The MUST HAVE CAMERA for all photographers!
New year, new camera and this one is a MUST HAVE for ALL photographers! And this one is guaranteed to being a smile to your face and have you reaching for your credit card!
Just for Fun
Photography can be such a serious business sometimes. Lots of talk about expensive and complicated gear, far flung locations, quality of light and social media followings! Sometimes you must need to sit back and enjoy the simple things in photography, like a back-to-basics camera. While I think the camera in this video can be enjoyed by any photographer, you do need to still have childlike imagination and a sense of fun. What is it? Well, I’m not going to spoil it for you. You’ll just have to watch the video!
Where To Buy the Camera
🛒 You can buy it from Amazon - https://amzn.to/41PMyDA
🛒 Or direct from - https://bit.ly/4b1K4pG
Photographing and Printing Dartmoor with Fotospeed Gloss and Lustre 310 Papers
I love printing my photographs as much as I love capturing them! Join me in this video as I head out to Dartmoor to capture a new landscape photograph and then head home to print it on the new Fotospeed PF Gloss and Lustre 310 papers!
The Challenge of Photographing Great Links Tor on Dartmoor
Capturing photographs of one of Dartmoor’s greatest tors, Great Links Tor, is challenging. Depending on your route up it can take around 45 minutes of walking (all up hill). And then, because of its elevation, it is often in cloud. But when the conditions are right it can be a spectacular location to photograph such as the time I photographed it at sunset.
Inspired by my sunset picture I was determined to also photograph it at sunrise. This was going to be more difficult than I hoped it would be. The first four attempts where non-starters as the location was completely covered in cloud. On my 5th attempt I had the opposite problem, and it was clear blue skies. Not ideal, but I was determined to make the most of it!
While I was pleased enough with the photograph when the skies were clear, it wasn’t exactly what I wanted or visualised. But that’s the great thing about Dartmoor (or the worst thing), and that is the weather can change very quickly. And that’s exactly what it did do! And that change in conditions gave the perfect opportunity to capture an image that would make for a great photograph to use as the first print for two new papers I had just received from Fotospeed.
In the video below you can see my photography adventure from Great Links Tor on Dartmoor and see what the prints look on those two new Fotospeed papers.
Great Links Tor, Dartmoor - Landscape Photographs
Great Links Tor Sunrise #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm at 14mm, f/11, 0.4 sec at ISO 64.
Great Links Tor Sunrise #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm at 15mm, f/13, 1/10 sec at ISO 64.
Great Links Tor Sunrise #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm at 89mm, f/8, 1/160 sec at ISO 64, 6:17 crop.
Links to Products and Other Videos
*** Remember to us the discount code Julian15 and get 15% off Fotospeed papers ***
🛒 Fotospeed PF Gloss 310 - https://fotospeed.com/fotospeed-pf-gloss-310.html
🛒 Fotospeed PF Lustre 310 - https://fotospeed.com/fotospeed-pf-lustre-310.html
🛒 Fotospeed Test Packs https://fotospeed.com/paper/test-packs.html?default_brand=Fotospeed
✔️ Download Fotospeed’s Art of Printing eBook - FREE - https://fotospeed.com/ebook/artofprinting
🎞️ My video review of the Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-300 - https://youtu.be/QF3_JXuu_Ag
🎞️ My editing video with Fotospeed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rrLOnVHcCA
🎞️ My post-processing workflow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHg4agMU-GI&list=PLJU6FMi6Tvo97OcghsCsBlKGLXY2BcMdx
The Great Wilderness by Alex Nail - On My Bookshelf S06E04
In this episode of On My Bookshelf I look at @alexnails latest self-published book, The Great Wilderness. This luxury hardback photography book covers one of Scotland's most remote regions and features images captured over a 4-year period from the Letterewe, Fisherfield and Dundonnell mountain areas.
A Masterpiece of Photography and Book Design
Over the 40 plus episodes of On My Bookshelf that I’ve made, I’ve featured books covering all sorts of genres and styles of photography. For the most part, they all have something that I like and that’s great photographs. However, every now and again I buy a book that I love. So, what separates a book with great photographs from a book that I love? Presentation!
How the photographs are printed, sequenced, and bound in a book can make all the difference on how even great photographs are experienced. If you want to look at a photographers great photographs you can do it on their website, but when you buy their book that experience should be a vastly superior.
Two of my favourite books, Beara and Kingdom (both my Norman McCloskey) are a great example of how to turn a collection of great photographs into a viewing experience to be savoured.
Another photographer that seems to be mastering this art is Alex Nail. His previous title, Northwest, was fantastic. It turned out to be one of my favourite landscape photography books.
When Alex announced pre-orders for his latest book, The Great Wilderness, I couldn’t give him my money fast enough. Alex had been hinting at the design choices he had been making for this book and it sounded like his attention to detail was going to be like no other book I would have on my bookshelf.
Now that I have the book, did Alex manage to deliver on both the photographs and the book design? Let’s find out!
You can pick up a copy of The Great Wilderness directly from Alex at https://www.alexnail.com/great-wilderness-book/
Just Enjoying My Landscape Photography
Sometimes it's OK to just enjoy the experience of taking landscape photographs. Not every photo needs to win awards or have a deeper meaning. Photography can also be about having fun, admiring the view, or taking joy in the simple act of pressing the shutter button.
There Goes Autumn!
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with photographing anything seasonal. This could be the beautiful pink Thrift you find along the Cornish coast during spring, or the glorious colours of a woodland at autumn. I love photographing these unique times of year, but life has this nasty habit of getting in the way and I often end up missing the (photographic) peak of a season.
