How to Compose with Layers like the masters - Street & Travel Photography .
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- The Raw Society Co-Founder Jorge Delgado-Ureña shares his thoughts and tips about how to improve your photography with layered compositions with lots of sample photos from his travel and street photography projects.
Topics:
0- Why and when to compose with layers.
1- The choosing of the lens.
2- How to approach the scene.
3- The importance of color.
4- Different kinds of complexity.
All photographs in this video are made by Jorge Delgado-Ureña.
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Thank you guys for your messages! I'll try to keep posting interesting things about this journey that is photography that all of us share! And please feel free to leave your comments here as well! :)
I wish more you tubers would realise the "hi Guys" and "whatsuppp" are exhausting when watching shorts. Thank you Jorge for the calm and concise delivery of your content, I am really enjoying it.
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment! I really appreciate it! :)
I think the goal is to tell a story and not just be clever. The greatest images in this style accomplish both. The point about competing colors is very important. Thankfully, with digital, you can tone down some colors or, god forbid, even change those colors to make the image more harmonious. Thank, Mr. Delgado-Ureña.
Your Quiet, Clear simple presentation produces extremely thought provoking content…This example was very interesting indeed, especially when you explained how you got that horse racing shot! I now realise looking for possible “layers” in random shots taken on a days shoot is a bit like looking for lightening on a sunny day! Many thanks, as always for your advice.
Your lightening analogy is great Jeff! I think it's usually like that but also I think that with time there are situations when you can "catch" one of those pictures a little bit more on the go! But generally speaking, yes, patience and observation is the key! Thank you very much for watching and taking the time to comment my friend!
Finally someone who’s talking about street photography while showing great examples. Awesome photography! Liked! Subscribed!
Awesome, thank you my friend! Glad you liked the video and the pictures! :)
Layering is a major focal point to what I’ve developed as my personal style. The more layers that I see in the images the more the scenes appear to take on a more “worldly” character. My hope is to transport the viewer into the whole of the scenes that I capture, not just a flat 2D image. I want them to feel pulled into the image due to depth of the subjects while still making the intended subject stand out due to lighting and color contrasts or simply eye contact.
That's great Cam! and the goal of layers, the depth. I know it can be difficult to transport the viewers through the frame because one has to be a little bit "photo knowledgeable" but it's a great way of telling stories in a more complete way and also for developing a personal way of telling those stories. Tank you for taking the time to comment my friend!
Inspired by Cartier-Bresson and Harry Gruyaert, I ditched my 35mm lens and started shooting 50mm. Zone focusing with it on a Nikon S2 rangefinder was such a big challenge, but a challenge worth facing. After a while I started to see things differently, and realized that this focal length is magical.
An S2 with a 50mm beautiful combination! :)
Deeply appreciated, Jorge. I've long been fascinated by this technique, and yours is one of the most illuminating treatments of it I've seen.
Glad it was helpful Marc! And thanks for the comment! :)
I love the way you captured the essence of Bresson's work. I have been studying him for a while now and this video has really gelled the process for me. thank you! I like his earlier work that incorporates more surrealism. I love your work and your videos,
.
Looking forward to see some new videos on this channel. Very inspirational.
Vaya clase de fotografía en 14min. Gracias por compartir tanto conocimiento Jorge ❤️
Muchas gracias a ti Iñigo! :)
Such a great lesson! Thanks for sharing-I learned a ton!
Glad it was helpful Doug! talk soon! :)
Muchas gracias Jorge. Muy inspirador.
Muchas gracias Gabriel! :)
So glad to have found this channel. Wonderful video about layering and the calm feel of your music choice and voice is refreshing in a YT channel. 🙏🏻
Always classy and inspirational. Thank you.
Thank you for watching Tobias! Appreciate it!
Awesome Jorge, the "art of layering"
Gracias Arturo! :)
I love layering, it tells stories… maybe many… loving your work
Thank you very much my friend! appreciate it!
