Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography BlogPosted on by Dan
We photographers seem to have it easy. Whereas most artists spend anywhere from hours, to months to years to manufacture their creations, we can simply point, press and be done. However, that kind of convenience doesn’t necessarily translate into great imagery.
Shooting powerful photos that have lasting visual appeal requires more than just pointing and clicking; it takes applying some fundamental compositional methods that are designed to simplify your compositions and actively engage your viewers.
This is the subject of my latest YouTube video lesson. In this short tutorial, titled 5 Tips for Composing More Powerful Photographs, I outline a few essential techniques that you can use to help you strengthen the visual impact of your imagery and craft photos that will connect with your viewers.
I hope you enjoy the lesson. If you do check it out, leave me a comment and give me your feedback.
I realize that hobbies like photography have taken a backseat for many people right now, but I believe that continuing to engage in our creative passions and immersing ourselves in learning can help alleviate the stress that we’re all feeling right now in this uncertain time.
So, while you probably won’t find it quite as entertaining as Chris Mann’s awesome My Corona video parody, you might learn something that you can use the next time you pick up the camera.
Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography BlogPosted on by Dan
Remember back in January when I wrote my New Year’s blog post about looking forward, making our lives what we want them to be, and pondering ideas about where we want to go with our photography this year?
Well… 2020 and this brand new decade haven’t exactly started quite out like we’d hoped, now, has it? Unfortunately, regular life has suddenly ground to a halt for many people around the world, and all those big ideas are on hold right now.
With many of us in self isolation as we try to flatten the curve, and many people home and out of work for the foreseeable future, life has suddenly become a very serious and in some cases, desperate affair for a large number of people around the globe.
As I’m sure it has for nearly everyone, the severity and urgency of this crisis has weighed on me with a great deal of concern as to what our immediate and longer term future will mean for us as a society. With my self-confidence and adventurous personality, I am usually ok with the aspect of “I don’t know” in life, but this is different. Very different.
At the same time, I’m doing my best to remain calm as I hunker down in my little house in Anchorage and stay close very close to home right now. Having traveled earlier this month, I am engaged in my own self-quarantine, and so here I am, pounding away at the keyboard just like I always do, doing my best to try and keep inspiring you, just in case you still want to think about photography.
In some ways, photography seems like kind of a trivial thing right now. After all, don’t we all have more important things to be concerned with? Yes, but even in these stressful and harried times, engaging in hobbies that make you happy and exploring your creativity can help keep us a little more sane during the chaos.
If you find that it helps you to stay a little more grounded by immersing yourself in your own creative endeavors, then I encourage you to keep exploring in whatever small chunks you find available or desirable.
Of course, it may be impossible, impractical or unsafe to practice your preferred style of photography right now, but that fact can actually force you to stretch your own creativity in new ways that you don’t normally do.
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some ideas of isolation-friendly shooting approaches.
Shooting in Your Own Backyard
That pink poppy photo at the top is actually in my front yard. Well, not right now, but I’ve spent a lot of time over the years capturing subjects right around my house, and around my neighborhood.
Even with Anchorage’s “Hunker Down Order,” our mayor has recognized the need for us all to get outside and enjoy some fresh air during this crisis. He stated as such in the actual wording of the legal document.
Taking walks is a vital thing for us all to do, especially right now, providing that you do you best to retain proper “social distancing” techniques. With that in mind, this is a good time to explore and photograph those out-of-the-way places near your house that you never visit any other time.
There’s a world of beauty out there, and even the mundane subjects you pass by every single day can inspire some new photographic ideas if you make the effort to get out and try new approaches.
Portraits of Your Fellow Quarantinees
Of course, regular portrait photography is SO not ok right now. Well, maybe it’s ok with with a really long lens. Either way, if you’re sharing your self-isolation with someone special or a group of friends or family members, practice your people photography skills on those special people you’re stuck with.
Not so much into people photography? Like your pets better? Maybe you’re jonesing to do some action photography, or perhaps you had to cancel that that overseas wildlife photo safari trip. Not to worry. While it’s not safe to hang around people, you don’t need to social distance from your beloved pets.
Not only are they great companions during stressful times, they make wonderful photography subjects, even though the don’t always cooperate. But therein lies the challenge, right?. In that way, photographing your pets in motion can be an excellent way to practice you sports, action and wildlife photography skills.
And lets face it, we love our pets. It can be quite rewarding to make an awesome and memorable photo of your favorite animal friend.
