Thanks Noealz Photo. Yep, photography is all about the photographer not their kit. All the great photographers form 30 or more years ago had the most basic of cameras yet they took stunning images.... MIKE
Indeed, but because they think they’re giving out secrets thus endangering their work. This Hannah girl .. was she a student by any chance at UCL university in London ?
25+ year professional photographer here....this is one of the best videos i've seen for amateurs. What you just shared, very succinctly by the way, took me a decade to learn. Well done. Photographers who find you have no idea how lucky they are for the knowledge transfer. I sure wish I had it 20 years ago!
Wow, thank you! 🙏🙂 It took me many years to figure this one out too. Problem is camera makers tell us if we buy their camera or gadget - our photos will be like the ones in their ads. All lies to separate folks from their cash... MIKE
At a time where other you tubers are arguing about the rights and wrongs of a photograph taken 30+ years ago up pops Mike with a video on how to improve our own photographic skills. Simple but important tips. Thanks Mike.
I've been watching your videos for almost a decade now. Your lessons have made me a proper photographer. I run my own small studio in the Emirates now. Can't express my gratitude enough Mike Browne.
That's awesome Helmet. Good on you because you're the one who took my stuff and got into action with it. I wish you all the sucess in the world... MIKE
I have been an amateur photographer for 55 years. I have read innumerable books and articles, and viewed countless videos on composition. None was as good as this simple, themstic one here about "seeing." I am inspired to let all those compositional schematics fall from my eyes like scales and just see. Brillisnt.
I totally agree with everything you've said. I never automatically bring the camera to my eye any more. I check all the possibilities and if that is one of them then I take that photo along with the rest. I try to really work an area before moving on to the next spot. I took your course on Udemy and learned so much from you - and I am still learning from you. I'm 63 yrs old, and The Learning Process Never Ends !!
I've been listening to Mike talk about "seeing the picture" for awhile now, and while I fully understood the lesson, I'm now able to apply it. One mentor I had used to ask me, "are you making photographs like an artist or like a tourist?"
Reminds me of how when I first got into skating the whole world changed. Stair sets weren’t just stair sets. Handrails weren’t just handrails. Parking blocks weren’t just parking blocks. Everything was a spot to skate. Ordinary things you wouldn’t look twice at became some of the best memories of my life
Mike you are one of the best teachers on photography. Love your work, not gear obsessed, not trying for click bait, just good basic help for those of us wanting to improve our photography.
Thanks for the video. What I take away from the video is. Dont just take 1 photo and move on. Stay alittle longer.. think.. and take shots from different angle.. Back home you can then choose.. memory is cheap. Dont worry n fire away!
I will be totally honest in saying that I have no idea about camera settings BUT this is the first video I've seen where some one has actually shown me how the change the look of my photos and managed to keep my interest . Thank you so much .
My pleasure @maureentaphouse5206. Thanks for the kind words. If you're interested to learn more please check out my online course which I promise will revolutionise both your creative and technical skills... www.photographycourses.biz/masterclass
We already have tons of videos about camera settings and reviews on the internet. Videos like this are invaluable and much more useful. This is the first lesson anyone should take about photography. Thank you very much, greetings from Brazil.
@@timelord2222 Yep. I shoot my vacations and some landscapes with a Sony RX10 and every time I think about "upgrading" to a full frame camera, I just have a look at my good shots and I realize they wouldn't be any better on a full frame. Also when I miss a shot, the vast majority of the time it's my fault, so I'll keep it until it stops working. Videos like this make our photography better, not new fancy (and expensive) equipment. Greetings from Brazil.
Hi edmdeposit. Most pro photographers I know aren't gear obsessed. My buddy Simon who i run workshops with in Asia shoots professionally for the likes of Getty, Heinekin, Nokia, Mastercard, Singapore Airlines... He can often be found using nothing more than a litt;e Lumix or some battered old cheap 2nd had lens - but is images are stunning... MIKE :-)
I have only watched around 7 or 8 of Mike's videos so far.. With each one I become more impressed with his knowledge and how well he presents things. I have learned more in those few videos (of Mike's) than in nearly 50 of other people's videos.... Mike, you are a very good teacher and I now have you on the top of my "To Watch" list. Thank you sir for your channel!
Hi Mike, I really liked this video. I've been a photographer now for nearly 40 years.. mostly press & editorial. I suffer from this disease of seeing pictures everywhere.. composing in my head, looking for angles and images even when I don't have a camera with me.. 'That would be a great picture.. Look at that light... etc etc..' I've explained it to my wife but she just looks blank.. I've said it to my dad when he just points and squirts.. and colleagues who never appreciated what we do, and had the attitude.... 'Well you've got a good camera.. it' can't be that hard to get a good picture. It is refreshing to see someone, make a video, who shares the same affliction as I do... Bravo.. & Thank you.
Ha ha thank you so much Gareth. Yep, mental practise is in my opinion crutial because like you, we develop a kind of photo-radar and start to see images everywhere... MIKE
I've heard of chess players who see chess moves everywhere: “If you made a knight's move with that statue, it could capture the flagpole”. It's fine to practise your compositional skills, of course, as long as you're not doing anything else. But if I ever get to the point of obsession where I see pictures everywhere, even if I don't mean to, I know it'll be time for a different hobby.
@@skakdosmer I would not call it obsession, just being hard wired as a photographer. Most of my life photography was not a hobby but a job, and being able to use these compositional gymnastics on a news assignment meant you got pictures, faster and of a more varied nature... Speed in the wire service is of the essence and it certainly was a boon when I was working.. My hobby is fishing, and I wish I could see the fish everywhere..LOL
Beginner mistakes in composition almost always start and end with the position of the camera (eg. at head height) and I think your mantra is spot on and it's testament to the quality of this video that it's still getting views and comments over 2 years since you uploaded it.
