Keep It Simple - Composition
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- Trying to reduce a compositions down to their most essential elements and create simple images from the massive and infinite landscapes of Namibia
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
2:17 Sossusvlei
4:58 Helicopter Aerials
6:59 Quiver Tree Forest
7:44 The Skeleton Coast
10:41 Conclusion
If you’d like to join me for a landscape photography workshop in Namibia. or elsewhere, many of my 2024 and 2025 trips are already open. Check my website for more information www.andymumford.com/workshops/
Check out Hougaard's work here www.hougaardmalan.com
If you're interested in purchasing any of the gear I use in this video, and you enjoy my videos, please support my work by clicking on the affiliate links below.
Thanks so much.
Camera & Lens:
Fuji X-T5 amzn.to/43H91Sm
Fuji XF150-600mm amzn.to/3EoaH9g
Fuji XF16-80mm amzn.to/3EtCGnP
Fujifilm GFX 100S amzn.to/39LRQss
Fuji GF100-200mm amzn.to/3sPmMPx
Fuji GF35-70mm amzn.to/3Nu9sYF
Fuji GF250mm amzn.to/3bgS6AS
Fuji GF 1.4x Teleconverter amzn.to/3bcmj4e
Backpack & Tripod:
Pro Media Gear TRS344 www.promediagear.com?aff=28
Arca Swiss P0 amzn.to/3jhoaJ5
Really Right Stuff Clamp amzn.to/40894Gm
F Stop Ajna Backpack shop.fstopgear.com/camera-bag...
Camera insert for backpack shop.fstopgear.com/?rfsn=4299...
Filters:
KASE Revolution Magnetic filters kasefilters.com/ref/AndyMumford/
Website: www.andymumford.com
Instagram: / andymumfordphotography
Facebook: / andymumfordphotography
Music licensed via Artlist artlist.io/?artlist_aid=AndyM...
Andy, you finally found the limits of GFX! All X-T5. Man up! Love the shots and realise that the GFX limitations re longer lenses makes the X-T5 a no-brainer. Bestest. Chris
Haha Chris, it's not about one or the other. They are both brilliant in their own ways so it's a question of what's the right tool for a particular job. Namibia is VERY long lenses, and I wanted to test the 150-600mm so the GFX stayed at home. It'll be back in my pack for the Dolomites though. It's lovely to have the choice.
years after you are still one of my favorite photographer youtuber. keep up the good work. you and your works are inspiration to all of us.
Thanks so much for the comment, really glad you enjoy the videos
Thank you for your video, your work is amazing and very inspiring. Great tips as well❤
Thanks so much for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video
Great inspiring video. On my way to Namibia next week and your suggestions for an enthusiast are great. Thanks!
Thanks so much for the comment, really glad you enjoyed the video. Enjoy Namibia, it’s magical
Very different and very cool shots!
Thanks so much, glad you liked the images
cracking scenery! Thanks for this coverage.
Thanks so much for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video
Hougaard & Handré are just the best guides to capture Namibia, Andy. Looks like you’ve got some serious keepers. I also like your video style - short & to the point👏🍷
Thanks for the comment. Hougaard and Jandre, are great guys and I really love partnering with them.
The old saying "less is often more" comes alive here. Very impressive pictures from an imposing landscape. Great !
Thanks so much for watching, really glad you enjoyed the video
Amazing photos!
Thanks so much 🙏
Thank you for the inspiration.
Thanks for watching 🙏
Excellent photos and advice!
Thanks so much for watching
amazing, love those photos :)
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the video
Your images always fill me with awe and leave me breathless… thank you for your wonderful pictures and this beautiful video!
Thanks so much for the comment, really glad you like the images
FANTASTIC! Beautiful work, Andy! :)
Thanks so much 🙏
Beautiful work!
Thanks so much 🙏
Great video as always full of tips.
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it
Thank you, Andy, for sharing your adventures with us! Your photos are awesome.
Thanks so much for the comment
Marvelous video, all your work is amazing but in this case I am amazed by the use of the telephoto lens to create truly divine images... BRAVO
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the images
Awesome pictures!
Thanks so much 🙏
Has been interesting😀
Thankyou
Andy: sincere congratulations for your fantastic photos. And your video is also excellent!! Thank you so much for sharing this experience. And as somebody said already, "inspiration to all of us" and " leave us breathless. Best regards from Bogota, Colombia, SA.
Thanks so much for the comment, really glad you enjoyed the video
Another excellent video Andy. I saw the other one from last year, and what an incredible place to practice minimalist photography. Well done.
Thanks Ale, it's an amazing place...probably my favourite place to visit. Everything in Namibia just feels so epic
Best off🎉
Thanks so much for watching
I shouldn't watch these videos of yours. Namibia looks amazing and I might have to visit here someday. Really beautiful shots!! Great video!
