AMATEUR VS PRO PHOTOGRAPHERS: Here’s the difference.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
- Learn the key technique that separates amateur photographers from professionals, and how mastering this one concept will instantly improve your photography.
Inside this photography tutorial we'll be taking a look at the core principal behind all your photos and compositions: The concept of contrast. Contrast in photography is about more than just light vs dark - It's the idea of using opposing elements of all kinds in your photography to create interest and meaning.
Contrast can be created through lighting, luminance, hue, saturation, sharpness, texture and posing. It can also be created through the way you frame your photos and through the way you present your subject.
Contrast is what gives meaning to your photography, and it's the biggest photography skill that separates professional photographers from the amateurs.
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#learnphotography #photographytechniques #photographytutorial #editing #photography #photographyfundamentals #photographylighting #lightingtutorial #photographybasics
3 000 different pros claim that this "one little thing" is what makes the difference... be honest, it is 3 000 little things.
Absolutely true Leon! My biggest point is that contrast is what makes up an image (Without any contrast, an image would just be grey pixels, and have no meaning) - So in that sense, the pros who create better photos than amateurs are simply better at creating and manipulating contrast in different ways that serve the image. But you're right - There is no simple "silver bullet" when it comes to pros vs amateurs. It's all the small things that add up
@@SignatureEdits 100%. Was joking half tongue in cheek. But you are correct, contrast in light, colours, texture etc works together to create the image we see.
Yep, he was basically looking for a clickbait video title.
I run a photography school and the biggest difference between amateur and pro photographers that come through my workshops is how they incorporate contrast into the photography and editing.
The application of the fundamentals of design are what really makes the difference in any visual medium. Contrast happens to be one of the principles.
usually never comment but this truly made me have a different thought process on photography, awesome video dude 🤘🏼
I appreciate that! Thanks Grayson
Yup same here it gives me a totally different perspective towards photography.
The most important thing in photography is good light! Second thing is good composition. You can manipulate the image all you like in LR but a boring composition with poor light still sucks.
Agree! And most youtube tutorials don't tell you this. They are like: Bokeh bokeh BOKEH!!
And it's all about the story and the emotion !!!
i'm agree with you, a bad photography will be bad, it doesn't matter how much you edited it; a good photography don't need to be edited (well, depending). Personally i don't like to edit, i think that it is a way to hide the truth, i try to take a good photo, but its sad to search photography tutorials, i note many people worried about edition and not how to take a good photography.
As a Photographer, I do agree with you bro.
Good lighting is absolutely an example of use of contrast though and arguably so is composition.
The point is: "This is not an example of a perfect edit"
Haha yep.
Got caught by the clickbaity title, stayed for the legit info. Thanks man!
Bahaha I love it - Glad the content was good enough to keep you around. Thanks for the comment!
I have seen like 200 videos and articles of what makes you a good photographer, not a single one mentioned contrast. Colours yes, but never contrast in a bigger sense.
Really great video! Not a second wasted on unnecessary talking, rather straight to the point and in a nice and quick speed and voice! Tanks alot!
This knowledge isn't available anywhere else on TH-cam in this level.
And what level would that be? Cause this is amateur stuff.
@@eccentricsmithy2746 where's the pro stuff then?
Check out Jamie Windsor
@@gabrielnuer9899 Michael freeman- the photographer's mind, the photographer's eye, colour theory, clasic art (chiaroscuro, use of colour, composition, etc9), gestalt principles, etc. there're too many thing but the majority are in books, youtube videos can't comprise a big amount of information as a book can
0:42 : it starts with a C
Me: colors????
Him: contrast.
Me: col-contrast. Right
Lol love it. Actually laughed at this
me opening this video: okay tell me everything im doing wrong
haha just saw this - hope it was helpful Jocelyn!
Exactly what I needed to hear. So many other youtube photographers always try to teach you through telling you how to create a style or look or some expensive preset, but in reality (like this video explains), you don't need some fancy preset or trendy look, all you need to do is create contrast between your subject and the rest of the photo. This video definitely helped me a lot. Thank you very much
Glad to hear it was helpful for you Hendri! Totally agree - The best photo filter is what you do with the composition, framing, contrast etc in your shot BEFORE you even take the photo.
