I've lived in Birmingham all of my life (69 years) and I have never considered the city to be in any way photogenic. After watching this video I realise that I am not very good at seeing photo opportunities. Something I will now try to correct. Great video as always Craig. Thank you for sharing.
You were born to do this sort of thing, good ideas and technique comes naturally to you. The image at 6:34 could have summed up all three techniques in one. Your presentation is so relaxed I could watch these vlogs all day.
Great video Craig. I've lived in Birmingham all of my life and I have regarded it as a dismal place lacking in every way. After watching this video I am forced to change my opinion of my home city. I intend to spend more time walking around Birmingham and try to find shots that hopefully will be as interesting as yours are. Thank you for opening my eyes Craig.
Great video, as usual! Have not gone out shooting with square format in mind but will now make a point of doing this and seeing what sort of results I get. Keep them coming 🙂
Enjoyed trying to guess what you were going to photograph in the square format. That was a fun idea that made the video seem more interactive. Great stuff. I always learn something on this channel!
I've watched a fair amount of your content and I have to say that you have a great style in how you deliver it. So much so, that I'm just about to subscribe to E6, done!
Hello Craig, extremely good photographs with the use of dynamic shapes and lines and angles which created many directions for the eye to flow to. You certainly are the ' Thinking Man's Photographer ' ...
Hans. The human eye does not view the world as square. Composition is often more difficult within a square. After all, the square format dates from oldie cameras intended to save on 120 roll film. (the 2 1/4"square format; 12-20). Other models took this reduction further; 16 on 20, which again was rectangular.
Foxglove963. Thank you for that information. I didn't know that. However, in my opinion, one single human eye would probably view the world in a circular form, thus closer to a square than a wider rectangle. With two eyes, we are able to view a slightly wider angle. Yes, we can see a wider angle but we tend to concentrate on the center of what we see with both eyes. Probably because the center of what we see is like a combination of what both eyes can see individually. Close one eye and you immediately see that you're view has become narrower. Basically, we have two images of what we see in the center through each eye at the same time. So, for me, the square format, without the distractions on each sides, made me concentrate more on what the photographer intended to show and what he concentrated on with his own eyes. I agree with you that composition may often be more difficult because the photographer may have the need to decide what to cut out from the sides. However, it simplifies the selection and it simplifies what we are to see. There's more intent in the photo. I think Craig is really skilled and his photos look great.
Excellent video Craig. I live in Brum, and it was fascinating to see how your theme helped to shape the shots. Now I just want to run outside with my E-M1 MkII...
I was born right in the center of Brum and my mother worked in the Jewellery Quarter, a bit like E Miff I couldn't wait to get away from it thirty years ago. Now I get all sentimental about it and its a pity I don't have a 'base' there from which to enjoy it. Not sure about the attempts to make the city center look like some American east coast city though. I've always found that the Brummie sense of humour is the best in the world and has allowed me to undermine the pompous and self-important from all walks of life (got me into a lot of trouble as well...many others from elsewhere can't understand friendly sarcasm). Really enjoy your videos, loved the abstract shots of reflections in the canal. I find that my best landscape shots are always in portrait format (Brummie logic) but I also enjoy 1:1. Its often what you leave out of the frame that's as important as what you have in it.
I really enjoyed this one. I love finding these kinds of subjects. Your square format interest brings me back. I'm going to give it a shot again. I'm always impressed by the way you blend your videography, commentary, and photos into a calm and informative narrative that inspires.
Another informative video. I would like to read that book you were referring to in this video and your starting to convert me to the square formatting you are always going on about. Keep your videos coming, it’s always a good Morning when I can enjoy a cup of coffee and watch your video.
Some really great shots and a superb video, as always. Very inspiring as I'd have done some shots completely different. Always good to get another point of view. Thanks for sharing !
The reflections were my favourites. Canon does do square, you have to do it in live view. DPP respects the crop information, as you would expect you get square JPEGs. In Lr and Capture One, you have to crop again in post. An idea for you, research "New Vision," and try it out. It is a photographic movement of nearly a century ago.
