Get It Right In-Camera - Shoot more and edit less! Part 1 -- Portrait Photography with Ambient Light

[@Edmontonrob]

i agree that he does indeed know his stuff, in all areas of photography not just lighting. I do concede that a light meter can be a great "tool" to have..but like many i don't think it is a must have. Knowing how to user your camera meter, how to spot meter , and more importantly knowing yow to read a histogram will serve you just as well.

[@stevea5985]

Robert Curtis So your an expert at reading the light in every place you shoot

[@crollinsphoto]

I like this guy. He knows his stuff and speaks with authority.

[@kevindickinson3600]

Bethany is georgous! Steals the show!

[@SamSilk]

Everything is well explained, great video, don't pay attention to haters claiming your images are underexposed (that's not true) or that the metering tools are useless. They don't know what they're talikin about. These tools are a great way to expose and balance your images. Your pictures are really nice. You're a good teacher, I bet even the model should be able to use a Sekonic by now ;)

[@BillyNewmanphoto]

Getting it right in camera is key. Working with film has taught me that.

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

Having an awesome-looking model like Bethany makes listening to the technical stuff much easier. That's probably someone's Rule No. 1.

[@BernieRichter010515]

I started to educate myself on taking good photos of my products and just watched Creative Photography. Thanks Mike, your presentation is clear and well understood.

[@criticaltinker]

I'm in love with Bethany now. Thanks for the video.

[@luckyblueduck]

This is an awesome video. I don't know why people are talking about editing. Every person sees things differently- even colors. A shade of blue one sees will be a different shade to the other. The point of the video is to get the correct exposure in camera with the help of light meters. Thanks for taking your time and making this video.

[@SniperTrader2023]

Light meters are obsolete, all you need are the Gary Fong domes that can be inserted into a lightsphere. Just hold the white dome in front of your lense as in completely covering the lens at the position of your subject pointed toward where the camera will be, make note of the exposure which will be perfect and use that exposure to shoot the image. You can also do the same thing to set custom white balance, then you will have perfect exposure and perfect color rendition.

[@raduionut78]

Very good tutorial! And the model is absolutely beautiful!

[@RickLincoln]

I like the absence of "slick" in all of your videos. Your thorough knowledge of the content is obvious, and your explanations are straight forward and without pasteurization. While it seems as though most who are doing photography videos want to portray themselves as the "artiste", you show us your craftsmanship. Without craft, there is no art. Thanks for all of the work that you put into your teaching.

[@ertui997]

First I'd like to thank you for all the great photo lessons you post. The question I had is when your using your studio lights; why would you use the modeling light for the portrait instead of the strobe flash? Thanks very much for your time and everything you do and for Bethany.

[@gedeonmondido1505]

Thank you for producing this long video and sharing your knowledge to others. i like it. And the model... she's gorgeous.

[@100picsperhour]

agreed!!! Bethany should go to Hollywood and win Oscars

[@dutchnyc23]

Thanks so much for the tips. I have the same camera and meter so this video is a tremendous help, The model is absolutely gorgeous and you captured her beautifully.

[@BenjaminGib]

Thanks so much for getting back to the importance of the light meter!

[@blue28119]

Good video very helpful and wow your model was just beautiful her makeup in the restaurant was stunning she looked fantastic

[@bennye8269]

what's represented on his computer screen, and what is shown ( by colour and brightness ) on your own screens, may differ depending on how your own screens colour calibrations and brightness levels are set. (or not set) I think he did a great job !

[@unknoahble]

Mastering the zone system and understanding the histogram = just as good as an incident meter and much more convenient.

[@SimpleVlogs12]

Thank you Joe Brady!!!

[@ArcticExposure]

I've been using the Color Checker Passport for a few years now, and it's great. I use the grey patch for white balance so I can see on the camera more accurately how it will turn out, but like you say, it's not important for the color patch, that's for the software to make the profile which fixes the white balance on its own. Truly a great product.