"Contrast is not always a matter of editing in your composition it's a matter of doing the unexpected or perceiving and portraying things in a different light than what we're used to" the most motivational sentence to pick up creating creative shots. Thank you from my heart.
"Contrast" ! This is one of the greatest insightful teaching I've ever encountered ! Stunning !
Love it!
honestly thought this was just another clickbait but was surprised with great content. so i guess that was contrast too hahaha
Hahaha maybe so! Thanks Leticia - Really glad to hear it surpassed expectations
I think I've been subconsciously or unconsciously doing what he is talking about.
BUT NOW, HE BRINGS IT UP to my attention and consciousness and properly explain what I've been doing.
muting unwanted colors, color schemes, dodge and burn, texture and unsharpen. all that..
before I was like "hmmm. this looks good," but I cant explain it.. HAHAHA!!
Bahaha this comment literally made me laugh out loud. So glad to put words to your thoughts haha. Thanks!
Yup, everything that has nothing to do with "photography".
larsvontrier sure, i bet you dont even make money from "photography" if you think developing/post processing photos isnt part of "photography"
I have no excuses for getting better at photography because of channels like this. This video sums up so much of what I couldn't put into words about makes a great picture.
Thank you for a simple explanation to a complex concept. I can immediately apply this to my work. I had never *thought* in terms of contrast, just in making something pop. But now I have a better standard. This is what sets pros apart in any field: you can consistently reproduce desired outcomes.
You're totally correct Joshua! Thanks for sharing, and glad it was helpful!
The "palace of whatever you might call it" @12:00 is the Basilica di San Marco at the Piazza San Marco in Venice... (:
Haha thanks Jerry! I feel semi stupid for not knowing that, but now I know! 😂
This was SO helpful, and really well explained. I do this already, but didn't realize it's importance -- and now I'll be more conscious about contrast. As a photographer and filmmaker, I'll be keeping this tip in mind.
This was so helpful. Talk about taking the red pill I don’t think I’ll ever think about art the same
way again.
What I really liked about your video is that it helped me rethink what contrast means. I love dark, punchy photos and have been struggling in my work when it comes to making my subject stand out, and this video helping give me something to kind of chew on/look with fresh eyes at what I’m doing wrong. Thank you for sharing!
Love this! I honestly haven't ever thought about this. Thanks for sharing
Amazing - Thanks so much Jocelyn!
Thank you for this! Never thought about using HSL to add contrast as I've been using Levels and the Curve Tool for that. Having a color wheel handy during editing and even photoshoot planning has changed my workflow entirely.
You're welcome my friend! Totally agree - I've 100% found the more intentional you are about your color pre and post photoshoot, the better the results.
Your understanding of "contrast" from a philosophical stand point is really refreshing!!! Its cool how you subtly encourage open-mindedness, without watering down the information!!!
1. You talk quickly like my mother-in-law, so I recommend everyone to slow down playback. 2. Excellent explanation, a video that I will put on favorites so...thank you for this! 3.
Stay safe you and everyone who sees this comment, I wish you all the best!
1. Uh.... thanks? Haha yes I need to slow down! Glad youtube has a slowdown playback feature ;) 2. Thanks Andy! That's amazing. 3. You too my friend, all the best!
I watch it in 1.5 lol
@@m00800 Same!
@@SignatureEdits the pace is great, I watch most of youtube tutorial on 1.5x speed, this one is perfect.
It means my brain processes slower... :D
Really enjoyed this video! Personally I think there’s almost too much contrast added to most pictures I see nowadays but I definitely think it has its uses when applied moderately. I think if social media platforms didn’t compress images so badly overdone contrast wouldn’t be needed as much to capture people’s attention.
Great points Graham. You're totally right - Contrast gets overused and overdone sometimes. Knowing how much to add is key :) Thanks for the comment!
