hi everybody I’m Ashley clean uh thanks for joining us again we’re here in
for joining us again we’re here in
for joining us again we’re here in beautiful Napa Valley
beautiful Napa Valley
beautiful Napa Valley forget outdoors day and we are here with
forget outdoors day and we are here with
forget outdoors day and we are here with National Geographic and our friends at
National Geographic and our friends at
National Geographic and our friends at Nature Valley I’m joined by Ben Horan
Nature Valley I’m joined by Ben Horan
Nature Valley I’m joined by Ben Horan the wonderful photographer he’s going to
the wonderful photographer he’s going to
the wonderful photographer he’s going to show you guys some tips and tricks to
show you guys some tips and tricks to
show you guys some tips and tricks to take better photos in your own world
take better photos in your own world
take better photos in your own world thanks for joining us Ben
thanks for joining us Ben
thanks for joining us Ben I’m super excited to be here and just
I’m super excited to be here and just
I’m super excited to be here and just kind of show people my process on how I
kind of show people my process on how I
kind of show people my process on how I try to get great photos and beautiful
try to get great photos and beautiful
try to get great photos and beautiful places like this and I think we have a
places like this and I think we have a
places like this and I think we have a really great day for it today we do the
really great day for it today we do the
really great day for it today we do the light keeps changing which is cool
light keeps changing which is cool
light keeps changing which is cool because it gives us different options
because it gives us different options
because it gives us different options and you know sometimes it’s a little
and you know sometimes it’s a little
and you know sometimes it’s a little overcast like this which you know
overcast like this which you know
overcast like this which you know there’s less big shadows and bright
there’s less big shadows and bright
there’s less big shadows and bright spots and then sometimes we’re gonna
spots and then sometimes we’re gonna
spots and then sometimes we’re gonna have that beautiful backlight so nature
have that beautiful backlight so nature
have that beautiful backlight so nature is unpredictable you kind of just have
is unpredictable you kind of just have
is unpredictable you kind of just have to work with it that’s exactly the point
to work with it that’s exactly the point
to work with it that’s exactly the point so if you guys have any questions for
so if you guys have any questions for
so if you guys have any questions for Ben please comment below and he will
Ben please comment below and he will
Ben please comment below and he will answer any questions that you guys have
answer any questions that you guys have
answer any questions that you guys have so do you want to just show what do you
so do you want to just show what do you
so do you want to just show what do you think is gonna be the best you know even
think is gonna be the best you know even
think is gonna be the best you know even while we were just standing right here I
while we were just standing right here I
while we were just standing right here I saw something behind us I thought looked
saw something behind us I thought looked
saw something behind us I thought looked pretty cool you see this kind of tunnel
pretty cool you see this kind of tunnel
pretty cool you see this kind of tunnel going through the trees with the trail
going through the trees with the trail
going through the trees with the trail and the beautiful redwoods around it
and the beautiful redwoods around it
and the beautiful redwoods around it yeah I see some really tall redwoods
yeah I see some really tall redwoods
yeah I see some really tall redwoods first right there there’s this strip of
first right there there’s this strip of
first right there there’s this strip of light that’s just starting to come
light that’s just starting to come
light that’s just starting to come through the clouds right now and I think
through the clouds right now and I think
through the clouds right now and I think it’d be a really cool shot
it’d be a really cool shot
it’d be a really cool shot that would have a little bit of story in
that would have a little bit of story in
that would have a little bit of story in it because I’m gonna have you walk
it because I’m gonna have you walk
it because I’m gonna have you walk through it wonderful well direct away
through it wonderful well direct away
through it wonderful well direct away all right yeah you know best all right
all right yeah you know best all right
all right yeah you know best all right so I’m gonna stay right here and what I
so I’m gonna stay right here and what I
so I’m gonna stay right here and what I want you to do is just to walk up
want you to do is just to walk up
want you to do is just to walk up through there and kind of pause in that
through there and kind of pause in that
through there and kind of pause in that light and then you can take a few more
light and then you can take a few more
light and then you can take a few more steps to the top of that Ridge and then
steps to the top of that Ridge and then
steps to the top of that Ridge and then just come back and if you want I can put
just come back and if you want I can put
just come back and if you want I can put the iPad in here that would be great
the iPad in here that would be great
the iPad in here that would be great that’s so helpful so you want me to be
that’s so helpful so you want me to be
that’s so helpful so you want me to be facing this way and then facing back
facing this way and then facing back
facing this way and then facing back yeah just walk up and then walk back and
yeah just walk up and then walk back and
yeah just walk up and then walk back and I’ll shoot as you go great is this pace
I’ll shoot as you go great is this pace
I’ll shoot as you go great is this pace good that pace is perfect so the idea
good that pace is perfect so the idea
good that pace is perfect so the idea here is just to get a little bit of
here is just to get a little bit of
here is just to get a little bit of story in the photo and right now and
story in the photo and right now and
story in the photo and right now and she’s walking that light she gets a
she’s walking that light she gets a
she’s walking that light she gets a little bit of a halo around her and bad
little bit of a halo around her and bad
little bit of a halo around her and bad she’s kind of backlit by that light now
she’s kind of backlit by that light now
she’s kind of backlit by that light now you can come back great
really pretty yeah I love taking photos
really pretty yeah I love taking photos that tell story that’s you know hard to
that tell story that’s you know hard to
that tell story that’s you know hard to do sometimes in pure landscape photos
do sometimes in pure landscape photos
do sometimes in pure landscape photos but when we’re out here together like
but when we’re out here together like
but when we’re out here together like this it’s a perfect opportunity and I
this it’s a perfect opportunity and I
this it’s a perfect opportunity and I think you know what a better place to
think you know what a better place to
think you know what a better place to tell a story than when you’re surrounded
tell a story than when you’re surrounded
tell a story than when you’re surrounded by these beautiful redwoods and this
by these beautiful redwoods and this
by these beautiful redwoods and this wonderful foliage there’s your iPad well
wonderful foliage there’s your iPad well
wonderful foliage there’s your iPad well I appreciate it
I appreciate it
I appreciate it yeah it’s you know with all this green
yeah it’s you know with all this green
yeah it’s you know with all this green and like all the leaves and everything
and like all the leaves and everything
and like all the leaves and everything around us sometimes it can be really
around us sometimes it can be really
around us sometimes it can be really confusing there’s just so many things
confusing there’s just so many things
confusing there’s just so many things going on that it’s hard to focus in on
going on that it’s hard to focus in on
going on that it’s hard to focus in on one thing one of the things that we talk
one thing one of the things that we talk
one thing one of the things that we talk about in photography a lot of the time
about in photography a lot of the time
about in photography a lot of the time is trying to decide what to keep out of
is trying to decide what to keep out of
is trying to decide what to keep out of a picture rather than what to put in you
a picture rather than what to put in you
a picture rather than what to put in you know if you just went wide and tried to
know if you just went wide and tried to
know if you just went wide and tried to photograph this whole scene you’d get
photograph this whole scene you’d get
photograph this whole scene you’d get lost in the image but there’s so much
lost in the image but there’s so much
lost in the image but there’s so much yeah there’s just so much going on but
yeah there’s just so much going on but
yeah there’s just so much going on but there’s so many details that we can get
there’s so many details that we can get
there’s so many details that we can get close to you know and using light we can
close to you know and using light we can
close to you know and using light we can make things like silhouettes it just it
make things like silhouettes it just it
make things like silhouettes it just it opens up the creative world to us so
opens up the creative world to us so
opens up the creative world to us so that’s that’s tip number one for me is
that’s that’s tip number one for me is
that’s that’s tip number one for me is teaching people how to decide what to
teaching people how to decide what to
teaching people how to decide what to leave out okay so what’s the next
leave out okay so what’s the next
leave out okay so what’s the next opportunity that you see around here I
opportunity that you see around here I
opportunity that you see around here I see a lot of really small plants yeah
see a lot of really small plants yeah
see a lot of really small plants yeah you know I want to get into some macro
you know I want to get into some macro
you know I want to get into some macro photography I think I saw something
photography I think I saw something
photography I think I saw something further up the trail okay I just kind of
further up the trail okay I just kind of
further up the trail okay I just kind of want to walk through and see what we see
want to walk through and see what we see
want to walk through and see what we see because the lights it’s changed since I
because the lights it’s changed since I
because the lights it’s changed since I was here last so you know taking a look
was here last so you know taking a look
was here last so you know taking a look at all of it fresh perspectives is there
at all of it fresh perspectives is there
at all of it fresh perspectives is there something like a big take away that you
something like a big take away that you
something like a big take away that you can just give to our fans that they
can just give to our fans that they
can just give to our fans that they should just look out for maybe when
should just look out for maybe when
should just look out for maybe when they’re in a landscape it would be
they’re in a landscape it would be
they’re in a landscape it would be really good for them yeah I mean maybe
really good for them yeah I mean maybe
really good for them yeah I mean maybe this is a little bit more complex than
this is a little bit more complex than
this is a little bit more complex than what you’re looking for but my biggest
what you’re looking for but my biggest
what you’re looking for but my biggest tip to people with photography is to
tip to people with photography is to
tip to people with photography is to show people how you see the world and
show people how you see the world and
show people how you see the world and that’ll always be a unique perspective
that’ll always be a unique perspective