Autumn is a particularly tricky one. The days are short which make it difficult for me to get out, and when I eventually do find the time it’s normally after a storm and all the autumnal colour has blow off the trees!
Should I Risk It?
Every now and again, the stars align, and I’m presented with an opportunity to shoot some autumnal colour. However, the decision to photograph East Dartmoor Woods wasn’t that straightforward. The weather conditions over East Dartmoor Woods were forecast for clear skies at sunrise. It’s also a 5 km walk, in the dark, in a woodland, to get to the viewpoint that I wanted. While I had visited the viewpoint (in winter) I had never photographed it before.
It was a risky decision to go there, and it was a fair effort to get there. My head was telling me that I would be much better off going somewhere else where the conditions would be better, and I would be shooting something I’m familiar with (i.e. not woodlands!).
My heart on the other hand was telling me this was a fantastic opportunity to photograph this woodland while the autumn colours were still there. OK, the clear skies weren’t ideal, but the sun was rising in the right direction, and it should catch the tops of the trees. If I waited for another day, that other day might not come. The weather might turn, or I just might not find another opportunity to photograph it before the end of autumn.
It’s not often I ignore my head but this time I decided to follow my heart and take a risk! I did question this decision as I followed the path through the woodland with a head torch while trying not to think about the beasts of Dartmoor that lurk in the shadows!
But was all that effort and risk worth it? Well, you can find it out in the 5 Minute Photo Adventure video below!
What do you think? Was it worth the effort? Would you have made the 5km walk in the dark for that view or photographs? Let me know in the comments below.
East Dartmoor Woods - Landscape Photographs
Here are the landscape photographs you saw me capture in the video.
East Dartmoor Woods Autumn Sunrise #1, Dartmoor National Park, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 S at 37mm, f/13, 0.4 sec at ISO64, Kase Filters CPL.
East Dartmoor Woods Autumn Sunrise #2, Dartmoor National Park, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 S at 82mm, f/13, 0.5 sec at ISO64, Kase Filters CPL.
Did the Nikon Z8 Kill My Landscape Photography?
I bought a Nikon Z8 then I stopped taking landscape photographs. But why? In this video I head to Dartmoor to capture some dramatic landscape photographs and I'll tell you why you haven't seen me online recently.
I’m Back! But Where Have I Been?
It’s been a few months since I published a video or written something here on the blog. It’s probably the longest gap I’ve had since I started my blog back in 2016. It wasn’t a conscious choice to stop creating content. I just stopped.
There are a number of reasons for this, and I do touch on them in the video, but it has been a bit of a struggle to get back into creating content (something which I love doing). Apart from shooting the odd music festival, I didn’t take any landscape photographs for a couple of months. I just didn’t feel like it. I’d lost my motivation.
After some soul searching, a few failed attempts to create something and support from people close to me, I’m finally back to a place where I feel creative (and importantly, I want to share my photography adventures again).
Dramatic Dartmoor
There’s nothing like a successful trip out with the camera to give your motivation for photography a good boost. The trouble with Dartmoor is that the weather plays a significant part in how your photographs turn out. My favourite kind of conditions are when things are unsettled. I’m looking for a bit of drama!
Every now and again, I get those conditions. Sometimes they are expected, sometimes not. Things get really exciting when you just aren’t sure how things will work out and it changes minute by minute. And that’s exactly the conditions I got on my recent visit to East Mill Tor!
It was the perfect type of morning on Dartmoor to give my photography a significant kick up the arse! You can see why in the video below!
I got a real buzz creating those photographs and making that video. It’s given me all the motivation I need to get going again. While the changes in my life have left me with less time to dedicate to photography, I am committed to regularly producing content for you to enjoy. Make sure you stay tuned!
East Mill Tor, Dartmoor - Landscape Photographs
Here are the landscape photographs you saw me capture in the video. I hope you enjoy them.
East Mill Tor #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S at 16mm, 1.3 sec at ISO 64, f/13, Kase Filters CPL.
East Mill Tor #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S at 19mm, 0.6 sec at ISO 64, f/13, Kase Filters CPL.
East Mill Tor #4, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S at 16mm, 1/13 sec at ISO 64, f/13, Kase Filters CPL.
East Mill Tor #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S at 16mm, 0.5 sec at ISO 64, f/13, Kase Filters CPL.
Photographing a Snowy Dartmoor with the NEW Vallerret Skadi Gloves
Landscape photography, a new pair of thermal gloves, Dartmoor, snow, and my Nikon Z7. What's not to love. So, join me in my latest video as I photograph a snowy Dartmoor and tell you all about my new @Vallerret Skadi Zipper Mitt LRS Gloves.
The Best Photography Gloves - Improved!
Best is of course a subjective term. Different conditions can require different gloves. Perhaps I’d be better describing my Vallerret Skadi Zipper Mitt PSP gloves as my favourite winter photography glove. Well, that was until Vallerret released the Skadi Zipper Mitt LRS gloves <INSERT AFFLIATE LINK>! A new and improved version of their deep winter mitts.
In the video below I not only photography Dartmoor with a rare dusting of snow, but I also share with you my thoughts on these new gloves from Vallerret.
If you’d like to purchase a pair of the Vallerret Skadi Zipper Mitt LRS gloves you can do so directly from Vallerret right here.
Where Are the Landscape Photographs?
