It’s easy to come back from a photo trip feeling disappointed. Maybe the weather didn’t cooperate, or the light wasn’t what you hoped for. But these frustrations often lead to a mindset that can hold you back from capturing the best images. Sometimes, it's less about external factors and more about the excuses you make that get in your way.
Coming to you from Alister Benn, this engaging video addresses the common excuses many people make when their images don’t turn out as planned. Benn starts by tackling the tendency to blame the weather. Sure, overcast skies or unexpected rain can mess with your plans, but they can also open up new creative opportunities. Benn shares how he was able to capture some of his favorite images during challenging weather on a recent workshop in Scotland. Rather than waiting for the perfect conditions, he suggests shifting your mindset to see what is there, not what you wish was there.
Another excuse Benn discusses is the urge to “force” a shot. This happens when you’re trying to stick to a formula, like using the classic foreground, mid-ground, and background composition. Benn explains that this can lead to bland, uninspired photos, especially when the scene doesn’t naturally fit the formula. During one shoot, he opted for a panoramic crop instead of forcing a wide-angle view, allowing him to simplify the image and focus on what truly mattered. By embracing a different perspective and breaking away from set rules, you can create more dynamic, expressive work.
Benn also emphasizes the importance of having an open attitude when heading out with your camera. A rigid mindset can cause you to overlook potential shots because you’re too focused on getting a specific result. He argues that being open-minded allows you to notice subtle details and unexpected moments. During his workshop, Benn captured a stunning shot by zooming in on a small part of the landscape, isolating elements that caught his eye. This approach came from a willingness to adapt and see beyond the obvious.
Throughout the video, Benn encourages you to rethink how you approach time in your photography. Whether it's a long exposure to smooth out water or a quick snap to capture motion, he believes shutter speed can transform a scene entirely. He shows examples where adjusting the time of exposure helped create either a serene, flowing effect or a sharp, energetic moment. Being mindful of time lets you experiment with how a scene feels, offering more control over the mood of your final image. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Benn.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan II - Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”
