Shoot Creative Photos "In-Camera" WITHOUT Any Retouching! 📸 Full Shoot

Retouching is a useful tool for photographers, BUT it can make you lazy! Instead of solving problems creatively in-camera, it’s easy to just think, “I’ll fix it on the computer later...”
➡️ Detailed Classes: bit.ly/Join-Karl-Taylor-Edu1
In this video, I replicate one of my old (pre-digital) photos and show you how to overcome challenges WITHOUT any retouching.
You’ll see how solving problems in-camera can help you approach photography with a totally new (and better) mindset.
Taking the time to get an image right while shooting has multiple advantages. It can actually help you achieve more creative and realistic results. It can also save you time compared to having to retouch and fix it in post-production.
Want access to 600+ photography classes? Check out our photography community: bit.ly/Join-Karl-Taylor-Edu1
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⬇⬇ References ⬇⬇
FREE Photography Course: bit.ly/FREE-Karl-Taylor-Edu1
Join my photography community: bit.ly/Join-Karl-Taylor-Edu1
Read Full Article: bit.ly/Read-More-Karl-Taylor-Edu1

[@TommyMinerPhotograpy]

I learned photography by watching your videos over 10 years ago, worked for a local newspaper in high school and went to college for photography. Now I am working as a cinematographer in Los angeles. Thanks for being an amazing teacher!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Very kind of you to say so and thank you, glad to hear you are doing well.

[@messylaura]

exactly the reason i got into photography as a hobby, i see it as a skill and a challenge getting the image in camera, yes ther is a place for post photoshop, and i do like creative digital work but i cringe at those youtube channels that say 'look how i shot this' and they spend half the vid adding stuff in post that they never shot in the first place, if i do make a composite i like to use all my own elements. another part of getting a shot in camera is recreating works of art in photographic form like van gogh's starry night in one shot. long exposures, moving lights, dark work and moving focus under long dark exposures are among the things i have been experimenting with to get 'impossible shots' in one shot. i guess all that goes out the window when you working to a paid deadline though?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

That's right Laura, I always aim to capture as much 'in-camera' as is possible but sometimes briefs require unavoidable composite work.

[@lorageproductions]

Karl I took your courses years ago when I got my first digital camera. You are an amazing photographer and teacher. Thank you for being such a generous and kind person.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Awesome, thank you!

Thank you Karl for sharing. I love photography but you make me fall in love with it even more everytime I watch some of your videos ♥ Thank you.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you like them Radomir - thanks for commenting!

[@rafaelotero8533]

Completely AMAZED as always. These are the videos I enjoy the most and will definitely give it a try and see what results I capture.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks but please come up with your own creation as this image is mine! 😊

[@p4inmaker]

I wish I had space for stuff like this, the process is so simple yet looks so great.

[@prescribedtube]

Lovely as always, inspirational. Definitely sharing with my photography group of friends. Continue to inspire sir.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you Doc - spreading the word really does help us 🙏

[@sandraamato6004]

You are a genius Karl, a real talent. There is nothing you can’t do so amazingly well. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy all of your educational presentations and your work. 👍🏻😃

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Very kind of you Sandra, thank you.

[@GNOBNX]

Wow! True example of thinking out the box. This is far more creatively artistic than doing everything in post. Creative photographer first, editor second. Love it!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you so much

[@stamatiasstamis5165]

Thank you for sharing your amazing work and helping us new photographers lean new techniques!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

My pleasure!

[@sanjaydosajh]

You are Just Amazing and Inspiration to many. Keep posting tutorials for the beginners too 👍 🙏🏻

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you so much

[@floatingrabbit3556]

Your videos are so satisfying to watch

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you like them thanks

[@GrymmsPlace]

Amazing - as always. Also, even though this was re-done in a fully realised studio location, it's not hard to see that it could be simulated within a smaller set and even on someone's dining table or in their kitchen. Creativity wins over the tools of technology all the time. Thank you for posting this.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers.

[@jonclark9290]

Another great video. Best thing I did was to sign up to your site. Brilliant practical insight and training. Thank you Karl and the team.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Awesome, thank you!