Wow that portrait from above was really nice actually, I didn't expect to like that because it's not quite the 'norm' but that came out so good Mike, I myself do tend to walk around things and try to see the 'photograph' in there somewhere, but I am believe the only people who evolve are the ones willing to learn. You are a superb teacher!
A week after I bought my DSLR and consumed a bunch of photography tutorials, tips, tricks, warnings, rules of composition, I went on a week-long trip. And initially, I liked some of my photos, but found that none of them were really special. So every day, I put more effort into trying to capture the scene in a more interesting way. I had seen most of what was there in the first two or three days, so I had to work on different compositions with the same scenery. I did this more and more, and I ended up actually appreciating some of the shots I took the first day because I had tried everything else to change up the composition. If there’s one thing I’ve learned since the week I’ve been back, though, it’s that taking 1 picture is never enough. It’s only after I’m looking at my photos after the fact I noticed all the things I was missing, still. But I feel like I learned a lot, experimenting. And it was fun.
Fantastic 🙂 - Photography is like any other skill, practise makes perfect and we learn the most from the things that didn't go as planned. Also try the same composition - in different light... MIKE
Hello, Mike! I remember being here 9 years ago, learning photography with your videos. It's soo cool to see that you're still at it and great teacher as ever. I'm now a full on photographer, making a good living. Thank you, Mike!
Wow wow wow that's awesome Guillermo J. Park. Congratulations. Please tell us your story in one of our Zero To Hero articles on my website because I know it'll be amazing and insire others. All you need do is use the link below to send us your story and a few images. If you'd like help Melissa and Emma will help you get it just right. I'd really apprieciate it if you would... Just click the green button when you get there... MIKE :-) www.photographycourses.biz/zero-to-hero
Outstanding video Mike. Often, due to shooting wildlife and landscape mostly, I am having less than few seconds to bring the camera up,, focus and shoot so I will shoot in burst mode then crop in post to get the image I want. For example, a couple of years ago I shot one of my personal favorite photos while riding on a bus. The image was of horses in a field grazing while it was snowing. The image was a wide angle which was okay as there was one horse standing alone and a group of three standing together. All of the horses had snow on their backs however breaking the shot up into two groups in post gave me the shot I wanted. The horse standing alone was at the base of a large old tree and gave me the image I was seeing in my mind's eye. I had less than 5 seconds to get the shot. I probably will never have the chance at such a shot again since the horses are usually further north than on this day and to get them with the snow was pure luck. By the way, traveling at 60 miles per hour is a great way to change your point of view quickly.
The No Parking Sign part really sunk in. I saw my own photos in the boring, straight on ones. Walking through the process to include the chimneys was great. Excellent. More like this.
Watched a ton of Composition videos, and this I feel was one of the best ones, and probably the last one I’ll watch, because now I know how to experiment myself by changing the way I look at things. Thank you so much for this video. I feel like I was meant to see it.
Hey thanks D Truther. Delighted to have helped. If you'd like to go further please take a look at my beginners course which explains more about this as well and combining camera settings to get whjat you want from a shot; such as choice of focal length and more. You can try a free sample at link below... Best wishes... MIKE bit.ly/U_B_C
Thanks for the reminder -- I used to do the perspective "dance" almost intuitively back in the day, before life interrupted my photographic journey. Now, years later, I've been able to reprioritize my photography back on top and, slowly but surely, those muscle memories are returning. Your video was very helpful.
This is the best way of explaining the photographer's eye. You always hear somebody say you have a good eye for pictures, but nobody really explains it. This is the most concise explanation I've ever heard. The other thing that goes with this is that the best camera is the one you have.
Got my first camera 50 years ago, always had one ever since then. You add a humble philosophy to your photography which makes me return to your videos over and over again. Meaning, I am very fond of your attitude.
I’ve watched this one a couple of times now, and the key message, to change the way you look at things, has really sunk in. I took some photos of a bridge yesterday and found quite a few new angles and perspectives that wouldn’t have occurred to me before.
Wonderful Sue. Thanks for saying so. Have you seen the creative challenges I'm running every 2 weeks? I think you'd enjoy them - they're exactly this kind of thing. Link below... MIKE 🙏🙂 www.photographycourses.biz/photography-locked-down
Can't please all of the people all of the time but I'm always interested why someone dislikes a video, so please comment if you click the 'Thumbs Down'. I'd genuinly love to hear from you... MIKE
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change"..... Yet another sentence that sums up tons of thinking and trying when trying to find good subjects and compositions. Again a brilliant video, Mike, that makes it so much easy to kind of both remember and take with you the things you need to think about out taking pictures. So easy, yet so difficult, however, making really good sense. Thanks so much for sharing, Mike.
Just coming back into photography after a near 20 yr hiatus. Digital makes it so easy to learn. The ability to take a photo, then be able to see it on an iPad almost instantaneously is brilliant. (It’s hard for old eyes on a small view screen 😁). I’ve now watched 2 of your videos and learned much. Thanks for the inspiration
Hey thank you Redbank. Maybe you'd like to come join in our challenges some time. Link below tells you all about it... MIKE 🙏🙂 www.photographycourses.biz/photography-locked-down
I love your videos again and again. For years. It is really not about the greatest motives worldwide, but about my motives. We are amateur photographers. Of course, in Iceland and the Highlands, in the Seschellen or South Africa, it is easier to find motives that rock more. Photographically, they are probably equal to those of my home and surroundings. It's not about you: what camera or lens, it's about photography itself. Photography is not measurable but emotional. I'm looking forward to the next video.
