The one about the books wasn't all bad, it was just badly stated. What it should have said was " before you invest in ten good lenses, invest in a few good photography books." It's nearly impossible to take a good photo, if you don't know what one looks like. Looking at GOOD photos is how you learn that. (The internet, especially Instagram, is NOT a source for examples of good photos!)
Chasing the light and learning how to shape them is definitely the way you photograph your images. you don't just wait for that specific light. learn every type of light and use it to your advantage to solve your problems. bend it to what you need.
Your comments on film being better to learn with hit home with me. I was a combat photographer in Vietnam and students always ask if I miss the days of film (did they see a nostalgic gleam in my eye?)? My answer is simple... OH, HELL NO! I will take the instant gratification of seeing (and correcting ) shots on site. Give me Lightroom and Photoshop over the hell that was darkrooms and my mole hole existence. Megabits beats chemicals any day. BTW I did study in a symposium under Ansel Adams at the Academy of Arts and can assure you that if he were still alive he would relish digital photography.
it's really a matter of what and where. If you take documentary/news photos, then film sounds like hell - flashing a critical roll will be disaster, developing instead of sleeping to make deadlines isn't fun. A good example would be Robert capas D-day photos - he risked life to capture the battle, and a darkroom tech then screwed the roll, wiping the pictures. All these problems are almost completely a thing of the past, thanks to technological/digital advancements. But still, most of the working photogs I know shoot digital for work and film for leisure. It's good fun to do darkroom work, if time and results arent critical. It's a fun "challenge" taking only 36 shots and eyes for metering on an outing. And if you are a camera geek, then the cheapness of weird and unusual film cameras is amazing - stereocameras, 6x9 folders, TLRs, pinholes, plastic soapboxes, soviet rangefinders and 70yr/old SLRs are all way cool for playing around.
@@mjfan653 How many "working photogs" do you know? The vast majority of the several hundred I know have never looked back when digital replaced film. I know far more "working pros" who enjoy seeing just what they can get out of a phone camera when shooting for themselves than any who miss the putrid smell of a darkroom
I love your videos Kai. It's hard to believe I've been watching your videos since I first got into photography around 2009. I have my ups and downs with photography and everytime I watch your videos they always encourage me to get out there and "try" to make photos even though I fail sometimes.
My biggest improvements as a photographer have come from me critically evaluating every shot that I take - what works and what doesn't? What could I have done differently to make it better? I think that sort of self-evaluation, not as a way of being negative toward yourself, but with the desire to learn, is the key to improving at almost anything.
A great tutorial. Best advice: ‘Learn the rules, then creatively break them.’ My art teacher would say, as I slopped paint on paper in the fond idea that this was ‘modern’, that before you can paint abstract art you have to be technically proficient. Same principles apply to photography. One more thing; photographers are sometimes like hifi enthusiasts in that they are often guilty of listening to the equipment not the music. Do we sometimes look at the camera and the tech settings rather than the picture. Sure, if your intention is to sell pictures then you’ll need great kit, but the best picture I have of my granddaughter was taken on my phone because it caught that unique moment. Thanks again, Kai, even for experienced photographers it’s good to be reminded of some basic principles.
One lesson I learned especially for street photography. It’s not about aesthetics, it’s about representation. Represent the person you shoot whether street or portraiture or even landscapes with respect and represent them the way they deserve
Love you man, not only an entertainer, comedian, and down right decent bloke, you know your stuff, and I just love watching your presentations. Never give up, we'd bloody well miss you too much.
I bought a Lumix G70 and I just started to photograph with it. I bought a lense, 25mm, F 1.7 and it is really fun to take pictures with it. I now have to find a program to work on the raw pictures. It's fun to run around with your camera, hunting for nice pictures. It is something that I like to do, I live in Vienna and there is not that much, but the thing is, the camera forces me to not only go out more, but it also forces me to get to know my town better.
When I went to art college we were taught that the rule or thirds (and all the other rules) was a suggestion or a guide not a rule. The word rule referred to the lines drawn in the composition and not that you had to follow it.