that’ll always be a unique perspective for them well that’s a great story to
for them well that’s a great story to
for them well that’s a great story to tell yeah so like you know when I’m
tell yeah so like you know when I’m
tell yeah so like you know when I’m walking through here I’m seeing like the
walking through here I’m seeing like the
walking through here I’m seeing like the pathway the story of somebody moving
pathway the story of somebody moving
pathway the story of somebody moving through the forest and then you know
through the forest and then you know
through the forest and then you know these ain’t
these ain’t
these ain’t Gentry’s around in all these patterns so
Gentry’s around in all these patterns so
Gentry’s around in all these patterns so I’m I’m taking pictures of things that I
I’m I’m taking pictures of things that I
I’m I’m taking pictures of things that I think I’m noticing that other people
think I’m noticing that other people
think I’m noticing that other people might walk right by and as a
might walk right by and as a
might walk right by and as a photographer I’m looking for light a lot
photographer I’m looking for light a lot
photographer I’m looking for light a lot of the time and like right here this is
of the time and like right here this is
of the time and like right here this is really beautiful
really beautiful
really beautiful this is a beautiful scene right here
this is a beautiful scene right here
this is a beautiful scene right here yeah it’s so I’ll tell you what I’m
yeah it’s so I’ll tell you what I’m
yeah it’s so I’ll tell you what I’m seeing here you know first of all it’s
seeing here you know first of all it’s
seeing here you know first of all it’s just a really cool situation where this
just a really cool situation where this
just a really cool situation where this log has fallen over the creek but
log has fallen over the creek but
log has fallen over the creek but there’s also it’s layered here there’s a
there’s also it’s layered here there’s a
there’s also it’s layered here there’s a lot of perspective for us when it’s just
lot of perspective for us when it’s just
lot of perspective for us when it’s just flat our eye really has nothing to dive
flat our eye really has nothing to dive
flat our eye really has nothing to dive into but when you have you know this
into but when you have you know this
into but when you have you know this foreground middle-ground backgrounds
foreground middle-ground backgrounds
foreground middle-ground backgrounds situation then it’s more interesting for
situation then it’s more interesting for
situation then it’s more interesting for us a personal look into the picture a
us a personal look into the picture a
us a personal look into the picture a little bit you know probably a good shot
little bit you know probably a good shot
little bit you know probably a good shot of just you right on the edge of this
of just you right on the edge of this
of just you right on the edge of this log here and that’ll give us our
log here and that’ll give us our
log here and that’ll give us our foreground element and then we’ll get
foreground element and then we’ll get
foreground element and then we’ll get you know the creek tells the story of
you know the creek tells the story of
you know the creek tells the story of where you are and what you’re doing then
where you are and what you’re doing then
where you are and what you’re doing then we have the background element of that
we have the background element of that
we have the background element of that big beautiful log in the background
big beautiful log in the background
big beautiful log in the background don’t try it so you’re making me take a
don’t try it so you’re making me take a
don’t try it so you’re making me take a little bit I’m not gonna I’m not gonna
little bit I’m not gonna I’m not gonna
little bit I’m not gonna I’m not gonna make you walk into the middle just right
make you walk into the middle just right
make you walk into the middle just right here on the edge you know and what we’re
here on the edge you know and what we’re
here on the edge you know and what we’re doing is I’m actually using you to give
doing is I’m actually using you to give
doing is I’m actually using you to give somebody that vicarious experience to
somebody that vicarious experience to
somebody that vicarious experience to live through so like when they see you
live through so like when they see you
live through so like when they see you looking off into this view what they’re
looking off into this view what they’re
looking off into this view what they’re doing is they’re putting themselves in
doing is they’re putting themselves in
doing is they’re putting themselves in that position right making this world
that position right making this world
that position right making this world you know if I was taking just like a
you know if I was taking just like a
you know if I was taking just like a portrait of you that’s a picture of you
portrait of you that’s a picture of you
portrait of you that’s a picture of you and nobody really lives vicariously
and nobody really lives vicariously
and nobody really lives vicariously through that but you looking off into
through that but you looking off into
through that but you looking off into the end of the distance that’ll give
the end of the distance that’ll give
the end of the distance that’ll give somebody something to think about and I
somebody something to think about and I
somebody something to think about and I think even that speaks so much to get
think even that speaks so much to get
think even that speaks so much to get outdoors day to day – this is perfect
outdoors day to day – this is perfect
outdoors day to day – this is perfect for getting outdoors it’s perfect yeah
for getting outdoors it’s perfect yeah
for getting outdoors it’s perfect yeah so I will I will get right on over there
so I will I will get right on over there
so I will I will get right on over there I’m gonna trade this off with you I
I’m gonna trade this off with you I
I’m gonna trade this off with you I guess oh I have a nice spot for it
guess oh I have a nice spot for it
guess oh I have a nice spot for it wonderful so I will get up here just let
wonderful so I will get up here just let
wonderful so I will get up here just let me know yeah well you just go to where
me know yeah well you just go to where
me know yeah well you just go to where you’re comfortable in I don’t need you
you’re comfortable in I don’t need you
you’re comfortable in I don’t need you to go far at all you don’t have to go
to go far at all you don’t have to go
to go far at all you don’t have to go over the edge and that probably is
over the edge and that probably is
over the edge and that probably is better if you don’t
better if you don’t
better if you don’t yeah I don’t think I really want to go
yeah I don’t think I really want to go
yeah I don’t think I really want to go over the edge because that wouldn’t be
over the edge because that wouldn’t be
over the edge because that wouldn’t be good for anybody no right there’s great
good for anybody no right there’s great
good for anybody no right there’s great okay so what I’m gonna have you do is
okay so what I’m gonna have you do is
okay so what I’m gonna have you do is actually turn to look out that way
actually turn to look out that way
actually turn to look out that way great
now I’m keeping the ground here at this
now I’m keeping the ground here at this side of the log out of the photo
you’ve been taking yeah I think that
you’ve been taking yeah I think that would be really cool for audience to see
would be really cool for audience to see
would be really cool for audience to see so this here this is the one where it
so this here this is the one where it
so this here this is the one where it shows kind of the foreground you see the
shows kind of the foreground you see the
shows kind of the foreground you see the ground and it’s it’s not quite as
ground and it’s it’s not quite as
ground and it’s it’s not quite as interesting to me as when you cut it out
interesting to me as when you cut it out
interesting to me as when you cut it out and now you see this pathway that you’re
and now you see this pathway that you’re
and now you see this pathway that you’re walking along right you have that
walking along right you have that
walking along right you have that background element the big redwoods off
background element the big redwoods off
background element the big redwoods off to the right is do you want me to get
to the right is do you want me to get
to the right is do you want me to get back up there no no I think we got it
back up there no no I think we got it
back up there no no I think we got it okay that’s great and I might just take
okay that’s great and I might just take
okay that’s great and I might just take a couple here of the tree by itself I
a couple here of the tree by itself I
a couple here of the tree by itself I will go over here while you do your
will go over here while you do your
will go over here while you do your thing one of the things that I’ve
thing one of the things that I’ve
thing one of the things that I’ve learned photographing in the woods
learned photographing in the woods
learned photographing in the woods is that if you get the sky in the
is that if you get the sky in the
is that if you get the sky in the picture sometimes it’s a little bit too
picture sometimes it’s a little bit too
picture sometimes it’s a little bit too bright it’s really dark down here
bright it’s really dark down here
bright it’s really dark down here but up there it’s really bright even on
but up there it’s really bright even on
but up there it’s really bright even on an overcast day like this the camera
an overcast day like this the camera
an overcast day like this the camera just can’t handle it like our I can so
just can’t handle it like our I can so
just can’t handle it like our I can so the trick is when you’re photographing
the trick is when you’re photographing
the trick is when you’re photographing redwoods like this is just crop the sky
redwoods like this is just crop the sky
redwoods like this is just crop the sky out
sometimes it’s you can try to include it
sometimes it’s you can try to include it but you know in this last photo this guy
but you know in this last photo this guy
but you know in this last photo this guy still just comes out as pure white pure
still just comes out as pure white pure
still just comes out as pure white pure whites not really that good because
whites not really that good because
whites not really that good because excuse me it’s not really that good
excuse me it’s not really that good
excuse me it’s not really that good because that’s the first thing that our
because that’s the first thing that our
because that’s the first thing that our eye is gonna go to in the image if
eye is gonna go to in the image if
eye is gonna go to in the image if something so bright like that it just it
something so bright like that it just it
something so bright like that it just it draws you away from what I’m trying to
draws you away from what I’m trying to
draws you away from what I’m trying to get the person to focus on up into that
get the person to focus on up into that
get the person to focus on up into that sky great I’m gonna steal this iPad back
sky great I’m gonna steal this iPad back
sky great I’m gonna steal this iPad back from you to see if there’s any questions
questions are always good questions are
questions are always good questions are always good they help me think about
always good they help me think about
always good they help me think about what I’m doing you know sometimes it
what I’m doing you know sometimes it
what I’m doing you know sometimes it it’s so much just kind of instinctual
it’s so much just kind of instinctual
it’s so much just kind of instinctual process after shooting for this long so
process after shooting for this long so
process after shooting for this long so we have a question says what kind of
we have a question says what kind of
we have a question says what kind of lens do you use when you’re in a nature
lens do you use when you’re in a nature
lens do you use when you’re in a nature setting like this my nearest law my
setting like this my nearest law my
