rush to that one shot, and miss out on other which at the time you didn't realise could be better images.
2:20 in - Fantastic fit of footwork! 5:25 in - a freewheeling fit of forearm frays and at 6:44 in - a freeform folly of jolly! And of course your photos were gorgeous! Peace. Love. Music. 😎💜🎸
Hey Courtney, I haven't seen anyone explaining framing, light and simply just making the most of the current situation better than you have in this video. Fantastic work and thanks.
Some good advice there. I find when I'm struggling that using just a prime lens helps. It stops me being lazy as I have to zoom with my feet. When out for a hike I just take a camera with a prime lens and varying the focal length each time and take photos of anything that appeals to me at the time. Reviewing them later I quite often wonder why I took the photos ! its fun with no pressure to take anything special but sometimes I wonder why I took the photos ! Just sometimes I find something to go back to. I would not like to try to make a video at the sometime.
Using a prime lens is a great idea, as you said it makes you think about moving around more. I enjoy creating videos alongside my photography but it is a bit of a juggle sometimes, mainly making sure I spend enough time focusing on the actual photography. Great to hear your own perspective, Iain! Thanks for watching.
Great video Courtney. So true. A few steps in either direction can make a huge difference to a shot. Captured some wonderful images. And the dance so important 👍 thanks for sharing the video enjoyed watching 🙏
Thanks Adrian, appreciate it! Have a great week.
For me, photography is time and space to myself in an ever more crowded and busy world. I hate rushing it, though there is a buzz to be had working against ideal conditions that are about to change. I love what you said about the light. There is no bad light, it just changes how and what I frame up. I've had great fun in the crappest of conditions, and go in close or tight if the light or the skies aren't ideal. There is always a picture, even if it isn't the one I set out to take. I've been using a 'proper' camera only since lockdown, but love the learning journey I'm on. Thanks for your additions to my journey!
Hi Peter from Queensland Australia.
As usual a great video. I love your approach to photography and sharing all your knowledge and yes your sense of humor and dancing.
I watch all your videos and have learnt so much from you.
Thank you so much and look forward to your next video.
Loved the video Courtney, please don't stop dancing, loved the sanitizer image. thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much John, glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings... great location and images beautifully presented... very helpful and informative... cheers from Australia 😀
Some really great points Courtney! For me, I usually react to my first instinct, if I think a compositions there I will work it, if it doesn't click I move on and don't force it, and as you recommended, my approach is generally to slow down and take it all in, observe and then move on if nothing works for me.
I definitely pay attention to that first instinct more now than I used to. When you say 'I'll come back later' you usually don't end up doing so haha! Thank you for your comment and for watching Rauri! Have a great week.
Thanks for another educational and entertaining video Courtney. I also love your forest dancing and what you've done with your hair. Very cute!
Another great collection of images, but it's no secret that I'm a fan of a good mushroom shot, the woodland floor shot was great. Some great advice here, when something catches my eye, I need to know why and by lingering a bit while shooting on the Moors recently, I got 4 or 5 images in about 100 metres of woodland. Slowing down is great advice🖖😁
Glad you liked it! I actually liked it a lot too to say I'm not the biggest fan of mushrooms ha. That's great, it amazing what you can capture without having to go far if you take the time to look around. Some days you just don't need that multiple hour walk for a photo lol.
Limit yourself to ONE focal length instead of the full gamut of your 24-120. Use the restriction as a training exercise. Much like a dancer practices to perfect a movement, or a musician their scales or keys to render into muscle memory odd fingering combinations, you can practice viewing your surroundings from different perspectives rather than the 170˚ wide angle of your binocular vision. You WILL see different compositions. And if anyone would look askance at your "kit" lens (I own that lens too) I happen to know that Adam Gibbs (Landscape Photographer of the Year) has won awards with that lens when he was shooting a d850.
Another great video Courtney!
Thank you, Craig!
In our local area, Spring & fall are the best time to capture more colourful images here in western Canada. The light can be somewhat offensive mid-day during the summer months, as in other parts of the world, but it doesn't necessarily slow me down, but can give me fewer 'keeper' images Courtney.
Courtney, You are amazing! Funny, Smart, Goofy, Entertaining!...Love it!
5:43 Courtney, i love this image. ❣
Great video 👍Thanks for the tips and advice
Great advice and tips Courtney, I'm usually run and gun kind of guy and need to take advice from your video lol. Might take up dancing then if i cant find a composition i can bust a move.