It’s normally at this point in the blog post that I share the photographs I captured in the video, and you may be wondering where they are. There’re not here because I’ve already published them in the blog post Photographing Dartmoor in the Snow earlier this year. The reason for the time gap between video and photographs is that the video featured gloves that Vallerret hadn’t announced yet, so I kept the video back until now.
Be sure to check out the blog post Photographing Dartmoor in the Snow to not only see the photographs from that video, but some of the other snowy photos I captured from Dartmoor back in January.
Photographing the Night Sky by Alyn Wallace and Published by fotoVUE - On My Bookshelf S06E03
Photographing the night sky is difficult and requires specialised equipment. Right? Wrong! In Photographing the Night Sky, Alyn Wallace has written an encyclopaedia of everything you need to know to learn and develop your skills as a night sky photographer. Can Alyn make the capture of night sky images something all photographers can do?
An Encyclopedia of the Night Sky
I’ve always been a great admirer of night sky photography. My appreciation for this genre of photography stems from growing up in the Highlands of Scotland, where, on a clear you could see what felt like the entire universe above you head.
It is however a genre of photography that I’ve never properly attempted myself. The main stumbling block for me has been a lack of skills and knowledge, but also, it is perhaps that while I don’t mind getting up early in the morning, I’m a bit less keen on staying out all night.
When I received my copy of Photographing the Night Sky by Alyn Wallace I decided to change that. There was no point in having a copy of this book if I didn’t put what I learnt to good use.
So, in this special episode of On My Bookshelf, I not only tell you all about the encyclopedic levels of information in this book, but I also share the photographs that I captured using the knowledge I gained from this book. Enjoy!
✔️ Use the discount code JULIAN to get 20% off all books at fotovue.com
🛒 You can purchase Photographing the Night Sky by Alyn Wallace, here - https://www.fotovue.com/shop/books/photographing-the-night-sky-softback/
Night Sky Photographs from Dartmoor
The Milky Way over Great Staple Tor #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/4, 10 sec at ISO 12800.
The Milky Way over Great Staple Tor #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/4, 10 sec at ISO 12800.
Nikon Z8 SmallRig L-Bracket and Cage Review
If you're still using the plate that came with your tripod to mount your Nikon Z8 then you are missing out on the benefits of an L-bracket or a video cage. In this video, I look at two products from SmallRig that are custom designed for the Z8, their L-bracket (3942) and their video cage kit (3941). Which one should you buy for your Nikon Z8?
Does Your Nikon Z8 Need a L-Bracket or a Cage?
Since getting my first l-bracket back when I got a Z7 I now can’t imagine using a camera for landscape photography without one. The ability to switch from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation without adjusting your tripod is essential to me. So much so that when I took the delivery of my Nikon Z8 that I had to buy a generic fit l-bracket just to keep me going till something custom designed was released.
Fortunately, that time has come and the company that has produced the goods is SmallRig. However, not only have they released an l-bracket, but they have also designed a cage for the Nikon Z8. You might now be asking what a cage is, do I need one, and should I get that instead of a l-bracket.
In the video below, I aim to answer that question by talking you through the benefits of both products. I’ll talk you through the features of each product, where there is some overlap, and why you might pick one over the other. Enjoy!
🛒 SmallRig L-Bracket for Nikon Z 8 3942
🛒 SmallRig Cage Kit for Nikon Z 8 3941
🛒 SmallRig Cage for Nikon Z 8 3940
🛒 SmallRig Cage for Nikon Z 8 with MB-N12 Battery Grip 3982
🛒 SmallRig L-Shape Grip for Nikon Z fc Camera 3480
What No Photos?
In most of my gear review videos I like to film them on-location and include a little bit of landscape photography. Well, that was the plan for this video, but it was a busy morning for wild camping. I visited West Mill Tor, Yes Tor and Black Tor and they all had tents in the middle of any potential composition. Nothing wrong with wild camping, I do it myself, but that’s the reason there are no photographs from this video!
Nikon Z8 - My Real-World Review for Landscape Photographers
My Nikon Z8 real world review is here! In the video I talk about why I bought the Nikon Z8, what I like about the Nikon Z8, what I don't, plus lots more, including my Nikon Z8 landscape photographs. And I’ll be doing all this on location from Dartmoor!
A Subjective or Objective Review of the Nikon Z8?
When I’m lucky enough to get a new camera, lens, or other bit of photographic gear, I like to share my thoughts on it. I love the art of photography but there also a part of me that loves the techy side of photography, so I do like to create videos about my landscape photography gear. Creating these types of videos also helps answer questions I get when people see me using a particular item of gear.
I don’t necessarily like titling those videos as a “review” as the views I share are personal and not necessarily that objective. I also don’t have access to lots of other gear to compare the item I own to. I also only take landscape photographs so I often have a limited perspective on what a particular item of photographic gear can do. So, my review videos can be subjective but there really isn’t a better word than “review” to describe them, so that’s what I call them!
A Slow Start with the Nikon Z8
New camera day is always very exciting, and I wanted to get a Nikon Z8 as soon as I could. When the Nikon Z8 was listed on my retailer of choice I immediately pre-ordered it and hoped I would get one from the first batch of deliveries. My eagerness to buy a Nikon Z8 paid off and I did indeed receive one on the day the camera got released.
When the Nikon Z8 arrived the first thing I wanted to do (apart from setup all the menu options) was to head out into the landscape and start taking photographs. However, if there’s one thing you can guarantee is that if I’m getting a new camera (purchased or loaned), the weather will be rubbish for landscape photography. A couple of months ago I got a free loan of a Canon R5 plus lenses for the weekend. The weather was so bad that weekend I sent the camera back on the Monday having not taking a single landscape photograph with it (hence why you never saw a video about that camera).
