How To Improve Photography Without Upgrading Gear - Part 2

[@robinwong]

Another video I filmed just before the lockdown began. Now coming close to 2 months being stuck in my tiny bedroom, Malaysia is not showing any signs of improvements, cases are still high and I don't think the lockdown will be over anytime soon. I know people will say things will get better soon, but will there be anything to get back to when the lockdown is over?

[@RichardsModellingAdventures]

Watch some Stoic philosophy videos on the Tube..You will feel better Robin.

[@TCizauskas]

Yes, life. Hang in there.

[@meanderingyogi6562]

Things will improve for those who stay mindful and follow precautionary measures. The activity will certainly be something to adjust to, but I, and we as a whole have to stay positive for our mental health as a community.. much love & respect my friend, thanks for another great lesson! Wishing you all the best!

[@ItsAMbutyoutubechangedmyname]

Keep you head up you got this. It will be better and no I don't think it will go back to the same and maby that is a great thing it gives us all a chance to change and breathe . Sending love and positive vibes your way

[@letni9506]

In the UK life is pretty normal now. Yeah wearing masks still and you can't go overseas without isolating but not much I can't do that I want to do. You can visit relatives, go to the pub and I went away two weeks ago on holiday. So things are improving so hopefully you'll be back to more or less normality soon.

[@prince2thethrone]

this guy is the BEST!!!

[@robinwong]

You are too kind, thanks

[@maartenroest9204]

Lol the don't upgrade logo is a Sony.. anyway I have both Sony and Olympus and yes, your tips are spot on. Most importantly, just be happy with the gear you have. If you are sensitive to reviews, just read reviews (or watch videos) of stuff you already have and save your money. Thank you for sharing !

[@kiwikea2002]

Thanks, Robin - those are great tips, and they work; I tried a number of them. (Didn't make it through the "One" project - one year, one camera, one lens ... only three months, Pen E-P5, Lumix 20mm here. But I learned quite a bit.) One basic idea behind all that (and please don't take it the wrong way; I know how your current situation runs counter to this idea through nothing which you are responsible for - my thoughts go out to you). I must not wait for a special occasion to go out and photograph, i.e. a special event, good weather, a walk with photo friends. Basically, I better attempt to get out every day with my camera. Make it a daily habit, or as close to daily as I can. This then helps starting the projects and habits you mentioned and helps me seeing my daily environment with new eyes. (I started to see MY city with new eyes when I moved away from only events and vacations, and - oh, boy!)

[@robinwong]

That's very true Christine, we must have the desire to want to make images, and they should not wait. Thanks for reminding.

[@martingrady7654]

3mths ago I purchased a Lumix GM1 £100, and bolted on a Leica 15mm 1.7. The freedom of chucking and carrying the camera around, not worrying about ISO or image quality although both are good, by the way! Shooting from the hip, just holding the camera high and taking a shot, is all good. Don't get me wrong, I love EVF, tilt screens etc, but a £100 2014 camera is the biz and it looks good, a great bit of kit. I might sell it for £200next year.

[@andressandoval9006]

Today i walked and walked and felt so frustrated by getting only bad pictures...at the end if the day there is only one truth, improve yourself first, great vid Robin, thanks for your time

[@joshualiemworkshop2435]

Thanks for your encouragement, Robin! Keep sharing your experience! 😊😊

[@jeffdrew625]

Great tips! Don’t “chimp” - amen! One blessing when using film is that gratification is delayed! 🙂

[@JimRandolph]

Whenever I’m feeling blah about my photography hobby, you always post something to inspire me, thanks so much.

[@andreaabout]

Some useful tips there. Using manual and sticking to a particular lens for a while is good to get used to your camera. I`ve seen so many people swap and change gear as they are never happy, if only they got to know their gear and looked how to improve their photography. The best gear doesn`t make you the best photographer. Thank you again for a great video. Take care and stay safe.

