Don't forget to download my free guide on shooting backlit! www.simondentremont.com/freebie123

@MrBillkaz

7 ай бұрын

Done good sir and thank you

@NorwayT

2 ай бұрын

I tried, but all I got was "Captcha validation failed. Please try again." without seeing any captcha challenge on the screen… Which makes it kinda hard to do what the invisible Captcha wants me to do… Great videos!

I watch a number of channels on photography. This one consistently delivers useful advice in a concise and pleasing manner. You give polished and efficient presentations that are easy on the ear. Some photographers stumble over their words, some have annoying affectations, others fill the time with unnecessary verbiage. Not you. Keep up the great work!

@hughchisholm-ns

7 ай бұрын

I agree! You know Simon isn’t going to waste your time with “fluff”.

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you!

@desireneilson2168

7 ай бұрын

Ditto!

@RobBrannon88

7 ай бұрын

Yeah he's good haha

@uhoh7541

7 ай бұрын

This gentleman also always answers questions and isn't afraid to say when he doesn't have the answer or isn't certain. Sign of a truly intelligent and helpful person!

8 tips in 8 minutes, instead of half hour, you are the real MVP.

As a beginner, I have no clue at all about photography, this gentleman explains really well, patient and clear explanation. And his last name sounds so cool.😅

That tiny clip if the bird in the cold with the air coming out its beak is amazing

Really useful tips. My beginner mistake was only seeing what my brain didn't "ignore" because it wasn't part of the subject. My brain saw one person, the camera saw everyone else as well

I primarily photograph small birds and my biggest mistake when I was a beginner was shooting too tight, my only goal was to fill the frame with the subject as much as possible. There is a middleground, if the subject is too small it feels like i'm photographing a tree rather than a bird, if the subject is too large it may as well been taken in an aviary. This is where small birds are difficult because it's basically telephoto marco photography, where larger subjects like raptors you can naturally shoot wider while still having a good subject size.

Man I like content like this. Straightforward, to the point, and every second of the video is loaded with good advice.

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Thanks very much!

I had a photo rejected from a model railroad magazine because it showed “too little train” 😅. The editor instead picked photos were the train filled the frame 😅. But then I got to print the photo of the train in its natural habitat, with a nice blurry bridge and empty track ahead in the foreground, and showcase it at a train show instead 😊

I kinda into street/architecture photography and my biggest composition mistake for a looong time was not being aware of how many random out-of-place object there are in the way of the subject: like poles, wires, road signs, cars, billboards, random people, etc.

I was taking pictures of hummingbirds and wasn’t getting the results I wanted so I put a ladder against the house and took pictures downward with much better pictures. They were less aware of me and I avoided aiming into a bright sky

@JohnJones-pe9kj

7 ай бұрын

WOW JIMO thank you for taking the time to write this. Hummingbirds are one of my favorite birds to watch and photograph, one of the most frustrating to capture that “One of kind shot”. This concept puts me in the director’s chair. I know as time passes I will add more to art of capturing better photographs of these ballerinas of the air.

Hey, long time viewer here. Just got an idea, what if you found a platform for your subscribers to share their photos for others to look at and you would then maybe use some of those pictures as good and bad examples of what to do and what not to? There is a chance that people do mistakes you wouldn't think of so it could be beneficial. Thank you for your videos

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Good idea!

@JohnJones-pe9kj

7 ай бұрын

I agree as well !! Simon you are one of a handful of photographers I would want to give me an opinion my work. If you follow through with this idea set it up for subscribers only. Most of us want constructive feedback and criticism with comments to help improve our art.

@namenloserflo

7 ай бұрын

Maybe discord could work. Without the premium version (nitro) we'd have to convert the images to jpg though to make them under 25mb. I love the platform for chatting though and administration works well.

@philipcolumbus3054

7 ай бұрын

It’s a good idea. I just worry you won’t have any time to shoot with all the photos you will be asked to look at! 😮

@citizenychoux

7 ай бұрын

I cannot stress enough how great this would be in my opinion. Such a marvelous idea!

One of the things I learned as doing landscape photography for a few years now, is sometimes you don't need a clear subject. The whole photo or "picture" as it were, creates the scene, especially with editing techniques that creates the feel you want. This is especially apparent in some street photography, where you want to convey a certain juxtaposition between two or more parts of the photo by using off angles, unique lighting and different placement of elements in the frame. I do agree, if the photo becomes to busy, then it's hard for the observer of the photo to know what the story is. It's a fairly fine line, but it's fun to cross that line and see what you can come up with.

