You've got some great shots there and some wonderful tips. I think sometimes though the memory is more priceless than any monetary reward. I recommend getting photos first, then try to upgrade. I recently took a photo of a Bushtit that has a Sapsuckers wells behind it. Technically flawed, but more precious to me than any unflawed background.
Very interesting. There is no guarantee regular folks would prefer perfect photo with no distractions or noticable to professionals issues over less technically perfect photo.
Fantastic and thank you. I thought I knew how important a background was but I had no idea just how distracting it can be and how much it can take away from the subject. Food for thought right here. Really appreciate your time and I think my keeper numbers will reduce greatly while quality will increase greatly.
Good video, but what I would love to know, is how with this line of thinking/criteria a photo like the one that won the 59th WPOY actually ends up winning.
Invaluable information! Thank you so much! Definitely looking at my pictures a lot differently. This is one the best videos on photography I’ve seen in a long time, might be the best.
Awesome video Tin man 👏 I’m a 30yo beginner and find your videos to be highly insightful and fun, so thank you. In profession I’m a UI designer and everything you said around avoiding distraction are the same rules we apply in design patters, so to me everything you’ve said makes sense. Just followed you on insta 👊
I really enjoyed listening to this. I am just starting out in photography and feel that Wildlife is ‘my thing’. Really appreciate your tips and advice and shall put them to use. Love your work which inspires me to improve my skills!!
Great video Tin Man! One thing that would help the viewers (in ETTR discussion) is to point out your exposure settings. Many are afraid to boost iso "too high" it would be really nice to understand your ISO in the Polar Bear images (and SS too but not req.) Lastly, crop factor. I find (again) too many folks use high MP sensors and crop in too far as an excuse for lack of zoom. Thank you so much for your time and exuberance to educate us freely.
Thanks Tin Man, Like you I always consider the background it’s as important as the subject, also a good exposure as bright as possible, shooting to the right really is our friend! 👏👍😀
This has challenged and inspired me. I live in Nairobi, just less than 50mins drive from the Nairobi National park...I have never stepped into that park....
I'm going through my photos looking for ones with the least distractions now. Interesting how knowing something like this can change everything you've been doing.
Yeah, interesting to talk about the over exposed technique . I shot a golden sunrise mountains and most of photos was over exposed as I set to manual and accidently recovered the photos just reduced the exposures during editing and since then I use for landscape shots intentionally. Just last 3 years ,I saw video about the exposed to histogram on landscape. He intentionally do it exposed to sky and background dark area. He said that historgram we read it was jpeg files not a raw files. So there is some different when you compare to raw files during the adobe editing although you did not shoot jpeg. For Nikon and Canon there is slight different , Nikon can take up to +0.3 , +0.7 and +1 stop as using Z7 in landscape suitation but mostly less then 1 stop. But shooting birds or animals I never thought it can apply here too. Now I know when to use it. Thanks TMlee.
I'm a beginner. I'm a 9-5 I.T. guy wanting to change my life as well. I do want to sell my photos if they are good. Thank you for teaching us about this necessary information. Do you have a video discussing where you upload these to sell?
I was in biotech-IT before. I don't really upload to sell. Just share your work in IG and FB, and if it evokes emotion, people will reach out to you for publication and print sales.
Just wondering if you have chosen your your students to mentor yet? I have been looking for something like this where I can get much better at Wildlife Photography as I do not have a long time. I have been learning about photography for 5 years since I was 48, and now with a diagnosis of ‘Psoriatic Arthritis I don’t have enough time do do everything I want to do and my learning period has shortened drastically. If you have any room left I would love that so I can do the things I want and leave the memories I make with photography for my family. 😊
Thanks for your message and I am sorry to hear about your medical condition. Right now my mentorship cohorts are full but I will announce it once I decide on a new cohort. Will have several tours coming up this summer so I will be a bit busy. But please let me know if you have any questions.
