Struggling to “see” the scene?
Have you ever felt like you couldn’t “see” the scene, didn’t know how to shoot it? What lens to use, what angle, what to include and what to leave out?
You’re not alone!
2 things you need to do when you first arrive at a new scene
This happened to me in Africa on a recent trip. I tell this story and the 2 things I now do every time I get to a new place – that helps me capture the soul of the scene.
Grab a coffee (or beer) and watch this video I made for you…
Don’t miss the single image I captured at this water hole in Africa that “speaks” to me the most.
Has this ever happened to you? Let me know in the comments below. Brent
My first opportunity to watch you in action, Brent. Your delivery, enunciation and manner are excellent. What I capture in your style is an inclusive pleasantness and the gift of speaking to your audience, not at them. The resulting photo is brilliant and perfectly illustrates what you hoped to get across. The photo itself caused me to linger over it and examine the details, the eye, the hide patterns, and I got that sense of the love you found in that herd. Thanks.
Thanks for your kind words Diana
Great and very useful tips. Thank you. Klaus
No worries Klaus
Hey Brent,
Very nice vid. What you’re saying must be universal for many great artists. My wife, a landscape plein air painter, taught me to see with the “painter’s eye,” or in this case, “photographer’s eye.” By that, she means to do as you’re saying: absorb the scene in front and around you. Become part of your environment. Get the “gist” of where you are and what you’re a part of. Then see what it is that can capture the feeling that you are getting from what you are experiencing.
So thanks for giving another way of looking at the “painter’s eye.”
We’re all artists after all Klaus
Thanks Brent for sharing these tips and advises.
My pleasure Rene
Thanks Brent it has given me something to think about
Perfect! Brent
Dear Brent,
So true, and thank you being honest – small things like this stick to me like superglue.
Regards Johan
South Africa
I want to send one of my photos to show exactly what went wrong if you are too hasty, instead of slow down, identify the light post in the background and just move a few meters left and I would have had the perfect photo.
Thanks Johan – not sure if you can post an image here but give it a go – or join my BootCamp community where we share images and comment on them each month. Cheers, Brent
Thanks Brent,
Great advice and it will get me out of that dreaded creative rut next time!
We all go through them – ask me I’ve been through creative ruts more times than I care to remember. Brent
Thank you Brent. I can certainly relate to wanting to get in there and capture what I see but emotion plays an even bigger part. I love your videos and am encouraged that you as a pro experiences these moments too.
Thanks Keri
Slowing down is the one thing I truly need to work on. Sometimes you just want to go, go, go. Shoot this, shoot that and not really enjoying your surroundings. Thanks again
Yeah it’s getting even worse with social media etc.
Thanks for the video, Brent. The practical advice of “Slow Down” and “What speaks to you about this scene?” are great! Looking forward to the upcoming videos.
Thanks Kent
Thank you for this great video Brent. I certainly hear what you are saying and I have done what you suggest on occasions and the results have been great. I can do this when I am on my own exploring but it is much more difficult when I am travelling with my husband because he is so impatient. He sees the scene and enjoys it but he doesn’t experience the moment. As photographers we tend to operate at a slower pace so as not to miss the essence of the scene in front of us. It’s funny because my husband can spend time looking at a painting on a wall but he can’t spend time looking at the painting that Mother Nature provides for us in the real world. My husband grew up in the city and I grew up in the country; I think that is the difference.
I hear you Jenine, that’s why on safari it’s mostly photographers who appreciate where we are and what we’re experiencing. Brent
Thank you Brent for your video. I gave a sigh of ‘It’s not just me then!’
I get this, happens to me a lot. I live in a visually stunning environment, it’s not hard to take photos, but, what I really want to do, is capture the feeling, that emotional response to a view or scene.
Most of us experience this too
I LOVED your video. I will start to “slow Down” to capture better photos. I will start to slow down and get in tune with my surroundings. Nature is beautiful when one is tuned in to it. Thanks for make the video. I am looking forward for more videos.
Thanks Walter
Interesting–something I have never really thought about, but have experienced from time to time.
Thanks for your comment John
Thanks Brent! This was a good reminder for me and for several reasons. Firstly, I tend to be in a bit of an anxious time. You made me remember that it doesn’t have to be that way with your first suggestion of “slowing down.” While you were talking on the video I immediately took two deep breaths and it made me feel better immediately. It had nothing to do with my photography which has been on hold but it will help I know when I pick up the camera again. It’s also important to listen and feel the scene. That’s great advice too. I so wish I could go on your African trip. Will you be doing it again in the coming year?