setting like this my nearest law my favorite lenses are usually fixed
favorite lenses are usually fixed
favorite lenses are usually fixed they’re prime lenses but the lens that I
they’re prime lenses but the lens that I
they’re prime lenses but the lens that I end up using the most is actually it’s a
end up using the most is actually it’s a
end up using the most is actually it’s a 24 to 70 it goes a little bit wide it
24 to 70 it goes a little bit wide it
24 to 70 it goes a little bit wide it goes a little bit telephoto and just
goes a little bit telephoto and just
goes a little bit telephoto and just through the years having having been in
through the years having having been in
through the years having having been in so many scenarios where I’m trying to
so many scenarios where I’m trying to
so many scenarios where I’m trying to shoot with this lens or that lens that’s
shoot with this lens or that lens that’s
shoot with this lens or that lens that’s the lens that ends up on my camera the
the lens that ends up on my camera the
the lens that ends up on my camera the most it works really great for photos
most it works really great for photos
most it works really great for photos with people in it as well
with people in it as well
with people in it as well now prime lens is always a better lens
now prime lens is always a better lens
now prime lens is always a better lens and what I like about a prime lens is
and what I like about a prime lens is
and what I like about a prime lens is you can’t just zoom in what you do is
you can’t just zoom in what you do is
you can’t just zoom in what you do is you walk in and it changes your
you walk in and it changes your
you walk in and it changes your perspective it makes you look for a
perspective it makes you look for a
perspective it makes you look for a better shot rather than just say oh I’m
better shot rather than just say oh I’m
better shot rather than just say oh I’m not close enough new zoom in right so
not close enough new zoom in right so
not close enough new zoom in right so they kind of are those are like too good
they kind of are those are like too good
they kind of are those are like too good lenses that you would recommend for
lenses that you would recommend for
lenses that you would recommend for people to use if they’re trying to take
people to use if they’re trying to take
people to use if they’re trying to take good pictures yeah you know good
good pictures yeah you know good
good pictures yeah you know good landscape lens can be really wide
landscape lens can be really wide
landscape lens can be really wide depending on what you’re shooting but
depending on what you’re shooting but
depending on what you’re shooting but the the kind of middle-ground good for a
the the kind of middle-ground good for a
the the kind of middle-ground good for a lot of things lens is 24 to 70
lot of things lens is 24 to 70
lot of things lens is 24 to 70 millimeters in my opinion okay do you
millimeters in my opinion okay do you
millimeters in my opinion okay do you have like certain types of things out
have like certain types of things out
have like certain types of things out here in nature that you do like
here in nature that you do like
here in nature that you do like photographing more you know like I said
photographing more you know like I said
photographing more you know like I said I really like anything with story and a
I really like anything with story and a
I really like anything with story and a lot of times that has people in it
lot of times that has people in it
lot of times that has people in it I like adventure yeah getting out and
I like adventure yeah getting out and
I like adventure yeah getting out and seeing something that other people may
seeing something that other people may
seeing something that other people may not really have the opportunity to see
not really have the opportunity to see
not really have the opportunity to see on their own you know right here’s a
on their own you know right here’s a
on their own you know right here’s a perfect example of how you can kind of
perfect example of how you can kind of
perfect example of how you can kind of declutter a scene you know part of me
declutter a scene you know part of me
declutter a scene you know part of me wants to just photograph everything
wants to just photograph everything
wants to just photograph everything that’s here but really what might end up
that’s here but really what might end up
that’s here but really what might end up being interesting is a macro shot of one
being interesting is a macro shot of one
being interesting is a macro shot of one of these ferns so much detail in them so
of these ferns so much detail in them so
of these ferns so much detail in them so yeah and what what really stands out to
yeah and what what really stands out to
yeah and what what really stands out to me a lot of the time is patterns so and
me a lot of the time is patterns so and
me a lot of the time is patterns so and this goes back to our question about
this goes back to our question about
this goes back to our question about lenses is what lens what I choose for
lenses is what lens what I choose for
lenses is what lens what I choose for this I’ll try it first of the 24 to 70
this I’ll try it first of the 24 to 70
this I’ll try it first of the 24 to 70 but I also have a macro lens okay and
but I also have a macro lens okay and
but I also have a macro lens okay and this is a lot of poison oak around here
this is a lot of poison oak around here
this is a lot of poison oak around here so I’m gonna be really careful so what I
so I’m gonna be really careful so what I
so I’m gonna be really careful so what I like about this is that the leaf is in
like about this is that the leaf is in
like about this is that the leaf is in the Sun but there’s a shadow behind it
the Sun but there’s a shadow behind it
the Sun but there’s a shadow behind it so that’s gonna make the leaf stand out
and I’m gonna under expose just a little
and I’m gonna under expose just a little bit to make those shadows really drop
bit to make those shadows really drop
bit to make those shadows really drop down you know in the end of this one
down you know in the end of this one
down you know in the end of this one looks pretty cool too
I’m gonna try it with a 100 millimeter
I’m gonna try it with a 100 millimeter macro lens so that allows me to get a
macro lens so that allows me to get a
macro lens so that allows me to get a lot closer and really bring up those
lot closer and really bring up those
lot closer and really bring up those fine details
oh pattern I’ve always liked looking for
oh pattern I’ve always liked looking for patterns in nature you can find them in
patterns in nature you can find them in
patterns in nature you can find them in something as small as this or you know
something as small as this or you know
something as small as this or you know up in the way that the leaves are
up in the way that the leaves are
up in the way that the leaves are crossing the redwoods and creating these
crossing the redwoods and creating these
crossing the redwoods and creating these kind of layers and there’s just there’s
kind of layers and there’s just there’s
kind of layers and there’s just there’s so much small stuff that you can look
so much small stuff that you can look
so much small stuff that you can look into and one of the tricks I’ve found
into and one of the tricks I’ve found
into and one of the tricks I’ve found for doing that sorry one of the things
for doing that sorry one of the things
for doing that sorry one of the things that I’ve found for doing that is you
that I’ve found for doing that is you
that I’ve found for doing that is you can start wide and then just slowly work
can start wide and then just slowly work
can start wide and then just slowly work your way in until you’ve found a really
your way in until you’ve found a really
your way in until you’ve found a really cool detail for me I think that these
cool detail for me I think that these
cool detail for me I think that these these ferns are are the detail that is
these ferns are are the detail that is
these ferns are are the detail that is most interesting to me around here and
most interesting to me around here and
most interesting to me around here and trying to get those different
trying to get those different
trying to get those different perspectives without getting in the
perspectives without getting in the
perspectives without getting in the poison oak something that’ll be unique
and stand out it’s really hard to get
and stand out it’s really hard to get them in focus though with macro that’s
them in focus though with macro that’s
them in focus though with macro that’s why I tripods are usually better that’s
why I tripods are usually better that’s
why I tripods are usually better that’s kind of cool now what I’m gonna do is
kind of cool now what I’m gonna do is
kind of cool now what I’m gonna do is I’m actually gonna open close my
I’m actually gonna open close my
I’m actually gonna open close my aperture down to 4.5 or maybe 5.0 so I
aperture down to 4.5 or maybe 5.0 so I
aperture down to 4.5 or maybe 5.0 so I can try to get more of it in focus
cool I’ll switch back to that 24 to 70
cool I’ll switch back to that 24 to 70 now if anybody has any questions about
now if anybody has any questions about
now if anybody has any questions about how I’m doing this or what I’m doing or
how I’m doing this or what I’m doing or
how I’m doing this or what I’m doing or what I’m thinking just post it on the
what I’m thinking just post it on the
what I’m thinking just post it on the Facebook page and I’ll try to answer
Facebook page and I’ll try to answer
Facebook page and I’ll try to answer them
great those photos look absolutely
great those photos look absolutely beautiful
beautiful
beautiful Thanks you know I haven’t really gotten
Thanks you know I haven’t really gotten
Thanks you know I haven’t really gotten to photograph the details on a fern like
to photograph the details on a fern like
to photograph the details on a fern like this in a while and if somebody’s to do
this in a while and if somebody’s to do
this in a while and if somebody’s to do a long time ago and I was living in New
a long time ago and I was living in New
a long time ago and I was living in New Zealand so it’s been probably 10 years
Zealand so it’s been probably 10 years
Zealand so it’s been probably 10 years since I’ve tried that
since I’ve tried that
since I’ve tried that that photo well it’s beautiful thank you
that photo well it’s beautiful thank you
that photo well it’s beautiful thank you and I have a present for you too thank
and I have a present for you too thank
and I have a present for you too thank you as we go to this beautiful circle
you as we go to this beautiful circle
you as we go to this beautiful circle yeah of redwoods do you want to see
yeah of redwoods do you want to see
yeah of redwoods do you want to see what’s in here
what’s in here
what’s in here absolutely I think you know we have the
absolutely I think you know we have the
absolutely I think you know we have the little fairy circles what it’s called of
little fairy circles what it’s called of
little fairy circles what it’s called of redwoods in here first I have to ask you
redwoods in here first I have to ask you
redwoods in here first I have to ask you javi wants to know how you would define
javi wants to know how you would define
javi wants to know how you would define a great picture oh well that’s very
a great picture oh well that’s very
a great picture oh well that’s very subjective but you know it’s in your
subjective but you know it’s in your
subjective but you know it’s in your opinion right in my opinion a great
opinion right in my opinion a great
opinion right in my opinion a great picture it really depends on the light
picture it really depends on the light
picture it really depends on the light you can have an interesting subject and
you can have an interesting subject and
you can have an interesting subject and terrible light you’ll get an OK picture
terrible light you’ll get an OK picture
terrible light you’ll get an OK picture you can have a kind of boring subject
you can have a kind of boring subject