[@chelostgo]

Thinking out of the box yet simple. Love it.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you like it - thanks for watching!

[@reneweisz9157]

I am so glad that I found a true professional photographer with an incredible skillset that puts more thoughts into how to create a high quality photo. Compare to the majority of people where everything is based on post production, filter, plug ins, AI and more plug ins, and more filters.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Wow, thank you Rene - much appreciated!

[@hazybrain7]

Great stuff - highly inspirational !

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks

[@Anomaly818]

As always, Karl is on top, the best of the best

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Very Kind! Thank you for watching Андрей :-)

[@LucaIacono]

I have enjoyed this very much. Thanks

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@EliasMabuza]

I love in-camera creative photos...the leaf turned out great!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you

[@Sheen92877]

Great idea and setting, love this photo 👍

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks so much

[@speterlewis]

Fabulous. I learn so much from you! (The process is so helpful, and often the best part! I'm going to have to order one of those Hasselblad coat hangers online...)

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad to help Peter!

[@HddnTHA]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Great video.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Our pleasure!

[@otavioleitefotografia]

Real deal old school photography! Great video!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you kindly!

[@mikeramos8651]

Great shots thank you Karl Taylor for ideas and techniques. I'm dealing with cancer now and not able to go out too shoot fall season. I love spring n fall colors. Thanks again for your all the wonderful techniques 📷

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi Mike, thanks for your message and sorry to hear about the cancer, wishing you all the best for your recovery.

[@careylee5951]

Wicked as always Karl!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@NooTwist]

Awesome, creative, Thanks for sharing!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks for watching!

[@andronicushamburg1767]

Wow, sehr schön. Gut durchdachter Aufbau mit erstklassiger Umsetzung!!!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Cheers

[@ChemaGD]

Wow! super good!! congrats!!!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you

[@roberttoscano2716]

Superb, thanks Karl

[@VisualEducationStudio]

My pleasure!

[@IvanMoyaR]

Amazing thanks for the tips

[@VisualEducationStudio]

No problem!

[@vivahabbitvanassen]

Wonderful as always thank karl

[@VisualEducationStudio]

My pleasure!

[@DrJorgeReynal]

Fantastic shot, Karl. I have not seen this one on your website.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks Jorge, no I didn't put it on my site because it was from so many years ago. Maybe I'll add to my Archive section! :)

[@slowlyrusting4044]

So simple, and yet, Genius !!! Truly a master of your craft. Now, I will steal your idea 😬.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you but I'd appreciate it if you didn't steal my ideas 😊

[@nilofido411]

100% with you, I love photoshop but nothing beats getting it right in camera.... 30 odd years ago I was lucky enough to meet and become friends with the chap that did the special effects for blockbusters such Aliens, one of the original Star Wars and many others,; not only a friend but a some sort of mentor to me when it comes to in camera image manipulation, he was the one that tough me that the only limitation is my imagination and creativity, dream about the image and create/build it in front of the camera. Like the famous words “life is a stage” an image is the stage that you create in front of the camera.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks for the info interesting to hear.

[@mariomifsud1302]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with those who wish to learn and can't afford due to there small income.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad it was helpful Mario!

[@banasreekunal]

Sir you are truly master of photography. I salute you

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Much appreciated - thank you for watching Kunal!

[@bernadettebecher5668]

Really interesting- thank you.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@goransrdanovic6161]

You are genius , love your work !

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you so much Goran 😀

[@HCR---]

Masterpiece.

[@thomashenn1568]

If I wasn't already a member of KTE I would be after this video! Another phantastic inspiration, thank you.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you!

[@nordfaen]

AWESOME! THANK YOU VERY MUCH 😁 ❤

[@VisualEducationStudio]

You're welcome!

[@lanzarotepersonaltraining1563]

Amazing as always

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you Lauren!

[@RS-Amsterdam]

With more than 20 years of PS experience I totally agree with you, the best is the real deal. People think to light of PS compositions nowadays. If you want to do it good it takes hours (to get the lighting right and most of all the reflections of light) . I rather spend time to get it right in camera and enjoy the learning curve. Thanks for sharing again !