Thanks Ellen – yes we’re going again next year but we’re pretty much full at the moment. Brent
Brent,thank you for your experience & guidance.You are a photographer and not a biographer.You spoke for about 4 minutes but only last 2 minutes made sense rest was repetition,repetition.Please make it short and sweet.Thank you and sorry for my own observations.I will still watch and follow you .You are the PRO.
Critique noted
Thank you so much for making me realize why my images have gone stale. I now know that initial feeling of being out taking photographs has gotten clouded by preoccupation with technique and equipment.
You’re not alone Saskia – happens to all of us. Brent
Hi Brent. This video was what I needed to see and hear this morning. I am rushing around completing tasks and not really in the task as it were. I stopped for some reason to check my mails and there you were. Had a look and I could feel myself slowing down. I remembered that shot of the baby elephant surrounded and protected form any harm that maybe close by. The photo shows that love and protection that we all need from time to time and never more so than now as we all battle this virus. Many thanks for taking the time to share this with us again. It is very easy to fall back into old habits . Many thanks Brent.
Glad you like it Denis – we all need this reminder from time to time
Hi Brent , with the restrictions of lock down it has limited what i can photograph ,i would normally be at the beach. On monday i decided to go for a walk to our local dam at Weston ,with camera in hand of i went after a few minutes I could hear Bellbirds , after a while i started to see some flying quite erratic i tried to get a few shots which i wasn’t happy with , then i stopped and start to Listen after about a minute i was able to hone in were they were in the trees , as they are same colour as the leaves ,i focused on a branch and panned up the Branch and there he was I zoomed in and took the shot.. the take away from my experience was sometimes you can’t always see your subject but if you stop and be quiet for a moment and listen you will often hear it….
Hope to catch up when we get out of lock down. Cheers Paul..
Great feedback Paul, yes lets catchup once things are back to normal. Brent
Thank you for your advice, and your timing. In a few weeks I will be photographing a small family picnic. I was doing exactly what you said – “Which lens?”, “What composition?”, etc. I didn’t know where to settle my vision. I knew that “this scene deserves more than a snapshot” (as you said), but I wasn’t sure how to accomplish that. Now I know . Along with the beautiful setting and the family, I want to capture the feeling, the love they have for each other. I know now that without your advice my image would have been a high-quality snapshot. I hope now, thanks to you, I can make it something much more.
Good luck Bud, and enjoy the process. Brent
Hi Brent
Thank you so much for a great video, my favourite from all of your collection. It is a necessary reminder of what is so very important when we are out exploring and taking some photos.
I am fortunate that my wife is usually accompanying me when we are travelling or out walking and she will often say “Slow down, put the camera away and just take it all in. Etch what you see and feel into your mind.”
I am gradually getting used to doing this but still get caught up in the excitement of a potentially extra good photo opportunity.
Your explanation of the importance of taking in the whole scene and getting a feeling of the intricacies and relationships that exist in a particular situation was delivered with passion and I am sure it will help all of the group become better photographers.
Before watching the video I used to say to myself “Don’t just look, try and really see all around”. After watching the video, I began to write out a sequence that would help remind me of steps to take when out taking photos.
I began with Look and See. Then I added Feel. Then I thought about preparation before the “Look”, and what could follow after the “Feel”.
I finished up with the following: Move, Explore, Look, See, Feel, Think, Create, Enjoy, Share, Reflect
I actually think the Reflect part would occur several times throat this process.
10 steps is far too many for me to remember each time, but handy to check out occasionally and refine what I can do better.
This is easily the longest comment I have submitted since joining the group, but your video has made a real impact on me – so a big thanks once again.
I like this Greg… Move, Explore, Look, See, Feel, Think, Create, Enjoy, Share, Reflect
Great video, I have experienced the same thing many times, looking forward to the next video
Thanks Steve
Hi Brent, Been there with the same feeling. I never overcame that feeling and was happy with my snapshots. Now I will apply your tips and looking forward to the rest of the tips.
Thanks for your feedback Fred
When my husband, my walking companion, passed away, my camera became my companion as walked our usual routes. I looked for one image that would catch my eye to represent the feeling I had as I walked through the memories. Many of those photos kindle the tender feelings of that day. Yes, some are snap shots, but there are those that express what you are saying in this video. Thank you for drawing our attention to the importance of intentionally seeking the presence of the moment.
Thanks for sharing your experience Elise. Brent
What if the scene is changing and you don’t have the time to really feel the scene? What would you do then?
