That's disappointing. I guess I will not be getting the naked pictures of you I paid for. Bummer. Something tells me PayPal's Friends and Family doesn't offer protections for this. Oh, and the reason other people get amazing photos when I do not.... they are taking pictures of me. ;)
I want to let you know that you've revived my interest in photography. I've been shooting as a hobby for about twelve years but recently have found myself not willing to put in the effort. A couple of weeks ago I watched one of your videos and I liked your down to earth delivery. You are very knowledgeable and your photos are gorgeous. The feeling of excitement I used to feel about getting out there is starting to bubble back to the surface. Thank you.
Simon you are a true master … I can’t thank you enough for imparting your great wisdom and knowledge for my greatest and only passion … your intro, rocks my damaged heart and soul .. brings me to tears .. the voice and you images and video or truly beautiful thank you
I teach outdoor photography in the local arts center where I live and I always tell the classes that the single greatest tip I can give them is the one they will most likely ignore. That tip is to "put yourselves in a place and situation where good things might happen and do it as often as you can." The participants often want the secret, the magic bullet and in my opinion, that is it. I usually go on to say that "I've never had a single goose fly through my living room while I was sitting on the sofa." They laugh but it is true. My best shots are often on those days when I really don't want to go out in the cold and dark before sunrise to be in a place where something good has a reasonable chance of happening. I rarely get home on those days and regret having gone out, even if I didn't get a great shot.
A tutorial appeared on my UA-cam & I'm so pleased that it did !!! I've been watching your precise explanations ever since. A sincere thank you for sharing your knowledge so clearly.
I've had cameras for years, but I just shot them, and that was it. After watching your videos, as I said before you made me love photography. Now I hold my camera with joy in my heart.
Pertaining to wedding photography: There is a moment after the ceremony when the couple walks back up the isle as a newly married couple, and they will ALWAYS have a moment out in the foyer of the church before the guests are dismissed. It's a an intensely exciting moment for them, and if you are ready, you will get some of the most amazing photographs of just the two of them in pure bliss, because they are so in love, and they aren't paying attention to you at all! Look for a pleasing background, position yourself ahead of time, and you will have about 10-30 seconds before everybody comes out of the church. That's one way you can create your own luck. Thanks for posting!
The tip to have fast action settings enabled whenever moving around is golden. Also the tip to avoid looking at the last shot right away reminds me of birding advice I used to give newcomers. I used to have to tell them not to peek at the bird and go immediately to the field guide. They'd often realize they needed another diagnostic trait and by that time the bird was gone.
THANK YOU! I was always under the assumption that professional photographers took a handful of pictures and they were all perfect photos because they were professionals. To hear you say you may have a few good photos out of a thousand really hits home with me. I'm 61 years old and have decided to learn more about photography and find your videos to be the best! Again, thank you.
I used to shoot motorsport, but this all still applies. I used to plan my days and angles based on the light. The smart ones all do. The second tip was finding locations no one else would shoot. You need to get something different to stand out. The best motorsport photo I ever nailed was because no one else was there. I knew what I wanted, I planned it 3 days earlier when I spotted sparks, and I knew I could only get the shot after sunset. No one else got the shot. The best landscape photo I got came from patience and watching. I knew I nailed it the second the shutter closed, and left the location before reviewing. In my experience, it’s never just dumb luck.
You're quickly becoming my favorite photography teacher. You don't read a script and that helps a lot with your credibility, YOU know what you're talking about. Excellent channel!
You hit the nail on the head ! I've been practicing photography for over 50 years. The one phrase that really chaps me is when someone say's, "you must have a really good camera" when I have captured a very good image. One time I just handed her the camera. I said, here you try it and let's see your results, after all its just the camera. They caught on. . I use just a medium grade Nikon. I've been with people with $10-$15k worth of gear and they use "A" (automatic) like a simple point & shoot and then wonder why they're not getting good results.
Simon, your knowledge and wisdom of photography is second to none. Just like your ready for your next shot, I am always ready for your next UA-cam post!
This is a topic that very few folks talk about during wildlife photography, or any skill based hobby to be honest. Developing the humility and patience to keep trying is hard, especially in our current "everything on-demand" world we live in. I started photography to slow down and pay attention to the details. It's really nice to see someone talking about this, the world needs more of these kinds of lessons. This video is about photography, but the wisdom applies to many more things in life.
You’re so lucky to have all these subscribers 😅! Love that line, “funny, the more I practice, the luckier I get”! So so true. Have you ever had someone see your photo and then say, “What camera do you use”? Or “I can’t afford an expensive camera like that” 😅. Um, yeah, clearly the beautiful image was because of the camera. Thanks so much Simon!!!
My interests include entomology. I've worked in that field for nearly 40 years. A friend told me that his wife always wanted to catch a great photo of a dragonfly but they always flew off when she approached a static subject, on a reed for example. I told him that dragonflies are territorial and have 'roosts' where they rest whilst patrolling their territory. In other words, forget the first shot but set up and wait for it to return. Worked a treat... one very happy couple.
So nice to finally hear somebody w skill , getting burned out w all the social media videos from those who claim to be “photographers” w out having much understanding of the craft. Most of the great shots are not reactionary but come from observations. Thanks for the reminder👍🏻
Yet another brilliant video. One of the main things I like is that your videos is they are direct to the point of what the title of the video is. Many videos go around the houses, just to pad out the time and little to do with the subject matter.
I love the quote "The more I practice, the luckier I get" I've always believed basically this. Not that you make your own luck but more of a narrowing of the odds. There is always an element of luck in achieving anything but the better you are at it, it increases the odds of success / puts you in the position to get those "lucky" shots all the more often. Luck is the random chance a loose ball bounces right for you to be able to reach it, skill is being in a position to take advantage of it / nailing the catch.