Buying expensive doesn't make you get better, it's about skill and technique. I once was taking pictures at a Butterfly park. And this man came op with a good camera and expensive big lense. Made a nice comment about my shots. After a while you could see him getting frustrated, I offered to help and gave tips but he just got grumpy. So I just finished shooting and walked off. I may just have a bridge camera but development an eye for detail and composition when taking macro. Some still believe that it's the camera that makes better photography.
Good stuff, Kai! Totally agree zoom with your feet gives the wrong idea. I think the goal of that is to break people out of the habit of standing in place and zooming without a thought given to focal length. I always tell people learn to pick your focal length and then move to frame up your shot.
The latest I made better in my photography is buying a prime. Zoom with your body gives making pictures a new dimension. I have to think now about composition, light, angle, story before taking a picture. making it all more changeling is so much more nicer. Overall don't look and read to much, just go out, learn your gear, and make mistakes that let you get better. Believe in your own style. You can listen to criticism but taking photos is all about taste.
Biggest tip: Learn what equipment actually does. I see so many people buy f2.8 lenses because they are f2.8 completely ignoring the focal length and what the usage cases will be for them. A perfect example is the 70-200mm lenses. Most people don't need the 2.8 and would be much happier (and richer) with the f4 IS or something with more/less reach. I always say, buy the kit that allows you to do something unique that you couldn't do before. The more unique compare to the rest of your kit, the better of an investment it is.
Thank you. I'll keep that in mind. Currently having the 16-50mm f4.6 kit lens for a6000, bought a 50mm f1.8 (was told it is like 75mm APS-C) and maybe looking at macro and tele lenses. Is this what you had in mind?
@@VisaxLPI would kill two birds with one stone and get a longer macro lens. Something in the 100mm range. That way you have a slight telephoto lens and a macro in one. 2X your current max focal length or 1/2 of your minimum focal length is a general rule I use because you need to double or half your focal length to see a significant difference. After the macro the next lens would probably be your 70-200mm f/4
I believe in a dedicated camera over a cellphone. With gloves on I can take a shot in two seconds, if I have to zoom the full range it's three seconds. It's helped me get a bunch of shots of active wildlife, really cute dogs, and drunkards falling over. If the camera suffers an accident, good, it was a used $50 superzoom!
@@kingsamvisuals Found a used Canon SX280HS for that giving the equivalent of 500mm, sensor size is comparable to a cellphone (ick) but the zoom, the bokeh and the size makes up for it. And the speed, definitely appreciated. Surprisingly sharp and clear at the long end but I'd buy a Sony if I had to get a new modern pocketable 500mm.
I completely agree. Especially with the film camera thing... why is that always a suggestion?! Lol I don’t want to shoot film other than times I’m out messing around with some friends. I could just switch to manual if I really want to learn more about settings.
Shooting with film is awesome, a few years ago I've started with a Zenit because I didn't have money to buy a digital one and ended up liking, even doing the revelation process. It's interesting
I am learning about photography and so far I learned you buy a good mirrorless camera then spend the big bucks on a nice piece of glass, aka a good lens
I so love #6! I hate the old advice of only shooting during the golden hours. Thanks for covering this and the better advice of using other hours too. '" Know the different types of light and use it to your advantage". As for the rules - they are more like guidelines than actual rules.
Exactly. If buying gear helps you get out and shoot and changes the way you shoot it can be a positive thing and could lead to better things. You have to be happy with what you shoot with, while its a tool, it's also an extension of yourself.
Golden hour sux if you have a cozy bed with many pillows, and you hate mornings, hard shadows at midday, that is the way to go; laziness is a under rated skill.
You make the best photography videos on youtubes, hands-down. I think from now on I will only watch your videos and nothing else. You are apparently the only person on youtube who can make a video that isn't a total waste of my time.
I 100% agree about the equipment being a factor. I had a t3 and loved the photos, "upgraded" to a d3300 and hated the photos I was taking, eventually got a a6300 and loved my photos again. Now I shoot with a a7ii lol.
Kai I love your content I was a graphic designer for years and when I got my first camera 2 years ago I watched your stuff to build up my foundations and I now work as a commercial photographer and videographer and I wanted to say thanks for all the help! Keep up the great content
I'm glad to see you have your own channel. 7 years ago I knew nothing about photography but found your videos on Digital Rev and you really inspired me to get into photography. Your method is really unpretentious and practical and has drawn a lot of people like myself into the wonderful world of photography. So for that I'd like to thank you very much! I have just subscribed to your new channel and I look forward to your videos.
