A skilled hunter for the wonderful views unseen by others, which can be beautiful for this wonderful level.

the water ripples and the upside down reflection image are surreal.

I like most the oak tree photo in this video.

I need to start getting up earlier so I can watch a couple of these videos every morning and particularly if I'm going out with the camera gear. Your approach and presentation are so inspirational, thank you for the lift Alister.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

That’s really kind of you, thanks so very much: at least in winter getting up early isn’t so bad 😅

A very nice video with a peaceful pace and a great message. I love this kind of photography. Living on The Norfolk Broads with the coast equally as close, I really enjoy capturing reflections in the water and tend to look for these in many aspects of my work. At the beach last night, I was struck by a hypnotic reflection of a low sand bank reflected in the retreating see pool below it. The sun had set and with a perfectly clear sky, there was just pastel colour, the sand bank, the sand bank again reflected in the pool and a gentle curve leading the eye to it. Abstract and beautiful just like your water and reflection shots here. Oh, but that oak tree. Stunning. Keep up the great work.

one of these days and I'm sure Seamus agrees I'm just echoing every one else here you deserve a meddle!

Beautiful images that prove you don't have to go too far off places to make them, you can find beauty in your own back yard. Love the video Alister and your approach to landscape photography.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so very much ❤️ I really appreciate that

Aaahhh, that last lonely oak tree is just magical!

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, very tranquil ❤️

Great video and absolutely beautiful images. I loved the water ripples and the last image of the oak tree.

Sublime images and real words of wisdom. Great combination thank you 👍

Hi Alister: It has been several months since I have been an active viewer and participant of your channel. As I watched this video, I recognized that I have missed your inspirational and refreshing approach to the creation of images. Your approach to the creation and appreciation for the 'landscape' seems to be more liberated and freeing. Well done! The images that you have created and shared in this video are very deep and rich in meaning without being cliche. As always, your unvarnished expression of your craft is very uplifting. Warmest regards, Keith Pinn (Barrie, Ontario)

Nice to see you outside making art ;-)

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, it’s been good mate. Of course the weather has turned wild again, so more office work this week.

Great video, Alistar! ‘Keep ‘em coming! 😊👍🏻 HNY!

I really enjoyed this thanks for posting.

The last two videos have brought your books to life and helped clarify the use of language in describing each image. Thanks.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks, I am so delighted to hear that ❤️

Beautiful photos Alister. Sometimes the simplest things can be exactly what we’re looking for.

Such a lovely joyful vlog Alister, so wonderful to see you so free and creative in the field. Beautiful ethereal mages, I especially love the oak tree with the fog surrounding it. Love the blue colder tones, so very lovely 🌨️❄️🤩

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Diane, that’s very kind of you ❤️

Alister…great seeing you in such a happy and relaxed mood. It’s seems that you have had a weight lifted off your shoulders! Love the oak tree image…👏👏👏

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I figure I need to enjoy myself more ❤️

Wow what a magical location. Lovely images, you certainly have the knack of finding natures more hidden gems. Atb.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, yes, we live in a beautiful place. Being open and non-judgemental is a great approach to finding things others miss.

Wow, what a beautiful set of images. Looks like water color on my phone. And cool moves. Also uplifting excitement in this video.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

We had a lot of fun making this one, really glad you enjoyed it 👍

Thank you Alister for another wonderful and inspirational video.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome ❤️

Great vlog Alister, the frosted oak was superb with such a beautiful background.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that- much appreciated

I adore how well you articulate yourself, awesome video. totally ate up every word!

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you! I really appreciate that.

Alister - Loved this video, as expected, and I’m really enjoying the e-book that I bought from you. Thanks for all the great content!

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you! really happy too hear you are enjoying all the content, it means a lot...

Out of all of your videos that I have watched thus far - this one is my favorite. I often struggle with the “chaos” of nature and the woodland especially. So much of this talk resonated with me. And I absolutely love the upside-down. I have shot similarly and love, love, love the result. Thanks for all you share - much appreciated.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Hugely appreciate your lovely comment. Thanks so very much

Wow ! What an exceptional set of images Alister must have been an absolute joy to be out on a morning like that

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, just had so much fun ❤️❤️❤️ thanks for the kind words

I'm embracing having just found a photographer who sees through eyes similar to mine. As every photo presented in this video reflects the way I see natural beauty also. Thank you ever so much.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant, so delighted to hear that

Another belting inspirational vlog Alistair, loved the picture of the water ripples! Creates an instant feeling of inner calm for me that image! 👍🏻

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

That’s brilliant, really pleased to hear that ❤️

Great video. Your preference on that final image was on the cooler side (as was mine), but I already knew that because you were shooting it with sunglasses on😜

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Haha, lol, yes, photosensitive glasses 🤓😎

Beautiful Work!!

In the first example I love the initial uncropped raw image. It looks like a painting and I think the bushes on the bottom left make the photo look more complete.

Stunning images, thank you for sharing

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks! I really enjoyed this one.

