MASTERING FOCUS | A landscape photography tutorial

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5 жыл бұрын

Nailing focus from front to back in landscape photography is so important. In this video I share some simple tips and photo examples to ensure you get it right in camera every time.
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#photography #focus #tutorial

Пікірлер: 539

@singingexpertspg 5 жыл бұрын

Man alive, that makes it seem even more complicated than it is to me!

@lindahenderson2113 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Nigel. I appreciate the time that you put into this video and I will need to review it over and over again. There are a lot of techniques to use and the key is to practice and know your camera. My goal is to completely understand these tools and when to use them in different scenarios.

@XCMRM80 5 жыл бұрын

Very helpful video Nigel. Up until now I've been using a sort of stab in the dark technique combined with reviewing the image and making adjustments. I'll definitely take a more methodical approach from now on.

@1964ilovebears 5 жыл бұрын

Your skill to explain how you put in practice your photography is simply stunning !!. Every class you gift us makes me feel like running to get that beutiful realm your pictures have. They are so simple for the eye that I can’t help falling in love with them ☺️. Thank you so much indeed !!!!!

@muzlee7479 4 жыл бұрын

In short: You can focus wherever you want, usually infinity is fine in a landscape, just don't go over f14. Also, check every image after you take it so you can be sure it's in focus.

@gerrymein5282 3 жыл бұрын

LOL I was falling asleep cause he talked sooo much!...but your comment was so easy to understand and got to the point hehe ;)

@hillhurst7 3 жыл бұрын

My goodness! My head started spinning after awhile. Thanks for info!

@muzlee7479 2 жыл бұрын

@UCYXY09r7RmaIvvV4-pTA9Kw Yeah, but it doesn't look good so you wouldn't do that anyway. If you really want it just photoshop in after, easier and looks better.

@jd5787 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the summary. Saves me 18mins

@klausschleicher523 5 жыл бұрын

Ahh Sunday. Coming home from a short photo trip, importing images into Lightroom, doing the first back up, making a cup coffee and enjoying your new video. Thanks a lot Nigel, as always very informative. Have a nice Sunday!

@timelessplanet7647 5 жыл бұрын

This is without a doubt one of the best videos I've watched about focusing. Thank you so much Nigel! Love your explanations!

@scotty4418 5 жыл бұрын

Time to sit down and go back through your back catalog as you provide so many great tutorials Nigel that you make learning a very enjoyable experience. Very much appreciated

@RS.Outdoors 5 жыл бұрын

Very good information. Can say that when I first started the number of images I did not check on the back screen and then opened in lightroom to find they werent sharp was scary. It was also very frustrating to hike or travel a vast distance only to find your images are out of focus was soul destroying at times but all part of the learning curve. Biggest issue I now avoid was relying on the cameras autofocus and assuming it would nail it every time. Have also now switched to the Nikon D810 which I am waiting on arriving and keen to see how it performs over the winter compared to my now sold Sony setup. Atb

@josephstanski5180 5 жыл бұрын

Great video Nigel - Great starting points - let the testing begin. Focusing is my biggest challenge in the field - choosing what to focus on to get it all in focus with my landscapes. Thank again. J

@philipsmith4967 5 жыл бұрын

Once again Nigel a very intuitive video. One to keep in favourites until it all sinks in to my thick head.Thanks very much.

@larsthoren3282 5 жыл бұрын

Great content as always, keep up the good work!

@RugbyLock2668 5 жыл бұрын

Brilliant stuff as usual Nigel! Your simple and concise method of explaining subjects make your videos a must watch for me!

@tjsinva 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nigel! I'll have to re-visit this. It must be too early to get my brain engaged. More coffee!!

@paulus0109 5 жыл бұрын

The soft foreground with the lighthouse is amazing. Great tip!

@robertstancer4469 4 жыл бұрын

I have a problem with this composition and that is the accepted 'rule of thirds' seem to be ignored to the detriment of the image. Sorry big guy, not your best.

@endtimeimages3284 4 жыл бұрын

This video helped me immensely to get sharp images from front to back. It required still some practice though, as the final result is only really visible on the big screen at home, not that tiny display of the camera in the field 😃

@videos1692 5 жыл бұрын

Nigel, that was such a good video. I don't remember anyone else explaining focus so thoroughly, Thank you.

@jorgemoro5476 5 жыл бұрын

Hey Nigel. I just want to say THANK YOU for this video. I don’t much care for the exacting science of hyperfocal distance - tho I do practice it when needed. What I found truly eye opening was one of your three tips especially for us Fuji shooters: the manual focus highlighting! I am preparing for an Iceland trip and I really want to nail not only focus but DOF and this tip is genius! I’ve had my manual focus set to bright red when using my M42 mount lenses on the xt1 and xt2 but due to your incredible tip I’m using auto focus but have the small S C M switch on the front of the camera set to M. This works flawlessly!!! Ingenious! Thanks again. Heck just for that I’m subscribing!

