Landscape Photography Vlogs

Landscape Photography Workshop Secrets and some Q&A

I reveal some of the secrets from my landscape photography workshops. I provide tips and advice to solve the problems many of my clients have been struggling with. There is also some general Q&A.

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My video photography blogs are designed to entertain and document how I go about capturing my work. If it provides landscape photography tips and inspiration along the way then please share it with your friends so more people can benefit from the content. If you enjoyed this photography vlog I would really appreciate it if you subscribed to the channel so you can come along for the journey.

Drove 3 HOURS to the BEACH just to find a SEASHELL!

I travel to Flamborough Head to find a sea shell for my new project. It’s more nature than landscape photography, where I bring the outdoors, indoors. I also test out the new lower noise DJI Mavic PRO props.

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The Perfect Plan

I had an epic plan. It was going to be beautiful. Everything was set for the early start the next day. The weather was looking great, the mountains were snowcapped, the bag was packed, the coffee was prepped and I went to bed very excited. Then guess what, yep you got it, my alarm did not go off. Or it did, and I did not hear it or turned it off subconsciously. Either way I was gutted. This kind of thing never happens to me. There was just no way I could salvage it, I couldn’t get to the Lake District in time. I was so certain Plan A was going to work that I did not have a plan B. In the end you’ve got to believe these things are meant to be.

A photography project backup

For times like this it’s always good to have a few project ideas in mind. I wracked my brains and remembered an idea I had thought of recently whilst creating a collage on my wall from all the vlogs I have filmed this year. When I was putting them up I realised that they all fitted into one of three categories - woodland (or trees), beaches or seascapes and finally mountains. I thought it would be fitting to create a piece of work that celebrated these three categories that I had subconsciously gravitated towards over the year.

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Struggling for Inspiration

Over the last few weeks I have been struggling for inspiration with my landscape photography. It often happens to me at this time of year when the dark nights set in and we go through the Autumn to Winter transition. With that in mind I decided the project would be about bringing the outdoors, indoors. I wanted to photograph a single object that represented each landscape category and then combine them into an overall piece of work. Three items for three categories. It seemed pretty obvious to use a leaf to represent woodland. Mountains were a bit more difficult to represent. The rock, the earth and the dirt all speak to me when I am on the mountain but do not necessarily make a good picture. One particularly appealing feature of the mountain trails are the cairns that mark the path. Whilst piled up by man, the rock is still of the mountain. I therefore decided to represent this on a smaller scale using small stones. That left me with the sea. Nothing represents the sea and the beach like a shell. Except I didn’t have a shell. So here I am. 

DJI Mavic Pro Low Noise Propellers

Heading out has also given me the opportunity to the new low noise props for the DJI Mavic Pro. At £20 for two pairs they are not cheap. The propellers made only a very minor difference. When drone is hovering there is very little noticeable difference. When the drone is going a full tilt there is a marginally reduced volume. Worth a £20 upgrade? Probably not.

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Bringing the outdoors, indoors

Shell in hand it was time to head back to the studio to create the images. I knew black and White was the way to go for each image using a mixture of high key and low key lighting. The methods I used to capture the images are not the theme of this video but leave a comment down below if you’d like to see a tutorial. My vision for the final image was to have them side by side in a panorama. That makes it harder to print so I settled for small prints in a vertical frame. The final work took much more effort than capturing a single landscape photograph. I loved the process though and am proud of what I have created. Now, when I look at it, i am reminded of the beauty that is out there providing inspiration for the next shoot.

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An Early Rise and Natural Highs

I travel to Blea Tarn to capture a magnificent sunrise and make the most of the stunning Lake District morning, with a short mountain hike, in this landscape photography vlog. 

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More than before

Over the past two years I have shot a lot of landscape photography, more than ever before in a short space of time. I recently printed out a 4x6 print of one image from each of the vlogs I have shot this year. It filled my wall and it is a body of work I am extremely proud of, especially with a film to accompany each one. I have learned a lot and it has been a thrilling experience.

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Landscape photography wellbeing

One of the biggest things that has struck me is the enormous sense of wellbeing that is generated when I go out shooting. This week was a particular example of that. I spent Thursday in the Lake District running a workshop and did not get back to my hotel until about 8pm. I was joined laterby my good friend and photographer Lyle McCalmont. We enjoyed a well earned couple of drinks before heading to bed. There was little rest though. We were up again for 5am to get over to Blea Tarn for some sunrise photography. When I arrived I was feeling a bit low. Tired, frustrated by the drive and not particularly ready for it. Even when the incredible pink sky appeared above Blea Tarn and the distant Langdale Pikes I felt underwhelmed even as other photographers who were present were whooping and cracking out high fives.

