At a pinch - a mobile phone in flashlight mode can often make a big difference - works very well for some portraits where the subject can hold it out of frame. I also have a lightbox app on my tablet which can be set to give a soft light, and there are several apps like this that can give some colour effects too.
Thanks for a informative video! The part about wider angle lens helping you to handhold longer shutter speeds is a trick I use for when I use a ultra wide 10-20mm 4-5.6 apsc lens and I don't mind blurring movement I will hold my camera stable and get sharp photos at longer shutter speeds at 10mm.
what picture style would you recommend for lowlight? I have a Canon 7D it seems to brighten my images for me, which makes it difficult to edit. (I didn't have the settings to RAW, so that could have been why too, I'm still learning lol)
I learned oodles as you explained the differences of lenses. I didn't know, until now, which of my two lenses is better to use. Plus I now what what a video light is! THANKS!!
Cool stuff! Just bought my first camera at a thrift store for a super cheap price. Fujifilm Finepix S1600. Gonna make the most of these tips tonight when I go down to the foreshore to photograph the lit water and scenery
Awesome! What camera are you shooting with? If you are shooting APSC cameras, a 35mm prime lens is great or a 50mm prime lens for full frame. Most of those will be F1.8 to F1.2
@@AK8T3 Perfect, so a 35mm or 50mm prime lens would be perfect. 50mm if you tend to be in larger spaces that way you can keep some distance but still get intimate shots or 35mm if you find the space is a bit tight usually or if you like to be close
Hello Dan I found this video incredibly helpful so thank you for uploading. I am participating in a photo competition with my girlfriends Dad and his best friend. It's been a great way for us to spend time together. The theme of our competition is fire. I had an idea of shooting a photo of my girlfriend in front of a projector that has a video of fire on it (I'll probably pause the video). You already awnsered my first question in the video. I think I'll use a smartphone light with some baking paper over the light to illuminate her face more as the majority of the light comes from the screen behind her. Anyway, I wanted to ask you this. I have a Sony A7C. I was really pleased with this camera when I bought it but I'm Abit worried hearing the focus points are not the same. Do you know how much of the centre of the frame includes the best focus points?
Hey! That's awesome. So with the A7C, all the focus points are the same. It's mostly DSLRs that have AF points that use different tech depending on the point but on mirrorless cameras like the A7c, basically everything has the same contrast + phase detection AF points. Sometimes the extreme outside AF points will be limited to either phase or contrast but only the extreme outside.
So no...sports events usually you can't light with either a flash or video light just because you can't fill a large room or have your light more than about 30 feet away from the subject and still have it work. But definitely a flash would be better than a video light for photos
Great video! I was wondering what's better for shooting in low light situation. Shooting in auto focus or manually focus? I thought that it's always best to avoid auto and for for manual ??? Thanks!
Hey! So with these latest cameras, the shoot just fine in crazy low light with autofocus. Older cameras used to struggle in these areas but especially if you have a wide aperture prime lens on any newish camera, you should have no issues using autofocus
@@learningcameras Ok great, thanks! I just got the sigma 56mm for my canon m50. When I do photos in the day time would yo say that it's best to do manual focus for each shot or also keep the focus on auto? I was told to get out of shooting on auto mode and so now I'm learning to shoot in manual. But when it comes to manual FOCUS, when are the times that I should use it compared to the auto focus? I always thought that manual was always better for most things? Thanks again! Just subscribed :)
@@Apologia5 Nice! So I'd say, you should be good with autofocus for just about everything. It is pretty rare for me to hit up manual focus but some examples would be for macro or when you have a non moving subject and probably the camera on a tripod such as landscapes...but even then AF usually is perfect
@@learningcameras This is good to know! Hey do you know much about ND Filters? I ordered one for the Sigma 56mm lens. I know the purpose that they are for. But when shooting outside would you say that there are times when you don't need one on? Even on cloudy days it can still be bright. Do people usually shoot with nd filters always on? Besides indoors, when would be times that I wouldn't need to have one on?
@@Apologia5 So I rarely use ND filters for photos but all the time for video. The only time you would want an ND filter for images is if you intentionally want a slower shutter speed
Great video and awesome tips Dan. Question for you, which light did you show at the end? I currently own a few flashes and speedlights (Godox) but never invested in small lighting like the one you shared in your video. Which lighting do you recommend for video/photography.