I really enjoy watching your Vlogs you always manage to capture a lot of great images. I also like the square format due to C.W too and have used it for many years. Thanks for sharing yet another inspiring video :D Teddy
10:16 I fell in love with square when I bought a Yashica-A TLR. Such a great way to shoot. Is the Hashtag thing just something you're doing or are you encouraging others to do it and tag their photos (say on Instagram or Facebook or whatever) that your viewers can all work along with you?
My home town, hope you enjoyed it 🙂 That shot at 6:35 is a favourite for us Brummies in spring as those are cherry blossom trees running down either side. You can imagine how stunning that looks. Great video as usual but a bit special for me 😉
Thanks Tony. Not my first visit or first video here. Outside of London, it's one of my favourites. And of course you have the most photogenic building in the UK here! Oh and the best flyovers too! Yes, I have seen shots of that cherry blossom, looks great.
Great work, you excel at this. Imho. I know you prefer primes, is their image quality THAT much better than the PRO zooms? Asking for a friend 😉 thanks again for your output. Really good stuff
It's not really about the image quality, as the zooms are certainly on par with the primes. It's more about the size, restrictions (in a good way) and just workability of using primes. You'll only know if you give it a go!
Really love all your vlogs can you tell me where I can find you #photo 3 challenge that featured numbers etc? Can find it in any of your other up loads and can't see it on your webpage either. Cheers.
Maybe following on from the last video - Do you put on sale the photos in your videos or are they just for the videos / yourself? Just wondering if some of the pleasing but perhaps more uncommercial, less 'agency friendly' ones do actually sell - maybe as prints rather than stock photos?
I don't sell prints and stock is dead these days. The images get used for one purpose or another at one time or another. But I've always shot for myself and find markets to suit them, mainly illustrating my articles.
Thank you. I have started trying to shoot in square recently. Is there much of a loss of data if you shoot in 3x2 or 16x9 etc and then convert to square post processing rather than shoot square in camera
But.. but... what time of the day was this taken? Which day of the week? How come you always find urban landscapes with so few people in it?!?! Here in Italy it's almost impossibile to do during the normal day hours!! Cheers P.S. BTW, great video as always... I love your sense of composition.
A very good photographer indeed compositional skill is superb. Not all of his shots throughout his videos are to my liking but 90% of his work is great. My opinion though. The way he talks is really good!
Can I enter a tub of marge? I bought one today and it was a buy one get one three offer. Okay.....I know. Go away. I will. Sorry. Good luck with the challenge.
Really nice abstract reflections!
Easy when you know how...and boy do you know how. I always watch your videos in awe and with admiration.
Absolutely love the water ripple reflections!
You're the master of composition "squared". Love it.
Fantastic - thanks for the square primer
I've lived in Birmingham all of my life (69 years) and I have never considered the city to be in any way photogenic. After watching this video I realise that I am not very good at seeing photo opportunities. Something I will now try to correct. Great video as always Craig. Thank you for sharing.
Thumbs way up on this one!!!! Such a great eye, such great composition.
You are a photo wizard, love your work!
Love this channel, makes you think about different subjects
Very thought provoking, you have given me ideas to try out.
Thank you Craig ...some great ideas here
Your eye for composition is outstanding Craig. Even in the blandest of situations you can find something. Love your work. :)
I couldn't agree more. Outstanding.
You were born to do this sort of thing, good ideas and technique comes naturally to you. The image at 6:34 could have summed up all three techniques in one. Your presentation is so relaxed I could watch these vlogs all day.
Great video Craig. I've lived in Birmingham all of my life and I have regarded it as a dismal place lacking in every way. After watching this video I am forced to change my opinion of my home city. I intend to spend more time walking around Birmingham and try to find shots that hopefully will be as interesting as yours are. Thank you for opening my eyes Craig.
This is a by far underrated video!
Great video, as usual! Have not gone out shooting with square format in mind but will now make a point of doing this and seeing what sort of results I get. Keep them coming 🙂
Thanks, Craig. As usual, you remind me of things I thought I knew but forget to use. Perfect presentation for me and top class images.
