How To Take Your Photo Composition To The Next Level
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ส.ค. 2024
- Steve McCurry is one of the world's best photographers. He's shot some amazing photos for National Geographic, Time, and Sports Illustrated. His images are unique and artful, with beautiful colors and good composition. In this tutorial I'll show you how to improve your photography composition by learning from one of the masters.
Have you ever heard of the saying, "you can't see the forest for the trees?" It's a cliché because it happens so often that we forget how to look around us. Steve McCurry is one of my favorite photographers. I've chosen a few photos of his that exemplify compositional techniques and tried to explain those concepts in a way that's easy to understand and implement.
www.stevemccurry.com/
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📚 Book on the WHY of photography I recommend:
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The Mind's Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers: Henri Cartier-Bresson
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Why People Photograph: Robert Adams
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Peter C. Bunnell | Peter C. Bunnell: Aperture Magazine Anthology: The Minor White Years, 1952-1976
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Photographers on Photography: How the Masters See, Think, and Shoot (History of Photography, Pocket Guide, Art History): Henry Carroll
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Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography: Roland Barthes
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On Photography: Susan Sontag
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Letting Go of the Camera: Essays on Photography and the Creative Life: Brooks Jensen
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Approaching Photography: 'A Seminal Work...Revised and Updated': Paul Hill
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John Berger: Understanding a Photograph: John Berger
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Ways of Seeing: Based on the BBC Television Series (Penguin Books for Art): John Berger
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Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite: Paul Arden
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Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative: Austin Kleon
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It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be: The world's best selling book: Paul Arden
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Life Library of Photography (Complete 17 Volume Set, Plus Index): Time-Life
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The History of Photography: An Overview: Alma Davenport
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One of the best photography video I've watched in the last 2 years
I’m no doubt at least a decade older than you, so I’ve probably been making photographs ten years longer than you. I feel like a kid in school studying a topic I love from a teacher who inspires. When I hear you say, “I know you can do it…,” I grab a camera and head out the door.
I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. McCurry. As a person he is as well composed as his photographs. Down to earth and a perfect gentleman.
This video has the correct ratio of stimulation and education
Many thanks!! If I may say so, IMO this is one of your best videos. I think Steve McCurry is a genius and your analysis and exposition of his compositional techniques is not only fascinating but really useful for us photography mortals!
I love your shows so much! Appreciate your sharing your experiences!
Love how practical, yet open to flexibility, your videos can be.
Your passion for photos and reverence towards past photographers just oozes out of you when you speak about what makes them special. I greatly appreciate your channel and wish you much growth the second half of this year
Wonderful video. Thank you. Also thanks for showing so many examples and not just talk into the camera.
My pleasure, thank you for watching :D
I love how Steve McCurry balances his images with a secondary subject while using rule of thirds. Just mind blowing
Alex, This video is a perfect example of why your channel has become my favorite: It's informative, inspiring, and focused specifically on how to become a better photographer--Thank You!! Cheers, and keep up the great content!
this is like a workshop. Thank you !
Excellent video....very well done. Steve McCurry is definitely my favorite photographer. I have several copies of the original national geographic issue with the Afghani girl on the cover. To me...its the perfect portrait. Thanks for making this.
Great tips for upping your photo composition game! Can't wait to try them out and see the difference. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure!
Thank you for your excellent content and inspiring instruction!
i visited a steve mccrurry exhibition in zurich a while ago. it was really amazing
Good video.
Some input.
There are several ways to separate your subject from the rest of an image (often Background) :
By colour/vibrance/saturation, by contrast, by sharpness, or by emotional impact (or more of them together).
To teach that I ask people how they would frame a person/object in front of a graffiti wall and make sure that a viewers eye will immediately be drawn to that person/object (but still recognise the graffiti being on a wall), as soon as they follow the tips above they understand how to make their subject give meaning.
Then I ask them to look for disturbances in the frame (e.g. put a passing person in the frame with very different vibrant coloured shirt or jacket) that will draw the focus away and how to avoid that (take it/them out of the frame, ask people to step aside for a moment, or if that all is not possible how to deal with it in post.