Thanks Eddie! The LED light is this one: amzn.to/2uBRSix This is definitely more of a small LED light but it is full RGB so can be really awesome for adding some back light as well. Not going to be powerful enough to fully light a subject in daylight though
Raw offers significantly more dynamic range and a better ability to color grade. As someone who edits my photos, I highly recommend shooting RAW unless you rarely ever edit anything
Outer focus points will still be sharper than focus with the centre and reframe...especially at a high aperture or short focal length lens like a 50 etc.
Not if the camera isn't focusing at all or missing focus haha. This is for if you are struggling to get focus because it's too dark and/or you have a objective with little contrast. If so, use the center point and you will be way better off. But, if the outside points are working absolutely use them! That's what they are there for
At a pinch - a mobile phone in flashlight mode can often make a big difference - works very well for some portraits where the subject can hold it out of frame. I also have a lightbox app on my tablet which can be set to give a soft light, and there are several apps like this that can give some colour effects too.
Absolutely! Great idea
Hey Dan! Thank you for this video this helped a lot!
Awesome! Glad it helped
Thank you
Omg your video sound is amazing! May I know how did you set-up your recording and any tips for editing sound?
Thanks! I'm using a shotgun mic slightly out of frame: bhpho.to/3zrwXzL
Great video thank you for all the tips, love Martins idea of a light box app too.
Your video was very helpful and kept me intrigued other videos get boring and don’t keep my attention thanks. I definitely hit that subscribe button.
Appreciate that!
Focus points , great tip !
It's one we have probably read in a spec sheet but rarely actually think about when we are shooting!
Thanks for a informative video!
The part about wider angle lens helping you to handhold longer shutter speeds is a trick I use for when I use a ultra wide 10-20mm 4-5.6 apsc lens and I don't mind blurring movement I will hold my camera stable and get sharp photos at longer shutter speeds at 10mm.
Awesome! Glad you are actually using that tip
Thanks!
You have a new fan
what picture style would you recommend for lowlight? I have a Canon 7D it seems to brighten my images for me, which makes it difficult to edit. (I didn't have the settings to RAW, so that could have been why too, I'm still learning lol)
Thank you. I really appreciate how you explain everything. This helped me a lot.
Thanks for the great video, Mr. Watson. Great and helpful tips!
Appreciate that Hank!
So howd you get the clear picture of the guy playing with fire if you want them to not move?
point a gun behind the camera
This was very helpful. Subscribing to your channel and combing through your archives! Thanks! 😊
Thanks so much Jenny!!!
Love the tip of using a wider angle!
I learned oodles as you explained the differences of lenses. I didn't know, until now, which of my two lenses is better to use. Plus I now what what a video light is!
THANKS!!
Thanks Dan! Great tips and thanks for the links. 👍
Thanks for the vid
Cool stuff! Just bought my first camera at a thrift store for a super cheap price. Fujifilm Finepix S1600. Gonna make the most of these tips tonight when I go down to the foreshore to photograph the lit water and scenery
I remember when I had my first beer. And needed these types of videos. Thanks man.
Thank you🙏❤
great vid, thanks
New to channel, this was a helpful video. Could you recommend a lens/lenses to use of for birth photography? F2.8 range.
Awesome! What camera are you shooting with? If you are shooting APSC cameras, a 35mm prime lens is great or a 50mm prime lens for full frame. Most of those will be F1.8 to F1.2
@@learningcameras Thanks for your reply. I have an oldie, 60D… would your recommendation still be suitable to work with it?
@@AK8T3 Perfect, so a 35mm or 50mm prime lens would be perfect. 50mm if you tend to be in larger spaces that way you can keep some distance but still get intimate shots or 35mm if you find the space is a bit tight usually or if you like to be close
@@learningcameras Thank you! So appreciate your information sharing, I’m going to look out for these and get my hands on one.
whats the brand of the mini tripod for your video led light ? and how is it called exactly ?
Great tips! Thank you
Hello Dan
I found this video incredibly helpful so thank you for uploading. I am participating in a photo competition with my girlfriends Dad and his best friend. It's been a great way for us to spend time together. The theme of our competition is fire. I had an idea of shooting a photo of my girlfriend in front of a projector that has a video of fire on it (I'll probably pause the video). You already awnsered my first question in the video. I think I'll use a smartphone light with some baking paper over the light to illuminate her face more as the majority of the light comes from the screen behind her.