Well, as is my luck, when the Nikon Z8 arrived it was in the middle of a spell of hot and sunny weather. Great weather for sitting out in the garden sipping on a Gin & Tonic, but absolutely rubbish for landscape photography. Not to panic I thought. This is my Nikon Z8, and I own it, so it doesn’t matter if I spend a few days in the garden and walking the dog.
After two weeks of “sunbathing” I’d just about had enough! Fortunately for me the opportunity to use the Nikon Z8 to photograph Muse, one of the biggest rock bands in the world, presented itself and I jumped at the chance. You can read all about that experience here.
Eventually I gave up on solely basing my decision to go out based on what the weather forecast was saying. At this rate it was going to autumn before I took my first landscape photograph with the Nikon Z8.
The Nikon Z8 - A Familiar Camera
When I finally headed out with the Nikon Z8 to capture landscape photographs I was right at home. Yes, the Nikon Z8 has new features and capabilities, but at the end of the day it’s still a Nikon. Some buttons might be in a slightly different place, but it took no time at all before using the camera became second nature.
Once that first landscape photograph was captured with the Nikon Z8 I just gave up on waiting for the perfect conditions and got on with the job of capturing photographs for my review.
The Nikon Z8 – A Landscape Photographers Review
Despite a slow start, I’m finally ready to share my Nikon Z8 review. It was a great to film it on location on Dartmoor. It’s where I’ll be using the camera the most, so it seemed fitting to film it there. I had to get up REALLY early to be on Dartmoor for sunrise, but it was worth it (you’ll see why in the video). As much as I enjoyed filming the video, it was also a fantastic morning for a walk. Over the 6 hours I was out on Dartmoor I walked over 12km across some of my favourite areas of Dartmoor.
As I said at the start of this blog post this is a very subjective review. Whatever you do with the information in this video I hope you at least find it useful and/or entertaining! Enjoy!
Nikon Z8 - Landscape Photography Review Showcase
Bowerman’s Nose - Dartmoor
Sunrise at Bowerman’s Nose #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 17mm, f/13, 0.4 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL.
Sunrise at Bowerman’s Nose #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 17mm, f/13, 1/4 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL.
Daymark Tower, Devon
Daymark Tower #1, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 17mm, f/13, 1/40 sec at ISO 800, Kase Filters CPL.
Daymark Tower #2, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/13, 1/50 sec at ISO 1000, Kase Filters CPL.
Brentor Church, Dartmoor
Brentor Church on a Clear Evening, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 19mm, f/13, 1/15 sec at ISO 400, Kase Filters CPL.
Great Staple Tor, Dartmoor
A Clear Evening at Great Staple Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 16mm, f/13, 0.6 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL, 4:5 crop.
Clouds Over The Tower #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 18mm, f/11, 0.4 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL.
The Night Sky, Great Staple Tor, Dartmoor
The Milky Way over Great Staple Tor #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/4, 10 sec at ISO 12800.
The Milky Way over Great Staple Tor #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/4, 10 sec at ISO 12800.
Belstone Tor, Dartmoor
Belstone Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/13, 1/10 sec at ISO 100.
Oke Tor, Dartmoor
Oke Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 15mm, f/11, 1/20 sec at ISO 64.
Black Tor, Dartmoor
Black Tor #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/13, 0.4 sec at ISO 64.
Black Tor #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 20mm, f/14, 0.4 sec at ISO 64, 4:5 Crop.
Fur Tor, Dartmoor
Big Sky Dartmoor Near Fur Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 58mm, f/11, 1/200 sec at ISO 64, black and white conversion, handheld.
Brat To, Dartmoor
Brat Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 26mm, f/9, 1/80 sec at ISO 64, black and white conversion.
Arms Tor, Dartmoor
Arms Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 16mm, f/13, 1/5 sec at ISO 64.
Monty!
Monty on Black Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Viltrox AF 24/1.8 Z at 24mm, f/1.8, 1/500 sec at ISO 64.
Monty on Black Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Viltrox AF 24/1.8 Z at 24mm, f/1.8, 1/500 sec at ISO 64.
Monty on Fur Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 120mm, f/4, 1/2000 sec at ISO 100.
The Landscape Photography Workshop by Mark Bauer and Ross Hoddinott - On My Bookshelf S06E02
In their updated edition of The Landscape Photography Workshop, two of the UKs leading landscape photographers, Ross Hoddinott and Mark Bauer, are aiming to teach you everything you need to know to take amazing landscape photographs. Have they succeeded?
An Updated Edition
As they did last year with The Art of Landscape Photography, Ross Hoddinott and Mark Bauer, have now updated The Landscape Photography Workshop. The updated edition of The Art of Landscape Photography is a book I can easily recommend to anyone wanting to develop their skills in composition. So, when I heard they were also updating The Landscape Photography Workshop, I thought I’d better check it out to see if it would become my book recommendation for those want to learn more about the technical aspects of landscape photography.
Well, the updated edition has arrived, I’ve read it and I can now share my thoughts in the latest episode of On My Bookshelf!
You can buy both updated editions of the books with the links below. They make an excellent pairing!
🛒 Landscape Photography Workshop (Updated Edition) - https://amzn.to/3qBTHIW
🛒 The Art of Landscape Photography (Updated Edition) - https://amzn.to/45Z3WHn
Landscape Photography with Nikon Z8 - A Dartmoor 5 Minute Photo Adventure
Join me on my latest 5 Minute Photo Adventure video as I take out the Nikon Z8 for its first landscape photography shoot. Would the excitement of using the Nikon Z8 to photograph Bowerman's Nose on Dartmoor outweigh the pain of a 03:30 alarm call?
