The One Trick to Instantly Improve Your Composition

[@FaizalWestcott]

The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/faizalwestcott12221

[@JokiW]

The photography channel that is actually about photography, something rare on youtube, thank you so much Faizal. This was beautiful and humble. 💙

[@nvrumi]

The YT algorithm picked the Westcott channel for me. This was one time I appreciate the algorithm. The laid back approach to teaching is very good. The images are gorgeous and give me something to think about.

[@colebailey]

I started doing photography about two years ago, I thought that at some point I’ll be far past this chapter and I wanted to document this moment in my life. Now I’m sixteen still shooting and my photos have changed so much but I don’t really know what I changed about my photos they just got way better. From shooting double wides and walks down the train tracks to under highway bridges and lakes we don’t have permission to swim in. My photos have told a story that I’m glad I took the time to take, edit and enjoy. Your work has 100% helped me with my work. You changed the way I approached work thank you for that! Love your channel!

[@siddhantmogaveera]

Keep at it dude! I wish I had discovered photography at your age, I'm 24 and started doing photography about a year ago

[@ChrisJaydenBeats]

Ditto, reaching 30 soon. Wish I started sooner. Keep at it!

[@dannecarlos222]

u subbed to ur channel man good stuff

[@FaizalWestcott]

Loved seeing this. Keep it up Cole!

[@Nitidus]

It's good to reflect on what you're doing. If you feel like you've progressed very much, try to look at channels like Alec Soth's for advice and direction on the highest level of photography. At some point, you need to be aware of what exactly you did to improve further. But you've got more than enough time to deal with that. Also, never stop practicing the basics. After 10 years of playing basketball, I still practiced layups at every single training session.

[@AYDENVESCIO]

Adding foreground elements is one thing I’ve realised I struggle with most in my photography videos. Yet it’s probably the most important rule to create depth and interesting images.

[@fingerprinz]

Not only is your image making impeccable, but your video skills are just top notch. Thank you for taking the time - highly appreciated.

[@lichtloper]

3:25 "...creates a sense of depth." MaybeYes. But what you've lost is the greenish colour in the middle-left backdrop which nicely befriended the red-behind-the-phoneman. Win some, loose some (more).

[@jocelynlm]

As a newbie experimenting with street photography, this video is so so helpful! Thank you for sharing different ways of observing and seeing! Will definitely practice using the environment as a foreground.

[@RolandKaufmann]

This was super helpful to see how you go about adding layers! I love using elements in a scene to frame subjects. When it works out it’s so rewarding.

[@sketchwithmich]

just found out your channel yesterday i think(?) and i just enjoy watching your videos so much and they are really helpful, so thank you!

[@annieragot3573]

Thank you so much for sharing this tip! It’s something that I unconsciously do, but not always. I sometimes wonder why a good photo will feel like it’s still missing something, and THIS is literally the solution most of the time. So, the past 2 days, I’ve started doing this consciously and it has made an incredible difference in the simplest of images. Thank you!

[@leeraxd]

I love Faizal’s channel because it’s not exactly geared towards professional photographers (there’s tons of those out there it’s saturated on yt) but rather on the creative aspect of an enthusiast. These types of videos may seem basic to a pro, but are fun tips for those who still have fun with a camera and aren’t necessarily just taking stoic pics for money.

[@JJSanvictores]

I really appreciate the tone and how calm your voice is when explaining things ! Deserved a sub!

[@rudyvelez1741]

…you have grown so fast as a KZbinr,,,the way you talk is so impressive, very articulate, very descriptive,,,& the way you take pictures is simply phenomenal,,I really enjoy watching your videos,,,keep it up!!

[@EposVox]

I love this so much

[@gdbriggs4]

This is a great explanation of a technique Saul Leiter used in much of his work (apologies if that’s already been mentioned). Very informative, thank you.

[@edusk8pwr]

Dude, you are so inspirational, the way you feel and express photography is amazing.

[@photomorti]

These videos are allways so calming. The photos , the music , the B-roll footage it just works so well. Great tips aswell , ive learned a lot from this channel.

