Want to create images with IMPACT?
Itās not so much WHAT you are photographing thatās the most important ā itās WHEN and HOW you photograph it. Youāve got to capture a scene when the rhythm peaks!
In this video I explain this important tip ā with lots of photo examples from āThe Promised Landāā¦
ā¦Plus tell the story of how I ended up in hospital in excruciating pain!
Grab your favourite drink and watch this video I made for you…
āMungo Brushā (where I shot this video) has an amazing energy – I love this place.
Comment below and tell me about a time when you really felt the energy of a place (where were you and how did you feel?).
Brent
P.S. Did you watch my 1st video – How To Capture The Soul Of A Scene – if not then watch it after this one. I talk about the 2 things you need to do when you first arrive at a new scene.
Thanks for all the amazing comments on this 1st video.
Don’t forget to comment below. Brent
Brent, personally thought your choice of Jayco for a home away speaks well to your sense of quality and design. In the three videos I am impressed with how much information spoken and visual you get into just a few minutes. Time for instruction is limited here just now. Do you have a tutorial or part of one that addresses blown skies when the rest of the photo is working? Or is it just to get the ND filter set correctly?
Yes I love my old Jayco van. When it comes to blown out skies (overexposed) yes I recommend a circular polarising filter or ND filter or you can shoot multiple exposures and then create one HDR image. Hope this helps. Brent
Hello Brent. Once again I enjoyed the video and the message you imparted. When I saw your campsite my thought was wish I was there with you in my van. What an ideal spot. I feel the photo I sent to you encompasses what you said The moment was right, Absolutely all the planets were in line at the time. I am looking forward to seeing your next video.
.
Thanks Ron, yeah I’d love to go there right now too. Brent
Hi Mate like your video Mate Seen My Cancer Dr last week he’s very happy with everything at the moment mate so as Elton John said I’m still standing Mate Bluey
Thats such good news Bluey – happy birthday for yesterday too. Brent
Hi Brent,
Thanks for your video, I like the idea of finding the rhythm (the soul) of the photo.
Great video and tips, as always.
All the best from East London, South Africa
Thanks Dayalan – I miss my motherland (South Africa). Brent
Thank you for putting my feelings into words. I have taken photos in the past and absolutely loved them because of the feelings I experience every time I look at them; always the same feelings. I have stood and looked at other beautiful scenes and had no idea what to photograph; I was waiting for that Ah Ha light bulb moment but it didn’t happen. I have taken the images any way and just hoped that when I looked at them in post processing they would invoke the feelings that I missed in the field. I have never been happy with those images because they don’t invoke any special feelings despite me knowing that the scene was magnificent. You have a special way of making me understand what it is about photography that brings me so much joy. Thank you again.
My pleasure Jenine
Loving your videos Brent. You teach well, simple to understand, interesting and achievable tips. I started photography late in life spending earlier times happy snapping but got to the point of wanting to have shots that just burst with stories. I like what you teach. thank you.
Thanks Lyn, never too late to become an artist. Brent
Great tips Brent, thanks. On my walks during lockdown, I’m trying to use your tips to see good compositions in my surroundings with the plan to go back with the camera when I’m able to. Keep them coming.
Thats a great way to view the lockdown. I think we’ll all appreciate travel and friends more when we are free again. I’m hoping to go to Africa again next year April for my BootCamp safari – I’d love for you to join us too Dianne. Brent
Great insight into the depth of photography. I tend to just shoot to fast. I will definitely start to slow down.
Thanks!
Good idea to slow down and enjoy the process more. Brent
I am always amazed at the incites and the simply way you express them so that most of us get them. You are what I would consider a master teacher. You always tell us what to expect at the beginning and what we need to remember at the end. So thank you for all that you do to make your lessons meaningful. I always get so much out of your lessons and experiences.
Thanks Ann – wow I’m so grateful for your comment. Brent
Thanks again Brent. The dreaded bullrout!!! I love your videos. I am getting inspired again.
Thanks Keri
Hey Brent – interesting comment from Brian. I took an image here in the UK of some āleavesā and to me it was representative of new life growing up from the devastation of recent tree clearing due to disease (ash die back). Some got it and some didnāt but for me it is about exactly that feeling of the moment and how best to capture it well. The technical bits still need to be applied to get as best an image as possible, clear, sharp etc but the story is sometimes hidden for some. Not every great artwork is liked or loved after all. Photography is my hobby and I do it because I like the freedom, how it helps relaxation and above all I enjoy it. Nothing more to say really apart from giving you a virtual āhigh fiveā for being a breath of fresh air. Thank you.
High five back to you Bob
Another great video Brent in your engaging relaxed style. Thank you for these great tips.
My pleasure Stephen
you are an excellent storyteller Brent. You have put a lot of work into the presentation – it is excellent. Thank you for this.
Would you by any chance have a way of us sharing a photo related to each article at the end of each article. Not on Facebook.
Thanks Krishna – no way to share one here but in my membership (Photo BootCamp Academy) we share photo’s every day and get feedback from members. Check it out sometime. Brent
Thanks Brent.
I enjoyed both the videos – and the SA accent! We’re off to the Karoo for the next few days so I’ll put your tips to the test!
Nice – I’d love to visit that part of Africa too
I am very impressed Brent.
Logic simply applied
Thank you for such an excellent presentation.
You’re welcome Rene
Thanks Brent. Very informational. I love your teaching style, very friendly, unrushed and easy to follow.