I think it's important to know The Rules(TM) because they do work often enough... but it's equally important to know when to break them as well, especially when that makes a statement or provides a new perspective.
Regarding tip #3 I always recommend to people considering a rangefinder to get one with a built in light meter if for nothing else to remind you that you forgot to take the lens cap off.
Hey man that’s so true. I never really understood why people bother sticking what gear they used for the shot. What shutterspeed, aperture and iso was used. Seemed a bit pointless to me.
All my favourite rants in one place! Nicely done. After reading and watching posts about what you MUST do and what you must NEVER do, I've decided to skip anything that makes such claims. Glad I didn't skip this one. Thanks.
Some tips that look superfluous on the surface are important for beginners. "Remove your lenscap" or "set back your ISO etc. before turning off the cam" can be very important in the beginning. I remember, shortly after I bought my first camera, I was back in the store because "all the pictuers look very white". Well, I had been shooting indoors before and forgotten to set back the ISO when going outside. Dito lenscap - you have your camera ready, see an interesting scene, press the shutter button, the scene is over and the photo dark... Small children actually need potty training, some photography beginners might need to be reminded of fairly obvious "rules" before they become natural...
I think that "rule of thirds" thing is just a good way to give beginners an idea of composing. Most beginners (and just random people taking photos) tend to just put their object in the middle of the frame and that's it. Rule of thirds is a good way to break the habit and start experimenting with new ways to compose. After a while you start thinking about composing your photo automatically and without thinking about any rules.
Super agree on the film. Film is expensive and slow, and it makes it difficult to quickly learn from your mistakes (especially if you aren't recording the metadata for your shots). That said, I'm enjoying the process of learning photography on film rather than digital for now. Something about it just seems to get me to go out more. :)
My best tip. don't invest in a mega expensive lens. When you need one for a job, holiday, photoshoot buy it on Ebay used, keep it for however long needed and resell it, sometimes at a profit or slight loss it doesn't matter. Great experience and you have your £1000+ back in the bank. Cheaper than hiring and no regrets about trying.
Gear doesn’t matter? Gear makes fun and makes me wanting to shoot! I bought myself a 5D IV when others told me it’s too early. I agree. It was too early at the time but it made me shoot and now I’ve learned to make full use of it! Btw. haven’t bought a lens for 6/7 months now! :D 24-70 2.8 II L and Sigma Art lenses for the win!
Agreed. One should always start with the best (if they can afford it). Starting at the bottom with poo and then selling the poo, then buying slightly better poo, has never made sense. Lol
I took up photography while I was studying graphics design, so I was taught about "the golden mean" before "the rule of thirds". The latter is just a simplification of the the golden mean/the golden rule which doesn't take all that long to study up on now that we have UA-cam with TL;DR's for everything. Anyone who's a fan of the rule of thirds I'd suggest look into the golden mean. Once you see it it'll be everywhere in nature, in good design, in photography, craftsmanship, and art overall. I prefer to call it a tool rather than a rule though. There are no RULES, but there sure is a lot of good advice to take advantage of.
Kai, you honestly make me laugh so much. The zen moment meditating on two pelican cases was inspired. 10/10 would watch a comedy series written by Kai.
Personally I find that I sometimes will shoot MORE with a film camera than I will with my digital. If I'm out on a photo-walk with a digital camera I find that I sometimes study a scene, take the shot I'm aiming for, confirm it is in line with my goal with the preview screen, and move on. But with film I'm sometimes more likely to take duplicates with different settings just to ensure I haven't clipped a highlight or shadow.