[@maurocarrannante4397]

Very true, and very solid recommendation ‘bout how to build layers in a shot. I also try to do it anytime I can. Three masters of photography using this as a milestone of their photographic language: Sergio Larrain, Ernst Haas and Saul Leiter. Thx for sharing, and good light!!!!

[@kdjvideo6281]

Thanks for this video,it has inspired me to go out and try including some of your ideas into my next day out shooting

[@TimKeh]

YES. Started doing this recently and it makes a huge difference to the look and feel of a photo, even a casual iPhone snap.

[@horse_dog]

a focal length that i like to use is 50mm, it’s tight but not too tight, and the FOV feels similar to the focal point of the human eye, so i have a better idea of what i’m gonna see in the viewfinder before i even bring it to my eye, which i think makes me more efficient in composing.

[@JanPBtest]

One rather (admittedly) technical trick that has been used by film directors world over for decades is that little filter you see hanging around their necks on a string. It's usually a dark green filter, sometimes dark sepia, depending on preference, with a narrow spectrum. What that filter does is it _draws almost all colour away_ from the scene. So it becomes almost monochromatic. This _vastly_ improves one's sense of composition. I noticed it myself when in the 1990s I switched to a colour viewfinder in my video camera. The quality of my footage suffered immediately and hugely, much to my surprise. Some digital cameras today have a B&W viewfinder mode, I recommend using it.

[@DennisVrolijk]

Do you mean a directors viewfinder?

[@JanPBtest]

@@DennisVrolijk No, it's just a filter. Of course it can be put on the viewfinder too.

[@aquilifergroup]

Interesting.

[@smigglesmiggles614]

Which directors do this? I’ve never seen it and I’m really curious!

[@JanPBtest]

@@smigglesmiggles614 From the top of my head I've seen Fellini and Tarkovsky with those little things (just to make clear: they are _not_ director's viewfinders, like the Alan Gordon). For still photography I sometimes use the Tiffen #58 filter (green).

[@cowjuh]

wow i love the way you phrased it, using the environment as the foreground.

[@Crosado777]

I’ve watched many videos on composition and this was the most helpful & inspirational!

[@petratihelkova1276]

I loved your video and your images are amazing ❤ You inspires me to go out again and take some photos

[@carvera9496]

Thank you for your true & insightful advice. Extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@alejandroricoveri]

Great video!. Very inspirational, I must say. I'm currently looking for more ideas on how many options can I use when doing street photography!. Keep it up!.

[@mattfromyvr]

1:28 you can just say intention :)

[@focvl.point19]

🤣

[@thientrieu91291]

Fantastic images!!! And awesome tips! I need to get out and try these. Learned something today. Thank you so much!

[@marleykimmitt202]

Thank you for this reminder to look at the world in a different fresh way today 🙏

I really love the way you've shared and the photos you took. fascinating!!!

[@marcowaldmeier]

such great art. love your pics

[@adventurecoalition3690]

Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge, much appreciated

[@MovingMinds.]

actually one of the best videos on photography I've watched in a while, really got me excited to go out there and make new photos

[@robertobreve8623]

Love seeing your videos because you actually are a good photographer.

[@spvidz]

This is something I've never knowingly thought of but I will absolutely be mindful of in future! 100% will be using this technique. Great vid!

[@grants1736]

This video has become very helpful. I have started photography ever since 5th grade to become very interested in fashion, but currently now, this year i'm starting to taking more street photographs. Composition has always been my favorite tool in this video because it helped me with some brainstorming ideas and refreshing my own thoughts. You are a very good photographer hope to see more photos soon! Thank you!

[@slowcyclist4324]

Watching this makes me wish I had done so sooner; there were so many shots during an event that I could have approached differently when I was struggling with composing the shots.

[@JKEYSONVINYL]

So I shoot videos to go along side my music mostly just me playing but along side some other content as well and a typical framing and compositional aspect I use is I have plants in my studio and I put the camera in them to use a couple stray leaves to peak in the edges of the frame on me and I never realized the reason I liked it is because of the depth you talked about as well as framing as they help draw attention to me and remove distracting elements

[@haileyjennelle]

These are such good tips! thanks for sharing these!