[@lonniepaulson7031]

I have been in photography since 1969. I have always preferred an incident light meter. I have used Luna Pros and Sekonics. I still own an analog Sekonic Studio L-398M. Do you remember that one? I worked at one studio where we had to bring our own incident light meter, we were shooting 8x10 chrome. I still use this meter with my Nikon D90 and some old film Nikons. I'm sure these young photographers watching your video don't care about the great difference in incident and reflective light. They get sloppy and use the in-camera meter and the histogram. You will have maximum control over your lighting with an incident light meter.I liked your video.

[@gooseknack]

Moral to the story.. regardless of how you use exposure, aperture, ISO speed and light.. Aim to get it right at the time of shooting.. less time in editing software means more time behind the camera.

[@billysexton]

Very helpful I am learning a ton !! thank you. Great subject btw !!

[@ressikanflute]

I love using Sekonic vs of the shoot/chimp, shoot/chimp, shoot/chimp method. Very under rated tool and very versatile.

[@idolbass]

Excellent tutorial on ambient lighting and a whole ton of other tips.

[@hulsephoto]

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!! Sure wish these other photo enthusiasts would learn the basics before they criticize. The idea is that you learn the technical side of photography first then unleash your creativity. THEN you call yourself professional.

[@BenjaminGib]

This is absolutely excellent. Thank you!

[@willparsons32]

your models skin tone is bang on and looks really good. The lipstick highlights this but does not distract my attention away from the rest of her face. Makes up for the difference in overall light/tonal ranges. It would be interesting to see what the ambient light would do to her appearance if she was not to wear any makeup at all.

[@jasonpongracz]

Your videos are Great! You are a great teacher and make things very easy to understand. I will be getting a Sekonic 758 in the next week. My Minolta III has had its day. Cheers from Toronto, Canada

[@djack41]

Great video. Gorgeous model! Thanks.

[@BookWirmm]

good job, my head is expanding with knowledge, thx for the color card tips.

[@DanielOrtegoUSA]

Excellent video with very helpful information for someone as myself just getting started with creative lighting. Up until now I've been shooting an external articulated mounted flash, with various diffusers. I was also learned quite a bit about composition that really added to the lesson. Thanks for posting ~

[@kkeeibt]

Thanks for the information. It is very helpful. And Bethany looks better on video. She is beautiful.

[@heyg7819]

I have one of these meters and if you like to shoot manual they come in very handy to get your exposure perfect in the least amount of time. The camera meter is very accurate as well but if you have competing light sources, dark/light backgrounds it can be fooled. If you are just taking candid photos for fun I doubt you would whip it out, but on a photo shoot of any sort it is an invaluable piece of equipment. They meter flash exposure as well.

[@jsueaud]

wow thank you so much , this video helped me out a lot. Light metering is so important !

[@WeddingPhotography64]

wow this is an awesome video. thanks so much Joe, i learned a bucketload here!

[@MrTanker10a]

This is an awesome video. I have just purchased the Sekonic L358 and this is an excellent seminar on how to be practical with this device. Now I know why I was spending time learning the arithmetic basics of f-Stop and the Exposure Triangle. The Color Checker set is a bonus. This checker is published in the Nikon Digital Field Guide and I finally understand how to use it. Thanks for clarifying the WB check not having to fill the entire camera screen because Magic Lantern is states otherwise.

[@huahuacha]

Good job. I learned a lot and had a great time watching this webinar. Thank you!

[@manggiz09]

She looks gorgeous no matter what

[@marchayes5896]

Thankyou joe...very clear, the best tutorials ive watched.

[@samgod]

Exactly. Aperture is often an artistic and creative setting rather than purely technical as the shutter speed more often is. Also, the 7D has a spot meter mode that gets a light reading from only the center 3% portion of the frame specifically to avoid averaging out the whole t thing. How's that compare to the light meter? If more precision is needed, I just move my camera closer to the subject and use spot meter mode.

[@dinkeedee]

Very informative - thanks for posting. I know how much work putting a video together is.

[@crmpadvertmedia]

sir can Sony a7 r2 did best job which lense 50 or 70 mm in filming plz make video of it too you explanation is fantastic

[@bartonbob2]

Great video. Some great ideas for using my light meter.