I was travelling through Melbourne in a taxi a couple of years ago. Pulled out the phone and took a photo. My companion wondered what I had got a photo of. I had spotted a human sitting on a bench half bent over, in a similar way to the statue they sat under. There was a sense of mimicking. I then cropped the image as I had been too far for it to be anything interesting in the taxi, changed its composition doing that and cut out the additional busy detracting elements. Took the colour out to focus in on the similar form and shape of statue and human. My companion was very surprised I had spotted shot, and imagined what I wanted in that image in the short space of time I had. Practicing, watching, imagining all played a part. Working with the limitations, and using the tool I had to hand was fun.
In 12 minutes you gave me more useful photography advice than 4 hours of any other TH-cam channel. You're a comforting cup of Latte in a world full of canned Red Bull.
Thank you Mike, as always it is much appreciated :-) If some of you have problems changing the way you look at things try something that worked for me. Take something you don't like and take a photograph of it that you are proud of. It will force you to change perspective ... photografically and mentally as well :-)
I’ve been subscribed to this channel for about a month after it randomly showed up in my video feed. Being new to photography I’ve been subscribed to several great photographers who review gear, do some tutorials, landscapes and all around photography. But having found your channel here has literally changed the game for me in “Fundamental Learning” of photography, understanding and demystifying the things that didn’t seem to make sense and breaking down of what seem like calculus to simpler understanding where things make understandable sense. I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels that way. So Thanks greatly Mike!
Thanks Kip. Everything we do and have begins with a profound thought. There wouldn't even be a TH-cam if someone somewhere hadn't thought it up... MIKE
Lockdowns got me interested in expanding my horizons, and the glorious TH-cam algorithim has decided I like photography and has also sent me here. This is really cool, and taught in a real direct way! Reminds me of when I was in college studying music and learning how to record a piano professionally, our lecturer had us spend over 2 hours just listening to the piano from different angles and distances to hear differences in timbre. Same idea, but applied visually. Excited to get started in this now!
Hey thanks Chicken Hatt. A standing ovation is created by the musician, not the piano. Creative, engaging photos come from the photographer, not the camera. I run a creative group between Facebook and here on TH-cam - with the emphasis on being creative, rather than cameras and settings. We have regular challenges, live feedback sessions and a lovely group of photographers over there too. If you'd like to find out more and come join in, please click the link below. I think you'll love it and fit right in... MIKE www.photographycourses.biz/pld
I picked up my first camera a few months ago after shooting with a drone for about a year. I’ve always been more about video but got interested in stills while flying and now own a dslr. I’ve basically lived on TH-cam and found many great videos as well as others that weren’t so great. I’ve found a few favorites for different goals. If it’s on technical info such as camera settings and features of my brand I have places I go to. When it comes to photography as an art my selection is more limited. You are my top choice and of all the videos, yours and others, this is my favorite. Very well done. Your message is clear and your examples are perfect. The lesson is now ingrained in my memory. Thank you for your brilliance and passion.
I think the point you are ultimately making, Mike, is that a good photographer looks to gain the highest aesthetic value for his/her images. That is to say, that when you are looking at a scene you need to view it from different angles in order to imbue in the image a longevity of interest within the viewer. Moving around will increase or decrease that longevity of interest (LOI). The more interest an image has, the more engaged the viewer will allow themselves to be, and respond to it with an aesthetic value. I'm making the exact same point you are making, only from a philosophical slant.
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you are looking at changes" Great video and content, videos like this always inspire me, good job 👌
I've been doing photography for about 2 years now, and I feel like I took a lot away from this video and learnt more from this short youtube video than I have in the last 6 months! Mike, your content is absolutely on-point! Cheers from Canada!
I've been into photography since 1983, when I got a Minolta XGM, took a break in the early 2000s (got married, had kids, wife had a point and shoot) and am recently getting back into it more seriously, exploring the digital world. It's very similar and very different, both at the same time. It's a bit overwhelming in a comfortable sort of way. It's odd. Regardless, you've helped a lot. You're the best photography teacher on TH-cam by far, and you've guided me back into familiar waters more so than anyone else has. Many, many thanks, and keep doing what you do so well.
Lots of food for thought in this one, Mike. Thank you. Another of my favourite photo tutors, Ray Scott, has a similar mantra: "It's not what you see, it's how you see it." Cheers from DownUnder.
Always love your videos . I've been shooting professionally for a number of years. Yet Everytime I watch your videos I learn something new! Truly wonderful Mike!
Mr. Browne, thanks so much for teaching this. This is something that I am struggling with and I’ve asked for feed back but no one seemed to know how I could make it better. I have got my camera pretty well learned for what I am using it for. However, I do appreciate to learn.
its been through your videos that I've come to realize that photography is not just capturing a scene but rather composing an image. Its taken my thought process from being a mechanic to an artist who uses pixels rather than paint. I'm certainly not there by a long shot but my perspective has really changed.. Thank you so very much!
I found your channel when looking up how to shoot on cloudy days and Im so thankful I did! Youre an amazing teacher. I just got back from filming some fall leaves in cloudy conditions and I got some great photos of them and some bees :D
What I was thinking as I watched this video was something concrete as a place to launch. I wholeheartedly agree with you about looking at the whole photo. The background middle-ground and foreground all have to work together for the image. What I saw was say take three to five different shots from a minimum of three completely different angles (if possible). Develop more and more experience in doing this and it will become easier to Also, sometimes, when it comes to moving people, cars, etc. with enough photos (taking them from a tripod for example) they can be edited out in post.
Hi Mike, really enjoyed this! I have been telling students this for years. Walk around and check all the angles before deciding on the composition. However, with digital, take a lot of shots from all angles, have a look then decide. It is so much better than back in the film days when one could not instantly see the composition exposure to check for problems! I always carry a hand towel and plastic bag in case I have to sit/kneel down in the wet dirt or wet grass.