[@bdssoaz]

Loved the video and thanks for the tip! Happy New Year! :)

[@bobafett5323]

These tips are money! 👏🏽👏🏽

[@gharrop1]

Simple and succinct…excellent advice and good food for thought….definitely some great Saul Leiter like shots in there too.

[@romantea3506]

Love your videos. Very helpful. Thank you so much. 🙏🏼

[@Angrygoldstar682]

love your channel 😅

[@benjaminmitchell5345]

wow that was so instructive in such a short time great work love the results

[@naders.171]

Very beautiful. Thank you.

[@Pascal15B]

Excellent images & great help & tips. Thank you.

[@DrAgan_tortojed]

Superb street-life photos! Thanx!

[@13MoonsOverMayhem]

Thanks, these are great ideas! Basically, photograph like you're a private investigator, lol. I really like your reflection photos, that's something I hadn't even thought of doing on purpose. I do have one really great photo through a storefront window, but I was just trying to photograph a display inside the shop, from outside. I do usually try to incorporate foreground elements, usually because street photography makes me very self conscious and nervous and its a way to somewhat disguise that I'm taking photos of people. Mostly I get to photograph out in nature right now. Its just what I have the most access to. I use foreground elements there too, they're just usually fern leaves, rotting stumps, and hanging lichens instead of lamp posts and cool sculptures.

[@cahmzhere7963]

not gonna lie, as I am watching your video, I pulled out my digicam fujifilm xp90 and tried what you said about framing using the environment and using it as foreground, and using some reflection.... because you said in the beginning, it's WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT. and you said you can use any focal length and you just have to challenge yourself in making the photo, so yeah... I tried it in my room right away and it does make a difference. It really "isolates" the subject. thanks for the info! I guess I will be pushing myelf more using the gear that I have especially my digicam and instax that needs a different approach as well. I just love taking photos using a camera, reminds me of year late 90's - 2000s. when we are using the films and we don't even know what we captured in the film until we develop it and we don't edit it. we just capture the moments not "posing" for it. when we used to take "selfies" with our digicam and not "seeing" what you at the time of taking it. 😁😆 I miss those times. 🤭so thank you for the tips. 😄

[@syanshih1268]

haven't watched your stuff in awhile. You've improved so much since!!

[@alihancaglar74]

Fantastic tips! Great work Faizal.

[@Ttjam1]

Great tip! I don’t normally like or do street photography but your pics are really pleasant to look at, so I might have to give it another go. I took a photo today, placing the subject, a car, high in the frame, rather than in the centre. I thought it worked out well because of a gravel path leading the eye up to the object. But after watching this I realise an out of focus shrub that formed part of the foreground is what also contributed to its quality. I feel like a foreground really brings the awareness of there being a photographer (or viewer) taking the picture. It gives it a voyeuristic feel, but in a good way. Kind of makes the image more introverted. Which probably explains why it works well with 35mm or longer focal lengths (in APS-C). Take your first lamp post example - the one without the lamp post makes it look like everyone is looking at the man; with the lamp post it feels like it’s just you, the viewer.

[@JulBritto1]

Thank you, that was really helpful ❤❤

[@andibrowne166]

Thanks so much for the Skillshare link. Amazing!!

[@robertmeyerson1618]

I enjoy your work. The first thing I do is set my screen on my Lumix zs100 to set to preview in B&W. It helps me see my composition better. Thanks !!

[@User-jekqocofowowowpeoro]

Using the foreground to create depth is an amazing tip. I’ll definitely try it in my next photo walk! Thanks for sharing great tips👍🏻

[@김현호-r2j]

두둥탁

[@MarcLerchs]

Brilliant. Thank You for sharing. Greetings from Belgium.

[@GarrettXPrime]

your videos and advice are always great man please conitinue bringing the content

[@yassinesobh4165]

Unrelated but u have such a comforting and reassuring voice. Puts me in the right mindset to actually absorb the techniques ur talking about

[@philoography8233]

Goddammit Faizal, in the recent time you seem to have such an amazing streak with your creative output. The photographs really have your handwriting and in the last weeks I have just been watching your content, gazing at the excellence of your work. Us artists all know there are highs and lows when it comes to creativity and you definitely outdo yourself at the moment. Those times are the ones lighting up our passion. They should be enjoyed and appreciated.