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you RS

[@christopherbeckerdite4273]

I don't have a studio or fancy equipment but I'll try this one for sure.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Go for it Christopher... There's examples of shoots with minimal kit that may help you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opzOhqSBq6iZb7c and here's a product shoot with no studio lighting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6qXemqvbJyaiqc - Enjoy!

[@joseph-the-seventh]

I feel sorry for the assistant who had to deal with the tray full of water after the shoot 😂 Amazing techniques here! Would love to know how the blue radial gradient in the background was achieved.

[@gregorylagrange]

@@joseph-the-seventh He showed it in the video. Blue gel over a light aimed directly at a translucent background behind and towards the leaf. Because the light is close to the background, it falls off gradually rather quickly as it gets to the outside edges. So it causes a gradient.

[@adamnowak4172]

Check this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGPFq5yJdsdqrdE - no strobes, no speedlites.

[@LetmedoSomething]

Beautiful creative Shot ever seen You are Legend Sir

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you.

[@whatsup9879]

finding you has literally been the best thing for me in 2020

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Great to hear!

[@mitchellhughes5180]

Wow. That is amazing.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you.

[@manoharmgr8235]

வீடியோ மிகவும் பயனுள்ளதாக இருந்தது மிக்க நன்றி இரா.மனோகர் சென்னை . Very useful This video sir, , big thank you sir R.MANOHAR ,Chennai.India

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thank you!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Welcome!

[@JustDavidMinistries]

🔥 This is so amazing!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks

[@JustDavidMinistries]

@@VisualEducationStudio Anytime! And thank you so much for helping us grow in this journey, Karl.

[@ssdigitalssuresh9697]

We always ❤️ your valuable videos

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Many thanks

[@ssdigitalssuresh9697]

Sir please make a video on paint photography please

[@raydunn3501]

That was brilliant Karl,,, and even more so since it was done before digital,,, I understand the problem solving,,, but the real genius bit is thinking of it in the first place,,, If only we all had your for site,,, Its not just your photography skills but your imagination as well. Very well done Karl

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks Ray - it certainly took me back recreating this photo. Thank you for commenting.

[@user-py4jq7qb5n]

@@VisualEducationStudio The course has no Chinese subtitles

[@samuelayodeji9803]

This is amazing

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Cheers.

[@MortgageMadeSimple]

Amazing stuff! What song was that during the leaf shoot?

[@ArguelloFlores]

Karl, thank you for sharing the information, for revealing your "secret" of how to do it. I would think that your real secret is your creativity, your love for photography, and your love for helping others to become better as well.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Very kind thank you

[@WimBals]

Thanks for this cool video, it proves the importance of creativity. You can still have the most expensive gear and software, without creativity you will achieve nothing.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Very true!

[@JohnAmaro_Official]

Hi karl once again thanks for this video..my eyes lately are getting easily tired/fatique..i was windering if you have any advice on this?:) Thanks again for all the advices on your videos

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi John, it sounds like you need to visit the optician for an eye test. I hit a point about 6 years ago getting headaches and fatigue, turned out I needed reading glasses for working close to the screen. That fixed it. Otherwise take a break from the screen regularly.

[@anandthakre9265]

this is just amazing❤👍

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Much appreciated

[@joseph-the-seventh]

Hi Karl, I am thinking of subscribing to your online school. Was wondering if you have lessons on creating suspended paint splashes, similar to one of your shots where the orange paint is frozen in the air, creating a circle shape. Thanks.

[@djboy5]

Hi Karl, awesome video! I love creative and macro, so this is great stuff. I was wondering if you are using straight Glycerin or if Vegetable Glycerin works the same? Thanks!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks. This was straight glycerine.

[@anilwins6415]

thankyou so much bro

[@VisualEducationStudio]

No problem

[@abhinavsinha5105]

this is called mastery!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Cheers

[@silviulungu6114]

Thanks for inspiration, I'm going to take a shoot

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Cheers

[@Yaroslav_Potapov]

Awesome shot! Karl, can you tell me the name of the bath that you use and where i can buy it? I would be very grateful!