Receiving the Nikon Z8
When the Nikon Z8 was announced I spent a frantic hour refreshing my browser waiting for the Nikon Z8 to be listed for pre-order on WexPhotoVideo. As soon as it did, I placed my order. I was confident I would receive a camera from their first batch of deliveries.
Sure enough, the release date of the camera came around and a shiny new Nikon Z8 box was delivered. New camera day is always exciting and receiving a Nikon Z8 was no different. You can see me unbox the camera for the first time here.
As a landscape photographer my first goal was to get out there into the wilderness and start taking landscape photographs with the Nikon Z8. However, as is always my luck with new cameras, the weather conditions were more suited to sunbathing than landscape photography! Unfortunately, the hot and sunny weather would last for days and days.
Out with the Nikon Z8 - Finally!
During the heatwave I did get the chance to photograph Muse in Plymouth, and you can read all about that here. That concert was a bit of a baptism of fire for the Nikon Z8, but what I really wanted to do was take some landscape photographs with it.
Then finally one morning I’d decided I’d had enough of waiting and I set my alarm for 03:30 with the aim of photographing Bowerman’s Nose on Dartmoor. When I set an alarm for that sort of stime I like to do it when the forecast is for great conditions, but I was so desperate to get out, even the slightest hint that there might be some cloud in sky was enough to get me out of bed.
It had been a while since I last set an alarm call that early so I when the alarm did go off it was a bit of a shock. But a few minutes later I was guzzling some coffee and, in the car, heading to Dartmoor. Was it worth the effort of getting up? Did my eagerness to get out with the Nikon Z8 blind me to what the weather forecast was saying? Well, you can find out in the video below and my first 5 Minute Photo Adventure with the Nikon Z8.
Bowerman’s Nose - Dartmoor Landscape Photographs with the Nikon Z8
Sunrise at Bowerman’s Nose #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 17mm, f/13, 0.4 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL.
Sunrise at Bowerman’s Nose #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 17mm, f/13, 1/4 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL.
Which Memory Cards for the Nikon Z8
The Nikon Z8 supports a wide variety of memory card types, sizes, and speeds. In this video I talk about my choice of ProGrade products including their CFexpress Type B Cobalt card, Dual-Slot card reader and Refresh Pro software.
Memory Card Options for the Nikon Z8
Selecting the right memory card or cards for the Nikon Z8 is critical. It’s a versatile camera capable of performing a variety of stills and video functions. Get the wrong card and you could end up spending a lot of money on a card that doesn’t match your performance or capacity requirements.
While it’s not possible for me to recommend specific cards for your photography and video needs, I can at least share what my chosen card configuration is and why.
In the video below I will tell you why I have purchased a new ProGrade Digital CFexpress card and card reader, and what I think of the ProGrade Digital Refresh Pro software.
My Selection of Memory Cards for the Nikon Z8
Here are the products and links I talked about in this video -
🔗 Nikon Z 8 Supported Memory Cards - https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/na/NSG_article?articleNo=000044624&lang=en_SG
🛒 ProGrade Digital Refresh Pro - https://shop.progradedigital.com/products/refresh-pro-software
🛒 ProGrade Digital 165GB CFexpress Type B Memory Card (Cobalt) - https://amzn.to/3MYB6j7
🛒 ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V60 - https://amzn.to/3qztNFz
🛒 ProGrade CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II Dual-Slot Memory Card Reader | USB 3.2 Gen 2 - https://amzn.to/3BY5S5f
🔗 ProGrade Digital Whitepaper - "Monitoring The Health Of Your Digital Memory Card And Refreshing It To Regain Performance Using ProGrade Digital Refresh Pro" - https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2526/3692/files/Monitoring_the_health_of_your_card_V1.2.pdf?v=1620756719
Using the Nikon Z8 to Photograph One of the Biggest Rock Bands in the World
Photographing Muse was NOT how I expected to be using the new Nikon Z8 for the first time! In this video I share with you the experience of using the Nikon Z8 to capture photographs of one of the world's biggest rock bands live in Plymouth.
Photographing Muse with the Nikon Z8
I expected my first trip out with the new Nikon Z8 to be at a location somewhere on Dartmoor. After all, the vast majority of my photography is landscape photography. However, when my friends over at MusoMuso said they had a photo (pit) pass for the Muse gig in Plymouth and would I like to shoot it I just had to say YES! I haven't shot a gig for a while and it was a high-pressure event to take out a new camera, but the Z8 performed, and I had a great time!
When I shared this story on my social media channels and asked if anyone wanted me to make a video about my experience, lots of you said yes! So, just for you, here is that video!
Muse - Captured with the Nikon Z8
My Nikon Z8 Review Announcement
After saying goodbye to my Nikon Z7 yesterday I'm extremely excited to welcome the Nikon Z8 to my camera bag. I will be producing a real-world review of the Nikon Z8 but in the meantime here is a little unboxing video to get you excited
The Nikon Z8 is Here!
Following on from yesterday’s blog post and video where I said goodbye to my Nikon Z7, it should come as no real surprise to you that my new camera is the Nikon Z8.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be taking the Z8 out to some of my favourite locations to capture landscape photographs. I’ll then publish my real world, on location, video review!
