Why is contrast so important in landscape photography?

In this video I am in full on teaching mode. We think we know what contrast is, but I was lying to myself for the first 15 years of my photography. I'd say I've discovered more about this topic in the last 5 years than I could have ever imagined, and now I want to share it with you. (and I get photobombed by an adorable dog called Rocky!!)
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Пікірлер: 83

  • @dwrisdon2487
    @dwrisdon2487 Жыл бұрын

    Holy moly, you were absolutely bubbling with energy and hyperbole. Is that what a sunny Scottish afternoon does to a photo-lad? What a great tip, utilizing an ND filter with moving grasses. I love it. Bravo!!!!! Bill

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, the more I enjoy myself in nature the better the final video.

  • @ShowMeTrucker
    @ShowMeTrucker Жыл бұрын

    Enjoyed your video on contrast. I am almost 60 years old and just getting started with photography as a hobby. You have given me a lot of food for thought on the subject and I just wanted to thank you.

  • @janroos7518
    @janroos7518 Жыл бұрын

    Lovely educational (about all kinds of contrast) and philosophical (about not caring who likes your own photos but yourself) video!! Thanks!!👍

  • @TimberGeek
    @TimberGeek Жыл бұрын

    Our copy of 'Out of Darkness' has arrived. 😄 Indeed, what a lovely place to be and a visit from a friendly dog. Our last cat is in the process of passing so we're debating dog vs. cat vs. the freedom of movement that comes from not having pets.

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Ah, wonderful the book arrived. Sorry to hear about the cat, always sad when they pass.

  • @jimrinaldi8357
    @jimrinaldi8357 Жыл бұрын

    When you showed the first shot I thought BORING. I almost moved on. But as you went through this exercise I picked up a very valuable lesson, beyond the contrast you were talking about. Again, you are teaching me to Slow Down. Examine the scene for possibilities. You do a lot with pano here that would never have occurred to me. Introducing the ND filter so you can accentuate the effect of the wind is brilliant. I am rapidly becoming a big fan of your videos. Thank you.

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Really pleased to hear that, thanks for sticking with it

  • @erkko69
    @erkko69 Жыл бұрын

    Great video again♥️🇫🇮🐘🌄🌷🌴🦜👍😀!!! Your positive mindset IS good. 🦜👍

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Many thanks, I’m enjoying the process

  • @ronnyheinemann1283
    @ronnyheinemann1283 Жыл бұрын

    A serious talk to camera and then a silly voice to the dog now that is contrast brilliant 😂👌👌👍love it well done🙋‍♂️

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    That’s me 😂

  • @glendaspackman7760
    @glendaspackman7760 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent tutorial Alister. Learned a lot from the way you cropped your images to simplify them. Thanks a heap...

  • @andrewmckinney3053
    @andrewmckinney3053 Жыл бұрын

    Yes! Enjoyed it very much, and learned (had re-affirmed) significant aspects of contrast. Many thanks, Alister!

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Brilliant, delighted to hear that thank you

  • @danevarkevisser4670
    @danevarkevisser4670 Жыл бұрын

    Alister, some lovely images there. They show a maturity of vision you don't often see in landscape photography. And agree, good photographs can be taken at any time of the day including under bright blue skies in the middle of the day.

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks very much, most kind.

  • @linaionta7590
    @linaionta7590 Жыл бұрын

    Oh you for this Alister!! I live in Castilla la Mancha, Spain, with its blue, blue skies and parched countryside 😂...when it starts to heat up, all the wildflowers quickly dry up, and I'm left wondering what to photograph next. Now I have been inspired! I can actually do something with blue skies, cork trees, grasses and shrubs! Thank you so much!!😀🙏

  • @rickhanger8225
    @rickhanger8225 Жыл бұрын

    IMHO, your best tutorial. Really struck a nerve and thought provoking. Thank you. 👏👏👏🙏🙏✌️

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much, I’ve decided just to be me and be passionate from the heart ❤️

  • @MarkFloyd7451
    @MarkFloyd7451 Жыл бұрын

    Love your ideas and comments. They are really eye opening. I've never thought of contrast in the manner you so eloquently outlay. Thank you for sharing your creative thoughts. Love the photos.

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Many thanks, I am happy to hear that

  • @photonsonpixels
    @photonsonpixels Жыл бұрын

    What a brilliant tutorial, Alister. When I look at your "uncropped" raw images, I think I would have tossed most of them. And yet, you show how beautiful they are once you know what to keep and what to eliminate from the frame. And the concept of motion familiar to long exposure seascapes applied to landscapes without water is simply genius! Thank you!.

  • @dennisstansfield4621
    @dennisstansfield4621 Жыл бұрын

    Just a note to let you know your wonderful book and print arrived this week; so pleased; packaging was terrific, all the way from Scotland to Utah without a scratch. Thank you so much for your efforts.