9:45 The problem I have with this photo, and that you see returning in a lot of landscape photos for the benefit of making a photo dramatic, is that the colours no longer reflect reality. The vegetation is not brown in reality, nor are the clouds and tips of the mountains. I see many photos in which reality in colours and contrast is lost due to over-processing in the HSL tab.
just a sort of taste. I personally really like photos with such colors, same goes for really dark blueish greens when plants are in the image
I think the same… its disappointing when I visit a location that looks way better on photos
I was really struggling and feeling bad about my photography today. This video was just what I needed to feel re-invigorated. Thank you so so much!!
Absolutely brilliant video. I understood immediately my mistakes in contrast and the reasons behind the problem, Keep up the good work
Amazing, so glad to hear that Christos!
Thank you for digging so deep into contrast!!! Super value-add màn 🔥
Thanks so much - Glad it was valuable for you! 🔥 🔥 🔥
literally the best tutorial ever!
Wow thanks Elias! Glad it was helpful :)
I never commented on a video befor but you deserve to know that you make amazing job, i have been 7 years doing edits and watched a lot of tutorials and that was one of the best.
This completely shifted my perspective on photography and post processing, thank you for sharing!!!
great video! learned a lot! Quick tip, in Lightroom, pushing the "Y" key on the keyboard will give you a before/after comparison. Great video! keep it up!
You're absolutely correct! Only thing is that Y will actual revert to the last state of the photo, which is not ALWAYS the raw version. Sometimes it is a previous edit. So I personally just reset to make sure it is in fact showing the completely "as imported" version. But I agree - Y can be a lot more convenient!
I'm a photography student, and the color wheel that we're using is different from yours. Purple is opposite to Yellow, Red is opposite to Green and Blue is opposite to Orange. These color combinations are called Complementary. I've seen that color wheel in the video before and I'm confused as of what is it's origin and logic. It wouldn't make sense for Blue to be opposite to Yellow, as they are both main colors, and all the other colors are created from a combination of the three main ones(Blue, Red, Yellow). If Blue were opposite to Yellow, their combination must create black (or white on screens), which it doesn't. Blue and Yellow create green, instead.
There are 3 different kinds of colour spaces.
RYB - Red, Yellow, Blue
CMYB - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
RGB Red, Green, Blue
RYB is used mainly in paints and pigments, CMYB is mainly used in printing and RGB is used for light.
The first two are considered additive because, the more paint or ink you add, the closer to black it becomes. The last is called subtractive because, the more light you add, the closer it comes to pure white.
The colour wheel in this video is a combination of CMYB and RGB colour spaces. As a photographer, you should be using the RGB colour space as photography is all about light. Furthermore, digital media is all created with pixels that produce light. You should also be familiar with CMYB because, it is used in the printing process.
Sounds like your teacher used to be an art teacher.
Hope that clears some of your confusion.
This is probably one of the top 5 most useful clips about photography I have ever seen. THANK YOU.
Wow thanks so much!
I have watched thousands of videos and no one has ever explained this so well! Thanks. Im saving this for reference.
Great video man, ive been retouching lightroom for the last 4 years and I've watched countless videos. Original and exceptionally helpful on such an overlooked part of editing. Thanks so much!
Wow thanks Glen, that's a huge compliment! Glad it was helpful :)
Is it me or did he show a few before and afters that were actually after then before?
It's probably just the audio being a bit out of sync and him going so fast over those B/A comparisons.
Yes he did in the yellow to blue. We knew what he meant!
Lol...good, i thought is was going nutz as i was watching this while walking....
Im confused.
@@leghostinator the order of the before/after images are swapped and they are after/before instead
I watch a lot of videos on photography and no one has addressed this subject from a creative point of view. Thank-you --- VERY helpful
Wow thankyou Paula - Glad it was helpful!
I just learned more in 20 minutes than I have in 10 years of watching other tutorial videos. Thanks for an awesome video! Subscribed
I honestly thought I didn’t know much but this stuff was semi covered in my Graphic Design class. so when I first got Lightroom for myself I felt I had a lot to learn but seeing you clarify these things I’m actually proud that I knew a lot of this. Thanks for the video.