Thanks for sharing ;-) and a wonderful weekend
Great summary and reminder list
A very interesting approach to composition that a lot of people use to enhance their photos. This video is very insightful and informative.
Thanks for watching
Thanks Alex! How good of You to bring a gift, Steve McCurrys photographs to me this friday when I’m ill in covid-19 and feeling sorry for myself.
Just the treatment I need! 👌👍🔝📸😍
Those are great grand central station pictures!
good walk through of principles with great examples, thanks
Thanks for watching
Fantastic selection of examples. I’m gonna have to explore Mr McCurry’s work now. Thanks for the vid
Thanks for watching
People seem to poo-poo the Rule of Thirds but when I started trying to make pictures, it was an epiphany. When you don't know anything, having such a specific instruction of where to put things in frame _instantly_ improved my images. Of course "rules are meant to be broken" and all that but design rules are basically universal for a reason. I have a personal photo gallery randomized for my phone's wallpaper, and it amuses me how often elements of my photos (the ones where I stuck to the rules) will align perfectly with the user interface that Google designed lol.
Another brilliant video, thanks🌟
Each one of your videos is knocking it out of the park! You can launch a career based on anyone of them. Thank you!
Excellent and well made video. Thank you
This is without a doubt the best photography channel right now ( for me ) ; (ok maybe with Jamie Windsor ) . Not sure how you will be able to keep on this level 3 times a week , 😂 but thinking about it , with your photographic culture and passion for it , I am certain that you will be keep bringing more interesting content . all the best .
Solid and inspiring video!
I recognize some of the photos but the photographers name slipped my mind if I ever knew it. The one immediate thing that strikes the eye and grabs the mind is the spectacular use and juxtaposition of color. The second is the dynamic nature of the photographs. Absolutely brilliant!!!!
Very nicely done. Excellent presentation of the right shots to illustrate your points.
McCurry had a major exhibition in Graz last year. The photos were backlit, like slides, and suspended in the dark. The smallest were a couple of metres across; the largest must have been maybe six. I strongly recommend this exhibition.
Cool tips! Definitely gonna give these a try and see if I can up my photo game. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching
I really needed this,thank you.
feel lucky to found this video on TH-cam.. I watch dozens of them who teach just technical photography.. bt this is far away.. keep posting..
I love Steve McCurry’s work. One of my fav’s along with Josef Koudelka. 🥂
You have good videos, this is probably one of the best
Thank you once again … wonderful
What a great video Alex, and fascinating insight into Steve Curry.
One of your best on a phenomenal photographer.
Color is also very important in Steve McCurrys photos.
What an amazing set of images and they showed exactly the point you were making
Another winner Alex! The best photography video I have seen in a while! This might be my favorite video of yours... so far. I look forward to more. Watching the minimalist one next.
Fantastic information.
Thank you. 👍📷😎
Thanks for sharing your experience with great comments and suggestions... always enjoy your videos and trying to improve my skills at 78 yrs of age... cheers from Australia 😀
As great as always
I feel better. I’ve been advised by other amateur photographers to capture images at a distance and then crop them to enlarge the subject - never get too close to anything. I take full frame shots and you’ve just validated how I photograph is good to do. Thank you so very much. My confidence is solid now.
It really depends on the photographer Char. Some may do better with what you described and others just going with flow and taking the photo they see and imagine. Being able to shift between the two given a situation I think is key. Nice thing about photography is being able to do both. Experimenting and trying different ways. Never stop playing :)
@@coindoggie4509I took a photography course that stressed the importance of social media likes to appease the people. The more likes I get, the better photographer I am. You’re right. The more I experience and try different techniques, I’ll find my voice with confidence. My photos are no longer for social media and the opinions of viewers. It helps to receive advice that guides me to be more open-minded and creative. Thank you. 😀
@@charlotta2hotta Filling the frame is a matter of desire to better your skill. Everybody will crop some photos afterwards from the inevitable reason of you just won't be located near something that you're trying to photograph. Be it access or from timing.
But now that practically everything can be done for the photographer with cameras that detect eye focus, the development of the skill side is pretty much not even a consideration for many.
