Composition Tips: How to Capture that ‘National Geographic Style’ part 2

Don't miss photography composition part two! The great advice and tips keep coming from four-time Travel Photographer of the Year, Bob Holmes! Sit down with AYP studios and photographer Bob Holmes for part two of the Marc Silber Show - Advancing Your Photography! He shares some remarkable photos from his latest trip to Cuba, and digs deep into the art of composition.
Bob has been all over the world and his travel photos have appeared in National Geographic, Departures, and 46 books as the sole photographer. Working outdoors on most of his trips, Holmes is an expert at using natural lighting in photos. He loves looking for composition that grabs you and his unique tip is that you need to “get in the zone” and be fully responsible for everything in the frame. And the key to learning composition is to practice -- you can't become a great photographer in a week, but you will get there by shooting as much as you can.
And of course, thank you so much to Bob, for sitting down with us and our AYP friends to share all of his amazing advice and experience.
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[@kellyboyd5889]

I think i could listen to Bob for hours on end! :)

[@fayeildefonso]

Kelly Boyd listening twice in one day!

[@highspeedgaz]

Just learnt how to stick with the same scene , I had a tendency to take a shot and move on , Thank you

[@marcsilber]

Great Gary!

[@anne-mariejane4595]

Again, breaking it down into the subtleties of what makes a good photographer, and picture. Natural light playing an important role with all the other elements you spoke upon. Nartual photography using natural light is an art form within itself. Lovely to see this isn't a dieing trend, that we having established photographers as yourself imparting your wealth of knowledge onto others.

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@marcsilber]

Here's Part II! Bob hits on the keys to great composition in this video. Some of the main points are: • You’ve just got to be there. In order to get the “perfect” shot, you need to wait. And wait some more. The picture will present itself to you. • Be prepared to get that “perfect shot.” Know your equipment. • How to see/use horizontal lines and symmetry • Using colors to compose picture • How to punctuate your pictures • The keys to capturing portraits • Why gesture is important (And goes hand in hand with punctuation) • TELL A STORY! • Change your viewpoint (What angle tells the story best?) • Immerse yourself in different media • BE PASSIONATE.

[@roberthughes9773]

The biggest help he could give would be to state what the approx ISO, F stop, and shutter speed are for each shot?

[@boatman222345]

A million dollars and forty years worth of excellent advice in 11 minutes and a few seconds! Thanks for sharing!

[@marcsilber]

wow glad you love it as much as we do! What were the highlights?

[@3unee]

I love Bob Holmes - a true pro with loads of wisdom!

[@RodAllsopp]

"You've just got to BE THERE", pretty much the truest words you can say in photography.

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@kipmay5101]

Bob Holmes...a great photographer. Terrific advice and points.

[@pabdiary]

Every piece of advice he gives is better than any textbook i've read about photography, and I've read numerous books.

[@JeromeMilac]

Be prepared. Makes perfect sense to me, i.e. be prepared gear-wise, sure, but also with some kind of a plan of the composition in mind.

[@straydog8843]

I paused at the ballet shot and admired it for minutes, thats awesome. the omposition, the layers, the subject.. sick shot.

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@outtathyme5679]

Bob’s enthusiasm is contagious

[@marcsilber]

yes it is> Love working with him, stay tuned to see him again soon!

[@Broodjemetbeleg]

Bob is a great talker and he's very modest about his pictures, could listen all day to him!

[@gustavmoritz3526]

Bob Holmes really is a great teacher. So many brilliant tips! But Marc Silber , you are a great listener!

[@montycraig5659]

Bob Holms is a absolute treasure to the photographic world. Thank you for sharing his wisdom, and works.

[@marcsilber]

Absolutely!

[@bustamiSYAM]

Thanks a lot! I learned a lot from your discussions.

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@gavinberry1796]

great input - thanks guys for your time & skill in giving this to us

[@marcsilber]

+Gavin Berry it's our pleasure Gavin, thanks for watching.

[@ryree6567]

Beautiful photos along with a voice of experience. Love it!

[@stephen25uk]

He calls it "Punctuation", Cartier Bresson called it "The Decisive Moment", that extra detail that brings the photo alive.

[@marcsilber]

Stephen, they are very close but the decisive moment is when you press the shutter, it's timing to capture that exact instant when it all "comes together for you" Punctuation is when that additional element is present in the frame to give it an accent --like the examples Bob gave. Now there could also be a decisive moment that is also punctuated!

[@romiemiller3093]

Not the same thing.

[@justcallmesando]

Pure gold. Thanks 4 sharing!

