Great video. I can fully agree with you. As a retired police officer and forensic specialist nature and landscape photography has been what has helped me deal with accumulated ptsd of all the crime scenes I’ve attended. My camera captured the worst of humanity but also saved me through connecting with nature.
I can’t even imagine. I really appreciate that there are people like you willing to do these incredibly tough jobs to keep the world a safer place. The personal cost must be huge. Thank you so much
Very important talk. When you realize that landscape photography lifts you up, it helps to get through the days when you feel angry or depressed. Today may be a bad day, but tomorrow I’ll be out pointing my camera at cool stuff and I will feel good.
Playing music and teaching music has been my raison d'etre for most of my life. Now that I'm getting older I find a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment from photography. It's not as physically challenging as playing a tenor sax for four hours! :-) Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I appreciate that.
Without an investment, we have no buy-in. The price you ask when I invest in you, is indeed de-minimus. I have always been drawn to seeking to understand "the master" behind the work. No doubt, that explains my preference for biography as a literary form. You masterfly employee two images in a 13 minute video as support for your thesis not the focus. That couldn't be done without knowing full well who/what you are. Bravo!!!! Bill
Excellent video. I have struggled with anxiety for years. Photography feeds my soul and helps me cope with those down moments. Thank you for this and for your elegant words.
I have to admit that when I first came across your channel, Alister, I wondered if I could enjoy it. Relationships(?), passion(?), expression(?) are not words that I typically see in RUclips photography content delivered by experts. It wasn't about framing or what buttons to push or the latest piece of gear. How could I benefit then? But this episode really did hit home and made me stop and think about the self-fulfillment side of photography and what I am really striving for. Thank you for this thoughtful and "expressive" piece.
Thank you, Alister, for your ‘waffle’. I enjoyed this video and we should all be talking about these things more often. Yes, I too have been down that track, thanks to my work environment. I never felt comfortable working in the places I worked and at retirement, took up photography again, something I hadn’t done as fervently, for years. A walk in nature, with my camera, makes the mind wander from all those things you don’t want to know about, and return much happier, and probably, healthier for the experience. I have now revived my passion for photography, and look forward to weekly lessons from my mentor, Len Metcalf, whom you know.🇦🇺
When I've had a bum kicking hard day out photographing birds, my heart tells me at least there is the serene peaceful art of Landscape photography to look forward to lol
@@Alister_Benn Yeah but when you get home you don't get to show people what you saw when you only use binos. Hey man you should have seen this awesome bird doing supernatural things is not the same as showing them what you saw. It's the price us bird photographers have to pay I guess lol Now with AI they wont believe what we saw anyway. Woe is me lol
@@tonyfluertynaturephotograp5272 That's true enough, and it is pretty much part of the submission process here in the UK if you find a rare bird. Pretty hard to get anything accepted these days without photographic evidence.
@@Alister_Benn For me it's more about sharing my adventures and showcasing the natural world. Hopefully I'm getting to make the world a better place in some small way.
Sorry to hear of the problems in the past and happy to hear of the current successes. I enjoy your teaching and will of course continue to watch. You have a talent that really connect with me. Wishing you all the best.
Let your muse show you the way rather than trying to manufacture something. When a potential photo speaks to me the photo is more likely to work and somehow other people also feel it. This also seems to be the case when playing piano. Needless to say, your video sheds some light on this journey. Thank you!
👏 perfect timing! As someone who's been on medication for decades this really resonated in more ways than you can imagine. And fuelled a renewed desire. I can't thank you enough, waffle away🍻
That's great to hear. I know I would have loved to have heard someone in the public domain talking about these things when I was at my worst. This is a role I am happy to fill the shoes of. I really appreciate your feedback, thank you.
Thank you once again for your thoughts, Alister! I as a „hobbyist“ think that in comparison with other hobbies nature-photography has explicitly to do with your way or mode of being in this world or dealing with this world. Maybe nowadays it´s more important than ever to see the beauty of things in the outside world and to feel how impactful this is for your well-being inspite of all the shit that is happening around us. Hope and optimism - totally agree.