If you have any questions or there is something you want me to cover in the review, just let me know in the comments below. It will have to be something related to landscape photography though. Don’t ask me what it’s like for bird photography!
In the meantime, here’s a short unboxing video to whet your appetite.
Saying Goodbye to My Nikon Z7
I'm changing my landscape photography camera so it's time for one last shoot with the Nikon Z7. Join me in as I visit two of my favourite Dartmoor locations to capture my final Nikon Z7 landscape photographs with the Z7.
One Last Adventure
Over the last four years my Nikon Z7 been a constant companion on my landscape photography adventures and it has helped me capture some of my favourite landscape photographs.
However, it is time to move on and the delivery of my new camera is just around the corner. I don’t get emotionally attached to my cameras, but I decided to celebrate the end of my photography journey with the Z7 by taking it out on one my last landscape photography adventure to Dartmoor.
So, join me on my latest landscape photography adventure and watch me press the shutter button on my Nikon Z7 for the very last time.
Bowerman’s Nose, Dartmoor
Bowerman’s Nose, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 18mm, f/13, 1/15 sec at ISO 64.
Belstone, Dartmoor
Belstone Tor Sunset #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 20m, f/11, 1/6 sec at ISO 64.
Belstone Tor Sunset #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 17mm, f/11, 1/6 sec at ISO 64.
Belstone Tor Sunset #3 , Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 17mm, f/11, 1/6 sec at ISO 64.
Some of My Favourite Nikon Z7 Landscape Photographs
Walking Up One of Scotland's Finest Mountains with Monty and a Camera
I always look forward to returning to Scotland, but my latest visit to the homeland was made even more special as Monty joined me. Being a cocker spaniel, he is full of energy, but could he summit Ben Cruachan? And could I capture some landscape photographs from the summit?
What a Legend!
I try to bring a variety of content to my blog. Some of it might be educational, I hope most of it is inspiring but most of all I want it to be fun. This blog post and video definately falls into the fun category.
As many of you will know that I have a cocker spaniel called Monty. He has been my constant companion for nearly 4 years as I wander the hills of Dartmoor. He has limitless energy and there is nothing better he likes than a long walk.
I’ve seen plenty of dogs being walked on the British mountains, so I was keen to give Monty the same experience. Last month I finally got the chance to see if Monty could scale a Munro (a Scottish mountain over 3000ft). He’d driven all the way up from Devon with me to Argyll, and after a few days acclimatisation I thought he was ready for some bigger walks.
We started with a walk up the banks of Loch Etive. That turned out to be a 22km walk and he managed that without issue. So, a few days later I decided it was time to take him up my home mountain of Ben Cruachan.
As this was such a special occasion in Monty’s life, I decided to make a video of our adventure and share it with you all. You might not learn anything or be impressed by the photography, but hopefully you’ll enjoy it and be inspired as well. Enjoy!
A GREAT Landscape Photograph Deserves a GREAT Print
I love printing my landscape photographs from Dartmoor almost as much as I love taking them! In this video, I capture images of the iconic Great Links Tor, and then I’ll make prints of them using my new Hahnemuehle fine art papers that I got from Fotospeed.
The Wind - Friend or Foe?
Windy. It’s a word that I am using a lot recently to describe the conditions I’ve been experiencing while out photographing Dartmoor. The wind can make landscape photography challenging with fear that your camera will get blown over or that you’ll end up taking blurry photographs. As for shooting video, leaving my camera on a tripod (even with spikes) on its own while I go off and talk somewhere always makes me nervous!
The wind can also be an asset. Strong winds often mean fast moving cloud, providing me with the hope that any gaps in the cloud, while short lived, will shortly be followed by another gap.
The Journey to Great Links Tor
Looking at the weather forecast before I set out for Great Links Tor, I was hoping that the strong winds that evening would be my friend. There was lots of low cloud forecast, but some gaps were also predicted. I was hoping the wind would make sure those gaps kept coming and provide me with a few breaks in the cloud.
As I started my ascent to Great Links Tor; things didn’t look brilliant. There was a lot of cloud, and it was very low down. So low down that Arms Tor (around 130 lower down) was barely visible. As I ascended further, the cloud level did appear to rise, and I could just about now see Great Links Tor.
Patience is the Key to Landscape Photography on Dartmoor
Arriving at Great Links Tor, the full brunt of the wind hit me! The wind was fierce, which made it cold, and as I now was above the base of the cloud layer, it was also eerily dark. So, I did what every landscape photographer should do and that’s wait. And wait some more. And get cold. T hen frustrated. Then I considered going home.
However, patience is key and in true Dartmoor fashion I could see breaks starting to appear in the cloud, and patches of light formed on the landscape. I filmed a few pieces to camera to pass the time and then it clouded over again. I waited some more and then…. well, you’ll just have to watch my video to find out what happened!
Landscape Photographs of Great Links Tor on Dartmoor
Here are the Dartmoor landscape photographs I captured in the video. Let me know which is your favourite.
Great Links Tor at Sunset #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 16mm, f/11, 1/5 sec at ISO 64.