Really enjoyed this vlogg. Great images....can't decide which I liked the best, they were all so good. The abstract of the ripples - the more I looked at it, the more I saw different things/shapes within. I wanted to walk into that river - what a beautiful scene. I also loved the last image of the tree with fog in the background.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! 😊 They are all favourites to me for different reasons. Each moment was different, and each image reflects a different side of me. That is the true passion of expressive photography. Acceptance of diversity.

Really strong video, great mixture of in the field and the edit suite. Beautiful message and beautiful imagery

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant. Happy it resonated ❤️

Very informative and I enjoy your subtle quotes of positivity in the top corner of you LR=) Wishing you a lovely holiday season with loads of love and happiness

Thanks Alister, that was special. As I go through the challenge, simplification is an important concept of which I must be mindful of.....

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! - I am delighted the video is being so well received.

I love all of these: 4:00 Very Misty! 11:15 Calm & playingfull, joyness. 16:40 Sure Delicate & light! 21:55 Second image in sequence (square one): more colorfull. and final panoramic excellent too. Fulfilness - is what i feel when looking on this arts.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so very much ❤️ really pleased you’ve enjoyed it

Beautiful video as always. Stunning pictures, so I be a bit jealous about your environment/landscape. Hopefully I can travel to Scotland next May. Greetings from🇩🇪😎

Honestly Alister this is one of the best vlogs I have seen!! And that last shot of the lone oak in them conditions is just stunning. I love your though process about the shots and I love how they’re all completely different!

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

That’s so kind of you mate, I really appreciate that. I’ve had to find a different mindset for making videos as I used to feel a lot of pressure to go out and find something amazing. Thanks again.

@tompetersphotography

2 жыл бұрын

@@Alister_Benn well it shows because you seem very at ease

Wow, Your channel is amazing. Fantastic images. A lot of things for inspiration. Another subscribe. Thank you.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

😀 Thanks so much, I appreciate that

New subscriber. Good discussion on expression and meaning in our photography. Looking forward to future videos!

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Great, you may get some value from surfing past content. I’ve been making videos about expression for a couple of years. Welcome

Wow, so fantastic episode.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, we are enjoying the process of sharing them.

Beautiful work and a very helpful tutorial. I love winter photos but can't handle the icy cold temps. Thank you!

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Lol, yeah the cold can get a bit much 😊

Oh that first image @ the 3:38 mark, the one that you cropped to remove the lower left hand corner, amazing before the crop. What is happening in the background behind those two trees is gorgeous. I think I would try and work a way to retouch the lower left hand corner so as to not have to crop that image. The last image was stellar too! Great video, loved all the images! I so want to come to Scotland!

Wonderful images Alister, especially the oak tree toward the end. I personally liked the warmer rendition, but that's just my opinion, for what it's worth. Very envious, as I am still waiting for the first snowfall here in Minnesota, USA.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that lovely feedback ❤️

I love using my 100-400 to isolate scenes in the woods and while hiking. Changing my mindset on landscape photography from being heavily wide angle to more balanced made a huge improvement. I always try to at least carry a 70-200 to really come away with great landscape photos

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

I’m the same, after shooting wide for ages I became a real long lens specialist.

Just discovered your channel. Good video and beautiful shots! I'm really looking forward to doing some snow-scapes myself when the snow reaches my area.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Excellent, a warm welcome 😀

First time seeing your videos and I love it mate. Definitely will subscribe to your channel. Keep up the amazing work and love the tips. I recently bought a 200-600mm for my camera and love the versatility of that lens whether it be landscapes, astro, wildlife etc. I love the detail shots!

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much ❤️

I'm new to your channel! Enjoying your landscape photography! Five stars of five!

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome, I’m really happy to hear that.

...your photos are wonderful..your attitude, amazing...be well

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so very much! 😀

Waooooo..... It's very nice !

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so very much

Wonderful, thank you

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so very much ❤️

Enjoyed these using the long lens. I use the sigma 150-600 for wildlife and often when nothing is about shoot landscape isolated areas , Shows you can pick out images from anywhere if you look 👍

When I went out somewhere on a trip, I always felt i 'had' to document the trip. Not until recently I realized I was limiting myself that way. Finding and creating order in the chaos is what we do as humans don't we? Thank you again.

@Alister_Benn

Жыл бұрын

Many thanks again, I really appreciate all your positive feedback...

Thank you for another enspiring video and such a beautiful location, love your approach and content , looking at the membership options you have on offer 🙂👍📸

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Brian, really pleased to read your feedback ❤️ the Expressive Photographers Forum is a fun place to be 😎

Good show! Got to get over there...

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

We should do a workshop! ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Hi,thanks for the interesting video. You have a great visual sensitivity and that's not available to everyone!

Love your work, closed landscapes, some bordering on abstract are wonderful. Sadly some judges are lacking in the aesthetics and beauty and understanding of this artform, and I do not do well in competition, but their loss, not mine. Thanks for sharing, I am learning a lot and you work is inspiring me to kep going.