I couldn't agree more. Though I haven't gone through depression, thankfuly, heading to a location in nature and being able to log off, even if for a bit, makes me come back a new person. Mother nature has a way to replenish us and the contact with "her" and be8ng able to keep that moment and emotion on a piece of art is what makes me just crave for the next photo. Hard to put into words, but my mind and soul do understand, and that's the main thing. Awesome video. Cheers from Portugal
Your video´s are inspirational as always. I always enjou listen to you and see your work. Thank you soo much for sharing your passion and your view on photography with us.
Such an important video! Thank you for sharing your story, I’m still working out on how to improve both my mental health and photography. Right now I struggle most with my photography, I’m not completely convinced I’m doing my own thing or if I’m doing what I’m “supposed to do”. I ask myself questions like- do I really like this photo or do I like it because it’s what a photo should look like in other people eyes? I’ve always suffered from extremely low self confidence and that isn’t a good match along anxiety but I think I’m slowly making progress and this channel has helped a lot, so again- Thank you!
Thanks for that and I am sure you will be making more progress than you think. We are all caught in the continual inner-feedback loop, and honestly, we are terrible judges of our own self. Have you looked at the forum?
Hi Alister. Thank you so much for this video. I agree that depression, anxiety, and other mental conditions are not discussed as much as they should be. You are obviously a very strong individual and learned how to pull yourself out of the dark. Your photography is amazing and it has been helpful to listen and learn from your tutorials in developing your own style and not shoot things that everyone else does. Not process things because this is what you are told is the right way. I don't understand why some people can't accept another person's style and the way they see. It's art. But they don't have to like it either. Thank you again! Looking forward to more wonderful tutorials. Melissa
I really appreciate you sharing your experiences and how photography has helped your mental health. I have recently had some difficult physical health problems that have also caused poor mental health. Photography, even around the garden has been a huge benefit while I was unable to get out into the hills and coast to pursue my passion for landscape photography. Best wishes.
The world is a fascinating place and it is often when we cannot do what we would like. Thank you so much for the comment, I am really pleased the video resonates
Well said Alistair. I love the work of the likes of Thomas Heaton, Adam, Gibbs, Paul, Paul Thompson, Dean Allen even Gavin Hardcastle and many more but but between yourself and Kim Grant you two have taught me to slow down sit and look, spend some time to take the environment in and enjoy the experience. I now try to do this not just with my camera when out in nature but also sat in a cafe or busy street just sit watch listen relax and see what comes to you. I had a chance encounter with yourself on the ferry over to Stornaway last year and listening to you in person just reinforced all you have to say on here.
@@Alister_Benn Thank you for that, I came away from that week unaware of what I had learnt and now feel more comfortable with my work. But having said that I feel ready and open to move on with my development there are some areas I need support with, so after much deliberating I will take you up on your offer of 30 days membership to the Expressive Forum and take thing from there.😃
Nice points, as always, thanks! It may sound like a bad joke, but I need a book labelled “photography for optimists”. The problem is that I enjoy the process of planning shooting editing photographs (+ gear) and so I nearly always like my results! Often I think they are great, when in reality (it can take a year for the emotional attachment to subside) they are very average...
Ha, but in that year you will have taken yet more images that you will enjoy and that will bring you satisfaction for another year and so on, then 5 years later you will fall back in love with what you felt had become “average” 4 years ago as it then stir memories of great times you had planning, being in the field, processing and (hopefully) printing that image. 😊 You will then realise that even if it is truly just an “average” shot, it doesn’t matter anyway, it was just great being in the zone whilst trying to create it at the time. Happy days!
Anxiety runs in my family to a debilitating extent. But, I noticed that the closer I got to the mountains where I do most of my landscape photography, the less anxious I felt. Unfortunately the opposite was true returning from the mountains. It wasn't until I found Propranolol that I felt "normal" all of the time. And I would recommend anyone suffering from anxiety to the extent that it interferes with their life, to discuss taking it with their doctor.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I was on propranolol for years and I agree it really helps to stabilise and cut of the Adrenalin when it starts. If someone had told me 6 years ago that I would no longer need beta-blockers or any other meds I would never have believed them. My life is so good now and want to do whatever o can to help others get through to a happier life. ❤️
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video. I can fully agree with you. As a retired police officer and forensic specialist nature and landscape photography has been what has helped me deal with accumulated ptsd of all the crime scenes I’ve attended. My camera captured the worst of humanity but also saved me through connecting with nature.