you can have a kind of boring subject great light and you’re going to get a
great light and you’re going to get a
great light and you’re going to get a great picture and you know a great
great picture and you know a great
great picture and you know a great picture is gonna tell a little bit of
picture is gonna tell a little bit of
picture is gonna tell a little bit of story it’s not something you just look
story it’s not something you just look
story it’s not something you just look at that’s why even when I’m shooting
at that’s why even when I’m shooting
at that’s why even when I’m shooting landscapes I like to have one little
landscapes I like to have one little
landscapes I like to have one little person in there something that just
person in there something that just
person in there something that just makes you think about what it would be
makes you think about what it would be
makes you think about what it would be like to stand there yourself it really
like to stand there yourself it really
like to stand there yourself it really puts you in that story and makes you
puts you in that story and makes you
puts you in that story and makes you part of that scene yeah I mean when you
part of that scene yeah I mean when you
part of that scene yeah I mean when you look at a lot of the pictures in
look at a lot of the pictures in
look at a lot of the pictures in National Geographic
National Geographic
National Geographic there’s
alright so we’re gonna continue to just
alright so we’re gonna continue to just go back into the Redwoods here and just
go back into the Redwoods here and just
go back into the Redwoods here and just what do you see in here that’s speaking
what do you see in here that’s speaking
what do you see in here that’s speaking to you I see a few things so you know
to you I see a few things so you know
to you I see a few things so you know see how dark these redwood trees are yes
see how dark these redwood trees are yes
see how dark these redwood trees are yes and how bright the background is so I
and how bright the background is so I
and how bright the background is so I mean it’s kind of it’s really contrast
mean it’s kind of it’s really contrast
mean it’s kind of it’s really contrast see and it lends itself to silhouettes
see and it lends itself to silhouettes
see and it lends itself to silhouettes so we could try something there or what
so we could try something there or what
so we could try something there or what we could do is we could expose for the
we could do is we could expose for the
we could do is we could expose for the background which is brighter and you
background which is brighter and you
background which is brighter and you know try to get some elements of story
know try to get some elements of story
know try to get some elements of story in there
in there
in there these trees are so big it’s hard to tell
these trees are so big it’s hard to tell
these trees are so big it’s hard to tell their story without putting somebody in
their story without putting somebody in
their story without putting somebody in it I might have you in this photo as
it I might have you in this photo as
it I might have you in this photo as well ok wonderful let’s you just direct
well ok wonderful let’s you just direct
well ok wonderful let’s you just direct me and I will follow your wonderful
me and I will follow your wonderful
me and I will follow your wonderful guidance all right well you know I’m
guidance all right well you know I’m
guidance all right well you know I’m probably gonna walk around a little bit
probably gonna walk around a little bit
probably gonna walk around a little bit and just look through the lens you know
and just look through the lens you know
and just look through the lens you know I think that’s one of the problems that
I think that’s one of the problems that
I think that’s one of the problems that people run into is they try to be a
people run into is they try to be a
people run into is they try to be a little too stationary they just if they
little too stationary they just if they
little too stationary they just if they get a feeling for the scene I’ll be over
get a feeling for the scene I’ll be over
get a feeling for the scene I’ll be over here alright let’s see
it’s really nice sometimes getting those
it’s really nice sometimes getting those flares of light coming from the
flares of light coming from the
flares of light coming from the background it’s hard to expose for both
background it’s hard to expose for both
background it’s hard to expose for both so I have to pick one or the other this
so I have to pick one or the other this
so I have to pick one or the other this is nice it’s really dark in here though
is nice it’s really dark in here though
is nice it’s really dark in here though so what I’m gonna do is I’m gonna raise
so what I’m gonna do is I’m gonna raise
so what I’m gonna do is I’m gonna raise my ISO up to about eight hundred or a
my ISO up to about eight hundred or a
my ISO up to about eight hundred or a thousand ISO is the sensitivity of the
thousand ISO is the sensitivity of the
thousand ISO is the sensitivity of the camera so it allows me to work with less
camera so it allows me to work with less
camera so it allows me to work with less light if I don’t increase it and I just
light if I don’t increase it and I just
light if I don’t increase it and I just shoot it’s a 100 to 200 ISO what’s gonna
shoot it’s a 100 to 200 ISO what’s gonna
shoot it’s a 100 to 200 ISO what’s gonna end up happening is my shutter speed is
end up happening is my shutter speed is
end up happening is my shutter speed is my shutter speed is gonna be a lot
my shutter speed is gonna be a lot
my shutter speed is gonna be a lot slower and when it’s slowed down like
slower and when it’s slowed down like
slower and when it’s slowed down like that I can’t hold the camera still long
that I can’t hold the camera still long
that I can’t hold the camera still long enough to get the photo that I’m trying
enough to get the photo that I’m trying
enough to get the photo that I’m trying to get so right now my shutter speed is
to get so right now my shutter speed is
to get so right now my shutter speed is an 80th of a second which depending on
an 80th of a second which depending on
an 80th of a second which depending on what you’re shooting could be considered
what you’re shooting could be considered
what you’re shooting could be considered slow let’s see here I’m gonna try
slow let’s see here I’m gonna try
slow let’s see here I’m gonna try working my way around this way and
working my way around this way and
working my way around this way and looking at the treats from another angle
looking at the treats from another angle
looking at the treats from another angle so our Sun is up there it’s coming this
so our Sun is up there it’s coming this
so our Sun is up there it’s coming this way
now if I get right in the middle of them
now if I get right in the middle of them and I shoot straight up it kind of looks
and I shoot straight up it kind of looks
and I shoot straight up it kind of looks like they’re all coming to a point above
like they’re all coming to a point above
like they’re all coming to a point above me it’s a really interesting pattern to
me it’s a really interesting pattern to
me it’s a really interesting pattern to work with it’s a shot I’ve seen done a
work with it’s a shot I’ve seen done a
work with it’s a shot I’ve seen done a few times but it’s definitely worth
few times but it’s definitely worth
few times but it’s definitely worth taking and you know what I’m getting
taking and you know what I’m getting
taking and you know what I’m getting that son in the photo so it could give
that son in the photo so it could give
that son in the photo so it could give us an interesting little Sun flare I
I like working with some players I think
I like working with some players I think it’s you know it can be an advantage
it’s you know it can be an advantage
it’s you know it can be an advantage sometimes but sometimes it can it can
sometimes but sometimes it can it can
sometimes but sometimes it can it can distract from the elements of the
distract from the elements of the
distract from the elements of the picture that you’re actually trying to
picture that you’re actually trying to
picture that you’re actually trying to focus on so I’m going to take a few
focus on so I’m going to take a few
focus on so I’m going to take a few without it as well one of the reasons I
without it as well one of the reasons I
without it as well one of the reasons I don’t usually shoot straight up on trees
don’t usually shoot straight up on trees
don’t usually shoot straight up on trees is because we’re taking something that’s
is because we’re taking something that’s
is because we’re taking something that’s three-dimensional and then we’re making
three-dimensional and then we’re making
three-dimensional and then we’re making it two-dimensional and when we do that
it two-dimensional and when we do that
it two-dimensional and when we do that you don’t actually get a sense of how
you don’t actually get a sense of how
you don’t actually get a sense of how high the tree is in the actual image
high the tree is in the actual image
high the tree is in the actual image itself so I’m thinking of this more as a
itself so I’m thinking of this more as a
itself so I’m thinking of this more as a pattern then as hey look at how big
pattern then as hey look at how big
pattern then as hey look at how big these trees are actually let’s get you
these trees are actually let’s get you
these trees are actually let’s get you in here for a couple shots great I’m
in here for a couple shots great I’m
in here for a couple shots great I’m standing by now if this was
standing by now if this was
standing by now if this was photojournalism I would probably find a
photojournalism I would probably find a
photojournalism I would probably find a scene like this and I just wait
scene like this and I just wait
scene like this and I just wait you know I’d set up the camera I wait
you know I’d set up the camera I wait
you know I’d set up the camera I wait for somebody to come through and then
for somebody to come through and then
for somebody to come through and then I’d shoot I’m creating an image like I’m
I’d shoot I’m creating an image like I’m
I’d shoot I’m creating an image like I’m doing now I’m thinking about how I can
doing now I’m thinking about how I can
doing now I’m thinking about how I can get you to tell the story that I want
get you to tell the story that I want
get you to tell the story that I want told so I want to talk about how big the
told so I want to talk about how big the
told so I want to talk about how big the trees are now if I got down I shot up at
trees are now if I got down I shot up at
trees are now if I got down I shot up at you would be a terrible angle that would
you would be a terrible angle that would
you would be a terrible angle that would not nobody liked that angle it is not a
not nobody liked that angle it is not a
not nobody liked that angle it is not a lot so to get a good photo of you I’m
lot so to get a good photo of you I’m
lot so to get a good photo of you I’m gonna step back a little bit right but I
gonna step back a little bit right but I
gonna step back a little bit right but I want to still have that sense of how big
want to still have that sense of how big
want to still have that sense of how big the trees are so I’m gonna have you just
the trees are so I’m gonna have you just
the trees are so I’m gonna have you just kind of looking up and not strain’d
kind of looking up and not strain’d
kind of looking up and not strain’d difficult but just like I’m not here
difficult but just like I’m not here
difficult but just like I’m not here okay let me know where you want me to
okay let me know where you want me to
okay let me know where you want me to stand I want you to actually just wander
stand I want you to actually just wander
stand I want you to actually just wander around a little bit just in that front
around a little bit just in that front
around a little bit just in that front area and it looks really good with with
area and it looks really good with with
area and it looks really good with with that color up against the tree behind