Good question and a lot of us get into this situation. Firstly try to plan enough time to really get to feel the scene. Then I would spend the limited time I have enjoying the scene and maybe take a couple of “sketch” shots and then plan to come back at another time when I have enough time scheduled. My main message here is to slow down and really be present – instead of rushing off to the next thing. Rush, rush, rush stresses us out and we are living for the future instead of enjoying the present moment. Hope this helps, Brent
Love the composition in the baby elephant photo!!
Thanks Joyce. Let’s hope we can all go to Africa next year again. Brent
Brent, thanks for sharing both your experience and photo. I hope to use your tips to improve my photography.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this video. The soul of the photo would be different for everyone. I would have included the whole baby and a teenager and a parent to show the love and protection of the family unit. So would you agree that the eight people with you likely had different images of what the soul of the scene meant to the
For sure – everyone feels a scene differently and that’s what I love about photography. 8 People at the same scene and 8 totally different images. Brent
Thanks for you comment Kevin
Love this calming advice so much: Focusing on the emotion, the mood, the scene evokes, not just the “facts.” I do a lot of church photography, so hearing this is a great reminder to be attentive to the holiness of what is happening in front of me and let my photography convey that.
Thanks Cindy
Thank you so much for your advice. I am going to Africa next year and I know I will be excited but I will remember your advice and slow down and not get too excited and will then be able to get good images.
You’ll love Africa
Hi Brent. Thank you for the video. Looking forward to the next ones. It has certainly reminded me to “Slow down”. Last year I went out on the “Imagine” whale cruise. You know the boat I mean. Anyway, I committed a big sin. Flattened my battery on the way out and you guessed it, no spare battery. So okay, I thought, just enjoy the coming experience. I was disappointed at getting no shots but I was so awed by the whales that I forgot about the Phone camera I had. Kicked myself later but I did really enjoy the experience by “Slowing Down”. Disappointed we didn’t get to meet this month as planned due to Covid.
Hope to meet you soon Ron
Hi Brent, thank you so much for bringing this video back again. It made me stop and think about what you said re slowing down and taking in the scene. It doesn’t hurt to be reminded of the steps we could do. In our rush to capture the moment we forget to take in the whole scene and capture shots like the wonderful shot you captured. I shed a little tear when I saw the baby surrounded by its elders. Brent, that must have been the shot of the day for you. It certainly would have been for me. I am looking forward to seeing your next videos. Ron.
Inspiring to say the least. Made me smile. Good advice for not only photography but life in general.
Thanks Leslie
Hi Brent
Lovely calming video. Reminded me of my many holidays to Tanzania. So wished I knew more about photography then. Especially the ‘slow down I was and probably still am in such a rush for fear of missing the scene and the moment. I am taking on board your comments and look forward to the next 2!
Thanks Brent.
Thanks Jane – I’d love for you to join me next year in Africa too. Brent
Great tip Brent, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jean-Pierre
Hello Brent,
I’m a complete newbie and appreciate so much you taking the time to create this fantastic video and I can feel your love of photography and people.
These tips you shared really moved me and inspired me. It never dawned on me that this is why I take a photo in the first place. I now realize I have been takeing snap shots and “documenting a moment” vs what you just taught me to take breath and feel the moment/scene and the reason for capturing it. (The soul).
With what you shared in this video, I believe even I can have a chance of capturing a “special moment” now vs what I always did (with my cell phone mind you) just snapping pictures to document a moment.
I believe what you just shared IS the essence of photography. Capturing the SOUL of a moment/scene. Wow what powerful words and lesson!!!
You’re AWESOME! Thank you.
Thanks for your kind words Pam. Cheers, Brent
Hi Brent
With the utmost respect, I may have had that experience, I’m not sure. My humbling disclosure, photography is one of three most powerful passions of my life. With good reason, I’m humble about my photography prowess, but I try, and it my passion for me, and if someone likes my images., I’m elated.
Through hard work and more good luck than I likely deserve, I have been on Three African safaris, including to The Greater Kruger National Park.
I have never been happier, nor felt so alive and inspired than I was on those trips. I sort of dont understand the block during such a life changing experience .
I enjoyed and appreciated your video and gained an insight.
I totally agree with your two points. I listened to your talk which to me, was tech heavy ( which lens, which iso, etc).
You seem like a great communicator. Your most excellent elephant moved me . How, for o moment, I was in my safari vehicle with MY camera in hand and at the ready. I was listening to the elephants, mesmerized by the social interactions. Dang, I have can still the the primordysmells of Africa! Thank you.
If you can do that for me, I refuse to believe you didn’t know how to create that perfect image.