@yitzchallevi8208 5 жыл бұрын

always a blessing to listen to you.... thank you

@grahamegannon9708 4 жыл бұрын

I have been struggling with focusing recently and your tips will be very helpful to get sharper photo. Thankss

@stevenscarborough2002 4 жыл бұрын

Such good explanations. Amazing how much help the x's on the lines makes. If only I knew how far a meter is.

@jamesdam3170 3 жыл бұрын

The best in explaining of all focusing techniques, congratulations and thank you.

@skydiver1x940 5 жыл бұрын

You are absolutely correct about Diffraction and its effect is very real.

@wendynewing8834 5 жыл бұрын

That was great. Very informative and useful, plus lovely images too. Thanks Nigel.

@JoDaniels 5 жыл бұрын

Very valuable info to help me to increase my photgraphy knowledge. Thanks Nigel and have a good Sunday!

@nigelpowell4537 5 жыл бұрын

Really good explanation on focusing Nigel. Thanks

@martincutrone5816 5 жыл бұрын

Such a useful video! Just watched it for the second time because there is so much useful info here to learn from. THanks for a concise explanation of why hyperfocal distance is difficult to use well. I think when I am pushing the limits, I'm going to start using 2x the hyperfocal distance. Your explanation shows why. Well done!

@earlrogersjr3026 5 жыл бұрын

Enjoying your video and your discussion on hyperfocal distance/point. Which I have not heard for years since the days I was shooting films. When I was a child I used to read whatever was available on photography and even as I got older they were very few people that were into it it is much as I was at the time. I believe there was a club or organization called ‘F8’Where you could read articles on photography and concepts are theory on depth of field ,white balance,,films speed, exposure and film developed. That conversation went out the window with digital photography. Which made this video so refreshing.

@davevowles8093 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nigel, so interesting and informative, I will certainly work on this.

@davidwalker2402 5 жыл бұрын

Great job Nigel, it’s nice to get a tutorial that’s easy to understand.

@richardaneale 5 жыл бұрын

Great video Nigel. I've been looking for a video like this on KZfaq for years. Thank you 👏👏

@howardgale5261 5 жыл бұрын

Outstanding session, best I’ve seen, that answered a bunch of questions, and guidance to use. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. - hg

@smithereens11 4 жыл бұрын

Nigel, a friend sent this video to me, given I had discussed hyperfocal distance with him. I like your technique as well. Though this is an older post, I thought I'd add a tip I learned from a pro photographer (who shoots with a Deardorff 8x10). He uses a loupe to check his focus on the ground glass before exposing (a $35 single negative!) and I almost accidentally discovered it is also handy to check focus on the back of LCD screens, especially in bright light. I have an older X-T2 and G7X. Especially with the G7X or other cameras without a eyepiece, the loupe works wonderfully when you zoom the image to check focus. All the best - John

@stefankuhn6887 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent lecture on a complex issue. I am sure that I will use manual focus more often to check and use what you‘ve explained 👍🏻

@scottsmith4145 5 жыл бұрын

Interesting. For landscape shots Ive always focused on the farthest mountains (infinity) and just thought that made the most sense! I never was taught about that. Glad to know my method wasnt too bad after all! Great video.

@RR-bd4bm 5 жыл бұрын

Very nice, Nigel, thanks. Perfect split between theory and examples.

@elka3507 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all your videos. It's so much fun to learn and to emprove my ability and watching the results. Thanks a lot from Germany.

@giselesmith7795 5 жыл бұрын

As usual, I came away from this video with a better understanding of the subject. Nice examples too. Thank you again.

@alma175w 5 жыл бұрын

Really appreciate the fact that while out in the field you’re exploring aperture settings and focus to get the image that you want. I routinely come back with 8-10 images from a composition because I want options when I go to post.

@jamesmarko1787 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, this is something I've been trying to remind myself of is to take multiple images with varying focus points and aperture settings, but I often forget to do this.

@alma175w 5 жыл бұрын

I don’t always know what mood I’m trying to convey, so I feel like have a variety of images for each composition... and I always switch up from landscape to portrait to understand the different framing. Maybe with time each scene will just be more natural to compose.

@xkr2 8 ай бұрын

Nice video. Loved how you clarified things in the first half using some theory and graphs! Makes it a lot easier to understand and retain the core concept!

@phooesnax 5 жыл бұрын

Great tips Nigel. Thank You! Jim

@meredithpottery 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this clear explanation!