I think this video is mostly aimed at people who want to be professional photographers. I don't agree with you about most of the "non-photos" in that I am NOT distracted by the lines or background behind the Alaska bears. I never would have noticed it if you hadn't pointed it out. I just saw the bears. I think YOU see the distractions because photography is your life, your business. The honest truth is, the vast supermajority of photographers are NEVER going to make money from it. It's an expensive hobby. 99% of photographers will never make more money than they spend.
Agreed. In the bear photo, the horizon was obscured by the splashing water but that just displaced the area of contrast that supposedly creates distraction from one area to another. The hard line is lost but in previous photos, it wasn't necessarily a contrast line but contrast in general that he complained of.
Very interesting indeed, but I have a question. there is no doubt that simplification makes photos very attractive, but isn't it just a matter of style? You brought examples from art to support it. But after all there many classical photos that create 'distracting background' as part of the photo. What about the Mona Lisa, for instance or even more extreme Gauguin's Nafea faa ipoipo. In these photos if you take the background away you lose the magic of the photo. Isn't it on a case by case basis? In other words, isn't judging that background is a distraction reduces the range of type of photos that can be considered wonderful?
Thanks for your comment. Since I only had an hour I couldn’t go deeper. Simpler background is just one way. The key is to have a background that helps the story. Not distracting background that takes the emotion away. Mona Lisa is a powerful shot where the background enhance the whole story with the mountain, river, etc all leading the eyes towards the eyes of Mona Lisa creating a pleasant visual journey and that’s the most powerful kind of background. But before one can do that one has to be aware of distracting branches and sticks near the animal. For example, Mangelsen’s polar bear and the Arctic fox has stunning background of the winter landscapes that enhance the story.
Tin Man, I would like to dedicate myself full time to photography... but it is difficult to team up with someone to build something lasting. That's why I somehow limit myself to the hobby level. Sometimes I hate to invest so much money in these toys and not bring profit...
I wonder where you post your pictures? I am not crazy about making money. I have a full time job that provides me stable income. I am interested in conservation and protecting animals. Please let me know where I can donate my photos?
Very helpful and informative video! I generally agree with you on the points you mentioned on how to move from good to great images but in this video you only showed examples of mammals and only a few(bad examples)of birds. Being predominantly a bird photographer it's nearly impossible not to include some foliage and flowers and that as a foreground or background or even as a frame adds to the picture. Bird on a stick with bokeh backgrounds while beautiful i don't think are award winning anymore. Is it?
You've got some great shots there and some wonderful tips. I think sometimes though the memory is more priceless than any monetary reward. I recommend getting photos first, then try to upgrade. I recently took a photo of a Bushtit that has a Sapsuckers wells behind it. Technically flawed, but more precious to me than any unflawed background.
Every photographer should watch this ❤
Very interesting. There is no guarantee regular folks would prefer perfect photo with no distractions or noticable to professionals issues over less technically perfect photo.
Fantastic and thank you. I thought I knew how important a background was but I had no idea just how distracting it can be and how much it can take away from the subject. Food for thought right here.
Really appreciate your time and I think my keeper numbers will reduce greatly while quality will increase greatly.
Good video, but what I would love to know, is how with this line of thinking/criteria a photo like the one that won the 59th WPOY actually ends up winning.
Great Job! I finally found what I have been looking for. Thank you, thank you, thank you Tin Man! More please...
Wonderful guide. So much good info here that I have watched your video multiple times. This is golden, thank you!
Invaluable information! Thank you so much! Definitely looking at my pictures a lot differently. This is one the best videos on photography I’ve seen in a long time, might be the best.
Thank you tinman! Enjoyed the webinar and learned a lot!👍
Awesome video Tin man 👏 I’m a 30yo beginner and find your videos to be highly insightful and fun, so thank you.
In profession I’m a UI designer and everything you said around avoiding distraction are the same rules we apply in design patters, so to me everything you’ve said makes sense.
Just followed you on insta 👊
Great to hear that. I started photography around the same time! Can’t wait to talk more.
