A Tip for Good Photos in Sunshine.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

The book is ready for pre-order: www.jamespopsys.com/human-nature-book 🙂

[@OriginalTLab3000]

Oh, I expected something else. My 180° rule is: After you're done shooting whatever it it you've shot, turn around 180° and look what's going on behind you. Surprisingly often, there's a worthy photo waiting to be taken.

[@thanksmark]

Same! haha

[@VictorWyatt]

That's been my long running understanding too.

[@MagieLamp]

lmao thats what i expected, great trick

[@agamaneo643]

Your idea inspire me a lot, thanks you so much!😘

[@karikaru]

My 180° rule is that whenever I'm about to open a risky reel or meme from my buddy I do a 180 and make sure no one is looking over my shoulder

[@althejazzman]

I admire your bold approach to over exposing photos for a feeling of more light. It breaks the "rules" and gives your art a recognisable style.

[@mclovinrisco]

4real bro, gave me a new perspective. my photos are so contrasted sometimes 😅

[@janplexy]

10:53 - THE ACTUAL RULE

[@Randy_in_Pittsburgh]

Thank you so much!!!

[@edwuano7]

thanks man

[@sonieee121]

thank you. this video is like the british cuisine. a lot of junk and 1 speck of substance.

[@Randy_in_Pittsburgh]

@@sonieee121, I'm not British, but yeah, you're right. Thank you for that much needed laugh. 😂

[@Gridpipe]

Lol

[@micahkunkle]

You can tell most of these comments are from photographers. Videographers have a 180°, but it has to do with conversations in scenes and then shutter speed. I thought of those two rules immediately. Great video as always!

[@SourPlanet]

Can we just pause for a moment to point out that the photo at 11:44 is like.. world class? It's seriously special.

[@RiccardoGabarriniKazeatari]

It's beautiful but I thought the one at 11:41 was just incredible, it was like landscape photography meets street photography (no street, sure, but the idea of capturing a moment and telling a story is all there)

[@SourPlanet]

​@@RiccardoGabarriniKazeatari Oh yeah, that's a killer shot too. I can't really decide which is my favorite of his work anymore. I don't know why I never thought to do it, but I'm going to go see if he sells prints of these particular ones.

[@MadsPeterIversen]

That Lidl composition looked great! Big imposing mountain, small multi-national cooperation below 😅 - I hope you got the shot!

[@artiedoc]

Tell me you weren’t thinking about how much better that rock would look with you standing on it 😂😂😂

[@MadsPeterIversen]

@@artiedoc I would never... 😂

[@vitorceolin7333]

I'm so glad I found this channel. The slow-paced, story-driven videos manage to take me along your thought process and also teach valuable techniques. Thanks for this cool oasis amidst short fast-paced videos.

[@IPfreelyFun]

I was standing in poo, taking photos of Lidl, before it was fashionable :)

[@davidpowell5437]

The more I understand your aims, the more I manage to enjoy your images... I hope that comes across as "positive"! - I certainly feel that way!

[@the_rs43]

James posting a video is the best way to start the morning

[@Coastographyy]

theres a theme park called alton towers in england and its just a load of massive rollercoasters in a massive forest really, you might like it

[@station-7]

I imagine he knows about Alton Towers mate. Probably just doesn’t want to lose any limbs.

[@Coastographyy]

@@station-7 you won't lose limbs lol

[@station-7]

@@Coastographyy - Well someone did.

[@Coastographyy]

@@station-7 by that logic we should be never get in a car or go swimming

[@station-7]

@@Coastographyy - I don’t actually think anyone’s going to lose limbs just walking around taking pictures…

[@RiccardoGabarriniKazeatari]

"I hate rules in photography, as a rule" is just pure gold 🥇

[@The_NSeven]

I really like your over exposed style, it has an ethereal vibe to it that I really wanna capture in my own photos. I'll have to keep these tips in mind! It also makes me think of ideas for a potential photo project of my own.

[@LJ-wo1wf]

I decided to try this on my walking commute lately, and I like the photos I've been getting. It's especially great with trees and other greenery, because they "glow" with the light coming through them.

[@FredrikRambris]

I do like to include the sun in the frame sometimes. Especially when taking photos of dogs. I love the halo around the edge that that gives. The sky gets blown out, of course, but that is part of the language.

[@kenn6592]

Very interesting tips on where to have the sun. Beautiful photos too. Thanks for sharing.