I literally laughed out loud about 1.28 secs into the video when you said something about driving spouses and other people literally insane with photography, because it's precisely what I do! Nobody get's it! Nobody understands the total and utter obsession! (Unless of course they share the same obsession!)
Very true. I am working on a project now and a while ago my poor g/f was bored when when I was hopping around trying to see the potential frames. I'll have to go without her for the real shoot
Great advice Mike - Thank you - indeed that is the crux of Photography - I guess it is same as saying "change your relative perspective of a shot, your photo will change". Hence you will have multiple ways to select a great shot of anything that you photograph.
Just curious, as a Chicago photojournalist..do you shoot primarily in Manual or Aperture Preferred mode, and RAW or JPEG formats?...thaanks in Advance!
as always your video tutorials are easy to understand and make perfect sense. many thanks for making my journey into photography over the years so much easier with your youtube channel. Alan.
MIke, Over the years, I've watched, nearly, all your videos. You're a really good teacher, with a good understanding of explaining the things you talk about. Somehow though, I missed this one. I've been taking pictures since 2005, when I got my first digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix CP8800. Since then I've gone through a LOT of equipment... still just a hobbyist, with a few weddings, birthdays and christening gigs in the bag. And quite a few times I thought back to your advice/lessons, about composition, light, shutterspeed.... what do I want from the picture I'm about to take. Thank you very much, Mike :) Cheers, Steen, THE great dane :D
I honestly thought you were being silly when you stood above Hannah and then as you were starting to take the shot I thought to myself he's going to nail this. And you did! That was really cool.
Loved it, I must admit I am glad I stumbled across your Chanel, all ties back to Scotland’s Mountains and Doug..... Love the energy, charisma and passion in your vlogs, you truly are a god send to share your knowledge and experiences. I’m late to the photography party at 45, but have the enthusiasm and passion of a 21 year old.
The most important part is don't do this when you are with your spouse! LOL! My wife gets very annoyed haha! Love the video thanks for the information. Adam
This is such a good video. I would add though you dont' even need a camera for this. I'm constantly thinking even when I dont' have a camera with me "if I was going/had to photograph this/him/her how would I do it?" Which usually starts with visualizing in my mind the final result I want after post processing and everything and than I thinking backward to the settings focal length, dof ect I would need to make it happen. Not only do I get practice seeing images this way I end up with a whole list of new images I want to come back to with my camera when the light, clouds, weather, ect is right.
![PURPEECH - นี่ฉันเองคนที่... (It's me) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NuhHd0hOOg8/mqdefault.jpg)
This is the kind of videos I wish more photographers on youtube made rather than gear reviews
Thanks Noealz Photo. Yep, photography is all about the photographer not their kit. All the great photographers form 30 or more years ago had the most basic of cameras yet they took stunning images.... MIKE
Noted!
Absolutely
Facts !!
Indeed, but because they think they’re giving out secrets thus endangering their work. This Hannah girl .. was she a student by any chance at UCL university in London ?
25+ year professional photographer here....this is one of the best videos i've seen for amateurs. What you just shared, very succinctly by the way, took me a decade to learn. Well done. Photographers who find you have no idea how lucky they are for the knowledge transfer. I sure wish I had it 20 years ago!
Wow, thank you! 🙏🙂 It took me many years to figure this one out too. Problem is camera makers tell us if we buy their camera or gadget - our photos will be like the ones in their ads. All lies to separate folks from their cash... MIKE
At a time where other you tubers are arguing about the rights and wrongs of a photograph taken 30+ years ago up pops Mike with a video on how to improve our own photographic skills. Simple but important tips. Thanks Mike.
Agree. Mike is a breath of fresh air and get us back to learning how to improve our photography. 👏
Thank you Darren... MIKE
My pleasure Ozilol66 Box... MIKE :-)
I've been watching your videos for almost a decade now. Your lessons have made me a proper photographer. I run my own small studio in the Emirates now. Can't express my gratitude enough Mike Browne.
That's awesome Helmet. Good on you because you're the one who took my stuff and got into action with it. I wish you all the sucess in the world... MIKE
I have been an amateur photographer for 55 years. I have read innumerable books and articles, and viewed countless videos on composition. None was as good as this simple, themstic one here about "seeing." I am inspired to let all those compositional schematics fall from my eyes like scales and just see. Brillisnt.
Thank you so much... I'm glad the scales are clearing!
I totally agree with everything you've said. I never automatically bring the camera to my eye any more.
I check all the possibilities and if that is one of them then I take that photo along with the rest.
I try to really work an area before moving on to the next spot.
I took your course on Udemy and learned so much from you - and I am still learning from you.
I'm 63 yrs old, and The Learning Process Never Ends !!
It really doesn't does it. Maybe we'll meet on a workshop one day...
I never tire of watching your excellent tutorials. Another 1st class lesson. Well done Mike, keep them rolling.
Thanks Paul... MIKE :-)
I've been listening to Mike talk about "seeing the picture" for awhile now, and while I fully understood the lesson, I'm now able to apply it. One mentor I had used to ask me, "are you making photographs like an artist or like a tourist?"
Reminds me of how when I first got into skating the whole world changed. Stair sets weren’t just stair sets. Handrails weren’t just handrails. Parking blocks weren’t just parking blocks. Everything was a spot to skate. Ordinary things you wouldn’t look twice at became some of the best memories of my life
Great analogy...
Mike you are one of the best teachers on photography. Love your work, not gear obsessed, not trying for click bait, just good basic help for those of us wanting to improve our photography.
Thanks Ozilol66 Box. Please help me keep it going by sharing my vids around wherever appropriate... Best wishes... MIKE
Thanks for the video. What I take away from the video is. Dont just take 1 photo and move on.
Stay alittle longer.. think.. and take shots from different angle.. Back home you can then choose.. memory is cheap. Dont worry n fire away!