Hi Simon, you asked what we do to increase our chances of getting the "lucky" shot ... I am a studio photographer working with art-nude and fashion models. and I see a lot of people photographing women front on with flat lighting, the result is as boring as a plate of doggy doo doo. The best way is to follow the lead of the landscape photographers who head out early to catch the first rays of the sun, raking across the mountains and revealing the shape of the hill in spectacular glory. Treat women the same way, low angle of light raking across their torso and catching the light on their curves. Just to even things out, if you want to show off a mans' "six pack" same angle, shirt off, has the same effect. When out of the studio, pick early morning or late afternoon to light your subjects, use a reflector for fill light or an off-camera flash (set to 25% fill).
These kinds of videos are exactly what people should be watching if they want to pick up photography. Not downplaying all others great reviews of new equipment, tools are important without a doubt, however tutorials on knowledge, skills and crucially, the building-up of a photographer's mind are well underappreciated, and imho are what really bring one's photos to another level.
I recently discovered an Audubon area nearby that is part of a larger park. By purchasing a yearly membership, I can take advantage of early hours and get there when the sun is coming up. I hate getting up early, but when I do, I always am glad because the animals are more active, and the light is so much better than later in the day. Last week when I got there a heavy mist was hanging over the water of the swamp. It made for a magical experience worth the trouble even if I hadn't gotten a single photo. The more I go, the more I learn about where and when I need to be, and the settings necessary to get a good shot. I need to discover some more good locations, but I can consistently get "keepers" here, and a couple other sites in my area.
The late Galen Rowell evolved from a climber who took photos, to a photographer who incorporated his skills to get into places to capture striking shots no one else could reach. His first eureka moment came when Nat Geo contracted him to shoot a Half Dome ascent, and gave him like 35 rolls of Kodachrome, maybe ten times what he was used to taking - any shot taken is better than the shot missed. His famous rainbow over the Potala in Tibet he saw coming, but required he sprinted hundreds of vertical feet up a hillside, to get the composition in the waning light - something few others would have been able to accomplish. Digital frees us from a film budget, which could make us lazy; take lots, with thought beforehand, then critique results, then learn, adjust, refine, repeat. Adams and Eliot Porter and Ed Weston's gear was very mediocre by our standards, but they knew how to make the most of exposure, filters, developing and printing.
Back in the late 60s, long before digital cameras, my high school photography teacher taught us his philosophy. If you go out and shoot 5 rolls of film (say about 150 images) and you find 2 that are worth enlarging, consider that a very good day. Today it is so much easier, so much faster, and so much less expensive to have that very good day than it was back then.
The thing with "going out more often" is important in my opinion. I made so many bad photos (still do!). But the thing is: I am learning from them. And now I get a better ratio of good to bad photos - because I am learning what works and what not. Also watching videos like yours helps me a lot. Going out more often also makes me better at handling the equipment. I usually go to a nearby pond to gain experience with my (new) equipment so I know how to handle it and play around.
Exactly! My "good shot to bad shot ratio" is getting better with every shot no matter if bad or good aswell. Reaching the limits of my kit lens tho, maybe some day when having the appropriate amount of funds I will be able to shoot the moon
I like your definition of "LUCK". Another I heard decades ago that has stuck with me: "Luck is where preparation meets opportunity." And in the context of your tutorial here (and in so many others), you can do much to create your own opportunity. Obviously weather and other conditions can be obstacles, but persistence seems to be a key factor of overcoming such - prepare, overcome, succeed. Thank you for your excellent content.
It all leads to recognizing patterns. The more you look the more you'll see and learn. Knowing the tricks in the video, one can increase the ammount of chances. I remember taking some pictures of a cityscape from a viewpoint. Suddenly, pigeons flew through my pic, but I wasn't ready. I stayed at the location and realised, those pigeons would land and start from the same point and fly the same route everytime someone passed by. In the end, I took dozens of shots with different variations and got even one, where the flock of pigeons had the form of a bird (like the twitter logo). People would call me lucky for that shot.
I love using golden hour but i also love blue hour. After sunset i always stay and hang around the beach when i’m at the Dutch coast. Most photographers disappear as soon the sun is gone,i still get amazed about it because after sunset with blue hour i shot awesome pictures with incredible lights and colors. Another bonus is being alone at the beach after sunset, really love that ❤
there are a lot of self called teachers on photography here in UA-cam... This video is probably the best photographic teaching I have seen in more than 30 years. Simple, "in deep", clear and backed for personal practice no for articles on some magazine wrote by an idiot with a camera. I really thank you for teach the beginner really technical points to obtain wonderful pictures out of any decent camera with a decent lens on. One more time Thank You and keep up the good work!!!.
I’m a landscape photographer. When I’m out on location I’ll take a generic picture with my phone and pin it on maps. I’ll use PhotoPills app to see where the sun rises and sets in relation to my subject(s). If I’m there just scouting or otherwise I still take a moment to look around and observe for a moment without my camera. I usually see more angles and possibilities when I pause and look around. I also keep a small journal/cheat sheet with locations and ideas. Sometimes a beautiful storm comes up and I’m only a 40 minute drive to a lighthouse as the subject and focal point
I started as a still photographer but moved into tv and moving pictures. I am always fond of photographers who use available light. This can be in films like Days of Heaven or the Kubrick pictures (he was a street photographer). Finding that moment is so important. Often for me it's a reaction on a walk or getting to work early or leaving late. In the film business we call the late sun magic hour. And the new cameras can extend it to an hour. Film cameras could get you half an hour. Great channel. Thanks.