I can’t even imagine. I really appreciate that there are people like you willing to do these incredibly tough jobs to keep the world a safer place. The personal cost must be huge. Thank you so much
Very important talk. When you realize that landscape photography lifts you up, it helps to get through the days when you feel angry or depressed. Today may be a bad day, but tomorrow I’ll be out pointing my camera at cool stuff and I will feel good.
Thanks mate, great to hear from you. ❤️
Alister, 'words from the hearth' I should say, you hit me with. Morning here and this is the way to start the day, a new week. 'A new beginning'.
Yes, very much so. Sometimes that is how I feel when I am recording a video like this. Thank you very much
Playing music and teaching music has been my raison d'etre for most of my life. Now that I'm getting older I find a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment from photography. It's not as physically challenging as playing a tenor sax for four hours! :-) Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I appreciate that.
Great topic and point of view, John Muir (1838 - 1914) said it best “Into the forest I go, to loose my mind and find my soul”
Amen to that
Without an investment, we have no buy-in. The price you ask when I invest in you, is indeed de-minimus. I have always been drawn to seeking to understand "the master" behind the work. No doubt, that explains my preference for biography as a literary form. You masterfly employee two images in a 13 minute video as support for your thesis not the focus. That couldn't be done without knowing full well who/what you are. Bravo!!!! Bill
Thank you, that means a lot. I appreciate it.
Excellent video. I have struggled with anxiety for years. Photography feeds my soul and helps me cope with those down moments. Thank you for this and for your elegant words.
It’s a real bear for sure. I hope you are well ❤️
@@Alister_Benn it is a bear for sure. I am well and photography plays a part in it. Being in nature does it as well so it’s a great combination.
I have to admit that when I first came across your channel, Alister, I wondered if I could enjoy it. Relationships(?), passion(?), expression(?) are not words that I typically see in RUclips photography content delivered by experts. It wasn't about framing or what buttons to push or the latest piece of gear. How could I benefit then? But this episode really did hit home and made me stop and think about the self-fulfillment side of photography and what I am really striving for. Thank you for this thoughtful and "expressive" piece.
Yip, it can be a lot to take 😂 at the end of the day I just like being in nature and do think a lot!
I second this comment. It’s growing on me!
@@conchscooter happy to hear that ❤️
Thanks for sharing.
Interesting topic and take on landscape photography!
Will take it to hart to let the landscape talk to me.
Thank you, Alister, for your ‘waffle’. I enjoyed this video and we should all be talking about these things more often. Yes, I too have been down that track, thanks to my work environment. I never felt comfortable working in the places I worked and at retirement, took up photography again, something I hadn’t done as fervently, for years. A walk in nature, with my camera, makes the mind wander from all those things you don’t want to know about, and return much happier, and probably, healthier for the experience. I have now revived my passion for photography, and look forward to weekly lessons from my mentor, Len Metcalf, whom you know.🇦🇺
Awesome, Len is such a great guy, I love him to bits. I am sure you will get a huge amount from spending time with him.
I certainly do. Your thoughts re photography are very similar to his. His new website opens on 1 August.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.. it's all about one's minds eye🙏🏽
When I've had a bum kicking hard day out photographing birds, my heart tells me at least there is the serene peaceful art of Landscape photography to look forward to lol
haha, I hear you and this is why I stopped photographing them. I never feel like that when I am out with a pair of binoculars.
@@Alister_Benn Yeah but when you get home you don't get to show people what you saw when you only use binos.
Hey man you should have seen this awesome bird doing supernatural things is not the same as showing them what you saw.
It's the price us bird photographers have to pay I guess lol
Now with AI they wont believe what we saw anyway.
Woe is me lol
@@tonyfluertynaturephotograp5272 That's true enough, and it is pretty much part of the submission process here in the UK if you find a rare bird. Pretty hard to get anything accepted these days without photographic evidence.