@greebo6549

7 ай бұрын

👍 The lighthouse scene at 3:21 IMHO is the better of the two examples ... collectively all the parts together work better than trying to focus on one element

@Sushi33312

3 ай бұрын

Foreground framing, even if just a few fronds or shadowed leaves, rocks, trail, etc around the edges adds enough depth so to place the scene so it doesn't look agoraphobic. Need something to relate the viewer to the scene. That's why Grand Canyon vistas often fall short of actual majesty.

A lesson learned from watching an old movie - 8mm - from my in-laws' wedding. The photographer captured people dancing but only centered their heads and shoulders in the frame. All we see is people bobbing up and down with ceiling above. The interesting footwork of the dance is lost forever. Seems the same could apply to still photography. Good composition is a gift to future viewers.

I'm becoming a better photograper though I don't own a camera. Thanks for growing my passion for photography and i believe I'll become a better photographer

Like so many others on here, I really appreciate your channel. I have been an amateur photographer for about 12 years but struggle mightily with good composition and a few other technical areas. This video, like all your other videos, cover areas I struggle with so it’s obvious you’ve walked the path I am currently on 😅. I do some landscapes, fireworks and birding and I’ve gained a wealth of information from you. Again, much obliged for you taking the time to do this. I hopefully can go on one of your tours in 2025! Keep up the good work. We appreciate it!

My favorite photography teacher.

This is not "one of many" photography channels. This is THE BEST place to find everything you need to know about photography. Btw i think i'll have to creat a special placr on my yt account specifically for your movies.

So much value! Great teacher, every idea comes with an example. Thank you! New fan!

I'm shooting with a S23 ultra phone camera cuz that's what I have. Even so, applying this and your other tips to my approach has made a huge difference in the quality of my photos. Just moving through the day, I'm starting to become aware of my surroundings in a new wonderful way. Thanks for your content!

Hi Simon, thank you for the video. Numerous so called popular 'KZread photographers' fail to mention or fail miserably at presenting work that contains a scrap of compositional technique/s. I found your video instructive and to the point. Thank you

@simon_dentremont

27 күн бұрын

Thanks for sharing

I think it’s less laziness causing not to move to get a better background or removing distractions from your image. For me, more often than not it’s more about recognising it when on location. There are some many things to look for at the same time, from technical things like getting the right focus, a good exposure etc., and at the same time all the distractions around you.

@clonkex

6 ай бұрын

100%. For me, my brain naturally filters out all the rubbish behind my subject and I don't notice it. Thankfully I'm getting better after consciously paying attention.

I'll let you know my biggest composition mistake in 6 years when I stop making them. ;) Thanks for the shooting backlit eBook!

5:40 I had to think about that as i saw a photo from the NPT treaty in 1986, where the photographer didnt shoot the paper itself as all photographers, instead he photographed the mass of photographers and cameras all over the place shooting the papers. Thats basically a more interesting perspective than the photo taken by the rest of the photographers since you could technically even look at this paper in a museum.

It seems too good to be true that you consistently give away such incredible and clear advice completely for free. Absolutely love your videos and always come away with something new to try. Thank you for everything!

Thanks for this Simon. I’ve seen a few ads and other creators saying they’ll teach these things in exchange for money but the fact that you do this for free and so concisely is incredible. I hope you feel appreciated by the community.

@simon_dentremont

Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I am a compositional photographer, so I do these things without having to think about it. I can make instant compositions out of almost anything. Even my grab-shots seem to naturally balance. My one downfall was my horizons...frequently they were off-kilter just a degree and always had to be corrected in the darkroom! I thank the universe for digital cameras! All these skill tips are great advice. Thank you!

Better told than many professors, this is one of the top explanations and with examples explaining

I use the close up "just the bird" crop for eBird postings, but, I also will post an "artsy" bird photo on eBird of the same event in hopes of getting one of my pics used in one of Cornell's ads or publications. It's one more way to get your name out there as a photographer.

I liken my travel photography to my golf game. "Every once and a while, I take a great shot." MY biggest composition problem is just like this comment."I want to fit everything in." I downloaded your article about back lighting, and that will definitely help me with harsh lighting situations. Great video.

My biggest composition mistake in my photography journey? *EVERYTHING* I wanted a nice camera and cool photos but I knew absolutely nothing about composition. I didn't know what made photos compelling or interesting to look at other than pretty colors and interesting subjects. I wish I had seen this video before I bought my first camera. Edit: Thank you for putting out this video.