[@watchlover8297]

I didn't expect to be attracted to your images as much was I am. They aren't traditional landscapes, they feel more like street/documentary landscapes. The fact you're shooting after sunrise and before sunset opens up a lot more opportunities.

[@ericprouzet3851]

I like your "rule"/"guideline" on keeping the sun in front, which seems quite counter-intuitive at first sight. But you have a strong point and I will certainly try it next time I go under harsh sunlight conditions (it could help that I live now in Spain...)

[@danevarkevisser4670]

Thanks James - Without doubt one of the more thoughtful photographers on KZbin. I always liked the idea of photographing things that might seem uninteresting, common and boring to others. Doing these things means you will stand out from the crowd. Human landscapes provide a wealth of opportunity in this respect. But I think this is true of natural landscapes also. Shooting in light that might be considered sub-optimal adds to this approach. Your influences are obvious, but this is not a bad place to be. Your 180° rule or guideline is something I find myself doing naturally.

[@liminaltart]

Absolutely love your style. I’ll be lining up for a pre-order for your book when it’s available. I also enjoy taking photos of odd subjects. I find it a challenge and a lot of my friends don’t get it either.

[@TomasWatchReviews]

Beautiful pictures. I love the vibe. Looks like film a lot. Lots of feel.

[@andy_simmo]

Blinder of a video! loved the car graveyard and digger shot James -can’t wait for the book!

[@DeltaSniperZRR]

Hi James, your trip to Spain for example, do you travel alone? If so, you don't mind being alone?

[@danielx555]

When I want to take a picture and I'm dealing with horrible sun, I face the sun and then I look to my left and my right to see what shadows and what possibilities there are. It's almost like a Tai chi move, I do it whenever I'm out with the camera and dealing with harsh light. Sometimes there are things you just want to photograph.

[@maciekburknap9593]

Simply love it. As a begginer I find your way of speaking really precise, yet so simple I can catch it. Also wonderful pics you take! Cheers!

[@peterfritzphoto]

I have to say, you’ve really swayed me to consider manmade aspects in my landscape photography. I love your work enormously, James. You’re one hell of a unique bloke. Greetings from Australia. 🦘

[@anotherjaunt2492]

I find it very rare that I find someone I agree with so much, but also am able to learn so much as I do to your videos. Often its one or the other, but this was a particularly good example of working both ways!

[@NicholasNoeckerJr]

Comments on "light" were interesting and helpful. Well done, James.

[@CavanHaganInvesting]

My favourite was the one with the car at 2:59 . The bright colours of the man made objections and more mild natural colours show your human nature theme really well in my opinion

[@girlwithbox602]

Hi, James! I’ve been watching your videos for a while now especially when I’m in a rut or in my head too much cause they always seem to motivate me to get out, explore, and find beauty in the mundane. I’m only an amateur photographer/hobbyist but I think I’ve learned so much just by watching you, and I can’t thank you enough for that. Your tip about finding the main and supporting subjects in a frame is gold. I hear your voice guiding me everytime I look into my viewfinder! Thank you for not gatekeeping your tips and tricks! In future videos, I hope you can also tackle how to manage storage, and choose with finality which photos to keep and which to discard. I’ve been having a hard time with this especially with limited storage, and find that I get a little too attached to every single one especially because of their “potential.” So I’m looking forward to any bit of help. Thank you so much, and more power to you!

[@richardgonet5725]

Which video addresses finding main and support subjects? It sounds interesting.

[@FrancescoVenturelli]

Thank you for this one! I'm really fond of your style, it reminds me of an Italian photographer named Luigi Ghirri, who I also like a lot. He shot a lot of his signature work when the sun is highest. But I also think that is the light is just one element that adds to the composition of your amazing work. Again, thank you for sharing! Ciao!

[@Aledharris]

Human Nature is such a good name for your book.

[@michaelnewmanphotography]

Excited about your book! Also, I love the nature/manmade relationship. I often find myself drawn to nature taking back over homes/buildings/cars.

[@darryl_young]

Thanks for sharing, James. I also really like your favourite (the one with the lorry), and I love the fact that there are tyre marks on the ground that seemingly start from nowhere and then get stronger as they point towards the rock in the distance. Subtle, I know, but it's something I noticed.

[@julianrozental525]

Perhaps you can advise what ratio do you print your images on those papers. Wonderful stuff!!!

[@markbabcock]

This is one of those rules (I mean guides) I’ve always kind of used without being aware of it. It’s awesome to hear it explained concretely.