I like that comment about not telling others how to spend their money. A) depending on your personal financial situation, a brand new camera might not be that much of a stretch, or it might be a once in a life time goal. B) even top of the line models tend to have auto modes. No reason why one needs to ‘do their time’ on a shit old camera first when starting out. C) I wish I had any money 💰🤔☹️
Really great topic. All the advice was great, especially the takeaway of learning the rules then forget them; although I prefer to think, "keep them in the back of your mind, as you bend them." I agree with your assessment of the golden hour and I came to the same conclusion about B/W film and street photography being better in hi-contrast lighting or great just after a rain at dusk or night. Great video.
shooting film, for me at least, contrasts with digital not because 'you can't chimp' but because each shot is more precious. As opposed to digital where you can just keep blasting away hundreds of shots until you are satisfied, or your battery dies. With film you only get 12, 24 or 36 chances to make that composition work. And most film cameras have little more than a crude light meter. No Zone metering or weighted metering. Just overexposed/underexposed. But I think the best reason to go film is that you can get a really good setup these days for a lot less than one of these new Sony or Fuji swiss army knife digital cameras. You can get a screw mount camera and lens for well under $1000. Even under $500 depending on brand. Sure the film will cost you $15-40 per roll when you include procesing. But this will make you think more about each shot. The other thing about film; you only have two corners of the triangle to work with. So you had better understand how shutter and iris work together. Because you bought 400, and you are shooting 400 until it's done!
Thanks for this video. I personally was getting overwhelmed with all of the differences and sulbtlties that goes into developing ones style. And your right about one thing for sure! Learn the rules and then break them. 😅
I really enjoy watching your content. Thanks for sharing. SkillShare on the other Hand is complete Bullsh**. I trief ist for several month. The „Classes“ are really bad, boring or just don’t teach anything. I think it’s a waste of money. Anyways. Nice Video!
"Zoom with your feet." Yeah, that's great advice when you're photographing tigers.
Lol dont know why but I actually laughed out loud at this.
Or cougars
Yep.
I had a few cougars when I was younger. They are fun.
It's good advise to give someone else - especially an annoying blow-hard.
@@scrolex ha!
10 Popular Photography Tips - which one should we keep, change or kill?
There's something for all I guess...I'll keep the first ten.
Change the color orange, keep the fruit orange, kill the donald orange
The one about the books wasn't all bad, it was just badly stated. What it should have said was " before you invest in ten good lenses, invest in a few good photography books." It's nearly impossible to take a good photo, if you don't know what one looks like. Looking at GOOD photos is how you learn that. (The internet, especially Instagram, is NOT a source for examples of good photos!)
Rule of Turds. It's all about technique, followed by proper hygiene.
@@alectrem+FBI please investigate this as a threat to +POTUS
There was 1 tip that I was given years ago and it changed my view of photography. "Learn the light."
Explain?
Chasing the light and learning how to shape them is definitely the way you photograph your images. you don't just wait for that specific light. learn every type of light and use it to your advantage to solve your problems. bend it to what you need.
Agree
I totally agree
Same tip was given to me and I'm always looking at light and how it affects everything and makes shapes and now learning portraiture. Should be fun.
Your comments on film being better to learn with hit home with me. I was a combat photographer in Vietnam and students always ask if I miss the days of film (did they see a nostalgic gleam in my eye?)? My answer is simple... OH, HELL NO! I will take the instant gratification of seeing (and correcting ) shots on site. Give me Lightroom and Photoshop over the hell that was darkrooms and my mole hole existence. Megabits beats chemicals any day. BTW I did study in a symposium under Ansel Adams at the Academy of Arts and can assure you that if he were still alive he would relish digital photography.
it's really a matter of what and where. If you take documentary/news photos, then film sounds like hell - flashing a critical roll will be disaster, developing instead of sleeping to make deadlines isn't fun. A good example would be Robert capas D-day photos - he risked life to capture the battle, and a darkroom tech then screwed the roll, wiping the pictures. All these problems are almost completely a thing of the past, thanks to technological/digital advancements.
But still, most of the working photogs I know shoot digital for work and film for leisure. It's good fun to do darkroom work, if time and results arent critical. It's a fun "challenge" taking only 36 shots and eyes for metering on an outing. And if you are a camera geek, then the cheapness of weird and unusual film cameras is amazing - stereocameras, 6x9 folders, TLRs, pinholes, plastic soapboxes, soviet rangefinders and 70yr/old SLRs are all way cool for playing around.
@@mjfan653 I'm surprised he didn't lose it and murder the guy.
@@mjfan653 How many "working photogs" do you know? The vast majority of the several hundred I know have never looked back when digital replaced film. I know far more "working pros" who enjoy seeing just what they can get out of a phone camera when shooting for themselves than any who miss the putrid smell of a darkroom
@@ared18t They were on opposite sides of the English Channel.