Thanks so much, it really is an amazing place
Breathtaking landscape… amazing photos… just wow
Thanks for watching 🙏
Another freaking amazing video Andy! you are one lucky guy to be travelling to all these places! All the best in 2024!
Thanks so much for watching
Love these shots Andy! Cant believe those colors! Fantastic!
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the video and the images
Truly awesome imagery… and a rarely say that these day having spent years assessing for qualifications etc sort of got blind but there was some world class imagery in this video. 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed the video
Shooting with a telephoto lens is something i haven't done yet because i don't own one. But watching this and how you are able to pronounce certain aspects of the landscape i really think i have to try this out. Stunning pictures and thanks for showing the possibilities.
Thanks for the comment. Telephotos are essential for landscape work, and I probably shoot more than half of my landscapes with one
Incredible images and such a down to earth, well explained approach to simplfying compositions.
Thanks so much for watching, glad you enjoyed the video
Wonderful. You are Ludovico Einaudi of landscape photography. Thanks for sharing !!!
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoy my work
Running the spectrum from Chaos to Simplicity, pretty much mirrors where we are emotionally/chronologically with our lives. While youth may define their's by chaos, those of us in the elder ranges prefer the simple and uncluttered. You are one of three "mature" photographers I follow. Each of them tout a similiar approach. Well done. Bill
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoy the videos. And, umm, thanks for calling me "mature" 😂
Fuji colors are on another level when I strugle like too much with my sony camera to get the same look
Thanks for the comment. Interesting...usually when people talk about Fuji colours I always assume they mean the JPG film simulations...these are all edited RAW images...I'm pretty sure you could get the exact same look from Sony RAW
Great stuff and great to hear from you again. Well worth the wait
Thanks so much, glad you enjoy the videos
Wonderful video and images Andy. It looks a very special place on Earth indeed and you’ve more than done it justice!
Thanks for the comment. Indeed, Namibia is a really special place
Absolutley stunning
Thanks so much 🙏
I enjoyed this so much. Thank you for sharing this perspective.
Thanks for the comment, really glad you enjoyed the video
Love the shots, amazing place.
Thanks so much for watching
Some amazing images Andy!
Cheers 🙏
What magnificent shots! Thank you very much Andy. 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏
Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed the video
Stunning series of images
Cheers 🙏
Outstanding Nature and well framed pics. Superb work and sensibility. Best regards ANDY.
Thank you 🙏
Wonderful work, as always, Andy! Hoping to make one of your workshops in 2024! Cheers
Thanks for the comment, hope to see you in 2024
Beautiful images and such a great explanation of why you take pictures.
Thanks so much for the comment, really glad you enjoyed the video
Another great video Andy, some amazing images and I like the thought process of cropping out the skies and keeping it simple. looking forward to the next video
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the video
Beautiful work of this magical place😍 keep up the good work🙏💪
Thanks so much for watching, glad you enjoyed the video
Beautiful photography Andy! I think I even recognize one of the quiver trees 😉
Thanks so much Adam, it's a really special place...as you no doubt noticed. And yeah, possible the same Quiver Tree....there are a couple that are perfectly lined up with the rising milky way.
Amazing & inspiring. It’s really helpful to hear how you make such beautiful images.
Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed the video
Wow...the images you showed as examples are just wonderful! You have captured the area with such elegance and epic scale!
It's such a wonderful place to photograph in!
Cheers!
Thanks for watching Neil, it's an amazing place to shoot, as you know
We live in a beautiful planet and you are a great photografer.
Thanks so much for the comment 🙏
Nice job 😍
Thanks for the comment, glad toy enjoyed the video
Incredible images again Andy and it's also encouraging that you're using the telephoto lenses with many of the photos. It makes me think the 70-300 will be a great lens to use for both wildlife and landscape when I eventually get out there.
Keep up the great work 👍
Thanks for the comment. Yeah, for Namibia you absolutely need a telephoto and something like the 50-140mm isn't long enough. The 70-300mm will be pretty good for a lot of shots, but for wildlife you might still need more
Wonderful images, as always! Can we expect a practical landscape photography review of the Xf150-600 in a near future? 😁
Thanks so much. There should be a review of the 150-600 next video. Also the 16-80 review should be done soon
Well I can’t wait for the video! I’ve hesitated to invest in the 150-600 for a while now, especially with some reviewers complaining about the aperture being too small at 600mm. No doubt your opinion on the matter will be helpful.
Did you have to use a sturdier tripod than usual to make images at the longest focal?
❤
🙏
Thanks again Andy. Amazing shots and beautifully explained. Did you treat yourself to a 200mm F2?
Thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video. No, I've not gone of the 200mm, I prefer a bit more flexibility, so for this trip I had the 150-600mm, which is an awesome lens.
Awesome video - Interesting to see you pair the X-T5 with the 16-80mm and the 150-600mm for landscapes. Great job as always. One of these days I have to join one of your workshops.
I think lots of people pixel peep with lenses etc, especially the XF16-80, yet in reality having perfect pixels doesn't make an image great, the composition does. I'm literally going to Namibia in a couple of weeks and will have the 16-80 with me, so hoping to get images half as good as these!
@@JustinWatson23 Good luck on your trip - I'd love to see what you capture. I had the 16-80mm and sold it pretty quickly as I was never happy with the results - I bought it used so I may not have had a good copy. I agree with you on composition over pixel peeping. Some of my favorite images were taken with my D750 and my 24-120mm lens. It's not the sharpest or the fastest, but when I'm out in the ocean or in areas where I know the elements may get to it it's the combo I reach for the most and it comes through for me.
Thanks for the comment. When I was here last year I realised that you need a really long lens for a lot of the scenes, so I wanted to test the 150-600mm, and it really is a great lens for this kind of trip. However it's not a lens I could see myself using in a lot of other places, the 70-300mm is probably more practical. The 16-80mm I've been using for over a year and I really like it. It's not as sharp as the 16-55mm, but in my opinion it makes up for that in versatility and compactness. I'm really not a pixel peeper, and for me personally, when I look at lenses it's a combination of sharpness, focal length range and size/weight that I take into account. Some people value sharpness a lot higher than I do, but for me as long as it's acceptably sharp then I'm happy with it. I'll have a review of the 16-80mm later this year...I think it's a really really useful lens
Epic work Andy! Any advice I am most likely in Namibia in February and would like to visit Deadvlei.
Thanks so much for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video. Have fun in Namibia, it's an amazing place
Great pictures Andy! I recently had a question about the 8mm on a 40 MP camera and now I saw that you used the 55-200mm on the XT5. I compared pictures with that lense on the XS10 and XH2 and found a quite signifikant drop in quality especially on the longer end. What is your opinion/experience on 40MP? Thanks again and keep up the great work!
I love that lens, but there is a drop off in quality after around 120mm
First of all a massive thank you for your videos and all the useful information, tips and inspiration! Really enjoyed watching many of them and get a lot of inspiration for our own Namibia trip in October. Love your beautiful pictures and also the way you explain and share your experiences and your mindset behind your photography.
But in addition a short question: Which size do you use for your Kase filters? I'm shooting on Olympus MFT and Kase recommends a size larger for the filters (77mm instead of 72mm) quite similar to their recommendations for the Fuji lenses. From your experience it is necessary to step up to 77 or perhaps even 82mm?
Thanks so much. For the filters it's really doesn't hurt to go a size bigger if you want to use more than one filter at a time. If you just use one, then you're probably OK with a 72mm on the lens
thank you for sharing your expirience! would you mind sharing why you decided to shoot with X-T5 this time rather than with GFX100S? is it because of the size and weight or something else?
Thanks for the comment. I took the XT5 because I really wanted to have the long reach (notice a lot of these images are above 300mm) and last year with the GFX I had to crop into a lot of images. This year I wanted to test the 150-600, which was perfect for this trip as it turned out, so the GFX stayed at home.
Can only emphasise what @gelade has already said, another amazing video. Been following you for a while and wanted to do the Dolomites and Tuscany tour but a busy work life came in between the past 2-3 years but I am not giving up. Your videos are short but sharp, I like that you share many example photos and you don't make it too complicated to understand. Greetings from Dubai/Abu Dhabi (work) and see you hopefully in the Dolomites soon. It is only a 3 hours drive from Munich and the money is also put aside all. I need is the time :-)
If you are looking for input for what to change it would be great if you can add a date and time stamp to your photos, in aother words where, what day of the year and what time of the day.
Thanks for the comment, glad you enjoy the videos
Thank you very much for inspiration and some tips and tricks, Andy! Can you provide the name of the company who does the helicopter flights in Sossuvlei? This looks just insane!
I don't remember their name, but they're the only heli operators in Sossusvlei. They don't specialise in tourism though (most of their work is conservation based) and so you need to contact them and charter the entire helicopter, which is around $1400 per hour.
Interested to see that all of it was shot with the XT5 and 2 lenses 16-80 and 150-600. Looking forward to your review of both. Also curious if you brought the GFX for this trip and how your kit would then look like.
Thanks for the comment. I didn't take the GFX because with the 150-600mm my pack would just have been too big and heavy
@@AndyMumford thanks Andy. Very interesting choice, which I fully understand. The results you have shown are excellent and make me wonder a bit about the future of the GFX give the excellent performance of the XH2 and the XT5.