I will be totally honest in saying that I have no idea about camera settings BUT this is the first video I've seen where some one has actually shown me how the change the look of my photos and managed to keep my interest . Thank you so much .
My pleasure @maureentaphouse5206. Thanks for the kind words. If you're interested to learn more please check out my online course which I promise will revolutionise both your creative and technical skills... www.photographycourses.biz/masterclass
A hands-on short and to-the-point video about composition without getting too technical. Congrats.
Thanks RJ G... MIKE 🙏
We already have tons of videos about camera settings and reviews on the internet. Videos like this are invaluable and much more useful. This is the first lesson anyone should take about photography. Thank you very much, greetings from Brazil.
Thank you Rodrigo... MIKE :-)
I am so pleased you still make these videos, your teaching style and passion makes the learning process so enjoyable! 😀
Once again you've shown why you are the best.
Thanks Steve... MIKE
Channels like this, who focus on technique and not gear, are the ones to be supported. Other examples are Thomas Heaton and First Man Photography.
They are great. Another one is Ben Horne. Not even a digital camera is used.
@@dangernba I've noticed that most landscape photographers are not gear-obsessed.
@@timelord2222 Yep. I shoot my vacations and some landscapes with a Sony RX10 and every time I think about "upgrading" to a full frame camera, I just have a look at my good shots and I realize they wouldn't be any better on a full frame. Also when I miss a shot, the vast majority of the time it's my fault, so I'll keep it until it stops working. Videos like this make our photography better, not new fancy (and expensive) equipment. Greetings from Brazil.
Hi edmdeposit. Most pro photographers I know aren't gear obsessed. My buddy Simon who i run workshops with in Asia shoots professionally for the likes of Getty, Heinekin, Nokia, Mastercard, Singapore Airlines... He can often be found using nothing more than a litt;e Lumix or some battered old cheap 2nd had lens - but is images are stunning... MIKE :-)
I have only watched around 7 or 8 of Mike's videos so far.. With each one I become more impressed with his knowledge and how well he presents things. I have learned more in those few videos (of Mike's) than in nearly 50 of other people's videos.... Mike, you are a very good teacher and I now have you on the top of my "To Watch" list. Thank you sir for your channel!
Thank you Axeanda45... MIKE :-)
Hi Mike, I really liked this video. I've been a photographer now for nearly 40 years.. mostly press & editorial.
I suffer from this disease of seeing pictures everywhere.. composing in my head, looking for angles and images even when I don't have a camera with me.. 'That would be a great picture.. Look at that light... etc etc..'
I've explained it to my wife but she just looks blank.. I've said it to my dad when he just points and squirts.. and colleagues who never appreciated what we do, and had the attitude....
'Well you've got a good camera.. it' can't be that hard to get a good picture.
It is refreshing to see someone, make a video, who shares the same affliction as I do... Bravo.. & Thank you.
Ha ha thank you so much Gareth. Yep, mental practise is in my opinion crutial because like you, we develop a kind of photo-radar and start to see images everywhere... MIKE
I've heard of chess players who see chess moves everywhere: “If you made a knight's move with that statue, it could capture the flagpole”. It's fine to practise your compositional skills, of course, as long as you're not doing anything else. But if I ever get to the point of obsession where I see pictures everywhere, even if I don't mean to, I know it'll be time for a different hobby.
@@skakdosmer I would not call it obsession, just being hard wired as a photographer.
Most of my life photography was not a hobby but a job, and being able to use these compositional gymnastics on a news assignment meant you got pictures, faster and of a more varied nature...
Speed in the wire service is of the essence and it certainly was a boon when I was working..
My hobby is fishing, and I wish I could see the fish everywhere..LOL
If you do begin to see fish everywhere, you should be worried.
@@skakdosmer 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Very good point, the picture starts in your head and the camera follows. Thank you for your inspiration. Cool :)
Beginner mistakes in composition almost always start and end with the position of the camera (eg. at head height) and I think your mantra is spot on and it's testament to the quality of this video that it's still getting views and comments over 2 years since you uploaded it.
Wow that portrait from above was really nice actually, I didn't expect to like that because it's not quite the 'norm' but that came out so good Mike, I myself do tend to walk around things and try to see the 'photograph' in there somewhere, but I am believe the only people who evolve are the ones willing to learn.
You are a superb teacher!
Thank you Northern Rider... MIKE :-)
I liked the one from above too
A week after I bought my DSLR and consumed a bunch of photography tutorials, tips, tricks, warnings, rules of composition, I went on a week-long trip. And initially, I liked some of my photos, but found that none of them were really special.
So every day, I put more effort into trying to capture the scene in a more interesting way. I had seen most of what was there in the first two or three days, so I had to work on different compositions with the same scenery.
I did this more and more, and I ended up actually appreciating some of the shots I took the first day because I had tried everything else to change up the composition.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned since the week I’ve been back, though, it’s that taking 1 picture is never enough. It’s only after I’m looking at my photos after the fact I noticed all the things I was missing, still.
But I feel like I learned a lot, experimenting. And it was fun.
Fantastic 🙂 - Photography is like any other skill, practise makes perfect and we learn the most from the things that didn't go as planned. Also try the same composition - in different light... MIKE
Hello, Mike! I remember being here 9 years ago, learning photography with your videos. It's soo cool to see that you're still at it and great teacher as ever. I'm now a full on photographer, making a good living. Thank you, Mike!