[@davethebarber3130]

Another good set of hints, Robin, especially to use the same camera and lens for one year. I had a selection of *four* Olympus cameras: an OM-D M10; a Pen-F; an E-PL1 (my first Olympus and digital camera); and a XZ-10 point and shoot. Plus, I had a raft full of m4/3 of good prime lenses. I solved this problem by selling the E-PL1, gifting the M10 to a young 14 year old photographer just starting out, and giving the Pen-F and primes to my daughter. The XX-10 is tucked away for now. That leaves me with an M5 mk III and the 12-40 f2.8 PRO lens. That is my “axe” from now on, taking your advice to stay with one combo. I do mini-projects for all the reasons you say; I print (or did, until my Epson 3800 stopped working properly) and both of those hints are terrific! As for chimping and live view, I’m not so sure. I was a Gordon Laing devotee before I found your channel. I like his “in camera” philosophy of getting as much out of the shot right when you are shooting and that requires some “monkey business.” Other’s “mileage may vary” but 3 solid agrees out of five isn’t bad! Best wishes! -Dave

[@mattwaller8959]

Chiming in late but in total agreement on the first point. Your camera is so complicated that it will take you at least a year to fully explore it and master it. Even on a simple camera like the E-PL8, it took me year to discover that it has highlight/shadow control! And another year before I really started using the power of MySets. I too started with one lens (probably for six months) and you get so you see the shot before you take it. It still throws off my "mental eye" when I switch lenses, now that I have several.

[@dummybert]

Great video, Robin. Btw, nice to know that you are from Kuching. Such a lovely, peaceful, beautiful place. Friendly people and tasty food as well! I so much would love to visit it again.

[@rickbear7249]

Absolutely agree everything you said, Robin. People need to invest enough time in learning to get the most out of each lens rather than continually changing gear. As a Pro photographer, I've been using this philosophy for 40+ years. Less really is More. Rick

[@robinwong]

Thanks Rick for the kind words and show of support!

[@tonyb4326]

You are so right Robin, unfortunately in these days of instant gratification, people expect to become competent photographers through gear alone. Money has become more easily expendable than time for some people so it's easier to throw money at the problem than spend time learning the Craft.

[@thilobraun3440]

So true

[@VictorReynolds]

Great video Robin! Thanks for reminding us about the fundamentals. Stay safe and keep taking pictures!

[@robinwong]

I think no matter how far we go, we cannot escape the basics!

[@ThePNWRiderWA]

I did the same sort of thing as recommended by a friend that is very well know. He told me to use my smartphone for a year. It was very hard but composition was much better

[@amermeleitor]

Maybe is better to use a pocket camera. The experience is very different than a smartphone

[@andrewbatchelor5498]

Rock solid advice and philosophy Robin. Thank you so much.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Andrew

[@OpenFilmmaker]

Awesome!! Really loved this video. Thank you, Robin! -Fan from Dallas, TX, USA.

[@ravil4230]

I've done that and it really works. Ca 10 years ago I worked abroad and to spend free time I picked up an Olympus E1 and coupled it with standard 40-150 so in total it was ca 100€ kit. The camera had no real auto mode and on semi auto the light measuring was not reliable, coupled with max barely usable ISO 800 and 5Mpix sensor it didn't leave much room to crop. So over some time I got speed/apeture/iso combo on a fly pretty good on M mode. The main challenges were long lens (actually after some adaption ended up not too often needing shorter lens), no IS and no tripod but I still managed. Using that ancient piece felt a bit like driving a classic car - you kow it can't compete with the modern technology but you need to be a man to handle it.

[@rakeshnambiar1897]

👍You are always brings a important & very useful content. Iam a big fan of you Robiin, keep going 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@robinwong]

Thanks Rakesh, I try my best

[@ibstormn]

This guy is very informative and always in such a good mood. Have watched lots of your videos and learned a bunch about micro 4/3 and other useful info. Thanks for all your amazing videos!

[@neilyakuza6595]

I am a camera buff/ collector. I always believe in using equipment that fits your shooting style, and look that you the shooter are looking for. The latest, and greatest is not always the best.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Neil, you got that right, the latest and greatest may not always be the best.

[@gilbertwalker6769]

Thanks for an excellent video, Robin! Your tips are very helpful for us who are struggling to grow as photographers.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Gilbert, I guess at the end of the day, the most important thing is to shoot more!

[@cliffterpher]

I keep downgrading and I am due to get my new, old E-1 in a few weeks. The older the camera and the smaller the sensor, the more you have to work to find that shot!

