When Photography Made Sense 

It would be blasphemy not taking a fuji to fuji

"Always say 'hello'" - good advice and not just for photography!

“The image becomes left-heavy, and overall doesn’t feel right.” Nicely done I see what you did there

I agree 100%. For me the issue with the histogram was even more apparent in my editing. I payed way too much attention to not blowing out highlights for what felt like years. Thankfully my photography and taste evolved and I'm happily crushing shadows and blowing out highlights now when the image benefits from it

Really enjoyed learning about your breakthrough moments over the years. The insights into light, composition techniques like visual weight, and embracing different exposure modes were especially interesting takeaways. It's inspiring to see how you continue developing your skills through experience. Thanks for sharing these lessons - they give a helpful perspective on the ongoing learning process.

I'm a relatively 'new' to photography. Watched thousands of RU-vid videos but those of yourself and James Popsys have been the most helpful. My issues seem to be trying to hand hold at too slow a shutter speed, a fear of upping the ISO too much with my biggest issue being crap composition, which I'm trying to work on. I agree with worrying too much about the histogram and to me the images that have ignored the histogram seem (usually) much more striking. Thank you for your channel, I always look forward to your posts.

Hi Roman, I have so enjoyed watching your videos (and I watch them all) these last couple of years. The best things for me: 1) I am a much older photographer but I always learn something from you! It's very refreshing. 2) The incredible insights about travel. 3) Watching how you are evolving and growing in your skills both as a photographer and as a RU-vidr. Very nice work! In regards to the message of the video, I think what you speak to most that I relate to is the art of photography instead of the hyper focused emphasis that many put on black and white thinking around the science/tech. I much prefer seeing someone make a "mistake" on exposure that ends up creating more interest or drama. Thanks so much and I look forward to your next video!

I just purchased your book after watching the video you posted several hours ago on the Fujifilm 35mm 1.4. I followed up with this video which led me to your book. -- I am planning a trip to Japan in about 18 months, so the information contained in your book will be invaluable to me. I am returning to the craft of photography after about a 7 year break, and this time, I want to compose the "knock your socks off" photos I see on RU-vid, Flickr, etc - Cheers to you on your career, Patrick Johnson - Rockford, Illinois

It's sping baby..those ducks were definitely shagging. Also nice point about the histogram. It's definitely just there like a map of sorts for reference.

I purchased a Sony 40mm f/2.5 G to make my life easier. I disliked carrying heavy gear around, it demotivated me, so I'm sure the light 40mm will make it easier, I also love primes, they allow me to be more creative and that in term will help with my photography. I completed neglected the hobby for almost two years and only photographed when I'm on holiday, so I'm quite excited to get back into it now!

I think I'm going to practice lighting by even ignoring composition for the time being. As I force myself to find backlight / sidelight, and then to find the right photographic content under that light, and not the other way around.

Love the style of presentation you have, easy going, informative making it easier to follow.

Thanks for putting into words what I have felt / suspected all along. Great video !

I would say that the situation with manual vs automatic exposure is similar to automation tools in other fields. It's helpful to understand how to do manual exposure, to understand what's going on. Once you do there's nothing wrong with using the automatic modes, as they help you focus on other things.

Your videos are going from strength to strength - great content - thanks

Thank you Roman, excellent commentary. Great stuff. 🎉🎉🎉

Thank you for the lessons!

Thank you for the lesson and great video Roman.

Your revelations are spot on, Roman! I went through the same. Thank you for making this video!

Excellent video - your honesty is really appreciated 😀

Well done

Another excellent video. Thankyou

Brilliant!

Thanks for another useful video. I bought your book!

I really like the topics in this video. Im struggling to get past this current Plato im in. Thank for the great vid again!

Hello Roman - great tips

Great video Roman! When I started using Fuji cameras in 2018 & watching photography "how to " videos on FB , I tried my best to shoot by the book. Not anymore. If I shoot a keeper, great, if not I carry on & keep trying to get better. End result, if I like the shot, & it's a keeper , great ! Carry on.....I do heed the advice of those more experienced than me also.

Great advice and thoughts, thank you. I've actually just got hold of a cheap manual prime lens (50mm equivalent) for my Olympus MFT camera, which is going to be my main setup for a while. Trying to be a bit more "hands on" to get a better understanding of photography.

Channelling your inner Hiroshi Masuko here. Some solid advice. Thanks!

Great advice Roman. I loved the last bit with the local person taking you into his garden and home. That’s just a great feeling to be invited into someone’s world like that. I struggle with the “what’s my style” syndrome at times so that part hit home for me. I have a question for you. What do you do for ISO settings? Do you set them manually most often or do you set it to auto? I use an X-T5 and X-PRo 2 and have started using auto ISO for street type images. Any suggestions for using Auto ISO or a better technique for your ISO would be appreciated. If I missed a video of yours on that subject would you let me know what one so I can check it out.

Very good advice, especially "you don't have to shoot manual"

While I have several cameras with zoom lenses... I have several that only have prime lenses. I finished a roll today.... that camera has a 50mm f-2. The very lens I cut my teeth on this set up. Often, when I shoot in Aperture priority, things look a bit dark. So, I do exposure compensation to brighten it up a bit.

Shooting Fuji with a Fuji - it doesn’t get much better than that ❤

11:51 that photo is so FIRE, I feel like I miss stuff like that cause I see the world to much as it is instead of what it could be. Like my actual eyes wouldn't see black. Gotta spend more time just playing in LR instead of editing :/

Hi, great observations and a good, mature perspective of photography. I especially agree with the suggestion to ignore the histogram. I published an insightful discussion about 3D pop can be found on the "Dirty photographer club" channel on RU-vid. Cheers!

I never understood why people like shooting in aperture priority. The camera will decide your shutter speed, potentially leading to unwanted moved images. Also what happens when you reach the ISO limit and minimum shutter speed limit? Will the camera decide which rule to break or just keep the image underexposed? Isn't it better to just use ISO in auto? For me moving one finger to change the shutter speed a little bit in the rare case when auto ISO is not enough it's not a problem at all.

1. Understanding light. How direction of light impacts photo (back lit, side lit). 2. Visual weight. Different elements of your photo have different weight. Aim for balance (light/shadow, bright colours). 3. Minimalism. Simplify the choice of lens you take out with you (e.g. just a prime). 4. Ignore the Histogram. Interesting photos often don't follow the 'rules' of the histogram. Over/under exposed elements can work. 5. Don't have to always use Manual mode. It's fine to use other modes (e.g. Aperture priority) and it doesn't make you any less of a photographer.

Been watching your videos for a while and you’ve given a lot of clarity to my own thoughts, opinions, and questions on photography. Especially about low contrast and high contrast shots and embracing that. Noticed you’re using H2S instead of your X-T5, are you finding yourself using H2S more now?Lastly, what was that green jacket/shirt you were wearing 😅?

Hi Roman, What lens is that you have on the X-H2S? Thanks

Playing with like. Best suited 35-50 dunno

did the lens come with focus tab or did you add it yourself ?

When did photography, or any other creative endeavour, need to make sense??

Ducks….lol

First!

Thank you for your insights - helpful. Two remarks, perhaps. Learn the rules, then break them if, and only if, the photo needs it. As regards the histogram - depending on how you work, you may indeed disregard the histogram. The initial idea, though, was to provide optimum latitude for post processing where, for some, the real magic happens.

Do comments help you out?

hello

You are getting older ;-)