No wonder he's so happy...12 inches..lol..great video!
Ansel "12 inches" adamns it is from now on
The real question is ... How happy was his wife? :^)
Def kai is jealous of that, he's Asian
i think the first rule is "do what you want". the second is "learn to work with light".
“Overheating? Sony!” ZING!
Kai-01 Sony-00
Got em
Spot on!🤣
oh,that stupid ass myth again???hehehehehe
I love your videos Kai. It's hard to believe I've been watching your videos since I first got into photography around 2009. I have my ups and downs with photography and everytime I watch your videos they always encourage me to get out there and "try" to make photos even though I fail sometimes.
My biggest improvements as a photographer have come from me critically evaluating every shot that I take - what works and what doesn't? What could I have done differently to make it better? I think that sort of self-evaluation, not as a way of being negative toward yourself, but with the desire to learn, is the key to improving at almost anything.
A great tutorial. Best advice: ‘Learn the rules, then creatively break them.’ My art teacher would say, as I slopped paint on paper in the fond idea that this was ‘modern’, that before you can paint abstract art you have to be technically proficient. Same principles apply to photography. One more thing; photographers are sometimes like hifi enthusiasts in that they are often guilty of listening to the equipment not the music. Do we sometimes look at the camera and the tech settings rather than the picture. Sure, if your intention is to sell pictures then you’ll need great kit, but the best picture I have of my granddaughter was taken on my phone because it caught that unique moment.
Thanks again, Kai, even for experienced photographers it’s good to be reminded of some basic principles.
I call it "the suggestion of thirds"
Agreed. I often sometimes put my subjects dead center. I don't care, that's how I like it sometimes and sometimes it don't work.
“Ugh, over heating..... psh... Sony.” Oh my god! I died when he said that!
I had to check if my speed was x2 for the first 10 seconds
Daren Tan same :o
lol. This guy is awesome ! Love this video !
Kai is definitely enthusiastic
This video reminds me of your good ol' digital rev days . well done
Best advise ever: Remove your pants before taking a crap. I laughed till I cried.
Oh don’t mind me! I’m just dying! Definitely don’t come to my funeral while I die of laughter!
One lesson I learned especially for street photography. It’s not about aesthetics, it’s about representation. Represent the person you shoot whether street or portraiture or even landscapes with respect and represent them the way they deserve
People love absolutes. All these clichés should be taken as food for thought, but nothing too prescriptive.
Love you man, not only an entertainer, comedian, and down right decent bloke, you know your stuff, and I just love watching your presentations. Never give up, we'd bloody well miss you too much.
sycophant much ?
When setting out to capture the sunrise on a mountain check that you've brought a memory card.
I bought a Lumix G70 and I just started to photograph with it. I bought a lense, 25mm, F 1.7 and it is really fun to take pictures with it. I now have to find a program to work on the raw pictures. It's fun to run around with your camera, hunting for nice pictures. It is something that I like to do, I live in Vienna and there is not that much, but the thing is, the camera forces me to not only go out more, but it also forces me to get to know my town better.
Aww man, I shot through a whole memory card before I realized that my lens cap was still on! --no one
I started photography just after watching your videos ! cheers !
Me same
OH THANK YOU SO MUCH !!! Finally someone (professional like you, Kai) explains, that "rule of thirds" shouldn´t be taken too serious.
When I went to art college we were taught that the rule or thirds (and all the other rules) was a suggestion or a guide not a rule. The word rule referred to the lines drawn in the composition and not that you had to follow it.
The hero we all needed, but the hero we don't deserve... 🙌 Hahaha
Thank you Kai! 🙏
Buying expensive doesn't make you get better, it's about skill and technique. I once was taking pictures at a Butterfly park. And this man came op with a good camera and expensive big lense. Made a nice comment about my shots. After a while you could see him getting frustrated, I offered to help and gave tips but he just got grumpy. So I just finished shooting and walked off. I may just have a bridge camera but development an eye for detail and composition when taking macro. Some still believe that it's the camera that makes better photography.
Good stuff, Kai! Totally agree zoom with your feet gives the wrong idea. I think the goal of that is to break people out of the habit of standing in place and zooming without a thought given to focal length. I always tell people learn to pick your focal length and then move to frame up your shot.
