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Alex Nail Photography
United Kingdom
Приєднався 20 лис 2010
Full-time landscape photographer specialising in mountain and wilderness areas. Qualified Mountain Leader.
Once in a LIFETIME landscape photography in the Drakensberg
A two day hike up a 1600m mountain pass was rewarded with some of the most incredible conditions I have ever ever photographed in the Drakensberg, at one of the most epic locations.
This video covers the hike and shows a bit of behind the scenes of my landscape photography workshop in the Drakensberg as well as that absolutely mind-blowing shoot on the cliffs.
If you would would like to join me on a workshop in the Drakensberg next year then you can join my mailing list here: tinyurl.com/4m3y3syk
Order my new book 'The Great Wilderness' here: www.alexnail.com/great-wilderness/
Website: www.alexnail.com/
Workshops: www.alexnail.com/workshops/
This video covers the hike and shows a bit of behind the scenes of my landscape photography workshop in the Drakensberg as well as that absolutely mind-blowing shoot on the cliffs.
If you would would like to join me on a workshop in the Drakensberg next year then you can join my mailing list here: tinyurl.com/4m3y3syk
Order my new book 'The Great Wilderness' here: www.alexnail.com/great-wilderness/
Website: www.alexnail.com/
Workshops: www.alexnail.com/workshops/
Переглядів: 5 119
Відео
Photographing a FROZEN mountain in a savage wind
Переглядів 2,8 тис.4 місяці тому
This video is from a spectacular mountain coire on Beinn Eighe in Torridon. The wind was so severe we abandoned plans to go higher, but I was really happy with the images I managed to produce, which I think embraced the conditions. As usual I discuss my compositional ideas and even share a few less successful images! Order my new book 'The Great Wilderness' here: www.alexnail.com/great-wilderne...
WINTER mountain photography - A PERFECT day in Scotland!
Переглядів 6 тис.5 місяців тому
In this (rather long!) video I go hiking with my friend Joe up Beinn Bhan in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland after a fresh snowfall. We are treated to a full day of landscape photography, from waterfalls and lochans at the mountain's base to sweeping summit views from the ridge itself. It was one of the best days of photography I have ever had, so I tried to squeeze it into one video. There...
Photographing Scot's Pine in Torridon
Переглядів 2,8 тис.5 місяців тому
In this short video I discuss composition whilst photographing in changeable conditions in Torridon. Order my new book 'The Great Wilderness' here: www.alexnail.com/great-wilderness-book/ Website: www.alexnail.com/ Workshops: www.alexnail.com/workshops/ Workshop Mailing List: tinyurl.com/4m3y3syk
Photographing a PERFECT sunrise in the Drakensberg
Переглядів 2,3 тис.7 місяців тому
If you would like to join an adventure THIS MARCH then you can read more here: www.alexnail.com/workshop/cathedral-adventure-2024/ This is the final part of my Drakensberg photography adventure with a group of photographers in March last year. It was a long day of hiking to get to our final camp but we were rewarded the following morning with perfect conditions. In this final video I discuss my...
Big Announcement - New Book!
Переглядів 2,1 тис.11 місяців тому
Preorder the new book 'The Great Wilderness' here: www.alexnail.com/great-wilderness-book/ I've been working obsessively for the last 4 years producing photos for my latest book The Great Wilderness which is now available for preorder (with perks!) In this video I explain everything that went into making the book. If you would like to watch some of the vlogs from The Great Wilderness then you c...
EPIC sunset! - Landscape Photography in the Drakensberg
Переглядів 3,6 тис.Рік тому
This video is the fourth part of an epic landscape photography trip backpacking up and along the spectacular Drakensberg Escarpment in South Africa. In this video we will be hiking towards a hill on the ridge marked as "Pampiring". I struggled a little to find some strong foreground, but was ultimately treated to some fantastic light at sunset. If you'd like to come on an adventure like this yo...