Many years ago I followed a videography course in a local arts center. From all the various things I picked up, the most important one was that a lot of events are actually quite predictable if you think about them, so you can plan for and anticipate them. Humans act fairly predictable most of the time, and animals too, if you know their habits. Your tips are therefore not only usefull for nature photography but also for 'human' photography (as humans are just animals too ofcourse). And ofcourse the best tips are the ones where you think "Why haven't I thought about that before?". I'll setup an action-mode preset in my camera too and leave it on that while on the move.
Simon as a followup to last weeks episode, if you read to the very end I will tell you 2 reasons why your channel is becoming so successful and one thing you shouldn’t change. #1 You're sharp #2 You don’t beat around the bush. If you keep doing the same thing you will get the same results and in your case that’s a good thing. At least that’s the way this sailor sees it ~_/)_~
@@simon_dentremont very true I’m a photographer of 5 years and my family has one of the best in the world. Yet I watch your videos even though every title I think “I know the answer” you always add an extra special sauce.
Realizing I’ve become a huge fan of you videos! Your style is so direct, blunt and straight to the point, that I get really eager to learn more, get out and practice. At the same time you keep it nice and friendly. Thanks for all the knowledge!
You are very quickly becoming my fav You Tuber. You just break it all down to good old fashioned common sense. As a newer photographer, I really get in my own way.
I would have to say, of all the photography videos I've watched on youtube, giving instructions and sharing techniques, Simon has them all beat. I learn so much in one video, thanks.
@@simon_dentremont I just imagined what a criminal mastermind You would be with Your planning and determination. I love Your videos though I am not into nature and wildlife. Keep it up!
7:25 yes yes!! I'm a newbie but I totally relate to that advice. I disabled the photo preview on the screen so that I dont even have the impulse to go and check it. Thanks a lot for all your wisdom
One secret is to just get up and go early in the morning and not over analyze things. Best case I get some fantastic opportunities, worst case I get a hot cup of coffee outdoors while listening to and watching the wildlife. There are definately more hot cups coffee than great photos ☺️
Thank you for these videos. You’re by far my favorite YT source for photography tips: practical, easy to understand, & well-demonstrated. And you get right into it, unlike some who want to tell a long anecdote before getting to the point. Looking forward to digging back through more of your videos!
My favorite and I think most useful for me as a hobbyist. The best compliment I ever received was when soon told me I must have a good camera to get such a good photo.
One of my favorite things about digital cameras is the ability to take hundreds of photos to get one good one. Back in the days of film this could be very expensive and you had to wait to see if you got a good shot.
I used to take a tiny rollei 35b to places like Lebanon…and I use this technique now.. it’s good for street photography… set for a shallow hyper focal distance, typically 2m plus works, meter in an average. As you walk around range 4 stops from lightest to darkest. Pick a decent shutter speed to avoid blurring. My goal was alway to get every shot on the roll usable, and it typically paid off. You can respond fast to sudden scenes, take advantage of not being noticed. I tried to never use the viewfinder. It all sounds very contrary to good photography, but when you are comfortable, it’s fun, fast and reliable.
I “lucked out” shooting a silhouette of a cedar waxwing by watching them eat and rest and got myself on the other side of the tree with hard light in the background. I find this getting into position and waiting helps me “luck out” in street photography, too. Thanks for the lucky tips!
Would like to say thank you! The way you present, and the info you share I find most valuable. You help de- mystify some of the stumbling blocks I have , with my photography. Thanks again
So many excellent, sensible tips in one short video. Perhaps the most important is accept that you will fail more often than you will succeed and don't be discouraged by this. Thanks.
I primarily photo national heritage so everything from large buildings to individual graves in historic graveyards but have recently branched out into landscape and street photography on the basis that the present is the history to the future. Two strategies which have served me well are: 1. Turn around. When I find an abandoned building or potentially historic site, it is very rare that there is just a single structure remaining. Turning around and looking have led to me finding many more interesting structures. 2. If I am not sure of the photo composure, I use the screen to view the image whilst moving around and comparing this to the object. The object could be obscuring something of interest behind or the sun might cast more interesting shadows with just a small change in location. Comparing the changing view to the recorded image helps me learn and grow as a photographer.
This may be about increasing your opportunities for great shots but, seriously, this video could be shown in classes on how to present a UA-cam video! Maybe I'm just hyper aware of this because I'm attempting a UA-cam channel with next to no background in production, videography or photography... but this is a near perfect UA-cam presentation! There are so many subtle nuances at every moment that are "just right". When I watch your videos I'm learning MUCH more than just the subject of the videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience!
Hi Simon. I may have said it here before but for me luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I can’t say it any more simply than that. I did see once a picture that defined this unexpectedly. A woman was walking up a stairway from a ravine here in Toronto. She had her iPhone out and facing forward. A deer jumped over the stairway in front of her just feet away. She snapped the picture and it was a memorable shot. Great tips as always, especially the last one.
Simon, thank you very much for this video. Not only did you lay out what should be common sense considerations for us, you do so in a way that encourages us to be better photographers and you bare your humanity, letting us know that every image you capture isn’t gold. Thank you for the encouragement - I’m sure this video will cause a significant incremental improvement in my photography! Thank you once again.😊
I do a lot of motorcycle racing photography and encounter a lot of pros who are inherently better photographers than I am but are maybe experiencing that type of racing for the first time. But my one key advantage is I know all of the riders and their styles and the tendency of when the action is going to take place. Most importantly I know which riders don't like each other and are going to be racing aggressively against one another. My intimate knowledge of the sport is a huge advantage for me and it sometimes makes up for my less refined skill set. People will say I was lucky to get that shot but I saw it developing and anticipated it. I find this is applicable to all photography. The 'luck' of knowing when an alligator is about to swim off or the habits of a bird when it's gathering food is key to getting your self in the right spot at the right time. Sometimes you get lucky but usually you are making a large portion of the luck you receive. I just discovered your channel and am really enjoying it.