@PartialS 3 жыл бұрын

Such an enjoyable channel. Receptive and open, with field-tested "what works" knowledge, supported by an endless stream of beautiful images.

@lievenm2661 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much indeed.. just amazing & just brilliantly done!

@erichstocker8358 5 жыл бұрын

Nigel, great choice of topic. I found your technical explanation just right. I especially enjoyed the examples and found the particularly useful.

@NigelDanson 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Erich!

@tomaswilde5481 4 жыл бұрын

It is a pity not to have met you before. It's never too late. Thank you for your teachings and for sharing.From Bogota, Colombia

@garyn1780 4 жыл бұрын

I'm new at using a dslr camera, so there is a lot to learn and understand. Both inspiring, helpful and nice to watch such great photos. Thank you :)

@gerardhorsman1844 4 жыл бұрын

Great Video, I really liked the drama your images portrayed, particularly the mountain range in Iceland. Look forward to watching more.

@scottsadventuresinphotogra2432 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent video; concisely explained what was something of a mystery to me.

@NeilFH 4 жыл бұрын

much appreciated tutorials! Thank you! Cool photos too!

@krischan5186 5 жыл бұрын

Such beautiful photos!

@deegeeofpenryn 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for another great tutorial Nigel. Before the dreaded unmentionable, I used to do quite a bit of travel photography and trying to estimate the actual distance to the hyperfocal point and then double check focus across the whole image in the camera out in the field is really challenging - especially in bright light. So I always say to myself (and anyone else who wants to listen), you have spent goodness knows how much money, time and energy getting to that special place so why not just spend a few minutes more to bracket several optional aperture settings - f8, f11, f16 - just to be sure ?

@vindelossantos3861 5 жыл бұрын

Great video!... I just really need these techniques. Thanks for sharing these guide! 😊

@jemaluang1 5 жыл бұрын

Great video, good reminder of the great time in Skye . Thx for sharing your knowledge.

@DBentham65 5 жыл бұрын

Another interesting video Nigel, great information to keep us all shooting.

@sander5086 5 жыл бұрын

Really helpful tips, thank you for making this video!!

@benvanboom8907 5 жыл бұрын

Super helpful Nigel, thanks.👏

@sue120502 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Front to back sharpness is something that I struggle with. Now got an X-T3 and use the focus peaking facility BUT I’d like to be able to get results myself. I really should go out and just experiment. One method I’ve used is - double the distance, ie. if the clearest thing to you that must be in focus is say 4ft away, then focus at 8ft and everything from 4ft to infinity should be acceptably sharp.

@RobinSnelson65 Жыл бұрын

Cracking video Nigel, I have been struggling with this a little and this has helped me a lot.

@jhr4008 5 жыл бұрын

Very interesting video Nigel! Going to try your advices...

@ga9d 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nigel, the light went on for me.

@MarcinSporysz 5 жыл бұрын

A Great Content! The only photo related channel where I have to keep my grey cells working to keep up with all the information :D. Thank you!

@gordroberts53 5 жыл бұрын

Hello Nigel! Attending class at Nigel's School of Light is always fascinating and ever so useful. Thanks for sharing, this has reminded me of things I once used often (years ago with film when all good lenses showed hyperlocal on the barrel) and now I am going to go DL Photopills and get to know my lenses better. Thanks for sharing! Take care and cheers from BC.

@francequirion9547 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much for this very well explained tutorial.

@kevinclarke9933 5 жыл бұрын

A very helpful and timely video Nigel. Okay, so now I can start to work out where I'm going wrong with my focusing.

@herbc2155 5 жыл бұрын

Nice job. Found your comments very helpful. Thanks

@wallywaller11 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nigel, that was very helpful.

@michealmclaughlin879 5 жыл бұрын

As always, great post!

@seminolecapt 4 жыл бұрын

Very useful. This is a critical topic that seems to be presented much less than many others. I would like to hear more about how you make aesthetic decisions about selective focus in different situations. Sometimes deciding what the "star" of the image is can be challenging.

@L3GenDaRyPr0diGy 5 жыл бұрын

Very underrated photographer and content creator. Keep up the great work, man.

@KentSpain85 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your video! I will apply this next time I am out and about. I am just an amateur but these tips will hopefully help on my next outing with nice outdoors :D Thanks again :D

@arnei23 5 жыл бұрын

Very detailed explanation. Thank you!

@OrenBVideo 5 жыл бұрын

WONDERFUL! Thank you.

@kevinwillerton186 5 жыл бұрын

A great tutorial with great examples, explained at the perfect technical level for someone of my photography skill level.