Complex Compositions - Landscape Photography in the Drakensberg
Переглядів 3,9 тис.Рік тому
This video is the third part of an epic landscape photography trip backpacking up and along the spectacular Drakensberg Escarpment in South Africa. In this video we will be hiking towards Cathkin Peak and Grey's Pass. I come across some complex compositions that really show the variety of the Drakensberg landscape and we are also treated to a magical period of light. If you'd like to come on an...
EXTREME photography from 3000m cliffs! - Part 2 - Landscape Photography in the Drakensberg
Переглядів 4,2 тис.Рік тому
This video is the second part of an epic landscape photography trip backpacking up and along the spectacular Drakensberg Escarpment in South Africa. In this video we will be hiking to South Africa's highest point, Mafadi, and continuing on to camp near a cliff edge with towering views over the valleys of Injisuthi. As usual I will spend some time explaining my approach to landscape photography....
Hiking up an 1800m MOUNTAIN for a photo! - Part 1 - Landscape Photography in the Drakensberg
Переглядів 4,6 тис.Рік тому
This video is the first part of an epic landscape photography trip backpacking up and along the spectacular Drakensberg Escarpment in South Africa. In this video, and all subsequent parts, I will be showing you what it takes to reach these remarkable places, as well as talking you through my approach to landscape photography. This was one of the most ambitious, exciting and (ultimately) success...
Remote mountain, INCREDIBLE conditions - Photography in the Drakensberg
Переглядів 5 тис.Рік тому
A landscape photography adventure to South Peak in the Drakensberg. I took a photography group to this remote mountain on day 3 of a backpacking trip along the Drakensberg escarpment. The conditions didn't disappoint! Website: www.alexnail.com/ Workshops: www.alexnail.com/workshops/ Workshop Mailing List: tinyurl.com/4m3y3syk
How to ruin a shoot! Sunrise in the Drakensberg
Переглядів 3,2 тис.Рік тому
Despite my efforts to get up a hill in the dark before sunrise I ruined an image that could have been magical. I guess everyone makes mistakes, but it’s certainly a long time since I made one as bad as this! Website: www.alexnail.com/ Workshops: www.alexnail.com/workshops/ Workshop Mailing List: tinyurl.com/4m3y3syk
Landscape Photography Composition in the Drakensberg
Переглядів 4,5 тис.Рік тому
In this video I photograph the Marble Baths in the Injisuthi area of the Drakensberg. I spent a lot of time looking for compositions working with foreground pools and a beautiful section of rapids. This was my first time photographing this location, and I definitely got lucky with the conditions! My Website: www.alexnail.com/ My Workshop Mailing List: tinyurl.com/4m3y3syk Online 1-to-1 Teachin...
Landscape Photography from Start to Finish - Epic Drakensberg Sunrise
Переглядів 4,7 тис.Рік тому
In this video take you through my whole landscape photography process from start to finish. From finding a composition and practicing it, to photographing it in incredible light the following morning, to processing it once I get back home. The final image is actually a focus stack, so along with my normal editing process I show a simple way of exposure stacking without specialist software (or t...
Landscape Photography in Iceland - Part 2
Переглядів 7 тис.Рік тому
In this landscape photography video we head to a remote viewpoint in the Southern Highlands of Iceland. Like many of my previous videos I go through my approach to making landscape photographs with a particular focus on composition and ideas (as opposed to technique). I capture a couple of images that are amongst my best ever from Iceland. If you would like to join me on an adventure like this ...
