The UGLY side of Landscape Photography




Lots of photographers may have you believe that landscape photography is all about being at one with nature, witnessing beautiful sunsets and connecting with the landscape on another level. Well, sadly this is rarely the case.

Music: Tear Drops by Stems Instruments

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Below is most of my kit used on this trip. These links will take you to Amazon where you can read more. Please be aware that if you choose to purchase any of this kit I may get a commission of 3% from Amazon 🙂 **Not my reason for doing the video, but feel obliged to let you all know** Peace.

For a more comprehensive kit list & why I use each piece of gear, please check out this blog post: http://bit.ly/tomsgear

Canon G5X – http://geni.us/CanG5X
Lacie Rugged Hard Drive – http://geni.us/Rugged
LowePro Bag – http://geni.us/ProTactic
Manfrotto Bag – http://geni.us/OffRoad
Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 Tripod (New Version here) – http://geni.us/ManfrottoTripod
Arca Swiss Manfrotto Ball Head – http://geni.us/c9eN
My “L” Bracket – http://geni.us/LBracket
Lee Field Pouch – http://geni.us/LeePouch
Lee Foundation Holder – http://geni.us/wKWK
Lee Polariser – http://geni.us/LeePol
Polariser Adaper Ring – http://geni.us/LeeAdapt
Lee MEDIUM Grads – http://geni.us/MedGrad
Lee Lens Caps – http://geni.us/LensCaps
Plug Bug – http://geni.us/PlugBug
G5X/G7X USB Charger – http://geni.us/G7XUSB
5D USB Charger – http://geni.us/5DUSB
GoPro Hero 4 Silver – http://geni.us/Hero4S
GoPro 3 Way Mount – http://geni.us/Mount
Gorillapod – http://geni.us/Gorilla
Audio Recorder – http://geni.us/AudioRec
Rycote Wind Jammer – http://geni.us/WindJam
Mic – http://geni.us/RodeLav
I also needed an adapter for the Lav Mic – http://geni.us/Adapter
Leatherman Skeletool – http://geni.us/Tool

Original source


37 responses to “The UGLY side of Landscape Photography”

  1. I'm hearing you! Nothing like visiting the same location over and over and over again just to catch the right light and the weather won't play ball get's bloody frustrating.
    Makes you want to take up still life in the studio, a nice warm dry studio… Na, bugger that!
    Great down to earth video mate, cheers.

  2. Good video to illustrate the effort required to get those good shots that some people think they simply need the latest camera to get. So much for megapixels and focus modes. Turns out what you need most is perseverance, time, a little luck. And some fresh batteries.

    But what really struck me about this video is the production quality. This video feels like a BBC documentary and not someone filming himself on YouTube with a selfie stick. The sweeps, the mood setting, the background shots, the post editing – this thing is miles and miles beyond anything else I've seen in terms of production value. I don't usually comment on videos but you should feel really proud of this video for the production value alone.

    The two photos you did manage to take were great. Well worth it. Not such a bad day after all.

  3. I have a thumb that is black and blue falling into Dinkey Creek. I had to use a folding saw to cut away a branch that intruded into a wooden bridge I wanted to photograph. I got the shot but my thumb is quite painful and swollen. I understand. But….wildlife is even worse than landscape for frustration and uncontrolled variables.

  4. I was shooting some stills by the Hollywood sign. A lot of trails and grass, plants, dry trees right? When I was on top of the hill, I shot a landscaped of the space around — covering about a mile of territory. The image looked awful. The pixels look bad and it looked like a painting (lol) and not a photograph. Why is this? is it because of all the detail on trees and mountains that it confused the sensor?? I used a sony a7sII FYI

  5. How beautiful the scenery is at 9:15. I am sure you took some great photos but that took my breath away. the way sunlight is hitting on those hills with this beautiful orange-y shade is just awesome.

    Your photo at 11:05 is just amazing! i don't have words to describe it, i am speechless.

  6. I thumbed up this video not because I'd enjoy your bad day, but because these kind of raw videos and so called fails show the true passion. And I admire you, Thomas. I believe is it as you said, just wasn't supposed to happen on that day. Next time though 😉

  7. I've done similar things to extend my battery. We've all been there. Long hike, then need something and not have it. I liked the Lake Windermere segment. The story but moreso the coincidence that I live on a Lake Windermere in the USA

  8. Good show and excellent story Thomas – your voice overs, supporting music and B roll cuts really helped motivate the scenes. And as all landscape photographers will relate, there's nothing quite as satisfying as capturing that split second shot where the light is perfect… or the disappointment when you're not ready or the shot never materializes 🙁
    Or we have a gear problem. Or something critical or costly breaks or gets damaged. Or we lose something or forget and leave it behind. Or we screwed up the setting, especially a rookie setting like a focus issue. Or we didn't setup in the right place. Or we got distracted. Or we smudged the lens. Or bumped the camera during a shot. Or forgot to put on the lens hood. Or we didn't bring a critical tool, adapter, connector, cable, filter, memory card/s, towel/camera cover (rain), and yes batteries! Then there's all the other snafus recording video, audio, lost files, car problems, parking problems, trail issues, wrong clothing attire, food/water issues, people issues, unforeseen weather elements including wind… NO WONDER LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY IS SOOOoooo much fun 😉

  9. I'm a former professional photographer. I was a generalist and so shot a bit of everything. My primary career was in the days of film. For me the ugly side of photography involved weddings. High emotions often combined with alcohol, ugly reception halls and the totally unpredictable nature of clients and families. When things go bad at a wedding they can go really bad, really fast, and you don't get to go back and do it again. Then, of course, there was the added joy of hauling around massive amounts of heavy gear. At least with landscapes, you don't have to capture the trees doing the funky chicken.

  10. It's very reassuring to see that I am not alone in having days like this. So much of the internet is filled with people looking like they are always having a better/easier time than you, so it's nice to get some balance.

  11. You said it was a bad day, but you got some keepers so I'd say it wasn't "bad" at all. Just not as good as you were hoping, which is alright. Thanks for posting this realistic video though!

  12. Thanks Thomas I really enjoyed this video. Landscape photography is definitely a combination of frustration, perspiration, patience and elation. The 'failed' shoots make the good ones all the more special. A lot of photography videos are all about perfect conditions whereas this one shows the value of patience, being willing to adapt, moving on when it isn't going to happen and being prepared. I love that you were willing to share your ' rookie mistake' because it's comforting to know that these things happen to everyone (I've made the memory card version of this mistake). Cheers mate!

  13. Absolutely love your approach, honesty and fantastic content of your work and video's Thomas, absolute top stuff mate and really appreciated, you give a lot of inspiration and motivation from you work and it's infectious, top stuff, please keep them coming, luv life and live it big, you sure look like you are.

  14. Hey – great video. You managed to turn a bad day into a great video that will help a lot of people. You hadn't planned on making that type of informational vid, but I think it will help many. Thanks for posting this!

  15. tom, tuff luck with the nasty weather and your battery. I was curious how did you hook up the  tripod to your backpack? And what is the max tripod size that you can lug around. Thanks! and better luck next time. Are you satisfied with your lee mting system for your square uv or graduated filters.

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