Still Life and Object Photography
This is a great time to practice capturing subjects that you’re not always adept with or interested in shooting during normal times. Well, these aren’t normal times, and there’s a world of interring stuff inside your own house to keep you busy for a long time, like plants, textures, lego people, Star Wars action figures, musical instruments… you name it.
The Bird Feeder
I don’t think I need to say much about this. I know that some of you do this on a regular basis. If you don’t, then dig that old bird feeder out of the attic/basement, hang it up in front of a window, break out that long lens and have fun.
If you don’t have one, then make one. I’m sure there are plenty of tutorials for making homemade bird feeders to be found on the YouTube.
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No matter what you like to shoot, there’s plenty of stuff in your suddenly shrunken world right now to give you lots of visual pleasure. It may take some time to get back in the swing of things, but chances are, once you start, you may quickly find that enjoyment when you immerse yourself in your own creativity.
And don’t neglect those other hobbies too. Anything to keep you sane and happy during these strange days, even if it’s in very small chunks: Music, drawing, dance, cooking, break baking etc…
Finally, I want to offer you my heartfelt thoughts during this extremely challenging and uncertain time.
Having gotten to know many of my readers in person and through email exchanges and social media, I feel like you guys are my extended world family. I embrace the connections I feel have with you and I wish you the very best in the coming days and weeks.
I’m offering the Lesson 1-10 Bundle at a special price, which means you’ll be able to download and binge watch them right away. The tradeoff is that you’ll only get these ten lessons. If you want to watch future lessons in my ongoing course, you’ll have to wait until the next lesson bundle is released, or sign up for the monthly membership.
I’m offering the bundle because I know that not everyone wants another monthly subscription in their life. This option gives you access to the first 10 lessons, which is all of the lessons that have been released up to this point.
The bundle contains over two hours of content that cover a wide variety of topics, and include a wealth of ideas and insight that stem from my extensive experience. At the end of each lesson, I give you an assignment; a specific challenge that will encourage you to try and apply these ideas in your own image making.
Launched last year, my Photography On The Brain course features a series of monthly lessons that are designed to challenge you to think about photography and your own creativity in new ways.
The course is based around a concise 10 minute video lesson that’s delivered to you each month. With each lesson, I go beyond simple tips and techniques, and explore each topic with a mix of intelligence, curiosity and enthusiasm, and inspire you to try to apply these ideas to your own image making. You can watch the lessons on any device, at any time, or download them.
My goal with the course is to fill your brain with seeds that will develop in conjunction with your own creative and technical growth as a photographer. As you progress, these seeds will begin to bloom and give you an increased level of confidence and proficiency with the camera.
The content is unique, because it’s built on the very concepts that continue to excite and intrigue me on a personal level. They’re the ideas and techniques that have propelled and inspired my own journey with photography during the past three decades.
During the past year, students have found the course to be engaging and inspiring. It’s helped them remove their own perceived limitations with creativity and has motivated them to explore their craft in entirely new ways.
Originally, Photography On The Brain was designed as a monthly membership series, with three tiers: Basic, Workshop Level and Full Year Workshop.
Workshop Level allows you access to our private Flickr Group, where you can join in the conversation, contribute your own ideas about topics we cover further explore these topics with other members and share your own images with the group for comments and critique. (Full Year Workshop is simply paying for a year membership in the Workshop Level tier up front.)
The advantage of signing up for the monthly option, however, is that you’ll continue to receive new lessons for as long as you remain a member. And it costs less up front. Also, if you’re in the Workshop Level tier, you’ll have access to the Flickr Group.
Either way, there’s a ton of great material in these first 10 lessons.
With either option, my goal is to get you thinking more deeply about photography and creativity. You may find that it takes some careful thought to figure how to incorporate these ideas into your own particular style, but that’s exactly the point of Photography On The Brain.
However, if you do take the time and apply a certain amount of mental effort, I promise you, you will begin to unlock ideas and creative approaches that will push your photography skills to new heights.
Feed Your Own Photography Brain
So take advantage of my expertise and my engaging teaching style and check out my Photography On The Brain course. Whether you choose to join as a monthly member, or if you decide to purchase the Lesson 1-10 Bundle, I’m confident that you’ll enjoy the fresh, inspirational approach that this course offers. I’ll even give you 100% money back guarantee.
You are in my top 4 camera web sites. I have recommended you to friends who have enjoyed your blog even more than me.
Composition is not a natural gift of mine, but your work has challenged and inspired me, and I think I'm getting better. Crazy inspiration! Sound practical advice. Objective analysis. Helpful.
Andrew Leask
Dan Bailey’s knowledge of outdoor photography is as good as it gets!