Your photography is amazing, and the video was a joy to watch. I very much hope I will be able to join you on a workshop some day.
I am curious however about your settings and the process that goes into how you choose shutter speed. Some landscape photos have a fairly high shutter speed, at the cost of some ISO. Why would you push up shutter speed for these kind of photos (not talking to photos taken from the helicopter, of course) ?
Thanks so much for the comment, really glad you enjoyed the video. The fast shutter speeds are because it was often windy and I was using very long focal lengths. Even with a tripod and IBIS it's very easy to get micro-shake and blurred images, so I increased the ISO. With modern cameras there's very little decrease in quality up to ISO1000
@@AndyMumford thank you for taking the time to reply, that makes perfect sense. Best wishes.
I know it is a bore to talk gear but I am about to go to Namibia and Botswana and I could use your advice. I have huge weight restrictions on the small planes flying to Botswana so I will have to make a major decision about lenses for my xt5. I also have an XT3 so I thought I’d have one camera with my 100-400 and use the other camera with a mid range….18-55? Or 16-80 (which I don’t own). Should I include the 10-20? If you can, I would appreciate your input….I am not taking a tripod due to weight restrictions (and travelling with non photographers)
The 100-400 is essential, but I would say you only need an ultra wide angle if you plan to visit Kolmanskopp. Everywhere else you'll probably be fine with the 16-80mm (it will give you close coverage to the 100-400 and is much better than the 16-80mm). If you really want to take an ultra wide just in case, you could get the super small and light Fuji 8mm or Laowa 9mm. Your two bodies and 3 lenses should be well under 3kg
@@AndyMumford thank you. Can I get away with the 18-55 if I don’t want to buy 16-80 or should I invest in it? ( the reviews are mixed) I could also take 55-200 my fav. Thanks so very much for taking the time to respond.
@mrskarshsphotos Personally I much prefer the 16-80 to the 18-55. The 55-200mm is a lovely lens, but it's really not long enough for a lot of images in Namibia. Most of the images in this video (except for the aerials) were taken above 300mm
@@AndyMumford thank you very much!
I really appreciate your advice and support. I am so exciting about my forthcoming trip and see it as an opportunity of a lifetime for memories and images (hopefully). Your guidance has been so helpful and your beautiful images are really inspiring. thanks and keep the videos coming. I love them!
These days, the challenges photographing this part of Namibia, are that it’s hard to get a clean shot in Deadvlei, as there are too many photographers who enter the composition and interfere with the image one wants to make. Unfortunately, there’s also a lot of garbage left at the base of the biggest dunes, which means a lot of effort is needed to clean up the scene before the photo can be made. The helicopter shots are brilliant, but the cost to rent a helicopter is prohibitive for most, so be prepared to go only if you have deep pockets.
Well, just getting to Namibia is relatively prohibitive for most, but once you're there the helicopter flights are quite a bit less expensive than most places I've visited if you can get other people to share with you. With Deadvlei, the best bet is to stay in one of the places inside the outer gate, which allows you to enter the park one hour before sunrise and leave one hour after sunset (for everyone outside the gate you can only enter at sunrise and have to be out at sunset). I've been to Deadvlei 6 times now and apart from our group there have only been a couple of other photographers in the morning before the masses arrive about an hour later..but by then the best light has gone so we leave. In the afternoons we've always had the place to ourselves for last light as everyone has left to be back at the gate at sunset. The hotels inside that gate are expensive, but the Dead Valley lodge has a campsite as well.
I've always found it to be a relaxing place to shoot as it's so calm and quiet, and there are so many different compositions to choose from. It's a shame you didn't have such a great experience when you were there.
It would be great if we could take a look at the raw files and the editing process behind these images, particularly those captivating aerial shots showcasing such remarkable contrast.
The contrast had to be pushed a little in post processing to drop the shadows down, but you can see from the videos that the shadow side of the dunes was pretty dark
Why when you camera is on a tripod you go all the way to iso 800 or iso 640 or even 400? most of your photos have been captured in iso 400? Why not iso 80 or iso 100 when you have a tripod?
Because even with a tripod when you're using very long focal lengths and it's very windy, as it was here, then you need to have fast shutter speeds or the image will be blurred from micro shake.
Thanks Andy.
that's interesting, now I understand these type of compositions with the dune which almost looks like a vertical wall in some of them, I have seen something similar but I couldn't figure out what was that..... by the way would you recommend the 16-80 on the 40mp sensor? and, would you recommend this lens in general?
Thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video. I think the 16-80mm is a great lens and I use it all the time on the XT5