That was advice from a lazy mindset to say always depend on cropping afterwards.
@@gregorylagrange I appreciate your comment. I enjoy being outdoors and exploring. Learning to enhance my photographic eye is fun. I’m addicted to photography.
@@charlotta2hotta Same here.
this is simply amazing video! one of the best on composition ive seen on youtube. believe me, composition is one of the things i study the most. thank you so much as always, you are just great!
Sir, you deserve way more subscribers than what u have now.
I've watched few of your videos and with this one about the Great Steve McCurry, you've got my subscription.
Setve McCurry is my favourite photographer when is about portraits. I'm trying to emulate him but there is always something I miss, but keep on trying and learn is the way
Great video! I am amazed at how you keep up with such pace and still your videos are so insightful and refreshing!
Another great video.
Thank you.
Muy bueno gracias.
Bravo. Excellent analysis and explanation. Thank you
Great explanations of taking advantage of situations in photography. One day it might be this and the next day it maybe that. Well done.
What a fabulous collection of images thanks for sharing. Steve McCurry was doing a talk at Fort di Bard in the Aosta Valley Italy a few years ago when I was volunteering in the region but sadly I was unable to visit, I’d love to attend a talk of his one day.
So much great information and inspiring to seek and look for creative photography, not just snaps. 🙂
Thank you for the great explenation!
Thank you so much for all the amazing and inspiring videos! It's a pleasure to watching them! Your advice is priceless! 😊 At the moment I am listening while drawing.. so relaxing..☺
I am a big fan of Steve McCurry’s work. I heartily recommend his book ‘On Reading’ . I also recommend Robert Frank’s “The Americans”.
As always, thank you for watching!
Please check out the other video about composition here:
th-cam.com/video/AIGCix0Z-Tw/w-d-xo.html
I will soon be releasing a new course about composition, but in the meantime, grab yourself 10% off my 'Learning To See' course on Teachable.
Click here: tpe.teachable.com/p/learning-to-see
Coupon: MCCURRY
You’re like Jools Holland for photography. Only, you’re down to Earths and not pretentious haha. Love your videos. Very accessible and inspiring.
Thank you!
Thank you for this quality content. I enjoyed your tone and ambient music.
Thanks !
Great advice
Thank you
Very inspiring video. Thank you 🙏🏼
Danke!
Steve McCurry is my hero and and I admire his work. Thanks for breaking down some of the more technical elements of his compositions. Although I must say that I think his ability to „read“ a scene and anticipate moments worth capturing are the real deal here.
A zoom helps here sometimes. I find myself always taking a wider shot first and then closing in a little with the zoom. Of course, making one, two steps towards the motive also works. But that is not always possible. BTW: What a deeply saddening picture at 1:13!!! A woman with symbols of peace out in the open but yet in burka prison. Living in a fundamentalist war against half of the population.
Thanks
Despite the good advice to fill the frame, among the portraits here I found the ones showing something of the context/surroundings more interesting than the straight-on head-shots (fascinating though they also are, of course).
I've been looking for a "portrait" lens, but now I think I'll stick with something a bit wider. Alex and Mr McCurry just saved me a few hundred euros!
Very nice!
"Fill the frame." Or the way I heard it, "If your photos aren't good enough, you aren't close enough." And this is what happened to me just yesterday. I thought they were good enough until I got home and looked at them on the computer. Nope, not close enough. Fortunately that subject has roots so it's not going anywhere on it's own.
If you produce a pleasing image, it's almost guaranteed that your composition will fall under one, if not more of these "guides"... often called "Rules".
You may not know of any of them, but people have already figured out what makes an image pleasing, and those "rules" are that understanding on display.
Thumbs up
Man.. this is a good video. I appreciate all the examples. Fill the frame…..!!!!
Steve McCurry may be the only photographer where his images don't need explanation, his images do the talking. Mr Salgado is the other one. Certainly everything is subjective and this is only my opinion.
If you could only watch one tutorial about composition then this would have to be it.
🖤
How would you feel if you learned musician you grew up loving actually wasn’t the one performing. That is how I feel about McCurry when you learn he stages his images but plays them off as photojournalism. It makes you look at an image like his crowdsurfing Holi photo and realize he did document that moment he produced it but played it off as photojournalism.