The latest I made better in my photography is buying a prime. Zoom with your body gives making pictures a new dimension. I have to think now about composition, light, angle, story before taking a picture. making it all more changeling is so much more nicer. Overall don't look and read to much, just go out, learn your gear, and make mistakes that let you get better. Believe in your own style. You can listen to criticism but taking photos is all about taste.
Biggest tip: Learn what equipment actually does. I see so many people buy f2.8 lenses because they are f2.8 completely ignoring the focal length and what the usage cases will be for them. A perfect example is the 70-200mm lenses. Most people don't need the 2.8 and would be much happier (and richer) with the f4 IS or something with more/less reach. I always say, buy the kit that allows you to do something unique that you couldn't do before. The more unique compare to the rest of your kit, the better of an investment it is.
Thank you. I'll keep that in mind.
Currently having the 16-50mm f4.6 kit lens for a6000, bought a 50mm f1.8 (was told it is like 75mm APS-C) and maybe looking at macro and tele lenses. Is this what you had in mind?
@@VisaxLPI would kill two birds with one stone and get a longer macro lens. Something in the 100mm range. That way you have a slight telephoto lens and a macro in one. 2X your current max focal length or 1/2 of your minimum focal length is a general rule I use because you need to double or half your focal length to see a significant difference. After the macro the next lens would probably be your 70-200mm f/4
I believe in a dedicated camera over a cellphone. With gloves on I can take a shot in two seconds, if I have to zoom the full range it's three seconds. It's helped me get a bunch of shots of active wildlife, really cute dogs, and drunkards falling over. If the camera suffers an accident, good, it was a used $50 superzoom!
Mamiya645 $50 superzoom 😳
@@kingsamvisuals Found a used Canon SX280HS for that giving the equivalent of 500mm, sensor size is comparable to a cellphone (ick) but the zoom, the bokeh and the size makes up for it. And the speed, definitely appreciated. Surprisingly sharp and clear at the long end but I'd buy a Sony if I had to get a new modern pocketable 500mm.
When it is bright, look for shadows when it's dark to look for light😊
I completely agree. Especially with the film camera thing... why is that always a suggestion?! Lol I don’t want to shoot film other than times I’m out messing around with some friends. I could just switch to manual if I really want to learn more about settings.
Shooting with film is awesome, a few years ago I've started with a Zenit because I didn't have money to buy a digital one and ended up liking, even doing the revelation process. It's interesting
I am learning about photography and so far I learned you buy a good mirrorless camera then spend the big bucks on a nice piece of glass, aka a good lens
Thanks Kai! After learning to remove my lens cap my photos are less terrible now.
I so love #6! I hate the old advice of only shooting during the golden hours. Thanks for covering this and the better advice of using other hours too. '" Know the different types of light and use it to your advantage". As for the rules - they are more like guidelines than actual rules.
Finally, someone speaks the truth not that bull**** about not buying too much gear or gear doesn't matter crap!
Exactly. If buying gear helps you get out and shoot and changes the way you shoot it can be a positive thing and could lead to better things. You have to be happy with what you shoot with, while its a tool, it's also an extension of yourself.
Shooting a manual film camera is good advice for a beginner, if that person is interested in learning about photography and not just taking pictures.
"Learn the rules to break em" alright man
Golden hour sux if you have a cozy bed with many pillows, and you hate mornings, hard shadows at midday, that is the way to go; laziness is a under rated skill.
Evening golden hour.
You make the best photography videos on youtubes, hands-down. I think from now on I will only watch your videos and nothing else. You are apparently the only person on youtube who can make a video that isn't a total waste of my time.
It’s always fun and educational to watch your videos. THANKS!
I love your sense of humor. And I'd have to agree with you on all points!
"12 inches behind the camera", I come for the knowledge and stay for the cheeky jokes. You are by far my favorite youtuber for photography.
I 100% agree about the equipment being a factor. I had a t3 and loved the photos, "upgraded" to a d3300 and hated the photos I was taking, eventually got a a6300 and loved my photos again. Now I shoot with a a7ii lol.
I was just happy to see someone from London (I think) visiting the Peak District Edges.