Links and Other Videos
I mentioned a lot of videos, playlists, and products in the video, so I’ve decided to list them here as well:
💰💰💰 Special offer from Fotospeed - Hahnemuehle Test Packs are half price until end of April at Fotospeed.com 💰💰💰
🛒 Get your Hahnemühle test pack here - https://fotospeed.com/papers/hahnemuhle.html?paper_test_pack=1
The paper I used to make the prints are
🛒Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta 325 - https://fotospeed.com/papers/hahnemuhle/fine-art-baryta-325.html
🛒Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308 - https://fotospeed.com/papers/fine-art-paper/photo-rag-308.html
🔗 Check out Fotospeed's free ebook, Art of Printing, at https://fotospeed.com/ebook/artofprinting
🎞️ The printer I used in this video is the Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-300. 🎥 Watch my video review of this printer here - https://youtu.be/QF3_JXuu_Ag
🛒 Purchase the Pro-300 here - https://fotospeed.com/canon-pro-300.html
🛒 Finally, I purchased my matt board from Picture Frames Express - https://www.pictureframesexpress.co.uk/
🎞️ You can see how I use Picture Frames Express designer software here - https://youtu.be/FJYOckTLbyA?t=443 🎥
🎞️ See more of my printing videos in this handy playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJU6FMi6Tvo_kuUIioDAagRJ6zsvo1X3P
🎞️ See how I manage and process my photographs in Lightroom in this playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJU6FMi6Tvo97OcghsCsBlKGLXY2BcMdx
Capture and Print - Landscape Photography from Dartmoor
Is social media the final destination for your photographs? In this video, you can join me in the experience of capturing a landscape photograph from Dartmoor, and then doing the most important part of the photographic process, making a print!
Photographing Dartmoor - East to West
In my last blog post, Why I Love Dartmoor 2, I shared with you the experience of capturing a landscape photograph of East Mill Tor on Dartmoor. Thanks to some planning and a little fortune (always a requirement), I managed to capture a photograph of East Mill Tor with which I was incredibly happy.
Looking west from East Mill Tor you can see the appropriately named West Mill Tor. It’s not a location I photographed very often so with the excitement of my East Mill Tor visit still inspiring me I made plans to go west!
The Last of Those Early Alarm Calls (For Now)
While the weather forecast wasn’t as promising as my visit to East Mill Tor, it still had enough potential for me to set a 04:30 alarm call. It would be the last of those very early alarm calls as the clocks would be going forward in a few days. This would be only a temporary reprieve from the early alarm calls. Some of my favourite Dartmoor photography locations are best shot at dawn in the summer. It’s not unusual for the alarm to be set at 03:30 for those locations! (I’ll be doing more wild camping this year which will hopefully negate the need for some of those alarm calls).
Photographing Dartmoor Requires Patience
Though my alarm call for West Mill Tor might be early, you can at least park close by. It’s not much more than a 15-minute steady walk up to the summit, however, upon reaching the summit I was greeted with what can only be described as a strong and constant wind. This would make the photography hard and shooting video even harder!
And it’s at this point you pick up the story in the video below…
Links and Other Videos
I mentioned a lot of videos, playlists, and products in the video, so I’ve decided to list them here as well:
🎥 Watch my editing and printing session at Fotospeed here - https://youtu.be/1prQocy-GoI
🎥 The printer I used in this video is the Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-300. 🎥 Watch my video review of this printer here - https://youtu.be/QF3_JXuu_Ag
💳 Purchase the Pro-300 here - https://fotospeed.com/canon-pro-300.html
Use the discount code Julian15 and get 15% off Fotospeed papers at Fotospeed.com
💳 The paper I used to make the print is @FotospeedUK NST BW 315 And you can purchase the paper here - https://fotospeed.com/nst-bright-white-315.html
💳 Finally, I purchased my matt board from Picture Frames Express - https://www.pictureframesexpress.co.uk/
🎥 You can see how I use Picture Frames Express designer software here - https://youtu.be/FJYOckTLbyA?t=443
🎥 See more of my printing videos in this handy playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJU6FMi6Tvo_kuUIioDAagRJ6zsvo1X3P
🎥 See how I manage and process my photographs in Lightroom in this playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJU6FMi6Tvo97OcghsCsBlKGLXY2BcMdx
Landscape Photographs of West Mill Tor on Dartmoor
Here are the three photographs I captured in the video. Let me know which is your favourite.
A Wild West Mill Tor Sunrise #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 14-30mm S f/4 at 14mm, f/13, 1/2 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL
A Wild West Mill Tor Sunrise #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 14-30mm S f/4 at 14mm, f/13, 1/2 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL
A Wild West Mill Tor Sunrise #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 14-30mm S f/4 at 16mm, f/13, 1/3 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL
Photographing & Discovering East Mill Tor on Dartmoor
Knowing more about the locations you photograph will give your images more meaning and connection. In this video, I photograph one of my favourite Dartmoor viewpoints and I also take the time to discover what really makes that location so special.
Motivated to Photograph Dartmoor at Its Best
How often do you set your alarm for 04:45 on a Sunday morning? Not very often I bet! But setting very early alarm calls is part of the course for landscape photographers if you want to capture photographs in the best light.
If I’d been sensible, I would have scheduled my dawn shoot of Dartmoor to the following week. The clocks would have slipped into British Summer Time and sunrise would have been a much more socially acceptable 07:30, and as a result I could have woken up an hour later.
Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee the weather forecast would be as favourable the following week. The conditions I like to photograph Dartmoor in are rare, but they are also infrequent enough that when they are forecast, I make sure I do my best to be out with my camera. Even if that does mean a 04:45 alarm call. Watching the sunrise over Dartmoor is all the motivation I need.
Photographing East Mill Tor on Dartmoor
On Dartmoor, there is a distinct difference between the forecasted weather and the actual weather. You can check all the weather forecasts for the following morning, only to turn up at your chosen spot and the weather is doing something completely different. The not knowing exactly what the weather is going to be like is part of the magic of photographing Dartmoor though.
