Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This week’s video is focused on one of the most important areas in landscape photography that often gets overlooked — focus and sharpness.
I go through the full process of how I approach sharp images in the field, from understanding how focus actually works, to making the right decisions on location based on your scene. This isn’t about one setting or one technique; it’s about knowing when to use each approach and why.
In the video, I cover how to consistently achieve sharp results using accurate focusing techniques, how to diagnose issues while you’re still on location, and how to avoid common mistakes that lead to soft images. I also break down depth of field in a practical way, looking at how aperture, focal length, and subject distance all work together rather than in isolation.
From there, I go into more advanced techniques including hyperfocal distance and when it is actually useful, as well as focus stacking — when to use it, when not to, and how to apply it properly in real scenarios. I also touch on the role of gear, particularly lenses, and where they do and don’t make a difference when it comes to sharpness.
Alongside the technical side, I also cover the mindset behind getting sharper images. Being deliberate with your decisions in the field, taking the time to check your shots properly, and understanding that sharpness is something you control, not something you leave to chance.
If you want to take your landscape photography to a more consistent level and come away with sharper images more often, this video will give you a clear and practical approach you can apply straight away.
📩 Free Resources
📸 Get your FREE copy of *Essential Landscape Photography Skills Volume 1 & 2* when you subscribe to my newsletter:
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter)
📍 Download your FREE Location Guide:
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/store-darrenjspoonley/photography-location-guide-lite](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/store-darrenjspoonley/photography-location-guide-lite)
---
## 📚 Books & Guides
📘 COAST (Printed Book)
A physical collection of my coastal landscape work from around Ireland.
📘 Ireland Photography Location Guides
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/locationguidesoverview](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/locationguidesoverview)
📘 The Alphabet Of Landscape Photography Vol I
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/alphabet-series](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/alphabet-series)
---
## 🎥 Learn & Shoot With Me
🎥 Join me on Patreon
Exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and more:
➡️ [patreon.com/darrenjspoonley](http://www.patreon.com/darrenjspoonley)
🎓 One-to-One Private Sessions
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/one-2-one-private-tuition-session](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/one-2-one-private-tuition-session)
👥 Group Workshops
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/group](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/group)
---
## 🌐 Stay Connected
📩 Newsletter
[darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter)
📰 Blog & Recent Work
[darrenjspoonley.com/blog-darrenjspoonley](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/blog-darrenjspoonley)
🌐 Website
[https://darrenjspoonley.com](https://darrenjspoonley.com)
📷 Instagram
[instagram.com/darrenjspoonleyphoto](https://www.instagram.com/darrenjspoonleyphoto)
📘 Facebook
[facebook.com/darrenjspoonleyphotography](https://www.facebook.com/darrenjspoonleyphotography)
🎵 Music
[epidemicsound.com/referral/5b24o0/](https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/5b24o0/)
If you want to improve your photography or see exactly what I use in the field, everything is organised here:
👉 darrenjspoonley.com/gear-list
You’ll find free resources, location guides, workshops, and my full gear list—all in one place.
Using these links is one of the best ways to support what I do. Some may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—and in some cases, you may even save money if a discount code is available.
If you’re new here, welcome. Subscribing helps keep the channel moving and ensures you don’t miss future videos.
If you found the video useful, a like is appreciated, and feel free to leave a comment—feedback, questions, or ideas are all useful.
This week’s video is focused on one of the most important areas in landscape photography that often gets overlooked — focus and sharpness.
I go through the full process of how I approach sharp images in the field, from understanding how focus actually works, to making the right decisions on location based on your scene. This isn’t about one setting or one technique; it’s about knowing when to use each approach and why.
In the video, I cover how to consistently achieve sharp results using accurate focusing techniques, how to diagnose issues while you’re still on location, and how to avoid common mistakes that lead to soft images. I also break down depth of field in a practical way, looking at how aperture, focal length, and subject distance all work together rather than in isolation.
From there, I go into more advanced techniques including hyperfocal distance and when it is actually useful, as well as focus stacking — when to use it, when not to, and how to apply it properly in real scenarios. I also touch on the role of gear, particularly lenses, and where they do and don’t make a difference when it comes to sharpness.
Alongside the technical side, I also cover the mindset behind getting sharper images. Being deliberate with your decisions in the field, taking the time to check your shots properly, and understanding that sharpness is something you control, not something you leave to chance.
If you want to take your landscape photography to a more consistent level and come away with sharper images more often, this video will give you a clear and practical approach you can apply straight away.
📩 Free Resources
📸 Get your FREE copy of *Essential Landscape Photography Skills Volume 1 & 2* when you subscribe to my newsletter:
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter)
📍 Download your FREE Location Guide:
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/store-darrenjspoonley/photography-location-guide-lite](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/store-darrenjspoonley/photography-location-guide-lite)
---
## 📚 Books & Guides
📘 COAST (Printed Book)
A physical collection of my coastal landscape work from around Ireland.
📘 Ireland Photography Location Guides
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/locationguidesoverview](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/locationguidesoverview)
📘 The Alphabet Of Landscape Photography Vol I
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/alphabet-series](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/alphabet-series)
---
## 🎥 Learn & Shoot With Me
🎥 Join me on Patreon
Exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and more:
➡️ [patreon.com/darrenjspoonley](http://www.patreon.com/darrenjspoonley)
🎓 One-to-One Private Sessions
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/one-2-one-private-tuition-session](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/one-2-one-private-tuition-session)
👥 Group Workshops
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/group](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/group)
---
## 🌐 Stay Connected
📩 Newsletter
[darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter)
📰 Blog & Recent Work
[darrenjspoonley.com/blog-darrenjspoonley](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/blog-darrenjspoonley)
🌐 Website
[https://darrenjspoonley.com](https://darrenjspoonley.com)
[instagram.com/darrenjspoonleyphoto](https://www.instagram.com/darrenjspoonleyphoto)
[facebook.com/darrenjspoonleyphotography](https://www.facebook.com/darrenjspoonleyphotography)
🎵 Music
[epidemicsound.com/referral/5b24o0/](https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/5b24o0/)
If you want to improve your photography or see exactly what I use in the field, everything is organised here:
👉 darrenjspoonley.com/gear-list
You’ll find free resources, location guides, workshops, and my full gear list—all in one place.
Using these links is one of the best ways to support what I do. Some may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—and in some cases, you may even save money if a discount code is available.
If you’re new here, welcome. Subscribing helps keep the channel moving and ensures you don’t miss future videos.
If you found the video useful, a like is appreciated, and feel free to leave a comment—feedback, questions, or ideas are all useful.