[@rezazino7527]

Thanks a lot

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Most welcome

[@DiviPhotos]

Wonderful video

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Many thanks

[@VishalGautam-ww6gw]

Awesome

[@ok4240]

thanks a lot, I am looking for a big bucket like this since years, where did you find it please ? other question, what's the white plastic you used for the background and top? which thickness ?? thanks a lot!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Oil tray for trucks, white frosted acrylic 5mm

[@royandescartes]

wow. i am speechless.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you liked it!

[@madhupai9683]

The blue color background is stunning although not very obvious in the video. How did you decide the brightness/shade of the blue behind the screen? Any trial and error here? If you can spend a little more time on the lighting that would be great! And what camera settings did you use? I do see a flash come on when you press the shutter. Excellent video! Thanks Karl!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Ha Madhu as you would have seen in the video, all of our best stuff with all the details is on Karl Taylor Education. Thanks for watching.

[@EmbleerFrith]

Great vid as always! Simple and smart. Can I ask you a question please. That black container, where did you find it? How did you ask/search for it?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Sure. Oil tray that mechanics use to catch oil when they are servicing trucks.

[@EmbleerFrith]

@@VisualEducationStudio holy crap yeah!!! Didn't even crossed my mind! Thank you very much!!

[@jehudale2349]

Damned magican you are :) Absolutely great!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you.

Perfect

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Cheers

[@oleleclos]

Nice! That's how we did everything before digital ;-) But without the luxury of shooting to our heart's desire. No-one could afford that on film. We normally made one or two Polaroid test shots and rarely more than three exposures on film of any one image. Each 5x4 colour exposure, including film and processing, would cost something like £10-20 in today's money.

[@orshanti]

Great stuff as always! How did you make the background and water blue?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks but that's in the video

[@orshanti]

@@VisualEducationStudio cant find it there somehow. :(

[@VisualEducationStudio]

3mins and 25 seconds in the video.

[@orshanti]

@@VisualEducationStudio i think i got it now :) thank you Karl!

[@GlowmaticBikes]

Thanks for the question. Watched it twice and missed it. Learning can be so damn fun. Appreciate this Carl :)

[@RayValdezPhotography]

Last week you had a live video. I missed it are you going to upload it.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Unfortunately it crashed and we lost the link but we are doing it again tomorrow at 3pm GMT

[@caribgen]

Surely , this is really educating .

[@hongk0ngfu3y]

anyone remember Jurassic Park and the trex causing the concentric ripples in the cup of water. A guitar string was attached underneath and plucked. Genius. Same with this vid, head scratching at first yet so simple once revealed :)

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes exactly

[@liamslavin2135]

Just signed up!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Fantastic Liam - Hundreds of classes, replays, challenges and LIVE interactive classes for you to enjoy 😊 Get your questions ready for Thursday's talk show! 🙏

[@Walter-ol6gd]

Karl Seriously ... its amazing the work you put out. But you also reveal that there are really just a few secrets. Most of it comes down to doing the hard work, that no one else is willing to do. Most people only want to set up a light and press the shutter.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Very kind Walt - Thank you for watching!

[@toristangwaykwarta8829]

Wow'

[@zenaxproductions7927]

It is really hard to be leaf what knowledge and creativity can create when used in conjunction

[@m77ast]

Master Karl. I would like to recreate this but I need a better understanding of your lighting camera settings and tools. At our social enterprise we already own a studio with similar lights Godox AD400s 😃😃😃🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️ I am also a member on your Trainibg site. Please let me know which of your videos and sequence will help to recreate shots luke this. I also like the one with the light effect. Very creative. Thanks.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks, this shoot is being released as a course on KTE with far more detail showing how to do it.

[@Adamfahlundadafah]

Any idea of where I can pick up a tray for water of that size or similiar, biggest I can find are only a ft wide

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Car mechanics stores, this is an oil drip tray for trucks.