I use a very basic mental checklist, not that I claim proficiency in all yet. 1. Content - what you are actually photographing and is it going to be interesting to viewers? 2. Composition - how have you framed the content? 3. Competence - have you made the best use of your equipment?

Challenge accepted.

That "i know you can do it" is a guaranteed smile from me every time :D

M. d'Entremont, your videos are great, informative and entertaining. Winter will soon be upon us and I was wondering if you could create (or have created) a video on photographing in winter conditions? Snowy landscapes and wildlife in winter make for great photo opportunities. Your views and experience would be so helpful for novices as myself. Thank you for the excellent learning experience your videos provide.

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Noted!

My phone is the best handheld camera I have but I do have an Air 3 and this made me realize why some of my aerial photos that I felt like were great "views" didn't feel like good photographs.

The other thing I would add (more aimed at beginners) is to stop trying to break the rules before you've actually learnt to master the rules. Start with the standardised shots first. Even emulate someone else's work at first if it helps. Repeat them until they are second nature Learn the hows and whys of why a shot is considered standardised or even cliched. And then, once you have this grapsed, the clarity of how to break those rules, to add that extra intrigue, to do the more uncommon and rare styles of creative shooting will blossom in front of you. But it really STARTS with knowing the basics.

@YouSnoozeYouNooze

6 ай бұрын

I dont have the patience for that. I think spending a day messing with shutter speed then a day with aperture, and a day with iso can set the groundwork Then loosely follow the rule of thirds, look for a story, keep it simple and have fun

Composition issues aside, I rather like the image at 3:39. It grabs my attention, makes me want to study it. Captures the sheer power of those waves, the might of the sea. There's beauty in that chaos.

I think the most important aspect of composition is to balance the image. Rule of thirds, rule of this-and-that, it's only important to know these rules to make you think why or why not they work. Finding the weight of a subject and it's surroundings is most important if you want to balance the photo. It takes longer to figure that out - definitely when you just start to use it - but it's the best way to compose your photo. I found myself not being happy with the composition and never got the answer using the available rules, until I started wondering what was wrong. It happens of course that I cannot find the right composition, but then there's nothing left to ditch the photo. I do not always delete it, but do not further process it. Move on to the next one. Why I don't delete it? Because history taught me that in time I get new experience and insights and sometimes this knowledge leads to an answer. If I do delete a photo, it's obvious worthless to me, but that should be clear, I suppose. I am not assuming that I know all the answers to this subject (or any subject concerning photography for that matter), but I would like to point out that this job or hobby never stops you from learning and to keep being curious to gain knowledge. This especially was and continues to be my ongoing lesson. One of the main reasons for me to never leave this fascinating hobby.

One of my personal favorite photos has 80% dark blue water on the bottom, with a Great Lakes freighter in the distance at the top. I like the texture and color of the water + waves, and the freighter gives it perspective. This seems to violate the rules of composition, which is another reason I like it.

What a great Video! Thank you! Mist Times ppl Just give some normal sayings or a lot of talking without big improvments. But your examples. We're great!

@simon_dentremont

7 күн бұрын

You are so welcome!

excellent insights as usual. cheers from connecticut.

I grew up in a hunting family in New England, it's made my photography difficult. I'm constantly fighting the quick shot.

What great tips for us zoom lens shooters! In my case the RF 100-500. My subjects can be smaller in the frame due to distance. However there are times that I actually zoom back for less focal length to increase the aperture. More light and sharper photos. I’ve taken my share of portrait shots, but I tend to like more habitat shots these days. I’m a nature nut, so habitat and behavior shots are my style! I spend a lot of time observing and on Google.

@simon_dentremont

4 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I only take screenshots in video games but this really helps a lot. Never understood when to center my subject or follow rule of thirds but now i know its based on symmetry of the scene!

I recently came back from an air show. I tried to use a lot of these tips here..I found not completely zooming in on the planes enabled the condesation trails and interesting sky to add a lot more to a lot of shots. The sky was fantastic that day, so I tried to include it as much as possible. I was extremely pleased with the results! Thanks!

@simon_dentremont

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

Love your style and passion that you use to give tips.

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

I appreciate that!