Maybe you had trouble because you focused too much on what you KNOW too well ( the technicals) and you forgot to live in, and let the scene inspire you! Once inspired, and being at one with the life in front of you, and understanding the awesome experience, I am confident you could get a great shot with most gear! It’s about the understanding, inspiration, and being open, the rest is your photographic artistic creativity vision.
Thanks for bringing me back- you succeeded!
Thanks for your thoughts Scott – and yes I was totally inspired being back in my “mother-land” too. This happens to me often when I get into a new situation and forget to slow down and feel the scene. By the end of the trip I was feeling it for sure and getting even better images. For me this was a trip I’ll never forget. Brent
Thought inspiring. Thanks Brent
Thx
Thanks Brent, Its been a very informative video. slow down, take a deep breath and whew. the photo of the baby elephant amongst the herd is awesome. Is a choice of currently available wide to ultra telelens combined in one a better choice to keep the gears light, like a 18-250 or 18-400mm Tamron for nikon. stay safe. looking forward to ur videos. attended ur webinar in DPM last week. it was great. thank u. rgds. GP, Perth
Thanks GP, yes I’m using the Sigma 150-600mm lens to shoot wildlife and birds and I love it, but it’s not that light. Brent
Sometimes looking with your heart, you discover the remarkable ordinary, and your images soar.
Thanks for the insight.
Thanks Gregg
Thank you for this video. It’s timing is perfect for me. I’m at the point in my photography at which I’ve become technically competent and I’ve been thinking a lot about how to bring life to my images…what you call the soul of the scene. You’ve given me a lot to think about in just this short video.
Thanks Margie – glad I’ve got you thinking. Brent
Thank you Brent, for the video and for the lessons. I too realize, I have to slow down, breath and take in whats around me and not rush around to capture the perfect picture. I love that you said, if you realize what’s going on around you, you capture the moment, as in, the family of elephants protecting the baby. I will do with with future photos. Thank you again for including me in your lessons, I truly appreciate it.
My pleasure Sandra
Dear Brent,
Thank you for sending this invite to view this video . The valuable tips you gave makes a difference with taking pictures. Last week I was in France and I had the same problem because, sometimes I had no idea what to capture from the scene. From now on I will follow your tips: be one with the scene and capture the soul of the scene. Once again thanks you for the tips
My pleasure Mariah – keep shooting. Brent
Thank-you Brent. Good advise, given. When I saw the baby elephant and that what I thought you would focus on. I prepare, beside gear, water and clothing to suit the environment. Looking forward to more advise and tips.
More to come Sam
Thank you for sharing Brent. Looking forward to the next ones.
Thanks Roger
Your video about putting your soul into photography had my soul in your video. Well done looking forward to seeing more of your videos. Great Work!
Thanks Hy. Brent
Super video – thanks!
I’m starting a 365 Challenge (7 themes, one for each day of the week) on New Years day so your advice is really timely as I have some mobility issues and I think the entire challenge will be played out in my street block. I will really need to sit back and see / feel it in a different way every day.
Thank you for sharing the wisdom. Another wise author wrote, “Be Still” and your reminder of this really struck a cord in me.
Thanks Tom
Hi Brent, thank you so much for sharing that moment, and the image of the baby elephant just says it all. Having spent the past 4 trips in Finland/Sweden, during the winter months mainly trying to capture the Northern Lights but forgetting to enjoy the light show!!! Yes you must slow down, enjoy the scene and then try to capture “the one” that brings back all the amazing sights that happened during that experience. I am still trying, as you might be aware these light shows can only last several minutes or can last an hour, and you do tend to rush to try to capture as much as you can as nature will allow. I have been on several trips were you get to see nothing except cloudy skies but else where the lights are fantastic. By slowing down I found other things I can photograph instead. My problem is that I can never give up and keep trying to capture that perfect image!!! I am sure I will get there one day. I do try (my wife says I am very trying some times) bless….. John
Thanks John for you comments – yes I believe it’s key to enjoy the journey and not the final image (goal). Life is what happens on the journey. Keep shooting for that amazing image of the northern lights but be open to what happens along the way. Brent
Very sincere tips Brent, thanks for sharing as it makes a lot of sense to me and will surely try following it during my next photograph trip
Excellent Vinod
A super photo of the baby elephant, I have had to slow down due to a fusion operation on my left ankle which went wrong. I spot a lot more now that I have been forced to get about more slowly. but never thought about sitting and looking around me I will try this next time I go out. Thanks for this video looking forward to the next one
Glad you’re enjoying slowing down Robert. Brent
Hi Brent,
I’ve realised for a while that what I need to do is slow down (although that’s difficult if I’m with the family – my wife and son will want to move on quickly while my daughter and I want to linger and make great shots). But what I haven’t picked up on before is your notion of feeling the scene. So thank you, and I look forward to what’s coming next.
