Will these two KNOBS really improve your PHOTOGRAPHY?

[musiqueetmontagne]

I've been shooting for nearly 60 years and still constantly learn. Part of this learning is the modern tech, our cameras can do so many fantastic things now. When my eldest son went off to college, some years ago, I gave him my old Nikon D200 and an f1.8, 50mm prime. Instructions were, learn how to use it in manual mode, zoom with your feet, learn light, then composition... With modern tech, understanding how to use our amazing apparatus is a must but learning first how to use and tame light, then onto composition I feel is key to the best grounding in photography.

[ab.collage]

I agree, study Adam Gibbs! You keep telling us to slow down and I try to take that to heart. Also, look at your own work! When I look back at all the photos I've taken, the ones I like most are cityscapes taken with my Fuji x100s. That camera is fun!

[DarrenJSpoonley]

Great advices from ye All!! Might make a good ongoing series Adam asking others for their nugget

[stevecooney]

I have digital camera's, but recently have got a 35mm film camera and a couple of lenses. Shooting 35mm film and B&W has honed my skills. Loving the 35mm camera. Makes you think about your composition and everything that goes with it.

[Martingj]

What a great picture of the trees at 16:00. I would probably have tried to get them from top to bottom ins one frame, leading to absolute c..p. That’s why you are the master.

[geraintlyons]

15:53 love the silhouetted trees with the loch in the background. Cutting off the base of the trees and excluding the foreground was a stroke of genius. I need to be braver.

[domhaughton]

I'd have been having a word with myself about the missing element from the focus stack too, but that aside the pano view knocked my socks off. A wonderful piece of work. As for the big learning curve, colour grading is where I rarely feel comfortable.

[roryhaymanphotography]

I know you've done this in the past, but I really find when you go from the field to the editing process and explain the weakness or strength of a composition quite interesting and useful. Thanks for sharing.

[adamwhittingham]

A tip I have is when im looking at other photographers images (and mine in editing), and my initial instinct/thought is "i like that" or "wow"....I then immediately follow it with "why?". It then puts me into a technical view of the image. I analyse why i like the image, what makes it something that got my attention. Balance? Foreground interest? Colour etc?. Trusting your gut reaction to a visual stimulation will guide you to improving your photography and down the path of creating images you enjoy the most. So next time you're scrolling on instagram and you like an image, dont keep scrolling. Spend a few seconds asking "why do i like it?"

I do similar thought process with images that I'm not so fond of. Or images that are close but something isnt quite right. Much like Adam does with his two compositions here at @06:30 to 9:30 ish

From this I find my eye is more critical and honed in when out and about. Enabling me to see potential images before I even touch my camera.

[DennisBater]

It appears if you are from Great Britain it improves your chances of being a good photographer... according to the numbers on YouTube! ❤ Seriously, study the works of photographers you admire and see what makes their work great. Also, return to the same locations you are familiar with and try to improve upon your last images. The seasons, weather, and tides make each visit different and challenging! I am very fortunate to have the 2018 Landscape Photographer of the Year living a few km away from me. So if we shoot in the same locations I can compare my images to a professional's images and cry, I mean see ways to improve my photography.

[jimtrull]

Alan what has helped me is to invest in getting better and not just in gear. Attending photo workshops and learning in the field. Watching many of your and other YT creators I respect videos and applying what I have learned. Getting better at post processing from practice and learning on YT and in classes. Most importantly is just getting out often and continually working with composition and learning from a lot of mistakes. Each of these over the past few years has contributed to my improvement.

[adriantippins]

Hi Adam, hope all is well in your world! My one thing that improves photography is having the correct gear, but not necessarily photographic gear. for me it's about having the right outdoor gear that keeps you warm, dry and comfortable. Be it boots, scarves, jacket, or hat etc. The more comfortable you are, the more likely you'll spend more time out in the field and not jack it in at the first sign of bad weather. People spend thousands on cameras etc, but don't make the right investment into the stuff they wear or take with them. My favourite item on photo Jetboil!

[Media]

saying we had in baseball coaching days was not practice makes perfect but actually, Perfect practice makes perfect play. So important part of that is don't just go out and shoot but have a purpose. What are you trying to get better at ? how are you going to get better when out in field etc that's why channels like yours and the other photo gurus are super handy to see how others work to see where you may be going wrong in your efforts !

[davidskinner]

Four of my favourite photographers... Great to see collaboration.

[juanitakelly]

All good tips! My thoughts are similar to Ian's. Learn from others but shoot for yourself and don't compare yourself. Take it slow and figure out what your goals are with your photography before investing in tons of gear (Henry). Practice, practice, practice (Adam) and return to locations in different seasons and conditions (Paul) for comparison even if you can only travel locally. Having a project of some kind keeps my creativity flowing. And watch a lot of YouTube channels when the weather is too crummy to get out!!

[michaelcoleman]

Two Tips -- Walk around you subject if you can and view it from different angles, get out in your neighborhood and shoot what you find. Mike

[TLM]

Really appreciate listening and learning your thoughts about how you compose different photographs!

[davebenson]

I wondered when I first saw your set up how you were going to deal with that tree( 6:25) and other separation issues too... not just skill... but behaviour too... SLOW down... take your time! I could spend my whole life just seeking out beautiful lichen images... Thanks for sharing your adventures Adam... 🙂

[perambulatingmike]

Good one, Adam….enjoyed this one! 👏🏻👍🏻

[lylestavast]

Thanks indeed Square Space for sponsoring this genius photographer, we're all blessed by his wisdom, photography and collection of mates. I'd definitely go to squarespace if I had pictures worth displaying.