@@Alister_Benn For me it's more about sharing my adventures and showcasing the natural world.
Hopefully I'm getting to make the world a better place in some small way.
Sorry to hear of the problems in the past and happy to hear of the current successes. I enjoy your teaching and will of course continue to watch. You have a talent that really connect with me. Wishing you all the best.
Thanks for that, it’s great feedback. Thanks you so much
Let your muse show you the way rather than trying to manufacture something. When a potential photo speaks to me the photo is more likely to work and somehow other people also feel it. This also seems to be the case when playing piano. Needless to say, your video sheds some light on this journey. Thank you!
👏 perfect timing! As someone who's been on medication for decades this really resonated in more ways than you can imagine. And fuelled a renewed desire. I can't thank you enough, waffle away🍻
That's great to hear. I know I would have loved to have heard someone in the public domain talking about these things when I was at my worst. This is a role I am happy to fill the shoes of. I really appreciate your feedback, thank you.
Thank you once again for your thoughts, Alister! I as a „hobbyist“ think that in comparison with other hobbies nature-photography has explicitly to do with your way or mode of being in this world or dealing with this world. Maybe nowadays it´s more important than ever to see the beauty of things in the outside world and to feel how impactful this is for your well-being inspite of all the shit that is happening around us. Hope and optimism - totally agree.
Couldn’t agree more ❤️
Thank you for this video. My meditation is photographing waves.
Love this Alister. I think we all have a story that photography improved their lives. I’m no different. You inspire me every week, thank you!
Thank you so much Barb, I really feel passionate in this role.
I couldn't agree more. Though I haven't gone through depression, thankfuly, heading to a location in nature and being able to log off, even if for a bit, makes me come back a new person. Mother nature has a way to replenish us and the contact with "her" and be8ng able to keep that moment and emotion on a piece of art is what makes me just crave for the next photo. Hard to put into words, but my mind and soul do understand, and that's the main thing. Awesome video. Cheers from Portugal
Your video´s are inspirational as always. I always enjou listen to you and see your work. Thank you soo much for sharing your passion and your view on photography with us.
It’s a real pleasure and an honour. I really value the feedback and support
Thank you for the honest and open chat about your process and inspiration!
You are very welcome. I really wanted to raise this issue along with gear reviews and top tips! I appreciate your comment very much, thank you
Thank you, indeed an important video as others have said. Your advice on just being in the landscape and "taking notes", has made a difference for me!
Great inner understanding conveyed subtly, excellent video 👍
Cheers for that, really appreciate your comment ❤️
Photography is art thank you for tying that into the emotion!
Thank you, it's the absolute foundation of my work, that's where Expressive Photography comes from.
Good video and a well stated mission statement of Expressive Photography....
Yeah, very much. Thanks so much for all your support ❤️
Simply brilliant!
Thank you so much ❤️🙏❤️
For 23 years photography has and continues to calm my ADHD brain and helps me capture great moments in life to put on my wall.
Thank you for speaking about something we all go through in our own ways.
Your book is amazing.. incredible thought-provoking photography
Thank you
Thank you so much, it is very dear to me this topic and I really want to use my voice to help others ❤️
Thank you for sharing. Good thoughts to reflect on.
Such an important video! Thank you for sharing your story, I’m still working out on how to improve both my mental health and photography. Right now I struggle most with my photography, I’m not completely convinced I’m doing my own thing or if I’m doing what I’m “supposed to do”. I ask myself questions like- do I really like this photo or do I like it because it’s what a photo should look like in other people eyes? I’ve always suffered from extremely low self confidence and that isn’t a good match along anxiety but I think I’m slowly making progress and this channel has helped a lot, so again- Thank you!
Thanks for that and I am sure you will be making more progress than you think. We are all caught in the continual inner-feedback loop, and honestly, we are terrible judges of our own self. Have you looked at the forum?
Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure!