Interesting how he frames his subjects to make them stand out even if 'violates' some textbook rule. It seems his rule is what will make the viewer focus on his subject and what he wants to say visually about the subject.
Agree on all but I find filling the frame is best done in post. By all means get close but for me I need room to manoeuvre, then crop. This helps if I need to straighten the image and if my image is too cropped in camera I have a problem. Not a criticism just hate making mistakes. Thanks for a great video.
Regarding those portraits with the almost supernatural looking eyes. I've always felt these were manufactured in Photoshop through an eye replacement/enhancement tool. In many instances, the colors of the eyes are inconsistent with the other characteristics of the subject--skin tone, texture, etc. It's not that I think a post production edit like that is a bad thing. I just don't feel it is an authentic representation, but something more akin to using Photoshop to take inconvenient people or objects out of a composition. Is my impression wrong? If I am wrong, hats off to the photographer and I will try my best to find the best settings to capture eyes so crystal clearly.
There is no one as good as Curry
Another excellent video. I like the relaxing background sounds and the change made to your own voice, either via the microphone or speaking style. Calm, confident and inspirational. I would love to have a deeper study of any of these techniques. A full video on just framing or just the fall of light on the image. This video deserves 100k views.
I have posted twice here, and they both seem to have disappeared. How come?
I feel like I should have paid at least $250 for this tutorial.
Finobachi? Fibonacci
informative 9.5mins.
As always, these “rules” are meant to be broken
I just spent about two hours stopping an analyzing the photographs in this video.
Thank you so much.
Great video and undeniably striking pictures, but for me Steve McCurry's work is tainted by the issues around manipulation of images.
You mean that they weren't always caught in the moment?
@@gregorylagrange You could put it that way I suppose! A bunch of his pictures were found to have been heavily manipulated in Photoshop. Not just minor stuff either - people/objects removed etc. A quick Google will give you some examples.
@@MrLukeod I'd heard about the more recent stuff. His old stuff, like the picture of the walkway with the hand prints on the wall, whether he may have asked a kid to run down the walkway so he could include him in the picture, I haven't heard if he did those things routinely or not.
It doesn't fit journalistic definitions in the context of covering events. But National Geographic was about looking in depth into a subject the way documentary films do. And docu films routinely use set up footage as a way of explaining or illustrating. So I don't see that much wrong if he did something like that.
However, for his whole career, he was lauded for getting all his photos as if he saw it in the moment and shot it. And if he didn't do that for everything, he conveniently kept quiet about it. And in that context, I agree with how the enthusiasm for what he does takes a big hit.
@@gregorylagrange I feel that it's not up to me to tell anyone what's right or wrong when setting up/taking/processing a picture. If we're being mislead though, or if someone's amazing ability to capture a perfect scene is found to be just a little too good to be true, I'll be sceptical every time I see another perfect picture of theirs.
@@MrLukeod Fair and valid point.
dang near every shot you show the main subject is right in the middle.... mccurry's stuff is certainly very good but we are not going to learn a lot here except one other thing you didn't mention.... "pay attention to the background" and, of course. the edges....
Ple review the youtube page ''George Eastman Museum'' The have wonderful material.(The Daguerreotype - Photographic Processes Series)
Unpopular opinion: those pictures are cool because he took them in amazing places many years ago, I'd take those too being able to travel without a damn pandemic and now a war
To add to my comment: 4:03 is a better picture in this context for it shows the brutality of how women are treated in some islam countries. A niqab is bad enough, but at least the eyes are free. With a burka, what can you see??
Your videos are about how to see, not how to hear. I don't know why so many content providers think that what they have to say will not be heard by their viewers unless they have some background sound competing with their voice. If I have to fight to focus on the content then I bail. And such is the case here. Yes. Music can enhance the viewing experience, but it detracts from verbal content. Please consider making what you have to say the focus. And if you are having trouble reading this, then put on some music and try again.
What makes this video so good is your teaching ability. Sorry not a Sm fan....
Come to Islam n success