Wow wow wow that's awesome Guillermo J. Park. Congratulations. Please tell us your story in one of our Zero To Hero articles on my website because I know it'll be amazing and insire others. All you need do is use the link below to send us your story and a few images. If you'd like help Melissa and Emma will help you get it just right. I'd really apprieciate it if you would... Just click the green button when you get there... MIKE :-)
www.photographycourses.biz/zero-to-hero
Outstanding video Mike. Often, due to shooting wildlife and landscape mostly, I am having less than few seconds to bring the camera up,, focus and shoot so I will shoot in burst mode then crop in post to get the image I want. For example, a couple of years ago I shot one of my personal favorite photos while riding on a bus. The image was of horses in a field grazing while it was snowing. The image was a wide angle which was okay as there was one horse standing alone and a group of three standing together. All of the horses had snow on their backs however breaking the shot up into two groups in post gave me the shot I wanted. The horse standing alone was at the base of a large old tree and gave me the image I was seeing in my mind's eye. I had less than 5 seconds to get the shot. I probably will never have the chance at such a shot again since the horses are usually further north than on this day and to get them with the snow was pure luck. By the way, traveling at 60 miles per hour is a great way to change your point of view quickly.
That's no excuse not to do this sort of exercise.
The No Parking Sign part really sunk in. I saw my own photos in the boring, straight on ones. Walking through the process to include the chimneys was great. Excellent. More like this.
Watched a ton of Composition videos, and this I feel was one of the best ones, and probably the last one I’ll watch, because now I know how to experiment myself by changing the way I look at things. Thank you so much for this video. I feel like I was meant to see it.
Hey thanks D Truther. Delighted to have helped. If you'd like to go further please take a look at my beginners course which explains more about this as well and combining camera settings to get whjat you want from a shot; such as choice of focal length and more. You can try a free sample at link below... Best wishes... MIKE
bit.ly/U_B_C
Mike Browne Thank you! I definitely will :)
I agree. Mike opened my eyes. I will take on the 50mm challenge. Thank you Mike.
Thanks for the reminder -- I used to do the perspective "dance" almost intuitively back in the day, before life interrupted my photographic journey. Now, years later, I've been able to reprioritize my photography back on top and, slowly but surely, those muscle memories are returning. Your video was very helpful.
This is the best way of explaining the photographer's eye. You always hear somebody say you have a good eye for pictures, but nobody really explains it. This is the most concise explanation I've ever heard. The other thing that goes with this is that the best camera is the one you have.
Thank you docchocobo. Please share it around as that'll help me make more ... MIKE :-)
I have learned a lot from your videos, Mike. Thanks a lot.
Thanks Minz... MIKE
Got my first camera 50 years ago, always had one ever since then.
You add a humble philosophy to your photography which makes me return to your videos over and over again. Meaning, I am very fond of your attitude.
Thank you kindly, we are humbled to receive such beautiful comment - Melissa pp Mike
If u change the way you look at something the thing you are looking at change.......... truly said........ very important tip given by you .... thanks
Thank you Manish
You explain in a matter that everything you say is completely comprehended. Thank you so much.
thank you Carlos - Melissa pp Mike
Always enjoy watching your videos Mike. Simple, straightforward, interesting and to the point. Don't ever change! Thank you.
Just mindblowing.looking things from sides and angles looks different.good tip to keep our enthusiasm up
🙏🙂... MIKE
I’ve watched this one a couple of times now, and the key message, to change the way you look at things, has really sunk in. I took some photos of a bridge yesterday and found quite a few new angles and perspectives that wouldn’t have occurred to me before.
Wonderful Sue. Thanks for saying so. Have you seen the creative challenges I'm running every 2 weeks? I think you'd enjoy them - they're exactly this kind of thing. Link below... MIKE 🙏🙂
www.photographycourses.biz/photography-locked-down
@@MikeBrowne I've been entering them, yes.
Can't please all of the people all of the time but I'm always interested why someone dislikes a video, so please comment if you click the 'Thumbs Down'. I'd genuinly love to hear from you... MIKE
I have watched many videos about "How to make perfect composition" now I feel I have got the video I was looking for.
Thanks Maximus - happy to have helped... 🙂🙏
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change"..... Yet another sentence that sums up tons of thinking and trying when trying to find good subjects and compositions. Again a brilliant video, Mike, that makes it so much easy to kind of both remember and take with you the things you need to think about out taking pictures. So easy, yet so difficult, however, making really good sense. Thanks so much for sharing, Mike.
Live demo attracts me. This will help us to improve our viewing angles. Please do more such videos. Thanks for making this video.
Good talk! Thanks for sharing.. great approach to pre-visualizing your shot.
Thanks very much.
Just coming back into photography after a near 20 yr hiatus. Digital makes it so easy to learn. The ability to take a photo, then be able to see it on an iPad almost instantaneously is brilliant. (It’s hard for old eyes on a small view screen 😁). I’ve now watched 2 of your videos and learned much. Thanks for the inspiration
Hey thank you Redbank. Maybe you'd like to come join in our challenges some time. Link below tells you all about it... MIKE 🙏🙂
www.photographycourses.biz/photography-locked-down
I love your videos again and again. For years. It is really not about the greatest motives worldwide, but about my motives. We are amateur photographers. Of course, in Iceland and the Highlands, in the Seschellen or South Africa, it is easier to find motives that rock more. Photographically, they are probably equal to those of my home and surroundings. It's not about you: what camera or lens, it's about photography itself. Photography is not measurable but emotional. I'm looking forward to the next video.
I was travelling through Melbourne in a taxi a couple of years ago. Pulled out the phone and took a photo. My companion wondered what I had got a photo of. I had spotted a human sitting on a bench half bent over, in a similar way to the statue they sat under. There was a sense of mimicking. I then cropped the image as I had been too far for it to be anything interesting in the taxi, changed its composition doing that and cut out the additional busy detracting elements. Took the colour out to focus in on the similar form and shape of statue and human. My companion was very surprised I had spotted shot, and imagined what I wanted in that image in the short space of time I had. Practicing, watching, imagining all played a part. Working with the limitations, and using the tool I had to hand was fun.