Thanks Dave – yes I believe we need to feel it before we can capture it. Brent
As one of my photography friends had said:
Linger Longer.
Great advice!!!
Great advice Talma – love it. Brent
Thank you. I’m a professional photographer who shoots mainly for Real Estate agents. I’m trying to get into Landscape and Fine Art photography which requires a different mindset. This video woke me up.
Glad you liked it Bruce – yes making the transition can be a little tricky. Brent
Brent – I absolutely love the image of the baby elephant …
I am going through an awkward time (lots of pain from my lower back), a foggy head and all of this is making me cast doubts on my photographic ability. I want to take interesting/entertaining/magical photos but somehow I think I am losing my mojo, in particular, composing my images. Yes in the past I have been one to almost be a “sequential” photographer in the hope of getting the best image. I am very tired of this approach. I was in my garden this afternoon “trying” to do some macro as it’s spring and the flora is blooming. I went to my iMac and looked at what I did and came away thinking “what a poor effort!” Then I decided to look at your video – inspiring indeed. What you have said is all very true about how I go about my photography – almost in the league of “bull-at-a-gate” attitude. Time to re-focus, slow down, breathe, look, be aware and feel the space and its experience(s). Thank you so much for your great video.
So glad you watched this video Paula – yes slow down and start enjoying the creative process. Flowers in bloom are great to shoot, I spent a few hours last week shooting the native flowers in bloom – and loved it. Brent
What a great message. Thank you Brent for the reminder:
“Slow down. Take a breath. Look at everything and be more present”.
I might write that down and put it in my camera bag. So simple yet so very important.
Great idea – write it down. Brent
Hi Brent
On many occasions I have been told to, ‘slow down, put the camera down, use your eyes and walk around, to think more and shoot less’. This has come from an Art History graduate, my wife!
I do find that capturing the essence of a place can be so difficult. I learnt a lot from viewing your zoomed- in shot of the baby elephant .
Best wishes
Martin
Ps, where do you get that cool hat from?
Thanks Martin – my hat comes from a “Vinnies” recycled $5 hat. I love it too. Brent
Hi Brent – Great video. Thanks so much for creating it and sharing your experience with us. The concept of using photography as a means of telling a story or sharing a feeling is what I strive for in my the pictures I take. This is great advice and very useful to me. Jim
So glad this video was useful for you Jim. Brent
Thanks Brent for this awesome tip and video. You’re doing a great job as always.
Keep the good job on.
Thanks Hamed
Brent, great advice. I have started doing this, or trying to do it more since enrolling in BootCamp. I really enjoy the videos and the information you are providing. Thank you.
My pleasure Sara
These videos are really good Brent but, The music background is so distracting, it is just a little on the loud side. Your techniques are outstanding and I learn so much from listening to you. Most of all, the final images that you display are among the best I have seen. I just wish I could do the same.
I’ll mute the music more on the next one – thanks for your feedback Ronnie
I’ve so started taking this advice to heart. I suffer from (among other things…lol) TTMP (take too many pictures). Then I am completely overwhelmed by sorting through all my images. I think out of all the things to learn about photography this is the most important.
Cheers,
Amber
We all suffer from that Amber. Brent
Thank you Brent
I’m currently in Botswana in the bush so this is most wonderful timing.. So appreciate having your tips – so much to learn
Wow Laura, enjoy Africa. Brent
Thank you, thank you, Brent!
Your sharing always inspires me to strive to create the essence of my images.
Thanks Kathleen
I’m pleased to hear that the experts have the same brain freezes that I have!
Thanks Brent
Yup we all do
This video is very well done. I have tried to slow done when I visit someplace new. However, when I am on a tour, I always feel rushed because of the limited amount of time at that location. I do try to take photos that will help me tell a story or give someone the essence of that place.
I look forward to your next videos.
Thanks Hugh
We are spoiled by digital photography and post-processing. Our finger is easy on the shutter button. Especially while traveling, you don’t want to miss a scene, you have a limited amount of time and probably you will not visit the place again. In this Video you make the point: Slow down and think. I am waiting for your next videos Thanks
Thanks for your comment Joshua. Brent
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It was obvious that when you recounted it, you were having truly heartfelt feelings of that moment that then translated into the calmness that you realized was needed to approach the incredible scene before you. This video of yours demonstrated to us viewers the calm and relaxed centering that you were hoping that we would recognize and strive to achieve when out on a shoot. Well done. I’m sure it was intentional and did not happen effortlessly. Thank you for working so hard in production to maintain your message. I can’t wait for the next video.