@chrisstark8136 5 жыл бұрын

Really great video Nigel thanks!! Both very useful and interesting will have to give this a go as do struggle with focus at times. Thanks again and keep the videos coming 👍

@robjopling1573 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent video, Nigel. Very well explained.

@davidcontrerasm 3 жыл бұрын

Your videos never disappoint. Thanks!!!

@pvprashant9797 5 жыл бұрын

Loved your video man . It was great to hear the scientific reason .

@tomass7952 5 жыл бұрын

Very useful video Nigel! Great work!

@sarkarpappu 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent video as always Nigel. Keep up the good work. I often use tripod for landscapes, so I can use the live view to zoon in 5x then 10x to manually focus for best precision. This is a common technique I guess which most of us know.

@davidd337 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, clear as mud, but thank you for taking the time to explain it.

@DJshutterfly 5 жыл бұрын

An amazing video. Great tips and insights. Thanks!

@richardrizzo_photography 5 жыл бұрын

great information, thank you Nigel.

@michelekutner4229 3 жыл бұрын

Nigel excellent video! Thank you so much great information!!

@Powerreserve 5 жыл бұрын

Great lecture Nigel: very useful. Thanks

@philmarsh5593 5 жыл бұрын

First few minutes was leaving me with brain ache - but the many examples later brought everything together and it made sense. Sometimes struggling with focus, which seems such a basic (and annoying) thing to get wrong. Cheers!

@G0FUW 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nigel. I struggle with the infinity technique, no idea why! The one that works best for me was from Ross Hoddinott and Mark Bauer - focus at twice the distance of the nearest thing you want to be pin sharp. It's a variation on HFD but it seems to work better for me. You still have to make judgments on aperture to get the desired DoF - a bit like your trees sequence. I found that playing with an HFD app at home more useful than trying to apply it in the field. The most interesting thing was that focusing on HFD does not always ensure infinity is on focus - for example with longer focal lengths and I think there lies some of the confusion over pinning all your hopes on HFD.

@gregoryforeman2105 5 жыл бұрын

Great Video. Lots of helpful info. Thanks!

@jean-philippethierry5456 5 жыл бұрын

Nice explanation. I would add 2 things. #1, high MPix sensors are pushing the boundary. I find the advanced DoF mode in PhotoPills useful for that: enter your print size, viewing distance and it calculates the optimum hyperfocal for your sensor. Turns out to be double for the D810 (unless you select a high viewing distance). #2 yes diffraction is cropping up past f/16 and it’s better to stay away from it but modern convolution sharpening techniques are making it almost negligible compared to the ease of use vs. focus stacking for example. Capture One has it built-in and LR as well though it’s hidden behind the detail slider (push it way past 50 to favor convolution).

@scdronemedia Жыл бұрын

Thank you Nigel. Very useful tutorial.

@peterwillstein9748 5 жыл бұрын

Nigel Excellent discussion and some very useful information. I read through the excellent comments and a few very good points were raised and might be addressed in a follow up video: Apply the three focusing techniques when using the 24-70 and 70-200 lenses as hyper critical focusing doesn't work well passed the 35mm focal length or what techniques you use for these two common focal lengths. This past year, I've started printing and some images I thought were very sharp when printed to16x24 and 16x60, there was softness in the background. I've also started using focus stacking and my initial results are very promising. Peter

@TheXone7 5 жыл бұрын

@Nigel Danson I’ve seen over 30 videos about DoF and hyperfocal distance, but yours is absolutely the best of them! :-)

@therampanthamster Жыл бұрын

recent sub, aiming to gear my photography more towards landscapes. Yourself and Thomas Heaton are helping so much, loving going through your vids sir!

@markwalkerphotography 5 жыл бұрын

Great Sunday afternoon watch Nigel :-)

@matthewbell1968 4 жыл бұрын

Top drawer explanation many thanks. Subscribed!

@kelv52 5 жыл бұрын

I would also recommend Photopills, lots of help for the experienced and beginner, and with the new update selecting your iso/f no./aperture you can then see an overhead map view of where your hyperfocal distance is on the ground, or even a mark (shown by a coloured arc) of double the hyperfocal distance, a really good app, (not sponsored by them either) great tips Nigel, now i need to get out and practice more.

@stefanhansen5882 4 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial! It would be wonderful if you could demonstrate the technique for finding the hyperfocal distance using the camera. Being new to photography, I did not fully understand it.

@PereiraCedric 5 жыл бұрын

It seems obvious, but needs to be stated. DoF calculations will give you an acceptably sharp range if you print/view the whole frame. Crop your picture & you're in effect increasing the focal length & decreasing the DoF (assuming you're viewing it at the same size as the uncropped image). I just stumbled onto your channel. Great information & well done videos. Thank you for sharing it them with the world.