Hi Alister. Thank you so much for this video. I agree that depression, anxiety, and other mental conditions are not discussed as much as they should be. You are obviously a very strong individual and learned how to pull yourself out of the dark. Your photography is amazing and it has been helpful to listen and learn from your tutorials in developing your own style and not shoot things that everyone else does. Not process things because this is what you are told is the right way. I don't understand why some people can't accept another person's style and the way they see. It's art. But they don't have to like it either. Thank you again! Looking forward to more wonderful tutorials. Melissa
Words of Photo Wisdom!
Thank you, I really appreciate that ❤️
I really appreciate you sharing your experiences and how photography has helped your mental health. I have recently had some difficult physical health problems that have also caused poor mental health. Photography, even around the garden has been a huge benefit while I was unable to get out into the hills and coast to pursue my passion for landscape photography. Best wishes.
The world is a fascinating place and it is often when we cannot do what we would like. Thank you so much for the comment, I am really pleased the video resonates
Well said Alistair. I love the work of the likes of Thomas Heaton, Adam, Gibbs, Paul, Paul Thompson, Dean Allen even Gavin Hardcastle and many more but but between yourself and Kim Grant you two have taught me to slow down sit and look, spend some time to take the environment in and enjoy the experience. I now try to do this not just with my camera when out in nature but also sat in a cafe or busy street just sit watch listen relax and see what comes to you. I had a chance encounter with yourself on the ferry over to Stornaway last year and listening to you in person just reinforced all you have to say on here.
I remember it well. It was great to meet you that morning. I’ve followed you online ever since.
@@Alister_Benn Thank you for that, I came away from that week unaware of what I had learnt and now feel more comfortable with my work. But having said that I feel ready and open to move on with my development there are some areas I need support with, so after much deliberating I will take you up on your offer of 30 days membership to the Expressive Forum and take thing from there.😃
Do you have a video on your perspective of aspect ratio and how they differ? I heard you did but cant find it.
I did this one a while ago; Landscape Photography - Understanding Aspect Ratios
ruclips.net/video/K77IJyJxE_o/видео.html
@@Alister_Benn thanks i will check it out
Thank you!
Nice points, as always, thanks! It may sound like a bad joke, but I need a book labelled “photography for optimists”. The problem is that I enjoy the process of planning shooting editing photographs (+ gear) and so I nearly always like my results! Often I think they are great, when in reality (it can take a year for the emotional attachment to subside) they are very average...
Ah, the power of subjectivity ;-) Great book title though! I've been looking for an idea!
Ha, but in that year you will have taken yet more images that you will enjoy and that will bring you satisfaction for another year and so on, then 5 years later you will fall back in love with what you felt had become “average” 4 years ago as it then stir memories of great times you had planning, being in the field, processing and (hopefully) printing that image. 😊 You will then realise that even if it is truly just an “average” shot, it doesn’t matter anyway, it was just great being in the zone whilst trying to create it at the time.
Happy days!
Anxiety runs in my family to a debilitating extent. But, I noticed that the closer I got to the mountains where I do most of my landscape photography, the less anxious I felt. Unfortunately the opposite was true returning from the mountains. It wasn't until I found Propranolol that I felt "normal" all of the time. And I would recommend anyone suffering from anxiety to the extent that it interferes with their life, to discuss taking it with their doctor.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I was on propranolol for years and I agree it really helps to stabilise and cut of the Adrenalin when it starts. If someone had told me 6 years ago that I would no longer need beta-blockers or any other meds I would never have believed them. My life is so good now and want to do whatever o can to help others get through to a happier life. ❤️
@@Alister_Benn Glad you no longer need meds. But, for myself and others, Propranolol has been a godsend. It worked when nothing else would.
Wonderful video thank you so much
Many thanks, really appreciate it
Hi 😊
Do you have a video in which you explain in detail these 5 things that a landscape photo must have? 🤔
Hi Alistair, I love a waffle.
As I’m a barber by trade, I waffle an awful lot 😊
Also to let you know, you made me smile tonight. 😊
Haha, excellent. I actually cut my wife’s hair! She’s a very trusting woman 😂
@@Alister_Benn wow! My wife’s name is also Ann, she wouldn’t trust me as far as she could throw me.
@@PaulEvans 😂Lol
🎯
Thanks from a fellow sufferer
It get's better :-) Thanks for watching and your feedback.
Very Biblical 👍