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Ah fantastic, so happy to hear that. Thanks to my darling wife for her diligence and all her packing efforts

  • @marcvalade94
    @marcvalade94 Жыл бұрын

    Listening to you makes me think that depending on golden hour for photography makes one need to travel! Creative photography seems to be the sustainable way to go!! Great shots by the way!

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks man. Yeah, too much emphasis is placed on location

  • @mvia236
    @mvia23610 ай бұрын

    Not only the how-to but the why. Thank you.

  • @jasoneldridgephotography
    @jasoneldridgephotography9 ай бұрын

    I really enjoyed taking contrast beyond just shadow and light. Excellent all around. The images as well!

  • @billbarraclough9653
    @billbarraclough9653 Жыл бұрын

    Insightful, thought provoking, encouraging and entertaining....as always, Alister. Great stuff!!

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Many thanks, I’m always happy when I’m being me ❤️

  • @esanford
    @esanford Жыл бұрын

    The white dog was quite a contrast…. Great, thoughtful video…

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Haha. He sure was ❤️❤️❤️

  • @jerrycarriveau1620
    @jerrycarriveau1620 Жыл бұрын

    Cheers Alister 😃

  • @garymc8956
    @garymc8956 Жыл бұрын

    Interesting the use of perspective and framing to deal with contrast. Very worthwhile consideration.

  • @AgillexUK
    @AgillexUK Жыл бұрын

    I've never understood why "good" photographs are only possible in the golden and blue hours or in the winter months; I love experimenting with high contrast in all conditions, so really nice to hear someone at your level endorsing it, too. Your video has also raised my appreciation of new types of contrast I've never really thought about before. Thank you

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Great, really happy to hear that and of course I very much agree

  • @shaun53355
    @shaun53355 Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful mindset of making photos any part of the day is our gift of understanding,a great inspirational video. Thank u for sharing.

  • @davidskinner274
    @davidskinner274 Жыл бұрын

    Wel explained , Allister

  • @rosye6241
    @rosye6241 Жыл бұрын

    Me es difícil entender ingles ,pero comprendí la esencia de tu explicación.Gracias por compartir.

  • @astridpreisz519
    @astridpreisz519 Жыл бұрын

    I enjoyed this one a lot. So full of passion and love for what you are doing! I could feel the joy 🙂. Made me want to go out immediately and feel the wind in my face! Thanks for always reminding me to just 'own' what I'm doing. Love the effect of the long exposure. Be like water! 😁

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Be like water, so true, flow through the landscape and feel the relationship with being. We only get once chance

  • @capturesintime7080
    @capturesintime7080 Жыл бұрын

    Great video… thought provoking especially about using simplification techniques to create pleasing contrasts with the windblown grasses or elimination of colour. Look forward to the rest of the series!

  • @janewebb4483
    @janewebb4483 Жыл бұрын

    I will share this with landscaoe oil painting friends for more creative interpretations and compositions through better understanding of contrast.

  • @andrewherbert9938
    @andrewherbert9938 Жыл бұрын

    Very much enjoyed that one Alister

  • @JohnDrummondPhoto
    @JohnDrummondPhoto Жыл бұрын

    LOL you actually pronounced "kindergarten" correctly the first time (it's German and spelled with a "t", not a "d"). I agree with your point: contrast is directly tied into your other factors of composition, including color (chroma) and value (light vs dark).

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    I realised that when I watched back the final video edit!! 🤪

  • @PaulEvans
    @PaulEvans Жыл бұрын

    Thank you again for another enlightening video. I’ve been looking at my previous images and it appears on a number of them I was sub consciously looking at contrast in the various ways you explained. It seems I was doing it but not really figuring out why I was doing it. Now I know, therefore I understand.

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much, that’s fantastic. It’s amazing how much our subconscious knows, yet we fight it all the way

  • @johnnykempo
    @johnnykempo Жыл бұрын

    Just came across your channel. Loved this and will look out for more. I like the way this is less about the technical side of landscapes but more about what it makes the shooter feel and invoike in the viewer.

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for that, welcome. Gear will always be somewhat part of photography, but that can be a phone or a cheap point and shoot. Obviously I have a lot of expensive gear, but that is not why I create art. Thanks again...

  • @TerryBoydPhoto
    @TerryBoydPhoto Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Alister. Another excellent lesson. I'll be off to Tasmania on Friday for a week that is sure to be full of contrast, be it the tone, clour, relative humidity, textures in the landscape or the weather! (Read, decidedly Scottish.) I'm inspired in any case. Love your work, mate.

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Cheers buddy, thanks for that. Enjoy the leech fest!!

  • @Xo1ot1
    @Xo1ot1 Жыл бұрын

    Insightful video as always. Cropping properly is a powerful tool.

  • @nicknichols4249
    @nicknichols4249 Жыл бұрын

    A masterclass! Thanks so much!