[@QuadHealer]

Balancing multiple light sources quickly and accurately without trial and error is not easy without a light meter. If you are satisfied with time consuming error prone inconsistent shots using the reflective light measured by your camera, then that is fine, but some people want precision and repeatability. I love my light meter! Use the right tools for the job. It is like crossing the USA on a bike - sure it is possible, but a nice car just makes it so much more enjoyable. Great Movie!

[@MrCazz]

Please anyone, Who is BETHANY, she is the most amazing model and woman that I have ever seen.

[@alexlanza79]

I find this technique fascinating, but I'm always amazed how many pro photographers talk up their technique and talk down everyone else's and still if you listen to both sides they say their job is perfect as they do it. In my extreme "amatorialness" I think that these are just different technique to get the result, 'cause if only one is right and not the others, it means that only one category of photographers would work, not really the case I think!

[@alexlanza79]

I respect your opinion, but listen again the first couple of minutes! It's maybe just me, but as much as I like this different process to take photos, to me his opening sentences sound like "If you use a software to adjust the exposure in post processing you are not as good as me, as I get the perfect exposure on camera!" when a lot of pros some of whom I personally know (and I'm not one, I'm an amateur, but I noticed this!) work without metering the "perfect" exposure and than work the photos in post processing!

[@alexlanza79]

geru2000 I understand what you're saying I was merely saying that it's amazing how a bunch of other pros are saying exactly the opposite (so auto wb and proper exposure with no meter or color checker etc) and their work is as fine as this. So instead tweaking the camera before each shoot, they spend maybe a little more time in post, that's all, I just think are different way to obtain the same result and the efficiency of the process is something I don't have the experience to judge! Also I think this kind of technique is not for everyone and not for every situations. For example, I'm not a pro and I don't use this kind of preparation when I shoot during dance recitals. And I don't know how and if it's possible to use it. The lights change all the time, even during the same routine and I don't have much time to compensate for the exposure or wb. If I do that maybe important parts of the routines get lost! I'm sure with more experience and better gear I can do better, but if during the same routine the lights "move" randomly from a deep blue, to a violet, to a red, to a white, etc I can assure you, there is absolutely no time to make any corrections! Plus the lights makes the colors of the dresses change. A complete mess! But in post process I don't do a lot of corrections and my photos are as good as photo sets of some pro photographer during past recitals. So either I'm a great amateur photographer (not sure about that!) or they were not as good as pros (more likely)!

[@bertyboy7126]

Great vid thanks for sharing your expert advice and love all your photos here, and else where, I bought a 758dr and put it to use following your videos using your advice and im now having a much higher success rate ,and its thanks to you and sekonic ,thanks to you iv learned so much and taken my photography to a much higher level, thanks from a big fan in Scotland

[@erskinhansen1715]

Always been interested in light meters, this video has enlightened me about them. When I 1st got a DSLR camera I thought it would be easy to make adjustments, and it is. The problem is where so much time is wasted adjusting for light in the scene. It's a trial and error situation that turns a 15 sec shot into a 1-minute inconsistent balancing act. There is enough things (like focusing) to deal with, removing exposure lighting as a problem is welcomed. I will be investing in a light meter ASAP.

[@tuxyso8792]

Very nice tutorial video with in-detail explanation. But I do not understand why I cannot use the neutral grey side of the Color Checker for exposure measuring, as stated in the video. If I use spot measuring on my camera and do measure at the large grey side of the Color Checker passport I should get a perfect exposure, or am I wrong?

[@thomastuorto9929]

Thanks for the vid. A lot of knowledge for a beginner like I am. Correct me if I am wrong, At around 37 minutes in you point the camera meter at her face &, the spot meter at the light itself. Is that the reason for the difference in the stops?

[@susanabanana2024]

Great explanationz & teaching. thank you.

[@XtrAMassivE]

You really do take photography up a notch, really nice informative video.