Bob
Amazing eye for compositions. You're a master sorting order from the chaos. Loved this vlog
Absolutely love the square format Craig another belter of a vlog definitely my favourite photographer on RUclips 👌
Cheers Gary, and you are (currently), my favourite subscriber!
Another inspirational video. Your videos always give me ideas that I employ when out photographing myself. Thank you!
Enjoyed trying to guess what you were going to photograph in the square format. That was a fun idea that made the video seem more interactive. Great stuff. I always learn something on this channel!
Thanks for posting. Great way to provide a visual photographic challenge. Fun!
I've watched a fair amount of your content and I have to say that you have a great style in how you deliver it. So much so, that I'm just about to subscribe to E6, done!
Well done, once again! Thanks, Craig!
Hello Craig, extremely good photographs with the use of dynamic shapes and lines and angles which created many directions for the eye to flow to. You certainly are the ' Thinking Man's Photographer ' ...
Square format looks great. It feels more immersive and, to me, it is more comfortable to look at the picture as a whole. Thank you for the video.
Hans. The human eye does not view the world as square. Composition is often more difficult within a square. After all, the square format dates from oldie cameras intended to save on 120 roll film. (the 2 1/4"square format; 12-20). Other models took this reduction further; 16 on 20, which again was rectangular.
Foxglove963. Thank you for that information. I didn't know that.
However, in my opinion, one single human eye would probably view the world in a circular form, thus closer to a square than a wider rectangle. With two eyes, we are able to view a slightly wider angle. Yes, we can see a wider angle but we tend to concentrate on the center of what we see with both eyes. Probably because the center of what we see is like a combination of what both eyes can see individually. Close one eye and you immediately see that you're view has become narrower. Basically, we have two images of what we see in the center through each eye at the same time. So, for me, the square format, without the distractions on each sides, made me concentrate more on what the photographer intended to show and what he concentrated on with his own eyes.
I agree with you that composition may often be more difficult because the photographer may have the need to decide what to cut out from the sides. However, it simplifies the selection and it simplifies what we are to see. There's more intent in the photo. I think Craig is really skilled and his photos look great.
Ingenious !
Thank you so much. Your videos are so instructive! Please don't stop doing this
Cheers Rainer. Actually this was going to be my very last vlog. But as you're enjoying them, I'll do a few more! ;-)
Nicely done, yet so simple... love the thought process... great job Craig.
Looking at my home town differently now. Great vlog.
You've an endless supply of ideas Craig 👌
Great vlog as always. I really liked the square shots...I'm going to give that a go next time I'm out with my camera.
Excellent video Craig. I live in Brum, and it was fascinating to see how your theme helped to shape the shots. Now I just want to run outside with my E-M1 MkII...
I was born right in the center of Brum and my mother worked in the Jewellery Quarter, a bit like E Miff I couldn't wait to get away from it thirty years ago. Now I get all sentimental about it and its a pity I don't have a 'base' there from which to enjoy it. Not sure about the attempts to make the city center look like some American east coast city though. I've always found that the Brummie sense of humour is the best in the world and has allowed me to undermine the pompous and self-important from all walks of life (got me into a lot of trouble as well...many others from elsewhere can't understand friendly sarcasm).
Really enjoy your videos, loved the abstract shots of reflections in the canal. I find that my best landscape shots are always in portrait format (Brummie logic) but I also enjoy 1:1. Its often what you leave out of the frame that's as important as what you have in it.
I really enjoyed this one. I love finding these kinds of subjects. Your square format interest brings me back. I'm going to give it a shot again. I'm always impressed by the way you blend your videography, commentary, and photos into a calm and informative narrative that inspires.
I love to shoot reflection photos. Very good video! I like your idea of #Photo3 Challenges.
Absolutely brilliant!
Great inspiration 👍🏻
Good! Enjoyed. Learned!
I really enjoyed this video beautiful photos ,very good ideas great video
Another informative video. I would like to read that book you were referring to in this video and your starting to convert me to the square formatting you are always going on about. Keep your videos coming, it’s always a good Morning when I can enjoy a cup of coffee and watch your video.