[@Nosnowyet]

Best 15 minutes spent on social media this week.

[@MiksWalksandClicks]

Thank you! What a great tip! Looking forward to trying this out irl!

[@livinagoodlife]

I think its really interesting how photographers are not yet properly realising the vast benefit of HDR (the 'real' kind.. not the old bracketed photo version) where HDR screens such as those even found on new iPhones are able to reproduce much more of the light that we naturally see. As it is, our brains make up for it what lacks or as you do here, you over expose to get that 'feeling' of what was perceived at the location. Of course in print you are limited by the reflectiveness of the paper its printed on but HDR screens are able to more closely resemble the reflected light as they emit it much like it is reflected off real world objects. I cant wait for HDR screens to become much more commonplace so we dont have to suffer the flatness we are so used to. Thats not to take away your beautiful work though. Its inspiring and I find this more interesting than the classic landscapes etc.

[@taylorsframes]

So excited for the book James!!

[@pillarsofpurpose]

Enjoyed journeying with you on your composition exploration here. The range of photos you shared was insightful and appreciated.

[@GavStrange]

Brand new follower here! Thanks to the algorithm I came here to watch this and have became an instant fan of your photography but also you channel! Keep up the cracking work!

[@josephschimmer302]

Calpe is on my bucket list for years - not so much for the rock but for the amazing buildings of Riccardo Bofill; thanks for the reminder. Love your pictures as always!

[@dirkgibbens377]

My favorite image is at the 3:50 mark. The rock framed so nicely, but also a bit hazy (as in the photo that is James’ favorite), in contrast with the sharpness and clarity of the framing elements. Lots of very good images, however. Plenty to choose from. Very unique style, both in composition and editing, as with all your photos. Really enjoying your videos since subscribing a while back.

[@csmcrckrs]

Same here!

[@Sjoerd2497]

Your photo series of the big rock made me think about the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series by Hokusai!

[@Bleauskies]

Same!

[@rupertmartin3784]

Great observation. I've just done two series where I live in Bristol, 36 Views of the SS Great Britain and 36 Views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, based on the Hokusai precedent. Hiroshige also did a series of 36 Views of Mt Fuji, although his were mainly portrait format.

[@simonpetergreen]

interesting... i did some work in spain (and portugal) last year when I messed around with having the light on my back in full sun and tried to embrace that. not something I might normally do but it came out quite nice. just saying. i know calpe rock, and it reminds me of that hill in close encounters. an unexpected feature well spotted.

[@FTRek]

I love your unique style and consistently in pursuing it. Myself I love to mix things up and try variety of different things and styles and I could never keep myself to just one style, which makes me appreciate people like you that have a style they want to stick to.

[@anthonybradbury4124]

Great photos. I admire your unique style, and your advice is always interesting and useful. I thought your guide to shooting in brighter light conditions and yet still portray depth extremely helpful. As inspiring as ever, thank you.

[@peterfritzphoto]

You have a fabulously unique style, James. Golden hour is overdone. It dominates. It takes a lot more skill to tell a story, and that’s what you do so well. 👍

[@gominuke]

this was actually super useful

[@romainlftn]

Just discovered this channel ! Your photos are gorgeous. And love the tips I am definitely going to catch up with your other videos

[@sarah.ashley.]

Hi James, I always felt like I needed to be in places like Antarctica or Iceland to produce good photos. I love those places, but I can't afford to travel as frequently as I would like. I'm so happy I came across this video, it motivates and inspires me to explore what's around my neighbourhood than always looking at faraway places wishing I was there and then not shooting. Also I love your style of content. I'm a big perfectionist myself, and I find it hard to just start taking photos. But watching your content has gotten me nearer to actually taking photos in reality. haha. Sorry if I sound a little strange. I live near the equator and I can't tell how you how happy I am to hear your advice in this video!

[@Alexander-Hamburg]

Great Video and there are some great tipps at the end. So make sure to watch the video till the end.

[@carlsmith5013]

We love this place! Some Interesting ideas in this video. Did you find the flamingos on the lake? 😉

[@JackieDElia]

Always wonderful to start the day with a new video from James.

[@clonkex]

Thank you for showing that golden hour is not the only valid time to shoot. And in fact, might be the wrong time in some cases! Now if only I could figure out how to create a nice composition when the background is always busy, contrasty Australian scrub no matter which way I turn, I'd be very happy.

