Photography Tips: Available Light Portraits

[@VladislavChanev]

Hey, Mike. Since I discovered your channel about a week ago, I'm really hooked on it. I spend about 50% of my time on the computer watching your videos. I absolutely enjoy the way you are explaining everything and your attitude.Honestly, it's a shame you don't get at least a million views per video. Keep up the great work! Thank you!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Vladislav Chanev, you can also watch my videos on my website and search over 270... Glad your enjoying the videos - MIKE :-) shrunk.co/SJ4Ro

[@vkb3181]

You are a wonderful teacher. Your lessons are so clear and easy to understand, or, "get my head around it" if I may quote you! I never thought that one could get such great results in such bright sunlight. So much to learn and so interesting. Its like walking in the woods and overturning every pebble to see what amazing thing lies beneath it. Thank you Mike.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks v k bhat, glad you enjoyed the video. Please share any you find particularly helpful, it helps me make more... We still have some nice weather left so it's a great opportunity to practice with available light - MIKE :-)

[@davidrowan193]

Great video Mike, you are a star for posting these

[@richardmorris7363]

Excellent content as always Mike ... Well done

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you Richard - MIKE :-)

[@tattoodrdoke]

i learn so much about directing my subjects when i take pictures. i have been able to get some great shots of friends and family with your trips. Thank you

[@jaredjds2011]

Mike I like how you go into this just shooting with a simple 18-55mm and just casually take amazing portraits with a kit lens :]

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Jared. It's not the focal length of a lens that's important for most photography. It's the photographers use of light, composition, knowing the techniques of photography and how to put them together that makes for imagery - MIKE :-)

[@larrytam2869]

Great tips , Mike ! Thank you .

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Larry - MIKE :-)

[@jordanthecat]

I'm currently in Week 2 of your 7 Building Blocks course. I'm beginning to notice quality of light everywhere and this video definitely helps me.

[@MikeBrowne]

This is great news jordanthecat, light is one of the most important factors in photography - MIKE :-)

[@rternowski]

Mike, I have learned so much from these videos. I was wondering about getting the 7 steps but am afraid I won't learn more. These videos are so packed with great tops and teaching.

[@MikeBrowne]

Glad to hear your learning lots from my videos, you may find it easier to watch them on my site - MIKE shrunk.co/SJ4Ro

[@tduke91]

Hi Mike Another great video focusing on light. Your comparison of the light on Praew's face just shows how important getting the timing and angle of the light right.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Tony. Yep - light is second only to our thinking through how to use it appropriately. - MIKE :-)

[@adavis2813]

Terrific video Mike! I've been shooting photos for about 40 years and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoy your instruction videos! They are so well done and informative.....even if when you have to move the video camera yourself! Take care and keep up the terrific videos!

[@MikeBrowne]

Hey +A Davis thank you. That's very kind of you. Keep on shooting my friend - MIKE :-)

[@rorycampbell7360]

Clear and concise, yet again. Thank you, Mike.

[@mohammadqatawi4986]

Dear Mike i truly appreciate your reply and insightful hints and comments i will take your advice . I will let you know how i go and share some of the photos with. Cheers Mike, you are the best man.

[@MikeBrowne]

No worries mohammad qatawi - MIKE :-)

[@anthonyhedger4301]

Thanks Mike As usual you are an inspiration to us all. The way you put your point across in a simple but direct way really helps. Nice one my friend.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks +Anthony Hedger - MIKE :-)

[@alieflecool]

Thank you for this great tips Mr.Mike !

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks +Lee Way- MIKE

[@rgery76]

Really, really good tips!!! Thanks!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks +Racz Gergely - MIKE

[@kannappansivakumar3329]

Great tips , Thank you .

[@jeremiahdauphinais7186]

I like how you used an 18-55mm, great video! That's pretty much all I use for my portraitures!

[@jamiejimjogg4922]

As usual Mike, I'm inspired and guided, time to get out and try some new techniques.. thanks Jamie

[@MikeBrowne]

You've got it Jamie, get out in the sunshine and take advantage of some of that light! enjoy - MIKE :-)

[@davebridge5775]

Just bought my first DSLR - a used Sony A290 with a few lenses. Ive been on a Mike Browne-athon the last week or so watching dozens of your videos and hoping to put the theory into practice this coming weekend at a family weekend in the lakes.

[@MikeBrowne]

This is great to hear Dave Bridge, glad you are finding my videos helpful and good luck in the lakes. Please share any videos you find particular helpful or inspiring it helps me make more... - MIKE :-)

[@xemilien]

Your videos are not just helpful in teaching to think out of the box, but also so motivating to just grab the camera, a friend and go out and take some pictures. This helps me a lot, when I'm questioning my motifs: "Why do I actually take photos?" and I'm having a hard time to enjoy my photography. You remind me, when in doubt: Because the result is satisfying and the process to get there makes a lot of fun, as well. You have such an engaging, authentic nature - one can learn more than just photography from you. Your calm and humorous way with interacting your models and audience is exemplary. Alright, alright... I'll stop with that crawling. Just wanted to let you know, that you are actually helping people like me out there big time. Cheers and "Danke schön"! ;-)

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks xemilien that's really kind of you. I am glad i'm helping you get out and take photographs. You may find it easier to watch my videos on my site - MIKE :-) www.photographycourses.biz/videos

[@kreygscott]

Great Vid Mike. Highly motivating.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks +kreygscott, please share any videos you find particularly motivating, it helps me make more... - MIKE :-)

[@kreygscott]

Hi Mike, I've been sharing your videos ever since I began watching two years ago. In fact if it weren't for your unique style and awesome techniques I would nave never made it thus far and am still learning. Thank you Mike for being just you. Please share my website kreygscottphotography.com for landscape prints and keepsakes. It really keeps me going on my journey to becoming more of a professional photographer and person like yourself. Thanks Mike.