Anyway, I wanted to ask you this. I have a Sony A7C. I was really pleased with this camera when I bought it but I'm Abit worried hearing the focus points are not the same. Do you know how much of the centre of the frame includes the best focus points?
Hey! That's awesome.
So with the A7C, all the focus points are the same. It's mostly DSLRs that have AF points that use different tech depending on the point but on mirrorless cameras like the A7c, basically everything has the same contrast + phase detection AF points. Sometimes the extreme outside AF points will be limited to either phase or contrast but only the extreme outside.
How about when shooting sport event would you recommend still getting a video light
So no...sports events usually you can't light with either a flash or video light just because you can't fill a large room or have your light more than about 30 feet away from the subject and still have it work. But definitely a flash would be better than a video light for photos
@@learningcameras If had a lens with wide aperture that should work like 2.8?
@@ShavonSmith That would definitely help quality. You can also use prime lenses for even more light like an 85mm F1.8
@@learningcameras Ok ask because i have sigma 17-50 f2.8
Fantastic , educational and informative video Mr Watson!!! Thank you 😊
Thanks so much Italo!
great video for all
Great video! I was wondering what's better for shooting in low light situation. Shooting in auto focus or manually focus? I thought that it's always best to avoid auto and for for manual ??? Thanks!
Hey! So with these latest cameras, the shoot just fine in crazy low light with autofocus. Older cameras used to struggle in these areas but especially if you have a wide aperture prime lens on any newish camera, you should have no issues using autofocus
@@learningcameras Ok great, thanks!
I just got the sigma 56mm for my canon m50. When I do photos in the day time would yo say that it's best to do manual focus for each shot or also keep the focus on auto?
I was told to get out of shooting on auto mode and so now I'm learning to shoot in manual. But when it comes to manual FOCUS, when are the times that I should use it compared to the auto focus? I always thought that manual was always better for most things? Thanks again! Just subscribed :)
@@Apologia5 Nice! So I'd say, you should be good with autofocus for just about everything. It is pretty rare for me to hit up manual focus but some examples would be for macro or when you have a non moving subject and probably the camera on a tripod such as landscapes...but even then AF usually is perfect
@@learningcameras This is good to know!
Hey do you know much about ND Filters? I ordered one for the Sigma 56mm lens. I know the purpose that they are for. But when shooting outside would you say that there are times when you don't need one on? Even on cloudy days it can still be bright. Do people usually shoot with nd filters always on? Besides indoors, when would be times that I wouldn't need to have one on?
@@Apologia5 So I rarely use ND filters for photos but all the time for video. The only time you would want an ND filter for images is if you intentionally want a slower shutter speed
Great video and awesome tips Dan. Question for you, which light did you show at the end? I currently own a few flashes and speedlights (Godox) but never invested in small lighting like the one you shared in your video. Which lighting do you recommend for video/photography.
Thanks Eddie! The LED light is this one: amzn.to/2uBRSix
This is definitely more of a small LED light but it is full RGB so can be really awesome for adding some back light as well. Not going to be powerful enough to fully light a subject in daylight though
Thanks for this insightful video! And you deliver the message very well. Great tips!
Thanks nice tips!
What are your thoughts on JPEG vs RAW? I prefer to shoot in JPEG to save time
Raw offers significantly more dynamic range and a better ability to color grade. As someone who edits my photos, I highly recommend shooting RAW unless you rarely ever edit anything
@@learningcameras thanks for the kind input. Will take that into consideration. Loving all your contents. Keep them coming!
what is the intro song name ??
Outer focus points will still be sharper than focus with the centre and reframe...especially at a high aperture or short focal length lens like a 50 etc.
Not if the camera isn't focusing at all or missing focus haha. This is for if you are struggling to get focus because it's too dark and/or you have a objective with little contrast. If so, use the center point and you will be way better off. But, if the outside points are working absolutely use them! That's what they are there for
Whatever you use for mic sounds weird
Wait this isn't Enterprise Earth
💯💯💯💯💯💯
Do you have an old camera? I love photography but I don't have camera 😔
📸🎬🎥
Thanks Dan! Great tips and thanks for the links. 👍