that color up against the tree behind
that color up against the tree behind you so this is actually an interesting
you so this is actually an interesting
you so this is actually an interesting shot and I think that there’s a lot to
shot and I think that there’s a lot to
shot and I think that there’s a lot to learn here and you know if you were
learn here and you know if you were
learn here and you know if you were wearing something that was the same
wearing something that was the same
wearing something that was the same color as the trees you might get lost in
color as the trees you might get lost in
color as the trees you might get lost in there but this stands out great
okay I’m just gonna have you walk out to
okay I’m just gonna have you walk out to this side over here keep going a little
this side over here keep going a little
this side over here keep going a little bit right great
bit right great
bit right great wonderful good job well I had great
wonderful good job well I had great
wonderful good job well I had great guidance yeah so I mean you’re pretty
guidance yeah so I mean you’re pretty
guidance yeah so I mean you’re pretty small in the picture but see how you
small in the picture but see how you
small in the picture but see how you stand out against this kind of
stand out against this kind of
stand out against this kind of silhouetted tree right I think it works
silhouetted tree right I think it works
silhouetted tree right I think it works pretty well that’s absolutely beautiful
pretty well that’s absolutely beautiful
pretty well that’s absolutely beautiful you can see how tall the trees are it
you can see how tall the trees are it
you can see how tall the trees are it really puts everything in perspective
really puts everything in perspective
really puts everything in perspective without distorting you in the image
without distorting you in the image
without distorting you in the image exactly it’s wonderful yeah I think you
exactly it’s wonderful yeah I think you
exactly it’s wonderful yeah I think you know this would be a great opportunity
know this would be a great opportunity
know this would be a great opportunity here to talk a little bit about things
here to talk a little bit about things
here to talk a little bit about things like polarisers and and maybe even if we
like polarisers and and maybe even if we
like polarisers and and maybe even if we can get some some darker light on the
can get some some darker light on the
can get some some darker light on the water we could get some motion blurs
water we could get some motion blurs
water we could get some motion blurs yeah we do have this beautiful stream
yeah we do have this beautiful stream
yeah we do have this beautiful stream right behind us so so I’m gonna throw
right behind us so so I’m gonna throw
right behind us so so I’m gonna throw the polarizer on the camera and I know
the polarizer on the camera and I know
the polarizer on the camera and I know this might be a great opportunity to
this might be a great opportunity to
this might be a great opportunity to answer a couple questions for people as
answer a couple questions for people as
answer a couple questions for people as well sure is there a way to focus on a
well sure is there a way to focus on a
well sure is there a way to focus on a subject that has a lens flare and
subject that has a lens flare and
subject that has a lens flare and background in a lens flare that’s like
background in a lens flare that’s like
background in a lens flare that’s like popping up in the background Alex Alex
popping up in the background Alex Alex
popping up in the background Alex Alex is asking this is there a way to focus
is asking this is there a way to focus
is asking this is there a way to focus on a subject that has a lens flare okay
on a subject that has a lens flare okay
on a subject that has a lens flare okay you know what a lens flare is is it’s
you know what a lens flare is is it’s
you know what a lens flare is is it’s it’s when the Sun is hitting the glass
it’s when the Sun is hitting the glass
it’s when the Sun is hitting the glass on the lens it’s not being shaded and
on the lens it’s not being shaded and
on the lens it’s not being shaded and that sunlight is coming through and it’s
that sunlight is coming through and it’s
that sunlight is coming through and it’s getting kind of broken up by all the
getting kind of broken up by all the
getting kind of broken up by all the different lens elements so if the
different lens elements so if the
different lens elements so if the question is how to find the lens flare
question is how to find the lens flare
question is how to find the lens flare shoot towards the light if the question
shoot towards the light if the question
shoot towards the light if the question is if there’s a lens flare and you’re
is if there’s a lens flare and you’re
is if there’s a lens flare and you’re having trouble focusing what I do is I
having trouble focusing what I do is I
having trouble focusing what I do is I cover that lens flare up with my hand
cover that lens flare up with my hand
cover that lens flare up with my hand get my focus and then when I take my
get my focus and then when I take my
get my focus and then when I take my hand away it’s already in focus I can
hand away it’s already in focus I can
hand away it’s already in focus I can just take a picture well that makes a
just take a picture well that makes a
just take a picture well that makes a lot of sense I hope so no one wants to
lot of sense I hope so no one wants to
lot of sense I hope so no one wants to know what camera are you using right now
know what camera are you using right now
know what camera are you using right now right now I’m using a 5d Mark four it’s
right now I’m using a 5d Mark four it’s
right now I’m using a 5d Mark four it’s one of my favorites I also have the 5d
one of my favorites I also have the 5d
one of my favorites I also have the 5d RS for night photos in here and are
RS for night photos in here and are
RS for night photos in here and are those that usual bodies that you shoot
those that usual bodies that you shoot
those that usual bodies that you shoot on these are
on these are
on these are almost all the time I used to have one
almost all the time I used to have one
almost all the time I used to have one of the one DS which is very big very
of the one DS which is very big very
of the one DS which is very big very professional camera and I love it but I
professional camera and I love it but I
professional camera and I love it but I did a trip for National Geographic where
did a trip for National Geographic where
did a trip for National Geographic where a dogsled it across the Arctic and 1,400
a dogsled it across the Arctic and 1,400
a dogsled it across the Arctic and 1,400 miles later I’m carrying this you know
miles later I’m carrying this you know
miles later I’m carrying this you know huge camera and I got back and I bought
huge camera and I got back and I bought
huge camera and I got back and I bought the 5d because it’s small it’s
the 5d because it’s small it’s
the 5d because it’s small it’s technically considered prosumer but it
technically considered prosumer but it
technically considered prosumer but it shoots as well as any professional
shoots as well as any professional
shoots as well as any professional camera and a lot of professionals have
camera and a lot of professionals have
camera and a lot of professionals have moved on to smaller cameras now which is
moved on to smaller cameras now which is
moved on to smaller cameras now which is great for outdoor stuff like this yeah
great for outdoor stuff like this yeah
great for outdoor stuff like this yeah you know usually goes in a backpack so
you know usually goes in a backpack so
you know usually goes in a backpack so for anybody just joining us right now we
for anybody just joining us right now we
for anybody just joining us right now we are currently live in Napa Valley with
are currently live in Napa Valley with
are currently live in Napa Valley with Ben Horan photographer and we are here
Ben Horan photographer and we are here
Ben Horan photographer and we are here with National Geographic and our friends
with National Geographic and our friends
with National Geographic and our friends Nature Valley and Ben is here to answer
Nature Valley and Ben is here to answer
Nature Valley and Ben is here to answer all of your photography questions so
all of your photography questions so
all of your photography questions so make sure you keep commenting below we
make sure you keep commenting below we
make sure you keep commenting below we want to get to as many questions as
want to get to as many questions as
want to get to as many questions as possible so please keep firing away keep
possible so please keep firing away keep
possible so please keep firing away keep them coming
them coming
them coming yeah they’ve been really great so far
yeah they’ve been really great so far
yeah they’ve been really great so far guys all right this is a good little
guys all right this is a good little
guys all right this is a good little opportunity here to show how a polarizer
opportunity here to show how a polarizer
opportunity here to show how a polarizer works well I’m gonna go let you do your
works well I’m gonna go let you do your
works well I’m gonna go let you do your thing over here all right because this
thing over here all right because this
thing over here all right because this looks beautiful so what a polarizer does
looks beautiful so what a polarizer does
looks beautiful so what a polarizer does is it helps get rid of reflections and
is it helps get rid of reflections and
is it helps get rid of reflections and it does that by limiting the kinds of
it does that by limiting the kinds of
it does that by limiting the kinds of wavelengths that can come into an image
wavelengths that can come into an image
wavelengths that can come into an image and it screws right onto the front of
and it screws right onto the front of
and it screws right onto the front of the lens right here so what you do to
the lens right here so what you do to
the lens right here so what you do to change the polarization of the light is
change the polarization of the light is
change the polarization of the light is you just twist the polarizer right and
you just twist the polarizer right and
you just twist the polarizer right and I’m gonna take it before and after image
I’m gonna take it before and after image
I’m gonna take it before and after image I don’t know if they’re gonna be great
I don’t know if they’re gonna be great
I don’t know if they’re gonna be great shots but they’re gonna show you the
shots but they’re gonna show you the
shots but they’re gonna show you the difference between the two so here is
difference between the two so here is
difference between the two so here is with all of the reflection taken away
with all of the reflection taken away
with all of the reflection taken away and then I turn it and we have
and then I turn it and we have
and then I turn it and we have reflections so you can use that to your
reflections so you can use that to your
reflections so you can use that to your advantage when you want to when you want
advantage when you want to when you want
advantage when you want to when you want the reflection of trees in a creek or
the reflection of trees in a creek or
the reflection of trees in a creek or you know something in a pool but you can
you know something in a pool but you can
you know something in a pool but you can also use it when you want to see through
also use it when you want to see through
also use it when you want to see through the water to see what’s underneath it
the water to see what’s underneath it
the water to see what’s underneath it like these rocks I’m gonna step out here
like these rocks I’m gonna step out here
like these rocks I’m gonna step out here and get a photo downstream
and get a photo downstream
and get a photo downstream of these redwoods and I’m going to see
of these redwoods and I’m going to see
of these redwoods and I’m going to see if the polarizer can kind of change the
if the polarizer can kind of change the
if the polarizer can kind of change the shot around and if one way is going to