I also am struggling with “Going Deep”.
Thanks Carol – yes a lot of work went into this video, and the next one which will be out soon. Brent
What a great video, that is exactly what i do try to portray the feeling i have when i see a picture i want to take, yeah i do a bit of everything wildlife landscapes etc, i had a memory came up on facebook of a really misty shot almost looked like sepia, the images that came up were actually shot out of the side doors of my boat, i did get out for a walk around, shame i cant show you a couple, but your one of the baby Elefant is excellent, look forward to your next video.
Thanks Jack
Great video, Brent. I learned a lot by watching your advices. It surely inspired me!
Thanks Christian
Hi Brent- Got this insightful video from a fellow photographer. I know now how to approach this overwhelming feeling when shooting in a new location…of what to do? I love your approach and looking forward for more videos on this and other photographic advice. Thank you!
My pleasure Roland – glad my video resonated with you. Brent
This is exactly what I needed. When I decided to take your photography classes I wanted to know how to take a picture that would have meaning and not just another snap shot. I couldn’t put it in to words but you just did. I am so appreciative that you can share what I also struggle with.
We all struggle with this Phyllis – glad I could help. Brent
Love this … thank you!! I am off to the Kruger in a months time … and had already decided to REALLY take it in this time … stop just clicking away .. you have just confirmed for me what I need to do!!
Nice, enjoy the Kruger. Brent
Wow! Great video, Brent. Looking forward to hearing more. Thanks for the inspiration and sharing.
Good Evening Brent I’ve still not look at all of My Pictures from Our South Africa trip with you but I’ll be doing it very soon. Love your New Video Mate Bluey.& Kim.
Thanks Bluey – yes go look at them. Brent
Great tips Brent, thank you for your inspirational thoughts, It is well appreciated and I look forward to your next video.
Thanks Albert
My pleasure Domenic
Thanks for being so real and speaking your truth in this video Brent, you are a natural. You talking about that amazing elephant experience brought back such special memories of that incredible first encounter with those elephants and has inspired me to go back and relook at the few images I shot. So grateful.
I am loving these videos Brent. Thanks so much for sharing your intimate experiences in photography. They help so much.
This one couldn’t have come at a better time for me as I am leaving for 2 weeks in India next week so I very much hope I will be able to catch your next video before I go.
Much appreciated.
Oh and I do have a question. As I am on a conducted tour and can’t carry too much and time is a bit limited I plan to just take my 3.5-5.6 18-55mm lens on Nikon D7500. Would this be sufficient and would it be helpful to take my 35mm 1:1.8 as well, mainly I thought for sunrise on Taj Mahal? and my phone of course. Many thanks Annette
Thanks Annette – when travelling take as little as you can. You’ll probably get away with the zoom 18-55mm for most things. Enjoy and take your time to feel the scene. Brent
Thanks Brent. Great tip. Now I won’t feel guilty about leaving all my other lenses at home. Whew!!
Thanks Tracy – yes go back and look at your images, I bet there are some gems in there. Brent
So great Brent – you are dead right – connect in with the feeling of the scene and capture that connection – truly amazing Brent – think you might be my secret weapon !
Thanks Kel
Hi Brent. First off a very big thank you for your time and effort you out into this video. I look forward to the ones to follow. This is most opportune as we tackle this months project – Going Deep – to which I have yet to post. You have re awakened in me a technique we used in my classes in rehab for alcoholism – Meditation -. We had to close our eyes and listen to the sounds and then explain to the group what we had seen in our mind as we took it all in. For this project I have not been doing this. In fact I have been doing the opposite – Running around, looking for nothing and yet trying to see and feel something. I am just home from my Nephews weeding on the 13th of this month. I captured two shots – One of him with his mother – my sister – recovering from cancer – and one with his father – who had a liver transplant some 19 years back. Both filled me with appreciation for life. I think I will post these two shots for this months challenge – Going Deep – in the next days. Many thanks Brent for your commitment and help.
Thanks for your comment Denis – yes post those images in this months BootCamp Challenge “Going Deep” which is what I’m talking about in this video, and the next one. Meditation is a great way to slow down the mind chatter and be more in the present moment, and appreciate everything that we have in life that “busy-ness” makes us blind to. So glad you’re on next years safari, you’re going to love it. Brent
Excellent video, Brent! Very insightful advice. Looking forward to watching the next videos.