This is precious knowledge, accumulated over years of experience, beautifully and consicely presented. We are lucky to have people like you sharing their knowledge. Thank you.
I do mostly corporate video so it's indoors. My secret is to block out all outside windows and create the lighting you want for your scene. Then you can cut and rearrange the video clips no matter what they're talking about at any time and the story will flow continuously without noticing a big shift in the background lighting.
There is certainly some "luck" involved, but the biggest contributors are those you've described and the reason people such as myself (needing instruction) view this content. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I loved this video so much. I love how fast paced it was but was super clear and informative. Those 10 minutes went in a blink of a eye but I learnt heaps. Plus those photos and videos are outstanding! Thanks for your advice 🔥🔥
I have a friend who I consider an excellent photographer, but he is constantly fidgeting with his settings, and because of this, he misses a lot of shots. I like to take advantage of my camera's user programmable modes. One quick twist of a knob, and it's like I'm carrying a completely different camera. My current camera only has two of these modes, so I usually have one set up for static subjects and one for moving. I still miss a lot of shots, but I can't blame the camera.
I do a lot of architectural documentary photography and differ between low and high sun, depending on what I want. I live in the Middle East and have a lot of months without clouds. Instead of clouds I use the sun as the sky element, using my Voigtlander 21mm f1.4 Nokton stopped down in order to give me a sunstar rather than a blob of light. I obviously take several exposures, so I can get it right when editing the photo. I also shoot in the middle of the day, when I want pronounced shadows, which helps me show the texture or various design elements more clearly. I do prefer cloudy days and try to take advantage of them when they're there, but I know what I can expect depending on the weather and how to get the best out of it.
Putting the hours in... Today was spent in my hide (basically a 4ft wooden cube with a door, a hole for a big lens and a mesh covered hole for peeking) waiting for ravens. I got nothing. Did the same on Sunday and got very little. Friday however... 😁Once again, good advice Simon 🙂
Finally a tutorial for pros. I will share your site with my friends. They all teach photography but you are exceptional. Thank you. yosaif cohain from Israel
Set camera to fast action while walking is a great tip. I learned that one day when a Northern Harrier flew right past me, I just stood and watched. Didn't do anything haha. I knew that next time I'd be ready and it's paid off.
This is a great philosophy for sports and almost everything else in life. Keep doing your best to create opportunities for things to happen. Make the unpredictable 'luck' element the last and smallest factor of your success.
Excennent video. I’ve always said…you have to give yourself the chance to have luck. Not only photography, but just about anything. Using your head, and putting in the hours increases that tremendously. On the other hand, I’ve had friends say…that was just luck, not wanting to give you credit. I’ve been trying for several years to photograph a full moonrise in an Earth’s Shadow. Here in PA, you are luck to even get those conditions. Lots of research with apps and places to go. I finally got that moment last fall at a Hawk site and convinced others to stay and watch. A Red-Letter Day!
There are scammers pretending to be me and offering prizes via telegram. Stay away and report them! Thanks!
That's disappointing. I guess I will not be getting the naked pictures of you I paid for. Bummer. Something tells me PayPal's Friends and Family doesn't offer protections for this.
Oh, and the reason other people get amazing photos when I do not.... they are taking pictures of me. ;)
Our prize is the knowledge you give in your videos! ;-). Thank you for sharing it! This is invaluable and great!
I want to let you know that you've revived my interest in photography. I've been shooting as a hobby for about twelve years but recently have found myself not willing to put in the effort. A couple of weeks ago I watched one of your videos and I liked your down to earth delivery. You are very knowledgeable and your photos are gorgeous. The feeling of excitement I used to feel about getting out there is starting to bubble back to the surface. Thank you.
Simon you are a true master … I can’t thank you enough for imparting your great wisdom and knowledge for my greatest and only passion … your intro, rocks my damaged heart and soul .. brings me to tears .. the voice and you images and video or truly beautiful thank you
Thank you for these amazing videos, they are amazing.
I teach outdoor photography in the local arts center where I live and I always tell the classes that the single greatest tip I can give them is the one they will most likely ignore. That tip is to "put yourselves in a place and situation where good things might happen and do it as often as you can." The participants often want the secret, the magic bullet and in my opinion, that is it. I usually go on to say that "I've never had a single goose fly through my living room while I was sitting on the sofa." They laugh but it is true. My best shots are often on those days when I really don't want to go out in the cold and dark before sunrise to be in a place where something good has a reasonable chance of happening. I rarely get home on those days and regret having gone out, even if I didn't get a great shot.
Great points!
So true! Someone once asked me the secret to my photos, and my reply was “i just go to places so interesting I can’t miss.“
nice one.
A tutorial appeared on my UA-cam & I'm so pleased that it did !!!
I've been watching your precise explanations ever since.
A sincere thank you for sharing your knowledge so clearly.
Dang that was poetic!
Someone asked Ansel Adams what is his secret to photography, he said "knowing where to stand."
Right!
Another one from Angel Adams; “Chance favors the prepared mind.”
Cartier-Bresson said: "The world is coming apart at the seams, and Ansel is taking pictures of rocks."
@@terryallen9546 Maybe we should be taking more pictures of rocks
@@billbeverly2864 No doubt. Our leaders don't want us to document their behavior anyway.
I've had cameras for years, but I just shot them, and that was it. After watching your videos, as I said before you made me love photography. Now I hold my camera with joy in my heart.