Remembering to take your trousers off before taking a dump aka the rule of turds
Pete Loughlin now that’s funny
Kai I love your content I was a graphic designer for years and when I got my first camera 2 years ago I watched your stuff to build up my foundations and I now work as a commercial photographer and videographer and I wanted to say thanks for all the help! Keep up the great content
HAHAHAAAHA I am in love with this! So many silly quirks in the photography community. Way to put them all on blast Kai!
I'm glad to see you have your own channel. 7 years ago I knew nothing about photography but found your videos on Digital Rev and you really inspired me to get into photography. Your method is really unpretentious and practical and has drawn a lot of people like myself into the wonderful world of photography. So for that I'd like to thank you very much! I have just subscribed to your new channel and I look forward to your videos.
I think it's important to know The Rules(TM) because they do work often enough... but it's equally important to know when to break them as well, especially when that makes a statement or provides a new perspective.
I’m glad I watched. Very good points, especially about composition. If it works, it works, it doesn’t need to follow a rule to get the job done.
Regarding tip #3 I always recommend to people considering a rangefinder to get one with a built in light meter if for nothing else to remind you that you forgot to take the lens cap off.
Hey man that’s so true. I never really understood why people bother sticking what gear they used for the shot. What shutterspeed, aperture and iso was used. Seemed a bit pointless to me.
Love your videos, Kai. You’re the best.
#3 almost made me spit my coffee up. Good job sir.
3:21 Oh don’t mind me! I’m just dying! Definitely don’t come to my funeral while I die of laughter!
You held the 1D with huge lens by 1 hand?!?! 💪🏻
All my favourite rants in one place! Nicely done.
After reading and watching posts about what you MUST do and what you must NEVER do, I've decided to skip anything that makes such claims. Glad I didn't skip this one. Thanks.
Some tips that look superfluous on the surface are important for beginners. "Remove your lenscap" or "set back your ISO etc. before turning off the cam" can be very important in the beginning. I remember, shortly after I bought my first camera, I was back in the store because "all the pictuers look very white". Well, I had been shooting indoors before and forgotten to set back the ISO when going outside. Dito lenscap - you have your camera ready, see an interesting scene, press the shutter button, the scene is over and the photo dark...
Small children actually need potty training, some photography beginners might need to be reminded of fairly obvious "rules" before they become natural...
Kai W is sunburned from listening to the tip that told him to get closer. Poor Kai learned the hard Way.
RIP his skin.
I think that "rule of thirds" thing is just a good way to give beginners an idea of composing. Most beginners (and just random people taking photos) tend to just put their object in the middle of the frame and that's it. Rule of thirds is a good way to break the habit and start experimenting with new ways to compose. After a while you start thinking about composing your photo automatically and without thinking about any rules.
Super agree on the film. Film is expensive and slow, and it makes it difficult to quickly learn from your mistakes (especially if you aren't recording the metadata for your shots).
That said, I'm enjoying the process of learning photography on film rather than digital for now. Something about it just seems to get me to go out more. :)
Love your video style!!! Keep it up! Keep it original! Cheers!
My best tip. don't invest in a mega expensive lens. When you need one for a job, holiday, photoshoot buy it on Ebay used, keep it for however long needed and resell it, sometimes at a profit or slight loss it doesn't matter. Great experience and you have your £1000+ back in the bank. Cheaper than hiring and no regrets about trying.
Joy : depleted.
I think the best tip you ever gave is to learn ones camera. Second was work with the light and not miss out just because. Keep it up
Gear doesn’t matter? Gear makes fun and makes me wanting to shoot!
I bought myself a 5D IV when others told me it’s too early. I agree. It was too early at the time but it made me shoot and now I’ve learned to make full use of it!
Btw. haven’t bought a lens for 6/7 months now! :D
24-70 2.8 II L and Sigma Art lenses for the win!
Agreed. One should always start with the best (if they can afford it). Starting at the bottom with poo and then selling the poo, then buying slightly better poo, has never made sense. Lol
I took up photography while I was studying graphics design, so I was taught about "the golden mean" before "the rule of thirds". The latter is just a simplification of the the golden mean/the golden rule which doesn't take all that long to study up on now that we have UA-cam with TL;DR's for everything. Anyone who's a fan of the rule of thirds I'd suggest look into the golden mean. Once you see it it'll be everywhere in nature, in good design, in photography, craftsmanship, and art overall.