[@aayushdeepsingh9668]

You're a good man, always inspires us.

[@JalanKesini]

8:00 agree 👍, before using epm2 I was using rangefinder Minolta Himatic 7s which is a film camera that way older than me. The only thing I can do is trust the camera and trust myself. After 36exp, then I only can developed and see the result. It takes time but when you see the result it was really satisfying to see what you have taken. Too bad due to Covid I rarely use the film camera because I rarely go on vacation and not willing to spend the prestigious film exposure just for daily photo. It is an expensive hobby 😂

[@robinwong]

Yeah trusting yourself and your camera - a lot of people can't do that!

[@auntchristineandvalentino3122]

I have not been able to upgrade to a new OMD or any other camera for years now. I have the OMD em 5 Mark II. And a nice assortment of lenses M Zuiko lenses. None I fear are Pro. I do have the 25mm f1.8 M Zuiko and I can set out to spend a year with my outdated camera and non pro lens. It’s more about learning and I’ll be happy to get back into learning photography as opposed to camera. I have an artistic eye; that’s not an issue. You’re a wonderful teacher. Thanks for all you do

[@robinwong]

The E-M5 Mark II is an excellent camera today, I don't see how it is not sufficient for any kind of photography, and the 25mm f1.8 is also a great lens to pair with!

[@auntchristineandvalentino3122]

@@robinwong Thanks Robin. I still need to refresh myself with the M5/II camera menu settings that are optimal for manual shooting. (I mean assigning which features to which button, lever etc). I'm pretty sure you have uploaded videos for that! And please keep up the good work with new equipment videos. Not sure why that's an issue for some.

[@mattcom2]

The EM5 II is in no way outdated and the 25mm f/1.8 lens is superb. You already have in-hand more sophisticated camera technology than was available to 90% of the world’s most successful photographers during most of their careers. Rest assured, the only things needed now are effort and persistence.

[@auntchristineandvalentino3122]

@@mattcom2 Thank you Michael. I am assured!

[@joeltunnah]

The EM5iii is my one camera choice too Robin.👍🏻 I stuck with the Nikon D750 and Fuji X100F for one year each, and then sold them off because they didn’t work for me.

[@robinwong]

THta's awesome Joel!

[@meanderingyogi6562]

Just a quick word of thanks, appreciate you! Much Love & Respect ✊..

[@robinwong]

Thanks, glad you found the video useful

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

Very good, Robin! All good advice.

[@jb678901]

1:51 What is the brand of that beautiful leather camera strap (? MNWA?) and where can a person buy it?

[@kenblair2538]

Great video, Robin . I took up the 1 camera, 1 lens challenge at the beginning of the year . Using the 25mm Pancake as my fav lens. Lots of great advice for young photographers. KB

[@robinwong]

I'd use a 25mm lens too! All the best

[@stevepage2369]

Great advice Robin ... I hope people listen ... I went one step further got a old Minolta Dynax 700si 35mm love it too bits.. also got a not so old Nikon d200 so still have to trust my setting,too get the shot ... ps still got my Olympus 10 mk3 and still use loads as well ..but not seeing what your going to get brings you on loads because you have to trust your know how . many thanks on this upload. can't wait to see the next one

[@robinwong]

Yeah there are many ways we can enjoy older cameras and they still produce great results!

[@grahamthomas8049]

Good tips RW for photographic discipline. I have two frames on my wall that I rotate my favourite shots through

[@robinwong]

Thanks Graham! Yeah shooting discipline is important

[@Sotangy247]

Nice to be reminded sometimes. Thanks for another great video, Robin

[@MrRensan404]

Great message as always! You come up ideas that are out of the box.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Rene!

[@mikenofi281]

Robin. Great videos. I love your enthusiasm!

[@robinwong]

Thanks Mike.

[@Jan-Niklas976]

I really like the idea of mini projects. Do you have any themes/projects you can recommend for beginners? Also great video 😃

[@tonycastillo8210]

Hello, @Robin I did not find the first video about how to improve your photography, where you explain low shutter speed, etc, do you mind sharing the link, please?