Pertaining to wedding photography: There is a moment after the ceremony when the couple walks back up the isle as a newly married couple, and they will ALWAYS have a moment out in the foyer of the church before the guests are dismissed. It's a an intensely exciting moment for them, and if you are ready, you will get some of the most amazing photographs of just the two of them in pure bliss, because they are so in love, and they aren't paying attention to you at all! Look for a pleasing background, position yourself ahead of time, and you will have about 10-30 seconds before everybody comes out of the church. That's one way you can create your own luck. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for sharing!
So far the best photography UA-cam channel. Straight to the points, no BS, good command and very analytical. Good job
Thanks very much!
The tip to have fast action settings enabled whenever moving around is golden.
Also the tip to avoid looking at the last shot right away reminds me of birding advice I used to give newcomers. I used to have to tell them not to peek at the bird and go immediately to the field guide. They'd often realize they needed another diagnostic trait and by that time the bird was gone.
Right!
THANK YOU! I was always under the assumption that professional photographers took a handful of pictures and they were all perfect photos because they were professionals. To hear you say you may have a few good photos out of a thousand really hits home with me. I'm 61 years old and have decided to learn more about photography and find your videos to be the best! Again, thank you.
I used to shoot motorsport, but this all still applies. I used to plan my days and angles based on the light. The smart ones all do.
The second tip was finding locations no one else would shoot. You need to get something different to stand out.
The best motorsport photo I ever nailed was because no one else was there. I knew what I wanted, I planned it 3 days earlier when I spotted sparks, and I knew I could only get the shot after sunset. No one else got the shot.
The best landscape photo I got came from patience and watching. I knew I nailed it the second the shutter closed, and left the location before reviewing.
In my experience, it’s never just dumb luck.
You're quickly becoming my favorite photography teacher. You don't read a script and that helps a lot with your credibility, YOU know what you're talking about. Excellent channel!
Wow, thank you!
You hit the nail on the head ! I've been practicing photography for over 50 years. The one phrase that really chaps me is when someone say's, "you must have a really good camera" when I have captured a very good image. One time I just handed her the camera. I said, here you try it and let's see your results, after all its just the camera. They caught on. . I use just a medium grade Nikon. I've been with people with $10-$15k worth of gear and they use "A" (automatic) like a simple point & shoot and then wonder why they're not getting good results.
Simon, your knowledge and wisdom of photography is second to none. Just like your ready for your next shot, I am always ready for your next UA-cam post!
Just set your back button to Simon's YouTUbe channel.
Thanks so much!
@@AlOne-xg6dv haha awsome
Me too!!!!!
This is a topic that very few folks talk about during wildlife photography, or any skill based hobby to be honest. Developing the humility and patience to keep trying is hard, especially in our current "everything on-demand" world we live in. I started photography to slow down and pay attention to the details.
It's really nice to see someone talking about this, the world needs more of these kinds of lessons. This video is about photography, but the wisdom applies to many more things in life.
Very kind and well described.
I agree 100%
You’re so lucky to have all these subscribers 😅! Love that line, “funny, the more I practice, the luckier I get”! So so true. Have you ever had someone see your photo and then say, “What camera do you use”? Or “I can’t afford an expensive camera like that” 😅. Um, yeah, clearly the beautiful image was because of the camera. Thanks so much Simon!!!
I've always liked the saying..." Luck is when opportunity meets preparation".
My interests include entomology. I've worked in that field for nearly 40 years. A friend told me that his wife always wanted to catch a great photo of a dragonfly but they always flew off when she approached a static subject, on a reed for example. I told him that dragonflies are territorial and have 'roosts' where they rest whilst patrolling their territory. In other words, forget the first shot but set up and wait for it to return. Worked a treat... one very happy couple.
This could be one of the single best videos for "Photography Tips" I've ever seen. This guy is truly LUCKy!
The more I train, the more chances I have, the more I watch videos of Simon, the luckier I am.
Thanks Simon.
And good luck to all.
So nice to finally hear somebody w skill , getting burned out w all the social media videos from those who claim to be “photographers” w out having much understanding of the craft. Most of the great shots are not reactionary but come from observations. Thanks for the reminder👍🏻
Yet another brilliant video. One of the main things I like is that your videos is they are direct to the point of what the title of the video is. Many videos go around the houses, just to pad out the time and little to do with the subject matter.
Glad you like them!
I love the quote "The more I practice, the luckier I get"
I've always believed basically this. Not that you make your own luck but more of a narrowing of the odds.
There is always an element of luck in achieving anything but the better you are at it, it increases the odds of success / puts you in the position to get those "lucky" shots all the more often.
Luck is the random chance a loose ball bounces right for you to be able to reach it, skill is being in a position to take advantage of it / nailing the catch.
It's all about FECO: focus, exposure, composition and opportunity.
So if they say luck, you can tell them "FECO!" 😊
Great video!
Hi Simon, you asked what we do to increase our chances of getting the "lucky" shot ... I am a studio photographer working with art-nude and fashion models. and I see a lot of people photographing women front on with flat lighting, the result is as boring as a plate of doggy doo doo. The best way is to follow the lead of the landscape photographers who head out early to catch the first rays of the sun, raking across the mountains and revealing the shape of the hill in spectacular glory. Treat women the same way, low angle of light raking across their torso and catching the light on their curves. Just to even things out, if you want to show off a mans' "six pack" same angle, shirt off, has the same effect. When out of the studio, pick early morning or late afternoon to light your subjects, use a reflector for fill light or an off-camera flash (set to 25% fill).
These kinds of videos are exactly what people should be watching if they want to pick up photography. Not downplaying all others great reviews of new equipment, tools are important without a doubt, however tutorials on knowledge, skills and crucially, the building-up of a photographer's mind are well underappreciated, and imho are what really bring one's photos to another level.