Nice one Denise... MIKE :-)
In 12 minutes you gave me more useful photography advice than 4 hours of any other TH-cam channel. You're a comforting cup of Latte in a world full of canned Red Bull.
Ha ha thanks Paul Michael
... MIKE :-)
Thank you Mike, as always it is much appreciated :-)
If some of you have problems changing the way you look at things try something that worked for me. Take something you don't like and take a photograph of it that you are proud of. It will force you to change perspective ... photografically and mentally as well :-)
I’ve been subscribed to this channel for about a month after it randomly showed up in my video feed. Being new to photography I’ve been subscribed to several great photographers who review gear, do some tutorials, landscapes and all around photography. But having found your channel here has literally changed the game for me in “Fundamental Learning” of photography, understanding and demystifying the things that didn’t seem to make sense and breaking down of what seem like calculus to simpler understanding where things make understandable sense. I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels that way. So Thanks greatly Mike!
Ardent Dfender I only sub to Mike to hear his accent.
aww.. bless you both - Melissa pp Mike
Excellent video. “Change the way you look at things....”....actually quite profound.
Thanks Kip. Everything we do and have begins with a profound thought. There wouldn't even be a TH-cam if someone somewhere hadn't thought it up... MIKE
More of this type of videos! Good to see you back.
Lockdowns got me interested in expanding my horizons, and the glorious TH-cam algorithim has decided I like photography and has also sent me here. This is really cool, and taught in a real direct way! Reminds me of when I was in college studying music and learning how to record a piano professionally, our lecturer had us spend over 2 hours just listening to the piano from different angles and distances to hear differences in timbre. Same idea, but applied visually. Excited to get started in this now!
Hey thanks Chicken Hatt. A standing ovation is created by the musician, not the piano. Creative, engaging photos come from the photographer, not the camera. I run a creative group between Facebook and here on TH-cam - with the emphasis on being creative, rather than cameras and settings. We have regular challenges, live feedback sessions and a lovely group of photographers over there too. If you'd like to find out more and come join in, please click the link below. I think you'll love it and fit right in... MIKE
www.photographycourses.biz/pld
Every so often I still go back to the old seven BB and videos like this to get me going again
Thanks Mike
Thank you Jim. Delighted the 7 Blocks course is still coming in handy... MIKE 🙂
LOVE your videos! I've learned so much from you!
I picked up my first camera a few months ago after shooting with a drone for about a year. I’ve always been more about video but got interested in stills while flying and now own a dslr. I’ve basically lived on TH-cam and found many great videos as well as others that weren’t so great. I’ve found a few favorites for different goals. If it’s on technical info such as camera settings and features of my brand I have places I go to. When it comes to photography as an art my selection is more limited. You are my top choice and of all the videos, yours and others, this is my favorite. Very well done. Your message is clear and your examples are perfect. The lesson is now ingrained in my memory. Thank you for your brilliance and passion.
Thats great to hear FLIGHT GALLERY - interesting that this is your top one!
I think the point you are ultimately making, Mike, is that a good photographer looks to gain the highest aesthetic value for his/her images. That is to say, that when you are looking at a scene you need to view it from different angles in order to imbue in the image a longevity of interest within the viewer. Moving around will increase or decrease that longevity of interest (LOI). The more interest an image has, the more engaged the viewer will allow themselves to be, and respond to it with an aesthetic value. I'm making the exact same point you are making, only from a philosophical slant.
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you are looking at changes" Great video and content, videos like this always inspire me, good job 👌
Excellent work. Great tips Mike.
Great video, as always. Cheers from a cold and snow covered Canada.
I love these videos, so different from the usual “look at what I can do” type. So informative. Thanks Mike. Jeff
Thank you Mad for Morgan - I'm glad you appreciate them :-)
I've been doing photography for about 2 years now, and I feel like I took a lot away from this video and learnt more from this short youtube video than I have in the last 6 months! Mike, your content is absolutely on-point!
Cheers from Canada!
Wow Chisco... well there's plenty more where that came from - trust me!
I've been into photography since 1983, when I got a Minolta XGM, took a break in the early 2000s (got married, had kids, wife had a point and shoot) and am recently getting back into it more seriously, exploring the digital world. It's very similar and very different, both at the same time. It's a bit overwhelming in a comfortable sort of way. It's odd. Regardless, you've helped a lot. You're the best photography teacher on TH-cam by far, and you've guided me back into familiar waters more so than anyone else has. Many, many thanks, and keep doing what you do so well.
thank you for the lovely comments and glad you found our videos helpful! - Melissa pp Mike
You are amazing. I have seen so many photography channels but no one explains like you. You are so easy to follow. Thanks.
thank you Ankur Saikia , please do share it too so we can Make more - Melissa pp Mike
Lots of food for thought in this one, Mike. Thank you. Another of my favourite photo tutors, Ray Scott, has a similar mantra: "It's not what you see, it's how you see it."
Cheers from DownUnder.
Cheers Rob. Say G'day to the folks for me mate.. MIKE :-)
Always love your videos . I've been shooting professionally for a number of years. Yet Everytime I watch your videos I learn something new! Truly wonderful Mike!
Mr. Browne, thanks so much for teaching this. This is something that I am struggling with and I’ve asked for feed back but no one seemed to know how I could make it better. I have got my camera pretty well learned for what I am using it for. However, I do appreciate to learn.
There lots more that could help you on my website www.photographycourses.biz/
Always get a lot out of your videos and your courses. Great message in this video for sure.
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at changes. Lovely!
Really nice way of demonstrating how to make a picture, not just click and shoot
Very useful talk..Thank you.
Very good stuff on shaping your composition before you take a picture. Nice to see you back.
Man, Mike, this is spot on. My first mentor made me sit in an alley watching a light pole (for $10 per hour), to see change. Thank you!