Blea Tarn, Lake District, UK

Blea Tarn, Lake District, UK

More than the art

For me it has become about so much more than the simple art of capturing an image. The morning progressed and we hiked up a small mountain as the rising sun began to lash the crags around us. We had fun getting a couple more images before nailing some footage for the video. We eventually made it to the top for the breathtaking 360 degree views. The feeling of elation and joy was palpable. The exercise, the effort, the hard work and the challenge are all part of what provide the sense of achievement and wellbeing. 

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Well earned memories

Part of the drive is to produce images that others don't have. The Blea Tarn shot, whilst a perfectly good shot, felt too easy. The spot was about 1 minute walk from the car and the other photographers present were all capturing very similar images. Hiking up immediately puts you in territory that most people are not willing to venture into. It creates a much better opportunity for finding unique and interesting compositions. I do not purposely try to make things more difficult but the lasting memories and feeling of success is much greater when I have had to work for it.

Isle of Mull

Isle of Mull

The next chapter

Looking at my wall of 4x6 images now, brings back rich and vivid memories of each experience. There is a story behind each one that makes me feel happy and proud every time I look at them. I can not wait to create the next one.

Snowdonia - Making a Landscape Photography Connection

I travel to Snowdonia in North Wales to climb a mountain and connect with the area in this landscape photography vlog. 

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Photography in Snowdonia

This is my first dedicated photography trip to Snowdonia. I visited the area when I was a child but otherwise it is not an area that has ever drawn me in. It is a stunning landscape though. The Lake District is my photography home and is very different from Snowdonia. It is more rugged, craggy and brutal but no less impressive. 

Ups and Downs

Following the disappointing shoot in Anglesey last week I wanted to make a solid connection to this landscape. Understanding an area and making an emotional connection to the area is important to me. It allows me to gain an insight and start to tell the story of the area through the pictures that I capture. Sometimes this happens and sometimes it doesn't. Being an emotional photographer has its upsides and it downsides. Often it is better to be more stoic and level headed to allow you to overcome the challenges presented to you. Whilst I perform like this in many areas of life my photography is something different. I am very passionate about it so it leads to a series of ups and downs. This can be draining but when you are riding high, visit somewhere stunning, get the right conditions and start shooting; the results can be spectacular. 

Y Garn and the Devil's Kitchen

For this trip the conditions did not quite present themselves as perfect. It was a great trip, I got some good shots and managed to scout out the area for future landscape photography shoots. My day also included an epic mountain walk aiming for the top of Y Garn. It was a hard climb up a portion of mountain that I later discovered was aptly named, The Devils Kitchen.

Frustration in Anglesey - Landscape Photography Vlog

My trip to North Wales begins in Anglesey with a search for some beautiful seascapes. Frustration reigns in this landscape photography vlog.

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In the video last week I talked about the landscape photography wave, where we travel through a natural process of ups and downs. During my day at the beach today I went through the full spectrum and experienced the highs and lows, all in one day. It was emotional and frustrating and the day didn't end as I had hoped. There are many occasions when the weather lets you down. This normally doesn't bother me but tonight it did. Everything was going so well and I was certain the weather was going to work out for me. Some unexpected sea haze arrived due to the extreme wind and the golden light I needed for the final shot just did not turn up. 

Despite my mood, the day was still enjoyable. The sunset never really came but the final image was good and it provides an excuse to return in future. Anglesey has some stunning coastline that is perfect for landscape photography. I didn't have much time there but it is clearly a stunning landscape even overrun by people in the summer months. 

I hope to return there the very near future to capture the sunset photography I was looking for.

My video photography blogs are designed to entertain and document how I go about capturing my work. If it provides landscape photography tips and inspiration along the way then please share it with your friends so more people can benefit from the content. If you enjoyed this photography vlog I would really appreciate it if you subscribed to the channel so you can come along for the journey.

Riding the Landscape Photography Wave

In this episode I witness a beautiful sunset when I travel to North Yorkshire and enjoy some of the beautiful heather on display. I go to a place I know very well to help me ride the landscape photography wave.