Thanks Farhad
Wow, what amazing areas you have to photograph, Brent. I enjoyed the video and will think about the advice for the next time shooting. Thanks!
Thanks for your comment Joyce. Hope to see you in Africa again one day. Brent
Your video’s are among the best that I have seen since starting photography. Looking forward to seeing the next video. Let me tell you what I like most about your video in two words. Soft Sell! Great
Thanks Hy. Brent
Thanks Brent.
Your video made me realize I need to slow down when trying to capture a scene.
Yes and enjoy the moment even more
thanks Brent. New perspective in both your videos. I’ll try next time I’m out with camera. I have recently been trying to define ‘stoytelling’ and ‘soul’ in my photography – you have given me some very helpful pointers in a clear and concise fashion. . Thanks again
Thanks for your comments Lyn. Cheers, Brent
Brent, Your teaching style is very compelling, easy to understand, personal, and right to the point without the clutter of too much technical distraction. I learn something from every video.
Thanks Richard
Virtual high five my friend! Love this video. In this hectic thing called life I think this advice is so pertinent to much more than photography. Well done!
Cheers,
Amber
Thanks Amber
Thank you Brent short and sweet but capturing the main elements in laymanās terms to listen to and take in.
Glad you liked it Tony
Thank you for even more insight on this subject. As soon as I saw the first video I realized that I need to slow down and put myself in the moment more, and really feel where I am. It is always a pleasure to listen to you.
PS-watch where you step!
Thanks Sandra, yes I will watch my step in the future – don’t want to experience that pain again! Brent
Thank you, Brent. I constantly and consistently learn so much from your videos. I get so caught up in the technical aspects of a photograph that I forget the emotional. Thanks for reminding me to experience the rhythm of the whole picture; using all my senses and not just my brain.
So looking forward to the release of your new course.
Thanks Kathleen – yes I’m excited about this new course too – I’ve put my heart and soul into it. Brent
Hi Brent,
thanks for your insights, I love your casual and very informative advice. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Chris
Excellent series. I love the short but full of information that you are giving us. I can really “chew” on these ideas and how I am going to put them into use.
Thanks Pam
Excellent video. Many thanks for sharing your three tips. Can you elaborate on what you mean by peaking of the rhythm of the location? How do we know when it peaks? Is it actually the peaking of our emotional response to the location and image that we seek to capture?
Sure Bob – an example of the sand dunes at Mungo Brush, the rhythm peaks at sunrise and sunset when there are clouds and the wind has blown the day before to create nice textures in the sand. The only way to really get to know when it peaks is to be there at different times of the day and different weather conditions – but these things can be predicted too. Like shoot waterfalls and cascades when it’s overcast (or before the sun gets too high). Hope this helps. Brent
Your teaching style is very informative, casual and pertinent. You get to the point and explain clearly. I love the tip to immerse yourself in the scene first and find the rhythm. As I start to do that I see my images coming together more with greater poignancy and it tells more of a story than when I just took “snapshots”. Thanks for making it so simple and clear. Keep up the great work.
Immerse yourself – but don’t end up in hospital like I did š Brent
Taking the time to consider just what you’re trying to capture, both physically and emotionally, is a element we too often forget. I often have a photo in my mind’s eye as I’m traveling to the location…taking time to feel the scene and examine anew (video 1 and 2) and use composition techniques to help bring out the essence of the shot (video 2) are key elements to great photography.
Thanks for the great tips, Brent!
My pleasure Paul – I hope that these videos gets everyone to slow down and enjoy the creative process even more. I’ve had so much fun creating my images – and I want everyone to experience that feeling too. Brent
Another fantastic video lesson Brent. Your photography and techniques are awesome. Thanks for sharing so much.
Glad you like it Annette
Hi Brent. Another great video and advice. What I have gained from this one is the simplicity of the end result. Your shots are not crowded and yet depict the scene very well. They remind me of an earlier challenge “Less is More”. The big learning factor for me is the time you allow yourself to explore the scene and the wide variety of shots you take before settling on the final one. This is great work and truly very helpful as I pursue my hobby. Many thanks again Brent for your dedication and willingness to share your experiences with us.
Thanks Denis – yes take your time and enjoy the moment. Everyone is different and you’ll see things that I wouldn’t. Brent
I had heard a quote to ātake photos ABOUT something and not OF somethingā.
I find my photos are a lot OF things. I actually think your leaf is, I apologize, just a leaf. Nicely photographed but just a leaf.
Iām not intending to be critical but if I took that photo Iād ask myself-why? I imposing my own self doubt. How would a photo like this capture the soul of the place.
Again, Iām not trying to be critical, Iām trying to understand how to make my photos capture the soul of the scene and not just a āprettyā object.
Maybe Iām being too deep and should should just lighten up.
Good point Brian – that’s what I love about photography, it’s such a personal creative thing. I was mesmerised by the moving bubbles and all the foliage and ‘life’ around me and the new leaves was where my attention settled – it just felt right to me at the time. Thanks for you comment. Brent
Thanks for your response. It IS such a personal thing. I will continue to explore the strong feelings in a place and attempt to capture that in my shots. Thanks again for your inspiration.
No worries Brian
Hi Brent
I have been following you and your informative hints for some time. Thanks for these really meaningful videos, and for sharing your expertise with novice photographers.
My pleasure Tinus