Richard Herzog Photography

For years, the standard ND filter kit included a 3-stop, 6-stop, and 10-stop filter. If you wanted more density, you simply stacked filters together.

Today, magnetic filter systems have made stacking much easier—but is stacking still the best solution?

In this video, I explain why I believe a dedicated 13-stop ND filter is the perfect choice for many landscape photographers, and why it has become one of my favorite tools for creating dramatic long-exposure images.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you prefer a 10-stop filter, or would you consider adding a 13-stop filter to your camera bag?

https://youtu.be/SDVuhebma0Q

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Have we been recommending the wrong tripod head for landscape photography?

For years, I told photographers exactly what most people recommend:

“Buy a good ball head.”

I still believe they’re outstanding tripod heads. I’ve owned some of the best, including the Really Right Stuff BH-55 and the ProMediaGear BH1.

But after more than four decades photographing landscapes, I realized something.

Landscape photographers rarely need the unlimited movement that a ball head provides. Instead, we spend most of our time making tiny adjustments while waiting for the perfect light.

In this short video, I demonstrate why I changed my mind and why I now prefer a panoramic head for most of my landscape photography.

I’d really like to hear your thoughts.

Are you using a ball head, a fluid head, a geared head, or something else?

Let’s discuss it in the comments!

https://youtu.be/SmgbVhXSeEE

Why Landscape Photographers Should Stop Using Ball Heads 📩 Don’t miss new tutorials, blog posts, photography tips, and gear ...

Why would a landscape photographer put flower images on their website?

Because photography is about practice — and flowers are one of the best ways to stay sharp when you can’t get out to photograph big landscapes.

When I photograph flowers, I’m still working on many of the same skills I use in landscape photography: composition, light, depth of field, backgrounds, visual balance, and learning how to see the scene more clearly.

If you can’t get to a favorite landscape location, don’t let that stop you from picking up your camera. Head into your backyard, walk around the neighborhood, or visit a local park. Flower photography can be an excellent way to improve your eye, become more comfortable with your gear, and keep building the habits that make you a stronger photographer.

Sometimes the best photography practice is closer than you think.

https://youtu.be/p6mNHwYGfUE

Become a Better Landscape Photographer by Photographing Flowers 📩 Don’t miss new tutorials, blog posts, photography tips, and gear ...

I’ve tested a lot of camera mounting solutions over the years—from the PlatyPod Delta to the Really Right Stuff tabletop tripod and Multi-Clamp.

The HEIPI Super Clamp Sabertooth C100 surprised me with just how versatile it is.

Whether I’m mounting my camera to a tree, railing, pole, or simply getting inches off the ground, this clamp has become my go-to solution.

Check out my latest video to see why I think this may be one of the best camera accessories landscape photographers can own.

What camera mounting system do you use?

https://youtu.be/CXwdJiCr5UI

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One thing I highly recommend avoiding in mobile photography is getting locked into a proprietary filter ecosystem.

At first, it sounds convenient — one case, one filter system, one mounting setup.

But over time, it can seriously limit your creativity.

One of the best parts of mobile photography is flexibility. You should be able to move from cinematic video… to landscapes… to macro photography… without your gear getting in the way.

That’s why I appreciate flexible systems like Maven filters that allow you to experiment with different looks and shooting styles without rebuilding your setup every time.

Your phone case shouldn’t decide what kind of photography you can create.

Have you ever regretted buying into a proprietary camera or filter system?

https://youtu.be/78jzwTb1rUA

Don’t get locked into proprietary filters. Use 67mm Maven filters for creative freedom. My business website: https://www.RichardHerzog.com Herzography GE...

Most photographers think composition is about rules like the rule of thirds or leading lines.

But after years in the field, I’ve found the real issue is much simpler—and much more powerful.

We stop at the first place that looks “good enough.”

The problem is, good enough is usually where average photos are born.

Great landscape images come from something else entirely: awareness of visual weight, balance, and how your eye moves through the frame.

A few steps left or right can completely change the relationship between foreground, midground, and background.

That’s why I use what I call the Five-Minute Rule—before I commit to a composition, I move. I explore. I let the scene reveal itself instead of forcing the first view I see.

The camera doesn’t create stronger images.

Your position does.

📷 NOW, get out and shoot!

https://youtu.be/Mr7AcVGCpbQ

Most photographers miss this composition mistake. Small shifts create stronger images. My business website: https://www.RichardHerzog.com Herzography GE...

One thing I highly recommend avoiding in mobile photography is getting locked into a proprietary filter ecosystem.

At first it sounds convenient — one case, one filter system, one mounting setup.

But over time, it can seriously limit your creativity.

One of the best parts of mobile photography is flexibility. You should be able to move from cinematic video… to landscapes… to macro photography… without your gear getting in the way.

That’s why I appreciate flexible systems like Maven filters that allow you to experiment with different looks and shooting styles without rebuilding your setup every time.

Your phone case shouldn’t decide what kind of photography you can create.

Have you ever regretted buying into a proprietary camera or filter system?

https://youtu.be/78jzwTb1rUA

Don’t get locked into proprietary filters. Use 67mm Maven filters for creative freedom. My business website: https://www.RichardHerzog.com Herzography GE...

Most phone filter systems lock you into proprietary accessories and tiny filters.

The Maven Pivot Filter System takes a different approach — giving mobile photographers and creators the flexibility to use magnetic filters, larger filter sizes, macro diopters, ND filters, CPLs, and more.

A modular system designed for creativity instead of limitations.

https://youtu.be/cG9vTvZ4Iyo

Turn your phone into a modular creative system with the Maven Pivot Filter System My business website: https://www.RichardHerzog.com Herzography GE...

I made a pretty major change to my iPhone 17 Pro Max filming setup.

After using the Freewell Filmmaker case system for a while, I decided to switch over to the Neewer cage system — and it completely changed my workflow.

What surprised me most was that this wasn’t really about features…

It was about reducing friction while shooting.

Things like:
• Faster filter changes
• Better tripod mounting options
• Proper strap support
• Easier cable access
• More flexibility for future accessories

The Neewer setup feels much more like working with a real camera rig now.

I break down exactly why I switched, what frustrated me with the old setup, and what I’m gaining with the new one in the full video

https://youtu.be/WzBg4ytWmN4

Flexibility - Switched from Freewell to Neewer cage for iPhone 17 Pro Max—workflow breakdown. My business website: https://www.RichardHerzog.com Herzography GEAR: https://www.richardherzog.com/Pages/Gear ALL Photo Gear B&H: https://bhpho.to/43UJuY9 ...

One of the biggest challenges in landscape photography is getting everything sharp from front to back.

In my latest video, I walk through 3 different focus stacking methods and when to use each one:

📷 In-camera focus bracketing
📱 Using an iPhone app to calculate hyperfocal distance
🔍 Manual focus stacking with focus peaking

I also explain hyperfocal distance in simple terms and how it can reduce the number of shots you need to take.

If you’ve struggled with soft foregrounds or blurry backgrounds, this video should help.

https://youtu.be/AtkrazHs1w8

Focus Stacking Without Guesswork - The Best Way to Focus Stack Landscapes My business website: https://www.RichardHerzog.com Herzography GEAR: https://www.richardherzog.com/Pages/Gear ALL Photo Gear B&H: https://bhpho.to/43UJuY9 ...