shot around and if one way is going to
shot around and if one way is going to work better than another
so let’s try it first with no reflection
so let’s try it first with no reflection that was no reflection let’s try it now
that was no reflection let’s try it now
that was no reflection let’s try it now with reflection and then we’re gonna
with reflection and then we’re gonna
with reflection and then we’re gonna take it away and actually it’s really
take it away and actually it’s really
take it away and actually it’s really cool because you get to see all those
cool because you get to see all those
cool because you get to see all those colors that are coming through from the
colors that are coming through from the
colors that are coming through from the wet rocks I don’t know if you’ve ever
wet rocks I don’t know if you’ve ever
wet rocks I don’t know if you’ve ever seen you now give a seashell and when
seen you now give a seashell and when
seen you now give a seashell and when it’s dry it looks boring you pop it in
it’s dry it looks boring you pop it in
it’s dry it looks boring you pop it in the water it looks really pretty it’s
the water it looks really pretty it’s
the water it looks really pretty it’s kind of what’s happening here with the
kind of what’s happening here with the
kind of what’s happening here with the rocks we’re getting more colors from the
rocks we’re getting more colors from the
rocks we’re getting more colors from the ones that are underwater than from the
ones that are underwater than from the
ones that are underwater than from the ones that are above and I think I’m
ones that are above and I think I’m
ones that are above and I think I’m gonna grab my tripod and what I’m gonna
gonna grab my tripod and what I’m gonna
gonna grab my tripod and what I’m gonna do here is I’m going to try to get a
do here is I’m going to try to get a
do here is I’m going to try to get a little bit of motion in the water and
little bit of motion in the water and
little bit of motion in the water and and what that’s gonna do is it’s gonna I
and what that’s gonna do is it’s gonna I
and what that’s gonna do is it’s gonna I feel like it almost adds time to a photo
thank you for holding that set it up
thank you for holding that set it up right here you’re getting set up we have
right here you’re getting set up we have
right here you’re getting set up we have a question that’s pretty relevant for
a question that’s pretty relevant for
a question that’s pretty relevant for right here yeah from Nome what’s the
right here yeah from Nome what’s the
right here yeah from Nome what’s the best method to take pictures of
best method to take pictures of
best method to take pictures of waterfalls the best method well you know
waterfalls the best method well you know
waterfalls the best method well you know if you’re trying to get that blur
if you’re trying to get that blur
if you’re trying to get that blur there’s a few different ways and that’s
there’s a few different ways and that’s
there’s a few different ways and that’s what I’m gonna go into next which is
what I’m gonna go into next which is
what I’m gonna go into next which is getting exact motion blur right which is
getting exact motion blur right which is
getting exact motion blur right which is by increasing the amount of time that
by increasing the amount of time that
by increasing the amount of time that the shutter is open now maybe it’s
the shutter is open now maybe it’s
the shutter is open now maybe it’s really bright out and you can’t do that
really bright out and you can’t do that
really bright out and you can’t do that there’s something called a neutral
there’s something called a neutral
there’s something called a neutral density filter which just darkens the
density filter which just darkens the
density filter which just darkens the scene and allows you to have the shutter
scene and allows you to have the shutter
scene and allows you to have the shutter open longer but sometimes I like to
open longer but sometimes I like to
open longer but sometimes I like to shoot in the dark sometimes honestly
shoot in the dark sometimes honestly
shoot in the dark sometimes honestly because you can leave that shutter open
because you can leave that shutter open
because you can leave that shutter open for so long it gives you that a
for so long it gives you that a
for so long it gives you that a different feel yeah yeah all right I’m
different feel yeah yeah all right I’m
different feel yeah yeah all right I’m gonna pop back down here
got a nice stable base here to work off
got a nice stable base here to work off of what this allows me to do is I’m
of what this allows me to do is I’m
of what this allows me to do is I’m gonna drop my ISO back down the opposite
gonna drop my ISO back down the opposite
gonna drop my ISO back down the opposite of what I did before and with it this
of what I did before and with it this
of what I did before and with it this low it’s gonna allow me to have a longer
low it’s gonna allow me to have a longer
low it’s gonna allow me to have a longer shutter speed so right now I actually
shutter speed so right now I actually
shutter speed so right now I actually have a shutter speed of two and a half
have a shutter speed of two and a half
have a shutter speed of two and a half seconds two and a half seconds with the
seconds two and a half seconds with the
seconds two and a half seconds with the shutter open I’m gonna record all of the
shutter open I’m gonna record all of the
shutter open I’m gonna record all of the motion that’s happening here in this
motion that’s happening here in this
motion that’s happening here in this photo level it out a little bit let’s
photo level it out a little bit let’s
photo level it out a little bit let’s see
see
see I actually think just a little bit of
I actually think just a little bit of
I actually think just a little bit of reflection with the polarizer helps and
reflection with the polarizer helps and
reflection with the polarizer helps and there’s really only one way to see if it
there’s really only one way to see if it
there’s really only one way to see if it works now we’re at a 3.2 second exposure
works now we’re at a 3.2 second exposure
works now we’re at a 3.2 second exposure let’s give it a go
the water just starts kind of looking
the water just starts kind of looking like a fog and to me that’s really fun
like a fog and to me that’s really fun
like a fog and to me that’s really fun it feels more like I’m being creative in
it feels more like I’m being creative in
it feels more like I’m being creative in our teeth I’m gonna try a couple others
our teeth I’m gonna try a couple others
our teeth I’m gonna try a couple others I’m gonna add more reflection to the
I’m gonna add more reflection to the
I’m gonna add more reflection to the scene see what that does it’s kind of
scene see what that does it’s kind of
scene see what that does it’s kind of cool
let’s try a detail shot sometimes a
let’s try a detail shot sometimes a detail shot of something in here can be
detail shot of something in here can be
detail shot of something in here can be really cool like you know I remember
really cool like you know I remember
really cool like you know I remember seeing a picture once of a leaf that was
seeing a picture once of a leaf that was
seeing a picture once of a leaf that was in the water on a rock I don’t see
in the water on a rock I don’t see
in the water on a rock I don’t see anything around here but but maybe I can
anything around here but but maybe I can
anything around here but but maybe I can find something that’ll give the same
find something that’ll give the same
find something that’ll give the same effect what I do is you know as the
effect what I do is you know as the
effect what I do is you know as the water runs over whatever it is that I’m
water runs over whatever it is that I’m
water runs over whatever it is that I’m shooting it just it becomes blurry but
shooting it just it becomes blurry but
shooting it just it becomes blurry but then what’s underneath I here’s one
then what’s underneath I here’s one
then what’s underneath I here’s one right here
right here
right here what’s underneath stays in focus
rocks are moving around underneath me
rocks are moving around underneath me here
all right so I have a little I don’t
all right so I have a little I don’t know if it’s a maple leaf or something
know if it’s a maple leaf or something
know if it’s a maple leaf or something like that let’s try it
all right the leaf looks a little bit
all right the leaf looks a little bit blurry and I think the reason is is it’s
blurry and I think the reason is is it’s
blurry and I think the reason is is it’s moving with the water a little bit so I
moving with the water a little bit so I
moving with the water a little bit so I might speed up the shutter speed to
might speed up the shutter speed to
might speed up the shutter speed to reduce some of that motion eighth of a
reduce some of that motion eighth of a
reduce some of that motion eighth of a second it’s kind of cool just keep
second it’s kind of cool just keep
second it’s kind of cool just keep looking around and see what else we can
looking around and see what else we can
looking around and see what else we can find with it actually this is really
find with it actually this is really
find with it actually this is really pretty too this moss on this log is an
pretty too this moss on this log is an
pretty too this moss on this log is an interesting color this is what I’m
interesting color this is what I’m
interesting color this is what I’m talking about about kind of diving into
talking about about kind of diving into
talking about about kind of diving into a scene you know you start wide and then
a scene you know you start wide and then
a scene you know you start wide and then you start finding all these really cool
you start finding all these really cool
you start finding all these really cool little details that that just you get
little details that that just you get
little details that that just you get absorbed in them and I could stay and I
absorbed in them and I could stay and I
absorbed in them and I could stay and I could just shoot these details for hours
you can’t even tell it’s water
you can’t even tell it’s water underneath it so I think that exposures
underneath it so I think that exposures
underneath it so I think that exposures to long sides
to long sides
to long sides speed it up just a little bit
cool do you have any other questions
cool do you have any other questions coming in yeah so first of all Brenda
coming in yeah so first of all Brenda
coming in yeah so first of all Brenda says you’re awesome you have to take
says you’re awesome you have to take
says you’re awesome you have to take classes with you do you offer any I do i
classes with you do you offer any I do i
classes with you do you offer any I do i do do classes sometimes I teach a lot of
do do classes sometimes I teach a lot of
do do classes sometimes I teach a lot of night photography workshops so how to
night photography workshops so how to
night photography workshops so how to photograph the Milky Way and things like
photograph the Milky Way and things like
photograph the Milky Way and things like that well that’s pretty inspiring it’s
that well that’s pretty inspiring it’s
that well that’s pretty inspiring it’s fun – it’s one of my favorite things to
fun – it’s one of my favorite things to
fun – it’s one of my favorite things to shoot I mean looking up in the stars
shoot I mean looking up in the stars
shoot I mean looking up in the stars there’s always something to see yeah and
there’s always something to see yeah and
there’s always something to see yeah and it’s it’s really cool because the camera
it’s it’s really cool because the camera
it’s it’s really cool because the camera picks up so many things that our eyes
picks up so many things that our eyes
picks up so many things that our eyes don’t especially when you’re
don’t especially when you’re
don’t especially when you’re photographing something like the Stars
photographing something like the Stars
photographing something like the Stars right do you want to keep going on this
right do you want to keep going on this
