When you think about improving your photography, you might picture buying new gear or chasing perfect light. But some of the biggest improvements come from small adjustments to technique and mindset. Addressing these common challenges can not only improve your photos but also make the process more enjoyable.
Coming to you from Ian Worth, this educational video explores key issues many photographers face, starting with camera settings. Worth suggests that while technical skills like mastering the exposure triangle are essential, they aren’t the most critical aspect of photography. He highlights the importance of knowing what you want from a shot, urging you to prioritize creative vision over technical perfection. For instance, understanding how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together is important, but it’s even more critical to decide what kind of story you want to tell with the image. These choices allow you to work efficiently and focus on capturing fleeting moments rather than getting stuck adjusting settings.
Light is another crucial topic Worth emphasizes. He describes it as a never-ending learning process that can dramatically affect your images. While many photographers recommend shooting during golden hour, Worth encourages you to experiment with different lighting conditions. He shares examples of how flat, overcast light can improve minimalist compositions or how soft post-sunset light can bring out the textures in a landscape. Understanding how light interacts with your subject and the environment can help you find opportunities even in seemingly unfavorable conditions. This approach opens up more possibilities and keeps you inspired to shoot regardless of the time of day or weather.
Composition is another area Worth stresses. Instead of rigidly adhering to rules like the rule of thirds, he recommends treating them as tools to enhance your message. In some cases, breaking these rules can create a stronger visual impact. For example, central placement of a subject or cropping to remove distractions can draw attention to the most important elements in your image. Evaluating your photos critically after a shoot can reveal ways to improve your compositions. Adjusting elements like the crop or considering how different lighting conditions might enhance the scene can lead to better results over time. This reflective practice builds your skills and prepares you for similar opportunities in the future.
Sharpness, a common concern, often comes down to technique rather than gear. Worth explains how issues like diffraction at small apertures or motion blur from slow shutter speeds can be avoided by understanding your camera’s limitations. Testing your gear and adapting to conditions—whether it’s a windy day or a high-resolution sensor—can make a big difference. He also touches on the importance of simplifying your setup. Carrying less gear reduces fatigue and decision-making, allowing you to focus on creating impactful images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Worth.
I don't like reading or viewing any of these videos as I do not want them to influence my current ability or deform my current work or frame of work thinking my work/art needs to be like those posting the videos. This is very similar to photobooks, I've never seen one or read one. Again if you're a photographer just starting out and need some sort of direction, then watch and read.. I never did and feel I'm very well without these sources.
This video is a pretty good general review without jumping too deep into any one subject. Since he mentions light in landscape, the best light for grand landscape photography, in my opinion, is when clouds are swirling around enough to use them to isolate the subject from the background. Sort of like manipulating a studio light source, but without having direct control. Light and camera position can be used together to separate the main subject from secondary elements. Light can create layers and contour in a composition, which creates depth, which gives the photograph a three-dimensional appearance. In this photo, light separates the monoliths from the far canyon wall, otherwise they would have blended together. The visitor standing at the overlook is a secondary element. Had I wanted to bring attention primarily to him I'd have had to wait for the light to change. The hardest part of landscape photography is patience.