I just made one of my best photographs to date:

Getting this photograph wouldn’t have been possible if I were just starting out.

Capturing stunning photos largely depends on mastering 6 essential elements.

Today, I’ll walk you through these key factors.

Miss any of them, and you might miss the shot.

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Before we get started, I announced a few days ago I plan to host a Photography Tour in Finland in February 2025.

If you're interested in potentially joining, join the waitlist for more info.

-> Join the waitlist <-

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1) Master your gear

Gear matters, let's face it.

But what matters more, is how you use the gear.

You can't just buy an expensive camera and think you'll get great shots.

It doesn't work that way.

You must know the camera and its functions like your own pockets.

Ideally, you could operate it blindfold.

I'm serious. That's a goal you should go for.

Why?

Because, if you need to see the exact things you do when shooting, you'll be slower.

Being slower in photography can often mean you miss the shot.

This was clear when I was photographing the majestic Northern Lights earlier this week.

What makes Northern Light Photographing the most difficult...

is that you need to be FAST.

The Northern Lights can appear anywhere in the sky, they can be different colors, and brightness... - leading to you needing to change:

1) The composition

2) The settings

3) The focus...

RAPIDLY.

When I was shooting them, I knew I sometimes had seconds to change up everything, to get THE SHOT.

I was operating the camera in blind mode.

I was figuring out a new composition, instructing my model (my lovely dad) and I still had to adjust the settings, tripod, and focus.

If I didn't know how to change up my settings without looking at the camera, I would've missed more photos.

If I didn't know how to adjust my tripod rapidly, without watching it, I would've missed more photos.

Getting THE best shots requires you to have mastered your gear.

Become one with your gear.

Don't see it as a tool, see it as part of you.

Master your gear. Or you'll miss out on amazing photos.

2) Master composition

Great moments, often, happen rapidly.

You must know what to do in that situation.

A famous example of this is the photograph Evan Vucci took of President Trump:

Whether you like Trump or not, it's an amazing photo.

When the assassination attempt happened, he didn't have hours to try to figure out the composition, did he?

Instead, he knew what to do in that brief, high stakes, moment.

He knew, what composition techniques he could use in the moment.

He had that all stored in his brain when he had to make the decision in an instant.

Have composition ideas ready to go in your mind.

The moment won't wait for you.

3) Have a plan

This contradicts a bit of what I said above.

Now, you should know what to do when plans change.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a plan to begin with.

There are many ways to go about scouting.

The 2 main tools I use for it are:

1) PhotoPills (paid)

2) Photoephemeris

I know where the sun is, or the moon is.

I know where the Auroras are most likely to appear.

I have been to the location before - or I dedicate time to scout it before the main "event".

That's what I often do. I don't spend hours planning a shot.

(Of course, there are times for that too.)

Instead, I plan enough, and I go to the location 30-45 minutes before I can start taking photos.

This way, I know what I can do without spending hours always planning.

(Learn more on how I plan photos here.)

4) Have the gear you need

Gear matters, as we touched on above.

There's no way around it.

If you don't have a certain type of gear, you can't get certain types of shots.

E.g. You want to get a compressed photo of a lion. You must have a telephoto. Otherwise, it's impossible.

You don't need all the gear in the world.

But be conscious of what gear would actually make you a better photographer.

(Learn all the gear & tools I use here.)

5) Master editing

Photo editing is 50% of the process of getting a great shot.

A bad photo can't be made into a great photo with editing.

But a good photo can be ruined with bad editing... or you can turn a good photo into a stunning photo.

Photo editing is a fundamental skill every photographer should know.

Learn the basics first - and move to more advanced techniques.

In the beginning, I got Peter McKinnon's Presets to advance my editing.

(I chose him because I loved, and still love, his work.)

You can learn with trial and error.

But the fastest way is to learn from someone else.

If you want to start mastering editing, you could find my Editing Masterclass & Preset Pack useful.

6) Be focused

I don't see this being talked about enough.

Don't distract yourself all the time when you're shooting.

Let yourself be bored.

Let your mind wander.

When there's nothing new at the scene, and you pull out your phone...

1) You might MISS an amazing moment - or more likely

2) You'll MISS out on an AMAZING IDEA.

When I'm shooting, I'm shooting.

I don't go to social media (unless it's to inform others about great conditions. But when this is the case, I've already got a shot myself.)

I don't go through emails.

I definitely don't read the news...

I am present.

And I believe, that's a big key to what has led to me getting the shots I've got.

When your brain is bored, it starts to wander.

When it wanders, it can come across new, and better ideas.

New, and better photo ideas, lead to new and better photos.

And that is probably what you want?

The second it gets boring on the field, or when editing, don't distract yourself.

Stay in the moment - and get the best results.

Summary

There isn't a single thing that makes a photograph work—it's a combination of ingredients.

Master the ingredients, master the photos.

Miss one or two, and you'll end up with a weird-tasting soup.

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I hope you enjoyed reading this, my friend.

If you haven't mastered the photo editing ingredient, click here to learn more on my Editing Masterclass & Preset Pack.

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And, it has actually been over 1 year since I started this newsletter now.

I appreciate you for being here and reading the issues. :)

If you enjoyed this Letter, feel free to forward it to a friend.

If you were forwarded, you can subscribe for more here.

Till next emails,

Hugo

P.S. When you're ready, these are 3 more ways I can help you.

#1: Ready to crush it on social media as a photographer in 2024? Click here to apply to my 1-1 Social Media Coaching Program.

#2: Have you seen my YouTube channel? I've put stuff out there too. I bet you'd find it valuable. Check out my latest videos and come give me a like and subscribe. :)

#3: I have a lot of free resources out there. Read the past Letters here.

P.P.S. If you just scrolled down here, I have just opened a waitlist for my Finland 2025 Winter Photo Tour. Click here to join the waitlist.

6 Essentials for Stunning Photos