I recently discovered an Audubon area nearby that is part of a larger park. By purchasing a yearly membership, I can take advantage of early hours and get there when the sun is coming up. I hate getting up early, but when I do, I always am glad because the animals are more active, and the light is so much better than later in the day. Last week when I got there a heavy mist was hanging over the water of the swamp. It made for a magical experience worth the trouble even if I hadn't gotten a single photo. The more I go, the more I learn about where and when I need to be, and the settings necessary to get a good shot. I need to discover some more good locations, but I can consistently get "keepers" here, and a couple other sites in my area.
The late Galen Rowell evolved from a climber who took photos, to a photographer who incorporated his skills to get into places to capture striking shots no one else could reach. His first eureka moment came when Nat Geo contracted him to shoot a Half Dome ascent, and gave him like 35 rolls of Kodachrome, maybe ten times what he was used to taking - any shot taken is better than the shot missed. His famous rainbow over the Potala in Tibet he saw coming, but required he sprinted hundreds of vertical feet up a hillside, to get the composition in the waning light - something few others would have been able to accomplish. Digital frees us from a film budget, which could make us lazy; take lots, with thought beforehand, then critique results, then learn, adjust, refine, repeat. Adams and Eliot Porter and Ed Weston's gear was very mediocre by our standards, but they knew how to make the most of exposure, filters, developing and printing.
Back in the late 60s, long before digital cameras, my high school photography teacher taught us his philosophy. If you go out and shoot 5 rolls of film (say about 150 images) and you find 2 that are worth enlarging, consider that a very good day. Today it is so much easier, so much faster, and so much less expensive to have that very good day than it was back then.
The thing with "going out more often" is important in my opinion. I made so many bad photos (still do!). But the thing is: I am learning from them. And now I get a better ratio of good to bad photos - because I am learning what works and what not. Also watching videos like yours helps me a lot.
Going out more often also makes me better at handling the equipment. I usually go to a nearby pond to gain experience with my (new) equipment so I know how to handle it and play around.
Exactly! My "good shot to bad shot ratio" is getting better with every shot no matter if bad or good aswell. Reaching the limits of my kit lens tho, maybe some day when having the appropriate amount of funds I will be able to shoot the moon
I like your definition of "LUCK". Another I heard decades ago that has stuck with me: "Luck is where preparation meets opportunity." And in the context of your tutorial here (and in so many others), you can do much to create your own opportunity. Obviously weather and other conditions can be obstacles, but persistence seems to be a key factor of overcoming such - prepare, overcome, succeed. Thank you for your excellent content.
It all leads to recognizing patterns. The more you look the more you'll see and learn. Knowing the tricks in the video, one can increase the ammount of chances. I remember taking some pictures of a cityscape from a viewpoint. Suddenly, pigeons flew through my pic, but I wasn't ready. I stayed at the location and realised, those pigeons would land and start from the same point and fly the same route everytime someone passed by. In the end, I took dozens of shots with different variations and got even one, where the flock of pigeons had the form of a bird (like the twitter logo). People would call me lucky for that shot.
The youtube channel might be new but the content oozes experience and savviness like no other. Way to go, Simon!
I love using golden hour but i also love blue hour. After sunset i always stay and hang around the beach when i’m at the Dutch coast. Most photographers disappear as soon the sun is gone,i still get amazed about it because after sunset with blue hour i shot awesome pictures with incredible lights and colors. Another bonus is being alone at the beach after sunset, really love that ❤
there are a lot of self called teachers on photography here in UA-cam... This video is probably the best photographic teaching I have seen in more than 30 years. Simple, "in deep", clear and backed for personal practice no for articles on some magazine wrote by an idiot with a camera. I really thank you for teach the beginner really technical points to obtain wonderful pictures out of any decent camera with a decent lens on. One more time Thank You and keep up the good work!!!.
Very kind!
This has recently become one of my regular sources for camera info. Thanks for your videos, Simon. Much appreciated.
I’m a landscape photographer. When I’m out on location I’ll take a generic picture with my phone and pin it on maps. I’ll use PhotoPills app to see where the sun rises and sets in relation to my subject(s). If I’m there just scouting or otherwise I still take a moment to look around and observe for a moment without my camera. I usually see more angles and possibilities when I pause and look around. I also keep a small journal/cheat sheet with locations and ideas. Sometimes a beautiful storm comes up and I’m only a 40 minute drive to a lighthouse as the subject and focal point
I started as a still photographer but moved into tv and moving pictures. I am always fond of photographers who use available light. This can be in films like Days of Heaven or the Kubrick pictures (he was a street photographer). Finding that moment is so important. Often for me it's a reaction on a walk or getting to work early or leaving late. In the film business we call the late sun magic hour. And the new cameras can extend it to an hour. Film cameras could get you half an hour. Great channel. Thanks.
Many years ago I followed a videography course in a local arts center. From all the various things I picked up, the most important one was that a lot of events are actually quite predictable if you think about them, so you can plan for and anticipate them. Humans act fairly predictable most of the time, and animals too, if you know their habits. Your tips are therefore not only usefull for nature photography but also for 'human' photography (as humans are just animals too ofcourse).
And ofcourse the best tips are the ones where you think "Why haven't I thought about that before?". I'll setup an action-mode preset in my camera too and leave it on that while on the move.
You are an incredible and generous teacher!!!! Thankyou for doing what you love to do because I learn so much from your videos!!! Toronto here!!!!
I have never done what you do; but no doubt, you speak the truth! This one video teaches so much! Thank you!