[@uyims56]

Great tips, but one thing I will not do is turn off the exposure simulation in the camera. That is one of the main reasons I use a mirrorless camera. It would be the equivalent of trying to driving only with a manual gear shift even though my car is automatic😀

[@robinwong]

No worries, that is just a suggestion. As long as you can understand and control the camera basic exposure settings. Some people don't even know what aperture, ISO and shutter speed are and they blame the camera for not giving them results. Disabling the exposure simulation forces them to learn from the fundamentals.

[@jiffijoff9780]

A little milder approach might be to disable the exposure simulation but at the same time permanently enable the histogram. Reading and understanding that will give you a tool to judge the exposure, but still lack the convenience of the realtime exposure simulation on screen.

[@mattwaller8959]

@@jiffijoff9780 Even without the histogram, the info line at the bottom of the screen tells you the exposure in + or - terms. Of course you can turn that off as well. My "mild approach" is to look at the light, guess the shutter speed and aperture, then turn on the camera and see if I'm right. Eventually you get good at it.

[@houghwhite411]

I seem to come to love the imperfections of photographs, even owning manual lens and doing manual exposure. Not a master at it, and the result is not perfect either. But photography is a craft. The only thing that matters is not just the result, but the conception, the process as well as the result, all are important

[@longrider9551]

*better gear makes a good photographer better and a poor photographer poorer*

[@neilbusbridge8947]

Awesome videos Robin, stay safe..

[@dougcooper4917]

Great Advice Robin!! Well Done!!

[@robinwong]

Thanks

[@jiffijoff9780]

Wow, Robin, you're bumping up the challenges quite considerably. And I love it 👍 lets shift photography into third or forth gear. Never heard of chimping, but guilty 😂😋 Regarding the one year one cam one lens idea: I've still got a Yi M1 laying around, thats a perfect cam to lock a lens on. And I swear: before you told us your favorite lens choice I was thinking "mhm, still got the Pana 25/1.7 somewhere, that'll make a perfect permanent one...". I doubt I will stretch it to one year, but maybe 1-2 months is a starter. Generally I have the impression you're more energetic and radiate a certain "stop complaining guys, shut up and get out hitting the shutter button rather. Wanna play with the Pros? Fine, work it like a Pro, no free shortcuts there!"-vibe. I see a whole new level of this channel coming up and I cant wait for new episodes. Thanks for sharing 👍👍🍀🌈

[@PeterAgostiniJdcap26]

A lot of great tips in this video 😎👍🏻

[@JanVizner]

Great video, I take the recommendation to heart.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Jan, appreciate that

[@repmidwest]

This guy should be a photography professor.

[@ПетърГеоргиев-ы5в]

And he is, we are his audience and students.

[@jamessr9347]

Your energy is infections! Thanks for the ideas and sharing (from a Fuji user 😄)

[@robinwong]

Thanks James, glad that I can help a little

[@ikonseesmrno7300]

A year with the same camera & lens?? I like that. May have to take you up on that challenge. Now that I think of it, it will be more challenging to pick out one camera & one lens than it will be to put them to use. Now you have me thinking. Thanks!!

[@robinwong]

No worries, I am sure you will enjoy the process!

[@Bunnyisms]

Sometimes it's really fun if you put a lens on your camera body and only take it off after you have 100 keepers from it. For me that usually takes a month or a few weeks, but I feel like it helps me get a better feel for the lens and it challenges you to try to use the lens in ways you usually wouldn't think to use it for

[@techheadcentral5472]

Nice advice as always

[@robinwong]

Thanks I share what I can

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

Ok - I’ll start with one camera and one lens for 3 hours and I’ll take it from there. Baby steps 🤣🤣

[@robinwong]

3 hours is good!

[@darleenlee4355]

Hello Robin, thank you for you’re very helpful videos. I have an E-M5 with Olympus 12-50mm lens 1:35-6.3 EZ lens that I’m currently using. I’ve been shooting in A or S Raw using your tips but my photos still look really grainy when I zoom in in Raw. Do you save your processed photos in Jpeg or leave them in Raw? Any advice is appreciated, cheers.

[@pault151]

If you are seeing grain when only at 100 or 150 percent view, then check to make sure that the pictures are not being taken at high ISO. I once ended up with a batch that I had taken with ISO 1600 or higher and finally looked at the settings to find this was the case.