[@briangeoghegan9172]

I like this video he is very helpful and he explains all very good. It is easy to follow tumbs up from me anyway

[@derekmccabe5274]

Thanks Brian, I'll watch it work during the week

[@larrymcintyre4407]

I don't know if you're still monitoring this video for comments but just in case. Am I wrong or is your lens changing Bethany's facial shape? The stills seem to be "distorted" or "flattened" compared to the video. I don't know if I've verbalized this correctly but to me there seems to be a significant difference between the video and the stills. What say you? Larry

[@sicariiOrigin]

Larry McIntyre Focal length changes the appearance of features. Longer focal lengths , especially 200mm+, compress features creating a more flattering look. You'll generally see women shot at longer focal lengths for this reason.

[@boltranmoses2354]

Light meters actually come in handy, he makes it look hard

[@perseuswong6864]

I can't decide if it's my monitor, the video or...the editing that making her look red. Just my opinion but the pics also strike me as a little under exposed.

[@Heelissrogue]

+Perseus Wong I concur with you.

[@geoffrobson2493]

+Perseus Wong I think it's the encoding in this video...

[@CarsFitnessMoney]

Where you using spot metering or matrix metering when we where show the cameras job of judging the light?

[@zvxcvxcz]

Even back in the film days, some people with the medium format cameras would put on the polaroid back and just go ahead and shoot a few to check that the exposure was right. I'm sure the light meter was useful for everone that couldn't afford that back then though, but I don't know if light meter use is something that should be taught as a standard or "easier" approach to shooting. Still, I appreciate that you took all the time to make this video.

[@ahlanv74]

for a newbie like me.... i learned alot from this video tutorial.... thanks alot =)

[@keyoguitar]

Great vid thanks. Ideally if you are making a video outdoors you should use a wind protector. That would have cut the noise levels down on this vid substantially.

[@Kenicherie]

Thank you for this helpful video

[@Hiawathado]

Great tutorial!! Watched it several times. And with this nice model I think even with telephone you will get great photos :) One question, Do you have taken photos during this tutorials somewhere on the web?couse video has low resolution and I would love to see the real result of THIS tutorial. Now I am planing to bay one ligth meter. Have d5000 nikon which budget light meter would you recommend? Thanks for your tutorials!

[@MrJazAfonso]

Great video, nice tutorial for beginners, Thank you, looking forward for part 2

[@abelperez-arita3467]

The right side of Bethany is a little too dark for my taste. Would you use a speedflash for filler? Or could you also use a reflector to provide some lighting? What would be the difference between the two?

[@khalilburno9713]

you super awesome teacher ,thank you for the great video , great information.;-)

[@mantan9400]

Very informative information to take Awesome photos...

[@les1466]

Oh, and Bethany... WOW!!! OMG!!

[@djrbfmbfm-woa]

yes, i'm seeing the same. red in the face, were as, the video, itself exhibits no such coloration. btw, i really think this lady is very photogenic and deserves a great career. big fan of both these ppl. thx. j.

[@MandLVideo]

Sweet explanation Nice video and the Canon 7D is a great prosumer camera. I love mine. You help a great deal.

[@TheyCallMeKoopa]

I loooove that quote!

[@2011SuperFrank]

you are right. Its the skill that matters. Not the camera. I realized this after spending good lot of money in different DSLRs based on the reviews.

[@BJEPhoto]

With respect, you don't need a separate light meter for digital cameras, particularly for ambient-only. You can just take several photographs in manual mode and ensure that the RGB histograms aren't blowing out (usually it's the red that blows out first for skin tones, and blue for skies). That's the great thing about digital photography; less necessary expenses relative to film.

[@realsc0rp]

Lovely model, but why should I use lightmeter while I can use spot-metering in my camera? Or maybe shoot in exposure bracketing. UPD. Found the answer in the video.

[@coldhoist]

The guy is selling light meters. The video is sponsored by Sekonic. They make light ,meters. You do not need to use a hand held meter, if you don't want to.

[@ggrancharov]

had exactly the same thought. Looks much better in the video

[@toolsandtimber123]

I really enjoyed this video, most informative thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@2kwolfgang]

I'm just starting out in photography with my trusty t3i rebel and a few lenses. So I don't claim to be an expert. But to me at 17:37 the photo he took using the cameras internal light meter looked way better than the previous ones he took averaging out the readings from the stand alone light meter.