Landscape Photography in Iceland - Part 1
Переглядів 17 тис.Рік тому
Landscape Photography in Iceland - Part 1
Summit Camping for Landscape Photography on Beinn Lair
Переглядів 3,2 тис.Рік тому
Summit Camping for Landscape Photography on Beinn Lair
Composition Concepts - Photographing Suilven
Переглядів 5 тис.Рік тому
Composition Concepts - Photographing Suilven
Britain's Greatest Landscape Photographer, Joe Cornish, in the field
Переглядів 122 тис.Рік тому
Britain's Greatest Landscape Photographer, Joe Cornish, in the field
Wild Winter - Landscape Photography in the Scottish Highlands
Переглядів 8 тис.2 роки тому
Wild Winter - Landscape Photography in the Scottish Highlands
Scouting for Sunset - Composition in Landscape Photography
Переглядів 3,5 тис.2 роки тому
Scouting for Sunset - Composition in Landscape Photography
Missed Opportunities - Adventures in Landscape Photography
Переглядів 2,8 тис.2 роки тому
Missed Opportunities - Adventures in Landscape Photography
The ULTIMATE mountain photography trip - Adventures in Landscape Photography
Переглядів 5 тис.3 роки тому
The ULTIMATE mountain photography trip - Adventures in Landscape Photography
Composition in Torridon - A Landscape Photography Adventure
Переглядів 3,5 тис.3 роки тому
Composition in Torridon - A Landscape Photography Adventure
How to shoot a PANORAMA - A Landscape Photography Adventure
Переглядів 12 тис.3 роки тому
How to shoot a PANORAMA - A Landscape Photography Adventure
Return to the Great Wilderness - A Landscape Photography Adventure
Переглядів 7 тис.3 роки тому
Return to the Great Wilderness - A Landscape Photography Adventure
How to add DRAMA to your Landscape Photographs using Lightroom.
Переглядів 19 тис.3 роки тому
How to add DRAMA to your Landscape Photographs using Lightroom.
How to Remove Lens Flare from Landscape Photos in Photoshop
Переглядів 34 тис.3 роки тому
How to Remove Lens Flare from Landscape Photos in Photoshop
Photo Editing a Volcano in Lightroom and Photoshop
Переглядів 1,9 тис.3 роки тому
Photo Editing a Volcano in Lightroom and Photoshop
Photoshop Curves - Pt.3 Mastering the Color Curves - The curves tool for Landscape Photographers.
Переглядів 4,9 тис.3 роки тому
Photoshop Curves - Pt.3 Mastering the Color Curves - The curves tool for Landscape Photographers.
The Drakensberg is a special place. Out of that the Mnweni is the most special. The Nguza campsite on your first night is a luxury. Space for a lot of tents.
God, I miss being out there taking photographs, Still, my knee is nearly better, and then its back out on Dartmoor for autumn and the ever changing colours. D810, 24 PC-E and Lee filters, OR, a full kit of two bodies, oodles of lenses, filters, exposure meters, dark clothes etc... I shall keep it simple.
@Alex thanks for always sharing the knowledge...what happened to the Tutorial plans? :)
Great video thanks man! We need to get you a better rugby top though, perhaps a world champion Springbok top - it'll match all the greens you're working with with the SOUTH AFRICAN landscape. Haha!!! 😂🤣😂
@@timwecke3744 ah yes, the springbok fans, who will turn on their team at the drop of a hat unless they are winning. Not sure I would fit in!
Absolutely the best. And not just of Britain.
what focal lenght are you using during this shot?
@@chizter1336 I can’t remember to be honest. I think it will be between 24 and 30mm
@@alexnail thanks..it looks like it a telephoto. Maybe because of the Pano shot. Thanks
Brilliant l.
Why did you go there in such conditions😊
Whats funny is that I knew we were going to have a really fun day of hiking, but I didnt expect it to be anything like as good as it was photographically!
Extraordinary compositions and resulting images.
@@steviem8466 thank you Stevie :)
Just adore the flow. A bliss listening to Joe explaining his thoughts .. Thank you and keep inspiring.
I couldn't care less if he rolled up in a solid gold Ferrari... but I couldn't contain myself if I saw a PhaseOne in the wild.
I’m a bit late to the party on this one, but it was an incredibly useful masterclass on “taming the chaos”. May I ask; do you use any specific sources for weather forecasting, or is it a case of hoping Nature will do its thing?!