Thanks Alessandro – working on the next one right now. Brent
Hi Brent,
This is an extraorinary way of looking, taking time and feeling the scene. In the next days I will try to learn and adapt this way of taking pictures.
Thanks very much for this lesson
Rene
My pleasure Rene
Hi Brent you explained exactly what I’ve been feeling about my photography at the moment. At first I thought I was been fussy then lacking some confidence. I do try to capture some emotion in my pics, and it’s not always easy, especially when you are rushed. Thank you for your tips and great advice
Thanks Joy, glad I could help. Brent
Your videos are always enjoyable and informative. Thank you for all you do.First enjoy the moment and usually your shot will come into focus mentally.
Thanks Kevin
Hi Brent. Many thanks for the very informative video. I must admit that the feeling of being lost in the scene happened to me many times. Lots of time I just take photos left and right hoping to get one or two lucky shot.
It helps to just enjoy the scenery first, appreciate the beauty of the place. That helps me relax. Even if I didn’t have that many shots, no regrets because at least I got to enjoy the beautiful scenery. It’s worth all the time and effort.
Thanks again.
Thanks Romy – it is worth the time and effort to just enjoy the beautiful scenery. Brent
WOW—Brent. Thank you for all the time and efforts, care and commitment you take in making these videos to help us help ourselves! This is timely especially as we try to “Go Deep”—– I found with digital, I take more “snapshots” and recently I have decided I don’t want snapshots…. I took many, many film photos, and you had to really think what you were doing. First of all, you had no idea what was coming and little way to adjust the outcome…..
I love the way that you have described finding the soul…… I need to shoot like I am using film and find the soul! After listening to the video, then seeing your result, I have to admit it brought forward an unexpected emotion—that is brilliant!
Wow Sheree – thanks for this comment, really like “I need to shoot like I am using film and find the soul!” Brent
Hi Brent!
This video was perfect timing for me as on Sept. 24th I’m heading out on a 10 day photo trip. I will be starting in Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, then heading to Yellowstone, and finishing with horseback riding north of Boise, Id. The trip home will be determined by what I did or didn’t capture first time through. If I’m satisfied with what I got a different path will be taken home. Although it will be a quick trip through these scenic places I will make sure a slow down, enjoy the view, and make sure I capture the feeling of the places. Thanks!
Yes do that Michael – spend a little more time in each place to get into rhythm with it. Brent
Very informative & moving video Brent ,showing us that even professionals have simple hurdles to get over from time to time ,it makes us more aware that we are all just people striving for that magic moment to capture & that a little less rush in & shoot may give us that opportunity to slow down & shoot the scene we are looking for,Great shot of the baby Elephant among the herd,looking forward to the next video.
Thanks Peter – yes we all have hurdles to overcome, in the creative pursuits as well as in life. Brent
Brent, spot on; you hit the ‘nail squarely on the head’. I’ve seen many people over the years rush inland madly ‘snap’ for a few minutes and leave without really seeing or feeling the mood. I was in Kenya during the days of slide film and had no idea if you were successful or not. Fortunately I captured a very similar one like yours, because I slowed down, relaxed and felt the mood.
Glad you slowed down and got it Les. Yes I see it so often nowadays with the instagram influence – rushing to get a shot and then rushing to the next spot to do the same. Thanks for sharing. Brent
You are such a natural teacher!! This video brought back memories of sitting in the Jeep during our Africa trip listening to your helpful suggestions. I actually have almost that same Ellie shot – but I really like it so much better in b&w. I’ll have to go back to Lightroom and do some more editing. Really looking forward to the next videos!!
Thanks Diana – yes go back and revisit your images from Africa. So many great memories shared with you guys. Brent
Brent, just watched your video.
What you said in your video is exactly what I experience and struggle with all the time.
Thank you for your honesty in expressing your thoughts, they have reminded me of what is just as important as taking your photo but being in moment and experiencing your feelings.
Thanks Kim – glad you liked it. Brent
Thank you for sharing about Slowing Down! I’ve been a Professional Photographer for 50 years and I still feel like that when I come across a spectacular scene! Like when I get to the edge of the Grand Canyon! You see so much but where do you start? It’s when you Slow Down and let your Mind’s Eye take over! You call it your Soul! Either way, you slow down and allow the inner you to see everything you’ve learned over the years! A little story…..I used to be an avid Duck Hunter! I used to love hunting Ducks and Geese! Now I shoot them with a camera! However, when I first started out, I would have a large flock of Ducks or Geese flying across in front of me and I would throw up my shotgun and shoot 3 times into the big flock and was only shooting holes in the air! After a while and with experience, I learned to Slow Down…..Pick out one Duck, follow with the proper lead and pull the trigger and I started hitting the target!
