My SECRET to getting great compositions even in BORING locations! 

that "defocus preview" tip is really dope

Normal people: Defocuses lens to get a blurry view. Me: Defocuses eyes by taking off glasses.

secret to get great compositions in boring locations: blur the location out.

I don’t comment on videos much but I wanted to leave a note here and let you know how much your work is doing for people out here. I’m a photographer just starting to feel confident enough to serve the public your videos have popped up along my learning more than a few times but this one came up today and really surprised me because when I saw it I was living in Michigan not really sure where to go with my live and a year later I bump into this video again by chance and I now live in Logan Square and my first shoot in Chicago was in the same block as this video and I had no idea it was filmed in Chicago. Now I live here in the city next to the places where my content creating teachers classroom is set. It’s like a nod from the universe that the path I’m on is the right one for me. Thank you for the inspiration.

Step 1 get a f1.4 lens blur everything that is ugly

When you said hey "shoot me", the elderly gentleman was like "say what.... "😁😁

This is the kind of videos I like. People actually doing their craft and showing results. Great video and pics. Subbed.

That shot in direct sunlight turned out amazing

Step 1- get a hot wife.

As a German, i would totally go crazy abour just an american urban street like that. They have a certain vibe we don´t get here often.

Not only do I love these tutorials and tips, but I love your relationship/bond with your wife. You’re such a lovely couple and just seeing you all work together always makes me smile. Wishing you both nothing but the best 🙏🏼💙

Manny: There's nothing smacking me in the face saying "Hey shoot me!" Guy walking past: Wait, wtf

The thing is everything gets simple when you master it. Everything you did here looks so logical and easy, and it is. However for this to become a second nature for the rest of us, oh that takes time. Brilliant video!

@0:27 Manny: "Hey shoot me" Old Man: stares questioningly Diana: evil glare at old man.

Love you two as a duo! Never thought of this technique you were using but it makes so much sense. what a great way to observe the environment. Definitely going to try in my next shoot.

Awesome work bro. I love how you improvise even in a crappy location and make great results from it. It's all a out the creativity 👊

Step 1 should’ve been - marry an extremely beautiful model you can shoot with all the time ;). Great tip though and beautiful work!

Manny, Manny, Manny... you’re cheating!! You know your wife makes all of those locations look great!! 😂 much respect my brother!

Thank you so much for actually showing HOW to get the good shot. I never thought about the "defocus" before, and you showing how to do it, and actually doing it was amazing. Thank you!

This is definitely one of the most helpful tips I have ever come across! The fact that something so simple was hiding before our eyes this whole time blows my mind! Good composition can be a challenge to come across and this truly helps clear the clouds, Thanks for letting us in on your secret!

Wow, you’re amazing! 🙌 takes a well-trained eye and a lot of creativity to see the possibilities in ”boring” environments. Something I need to practise. Great job!

This guy knowss! Been doing the same trick, and I love it

Love this short video!! It's really inspired me, once lockdown is over, to get out there and experiment with the techniques you've shown here!!

This is awesome. I struggle a lot with composition. Til the point where all my photos look the same. This helps a ton!

Manny Ortiz knows his photography game. He isn't a noob.

Beautiful portraits, and she's such a great model!

I really like that you run through that thought process out loud, really helps to understand what you're actually looking at and thinking.

The shot up against the colorful wall was it for me. The highlights in her skin tone was artful. Melanin + light is always a winner in my book.

my version's a little different, I use the distance scale on my lenses and manually focus to where the subject will be. as I don't have autofocus on most lenses, it's a little easier my way :)

Yo this tip is dope. I’m definitely going to be using this

i am in love with this tutorial!! love that you include the before model picture go show us the composition that attracted your eye for the background

Dude, that defocussung tip to explore backgrounds is sooo helpful! 🙌🏼

Due you and your wife are such a good team plus she is absolutely hilarious

3 key points 1. Hot wife 2. Big aperture 3. Shallow depth of view To pick one only - Hot Wife

Hey Manny, I really like that tip of focus~ to defocus background to find a great composition.

Really enjoy your way of seeing and exploring the possibilities - a challenge I often experience being on a photoshoot... Thanks for the ideas and very interesting perspectives.

That man’s face when you say “just shoot me” lol

This has more to do with having a GREAT EYE imo. When it comes to "boring" locations (generic like parks with mostly tree's) you got to get creative.

Great tips, amazing pictures, beautiful model! Will definitely be taking some of these into consideration!

Excellent suggestion that can be applied to other forms of photography. I shoot a lot of flowers and do this intuitively. But, it is great to see this as a technique one can consciously and intentionally apply in a variety of settings.

