Nature Photography How To

We regularly turn to British pro Nigel Danson for expert tips on capturing compelling landscape and travel photos. Today’s tutorial is a bit different, as he foregoes a discussion of gear and shooting techniques, and reveals what he says are the best exposure settings to use.

Danson’s tips are based upon years of experience in the field and are illustrated by images that help explain the ISO, shutter speed, and apertures settings he prefers for all sorts of outdoor images. While you’re probably familiar with the Exposure Triangle, that tool providesf a theoretical starting point. Danson’s tips are based upon real-life experience.

By following the straightforward advice in this episode, you’ll be able to “set it and forget it” under a variety of situations, and concentrate on other key variables. He also includes for very helpful advice on composition and precise focus once your camera is properly set.

As Danson says, “I’m going to show you exactly what I do to set up the shot, and explain what goes through my head when I choose those settings.” He does all this while making some amazing images in England’s beautiful Lake District, and reveals the thought behind the exposure settings he selected for each shot.

Each photo you’ll watch Danson make is a bit different, with the first being a lakeside scene on a rather overcast day. His goal is to accentuate the ripples on the water, expose for the foreground and background subjects, and deal with the sky.

Danson’s other images present different challenges, and you’ll see how he deals with those. Then the next time you head out for a day of travel, nature, or landscape photography you’ll know exactly what to do.

There are more outdoor photography tips on Danson’s YouTube channel, so be sure and take a look. And check out another tutorial we posted recently, explaining how to improve outdoor portraits captured with natural light.