[@jasonokamoto5667]

I met Bob Holmes randomly at an event that he was shooting. I had no idea who he was, but we struck up a conversation. Beyond being an amazing photographer, he is absolutely one of the coolest, nicest guys I've met. Thank you Bob Holmes

[@marcsilber]

yes he is warm, smart and funny...

[@montycraig5659]

I just recently discovered Bob Holmes on your channel. What a wonderful photographer!

[@antonioj.bungcagjr.6392]

Thank you so much..I have learned a lot.

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@ytucharliesierra]

Just learned that I can actually dare to shoot against the sun or lightsource. Untill now I have always systematically avoided that. Possibly at an occasional loss. No more! Also learned that symmetry is allowed as well, (the rule is always about de-centering the motive) provided there is an element in the picture (punctuation) that keeps the symmetric picture from becoming dull. Very inspiring "lecture" delivered in quite a pleasant manner. Thank you and Bravo!

[@marcsilber]

John, so glad to hear what you leaned from Bob! Stick around we'll have new videos from him soon

[@muhammadzeeshan2315]

A very informative video. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@darcyoquinn2845]

I could listen to these guys all day. Thanks for the fantastic insights and content

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@1216willie]

Thanks for sharing this great content!

[@SteveChick02]

I have only just discovered this channel and love Bob's tips. I have subscribed and will look forward to more videos.

[@harisankar125]

This Channel is Pure gold. Wonderfully interviewed. ❤️❤️❤️

[@marcsilber]

Wow, thank you!

[@saiba9050]

This knowledge is gold. Thank you so much for sharing this because it is pure technical information and not b-rolls and nonsense talks.

[@cowboyyoga]

Thank you so much! Another great video ! )))

[@marcsilber]

Our pleasure!

[@marcsilber]

Here's Bob's final, award winning shot of the women crossing the bridge instagram.com/p/BEg8bzIATxC/?taken-by=bobholmesphoto also check out his others while you're there

[@snax_4820]

Inspiring ... that helps photographers!

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@michellestewart7494]

Brilliant!. Thank you

[@jonathanknight8702]

I am a trained architect and urban planner, as well. That made me so excited to see another convert to the field from there!

[@marcsilber]

👏

[@dalemews1]

Thumbs up and subscribed, just keep these words of wisdom coming from this old master. He deserves an OBE from her majesty!

[@marcsilber]

+dalemews1 really! I'll let him know you said that!

[@holmesandjohnson]

Less of the old Dale and have a word with Liz for me.

[@dalemews1]

+Bob Holmes She's probably a bit hung over today after her birthday party yesterday, but if I bump into her down the cash and carry I'll put a word in for you! Really appreciate you sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience with us. Please keep these videos coming.

[@yuganshable]

amazing tips amazing pics by bob, inspiring me to get out of bet and go shoot even if it is like 2:00 am in india 😂

[@unpackinglife]

Just loving it.

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@lohne87]

So epic! What a Master.

[@thefreefilmschool7709]

Another great learning video....

[@slvbackyard]

Hi Marc: Thanks for this video. I love the prerspsective that this prepared photographer shares about shooting photographic serendipitous shots. Fred

[@marcsilber]

+Fred Mc Pherson you're right Fred, good to hear from you!

[@thomassadlowski4012]

Thanks a lot folks, very inspiring :)

[@michaelhing888]

Really worth listening

[@jy622464]

Great examples to illustrate his points!

[@santoshcr7]

Sir Thank You Again for Share and guiding

[@SurinderSingh-SinghStyleStudio]

Very informative..., Thanks!

[@TheBiggervern]

Great information. Thank you

[@harryflowers7555]

The "punctuation" in red is something a few famous painters have used . . . somewhere in the painting there will always be a small figure in red.

[@marcsilber]

That’s very interesting, thanks!

[@miguelortiz5270]

incredible video!! its high value info for the ones who want to go deep in photograph. Thanks a lot.

[@marcsilber]

You're very welcome!

[@majopgalli]

This is so great!! very inspiring and real educational:) I'm so glad I found this channel!!

[@marcsilber]

I'm glad you found us too!

[@wanneske1969]

Brilliant !

[@arthurlbn]

Wow. Amazing !

[@romiemiller3093]

As before., form follows content. And, the three major components of photographs, as in writing, are position perspective, and context. These aren't just composition elements. They go to the message and intent of the photograph.

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@sdentertainmentarts7038]

I really learn the photographs

[@peskypossum58]

Excellent video on composition. Lessons from a master. But I wonder, did he direct the boxer to stand where he took the photo - or not?

[@donridgway7269]

Ansel Adams quoted Pasteur: "Chance favors the prepared MIND." In other words, all the training and experience allow you to seize the opportunity when it presents itself.