I bet everything would look good with a beautiful model.

These boring locations would be best locations in India 😆 . EDIT - 500+ likes! WOW!, Relax guys it's just a joke, I'm a photographer myself.

Hands down one of the best photography tips I've ever heard. Thank you!

This is a great video. We battle with these issues in most locations; it is good to know there is a way out

Hey Manny, random question: What do you think about the update in the EOS R? Or especially about the optimized eye af Greetings from Germany!

Seriously: if you have a model like that, does the background really matter?!??

This is awesome man! I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and wisdom. Thanks!

really nice how background can add some atmosphere to photos. havent really thought about it before

the solution is: take the most zoom bokeh lens for hiding the bg

Good tips, Block the slap 👋 💯

Awesome tips for fast and great shots. Thanks a lot Manny.

Simple and strong! I'm really glad I took the minutes to watch this.

actually shes got good coloured skin for the shoots because it adds to a darker blending shade with the shadows so you dont have to take such contrasting shots.. its kinda there naturally

Hey Manny, how come you’re using the batis instead of your bread and butter GM1.4?

Great motivation to find a creative spot in any location. Thanks Manny.

Great video Manny!!! Thanks for sharing your ideals with all of us out here!!!

the block the incoming slap tip is going to be crazy helpful too lool.

2:05 2:06 That look from her to the guy recording this😌

Thank you for making this video. Great composition and easy to digest 🙏🏾

Loving the channel, you make it look so easy.

Spoiler alert: He asks Diana.

0:30 that man checking out your wife

So beautiful!Thanks for sharing this video.

Nice Tip. I never looked at this concept this way. Very great to see a different perspective, usage of composition. That is one of my goals for 2020, play with more color and DOF. sweet.

Yassssssssss Logan square 🔥♥️

the SECRET is longer focal lengths. tunnel vision into an area that 'without context' might look good.

Great tip, I've always focused on the subject first, background second. This offers a new, creative perspective, thanks buddy 👍

I've been subbed for less than a month and ive learned and been inspired so much bro. thanks!

Broooo when he said shoot me that elderly man was like wtf

95% of the comments are talking about the Model not the shot.

Thanks for this video. The manual focus through glass and that defocus idea helps me a lot.

Former Chicagoan here - love the Logan Square b roll and the urban tips. I will use this in downtown Phoenix soon. Subscribed and alerts on. Nice conversational tone. Thank you, Manny. Really well done.

Even boring locations when you have that kinda model.

Great tip Manny, you're the man. Let's keep it real though, Diana's also making you look good :)

Thanks for the tip bro, I am definitely gunna start checking out the defocused backround now

This tip is super useful. New subscriber and it came up in my feed. Keep going bro!

haha this is genius, never tought about that. still just started with my hobbie 2 months ago... :D thank you manny.

Right... when you have an interesting subject, location really doesn't matter...

What else can you say about Manny....he knows his craft! Happy to see the growth in your work...been a fan for a while, I hope to reach your level one day!

I really appreciate you for this video, you gave tips that are extremely useful.

The best secret for composition anywhere-babe come over here…

They all the same composition. Title should be how to get interesting background/foreground

Just a beginner photographer and new to your channel. Anyway learned a lot just watching this. The defocus trick was really interesting. But just learning how to find interesting backgrounds was a lot learned all in one.

Your tutorials are amazing, short, to the point and to the shot... !!

I saw secrets and I came 😂🙈👀

"there's nothing that says SHOOT ME" White guy passing: 👀

Omg I just found this video in my feed and I am in love of how well you take photos 😍

I learnt such a basic but so significant photography tips from this Video. Thank you!

Got one of the finest women in the city. She is so gorgeous.

"How to shoot at boring places" Also: shows interesting places :o

The secret is you gotta have someone who supports you no matter what. I think in one of his videos he hated the photos and she says no Babe theyre good let's keep going ❤️❤️❤️

This is really good..It helps me a lot..Thank you, the way it should be is detailed.

Imagine not knowing any of this and seeing him just walking around the streets like that😂😂😂

Blurring the background = good compositions 🤣

She looks amazing omgg 😍 & I’m going to try this tip today

You are master of composition and vision.photography is all about vision and talent.

You simply can't tell that a 'boring location:

The real secret to create a good composition is “to train your eye”, not this. If you always shoot at f1.8 or less, you “destroy” all the background and you lose the context where you are.

I know this has been on RU-vid but just wanted to say thanks man for the great vids. I’m into portrait photography now and what you shared in this video is something I really needed. Peace from Japan.

Fantastic tips man. Thank you!