[@Adamfahlundadafah]

@@VisualEducationStudio can’t believe I didn’t think of that , Thankyou 🙌🏻!

[@beanghosh3195]

Karl, you used two source of lights, one above the subject another with the blue filter....but I could not trace it in the shoot....can you please tell us where did you placed ?? Thanks.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

It's in the video we show it.

[@HannekeGerits]

For years i am looking for such a tray. (A bit smaller, but not to small) for my flower photography. Can you tell me where to buy?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Oil trays for trucks.

[@user-sm4tm2ho4z]

I don't understand English very well :), but the video makes everything perfectly clear.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad to hear that!

[@MyMultiforce]

It would nice to see how a normal guy at home could take this photo not everyone has all that gear,but i love the photo.

[@airb1976]

You dont need much gear If you are honest to yourself. There were two Lights, a backdrop and Diffusion Material. Everything else is available at home

[@DOM_4GOOD]

i dont compromise , i know photoshop well. 0:06 get knowledge in photoshop and everything is easy, you dont even have to think when you shoot, you know how cos' you learned photoshop and raw editing

[@cedricmorinet3675]

The story does not say how you get all that water out of your studio at the end... but it’s a good lesson in mixing good technical sense and creativity.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

haha... lots of buckets Cédric 🚰

[@gabyisphoto2379]

As much as I like and appreciate the creativity, when it comes to "productivity" / "Time saving", not sure it ain't quicker doing all of it in Photoshop.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

If you wanted to photoshop it instead you would still need to get the shot of the water and the blue ripples and of the leaf to comp them together and light them in a similar way for them to look convincing. Then of course the time needed to do the post production. In this example it demonstrated that with the a bit of creative thinking you can nail it in one shot.

[@marvingeronimo]

Goes to show that if you know your craft, you can translate your ideas into reality.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Exactly Marvin - it's always a great feeling getting the shot with some creative thinking

[@marvingeronimo]

@@VisualEducationStudio True problem solving is really the way to learn.

[@rossholmes178]

Creative, innovative, inspirational...dare I say brilliant?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you so much

[@os6219]

How did you manage to empty the tank? Must have been a bit messy 😉

[@VisualEducationStudio]

syphon into buckets

[@RedpillPortugal]

just for comparison with in camera and Photoshop, tell us the price of all equipment used to re create this shot will you? I bet almost all willl agree that should be really entertaining!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

So how would you get the individual images to photoshop this shot together without taking the pictures of the components? You would still need the tray the, the water, the leaf, a camera and lights anyway just like you do for any photo. The difference is many photographers would not try to think creatively enough to make the leaf 'float' on water, they would shoot it separately and then create a composition in photoshop. So the equipment required would be the same but the result would not.

[@Varghamne]

That´s a lot a timeconsuming work though just preparing all the items, and a lot of gear for a fairly simple shot. :) Wouldn´t it be better to have the leaf suspended differently, not using the cutout piece behind it, making the leaf transparent for more detail? :)

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Over many years of experience you soon learn which wires, rods, cables or line work best and in this instance you needed the strength of the wire rod to hold the and angle the leaf correctly. If we had a allowed the leaf to let light through itself keep in mind that would have been blue light coming through it which is the opposite to yellow and it would have contributed to cancelling the colour of the leaf out.

[@beanghosh3195]

I often wonder is there any limit to you photographic knowledge?? 😊

[@T-Slider]

If I just had a simple studio like this one.

[@pablogonzalez8304]

you don't

[@adamscholler8593]

Well earn monies to get one u commie

[@greypixelphotographydotcom5754]

Studio is a catalyst only to your creativity (conditional parameter)

[@prescribedtube]

This looks possible even in home setting

[@Justas49]

I can do this without studio.

[@darlingtonjonesimagery9247]

whether spending time in photoshop or time in production, what difference does it make? whichever one takes less time and produces best results, go with that.

[@darlingtonjonesimagery9247]

actually, in this case, photoshop would have been faster

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I don't think so because you would still need to shoot the individual components of rippled water, background and leaf, so why not just do them all together instead.