Fantastic video. I loved the horse shot with the explanation - very helpful. I need to do this more often instead of just concentrating on my subject. I hope you can post more videos, you haven't done much of late. Your inputs into photography are one of the best on UA-cam.
No wonder your photos are great, the thought process behind it is thorough. Enjoyed it! Thanks for the video !
Thank you for watching Vivek! Appreciate it!
Absolutely love this video!!! Great tips with excellent reasoning and stunning photos!!
Thanks Ryan I'm glad it was helpful!
Appreciate it! :)
Excellent clear explanation and tips on layering Jorge, the best breakdown I have heard to date. Just when I thought I had already learned these things for layered composition, you shared the caution about colours. That’s one that I had not given as much thought in terms of it adding too much complexity, so will surely keep this in mind next time in the field and filling the frame. Great work, keep ‘em coming!
Thank for taking the time to comment John! Layering is tricky but is so interesting! :)
Outstanding lesson. Muchas gracias!
Muchas gracias a ti por comentar! :)
Muchas Gracias!! extremadamente interesante y didático!!
Muchas gracias a ti Damian!
Another great lesson Jorge 🙏🏻
Thank you very much Ivan, Appreciate it! Hope everything is going well in HK!
Great video! Thank you for sharing the informations!
Wow! Never got such simple and valuable insights in photography... thanks! Pls keep it on
Thanks Amit! will do! :)
Such sound advice. As usual, your videos offer information that is useful and thoughtful.
Excellent presentation and great photos. Muchisimas gracias!
Muchas gracias a ti James! Glad you liked it! :)
illustrations are just as informative as the photographs!
Calmly explained, very helpful. Thanks
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!
Just seeing this, Jorge. Well done!
Thanks Gisele! :))
Great video. Thank you! Beautiful photos
Thanks for watching Nate!
Great insight of the layering methods. Thank you for explaining your approach!
Glad it was helpful, thank you for watching my friend!
Fantastic content! Thank you for taking the time to teach others.
Thanks for watching my friend! Appreciate it!
well said.. !!!!!! loved it
Thanks my friend!
Great work. Really happy I came across your channel. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching my friend!
Mario Testino layers his group shots with wide angles-sometimes even ultra wide. It creates a surreal feel which I love. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for watching Carry! Appreciate it!
you just kept it so simple again, Thank you :)
You're welcome! Thanks for watching Pooja! :)
Me encanto! super interesante
Muchas gracias Cristian!
Love this
Thanks my friend!
Your videos are very inspiring 🙏
Thank you very much Manish! Appreciate it! :)
Amazing video. So useful . Thank you for the invaluable tips. Keep on making videos
Thank you Ridha! Will do!
Inspirational and educational , thank you
Thank you for watching Cristian! glad it was helpful! :)
damn! your pics are just superb!
excellent advice, cool video, great photographs shown. thanks a lot
Glad it was helpful Ronny! thanks for watching!
Great articulation of a complex element of photography, I very muted enjoyed this. I am a big Alex Webb fan.
Brilliant, mucha gracias
Thanks Peter! :)
Gracias muy bien explicado.
Gracias a ti Walter, por verlo y por dejar un comentario! :)
Excellent discussion of layering for photography. Thank you.
Thank you for watching! 🙏🏼
That’s a really helpful and practical lesson thanks
Glad it was helpful John!
Really great. Thanks
Thank you for watching Stéphane!
Great video.
Instant subscribe
Awesome, thank you Luca! Appreciate it!
Really nice video with lot of useful tips. Your images are beautiful too!
Glad you like them Vishy!! Appreciate it!
Great video !
Thanks my friend! Glad you enjoyed it
Nice vídeo. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for watching Carlos!
Thank you
You're welcome!!
7:53 what a wonderful image
Great informative video, learn a lot thanks for posting
Thank you for watching Darren! Appreciate it!