Thanks for sharing Gil. Brent
Hi Brent,
This is one of the best and most meaningful videos out of all the materials I have received from you. The content is so very practical simple and extremely useful but I find your delivery especially helpful also….it seems that you have slowed down and are more calm and deliberate and this video had a soothing thoughtfulness to it. Since I tend to flock shoot everything I see when arriving on a scene without so much as taking a breath I felt that this instruction was aimed directly at me and I will certainly put it into practice every photo opportunity from here on out. Looking forward to more.
Thanks Jack, so glad you found this video useful. I’m really trying to speak from my heart more – maybe I’m just getting older 🙂
I truly appreciate your openness and conveying your feelings. Great video!! How many photos have we all seen and put away; they have no soul and story behind, just a snapshot. My very wonderful camera makes great photos but I have to learn and pay more attention on how to convey the story behind photo. I can’t wait to see your other videos.
Thanks Jorg – working on the next video right now. Brent
Brent – thanks for sharing a very important technique. It reminds me of shooting in the days of film (pre-digital) when we had to stop and think about what emotions we wanted to convey *before* we hit the shutter button. Film costs and processing costs kept us from the “hurry up and shoot everything” mentality. It’s good to hear it again and again until we are more in the moment when we capture images.
I remember those days – I shot with a lot of intention too as film was very expensive where I grew up. Brent
Well Brent, I just watched the video. I was really good because you made yourself vulnerable. You made yourself like us not having all the answers. Sometimes you really want to just watch a scene unfold and not be watching it through a camera lens. I often feel that way and then regret that I don’t have any photos of that experience. Your ending image is delightful on so many different levels. I have noticed with my own work and the “soul” work is often a closeup, not always but often. More composition then establishing shot. Your thoughts? On your next trip would you please include some talks on techniques particularly on ISO which seems a bit arbitrary to me. Thanks and good to see you again! Looking forward to April!
Thanks for your comment Joyce. For me sometimes it’s a closeup and sometimes it’s a wide landscape including the entire scene – depends on what I’m feeling. Yes I will include talks on next trip in April next year – I’ll ask everyone what they want to learn. Brent
Great video Brent – I’ve been out of touch with your posts etc for a year or so – it was so refreshing to feel your passion and enthusiasm for photography again! Look forward to the next ones in this series.
Thanks Mike – I’ve been dealing with one major personal challenge (wife in hospital for 18 days) so I was a little quiet this last year – but I’m back and have learned some very good life lessons on the way, which I want to share too. 2 more videos coming soon. Brent
Thank you so much for sharing!!
I am at a point in my lengthy photo career where your input is just what I need. My snapshots (Instagram -rbmitch123) are pretty good but my pictures need more soul.
I find my self often looking at my shots and asking ‘WHY’.
Many of us feel the same way – that’s why I say “slow down”. Thanks for you comment Brian. Brent
I am sharing this with the members of my phototour from last weekend. So much of what you’ve shared here is what I shared with them during our tour. Slowing down, being present. This part of photography is so easily forgotten.
Thanks Lauri – yes please share away. Brent
Thank you for making me feel like I wasn’t alone with this problem.
I just returned from a holiday we went to Cairns and visited the Daintree.
Long story short , there were times I just need to slow down and take the time to get it right. But sometimes the action unfolds quickly before your eyes and you tend to rush. Simple things like focus settings made me loose some great shots.
But I have now learnt to rethink that process. Your video just confirms this.
Also Brent that’s a killer shot of that baby elephant. As soon as I saw this I smiled and said yes to myself, that’s a great shot while the hairs on my arms stood up.
Cheers mate.
Thanks Tim, glad you found this video helpful and thanks for the comments on the elephant. Brent
Great advise Brent. This happened to me when I was asked to photograph the Memorial Day parade this past May. I froze and it took some time before I was able to capture the mood and soul of the day.
Happens to all of us Juan. Thanks for sharing. Brent
That’s the best part is staying in the moment and capturing not only what you see but what you feel and sense in that moment of time !
Thanks Lynette – yes, being present is key. Brent
Thank you so much for that insightful video Brent. Being very much a newbie on the photography scene it is reassuring to know that even experienced photographers need to take the time to tune in to the scene before shooting it.
I have also appreciated reading the other people’s comments on your video. Thank you everyone for sharing. It is good to know we are all in the “same boat”.
I looking forward to your next video Brent, with more helpful tips and advice.
Thanks Jenny – yes I think we can all “take a little more time” to really enjoy things in our lives instead of rushing. Brent