Great to hear! Good for you :)
16:16
Some clients like to choose where to pose. That's one challenge I've encountered heavily as a beginner photographer.
But by the look of things, either the photographer or client really wanted the fountain to be visible.
[Edit]
I normally avoid videos beyond the length of 15 minutes on TH-cam because I easily lose focus. This one was worth my time and very much appreciated.
Thanks.
Thanks Ezekiel! Yes you're right - Sometimes the client insists on something specific and then you go along with it :) Glad the video was helpful!
Working with clients on a daily basis (however on a completely different field) I can give you the advice to take the picture the client wants but also to convince them to take the picture you as a pro think would even be better. Afterwards you show both versions to the client and let them choose which one they desire.
This made me rethink my approach, even though I'm a beginner in a conscious kind of photography (as opposed to just point+shoot with a compact cam or phone). Learned so much from this short video. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! That's great to hear.
Thanks Ryan! This was really insightful and gave me a lot to think about. I've been using contrast unintentionally a lot, but I definitely want to work on being more purposeful with it, being able to adapt if my backgrounds are too busy and using the brush tool a little more.
thanks for explaining the concept of contrast!
btw, there's one more type of contrast in the photo with a dog that you chose not to mention: the contrast of the dog's expression (sad) and the birthday hat (which symbolize joy)
You're totally right! Good eye! :)
Wow, this was super useful and eye-opening. You said it perfectly, it helps a lot if we are a little more aware of what's going on in the image. Thank you and keep up the great work!
Thanks so much Vladislav! Glad it was helpful for you
I have tried to read so much on the subject of contrast and colour but struggled to grasp it.... but this video nailed everything for me. Thank you very much!
This video changed the way i edit and actually changed the way I think about photos in general. Thank you for this video. You’ve helped step up my photos immensely
Wow that's crazy - Thanks Michael!
This is good stuff mate, I've been photographing for quite a few years now and your videos are some of the few ones I still learn new things from. Thanks!
I'm so glad to hear that - Thanks Reinis!
Priceless information! Really enjoyed this and looking forward to your others videos. Thank you!
Thanks so much!
Came across your channel and really enjoyed your tutorials. You have a very nice knack of explaining concepts which is amazing. Consider attaching/sharing the pics so that one can practice along while they learn. It will take your teaching to the next level.
That's awesome Pathan - Thanks for your comment! Many of my tutorials DO have files available for practice, but I'll try to include more in the future too.
I try very hard to create contrast within my shoots, whether it's from the model's motion, the textures of clothing or environments, how I expose light and dark in camera, etc, but playing around with luminance, hue, and Saturation has helped me add a very subtle pop to my finished photos! Can't wait to play around more!
Glad to hear it - Good luck Holly!
Love color contrast! I've also seen many images where lightening the subject and dimming the background makes a night and day difference. At least get the lighting right and editing will be a breeze.😊
Thanks Jay&Jane! Glad it was helpful :)
You have a great energy! Love the info and presentation thanks.
Thanks so much!
Wow I’ve never thought/didn’t know about this, I’ve learned more from this video in this first 5 minutes than I’ve learned about anything photography related in awhile, thank you!!
Wow thanks Tatum - I'm so glad!
Now finally I know why I do certain things while editing with just innate sense of "this looks good". This will also help me save time from trial and error. Great video!
Glad it helped! Thanks Shubham
Hey this video is really cool! Thx for making this, can't wait to test it out in my own images!
Thanks Chris! If you have future tutorial requests let me know!
Thank you for the videos, I learn a lot from them! I'd love to see a tutorial on the mask used on the dress and the bride with a distracting background. Doing something like this in Lightroom is hard for me - I'm still learning. Greetings from Bulgaria
Thanks so much Meg! I have a tutorial covering that right here! th-cam.com/video/D_ZZOno5J6Q/w-d-xo.html
Thanks Ryan for your pace as I think, pared with playback settings, it meets a lot of different learning speeds. (I’m watching at 2x). Also thanks for enlarging this concept of contrast. I’ve listened to other photographers give talks on composition but I feel your video here easily encapsulates everything I’ve heard succinctly.