[@QuadHealer]

Yes, and he also says that if you are unhappy with the results you can just use exposure compensate, and that is exactly the point of using external light meters: it removes the trial&error and nails the exposure the first time regardless of changes in the reflective light. Of course it is possible to live without a light meter, especially if you are not in a studio setting using multiple flashes you want to balance, but to me it is the right tool for the job, and it really isn't that expensive.

[@polievets1]

With this level of beauty of the model all your pictures would look cool girls is amazing it has nothing to do with you pictures taking technic

[@DerCuster]

Bethany is awesome, but what's the problem doing some test shots to figure out the lighting?

[@thierryrussodelattre]

But who is this amazing model ? She's the best model of the world ! I'm a french photographer and I assert that I have never seen a model of this quality. I would like working with her in France to create portraits in photo-painting in period costume. I shall make a work of art.

[@iwgl1981JMR]

Hey nice video!!! I think you have a great personality for your craft. Couple of questions here not nitpicking but does the 7D have spot metering? In the studio with Bethany would spot metering with the 7D have worked? Also do you shoot Nikon as well because you stated without your meter handy you'd use Matrix metering which is Nikon. Canon calls it Evaluative metering.

[@RustyCraven]

Joe, I got some of the Velo hot shoe adapters, which you highlighted in one of your videos, which I can't find now, to activate an older flash unit, a Promaster 7500DX Digital. I can't seem to get it to work. I'm using PocketWizard Plus III's to trigger. Also, using sync cables suggested by B & H where I bought the Velos. Any suggestions? Ray

[@MarkTreen]

I loved the video and learned a lot. At 31:00 the method used to ensure highlights aren't blown out in the background does not protect the skin tones, although you say it does.You show how to protect skin tones in the beginning of the video, using the incident light meter. You switch over to the spot reflective light meter for the landscape. You then make an incongruence answer. I love a better explanation of how to protect background tones AND skin tones.

[@dslrlearner5890]

hi, i am curious about the base iso "160" that you were talking about in the video. might i know that where did you get that information from. i am here trying to learn more from pros and books... many thanks...

[@JervarisTv]

My biggest problem with any of these video's are when you bluntly improperly use a feature to advance the product you're selling. Its very easy to meter with the camera meters for the subject face, but you'll have to explain a basic concept of a camera. You move you're meter to spot meter, and meter the front part of her face, and lock the exposure instead of just more then likely living it in average or evaluated mode.

[@susanabanana2024]

do you have any suggestioms for pre &/or post shooting of clients witj heavy acne with some slight scarring as well? i jave PS Elements 12 & tecenyly purchased LR 6 (of which I know nothing)

[@TheJoePhoto]

Awesome info..! Thank You much for sharing.. Would like to shoot with you someday.. I see your from NY.. All your locations I know well.. :)

[@davidmenard3339]

Of the three light meter used in Get right in-camera which is the best one to start with?

[@shaneweightman]

this seems like a long advert for a certain make light meter, very good

[@mjones410]

can the meter take in to account an ND filter? Or do you need to do the reciprocals yourself?

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Great video, well explained The model is TO DIE 4

[@davymike761]

I'm sorry, didn't hear a word of what was said...she is GORGEOUS!!!

[@Murvalous]

as I have a mirrorless camera I can see how its going to look before I take it, so mirroless cameras wouldnt need this, am I correct in this thinking

[@fixxxer4234]

One question: will using camera's "spot metering" do the job as good as the light meter?

[@farstarfilms]

Nice vid, I not trying to be a photographer I just need to renew my passport photo. I know how to align the picture only thing I dont know is to take the photo. I only have T1i canon but not sure what the settings on the camera should be. I have lamp light and tripod. Please tell me complete setting the camera needs to be. Thanks you so much,

[@medo6067]

And I liked the photo that has been taken with the in camera meter. She looked more natural and I would reduce the aperture a little bit. Few people who are using these meters anymore.

[@VaporTrailMix]

If you over exposed the image like at 17:06 and reduce the exposure in the RAW file will it bring the whole image to the desired ratio? I'm assuming that even though the whole image is overexposed the ratio between the light and dark areas remains the same?