Fantastic images Alex, rainbow and lightning images are ones to be proud of.
So few pros take the time to show what's less good before finding the more satisfactory! Thank you for sharing.
Elements magazine brought me here. 👍👍
I have been looking for a solution for this for such a long time! I'm not exaggerating when I tell you I've spend sometimes up to four hours trying to fix the color balance in a shot. Thank you so much. I was able to fix an image in literally 3 minutes using your advice. If you find yourself in southern california the first rounds on me. Also, of course I subbed. Look forward to binge watching your videos.
Thank you ; that was really so interesting ; the dying art of view cameras instead the modern way of blazing away hoping to get an image that often needs or just gets far too much editing. What I would call "dedicated photography"
Guy Edwards is Britains greatest landscape photographer period.
Joe would never argue otherwise, and besides it is all opinion. But why is it your opinion that Guy is the greatest landscape photographer in the UK? Guy is a superb photographer no doubt, but I can think of many others who are also producing superb work and I would be interested to know what you think sets him apart?
wicked stuff, true bucketlist stuff to stay up to there...weather in the berg is generally very rainy and stormy afternoons. I would love to have seen more astro pix and more time lapses..but really nice series to watch..the berg is my spiritual home
The problem with astro is the lights in the valleys, you need a decent cloud inversion. Also combining hiking with getting up at night and for sunrise gets a bit much! I did make a separate timelapse of the Drakensberg which is on UA-cam. But I can’t shoot video and do timelapse, it just uses way too much battery. I would need about 20 batteries for a trip like this if shooting timelapse regularly
Can’t believe I missed this one Alex spectacular photography throughout. I’m heading there in late September hopefully I get some light as special as you got. Any tips on visiting there?
Incredible images.
I had never heard of the "Alexander's dark band before" and it's odd that I watched this video just before I was about to edit a photo with a rainbow in it and I have to admit of being a little confused by the changes in light level either side of the rainbow. But here you are with the answer! Anyway wonderful video of a fantastic adventure. "once in a lifetime" though? Yeahh, that's justified! :-) Amazing. Looking forward to the next one!
Bloody amazing mate. Some of the most beautiful images I've ever seen. A few years before the book ... really?
Well it just takes a long time to put together a body of work I am happy with! Really glad you enjoyed it!
You should go back 23 November 2030 there will be a total eclipse there that day.😮
Is that so! If that's the case then I’ll be forced to at least try!
Oh god, now you have me planning a shoot 6 years ahead. That feels slightly nuts! But you are right, 7.30am on Monday 25th November 2030, a total eclipse with the Northern Drakensberg in absolutely prime position
Good video there , distilling the composition.
Thank you :)
Lovely image at the end... not sure any perspective correction is needed as there are no vertical straight lines in nature and there arent any in the shot either... did you have to tip your camera? How many focus points did you do for this ..3 ? Would love to camp in this region. Did the west coast in a camper about 8 years ago.. .would love to go back.
In nature reflections still obey the laws of physics and that is where the straight lines come from. But due to the complexity of mapping the globe of vision onto a 2d image you could argue various cases both for and against paying attention to these perceived issues. For me it's a problem because a reflection *should* be directly beneath the thing being reflected. Only 2 images were necessary to get sharpness throughout.
@@alexnail i understand, but that was very marginal. Why dont you use T/S lenses? Size and weight?
@@stevef2114 yeah it only really matters if I notice it, because then it takes me out of the image. It's much the same as why I edit so carefully. An editing artefact might be marginal to someone else, but if it takes me out of the image then it becomes problematic. Yeah, the size, weight, expense and general utility of tilt-shift lenses don't really make sense for me.
Love your Drakensberg videos. Get to live vicariously through you all 😄. Beautiful place! Thanks for the trip 🎉
Thanks Barbara!