I prefer to call it a tool rather than a rule though. There are no RULES, but there sure is a lot of good advice to take advantage of.
The "rules" I view akin to music theory, it'll explain why something works well in a context, but it's not a set of laws to confine creativity.
I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned from your videos.....and how much I’ve laughed! You’re a hoot! Keep up the good work and thanks.
Am I watching Digital Rev?
"Shit-to-hit ration" made me chuckle. Love it!
My god! your skitches are awesome.
The only channel I don't have to watch in 1,5 speed - a true pro!
Kai, you honestly make me laugh so much. The zen moment meditating on two pelican cases was inspired. 10/10 would watch a comedy series written by Kai.
Chase’s “Best Camera” app was awesome! I used it back in 2009 (with my iPhone 3g!), it was a lot of fun!
Great job Kai, I glad to see a tip video again. Please do these more often!
Personally I find that I sometimes will shoot MORE with a film camera than I will with my digital.
If I'm out on a photo-walk with a digital camera I find that I sometimes study a scene, take the shot I'm aiming for, confirm it is in line with my goal with the preview screen, and move on. But with film I'm sometimes more likely to take duplicates with different settings just to ensure I haven't clipped a highlight or shadow.
Thank you for the vids Kai. I really love the content you make.
Kai, my man, good to see you again. Keep these CONTENT coming up, cheers
The best video on photography I have seen so far in my life xD
I like that comment about not telling others how to spend their money.
A) depending on your personal financial situation, a brand new camera might not be that much of a stretch, or it might be a once in a life time goal.
B) even top of the line models tend to have auto modes. No reason why one needs to ‘do their time’ on a shit old camera first when starting out.
C) I wish I had any money 💰🤔☹️
The only 2 main rules I ever think about is don’t blow the highlights and keep your hand held speed at least 3 times your focal length.
by far my favorite youtube photographer. always making me laugh, Kai! Thank you!
"If you photos are not good enough, you're not close enough" "Shut up, I heard it enough."
2:04
Thanks, now I could put my DSLR to good use on not only landscape shots but also construction
Skillshare?
How many of the best photographers in history used that?
Hardly any? None?..
That's the best tip and lesson here.
Really great topic. All the advice was great, especially the takeaway of learning the rules then forget them; although I prefer to think, "keep them in the back of your mind, as you bend them." I agree with your assessment of the golden hour and I came to the same conclusion about B/W film and street photography being better in hi-contrast lighting or great just after a rain at dusk or night. Great video.
Dude is just brilliant
shooting film, for me at least, contrasts with digital not because 'you can't chimp' but because each shot is more precious. As opposed to digital where you can just keep blasting away hundreds of shots until you are satisfied, or your battery dies. With film you only get 12, 24 or 36 chances to make that composition work. And most film cameras have little more than a crude light meter. No Zone metering or weighted metering. Just overexposed/underexposed.
But I think the best reason to go film is that you can get a really good setup these days for a lot less than one of these new Sony or Fuji swiss army knife digital cameras. You can get a screw mount camera and lens for well under $1000. Even under $500 depending on brand. Sure the film will cost you $15-40 per roll when you include procesing. But this will make you think more about each shot.
The other thing about film; you only have two corners of the triangle to work with. So you had better understand how shutter and iris work together. Because you bought 400, and you are shooting 400 until it's done!
Dude loving your content
Always like what you do . Makes me laugh every time cheers Kai 👍👍👍
Awesome vid very down to earth great job cut and dry and straight to the point as usual...
Thanks for this video. I personally was getting overwhelmed with all of the differences and sulbtlties that goes into developing ones style. And your right about one thing for sure! Learn the rules and then break them. 😅
Gotta love kai
I really enjoy watching your content. Thanks for sharing.
SkillShare on the other Hand is complete Bullsh**. I trief ist for several month. The „Classes“ are really bad, boring or just don’t teach anything. I think it’s a waste of money.
Anyways. Nice Video!
Great tips!!
Thanks kai you always have the best advice and I love how you always just do you, your an inspiration!
The camouflage guinea suit!! 🤣😂
One of your best videos... Thanks