Top Notch info, images and video, thank you!
Thanks for the video very helpful.
New slo-mo looking classy! Also those reflections were incredible - talk about something from nothing..!
Some really great shots and a superb video, as always. Very inspiring as I'd have done some shots completely different. Always good to get another point of view. Thanks for sharing !
lovely, really enjoyed it, thank you.
Another video treat!
Really enjoyed, The best information and good idea. Thank you ever much for your sharing video. 👌👍
The reflections were my favourites.
Canon does do square, you have to do it in live view. DPP respects the crop information, as you would expect you get square JPEGs. In Lr and Capture One, you have to crop again in post.
An idea for you, research "New Vision," and try it out. It is a photographic movement of nearly a century ago.
Does everybody in Birmingham walk and drive really slowly?? Another great video.
I really enjoy watching your Vlogs you always manage to capture a lot of great images. I also like the square format due to C.W too and have used it for many years. Thanks for sharing yet another inspiring video :D Teddy
Cheers Teddy
10:16 I fell in love with square when I bought a Yashica-A TLR. Such a great way to shoot. Is the Hashtag thing just something you're doing or are you encouraging others to do it and tag their photos (say on Instagram or Facebook or whatever) that your viewers can all work along with you?
My home town, hope you enjoyed it 🙂 That shot at 6:35 is a favourite for us Brummies in spring as those are cherry blossom trees running down either side. You can imagine how stunning that looks. Great video as usual but a bit special for me 😉
Thanks Tony. Not my first visit or first video here. Outside of London, it's one of my favourites. And of course you have the most photogenic building in the UK here! Oh and the best flyovers too! Yes, I have seen shots of that cherry blossom, looks great.
Great work, you excel at this. Imho. I know you prefer primes, is their image quality THAT much better than the PRO zooms? Asking for a friend 😉 thanks again for your output. Really good stuff
It's not really about the image quality, as the zooms are certainly on par with the primes. It's more about the size, restrictions (in a good way) and just workability of using primes. You'll only know if you give it a go!
Nice work mate
Relevant to the sun there is always shadows Craig :)
Great video. I like your compositions, even when you photographs bins ;-)
I know, who says bins are rubbish!
Really love all your vlogs can you tell me where I can find you #photo 3 challenge that featured numbers etc? Can find it in any of your other up loads and can't see it on your webpage either. Cheers.
It's listed on my website and is availabe as part of my e6 Subscription
Nice
Hi Craig. Have you had a chance to test out long exposure on the pen-f yet?
No, it's not been on a tripod yet.
Maybe following on from the last video - Do you put on sale the photos in your videos or are they just for the videos / yourself? Just wondering if some of the pleasing but perhaps more uncommercial, less 'agency friendly' ones do actually sell - maybe as prints rather than stock photos?
I don't sell prints and stock is dead these days. The images get used for one purpose or another at one time or another. But I've always shot for myself and find markets to suit them, mainly illustrating my articles.
6:35........ Verrrrrrry cool :-)
Thank you. I have started trying to shoot in square recently. Is there much of a loss of data if you shoot in 3x2 or 16x9 etc and then convert to square post processing rather than shoot square in camera
But.. but... what time of the day was this taken? Which day of the week?
How come you always find urban landscapes with so few people in it?!?! Here in Italy it's almost impossibile to do during the normal day hours!!
Cheers
P.S. BTW, great video as always... I love your sense of composition.
Taken between the hours of 11am and 4pm on a Saturday in June. The only answer I have, is that maybe I need to change my deodorant?!
A very good photographer indeed compositional skill is superb. Not all of his shots throughout his videos are to my liking but 90% of his work is great. My opinion though. The way he talks is really good!
Please tell me there was no photoshopery with those water images.
There was no Photoshopery with those water images. How dare you suggest otherwise!!
Ah, my faith in your work is restored. I am sorry I doubted you.
Are you sure though?
:0)
5:12 makes for a nice image day and night.....
Can I enter a tub of marge?
I bought one today and it was a buy one get one three offer.
Okay.....I know.
Go away.
I will.
Sorry.
Good luck with the challenge.