Loving this video. I stumbled across this process accidentally while using Photoshop and this video confirms how great this process works to boost your photographs onto another level.Thank you
Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for your comment 🤩
Great stuff man! Thank you
Thanks! You're very welcome :)
Just when I think I've learnt enough from TH-cam, I stumble upon this video. Fabulous content and great engagement with the viewers by replying to their comments. I'm a subscriber now.
BTW I don't mind the title (clickbait) cos because of it I learnt something new today.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Welcome aboard! Glad it was a helpful video, despite the clickbait ;)
No cap this is the only tutorial i watched from the beginning to the end. You are amazing !!!! Keep making these videos! Helps a lot!
I know all this already, but you explained everything so well that I watched it till the end and wasn't bored at all! ☺️
Guys srsly, if you want to learn something: watch this dude! 🥳
Hands down one of the best, if not the best tutorial I've seen on TH-cam. Really really really enjoyed watching it and you explained it so well. Deserved the like, sub and comment!
Wow that's amazing to hear Dare - Thanks so much for the huge compliment + like, sub and comment!
14:00
I think we can also note that butterfly is at its final stage of life, while the young girl has only begun living hers. Thats contrast too, right?
Oh neat, missed that one! Nice
I just started get that "thing" for the photography. Probably as many other I've tried editing by myself, but everything was like: "ohh... this slider, let's see what happens". Thanks for putting reasoning and good information for this.
This is one of the best (if not the best) photography tutorial I have ever seen
Just a note: Blue is at 240 degrees on the color wheel, not 270.
At last i find someone that has a more original way of analyzing a photos. Even tho I wouldn´t name all of this contrast, this way of seeing stuff is really practical and clear. Thanks for the video
Thanks so much Berni! That's a huge compliment. Yes I get what you mean - The goal of the video was less about technically covering contrast, and more about expanding the way we think about contrast and how we can apply that to more areas than just the contrast slider or tone curve :) Appreciate your comment! 🔥 🔥
MUCH LOVE MAN! You are probably my favorite Lightroom tutorials!
Really glad you went in detail on this. Most that’s been popping up just told me to use their LUTs lol
That large building in the shot with the birds and couple in the middle, yah, that’s Venice, st. Mark’s square, it’s pretty famous. The building is St. Mark’s Basilica
Im thinking exactly the same( 11:45) but how the heck did they get to be alone in st. Mark's square????
Marko Polic COVID-19...
Wow, fantastic instruction! A lot of value in the way this has me thinking about light, posing, framing, etc. Thanks for sharing this.
Glad to hear it Seth! Thanks so much :)
Went on a shoot at an abandoned mental asylum the next day after watching this and it made a HUGE difference!!!! My keeper rate tripled. Thanks so much!!!
That's awesome! Glad it helped :)
I appreciate what your presenting in this video. It has a strong technical element but I like how your point is more about a way of thinking. Personally, I'm picking up what you're putting down. Thanks!
"Most important component in photography...can you guess what it is"?
Me: White balance?
"It starts with a 'C'"
Me: color balance?
"Contrast"
Me: Crap
Hahaha love this
I actually thought it was Curves
most important rule of photography is that you enjoy it. if you want to improve in photography, stuff like this is good, but is way too much to learn at the same time. if you want to improve in anything that you do, you've gotta: 1) enjoy it, 2) do it as often as possible
This is the point when a video has more power then a book! Awesome tutorial!
Wow thanks so much Keve!
Applied this to a photo , and while the photo was nothing to rave about , it definitely improved it because of this tutorial . So while I may be a little late to the party , thank you for this video !
Thankz techer
Glad to help!
Contrast is also the theme of Peter McKinnon Photo Contest 😂
Ignore the haters in the comments. Good job and easy to listen to. You stated MANY times this was not intended to be an edit of the image but a discussion about contrast. As a professional shooter for more than 30 years... this was a great tutorial when taken in context.