[@stnrck64]

James, I really like those over exposed shots of the town. I really get a sense that it’s hot! I occasionally over expose on purpose but not often. I’ll make some new attempts after watching this video. One more thing, I really admire your determination trying to make an interesting photo of one of the most boring rocks I have ever seen. I spend a few days a year camping at the same mountain site and there is an eight foot tall rock there that is much more interesting. Valiant effort but it’s still a boring rock.

[@adventurecoalition3690]

This was inspirational to me, it seems so simple but yet it isn’t. A rock in a town, who would have thought that could be a subject for a photograph series, you did and that makes you a creative genius 👍Thanks for the inspiration 🙏

[@thexfaceable]

That's the coastline of my childhood, and I've shot a lot of rolls on my old Minolta and stills on my digital Fujis. The light is generally harsh (some local photographers only shoot at dawn or sunset), and the tourism has shaped a lot of the most beautiful places from Denia down to the southest part of the province. Besides the looks that the likes of Benidorm can offer, there are plenty of cool places deeper into the mountains away from the coastline. It's nice to see your vision on its landscapes being from where you are.

[@sharvo6]

Have always enjoyed your aesthetic ... especially enjoy your backgrounders on how you get there.

[@Herfinnur]

Per the “rules” bit: In music theory and music education circles there’s been a very long and often heated debate regarding the word “rule”, and one of my two favourite points or insights to come out of that is that wording something as a rule is only a problem when (A) it isn’t worded in a “if/then” way. Ex.: “if you want [specific goal] use this [rule/technique/constraint]” (B) it isn’t mentioned specifically enough what that rule is meant to achieve or avoid. My other favourite point or insight is from linguists sitting at the table when we music nerds where discussing this: in linguistics the debate is whether rules are PREscriptive or DEscriptive, and it sounds to me that in general, rules are descriptive. You observe a reoccurring phenomenon and from that you try to extrapolate an insight on how that phenomenon happens. After all, we have another much less murky word for prescriptive rules: laws! So it’s fine to use the word rule. A rule isn’t a law

[@dlyon9673]

Beautiful photos! And nice tip.

[@jklphoto]

Been enjoying your content recently James. At first, I thought your blown-out skies were a result of typical British weather. Didn't know you were purposely over-exposing blue sky days by 1-1.5 stops. You obviously have a grasp of the fundamentals and choose to ignore "the rules". Good on you🙂Admitedly, as a retired commercial film/digital shooter, I cringe when I see youngsters shooting into the sun and backlighting EVERYTHING. Especially people. IMO, this is often from a lack of technical ability (or it's a choice to mimick what everyone else is doing stylistically).

[@ico.oliveira]

At some point , I thought the rock was photobombing.

[@DanaPushie]

I'm living vicariously as usual through your videos which I really quite enjoy, James.Yup, the front 180° position is much more conducive to getting good light, generally. Love side light. One exception, is a shot I've been trying to capture of a small cluster of birch trees with various shades of green in the immediate back ground, with the light coming from behind me. In the earliest morning light the white tree trunks pop out of the background in a brilliant white which turns more of a grey colour as the sun rises higher in the sky. We're having a run of cloudy mornings lately. Cheers James.

[@gord_tomlin]

Thanks for some good and valuable thoughts about shooting in bright, sunny conditions.

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

You nailed the Porta color palette. I assume that is one of your presets and was done in post?

[@unlockyoursoulmemory4199]

really brilliant advice, will most definitely keep this in mind and observe when I take my camera out next time

[@BindingTales]

I find it charming to see how you are now wearing the camera strap on your wrist in that twist after seeing your previous video where you talked about how you used to just randomly wrap it and it didn't use to be safe.

[@epronske]

Absolute terrific ideas on light after/before golden hour. Really nicely done!

[@RidewithRayCN]

Thank you for sharing this place and your working rules (approach) around it! The large rock there reminded me how a typical Chinese viral-trying-to-be post would go: "Who could've thought such an enchanting scene with no tourists at all !!", then showing a telescope lense photo, dramatically shortening the distance between a downtown highrise and the faraway rock visually ...

[@whatkevsaw]

Will you consider sharing things like f/stop, SS, ISO? (I think I recall a video wherein you’ve said no?) I love your work and videos, and that would be great to see to ponder what adjustments you were making in the light and weather conditions to arrive at the images you share! 🙏 Great video, & thanks!