[@marcsilber]

So very true. And sadly I’ve lost many shots because I wasn’t prepared.

[@donridgway7269]

@@marcsilber Oh, you're obviously very prepared. Most of us are only partly prepared (i.e., me), kind of undisciplined.

[@marcsilber]

Maybe so but I missed a few yesterday that saddened me

[@donridgway7269]

@@marcsilber (Last reply, I promise.) I've missed hundreds and thousands in the last several months because I CAN'T TRAVEL! Phooey.

[@marcsilber]

Yes but look for photos in your own environment, they’re there I guarantee!

[@NathanBaldassero]

I wonder what his focal length of choice is typically for this type of Street photography. Thanks for the great interview. I could listen to him all day lol

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

Around 28mm.

[@ogilvy85]

A question for you, sir. How do you decide on the perfect shot from the sheet. If you've worked it.

[@BoraBora_Sasha]

Thank you so much :)

[@hothithit7494]

Very interesting Thanks you

[@haithamalmuzayan3050]

Thank you

[@garychow6113]

I notice in most of those photos Bob shot on a diagonal. For example the street scenes where he could have shot straight on, he composed the shot so the street is running at a slight diagonal across the frame. I wonder whether this was deliberate.

[@marcsilber]

yes he talks about his use of angles in Advancing Your Photography handbook p 219 goo.gl/7k0uOt

[@bhoopendrameena6077]

Sir, at 8:38, such a beautiful picture, but I have a question, did you deliberately cut the frame through head of those kids? Is there a meaning for not taking them completely. Would appreciate your response.

[@marcsilber]

unfortunately the video cut them off, thanks for paying attention!

[@nickvidal-hall7372]

I am fascinated by the picture of the blue car at 5:53. I notice that the front tyre is just slightly cut off. I would love to know the thinking behind that. I would always feel that had to be complete.

[@Boeijk1]

I think that might be exactly the purpose: Leave it to the audience to complete the photo with their own imagination. It evokes emotions, raises questions this way. Just as it made you to write this comment. Besides such cut offs gives you the impression of ''goes beyond the frame'' to me.

[@balsara675]

thanks

[@romiemiller2485]

"f.8 and be there."

[@Tricklarock]

Where/what is part 1? Thank you.

[@soravnayyar6882]

First video that does not have a dislike by a bunch douchebags, thank you sir for inspiring the generations to come a good video indeed. :)

[@marcsilber]

you are very welcome It is my pleasure to hear that! thanks you for watching and contributing.

[@jerainyparra2533]

Great video. Great Master. I could listen to his lessons for hours. Thanks!

[@eashidalgo5778]

This is a great channel! The most useful I have subscribed ever! Really great job! Thank you!! I have one question if you could help me out. Because there's a pretty big fuss out there with RAW and JPG images. I know what both do etc. Does Bob Holmes shoot RAW? And does it really matter that much when it comes to an amateur like myself? I only shoot RAW when I shoot Landscapes. Thank you in advance!

[@marcsilber]

+Eas Hidalgo yes Bob shoots raw (not in the raw :). All pros do. It's because you don't have images that are compressed or manipulated as Jpegs are. You can use sRaw for smaller sized I talk about this and lots more in my book.

[@sdentertainmentarts7038]

Sir my question what is important motion of our photos

[@marcsilber]

it could be any motion you want to emphasize

[@guillermomartinez6006]

more

[@resistenzainutile]

but..the first shot (the bridge) has tilted horizon!!

[@Nasirshamji]

I enjoy the videos but you and your guest always talk about content and not about F stop or shutter speed and where to focus. Please please do talk about this points. Always enjoy your video. Thank you.

[@marcsilber]

gotcha, stay tuned for upcoming videos where we go out and shoot with them!

[@easymedia6848]

may Allah help the minority muslims in Myanmar where they are alone left into a genocide for years in front of the hole univers who gave their prime minister a nobel price of peace shame to humanity

[@Chilcutte]

May want to spread out the call to action instead of laying them out all in the in there like subscribe share comment below Etc all together it's a bit much commenting anyway great guy good advice

[@dimac7422]

Can someone explain what does he mean by punctuation in photogrphy or what in general punctuation in photography is? I though that was used only in text written form. So i cant grasp this rule pls help somebody 😅

[@marcsilber]

like a written punctuation point, visually it draws your eye like a ! might. It's explained in my composition book

[@LiveDieTrolling]

Cool videos, Thanks for the tips!

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@mikeskerritt9618]

What a wonderful and very informative interview. A pleasure to learn and uplifting. Thank you both.Cheers.Mike Irish