Thanks so much Brad - Glad to hear it. Knowing you've been shooting for 30+ years and it still had helpful content is a huge encouragement. Take care!
Thank you so much for this! I now have a new perspective on how to take my photos and how to edit them!
Happy to help! Glad it was useful for you Michael!
I really expected this to be another "Just push this one slider or buy this one tool and you will be a better artist" with the title but man, you disappointed me in the best way possible :D
Thanks Matthew! Really glad I broke those expectations
is anyone looking for that link where he explains how to edit the background only lol.
In the actual video, top right of the screen is an 'i' icon. Click this button and the link to the video will pop up :)
th-cam.com/video/DSo_DuGC_a0/w-d-xo.html -- This will blow you out, it's soooo good!
Great great video. The way you explain contrast and demonstrate it with other photos is brilliant. Would love to see more tutorials to take photography further.
I’ve watched thousands of TH-cam photography videos and this is the first. Very interesting.
Wow, thanks!
"Professional" is fair and only just a legal and administrative status; nothing else.
Great point Didier. Technically the definition of professional could be someone who makes a living off of a profession, or it sometimes refers to people with a specific education background. Ie a doctor is a professional because they have an extensive education and knowledge in the medical field, not necessarily because they work at a clinic or a hospital. So a photographer might be a professional simply by having an extensive education and knowledge in the field of photography. Anyways just semantics. Thanks for your comment my friend! 🔥 🔥
in our world today, the term is used in "contrast" or opposite side of amateurs or noobs, low level.
it's like an upgrade. xD pro gamer, ipad pro, macbook pro. windows 10 pro, ps4 pro,... hahaha. xD
I think there was some great info here but, the thoughts and speech go by so quick I couldn’t process the information adequately.
Hey Chad! Thanks for the feedback - Absolutely I need to slow down :) If you like you can slow down playback on TH-cam with SHIFT< Hope this helps!
Truth. I ended up "rewinding" alot.
@@SignatureEdits I don't think you have. It's an okay speed for me. It's already a 22 min video, if you slowed down it might get a little dull.
nice video. I usually also apply this tip. See Most of Images don't really need more than 2-3 colors to make sense. By removing or downgrading useless extra color saturation you focus attention on "speaking colors" into your composition. It doesn't need to look like an movie effect, but it certainly helps adding methodology to your workflow to see what happens in extremes, and then identify the key strenghts/weaknesses of your picture and work on it.
Great vid I am new to photography and this was super helpful really easy to understand look forward to watching some more of your content.
A lot of vids i looked at from others showed how to do this but didn't tell you what you are actually doing i really appreciate the extra effort and use of so many examples.
0:45
Me: Chroma-
contrast.
Hahaha
Its all subjective, that last photo of the kissing couple was terrible. I thought she was admiring the plants, I didn't even see the guy. his black coat is like a chameleon camouflage in that background.
100% agree - Art is definitely subjective, and styles and preferences change over time. Fundamentals tend to stay the same, but what is on trend is always changing too. Either way hope the rest was helpful!
Yes, the guy was nearly invisible!!! At least it increased focus on the bride, who should be the main attention.
100% Agree!
Most wedding photos are all about the bride and bouquet and that was certainly achieved in this shot.
and my favorite! :) subjective indeed
This video literally opened my eyes! Thank you!
Thanks for the info. The image of the bride, is that at Highland Springs Ranch Inn near Beaumont?
Is there a way to slow your voice down? It is difficult to listen for more than 20 seconds.
On pc find the settings on the bottom right of the video window for the speed adjustment
Being a "pro" photographer just means that it's your job. It doesn't indicate a certain level of photography...
Lot's of people would agree with you. But if I give you an advil and you pay me $1, does that mean I'm a professional pharmacist? ;) Personally I think professional is more about your skillset being top class, and less about getting paid. But you're totally right technically!
Very helpful I have never thought of this before.
I’ve been looking for years this tutorial on youtube. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!