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The Wave

Landscape photography is like anything else in life. It has its ups and downs, lows and highs. On the video last week it was very emotional, I captured some amazing shots, met some incredible people and it was a big high. When you're on top, the only way is down and it's important not to see this as a negative but rather a natural movement in the wave of life and the photography process. At a time like this I there are two things I like to do with my landscape photography. The first option is to head off on an epic trip to somewhere amazing. I'll be doing that soon but it's not always possible. The second option is to come back to somewhere close to home or somewhere you know really well, slow it down and just enjoy the process. That's exactly what I've done today and I've come back to Roseberry Topping, just couple of miles from where I grew up.

Landscape Photography Workshop

I am also very proud to be launching my landscape photography workshops. Spend the day with me and retrace the steps from one of the First Man Photography vlogs and capture some of the finest scenery the UK has to offer. The workshops will be a brilliant day and my supportive and encouraging style, enthusiasm and knowledge will give you confidence with your camera and help you capture some incredible landscape images. Book your trip now and come along for the ride.

Two Landscape Photographers are Better than One

A landscape photography YouTube collaboration

I travel to the Lake District to take a special guest up a mountain in this landscape photography vlog collaboration. 

Watch Andrew’s video - https://youtu.be/MaUq0XKfonM

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Shooting landscape photography often attracts the kind of person who is not afraid to be alone. Solitude is embraced and a sense of wellbeing arises from the time to ponder, to reflect and to review your current situation in life. Positive as this is, loneliness can easily sneak up on you so it's important to share your passion and talk about what you love. There is no better way to so thisthan to head out on a photography trip with friends or like minded people. It is one of life's true pleasures. Heading out on a shoot with other people is very beneficial. You can learn from each other, see how others work and talk about landscape photography all day long. Your skills will definitely improve. 

Reaching out

With this in mind I had wanted to do a YouTube collaboration for a while. I had been reaching out to numerous different people to try and make things happen (some will still happen) but arranging a get together is easier said than done. So when Andrew Marr contacted me saying he was heading over to the UK I knew something had to happen. Andrew is a talented landscape photographer from Australia and has been creating photography vlogs for nearly a year. His calming presence and thoughtful compositions have earned him a loyal following from around the world. We quickly realised our schedules were going to match nicely so we took the opportunity to meet up and go on a shoot together.

The Aussie connection

The day was absolutely brilliant and we spent the entire time talking landscape photography, YouTube, a bit of cricket and getting to know each other. It was a truly rewarding experience and I hope to repeat it soon. Both with other YouTubers and landscape photographers but also to make the return journey to Australia at some point. I would love to capture some sunset photography on those amazing Australian beaches. 

Please let me know if you would like to see me do any further collaborations. Tell me who, but maybe more importantly, tell them as well.

Landscape Photography - Sunset in the Yorkshire Dales

Landscape Photography at Grimwith Reservoir

I visit Grimwith Reservoir in the Yorkshire Dales in this landscape photography vlog. There are panoramas, sunsets and some beautiful golden light.

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Getting out and taking pictures of beautiful scenes is one of life's great pleasures. You can sit at home and watch a landscape photography tutorial but there is simply no substitute to getting off your backside and heading into the great outdoors. It is always a learning experience. Since creating these vlogs I have been going out more than ever and my recent learnings have been around the anticipation of how the weather and the light will develop as the day progresses. There is obviously a massive element of luck when it comes to the weather but every little observation and bit of experience you gather will add to your overall expertise.

Documenting the journey

It has been an interesting experience documenting my work in this way. The story of my day is all built around the images. Without the photographs there is no vlog (although I will be vlogging some of my other business activities at some point). This adds extra pressure to capture good images with the weekly video deadline ever looming. In the past I would often go out and return home empty handed when the weather did not play ball or my composition was not quite right. Now though, I am simply putting everything out - the good, the bad and the ugly. It has been fascinating seeing the reaction.

People clearly value truth and honesty and I am laying myself bare for all to see. However on several occasions people have loved the images. I simply would not have published previously. Whilst people are often quick to praise, the analytics afforded by social media really helps to back up this feedback. Enjoy the process, create the work, put it out and let people decide what they like. Trust in your talents and do not waste time criticising yourself.

Grimwith Reservoir

Grimwith Reservoir is the largest body of water in the Yorkshire Dales and was extended to it's current size in the early 1980's. It is now a beautiful location and important area for some of the local bird life. It is also a particularly remote and unforgiving landscape and high winds are the norm. On this occasion though the sun was out and made for a very pleasant Spring walk.

My video photography blogs are designed to entertain and document how I go about capturing my work. If it provides photography tips and inspiration along the way then please share it with your friends so more people can benefit from the content. If you enjoyed this photography vlog I would really appreciate it if you subscribed to the channel so you can come along for the journey.

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