One of the best videos I've ever seen on the topic of photography.
Thank you Digital Dark Room... MIKE
Brilliant, Mike! Thank you.
its been through your videos that I've come to realize that photography is not just capturing a scene but rather composing an image. Its taken my thought process from being a mechanic to an artist who uses pixels rather than paint. I'm certainly not there by a long shot but my perspective has really changed.. Thank you so very much!
Thank you Art Snellbaker... MIKE
I found your channel when looking up how to shoot on cloudy days and Im so thankful I did! Youre an amazing teacher. I just got back from filming some fall leaves in cloudy conditions and I got some great photos of them and some bees :D
Great to hear - check out my website for much more useful stuff...www.photographycourses.biz/
What I was thinking as I watched this video was something concrete as a place to launch. I wholeheartedly agree with you about looking at the whole photo. The background middle-ground and foreground all have to work together for the image.
What I saw was say take three to five different shots from a minimum of three completely different angles (if possible). Develop more and more experience in doing this and it will become easier to
Also, sometimes, when it comes to moving people, cars, etc. with enough photos (taking them from a tripod for example) they can be edited out in post.
Love that you use the video to show us what youre looking at
Hopefully it helps get the message across clearly 🤞
This is the kind of video I like the most from Mike. Please do more. Cheers.
Another Mike's masmarism. Sooperb, again.
I'm just starting out, and your videos are really helpful. Thanks mate.
Thanks. There's loads more good stuff including videos on my website at www.photographycourses.biz
brilliant just bloody brilliant straight to the point leant so much after many years ..thank you Mike
Great to hear - thank you!
Hi Mike, really enjoyed this! I have been telling students this for years. Walk around and check all the angles before deciding on the composition. However, with digital, take a lot of shots from all angles, have a look then decide. It is so much better than back in the film days when one could not instantly see the composition exposure to check for problems! I always carry a hand towel and plastic bag in case I have to sit/kneel down in the wet dirt or wet grass.
I saw Hanna, I looked at Hanna, I fell in love with Hanna and I think I may have heard something else about photography....... LOL, great video.
I'm sure she'll be delighted Monte... MIKE ;-)
I literally laughed out loud about 1.28 secs into the video when you said something about driving spouses and other people literally insane with photography, because it's precisely what I do! Nobody get's it! Nobody understands the total and utter obsession! (Unless of course they share the same obsession!)
Ha Ha, plus one, my wife never understands, just sits there and gives me that 'why are you taking so long' look
Very true. I am working on a project now and a while ago my poor g/f was bored when when I was hopping around trying to see the potential frames. I'll have to go without her for the real shoot
As soon as Rover was mentioned, I envisioned a dozen shots, mostly aimed at at making Rover look ludicrous.
Absolutely brilliant as per usual. Really helpful video, thank you.
really enjoyed this vid - great advice.
Great advice Mike - Thank you - indeed that is the crux of Photography - I guess it is same as saying "change your relative perspective of a shot, your photo will change". Hence you will have multiple ways to select a great shot of anything that you photograph.
Fantastic tutorial! Great job of explaining the need and techniques of seeing our photos! THANKS!
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful...
Just curious, as a Chicago photojournalist..do you shoot primarily in Manual or Aperture Preferred mode, and RAW or JPEG formats?...thaanks in Advance!
Hi Mike, thanks for the nice vid... It will give me thought and useful inspiration the next time my camera is out... Keep up the good work...
One video and I've learnt soooo much, especially those portraits. Thank you, for sharing such valuable knowledge 👍
Well Big.E - I'm pleased to say there's plenty more where that came from!
as always your video tutorials are easy to understand and make perfect sense. many thanks for making my journey into photography over the years so much easier with your youtube channel. Alan.
MIke,
Over the years, I've watched, nearly, all your videos. You're a really good teacher, with a good understanding of explaining the things you talk about. Somehow though, I missed this one.
I've been taking pictures since 2005, when I got my first digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix CP8800. Since then I've gone through a LOT of equipment... still just a hobbyist, with a few weddings, birthdays and christening gigs in the bag.
And quite a few times I thought back to your advice/lessons, about composition, light, shutterspeed.... what do I want from the picture I'm about to take. Thank you very much, Mike :)
Cheers,
Steen,
THE great dane :D
Thank you Steen!
I honestly thought you were being silly when you stood above Hannah and then as you were starting to take the shot I thought to myself he's going to nail this. And you did! That was really cool.
I've just started to follow your channel, but it already very usefull for me
Very simple. Fast and easy. Thanks!
Loved it, I must admit I am glad I stumbled across your Chanel, all ties back to Scotland’s Mountains and Doug..... Love the energy, charisma and passion in your vlogs, you truly are a god send to share your knowledge and experiences. I’m late to the photography party at 45, but have the enthusiasm and passion of a 21 year old.
45 - still young then!
The most important part is don't do this when you are with your spouse! LOL! My wife gets very annoyed haha! Love the video thanks for the information.
Adam
This is such a good video. I would add though you dont' even need a camera for this. I'm constantly thinking even when I dont' have a camera with me "if I was going/had to photograph this/him/her how would I do it?" Which usually starts with visualizing in my mind the final result I want after post processing and everything and than I thinking backward to the settings focal length, dof ect I would need to make it happen. Not only do I get practice seeing images this way I end up with a whole list of new images I want to come back to with my camera when the light, clouds, weather, ect is right.
Thank you Mike!! Meeting you is still on my bucket list.
oh it would be lovely to meet you, any particular workshops perhaps? - Melissa pp Mike?
Thanks Mike, that is great and explained in a simple way.
Great video Mike. I have learnt a lot from your videos over the last few years and always recommend your channel to friends. Thank you.
Thanks Lee. Sharing around really helps me out ... MIKE :-)