A fabulous talk. Very educational. Thank you and continued success to you.
Awesome content. I will definitely will apply these principles to get better photos. I will download your metering PDF. Thanks a lot
Awesome to hear. Keep me posted how it turns out.
Excellent advice, thanks for showing the process and the before and after photos; that let's us know it's possible.
Hello Tinman Lee, this is a real great masterclass. Learnt so much from you in such a short time. Greeting from OMAN 🇴🇲
Awesome Video! I have watched many Nature Photography videos on UA-cam and this is one of the best! Thank you so much Tin Man Lee!
Wow thanks so much for your kind words Mike. Means a lot!
I really enjoyed listening to this. I am just starting out in photography and feel that Wildlife is ‘my thing’. Really appreciate your tips and advice and shall put them to use. Love your work which inspires me to improve my skills!!
Great to hear that it’s helpful. Good luck! Once you feel it trust your gut feeling.
Great video Tin Man! One thing that would help the viewers (in ETTR discussion) is to point out your exposure settings. Many are afraid to boost iso "too high" it would be really nice to understand your ISO in the Polar Bear images (and SS too but not req.) Lastly, crop factor. I find (again) too many folks use high MP sensors and crop in too far as an excuse for lack of zoom. Thank you so much for your time and exuberance to educate us freely.
Spot on buddy, I need to share this with some folks.
Big big thanks my friend!
Some of the non-photos I thought were amazing, but wow…. I really learned a lot
This is invaluable advice if you realize that you have improved your photography skills, but are stuck in a rut and need to up your game.
Thanks Tin Man, Like you I always consider the background it’s as important as the subject, also a good exposure as bright as possible, shooting to the right really is our friend! 👏👍😀
Amazing, one of the best videos out there🎉
That means a lot.
This has challenged and inspired me. I live in Nairobi, just less than 50mins drive from the Nairobi National park...I have never stepped into that park....
I'm going through my photos looking for ones with the least distractions now. Interesting how knowing something like this can change everything you've been doing.
Brilliant video, Excellent advice!
Really appreciate your kind words!
Really valuable advice. Great video
Thanks for your kind words. Let me know if you have any questions.
Yeah, interesting to talk about the over exposed technique . I shot a golden sunrise mountains and most of photos was over exposed as I set to manual and accidently recovered the photos just reduced the exposures during editing and since then I use for landscape shots intentionally. Just last 3 years ,I saw video about the exposed to histogram on landscape. He intentionally do it exposed to sky and background dark area. He said that historgram we read it was jpeg files not a raw files. So there is some different when you compare to raw files during the adobe editing although you did not shoot jpeg. For Nikon and Canon there is slight different , Nikon can take up to +0.3 , +0.7 and +1 stop as using Z7 in landscape suitation but mostly less then 1 stop. But shooting birds or animals I never thought it can apply here too. Now I know when to use it. Thanks TMlee.
Thank you for sharing you knowledge,I enjoyed it very much .
Thank you for all your videos, your teachings and the Mentor-ship opportunity for us! You are the only one on in this! 🙏
Great to hear from you. Emailed you. :)
@@TinManLee 🙏
Thank you for sharing your photos and ideas .
I'm a beginner. I'm a 9-5 I.T. guy wanting to change my life as well. I do want to sell my photos if they are good. Thank you for teaching us about this necessary information. Do you have a video discussing where you upload these to sell?
I was in biotech-IT before. I don't really upload to sell. Just share your work in IG and FB, and if it evokes emotion, people will reach out to you for publication and print sales.
Just wondering if you have chosen your your students to mentor yet? I have been looking for something like this where I can get much better at Wildlife Photography as I do not have a long time. I have been learning about photography for 5 years since I was 48, and now with a diagnosis of ‘Psoriatic Arthritis I don’t have enough time do do everything I want to do and my learning period has shortened drastically. If you have any room left I would love that so I can do the things I want and leave the memories I make with photography for my family. 😊
Thanks for your message and I am sorry to hear about your medical condition. Right now my mentorship cohorts are full but I will announce it once I decide on a new cohort. Will have several tours coming up this summer so I will be a bit busy. But please let me know if you have any questions.
