It took me a while to figure out what it was about this video that inspired me on such a deep level. On the surface, it’s merely a video documenting a photographer’s big mistake. However, deep down, I feel like this video embodies three fundamental principles of photography and of life.
“In this video, I chase fog all morning. I lost in the fog winds. But I manage to capture just a few good shots, I think, and have a fabulous time in the Lake District.”
– Nigel Danson
Nigel Danson is a professional landscape photographer out of the UK. His work is ethereal, captivating, and inspiring. You can check out his website for more information on his career, prints (including a 2021 calendar still available!) and more. If you follow him on Instagram @nigel.danson, you will experience a healthy dose of photography inspiration sure to encourage you to try your hand at landscape photography. If you fancy more edutainment, his YouTube channel is sure to satisfy; I learn something new from every video, and they are beautifully filmed. Also, he has the cutest sidekick named Pebbles, who frequents his videos and Instagram stories. No one can be mad at puppy appearances.
This post will discuss my reaction to this particular video and three principles of photography and life that it encompasses.
Disclaimer
First off, I don’t own the video; YouTube does. I didn’t make the video; Nigel did. And, I’m not profiting off sharing the video; no one is. Nigel, if you’re reading this (he’s not), I will take sponsorship to write about you or share your videos anytime.
Alright, let’s get into it.
My first reaction
“…A few good shots…” he says. Pft.
Initially, I was skeptical; how detrimental could this mistake possibly be?
As I watched the video, I understood. I had seen enough of his previous content to know his issue with how things went. Still, I was curious to see what he had to say about it.
Sure enough, he didn’t stay put.
Alright, lesson learned. Thank you, Nigel.
Little did I know, I would be thinking about the video long after it finished. I even watched it again.
In my eyes, this video explores more than just a simple photography mistake. It encompasses a few fundamental principles of photography and life that anyone could stand to hear again.
The Principles of Photography
#1: PLAN
The most critical work in photography takes place hours, days, or even months before taking the photo. From visualizing the shot to preparing your camera, scheduling your trip, scouting the location, and finding the composition, it all takes time.
Nigel has a plan. He’s been to this general location before, and he arrived in plenty of time before his scheduled shoot. Thankfully, in Autumn, you don’t have to wake up at 2:00 am to capture the dawning hours.
And in life?
“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you?
Not much.”
– Jim Rohn
You can’t plan for everything, but without an idea, you’re merely hoping.
#2: ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES
Not everything will go according to plan. Knowing when to stick to your guns and when to change direction is essential. It’s not easy, and sometimes you’ll make the wrong choice – as Nigel did.
Nigel says at the end of the video, “I kept trying to change location. What I should have done when I got to the lake was just stay in that one location…” He goes on to explain what he expects would have happened had he stayed put.
The idea of committing to a location is an idea that he preaches regularly, and it is a valuable lesson that I’m still learning.
In the end, when the weather threw him a few punches, he panicked and abandoned ship.
Stay calm and carry on.
Whether it means to stay put and trust your planning, or make a few adjustments, knowing how to react to life’s surprises is a skill you’ll never stop learning.
#3: HAVE FUN
You know when someone genuinely loves something when it begins to go wrong, and they still have a great time. Despite the struggles, Nigel still had “a fabulous time” on his shoot.
This point should go without saying. We all want to have fun taking pictures. It’s not always easy. It doesn’t always go our way. Sometimes we walk away with nothing but the experience. But if you enjoy the process, remember to have fun no matter what.
Ultimately, it’s the most important thing keeping us going.
Conclusion
I always learn a lot from Nigel Danson’s videos, but this one was unique. I didn’t just learn about a photography technique or method that may or may not be relevant to my work. Somehow, in talking about a simple mistake made while taking photos, we explored some underlying life skills.
Am I thinking too deeply into a simple YouTube video? Perhaps, but there’s no shame in that. We could all use some motivation in life sometimes, and if mine can come from a photography video, well, I’ll take it!
Thank you, Nigel.
Until next time,
Let’s give it a shot.