Cool Video, really good lesson!!!!
Glad you liked it Alexander! thanks for watching!
well done!
Thank you Paul!
Starting with good background composition is a great shortcut to a good photograph. If you don't, logic will lead you there eventually:
The greatest pictures have both good background and subject positioning, but if you move your camera to chase the subject, you almost instantly lose your background composition. What now?
So instead ask (or wait for) the subject to move, and you'll have a chance to have both. It's simply good logic, because you won't tell your background to move any time soon.
how come i did not know your channel up until now? glad it finally found me.
Thanks for joining us Magnus! :)
Agree. ~35mm is the ideal focal length. Not just for layering but for daily carry. Next ~50mm.
Agree 100% Jeremy! thanks for watching!
Spot on! I sold all lenses and left only three primes 24, 35 and 50mm. I use 35 the most.
I personally prefer 35mm and I could see myself using a 28mm as well when composing layers. I Love the work you are doing, great info and video! Thanks!
Awesome, thank you Marlon! Appreciate it! :)
I’m a fan of shooting with layers between the 23, 35, and 55mm focal lengths when shooting Fuji. The more “normal” focal lengths help make the image more natural for the viewer to see IMHO.
Excellent advice, great photos, instant sub 👍😉
Thanks for the sub Brian! glad it was helpful! :)
Nice pics.
Glad you like them!
Congrats (from Lisbon, Portugal) for your UA-cam channel. Al the best.
Thank you very much José! Appreciate it! :)
Crystal clear explanation and illustration Jorge. Perhaps the fourth tip requiring consideration is choice of aperture. Would you agree that between the focal length of 28 - 35 an ideal aperture is f/11 so that all of the layer elements are acceptably in focus?
Thank you+ I am learning from you 🙏🏽
I'm so glad my friend! Thank you for watching! :)
First there a lot more people everywhere. The 50mm is too rigid. You need more apparent depth of field. One looking normal. The 35mm. I love both! My next lens is the 90mm~105mm lenses. I love flatter perspectives and isolating main subject. Background most important. My stage. Wait for your actors and cast. People group themselves beautifully. No direction reqd. Feel the balance. When it 'feels' special, it is! A very good video. Bravo.
what is interesting is your talking in story terms, I think many people overlook that, more so when you get out of street and travel photography and into fashion, but the concepts are tied. your image should capture a moment be it staged (for editorial) or natural through street photos. this video offers insights on different fronts that are helpful.
Thank you very much for your comment James! Agree 100% Story is key! :)
nice!
07.52 is an excellent image! :- )
Thank you Peter! I like it a lot as well :)
After a year of using the 16-55mm (crop sensor) for hobby street shots, I feel like my new leap to 33mm (50mm equivalent) is a challenge. Like you say, it's a complicated focal distance.
I'm actively trying to avoid the shorter focal lengths. Only because I think too many 35mm street photos seem lazy, with a plain subject, over-inclusive background and too much reliance on the interesting distortion of the lens itself. I think the 33mm will make me work harder for each shot and have to move left and right more, to get the background objects as relevant as possible. To use layering in a fairly targeted way.
I'm excited. And I'll have to get used to missing a lot of shots, compared to my 16-55mm.
Going for fixed lenses is always a challenge Mike, But it worth it. Tomorrow I publish a video about the 50mm actually, you might find it interesting :)
Thank you for great tips! When do you talk about lens 23 until 50mm are Fullframe or Aps-C frame? Thanks a lot.
I enjoyed that Jorge your work is good I mainly work in black and white myself and have done so for a few years or so now I have various reasons why I like to use it and not colour I also think 35mm is about the best lens to use or 23mm on the Fuji cameras for my photography I tend to use my 50mm for more portrait work I recently bought a lens that gives me a 26mm field of view which I'm still trying out its 17mm 1.4 a fast lens I like it then I don't like it then again I like it cant make my mind up Jorge but with the 35mm I feel I'm in more control of the images if that makes sense.......great video my friend
Great video thank you. 🙏I really liked your photo of the Hats and Horses event. Can you share your lens and camera settings for that photo?