[@GoGoGoRunRunRun]

@13:05 You mean like the 180 degrees shutter rule? 😁

[@lyndapassey2752]

Great video and I will try your 180 guide. I live in a town and need to travel out to find some countryside. Your video has inspired me to try something new. I will take a walk around some of the industrial estates to see what I can find. Thank you.

[@mikelovesphotography]

Spot on, James! I enjoyed the video. Your approach has given me another tool. Thanks!

[@danielspenner3683]

I really like that overexposed-portra-160 look of your images. Excellent eye for composition, too.

[@endah08]

I don't think your process or thinking is strange at all. It can be viewed as meaning over aesthetic. Obviously your images and very beautiful still but it's nice to have images that draw you in and make you ask questions. Why take a photo of such natural beauty with an ugly truck in it? Now the piece and I are having a conversation. That's art mate! There's no shortage of purely aesthetic photographers on here and social media (nothing wrong with that either) so don't stop, please! One of your best videos recently.

[@Me-xo5tw]

But also the truck is sexy af tho

[@endah08]

@@Me-xo5tw Agreed haha

[@RevMeTurk]

My mother lived in Calp up until last year. I've been going there on holidays for the past ten years, I've even ended up breaking in my last two cameras in calp. Never thought of it as a place someone would go to especially to take photos. Most of it is pretty new. I'm from a small town in Ireland so I liked taking pictures of the tall hotels that are beside the rock.

[@TehGems1]

One of the most useful videos I've seen in a while, especially if you are a bit tired of golden hour!

[@Jim-BobWalton]

I’m loving your photos; composition and also the light in the Spanish town. I see what you’re saying about Golden Hour, however I do really love the sun and the waves. Beautiful, diffuse light, and gorgeous pastels. I’ve never seen the sea portrayed with such power and beauty at once

[@JonaGln9]

I live like an hour from Calpe and is awesome that you got in there. Such a lovely town!

[@Comet_ride]

This video rocks

[@zeezoinks]

James, such a delight always! Excited for your book!! Will pre order!!

[@glennhuizinga]

Awesome video James!

[@Hubieee]

Calpe, Pion d‘Ifache… we did go on vacation during my childhood in Moraira which is a few km up the coast, that rock always in sight. Went up there once, people hanging out right at the edge… that image stung to my memories of it. We always chose a house from where we could see the rock. Great times back then in the 90s… childhood memories. Best

[@AnthonyJGianotti]

lol the paper map bit had me and my daughter rolling on the floor. She made me rewind it about 10 times 😂

[@MrBunglor]

I would have thought taking photos of Iceland is not much different from taking photos in Lidl. Aldi tho...

[@AlanGurling]

This was quite an eye-opening video. I've always done the 180 rule opposite to how you do it, but thanks to your video, I will challenge myself and rethink how I do things.

[@chrisjwright_]

Love your photography style, it's inspired me to go out and show in different locations at any time of day, whereas before I used to only stick to the golden hour times and the hero locations. Just made a similar video on the subject of how shooting in different lighting has changed my shooting style over the past couple years.

[@igorkalaba6389]

This depth stuff is great! It has been gnawing at me for ages, I would usually blame my lens (I shoot fixed, 23 mm), never got around to thinking about it, well, in depth. Thanks!

[@peterhamilton8913]

Great conversation on managing light during the day.

[@danielbastos1885]

As always, an excellent and useful video! Many thanks James!

[@DB_-jj7wd]

Hi James - I clicked on this video because of the title- which I imagine was your intention 😊As I’m going on holiday soon and hopefully going to be in the sun and take photos it seemed to be the right thing to do - What I didn’t know was who had created the video (Get on with it man) Until I saw the pictures and immediately recognised them as yours - That’s got to be a good thing right? Thanks for your content - great Job as always!!

[@zfrancisdumas]

awesome tips, thank you greatly!

[@theStevenPowell]

ive started photographing people walking past a spot in the city here in Adelaide..... go back a couple of times a week to see whats changed etc..... its a good idea for beginners too.

[@mcstcb32]

Awesome shots James!!

[@nevillepeachey7863]

watched lots of your videos and found this the most though provoking, bravo

[@somerandomewan]

11:53 absolutely love that spot at Harlyn, recognised it immediately haha

[@mihailcioinica]

But James... whenever I shoot against the sun my photos look terrible. I get no color, no contrast no detail on the subject because it's so dark. Or if I overexpose so the subject is lit, everything else is white. Even in HDR, buildings, for example, where i have to shoot against the light most often, look awful, without color, with a wierd co trast