right do you want to keep going on this journey here and see what else we see on
journey here and see what else we see on
journey here and see what else we see on the trail yeah you know I’ve been
the trail yeah you know I’ve been
the trail yeah you know I’ve been looking down so much for the last few
looking down so much for the last few
looking down so much for the last few minutes I kind of want to look up I also
minutes I kind of want to look up I also
minutes I kind of want to look up I also don’t want to forget my bag that’s you
don’t want to forget my bag that’s you
don’t want to forget my bag that’s you know so I had another question from
know so I had another question from
know so I had another question from Debby UD who was saying he always shoots
Debby UD who was saying he always shoots
Debby UD who was saying he always shoots in raw but raw and takes up so much
in raw but raw and takes up so much
in raw but raw and takes up so much space right
space right
space right do you always shoot in raw or do you
do you always shoot in raw or do you
do you always shoot in raw or do you change up what you shoot in I always
change up what you shoot in I always
change up what you shoot in I always shoot in raw you know the cards I use
shoot in raw you know the cards I use
shoot in raw you know the cards I use usually are 64 gigabytes something like
usually are 64 gigabytes something like
usually are 64 gigabytes something like that and they can hold a lot of photos I
that and they can hold a lot of photos I
that and they can hold a lot of photos I mean a lot yeah that’s a lot but I
mean a lot yeah that’s a lot but I
mean a lot yeah that’s a lot but I always have four or five cards and
always have four or five cards and
always have four or five cards and sometimes I’ll switch them out even
sometimes I’ll switch them out even
sometimes I’ll switch them out even before it’s full so that if I lose one I
before it’s full so that if I lose one I
before it’s full so that if I lose one I don’t lose everything
don’t lose everything
don’t lose everything seeing a really cool fern over here yeah
seeing a really cool fern over here yeah
seeing a really cool fern over here yeah we’re pretty shot why don’t you go over
we’re pretty shot why don’t you go over
we’re pretty shot why don’t you go over there what I’m actually doing right now
there what I’m actually doing right now
there what I’m actually doing right now is I have two cards in here one of them
is I have two cards in here one of them
is I have two cards in here one of them is recording JPEG and one’s recording
is recording JPEG and one’s recording
is recording JPEG and one’s recording raw the reason I do that is I can have a
raw the reason I do that is I can have a
raw the reason I do that is I can have a JPEG card that I just leave and it can
JPEG card that I just leave and it can
JPEG card that I just leave and it can hold hundreds of thousands of photos
hold hundreds of thousands of photos
hold hundreds of thousands of photos because it’s so big so even if I lose
because it’s so big so even if I lose
because it’s so big so even if I lose all of my raw pictures from the last two
all of my raw pictures from the last two
all of my raw pictures from the last two shoots I’ve got the JPEG in there makes
shoots I’ve got the JPEG in there makes
shoots I’ve got the JPEG in there makes sense you probably would always like to
sense you probably would always like to
sense you probably would always like to have a backup so you don’t lose that
have a backup so you don’t lose that
have a backup so you don’t lose that thing that you were taking a picture of
thing that you were taking a picture of
thing that you were taking a picture of all day that beauty that you were seeing
all day that beauty that you were seeing
all day that beauty that you were seeing yeah backing up is really important you
yeah backing up is really important you
yeah backing up is really important you know everything right now
know everything right now
know everything right now I haven’t I haven’t lost anything in
I haven’t I haven’t lost anything in
I haven’t I haven’t lost anything in years because the technology is so good
years because the technology is so good
years because the technology is so good but I feel like a little piece of
but I feel like a little piece of
but I feel like a little piece of yourself when it happens or even if you
yourself when it happens or even if you
yourself when it happens or even if you just lose a card that’s why I don’t
just lose a card that’s why I don’t
just lose a card that’s why I don’t shoot cards that are too big because if
shoot cards that are too big because if
shoot cards that are too big because if I lose you know 128 gigabytes of photos
I lose you know 128 gigabytes of photos
I lose you know 128 gigabytes of photos rather than 64 it’s a big deal I’m gonna
rather than 64 it’s a big deal I’m gonna
rather than 64 it’s a big deal I’m gonna take a picture back here great what I
take a picture back here great what I
take a picture back here great what I like about this it really is it’s just
like about this it really is it’s just
like about this it really is it’s just it’s so green it’s another pattern and
it’s so green it’s another pattern and
it’s so green it’s another pattern and you’ve got this super mossy log kind of
you’ve got this super mossy log kind of
you’ve got this super mossy log kind of working away in the background I think
working away in the background I think
working away in the background I think the worst way to shoot this would be to
the worst way to shoot this would be to
the worst way to shoot this would be to just go right up here and shoot straight
just go right up here and shoot straight
just go right up here and shoot straight at the log where it’s directly across in
at the log where it’s directly across in
at the log where it’s directly across in front of me but from this angle here I
front of me but from this angle here I
front of me but from this angle here I see it going away from me and that adds
see it going away from me and that adds
see it going away from me and that adds to that perspective that we were talking
to that perspective that we were talking
to that perspective that we were talking about huh let’s change a few settings
about huh let’s change a few settings
about huh let’s change a few settings here we’re still set up for the creek
interesting you know what they’re not
interesting you know what they’re not all winners like I think that this is
all winners like I think that this is
all winners like I think that this is really pretty
really pretty
really pretty to my eye I look at this and I think you
to my eye I look at this and I think you
to my eye I look at this and I think you know this is some place I’d like to set
know this is some place I’d like to set
know this is some place I’d like to set up a hammock and just chill out for a
up a hammock and just chill out for a
up a hammock and just chill out for a while
while
while but I look at it through the camera and
but I look at it through the camera and
but I look at it through the camera and it’s just not quite working the way that
it’s just not quite working the way that
it’s just not quite working the way that I imagined it does and I think really
I imagined it does and I think really
I imagined it does and I think really that’s one of the biggest things in
that’s one of the biggest things in
that’s one of the biggest things in photography is learning how to see
photography is learning how to see
photography is learning how to see something through the camera before you
something through the camera before you
something through the camera before you actually pull that camera up and it’s
actually pull that camera up and it’s
actually pull that camera up and it’s just it gets really complicated
just it gets really complicated
just it gets really complicated sometimes because you’re looking at
sometimes because you’re looking at
sometimes because you’re looking at something that’s going to be
something that’s going to be
something that’s going to be two-dimensional we’re looking at it with
two-dimensional we’re looking at it with
two-dimensional we’re looking at it with emotion too you know right now air
emotion too you know right now air
emotion too you know right now air temperature is perfect I like being out
temperature is perfect I like being out
temperature is perfect I like being out here I’m having a great day in nature I
here I’m having a great day in nature I
here I’m having a great day in nature I might see this a different way then I
might see this a different way then I
might see this a different way then I will see it when I look at a picture of
will see it when I look at a picture of
will see it when I look at a picture of it later on so I’m gonna keep moving up
it later on so I’m gonna keep moving up
it later on so I’m gonna keep moving up the trail so we have another question
the trail so we have another question
the trail so we have another question for you if you’re if you’re up for it
for you if you’re if you’re up for it
for you if you’re if you’re up for it I’m up for it yeah Andrew wants to know
I’m up for it yeah Andrew wants to know
I’m up for it yeah Andrew wants to know if you edit all of your photos
if you edit all of your photos
if you edit all of your photos especially if you’re shooting raw you
especially if you’re shooting raw you
especially if you’re shooting raw you have to edit the best way to really
have to edit the best way to really
have to edit the best way to really explain it because there’s this this
explain it because there’s this this
explain it because there’s this this dirty feeling around the word editing
dirty feeling around the word editing
dirty feeling around the word editing right imagine you’re still shooting film
right imagine you’re still shooting film
right imagine you’re still shooting film and I got my start shooting film you
and I got my start shooting film you
and I got my start shooting film you have to process the image you know so a
have to process the image you know so a
have to process the image you know so a raw image what it is this is actually a
raw image what it is this is actually a
raw image what it is this is actually a series of grayscale images and the
series of grayscale images and the
series of grayscale images and the computer uses those grayscale images to
computer uses those grayscale images to
computer uses those grayscale images to decide how much color goes where there’s
decide how much color goes where there’s
decide how much color goes where there’s a red version of blue version a green
a red version of blue version a green
a red version of blue version a green version so it comes out really flat and
version so it comes out really flat and
version so it comes out really flat and gray so once you put it into the
gray so once you put it into the
gray so once you put it into the computer your you have the capability to
computer your you have the capability to
computer your you have the capability to add contrast take contrast away a little
add contrast take contrast away a little
add contrast take contrast away a little bushwhacking and you get you get to add
bushwhacking and you get you get to add
bushwhacking and you get you get to add that saturation to it I think people can
that saturation to it I think people can
that saturation to it I think people can take it really too far my goal is to
take it really too far my goal is to
take it really too far my goal is to show people how I saw it like we were
show people how I saw it like we were
show people how I saw it like we were talking about earlier to me this there’s
talking about earlier to me this there’s
talking about earlier to me this there’s just so much green out here and it’s so
just so much green out here and it’s so
just so much green out here and it’s so saturated I’ll probably bump up the
saturated I’ll probably bump up the
saturated I’ll probably bump up the saturation of my pictures a little bit
saturation of my pictures a little bit
saturation of my pictures a little bit but if it gets that point where the
but if it gets that point where the
but if it gets that point where the colors just don’t look natural then I
colors just don’t look natural then I