Only one additional piece of advice. Plan your shot and shoot your plan, but... be ready for the unexpected. You offer great advice, Sir.
Agree!
I'm lucky because I found this channel. Thanks Gavin. Simon, you lessons are fantastic.
You’re my new favorite Photography Expert. Honest to goodness advise and tips. Thanks sir.
Simon as a followup to last weeks episode, if you read to the very end I will tell you 2 reasons why your channel is becoming so successful and one thing you shouldn’t change. #1 You're sharp #2 You don’t beat around the bush. If you keep doing the same thing you will get the same results and in your case that’s a good thing. At least that’s the way this sailor sees it ~_/)_~
Thanks very much!
@@simon_dentremont very true I’m a photographer of 5 years and my family has one of the best in the world. Yet I watch your videos even though every title I think “I know the answer” you always add an extra special sauce.
This sailor agrees! You get to the point, share your thoughts, and are not afraid to discuss topics. Just keep doing what you're doing :-).
Boy am I lucky to find this channel! Thanks for taking the time to make these.
You are one LUCKY bastard alright. Those pictures are really something to be proud off for sure. WELL DONE.
Simon, thanks for being so honest about the reality of "Getting That Great Shot".
Outstanding advice! Your “lucky” photos are as Milton said “the residue of design”. Stunning work, sir!
Realizing I’ve become a huge fan of you videos! Your style is so direct, blunt and straight to the point, that I get really eager to learn more, get out and practice. At the same time you keep it nice and friendly. Thanks for all the knowledge!
You are very quickly becoming my fav You Tuber. You just break it all down to good old fashioned common sense. As a newer photographer, I really get in my own way.
Acceptance and patience, which is why I'd expect fewer and fewer amazing photographers to emerge these days ❤️
I would have to say, of all the photography videos I've watched on youtube, giving instructions and sharing techniques, Simon has them all beat. I learn so much in one video, thanks.
How lucky the world is, that this guy is a photographer and not a criminal. ;)
I never thought of that…am I missing out?
@@simon_dentremont I just imagined what a criminal mastermind You would be with Your planning and determination. I love Your videos though I am not into nature and wildlife. Keep it up!
Clearly a gift. And so grateful that you 're mentoring others including me. Thank you kindly sr!
7:25 yes yes!! I'm a newbie but I totally relate to that advice. I disabled the photo preview on the screen so that I dont even have the impulse to go and check it. Thanks a lot for all your wisdom
One secret is to just get up and go early in the morning and not over analyze things. Best case I get some fantastic opportunities, worst case I get a hot cup of coffee outdoors while listening to and watching the wildlife. There are definately more hot cups coffee than great photos ☺️
I feel very lucky to have found this video, great job and delivery Simon.
I don’t know why I was expecting non specific or non actionable advice. This is amazing 💪🏽
Thank you for these videos. You’re by far my favorite YT source for photography tips: practical, easy to understand, & well-demonstrated. And you get right into it, unlike some who want to tell a long anecdote before getting to the point. Looking forward to digging back through more of your videos!
I love how bro is minmaxxing photography like he's a top percentile player in some game, this is great
What is lucky, is finding your channel. Many thanks for all the great tips. 🐾
My favorite and I think most useful for me as a hobbyist. The best compliment I ever received was when soon told me I must have a good camera to get such a good photo.
One of my favorite things about digital cameras is the ability to take hundreds of photos to get one good one. Back in the days of film this could be very expensive and you had to wait to see if you got a good shot.
Love these Video's, I have often watched most of them several times. I learn something new each time. Thank You Sir. And have a wonderful Trip
I used to take a tiny rollei 35b to places like Lebanon…and I use this technique now.. it’s good for street photography… set for a shallow hyper focal distance, typically 2m plus works, meter in an average. As you walk around range 4 stops from lightest to darkest. Pick a decent shutter speed to avoid blurring. My goal was alway to get every shot on the roll usable, and it typically paid off. You can respond fast to sudden scenes, take advantage of not being noticed. I tried to never use the viewfinder. It all sounds very contrary to good photography, but when you are comfortable, it’s fun, fast and reliable.
I “lucked out” shooting a silhouette of a cedar waxwing by watching them eat and rest and got myself on the other side of the tree with hard light in the background. I find this getting into position and waiting helps me “luck out” in street photography, too.
Thanks for the lucky tips!
FANTASTIC images.
Would like to say thank you!
The way you present, and the info you share I find most valuable. You help de- mystify some of the stumbling blocks I have , with my photography.
Thanks again
I love how pumped you look (to me) when holding up that image - and so you should be! Congratulations on creating the conditions for 'luck'!!
So many excellent, sensible tips in one short video. Perhaps the most important is accept that you will fail more often than you will succeed and don't be discouraged by this. Thanks.
I primarily photo national heritage so everything from large buildings to individual graves in historic graveyards but have recently branched out into landscape and street photography on the basis that the present is the history to the future. Two strategies which have served me well are:
1. Turn around. When I find an abandoned building or potentially historic site, it is very rare that there is just a single structure remaining. Turning around and looking have led to me finding many more interesting structures.
2. If I am not sure of the photo composure, I use the screen to view the image whilst moving around and comparing this to the object. The object could be obscuring something of interest behind or the sun might cast more interesting shadows with just a small change in location. Comparing the changing view to the recorded image helps me learn and grow as a photographer.
This may be about increasing your opportunities for great shots but, seriously, this video could be shown in classes on how to present a UA-cam video! Maybe I'm just hyper aware of this because I'm attempting a UA-cam channel with next to no background in production, videography or photography... but this is a near perfect UA-cam presentation! There are so many subtle nuances at every moment that are "just right". When I watch your videos I'm learning MUCH more than just the subject of the videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience!