" Linger "..I had to chuckle on that. Many times, lingered in an area, 360 degree turns, up, down. " Light " can do that.
Great video, and tips, thanks
Great summary of some very useful tips. I came here (again) just to watch you dance🤣🤣 also lovely images once again! Cheers
Love the Woodland Floor picture and the video editing is great! 👏
Thank you, proudly edited in a rush in one day! Talent.
A lot of food for thought here! Thanks for the video.
Great video and tips Courtney! I was just reflecting on my own photography this week and you made me realise I got totally swept up in the moment! Spending more time scouting and lingering really is important as you say. I did enjoy your very descriptive names for your images “Hand Sanitiser” had me burst out laughing!
Awesome points to think about, even for a phone shot. I walk around in the woods all the time. Yeah, I could get a shot for Instagram. 😉🌲👍
Yep, even if you don't get a 'portfolio' shot at least you've got some social media content ha! Thanks for watching.
I use to pause when I passed a potential spot for a photo. Do a 360 around the subject, when possible.
When I traveled a path I would , sometimes, turn around and look back down the path. Sometimes I would see a good photo.
One of my favorite is to photo a small branch in the autumn against a dark back ground seeking to create what looks like 3 " D " photo. Many times it didn't turn out. But a few did
.
Great video! Absolutely love the woodland floor photo. Was really drawn to the video footage at 4:14…this would make a great photo in the right conditions.
I was very tempted to take an image there but at that point was running out of energy ha. Perhaps an idea for another day out!
Nice video with excellent tips. I like your upbeat energy. Keep it up, great work!
I like how teach, make areas interesting or not, and the fun you have is great.
Absolutely love that you title each photograph! And, you are a good dancer too. Thanks for the video, take care and be safe out there!!!!
I enjoy your videos. I shoot mostly old barns/structures in rural settings. Also landscapes. The camera is the last thing I bother with. I see the shot/frame in my head beforehand. I’ve also learned to turn around from where I’m looking. I walk by many good shots. Thanks.
I don't think much about composition and stuff. I just walk and shoot. It appears I get some picture I really like an a lot I don't :)
There's one thing that caught my attention about what you said: at 01:13 "Something catches your eye. Why ?".
Sure, it happens quite often and I always feel disapointed, not being able to see anything with the camera EVF. Next time I will take the time, and try to answer that question. Thanks.
You’re going to have to come and show me how to photograph woodland at this rate.
LOL I'll get working on that masterclass when shall I haha.
I really enjoy your vlog style, plus those dance moves in the forest are awesome. The pic of the shroom was cool, using a telephoto lense for macro is always fun. You nailed the compression and depth of field in that mushroom shot. Cheers from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada eh.
Love your refreshing videos, great tips
Hi! Thanks for sharing the beautiful video. Support your channel for a long time. Have a good day. See you soon!✌️
amazing channel ... have a nice day 😀🍵
I find myself stopping the video, so I can take more time in, to gather even more thoughts of the captured image...then try to imagine why you chose the specific settings. Unsure, but wondering if you are using 'auto ISO' as I know the D750 is very capable of using the correct ISO, giving you the opportunity to use exposure compensation if/when needed as well Courtney.
It’s been a while since I’ve been a photographer and I miss it
Also in short, You can be the best photographer in the world, but if you don't select the right photo to share they will never know.
Looking at old Magnum photogs contact sheets is interesting, Would you have picked the same photos? How close would you have been to sharing an Iconic image to the world or not. Culling aka editing is a skill in itself.
Great video Courtney what tripod do you use ?
I have a different take … if you see an image trust your instincts and take the shot. Who knows, maybe on the computer when editing it’s a winner in black and white like that grouping of trees you photographed but didn’t feel all that jazzed about. I said so at the time but you didn’t hear me.
5:26 - arn't you wee bit young for the Roger Rabbit?
Ha! I'm older than you probably think I am!
If I find the light is bad, it's because I don't know how to use it. If the light doesn't suit a subject, it's probably because I don't know how to use it. In landscape photography, there is some likelihood that the ideal place to put your cameras is inaccessible. I thought to reproduce somebody's photograph of Melbourne (Australia, not UK). When I put myself at the location, I discovered the photographer must have been about 15 metres up in a hell e copped 'er.