His enthusiasm and passion for making images is unparalleled. He simplifies what could be complex, and imparts a vision that inspires one to get out and shoot. Dan is approachable and responsive to any questions one might have. I have had the pleasure of attending workshops and presentations with Dan, and he personifies talent, integrity and expertise and caring. Plus, he is FUN!
Janel Brown
What a great opportunity to learn
After leaving film photography 25 years ago, Dan has brought me into digital photography and has always encouraged me. He will ask what I am shooting, make a positive comment and then a suggestion that I might try.
Patrick McGownd
You can't really be a follower without being enthused by your enthusiasm for photography
For me it's helped me just get out and do it, no matter what the weather.
I recently sent an email regarding tips in using wide angle lenses and must admit quick surprise it was actually YOU responding and not perhaps a staff assistant. This has spurred me "onward" to enjoy, learn, do my best and enjoy, enjoy and again enjoy while I am able.
Mark Tozer
I’m sure that experiencing Dan’s energy and enthusiasm in this medium will add another dimension to the learning, encouraging one’s creative breakthroughs. I’ll certainly be joining that subscriber list.
Dan is a professional shooter, teacher and blogger with a passion for sharing his experience and insights with others. He has an easy, relaxed style of communication, making it enjoyable to read or listen to his insight.
I recently listened to an hour-long podcast interview with Dan. I was so taken with his knowledge and passion for photography that I wrote to tell him how inspiring I found it. He wrote back immediately thanking me and told me he is planning a monthly video-style blog series for subscribers that will provide personal instruction and inspiration.
Michael Fisher
I would like to thank you taking the time to look at and comment on my two recent photo submissions to photography on the brain group on Flickr.
I am really liking those comments! They have helped fuel my excitement for photography.
Daren Wilz
Dan’s passion for photography is infectious and motivational
Dan's dynamic teaching approach is based on liberating people from the hugely technical side, instead emphasising the ‘get out there and give it a go’ method. He has remarkable ability to break down analysis and learning into bite-size chunks that give you the confidence to try.
Many would-be teachers get bogged down in what they regard as essential details before suggesting taking a photo, by which time the student’s mind is not on the photo, but the camera.
Obviously with Dan’s experiential learning approach, every student is allowed to start at their own beginning.
Dan is very generous not only with his time but his knowledge and experiences. He is not a pixel-peeper, he views cameras as tools, not subjects for constant comparison, and his primary aim is to get the highest quality picture in the simplest way and to share his knowledge with everyone who is interested.
Roger Sinclair
Dan wants his photography to allow the viewer "to become immersed in the action".
I have found his teaching style to do the same. He is able to share his knowledge of photography in a clear and uncomplicated way that is both inspiring and enjoyable.
Joni
Your advice has inspired me to try new things
I consider myself an advanced amateur and my interests range from macro/close-up of flowers and plants, to landscapes. Dan Bailey provides great advice that will help you get to the next level.
Nicolaas Strik
Your stuff on the web is really inspiring.
You have this great ability to make things easy to understand. Especially your brilliant e-book "X-series unlimited" have been very useful and motivating in understanding, exploring and be able to get the most out of my XT-2.
I see you as a Giver, and it is very inspiring to have the possibility to learn the best tips and tricks from an outstanding photographer. Keep up the good work!
Morten Larsen
I have signed up and viewed the first lesson and found it helpful!
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Kathryn
Dan is a wonderful teacher who sincerely enjoys helping others
He uses a direct but kind approach and caters his lessons to your skill level. His lessons and inspirational words help keep me motivated on tough days! I recommend this course for all photographers, regardless of skill level, as his experience and guidance is applicable to all who seek to improve their work.
Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography BlogPosted on by Dan
I’ve always been a fan of the fixed short telephoto lens, which is typically a mid-range focal length with a relatively compact size. In use, this type performs like a classic normal lens, but with a little more throw, and …Continue reading →
Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography BlogPosted on by Dan
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Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography BlogPosted on by Dan
(NOTE: This event is already over, but you can watch the entire replay above, or at Skylum’s YouTube Channel. ———— Join me for a Luminar 4 webinar tomorrow, on Tuesday, November 26, at 11:00AM PST. During this hour-long presentation, presented …Continue reading →
Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography BlogPosted on by Dan
I just posted a brand new video tutorial on my YouTube Channel. It’s called The Power of Abbreviation in Photography. As photographers, we’re not bound to the same creative limitations that most other visual artists face. Where most artists are …Continue reading →
Remember back in January when I wrote my 
Finally, I want to offer you my heartfelt thoughts during this extremely challenging and uncertain time.