All good things to be aware of and to meditate on. The biggest challenge i have is usually simplifying complex environments - like inside the rainforest i live in. It's a challenge too because the rainforest is inherently complex and representing it as anything other fails to capture one of it's most fundamental features - Catch 22. Regarding your shot of the lion with the voyeurs gallery.... I know what you're saying, but i can see a flip-side that, while not as pleasing in some respects, is arguably more important in others. What i saw in that compressed image was the lion as it now is - reduced to being the subject of the gaze, not the 'thing in itself', and pressured on all sides by the encroachment of people in it's habitat. So, from my perspective, that's a valid and important image illustrating a small part of a significant and ongoing global story. It's documentary photography in the purest sense. I'd add to that with another shot - the B&W of the woman stranded in the middle of the highway. That's graphically and aesthetically strong, but it also conveys the sense of disorientation and danger of the modern world - that juxtapositioning of speeding metal with vulnerable flesh.... Great moment - wish i'd taken it. All the very best to you and thanks for another great video. Cheers from NZ.

Thank you, I finally understand I don't have to use all the 500mm in my lens. 😅 Last week I decided to edit some bird photos I took in a trip to Colombia, I thought they where really bad, but once editing them I realized that the ones where the subject was not in the center of the frame or where not all the way in, looked really nice. This video gives me a clearer explanation of why is this: I need to work on my composition.

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

This video is great. You are literally practicing what you are preaching👏

@simon_dentremont

Ай бұрын

I appreciate that!

This is so inspiring. I've just bought my first "real" camera a few weeks ago. Thanks to your tips and tricks my photos have improved immensely. I've never even tried taking pictures of wildlife but now I can't stop taking pictures of birds all the time. I'm currently studying abroad in New Zealand, so there's a lot of wonderful nature to practice and take inspiration from. Thank you so much for the informative videos and tricks to improve my photography.

Great tips! Your photos are mind blowing!!

I liked the challenge of it. And yes I got it. But this is more my style than filling the frame. I like environment within the frame

Last tuesday I was out photographying flocks of cranes. I kinda like to do all kinds of photography but mainly lifestyle (non-set snapshots), hence I do not have lenses larger than 80mm equivalent. After hours of suffering to actually see the cranes with my trusty 50mm I decided to use the clouds and the sunset as main subjects, with the birds being presented as tiny little silhouettes. I think that'd do it for the homework. At that point, I am very grateful for your videos, for the sake of leading me into wildlife and landscape photography. Live long and never stop! (pretty pleaseeee)

Great watching this, interesting as I shoot a lot of sports primarily gymnastics and basketball, I have improved on being too tight for my shots, the ball or the equipment they are using I am including more and more on my shots, that's what tells the story, not always the subject but what is around the subject and what they are doing. Thank you for the tips and encouragement to spend more time (when possible as sports is tough) to not over fill the shot, leave the room. I have noticed in the past year I spend way less time now scaling my photos, I just try to improve my photos and the fashion I take them in, which greatly has reduced my post edit time.

Never thought I'd ever be patient enough to watch any video completely until I found this channel.

@simon_dentremont

6 ай бұрын

too kind!

Another very good video with helpful tips and examples. Thank you.

Wow, concise and useful-and we get to see lots of your beautiful Ful photos,

@simon_dentremont

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much 😊

Great tips. Thank you. I am still not used to snapping one with my 35mm prime and seeing how really small and “way back” subjects are. Kind of jarring and makes me want to go hook up a zoom. I guess i just like “closer”

Hi Simon, This is nobody. I want to share some compliments; 1) even though I was a commercial photographer for 20 years, I’ve never seen the fundamentals of composition presented and explained as well as this video, 2) your video is a well paced balance of speed and information, which kept me interested from start to finish, 3) the much shorter standard channel I.D. clip Immediately after the topic introduction is a great improvement. In general, I think you have created a successful format that, I hope, will grow your channel. I will continue to watch. Thank you. Bob

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Bob! And everybody is a somebody!

Hi Simon, thank you for the wonderful images. For me mostly it was too fast. Ich would prefer having a little more time so see what you mean. Your fotos are wonderful so they deserve a little more time to share 🙂

Distracting elements in the background, is always something I'm trying to notice and reposition!

Wow, your photography is incredible! The trick with photography isn't that each element is especially difficult on its own, but getting them all right at once requires a lot of practice. You are demonstrating a very high level of competence when it comes to getting them all right at once!

Beautiful, Simon. Thanks for the tips

@simon_dentremont

4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

It is a right of passage for wildlife (birds) photographers to move from in tight with the detail to the wider scene and tell a story. It is a tough habit to break!

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

100 pct agree!