Thanks my friend! Yes, I believe it was an xpro-2 with a 23mm
Great explanation about the layers of photography. Are these all pictures clicked by yourself? If yes then please tell me about the picture at the time of this video at 7:15 (location, how long to wait for this click, color ratio etc)
Hi Arijit! Yes all the pictures are mine. The one that you ask about is made in Kathmandu and I worked that scene about 20 minutes witch is not a lot but that square is quite busy so there where many people coming and going. The square is kind of a roundabout and i'm standing right in the middle. hope my answer helps! About the colour I don't know what you mean by color ratio. I photograph in RAW and I process the pictures with Lightroom. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Did you notice that the shadow on the man’s jacket in the horse track photo looked like a horse head? Very nice video.
Haha yes it's true! I didn't because that shadow is me actually :)
Could you clarify your meaning regarding 'start with the background'. Are you saying pick a setting and let subjects walk into/through it? If so, where is your focus point?
Thanks
Hi Charles! I know it's a tricky concept to explain but I try to explain the hole process in the minute 7:50 where I describe my process with an example of a picture. The bottom line though would be that the focus point is the hole scene.
Nice video a few questions though to better understand, for example concerning the photo at the horse race-track, was it at 35mm? And was it shot at f/8? And where did you focus? cause the gentleman in the foreground is slightly out of focus - how far from him where you standing? less than 1 meter?
All good questions. I was using a 23mm ( in APSC) 35 equivalent. I focused in the group and I was probably between f/8 and f/11. regarding the distance with the person in the hat, would be about 1m, 1m and a half. So you are spot on!
@@The_Raw_Society Tnx, yeah that’s probably the way I would have shot this too. Perhaps in future videos you share such info as it may help young photographers better understand the ‘mechanics’ of this :-)
@@dimitristsagdis7340 Good Idea Dimitris! thanks for taking the time to comment!
Have you a list of other masters that I can also study. Thank you
What aperture do you use for laying on 35mm lens?
Between f/8 and f/11
Thank you for this video! One question about the picture with the horse. All layers are sharp, so you had your aperture set on 16 or so? It was sunset, I think not too bright. The horse shows no motion blur, what means minimum shutter speed 1/100 or so? The picture shows no noise, but I expected high ISO. I assume, you didn’t use a tripod. How did you manage that?
Thanks Martin! well there was plenty of light actually so I was about f/11 I try to stay between that and f/8 with an 18mm which would be an equivalent to 28 or so, the focal point was the group of people that I would guess they where about maybe 4/5 meters from me and there you already have hiperfocal, about the noise, without the UA-cam quality you can see a bit more of it but I was probably maximum 800 iso which is not a lot anyway and to finish about the horse, they where not moving very fast sot I guestimate that the speed was about 250th or so. maybe It looks darker because of the post-procesing but it was not a particularly bad light situation.
@@The_Raw_Society thank you for your detailed reply! That’s very interesting, theory and practice 😀
9:54 Interesting, when I first watched pictures by Ernst Haas I saw how overvalued sharpness is today. The horse picture also is not having a true focus point, from what my eyes see. To me this one is one of the best pictures ever. There are several one by June Newton which I like but your pictures speak their own unique language…. I hope I will reach this point one day…. thanks for sharing…. I also would be interested in the fact of cropping in street photography. For my taste I sometimes see a one time situation but it’s too far away so I crop it, and throw out 50% of resolution. In my opinion it’s better than going away with no picture at all?