Excellent and beautiful thank you

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so very much

Thanks for this brilliant video. I found it very inspiring...particularly the water shots. I live in a beautiful area of Canada (mainly rolling farmland and forests) but struggle with those epic shots. Lots of leading lines that lead nowhere! I started recently shooting waves in Lake Ontario and am thrilled with what I am getting. Your video inspires me to

@homeinguelph

2 жыл бұрын

Oops. Inspires me to work more on this type of photography.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Lol, leading lives leading nowhere, I have said that so many times on workshops :-)

i had always use my wide angle lens before but now most of my pictures are on long lens and its quite fun to isolate the main subject from the background

a very nice presentation

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so very much ❤️

Wonderful work... I especially liked the first and final images where you were playing with the fog. I also enjoy using isolation with longer focal lengths, but I have to say that when you were introducing the 3rd image, standing in the middle of the stream and also again in the closing scene, I would have been reaching for a wider lens to capture more of the scene... The converging lines of tree and the banks on either side leading to the sunlit hill and its reflection in the water. I also would have broken one of my own "rules" (more a guideline, I suppose) and made a very symmetrical shot with the sunlit area/reflection very centered. I probably would have moved to one side or the other to make an asymmetrical shot too, but the centered shot just called out to me! I'm not getting to be critical or argumentative, because I definitely see what you were going for, too. However you mention the serendipity of landscape photography and how some things just grab you, and that's what struck me the moment I saw that scene. (It also reminded me that I need to buy a new pair of waterproof boots. ☺) After those wider shots were taken, I may well have switched back to telephoto for more isolated shots like you were doing.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Totally valid observation and I agree that we all see and feel the landscape and how it speaks to us. Thanks for the great comment

Love you videos! They have really allowed me to approach “my own” photography with a new and different perspective.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much

Thank you for the tuition, but since I shall not travel to Scotland the feelings of your environment are more important to me than the specific lessons. The sounds are another stimulus to be appreciated. If you really do not like the noise consider a good quality (expensive) throat microphone.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

I understand - my main mike didn't record for the final clip, which was why it was different from all the rest.

Hallo Alister, thanks again for beautiful pictures and Inspiration! I apologize for being that curious but would you reveal where you took the pictures in the river? Could it be it´s river Tay? Extremely beautiful location in winter whereever it is.

@Alister_Benn

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much. It's not the Tay, but most of Scotland's shallow rivers look like this in the winter. This one is our local river a few minutes from home, and for obvious reasons I don't advertise that :-) Thanks for your understanding.

@martinoberstein8431

Жыл бұрын

@@Alister_Benn Thank you Alister - I do understand (though it would take ME two days from Germany to get there😉). I would do the same and was not aware of this risk…

I was a tad disappointed this week because when you announced that you were out in the snow, I expected you to be wearing your kilt, obviously, in the traditional way. However, the image at about 3:34 of the trees with the fog didn’t disappoint, super image and thanks for explaining what you liked about it. Ditto with the oak tree. Will we ever see another dark and moody image from you?

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂 I’ll do that next time ❤️ oh you will see dark and moody alright, I’m taking a brief foray into light- hearted ness 😀

Great work. Do you refer to yourself as an artist or a photographer?

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

These days I consider myself an artist

Very much enjoyed your video Alister. Can I ask what is the image processing software you were using?

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, thanks for that. I use Lightroom Classic by Adobe for most of my processing

@robaire.b

2 жыл бұрын

@@Alister_Benn Many thanks

Love your work Alister, both the images and your story telling. And I especially love the images produced in this video. One thing about this video I would like to comment on. You spent a good deal of time working on a couple of tight reflection images. You appear to be in a beautiful winter scene. Why would you not concentrate on compositions that captured the winter scene and its unique atmosphere instead of of the tighter images of reflections which showed nothing of the winter scene? Are you often in this kind of winter scene? Each of us marches to a different beat and you certainly have to follow your muse. Anyway, just some thought I wanted to pass along. Thanks again for your unique interpretations.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Valid point. I engage with what appeals at the time. I could have shot wider, but would then have missed the intimacy. I think we have to be content in the moment and not feel pressured to do one thing or another. This is the basis of all my teaching. I let the landscape speak to me and this is what I photographed. Thanks for your great comment.

@grahambush3226

2 жыл бұрын

@@Alister_Benn Completely agree. I indeed could learn from "not feel pressured to do one thing or another".

Hi, It’s not clear from the information on the Expressive Photography community which platform is used. I’m not on Facebook so was wondering if that or another platform is used? Unfortunately I’m not able to post this on your website. Thanks in advance.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the message, the forum is run on Discourse but has been customised.

So it would appear that any wannabe landscape photographer needs a good pair of "wellies" whether they are in Scotland or the US, right?

hi there, excellent content, as a new subscriber may i suggest a point of improvement ? I wonder if you shouldnt consider moving your thumbnail text higher in order for the visitor to read the text without being blocked by the youtube automatic time mention.

@Alister_Benn

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome, thanks for the suggestion, I’ll amend that for future content ❤️

Alister, I like your videos and content but 27 minutes. Really ? Respectfully I suggest you keep them under 10 minutes.