Very intense. Sometimes over whelming. Worth reviewing once a month
Very interesting info, i sort of do this but need to be more aware of the lines of brightness in the background. Thanks for this excellent video.
Give it a try. It makes a huge difference. Every small details count.
"Brunello Cucinelli" Is one of the most important and renowned kashmere, wool and high end garments in the world, based in Tuscany, Italy ❤ 🇮🇹
oh my god, this is so helpfull
Loved the russell brunson 2 choices ending! 😆 is the mentorship still open? Would love to be mentored 🙏
As always great tips , Tin Man.
Nikon Z 400 mm 4.5 is a good Option in the lack of money for a 400 2.8?
I think this video is mostly aimed at people who want to be professional photographers. I don't agree with you about most of the "non-photos" in that I am NOT distracted by the lines or background behind the Alaska bears. I never would have noticed it if you hadn't pointed it out. I just saw the bears. I think YOU see the distractions because photography is your life, your business. The honest truth is, the vast supermajority of photographers are NEVER going to make money from it. It's an expensive hobby. 99% of photographers will never make more money than they spend.
Agreed. In the bear photo, the horizon was obscured by the splashing water but that just displaced the area of contrast that supposedly creates distraction from one area to another. The hard line is lost but in previous photos, it wasn't necessarily a contrast line but contrast in general that he complained of.
If you think like that then you never will. Plus… what’s wrong with having expensive hobbies? To me it just shows how passionate people are about it.
He explained from a judge point of view. It's ok if you like your own photos. Take the advice you need and move on.
I don't care if I ever do.
And you could do the same thing with my comment if you disagree with it.
Very interesting indeed, but I have a question. there is no doubt that simplification makes photos very attractive, but isn't it just a matter of style? You brought examples from art to support it. But after all there many classical photos that create 'distracting background' as part of the photo. What about the Mona Lisa, for instance or even more extreme Gauguin's Nafea faa ipoipo. In these photos if you take the background away you lose the magic of the photo. Isn't it on a case by case basis? In other words, isn't judging that background is a distraction reduces the range of type of photos that can be considered wonderful?
Thanks for your comment. Since I only had an hour I couldn’t go deeper. Simpler background is just one way. The key is to have a background that helps the story. Not distracting background that takes the emotion away. Mona Lisa is a powerful shot where the background enhance the whole story with the mountain, river, etc all leading the eyes towards the eyes of Mona Lisa creating a pleasant visual journey and that’s the most powerful kind of background. But before one can do that one has to be aware of distracting branches and sticks near the animal. For example, Mangelsen’s polar bear and the Arctic fox has stunning background of the winter landscapes that enhance the story.
Tin Man, I would like to dedicate myself full time to photography... but it is difficult to team up with someone to build something lasting. That's why I somehow limit myself to the hobby level. Sometimes I hate to invest so much money in these toys and not bring profit...
Give the techniques I mentioned a try. It’s my hard earned lessons which allowed me to turn it from a hobby to full time.
I wonder where you post your pictures? I am not crazy about making money. I have a full time job that provides me stable income. I am interested in conservation and protecting animals. Please let me know where I can donate my photos?
He isn't. Just IG
So the judges are looking for portraits of animals, not stories of animals in their native habitats.
His photos look fake. Edited to the point they look like they are cgi or AI
Also as a judge how much does cropping to eliminate distractions affect the chances of the picture being a non- photo
Very helpful and informative video! I generally agree with you on the points you mentioned on how to move from good to great images but in this video you only showed examples of mammals and only a few(bad examples)of birds. Being predominantly a bird photographer it's nearly impossible not to include some foliage and flowers and that as a foreground or background or even as a frame adds to the picture. Bird on a stick with bokeh backgrounds while beautiful i don't think are award winning anymore. Is it?