Camping can transform the way you approach photography. Instead of gear becoming your main focus, experiences and surroundings come to the forefront.
Coming to you from Jason Friend Photography, this engaging video takes you along on a camping trip in the Scottish borders, where the journey itself provides the photographic opportunities. Friend sets out with plans for capturing sunrise, but faces the familiar challenges photographers encounter: uncertain weather, difficult terrain, and deciding when and where to set up a shot. His choice between a possibly stronger composition nearby versus a distant location with uncertain potential underscores the subtlety involved in landscape photography decisions. Friend also discusses how photographers might focus excessively on equipment, reflecting thoughtfully on his son’s observation that gear talk tends to overshadow the art.
The video emphasizes that memorable photography often comes from responding to the immediate environment rather than meticulous planning around equipment. Friend describes capturing the fleeting moments when natural elements align—mist, light, and landscape—to create compelling images. He deliberately keeps his compositions flexible, knowing conditions can quickly change, highlighting the importance of adaptability in landscape photography. You’ll appreciate how Friend handles uncertainty, shifting his composition based on evolving conditions rather than rigidly sticking to a preconceived plan.
Friend's reflections on the past reveal an important truth: when recalling favorite photographs, he remembers the experiences rather than the camera used. This insight can shift your own perspective on photography. It encourages you to approach your own work as an ongoing journey, focusing less on the tools you carry and more on the stories you want your images to convey. Friend suggests photographers could benefit from talking more about their experiences, vision, and artistic intent instead of continuously circling back to gear specifics. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Friend.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan II - Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”