colors just don’t look natural then I back it off
back it off
back it off a lot of it is experimenting you know if
a lot of it is experimenting you know if
a lot of it is experimenting you know if you’re using Lightroom or Photoshop it’s
you’re using Lightroom or Photoshop it’s
you’re using Lightroom or Photoshop it’s pushing it up until you’re like okay
pushing it up until you’re like okay
pushing it up until you’re like okay that’s too far you pull it back that’s a
that’s too far you pull it back that’s a
that’s too far you pull it back that’s a little too far
little too far
little too far somewhere right in the middle is where
somewhere right in the middle is where
somewhere right in the middle is where you want to be that makes sense
you want to be that makes sense
you want to be that makes sense so I see like a lot of moss and a lot of
so I see like a lot of moss and a lot of
so I see like a lot of moss and a lot of trees down is that something that you
trees down is that something that you
trees down is that something that you take photos of or something that
take photos of or something that
take photos of or something that interests you I see like a lot of these
interests you I see like a lot of these
interests you I see like a lot of these woodpecker holes and eating logs so this
woodpecker holes and eating logs so this
woodpecker holes and eating logs so this goes back to a you know the woodpecker
goes back to a you know the woodpecker
goes back to a you know the woodpecker holes for instance this goes back to
holes for instance this goes back to
holes for instance this goes back to we’re talking about earlier about your
we’re talking about earlier about your
we’re talking about earlier about your personal connection to an image you know
personal connection to an image you know
personal connection to an image you know what that is
what that is
what that is if you take a picture of it are people
if you take a picture of it are people
if you take a picture of it are people gonna know what that is right that’s
gonna know what that is right that’s
gonna know what that is right that’s true
true
true right it’s gonna look just like a hole
right it’s gonna look just like a hole
right it’s gonna look just like a hole in a log so without the story of the
in a log so without the story of the
in a log so without the story of the woodpecker there you’re not gonna be
woodpecker there you’re not gonna be
woodpecker there you’re not gonna be able to translate that idea know what it
able to translate that idea know what it
able to translate that idea know what it is right let’s see I really want to find
is right let’s see I really want to find
is right let’s see I really want to find something where I get to kind of just
something where I get to kind of just
something where I get to kind of just get a big mass of green with the
get a big mass of green with the
get a big mass of green with the branches silhouetted in front of it so
branches silhouetted in front of it so
branches silhouetted in front of it so with branch of things silhouetted this
with branch of things silhouetted this
with branch of things silhouetted this actually maybe would be a good question
actually maybe would be a good question
actually maybe would be a good question Amanda wants to know is it okay to use
Amanda wants to know is it okay to use
Amanda wants to know is it okay to use auto white balance um I always shoot out
auto white balance um I always shoot out
auto white balance um I always shoot out a white balance but I’m also shooting
a white balance but I’m also shooting
a white balance but I’m also shooting wrong right so with raw you can change
wrong right so with raw you can change
wrong right so with raw you can change all that you know there is no perfect
all that you know there is no perfect
all that you know there is no perfect white balance it’s always a little bit
white balance it’s always a little bit
white balance it’s always a little bit different and the depending on what
different and the depending on what
different and the depending on what brand camera are using its gonna tell
brand camera are using its gonna tell
brand camera are using its gonna tell you oh you know this is perfect or oh
you oh you know this is perfect or oh
you oh you know this is perfect or oh that’s perfect so if you shoot on auto
that’s perfect so if you shoot on auto
that’s perfect so if you shoot on auto and you’re shooting raw you make those
and you’re shooting raw you make those
and you’re shooting raw you make those adjustments after the fact so you really
adjustments after the fact so you really
adjustments after the fact so you really just tell in the moment I guess like
just tell in the moment I guess like
just tell in the moment I guess like what you’re seeing what’s best yeah and
what you’re seeing what’s best yeah and
what you’re seeing what’s best yeah and you know if you’re if you’re under a
you know if you’re if you’re under a
you know if you’re if you’re under a tungsten light or a fluorescent light
tungsten light or a fluorescent light
tungsten light or a fluorescent light Otto’s not gonna work so there are
Otto’s not gonna work so there are
Otto’s not gonna work so there are presets for that on your camera and they
presets for that on your camera and they
presets for that on your camera and they can be great but sometimes you have to
can be great but sometimes you have to
can be great but sometimes you have to just do it manually and just go through
just do it manually and just go through
just do it manually and just go through each little setting change it a little
each little setting change it a little
each little setting change it a little bit by a little bit until it looks right
bit by a little bit until it looks right
bit by a little bit until it looks right to you it’s really your perspective
to you it’s really your perspective
to you it’s really your perspective that’s meant to you’re the deciding
that’s meant to you’re the deciding
that’s meant to you’re the deciding factor what you think is right was how
factor what you think is right was how
factor what you think is right was how you remember it that’s generally what’s
you remember it that’s generally what’s
you remember it that’s generally what’s right
right
right all right well do you have any last
all right well do you have any last
all right well do you have any last little tips that you want to give to any
little tips that you want to give to any
little tips that you want to give to any of the photographers that are out there
of the photographers that are out there
of the photographers that are out there you know what I think the most important
you know what I think the most important
you know what I think the most important thing is just to get out take as many
thing is just to get out take as many
thing is just to get out take as many photos as you can as you grow throughout
photos as you can as you grow throughout
photos as you can as you grow throughout being a photographer you’re gonna look
being a photographer you’re gonna look
being a photographer you’re gonna look back you know I look back on pictures
back you know I look back on pictures
back you know I look back on pictures from when I was 18 years old and I was
from when I was 18 years old and I was
from when I was 18 years old and I was living in New Zealand there were
living in New Zealand there were
living in New Zealand there were pictures from that time period that I
pictures from that time period that I
pictures from that time period that I loved I look at them now I don’t like
loved I look at them now I don’t like
loved I look at them now I don’t like him so much there’s other pictures from
him so much there’s other pictures from
him so much there’s other pictures from that time period that I never showed
that time period that I never showed
that time period that I never showed anybody I didn’t think we’re good at all
anybody I didn’t think we’re good at all
anybody I didn’t think we’re good at all but now I look at them I’m like oh this
but now I look at them I’m like oh this
but now I look at them I’m like oh this has a lot of potential like I I can do
has a lot of potential like I I can do
has a lot of potential like I I can do this or I could use it for that and my
this or I could use it for that and my
this or I could use it for that and my my eye has grown just because I’ve taken
my eye has grown just because I’ve taken
my eye has grown just because I’ve taken hundreds of thousands of pictures
hundreds of thousands of pictures
hundreds of thousands of pictures throughout my life that makes sense you
throughout my life that makes sense you
throughout my life that makes sense you grow as you take more photos well I want
grow as you take more photos well I want
grow as you take more photos well I want to thank you for joining us out here
to thank you for joining us out here
to thank you for joining us out here today this has been really helpful and
today this has been really helpful and
today this has been really helpful and I’m sure a lot of people have learned
I’m sure a lot of people have learned
I’m sure a lot of people have learned how to take better photos just how much
how to take better photos just how much
how to take better photos just how much you know if for no other reason just
you know if for no other reason just
you know if for no other reason just understanding how I think about taking a
understanding how I think about taking a
understanding how I think about taking a picture and you know not every picture I
picture and you know not every picture I
picture and you know not every picture I took out here today was good I took some
took out here today was good I took some
took out here today was good I took some really bad pictures sometimes I tell
really bad pictures sometimes I tell
really bad pictures sometimes I tell people the only difference being of
people the only difference being of
people the only difference being of professional and an amateur is I take
professional and an amateur is I take
professional and an amateur is I take more bad pictures than you and really
more bad pictures than you and really
more bad pictures than you and really what that is is me practicing me taking
what that is is me practicing me taking
what that is is me practicing me taking risks and out of that sometimes you get
risks and out of that sometimes you get
risks and out of that sometimes you get an amazing image and I encourage
an amazing image and I encourage
an amazing image and I encourage everybody out there to take their own
everybody out there to take their own
everybody out there to take their own pictures and actually share them with
pictures and actually share them with
pictures and actually share them with National Geographic using using hashtag
National Geographic using using hashtag
National Geographic using using hashtag backyard warrior because we want to see
backyard warrior because we want to see
backyard warrior because we want to see all of your backyard warrior photos and
all of your backyard warrior photos and
all of your backyard warrior photos and see what you’re doing out in the world
see what you’re doing out in the world
see what you’re doing out in the world so thank you so much again for joining
so thank you so much again for joining
so thank you so much again for joining us and thanks to Nature Valley for being
us and thanks to Nature Valley for being
us and thanks to Nature Valley for being out here with us today and National
out here with us today and National
out here with us today and National Geographic for just letting us be out in
Geographic for just letting us be out in
Geographic for just letting us be out in the wilderness and make sure if you want
the wilderness and make sure if you want
the wilderness and make sure if you want to see more live wilderness and nature
to see more live wilderness and nature
to see more live wilderness and nature you watch earth live July 9th and you
you watch earth live July 9th and you
you watch earth live July 9th and you will see beautiful nature thank you very
will see beautiful nature thank you very
will see beautiful nature thank you very much thank you
”
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