@TheBanjoShowOfficial

7 ай бұрын

We naturally want to see the full detail of the animal but later realize what’s more important is often including a context for the subject to begin with

Turn on the grid lines in camera for tic tac toe and use the cross points. I do this on my drones. Getting photos right in Camera first helps a lot when you do post.

Great video. Also, thank you for the e book.

Composition, especially with complementary subjects (e.g. green traffic with blurred car) makes you look differently to a lot of things. Devil is in the detail. Again great video that gets the mind rolling.

You're videos are the best photography videos on KZread. You always have such great tips and deliver them in such a great way. Awesome explanations too!

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you!

Thx for the great lesson. Appreciate you sharing your knowledge and expertise 🙏

@simon_dentremont

2 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

Very useful food for thought, thank you. It helps a lot comparing a decent photo with a great one, thus learning to spot the difference. You rightly emphasize that photos are meant to activate the viewer's interpretations or direct his gaze.

Photo from 7:07 is just crazy, im amazed. I had the oportunity once to take a similar photo in daylight, but from my lack of knockledge and experience, i ended up with a bunch of too-bright-to-look photos, it justs makes me sad. In 2 months more, i will have the same chance again, i hope i can do it this time!

I was literally thinking of improving my composition, saying nothing out loud, and your video popped up! I've been watching you for like a year and you're great at teaching us new photographers! Thank you!

@simon_dentremont

5 ай бұрын

Wonderful!

I like these. There were a couple of the examples where I didn’t prefer the one I was supposed to but those were the exceptions.

Excellent. It’s extremely eloquently put

I took a great shot of a bluejay in the autumn. The leaves made a great frame around the bird.

I'm easily get lightheaded, so in a hot day my horizon ended up skewed often. Bigger eyecup helps, and a hat is a must especially when it's 39°C outside 😅

I'm a beginner with photography I've been using my phone or a point and shoot but I just got a Sony a7ii to become a pet photographer and these tips are a lifeline. Thank you

Always outstanding (and inspiring) suggestions.

So much great info packed into one video. Awesome. Thanks.

@simon_dentremont

6 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you Simon. Your content to me is always top quality and inspirational.

Nice Tips and especially good examples. I once heard a talk about composition, but none of the examples that were presented made me think "this is a god photo". Your examples are very inspiring.

Our pensioners photo group will be out tomorrow (if it’s not raining) and I will try to bring your tips on our escapade.👍

Another excellent video, I do try and put your suggestions to use, surprising though how many times I watch your content over and over again, so much to remember

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Cool, thanks

As always, great content. My only comment is that nature and street photography is an art of patience since you have no control of many elements (people, waves moving, etc). Sometimes it takes time and trial and error in order to get the best composition.

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Agree!

Simon -- I am absolutely not interested in taking wildlife photography, but your videos are such a wonderful treat that get straight to the point and open one's mind to possibilities. Thank you!

6:40 That's where I noticed that a Picture is worth a thousand words.

I’ve ordered a few rite in the rain books and have been filling them with tips and basics from your videos So keep up the work Simon Your fueling my desire to be better

Great tips & images, thks

Homework assignment noted, thank you Simon.

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Excellent!

I struggle mightily with having a. Control over consistency nailing compositions

I wholeheartedly agree with your instruction which is why I get so conflicted. If I look at the top ten most expensive images ever sold, a good number break these rules. 99 Cent II, Rhein II, and Untitled #96 are a few examples.

When trying to take wildlife shots, I try to get a quick one as a banker, thrn try to move around for composition, always in the hope I don't scare the beastie off! None of my shot are anywhere near your standard, but it's an aspiration, and fun to keep trying to improve!

Thank you for showing comparisons and "mistakes" in your own work! It's so easy for someone to say "Here's what a good composition is" and leave it there. But for me, the comparison between a successful composition and a less successful composition, especially using the same photo/scenario, is where the connection is made. You have to see the mistakes too so you can recognize them in your own work! Thank you for putting so much thought into your videos. Cheers!

Greetings from germany! Your videos are one of the best i‘ve ever watched! Keep it up the excellent work! It is a pleasure to watch

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Danke!

Well Done!!

Great Idea giving us some homework! I will definitely try to make my subject small in my next outing!😄

@simon_dentremont

7 ай бұрын

Have fun!

Another wonderful video, I am so glad to discover your videos.

@simon_dentremont

4 ай бұрын

Glad you like them!

Great vid Simon and thanks for sharing you knowledge

@simon_dentremont

4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Great tips!...Having trouble in this exact area.