[@ttbirds1082]

Very useful video. Many thanks.

[@robinwong]

Thanks, I share what I can

[@prose4ever]

I love to print up my work.

[@robinwong]

Awesome

[@HumanClouds]

Challenge accepted: one year with the Minolta 9xi and the Minolta 50mm 1.4. Looking forward to it!

[@robinwong]

That is the exact same focal length I'd choose too!

[@leric4205]

Bravo Robin ;)

[@HannekeGerits]

Hold on, it's coming to an end!

[@robinwong]

are you sure? Maybe where you are, but not here in Malaysia. People are suffering right now

[@guntherdrobisch4735]

I never heard the word "chimp" before, now I know what it means!!! I never do this. I still live in a analogue way, that means that I never watch the fotographs I have done and when I come home from a trip with my bicycle i put the fotographs on to the computer So I have the feeling of waiting for my slide films coming back from processing. So it´s still a surprise what fotographs I have taken!!!

[@kiwikea2002]

I forgot ... one question: As regards the learning / improvement process - what's your take on shooting Raw vs. SOOC? (Not professional or important shootings - that would probably go to Raw.) This is not about Raw vs. JPEG in general. Thanks.

[@meanderingyogi6562]

So recently I purchased a Canon M50 with the 15-45 kit lens and at the same time I also purchased the Viltrox 23mm 1.4 to do product Reviews with, I’m in a position though were I can spend a yr with one lens. What would you recommend I shoot with first the prime or the kit, and why ?

[@robinwong]

Choice of which focal length to use is quite personal, and it depends on what you do, and your shooting style. I personally prefer the 50mm (35mm equivalent) since I do mostly street and portraits for my personal projects. The 25mm is not too wide that imposes ugly perspective distortion on my portraits, and not too narrow or long if I want to fit a few elements when I am shooting on the street.

[@DanLawrenceDC]

Bravo

[@robinwong]

Thanks

[@Maebbie]

wait where is Robin Wong from?

[@techheadcentral5472]

Felt like this advice was for me

[@robinwong]

It serves as a reminder to myself too

[@bariskent]

I use 1 camera and 1 lens for 3 year because I'm broke :-D

[@cmartin_ok]

Lockdown is not good for anyone, we were not made to be cooped up. The virus may be dangerous but taking freedom away hurts us all in one way or another. Stay strong folks, and take care. Hard to believe I was on Penang Island just 2 years ago :-(

[@robinwong]

Thanks Christopher. Doing the best I can here.

[@joanantonim.p.2400]

🙌🙌👏👏👏👏👍👍 👋🙋😃

[@markmd9]

Don't print, save resources

[@JeffBourke]

Thai video was NOT sponsored (obviously) 😂😂😂

[@chrispatmore8944]

Instead of disabling the preview, why not shoot with a film camera? In fact, most of these tips would be easier to do with a film camera, and you would have to wait to see the results.

[@robinwong]

Robin Wong does not shoot film. Robin Wong encourages shooting digital. Besides, I said, don't buy more stuff! Getting a film camera can be expensive (film costs, developing films, scanning, etc).

[@chrispatmore8944]

@@robinwong Fair enough. But if you can borrow, or be given, an old film camera, it is still the best way to learn the fundamentals and craft of photography. Yes, film is expensive these days but that does make you put more attention into what you shoot. And you no option but to do the suggestions you made, such as not chimping, and making prints (PoD books aren't that cheap either). But I'm an old geezer and have been using Olympus OM cameras since the late 1970s, so I'm a little biased. I have nothing against digital, I now use it more than film, partly because of the cost, and am aware of the pros and cons of both analogue and digital. I mostly use Canon full-frame because it is the right tool for the jobs I do (lots of low-light music venues), but have also started using MFT for personal projects because of their size and price to features ratio. I'm not disagreeing with you and the points you are making are all valid, and I'm definitely not some rabid anti-digital film fanatic. I'm just suggesting that shooting film is a great way to learn and improve your photography, as well as giving something of a historic perspective and understanding on the art/craft we love.

[@sklba632]

Mike Pence's fly going on a weird promo tour.

[@gerthurman1]

@

[@markmd9]

Try another thing, a budist way. Take a perfect photo, take your time to admire it, then delete it :)