Lo primero agradecerte este vídeo tan interesante y didáctico. Me gustaría hacerte una pregunta y si te viene a bien me contestas. Parece ser que Winogrand empezaba a trabajar con las horizontales, Alex webb suele utilizar una vertical para dividir el encuadre o Alan Harvey empieza con un sujeto en primer plano y a partir de ahí empieza a resolver. Mi pregunta es, siendo consciente que todo dependerá de la escena que nos interesa captar ¿ tienes algún patrón por el cuál sea determinante para empezar a trabajar o es simplemente un fondo apropiado?
Gracias por tus preguntas Luis!
Creo que lo que hace difícil el concepto es precisamente que no hay solo una respuesta correcta, en mi opinión, creo que es más interesante empezar con el espacio o el fondo en el aspecto de la composición en si, la parte técnica digamos, pero sin duda se tiene que dar una situación o tiene que haber un sujeto o sujetos interesantes en ese espacio para empezar. Te diría que en este tipo de fotos por capas, suele ser más importante la "atmósfera" del lugar que una acción muy en concreto. De hecho estudiando los fotógrafos que mencionas, nos damos cuenta de que en las fotos más complejas, a nivel de composición, menos cosas pasan a nivel de acción de los personajes ( en general y salvo excepciones) Espero haberte ayudado! :)
@@The_Raw_Society muchísimas gracias, tomaré buena nota.👍
I think the f stop also plays a big part. Sometimes I feel like a photo doesn’t work with layer’s because I’ve chosen f2.8 and the forefront is too blurry. Particularly night photos I find challenging for this reason.
Make use of the darkness. Alex Majoli.
I'm a relative newbie to photography Alex Webb is an awesome photographer. However, I'm just dumbfounded as to why a knowledgeable person like yourself has not even mentioned the master of layering Saul Leiter or Ernst Haas!
How did you not affect the scene?
How is 40mm instead of 35mm as in the Nikon Z series 40mm is available and compact
Hi Nitin, I don't know about the Nikon 40mm in particular. I like 40mm or equivalent in general but that's a pretty personal choice to make. I would say that if you can, try it first and the make a decision.
Dear Jorge, thank you for the amazing video and pictures.
Someone asked you already about the settings in the horse race picture. I however would be interested in the f stop. How can you possibly get in focus a foregroung that near, the middleground and the background?
It it the advantage of apsc?
Would you have been able to get the same shot with a fullframe camera ?
Thank you
Martin
Camino de Santiago veteran in beautiful Spain :)
Ps I always wanted to do a project about my caminos, but as Dan milner says “my Camino”, “pilgrims on the Camino”… etc would be far too vast. I would have to find a more particular topic like “pilgrims on the Camino with red backpacks and blue shoes” (just joking but I will have to find a way to be more specific.)
What is your take on that ? Obviously it would be a project for a printed book. Thanks
HI Martin! the F stop was about f/11, and yes the APSC helps with the depth of field, however I would say that in the video, the picture appears to be sharper in the foreground than it is, if could see the picture printed or in a better resolution you would notice that the critical focus is on the middle-ground. And of course you can do this can of compositions with a FF camera, you might have to step down a little bit more or use a wider lens but at the end there is not a great difference between APSC and FF. Hope it helped and good luck with el camino Santiago project! sounds amazing :)
What about 40mm?
The 40 is a very good option in my opinion, in between the 35 and the 50mm!
Outstanding, informative and thought-provoking. Thank you. I can't wait to start to compose from the background forwards.
Nice vid but for me the jury is still out on "layering." I can't see making layering itself the object or subject of your photography. There has to be more.
Agree 100% I actually say that at the beginning of the video, It's important to promote stories and narrative. Thanks for taking the time to comment! :)
8:00 I see another layer. The shadow of your arm, wich looks like the head of a horse.....nice
Haha it looks like a horse right? but sadly is my elbow to be honest! ;)
lets talk about camera and lens.
You cannot learn how to take a photograph, you can learn how a camera works, you can eliminate the mistakes of a bad picture but a good picture is instinctive . Incorrectus