[@bobprentiss8215]

This was great. Short and sweet. Thanks!

[@fariyalajrad5505]

i usually skip parts of videos or speed em up because of my dwindling attention span but faizal, ur videos are just one of the few ones that i love to savour, examining each bit and detail - u own my atttention thru out the entirety of the duration. appreciate the effort u put in to ur videos and photography

[@SKSK-rz7br]

Gotta say some great work there .... respect from UK

[@Leicashootr]

Thanks Faizal, for this eye opener ❤

[@andrei4696]

Nice trick. Thanks for a lot of examples of how it works!

[@LeosHimself]

Another great video! Thank you Faizal!

[@NanseySinclaire-ie9tl]

Thank you for such great insight.

[@mikebrun.mp3]

wonderful! thanks for this

[@collincourtois8587]

This video is absolutely remarquable. Your work is simply superb. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@patrickbarks997]

I love this, stunning photos!

[@baharam98]

This is one of the best videos, helping me with my photography composition. Thank you.

[@Kenaroni]

This video makes me think of a high school English teacher I had in the 1970’s. Sometimes he would have you write something and speak it out loud. If he felt you weren’t making a point or explaining yourself well enough, he would say “So what?” He was tough but he was trying to make you think about what you were saying and hopefully have you write better. I still think about this today when it comes to taking a photo. I’m not saying every photo has to have a specific point, but we can ask ourselves “So what?” and maybe make it more interesting by suggesting a story, asking a question, or just contrasting subjects. Thanks Mr. S.

[@NateChung]

cool thank you! helpful tip and beautiful photos in the video

[@mikericciuti5996]

That was truly excellent. Some really great tips-thanks

[@martinxpanelo]

Loved this video man.. you are, by far, my most inspiration to get into this world. Cant wait to start! Hope we can talk some day a little bit, when you come to South America and share works.

[@JayShackleton-dv9tm]

The best explanation on Street Photography I’ve seen

[@sandorkocso1798]

this is so Saul Leiter oded! i love it. thanks for the tips :D

[@jaaasminnnee]

this is so useful! thank you so much

[@TravisHenson777]

Really wonderful video. Very powerful and simple way to create more interesting photos. Thank you.

[@adrianxrodrigues]

great video, since you talked about focal length reminds me that I have a camera with apsc sensor and using a 23mm , I love the lens but I am shy to get close in some situations, do you think going to a 35mm would give a bit more room or should just jump to the 50mm?

[@TimmyQuoll]

If you feel shy then use the longest focal length you can get:)

[@alecaster]

implementing all this in next practice, thank you!

[@paulhickey6896]

Great video and some top class pics! Well done!

[@julianheritage6436]

After a really frustrating day of street photography where I totally felt any creativity was lacking, this video has given me a boost and fresh ideas, thanks 🙏

[@RazeTheWeak]

First 2 images reminded me so much of Saul Leiter. 3rd image was all Fan Ho. It’s been wonderful to watch you grow as a photographer. Thanks for all your time and dedication to the craft. You continue to inspire me to go out and shoot.

[@lookintok]

Dude your video production as went from a normal KZbin standard to great quality cinematography. Love it keep it up!

[@pandemicarsondaily]

your videos are excellent & very helpful!

[@DebiSenGupta]

Really loved the tip to use foreground elements to improve composition. Thanks a lot

[@ivankwong1714]

Like your work man, espcially those reflection ones!

[@jiujuntang]

You came up in my feed. 2 minutes in, I'm a subscriber ❤

[@mylifeswork101]

Very inspiring and very well taught! Thank you for sharing your talent!

[@nestorscheller8733]

Beautiful pictures. Great video

at first i thought why you just didn’t crop the photo (first one), but now i get it. thanks for inspiration.

[@fredboland7034]

Very helpful, opens up so many more opportunities in street photography Thank you

[@AlexOnStreets]

Very cool especially about use of foreground 👏

[@Apachers]

Very instructive video with some beautiful shots. Thank you so much!

[@arenalsurferphoto]

video with magic!!! congrats...

[@allenschneider1847]

Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing.

[@GianStoneMusic]

This is super helpful! Thank you for this video :)