Welcome and good luck!
Hi Simon. I may have said it here before but for me luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I can’t say it any more simply than that. I did see once a picture that defined this unexpectedly. A woman was walking up a stairway from a ravine here in Toronto. She had her iPhone out and facing forward. A deer jumped over the stairway in front of her just feet away. She snapped the picture and it was a memorable shot. Great tips as always, especially the last one.
More distilled wisdom from Mr. d'Entremont.
Simon, thank you very much for this video. Not only did you lay out what should be common sense considerations for us, you do so in a way that encourages us to be better photographers and you bare your humanity, letting us know that every image you capture isn’t gold. Thank you for the encouragement - I’m sure this video will cause a significant incremental improvement in my photography! Thank you once again.😊
You are a great presenter. So glad I found your channel!
Enjoy all of your videos Simon and your photography. Your photo of the blue jay you had in a video maybe last week or two weeks ago blew me away.
Thankyou. You articulated what I've been doing by instinct. Timing is everything. Your bird shots are just screaming skills. 🦅
Dear Simon, thank you so much for your enthusiastic inspiration 🙏🙏
I do a lot of motorcycle racing photography and encounter a lot of pros who are inherently better photographers than I am but are maybe experiencing that type of racing for the first time. But my one key advantage is I know all of the riders and their styles and the tendency of when the action is going to take place. Most importantly I know which riders don't like each other and are going to be racing aggressively against one another. My intimate knowledge of the sport is a huge advantage for me and it sometimes makes up for my less refined skill set. People will say I was lucky to get that shot but I saw it developing and anticipated it. I find this is applicable to all photography. The 'luck' of knowing when an alligator is about to swim off or the habits of a bird when it's gathering food is key to getting your self in the right spot at the right time. Sometimes you get lucky but usually you are making a large portion of the luck you receive. I just discovered your channel and am really enjoying it.
Cool! Thanks for sharing!
One of my most favourite sayings ever, I’ve used it plenty.
Yet another fantastic video, top drawer 👍🏻
This is precious knowledge, accumulated over years of experience, beautifully and consicely presented. We are lucky to have people like you sharing their knowledge. Thank you.
So nice of you
Always being up for learning who ever you are is the way forward.
Recently I got a picture of a hummingbird late in the evening different things were reflecting and it made beautiful colors I love it.
Wonderful!
I do mostly corporate video so it's indoors. My secret is to block out all outside windows and create the lighting you want for your scene. Then you can cut and rearrange the video clips no matter what they're talking about at any time and the story will flow continuously without noticing a big shift in the background lighting.
I love your teaching style and you're work and knowledge literally speaks for itself. Please continue making videos!
There is certainly some "luck" involved, but the biggest contributors are those you've described and the reason people such as myself (needing instruction) view this content. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I loved this video so much. I love how fast paced it was but was super clear and informative. Those 10 minutes went in a blink of a eye but I learnt heaps. Plus those photos and videos are outstanding! Thanks for your advice 🔥🔥
I have a friend who I consider an excellent photographer, but he is constantly fidgeting with his settings, and because of this, he misses a lot of shots. I like to take advantage of my camera's user programmable modes. One quick twist of a knob, and it's like I'm carrying a completely different camera. My current camera only has two of these modes, so I usually have one set up for static subjects and one for moving. I still miss a lot of shots, but I can't blame the camera.
I do a lot of architectural documentary photography and differ between low and high sun, depending on what I want. I live in the Middle East and have a lot of months without clouds. Instead of clouds I use the sun as the sky element, using my Voigtlander 21mm f1.4 Nokton stopped down in order to give me a sunstar rather than a blob of light. I obviously take several exposures, so I can get it right when editing the photo. I also shoot in the middle of the day, when I want pronounced shadows, which helps me show the texture or various design elements more clearly.
I do prefer cloudy days and try to take advantage of them when they're there, but I know what I can expect depending on the weather and how to get the best out of it.
This lesson has taken me a long time to learn, but learning to properly frame and plan and visualize the shot has had a dramatic effect on my photos.
I like a definition of luck I heard a long time ago. Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.
Putting the hours in... Today was spent in my hide (basically a 4ft wooden cube with a door, a hole for a big lens and a mesh covered hole for peeking) waiting for ravens. I got nothing. Did the same on Sunday and got very little. Friday however... 😁Once again, good advice Simon 🙂
Finally a tutorial for pros. I will share your site with my friends. They all teach photography but you are exceptional. Thank you. yosaif cohain from Israel
Set camera to fast action while walking is a great tip. I learned that one day when a Northern Harrier flew right past me, I just stood and watched. Didn't do anything haha. I knew that next time I'd be ready and it's paid off.
This is a great philosophy for sports and almost everything else in life. Keep doing your best to create opportunities for things to happen. Make the unpredictable 'luck' element the last and smallest factor of your success.
Excennent video. I’ve always said…you have to give yourself the chance to have luck. Not only photography, but just about anything. Using your head, and putting in the hours increases that tremendously. On the other hand, I’ve had friends say…that was just luck, not wanting to give you credit. I’ve been trying for several years to photograph a full moonrise in an Earth’s Shadow. Here in PA, you are luck to even get those conditions. Lots of research with apps and places to go. I finally got that moment last fall at a Hawk site and convinced others to stay and watch. A Red-Letter Day!
I’ve been an amateur photographer for years and pro for 4.
I found every tip to be helpful, thank you.
Your work ethic reaches my soul. This video transcends photography and life.
Too kind!!
Again a brilliant video, thanks for sharing Simon!
Yes yes yes yes yes, the more we practice the luckier we get. I love it. this is so so so true, thanks, love your work.