After getting over the shock of my alarm call, I made a cup of coffee and jumped in the car with a sense of optimism. Arriving at the car park just short of East Mill Tor, I looked up at the sky and I could see lots of broken cloud. This could mean the ideal conditions I wanted for my photograph.
It had already rained the previous few days so I knew the pool that would form my foreground had water in it. I also needed the soft, warm light from the rising sun to illuminate the grass surrounding the pool and the tor itself. I didn’t want it to be too clear in the sky though as having some cloud in the sky is just as important as an interesting foreground. It’s a very specific set of conditions I was looking for!
As it got closer to sunrise, I could see a bank of cloud on the horizon which would block the light from the rising sun. I tried not to worry too much as the cloud was moving fast across the sky. It was going to be a game of patience and it would test my nerves!
Sure enough, my nerves were tested! Just as I thought the sun would break through, it would be covered by another bank of cloud. Sometimes the light would break through and cast beautiful light on the surrounding landscape, but never quite where I needed it!
The later it got the more difficult it would be to get the shot I wanted. The higher the sun gets in the sky, the harsher the light is. You can’t beat that early light just as the sun rises above the horizon. The cloud above East Mill Tor was also starting to clear, possibly leaving me with clear blue skies.
At one point, I honestly thought it was going to be another one of those mornings where I come very close to capturing the photograph I had envisaged, but ultimately gone home disappointed (but never disappointed that I’d spent time on Dartmoor).
Just as I was about to give up and go home in a grump, things started to change. Did I get the photograph? Well, you can find out by picking up the story in the video below. The video is much more than just the story of the photograph, it’s all about all the other things that make Dartmoor so special. Enjoy!
Dawn at East Mill Tor on Dartmoor - A Special Landscape Photograph
Here’s the photograph I captured in the video. I’m incredibly happy with the way it has turned out, particularly as at one point I was ready to give up. For me though, that is the magic of Dartmoor. It’s a rugged and raw landscape, but also a beautiful landscape. With all its micro-climates it can be difficult to predict the weather, but when you get those magical conditions, there is no other place I’d rather be photographing.
A Perfect Dawn at East Mill Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 18mm, f/13, 1/20th sec at ISO 125, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
There’s More to Dartmoor Than Beautiful Viewpoints
I do have a specific set of conditions I prefer to capture my landscape photographs of Dartmoor in, but that doesn’t mean they are the only conditions I will venture out into Dartmoor. Far from it! You’ll find me wandering Dartmoor (often with my dog Monty) in all sorts of weather conditions.
Monty - my constant companion on my long adventures around Dartmoor.
Over the last few years, I’ve been trying to learn more about Dartmoor. While my photography is at the heart of what I love about Dartmoor, I’m also aware there is so much more to Dartmoor than just beautiful viewpoints. The more I learn about Dartmoor, the deeper the connection I have to it.
This is why in the video you have just watched, I took the time to explore the area around East Mill Tor. I’ve photographed East Mill Tor many times before, but this was the first time I took the time to find out more about the area and what I discovered was fascinating!
The exploration of Dartmoor, while fulfilling in its own right, has also led me to become a better Dartmoor photographer. I might not feel compelled to photograph all the things I discover on Dartmoor, but through the process of exploration I have found new locations and areas that I might never have been to before.
Now when I’m standing at a viewpoint waiting for the light, I feel I have a much better understanding of the area, and as result I have a better connection to the photographs I capture.
I am by no means an expert on Dartmoor. I have only just scratched the surface. Dartmoor offers a lifetime of discovery, but that’s a good thing!
APOLLO Remastered by Andy Saunders - On My Bookshelf S06E01
Many of us will be familiar with the photography of the Apollo missions but thanks to some painstaking work by Andy Saunders we can now see the highest quality Apollo photographs ever produced. In this episode of On My Bookshelf, I look at Apollo Remastered to see if this is the definitive record of the Apollo missions.
History Restored
I’ve always had a fascination with space, particularly with the Apollo missions. Despite the advances in technology since those early lunar missions, in my lifetime no one has been back to the moon. Most of my understanding of the Apollo missions comes from movies such as First Man or Apollo 13.
One of the best Apollo films I’ve seen though is a documentary called Apollo 11, directed by Todd Douglas Miller. Despite using the original film footage from that mission, this film when viewed in 4K Ultra HD simply looks (and sounds) stunning. It blows me away every time I watch it. The clarity of the footage must be seen to be believed.
In Apollo Remastered, Andy Saunders has taken the latest high-resolution scans of the original film stocks and painstakingly remastered them to create the highest quality Apollo photographs ever produced. Like the documentary footage from Apollo 11, it looks like some of these photographs were captured just a few years ago.
But Apollo Remastered is more than just a collection of photographs. It has pages of text which describe all the missions, from Mercury, Gemini, and all the way to the final lunar mission, Apollo 17. It also tells you about the importance photography had for Apollo, the equipment used, and how Andy used the latest techniques to restore these wonderful, and historically important photographs.
In this episode of On My Bookshelf I look at Apollo Remastered to see if this is now the definitive record of the Apollo missions.
✔️ You can purchase of a copy of Apollo Remastered by Andy Saunders here - https://amzn.to/3xR940D
✔️ You can purchase of a copy of Apollo 11 on 4k Ultra HD/Blu-Ray/DVD here - https://amzn.to/3KF6KRL
🎥 Apollo Remastered - An interview with Andy Saunders by Mc2 Photography - https://youtu.be/HgYSdOi4u5A