You put the work in and by goodness did u get rewarded... as the scene of the rainbow popped up I sat here and said Oh my God...lol. Nature at it's finest and seeing you so animated I can only imagine what it felt like to be immersered in that moment. As ever great story telling and I think I have mentioned it before but to appreciate the work you actually put in to create these videos has to be applauded - knowing that you must be very hot as you came up the pass filming from behid then rushing on to capture your parties arrival. I look forward to the next episode... atb Al
Yeah as they go that was an incredible moment for sure! At least shooting the b-roll of other people is easier than shooting b-roll of yourself!
What a fantastic journey and video, amazing photographs. 🤩
Thanks a lot Lenn!
Superb video of the adventure Alex, very entertaining and informative, and a fabulous result with the storm.
Thanks Mike, it’s amazing when you get conditions like this at such an incredible place!
Thank you
Truly once in a lifetime. I think my favourite image was the slightly softer light on the needles with the distant rainbow and amazing cloud.
Thanks Howard, I think I probably agree!
Congratulations! Those are outstanding images.
Thank you Brian!
Thank you, Alex for what turns into tutorials that we can all learn from! Much appreciated.
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it
Great video and fantastic photo with the rainbow 👍
Thanks Stig!
The shot at 15:43 is worth the visit. Even in crap light, that view looks amazing, but that light you got was outrageous!
Yeah it's a sensational spot but to get that rainbow was just crazy!
I’ve been looking forward to these vlogs after seeing your Instagram stories, and images. First one doesn’t disappoint either! The one benefit of getting a soaking, rainbows! What a stunning shot. Please don’t ever apologise about taking photographs first, video is definitley not a priority on occasions that are so fleeting such as that rainbow. Looking forward to the next one 🙂
Well it was a “sorry not sorry” :P I'm sorry for the purposes of the video but otherwise not sorry at all! Actually the following day we had another rainbow (the one you saw on Instagram) and that day I decided not to vlog, largely because it's a workshop and I can't just vlog everything. But if I had even been attempting to video I think that would have delayed me enough to entirely miss that image, so it's funny how these things work out.
Thoroughly entertaining watch and some astounding images to boot! The full double rainbow has to her my favourite I think, Alex. I understand the more subtle appeal to the other compositions, but sometimes the most obviously epic moments cannot be denied! Look forward to the next 👍
Thanks Ross, I'm the same! Sometimes these moments are so incredible that the best image is the obvious one!
Wow!
how joyful
overnight oats, wise man.
Bloody hippies ;)
@@alexnail have sympathy Alex, I'm surrounded by them in hippy central, Hebden Bridge.
Haha, only 4mins in and I feel like a 3rd trip might be in order some day!
One day! Mnweni valleys and then up to the top for a couple of days and back down
Fabulous images. I appreciate the clear and concise way you explain your choices. I would imagine myself in a panic trying to react and capitalise on those conditions for the fleeting time they are there. Also, nice edit on the dialogue cue.
Thanks, I think not panicking comes with a bit of experience, but it's certainly a place that generally makes you rush, sunrises and sunsets in particular are very fast!
Your videos deserve to be watched until the very last minute. They are so true and so different compared to the super fast/short ones we usually find on the video platforms. Can't wait to watch the second part of this one. And, of course, I love Drakensberg which is one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the whole world
Thanks Alex, that's very kind of you :)
Great images!
Thank you Ken
Insane rainbow images Alex! What a wonderful video 👏
Thanks Paul
Blinkin' 'eck. An utterly stunning rainbow pano !! One of those moments when you don't really mind if you never take another decent shot ever...well until the next day that is 🙂. Fleeting moments like that are what its all about in my view. As we say here in Sheff....a good effort !!
Thanks Howard. Yes for me having hiked here many times I would have been okay with just that one image from that week of hiking
You're really gettingyour consistency going here Alex. I am going to start expecting a video every week now. ha!
Definitely don't do that!
Wow! Fabulous
Thanks Renee. Hope you’re doing well!
Spectacular.