Why I PREFER handholding my TELEPHOTO 70-200mm LENS | landscape photography

Summary

In this reflective photography vlog, the photographer shares their experience capturing the stunning landscapes of the Lake District. Despite battling with unpredictable weather and fleeting moments of perfect light, they manage to capture a series of beautiful shots, particularly with their 70-200mm lens. The video emphasizes the importance of patience and adaptability in photography, especially when working with challenging conditions. The photographer also discusses the highs and lows of their creative process, showcasing how perseverance and the right equipment can lead to rewarding results, even after moments of doubt.

Takeaways

• 😀 The photographer is visiting Torn House in the Lake District, a place they used to frequent during childhood, after not photographing it for over 10 years.
• 😀 The main goal for the shoot is to capture the Langdale peaks and the surrounding landscape, particularly with the changing colors of the ferns.
• 😀 The photographer uses a long lens (70-200mm) to capture detailed landscape shots with handheld shooting, even at low shutter speeds (down to a 20th of a second).
• 😀 They focus on capturing various compositions, such as light rays hitting specific areas of the landscape, and use the back button focus feature to ensure sharp images.
• 😀 The photographer experiments with different lighting, including shooting into the sun and hoping for the light to catch the edges of trees, adding drama to the image.
• 😀 Patience is emphasized as a key part of photography, as the photographer waits for the right light, sometimes spending hours without getting the perfect shot.
• 😀 A significant breakthrough happens when the photographer catches the right light on the Langdale peaks, creating a beautiful shot that makes the effort worthwhile.
• 😀 The photographer reflects on the reality of photography, acknowledging that much of their work goes unseen and is often the result of many failed attempts.
• 😀 They mention that photography is a game of patience, where fleeting moments of light are captured quickly, especially when shooting handheld.
• 😀 After reviewing the photos at home, the photographer expresses satisfaction with the handheld shots taken with the 70-200mm lens, appreciating the sharpness despite windy conditions.

Q & A

What is the significance of Torn House in the video?

Torn House is a location the narrator used to visit often during their childhood. It's a place where they decided to return to photograph the landscape after not visiting it for over 10 years.

What is the narrator’s goal for the photography shoot?

The narrator aims to capture the Langdale Pikes in the background with the ferns in the foreground, hoping for some color on the fells. They are also looking for the perfect light conditions to enhance the shots.

How does the narrator prepare for the shoot?

The narrator begins by putting on a long lens (70-200mm) and starts hand-holding shots at different focal lengths. They also emphasize adjusting settings like depth of field (f5.6) and using back button focus.

Why does the narrator use a long lens for this shoot?

The long lens allows the narrator to focus on details in the landscape, such as light rays or specific compositions, and it helps isolate distant subjects like the Langdale Pikes from the surrounding scenery.

What challenges does the narrator face during the shoot?

The narrator faces challenges with unpredictable light conditions, especially not being able to capture ideal sunlight on the landscape. There is also frustration with the clouds and the difficulty of capturing the perfect shot.

What does the narrator say about the difficulty of photography?

The narrator stresses that photography is a game of patience and persistence. They note how much time is often spent without getting ideal shots, highlighting that failure and unseen efforts are a common part of the process.

How does the narrator handle light and compositions during the shoot?

The narrator waits for fleeting moments when the light hits the landscape, then quickly adjusts their composition to capture the best angles. They experiment with different perspectives, including shooting toward the sun and adjusting the camera’s settings.

What equipment does the narrator use for the shoot?

The narrator uses a 70-200mm lens and a 24-70mm lens for different compositions. They also mention using a Canon Pro 1000 printer for printing the photos, and they discuss the use of back button focusing and stabilization features of their camera gear.

Why is hand-holding the camera important for the narrator?

Hand-holding the camera is essential because the narrator needs to react quickly to changing light conditions. It allows them to move and adjust the composition swiftly, which is crucial when capturing fleeting moments.

What is the narrator's opinion about the photos after reviewing them?

After reviewing the photos, the narrator feels pleased with the results, particularly the ones shot with the 70-200mm lens. Despite initial doubts, they appreciate the sharpness and detail captured, especially considering they were all hand-held shots.