  • @tjcuneo
    @tjcuneo Жыл бұрын

    I loved nature's way of letting you know it was time for a beer!!.. I liked seeing the entire image you captured and the final presentation as the result of cropping. Simplifying certainly made for a far more interesting image. Always enjoy your channel and work.

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Hahah, it’s always beer time 😂😂😂

  • @bonniehoskin9212
    @bonniehoskin9212 Жыл бұрын

    Great video! Loved the dog, loved the iPhone slip up… oh and loved the content too.😂

  • @tjmanou6422
    @tjmanou6422 Жыл бұрын

    Your compositions are outstanding. thank you

  • @seamuscody176
    @seamuscody176 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Ben for such an interesting video, illustrating the different forms of contrast, the obvious light v dark but also contrasting colours and textures plus the importance of cropping to eliminate distractions.

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Cheers for that, glad it was helpful

  • @alanevans9246
    @alanevans9246 Жыл бұрын

    Fascinating concept that I never gave any time too! The photos (art) is glorious. You bring a whole new approach to the world of creative photography. Thank you very much and looking forward to you next content. As always, keep snapping!

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much, I really appreciate that

  • @windleman1
    @windleman1 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Alister...thankyou

  • @trishfre2
    @trishfre2 Жыл бұрын

    I enjoyed this video! Take a mundane subject and turn it into something else. I often go out from about 10am onwards to photograph as I am older and suffer from arthritis. You’ve given me some different viewpoints, which I feel I must try out in the local eucalyptus forest. The sun filters through, creating lots of contrast, but I’ve never bothered to use the 16:9 aspect in there, usually 3:4 or 1:1. Must try it! Looking forward to your next videos.🇦🇺

  • @garymc8956
    @garymc8956 Жыл бұрын

    I’ve been reconsidering Galen Rowell lately and how h dealt with highly contrasting mountain scenes using slow slide film. How he did so very successfully.

  • @lauraemerson413
    @lauraemerson413 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent video about contrast. Really enjoyed it and the cropped images are superb! The crafty bit is very interesting, too. I would have thought that f5.6 was plenty shallow enough with a medium format camera. An ND10 filter is quite a lot, too. What was the focal length of the isolated birch tree with the waving grasses in front? And I really like your tripod... looks like a very sturdy one!

  • @suzannemullaney3205
    @suzannemullaney3205 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks. Your creations are really good.

  • @larrycitra300
    @larrycitra300 Жыл бұрын

    Love your enthusiasm Alister … interesting and informative as always … I know how you feel!

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Lovely, thank you, I really enjoyed this one

  • @martinoberstein8431
    @martinoberstein8431 Жыл бұрын

    Hello Alister, thank you very much for another interesting and inspiring video with beautiful shots! I have been to a place called „Lüneburger Heide“ in Germany last week. It’s a landscape characterized by heather and juniper, birches and pines, where I took photos of „walls“ of trees inspired by your last video. This was great fun… Last week your book arrived and it was worth the wait. The photos/edits are awesome and the quality is superb. The only thing I was a bit disappointed about was that it came without being signed by you. I preordered it but perhaps I did get something wrong. As a teachable student of yours I took a creative solution, did my own thing and signed it myself… Thank you ever so much for your work and your good humour, that is shining more and more through your presentations! Kind regards, Martin

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Did you notice there was a signed card inside the wrapping? There was the sealed booked and a signature card. Hopefully you will find it

  • @martinoberstein8431

    @martinoberstein8431

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Alister_Benn You are absolutely right, thank you very much for your hint! Sorry for any inconvenience!

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    @@martinoberstein8431 awesome, I am so happy you found it. To try and get the books to people perfect, we had them shrink wrapped at the printer. That meant I couldn’t sign the book, so we had the cards printed.

  • @martinoberstein8431

    @martinoberstein8431

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Alister_Benn The book was so perfectly wrapped and securely sent that it was easy for the card to hide itself away from stupid guys like me. These edits are gorgeous, you must be very proud of this work or glad if you like that better…

  • @claudehamel9228
    @claudehamel9228 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent!

  • @johnmielke243
    @johnmielke243 Жыл бұрын

    I will add my enthusiastic support for the teaching in this video. This will enhance my seeing the landscape in fuller ways, and hopefully improve my creativity and craft. My book also arrived two days ago. I am slowly enjoying the book. It will sit next to my reading chair for some time!!!

  • @Alister_Benn

    @Alister_Benn

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much and also about the book, it is great to finally see them arriving in new homes

  • @shasha8900
    @shasha8900 Жыл бұрын

    Remarkable channel. Thank you

  • @horstschoninger1265
    @horstschoninger126511 ай бұрын

    🎯

  • @linaionta7590
    @linaionta7590 Жыл бұрын

    *Oh, thank you ( excuse the typo in my last message ;)

  • @caneestudio
    @caneestudio Жыл бұрын

    👍

  • @larryrudnick1519
    @larryrudnick1519 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent teaching concepts! Have a beer for me too!🍺