[@waynebritton5596]

Thanks Mike - more great practical advice. Keep it coming. Best regards

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you, please do share it too so we can make more free videos- Melissa pp Mike

[@LongTimeTTFan]

Thanks a lot, Mike and Praew. Really enjoy your presentation style. You explained, demonstrated, showed, and pointed out key points in the whole process. Really like your immediate display of the photo you just took to make a point of the brief lesson you gave prior. Excellent instructor. Thank you very much.

[@MikeBrowne]

You're welcome, please do share it too so we can make more - Melissa pp MIke :)

[@yannisger]

i really enjoy your videos Mike , very helpful , you should upload more often

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks +yannis g, you might find it easier to watch them on my site, there's over 270 and they are all searchable by category and subject - MIKE shrunk.co/SJ4Ro

[@MikesVoyagesAndDrives]

Wonderful video, Mike. Great to see how to take fantastic portraits without using many accessories like reflectors or artificial light. And Praew is really beautiful and has a natural talent for modeling. Keep going, young lady - and keep going, Mike :)

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Michael - MIKE :-)

[@JPYvideos]

Hey Mike! Good stuff, thx! I've seen you use this location before and why not, it's a neat place for many topics!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks JPY, it certainly is! - MIKE :-)

[@twagn]

Thanks to you Mike and Prowel

[@andysmith8031]

Great video Mike.

[@masseylad1972]

brilliantly explained as always Mike. Do you have a video on creating a pitch black background for a subject ( for my work this would be toy figures ) ? Great videos. Thanks

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Paul Massey, i have attached a link to my video - Easy black background, hope this helps - MIKE :-) www.photographycourses.biz/videos/tips-and-features/techniques/easy_black_photography_background.html

[@masseylad1972]

Wow. Thanks Mike. Very much appreciated.

[@tilerman]

Mike, thank you for all your tutorials. You are indeed a great teacher and I have learned so much. I have come to a conclusion about photography and I liken it to cooking. Bare with me. You know when you've eaten a meal that someone else has prepared and cooked and it tastes so much better than if you cooked it yourself? I look at so many pictures online, in print, everywhere, and I think to myself, "why cant I do that", and 'are mine any good'. My particular thing is concrete buildings, bridges, towers, walls even. Strange to a lot of people perhaps but I like the angles, colours, shadows and textures. I like my pictures and I do get pleasure from them but when ever I show friends or family, they just ask what am I on! I will never make money from taking pictures but that's not my intention. I would appreciate your feedback on my concrete fetish and if you could even put together a short video on 'concreteography'. Thanks Mike.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks +Busyboy 42 To be honest i doubt i'll make a concreteography vid because it may have limited appeal, but I'll think on it... Have a look at this video because I think you're right on track. Enjoy your photos regardless of what others think of the subject matter.. MIKE www.photographycourses.biz/videos/reviews-and-help/help-and-advice/how_to_be_happy_with_your_photos.html

[@nick8292]

Excellent, Mike! A lesson in light.

[@garycoomber4938]

Cool video as always mike

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Gary Coomber - MIKE :-)

[@raminhashemi1946]

Another eye opening video that I enjoyed, as always. There is always something new to take with Mike! Your elocution is perfect, yet the under-titles. I was thinking it would be nice to see more of the camera settings for the shots. Surely they would be appreciated. Thank you, very inspiring!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks @Ramin Hashemi . I do post settings more now but to be honest my settings are completely useless to anyone else because the light, distance to subject, focal length amd more will all be different from mine. Therefore every shot has to have it's own settings. You find them by 1st understanding what they do both technically (exposure etc) and creativeley (depth of field / movement control) and you choose which to use according to what you want the image to look like. Settings don't give you pictures. Pictures give you settings. Please look at the links below. One is a video that explains this, the other is my 5 week online course that will teach you how to do it. You can find out more there and try a free sample too... MIKE: Camera Settings Explained: www.photographycourses.biz/videos/technical/camera-controls/camera-settings-explained Online Course: www.photographycourses.biz/ubc

[@raminhashemi1946]

@@MikeBrowne I do agree. Still, beginner as I am and so honored to have an answer from you, any example with the result as in the picture you display is a blessing. Thanks 👍

[@wahabdilawar]

Thank you very much for your time and effort.

[@MikeBrowne]

No worries Wahab Dilawar, we love to help - MIKE

[@Yaruko]

Great video! I should trust and rely more on my technique than eye

[@mohammadqatawi4986]

Dear Mark 😍 please need your advice i need to shoot elevator cabinet 🙄and it is maid from steel and glass, 😡 and that is to hard to controlling the light. It is very shiny surface. How to do it 😕

[@MikeBrowne]

I'm really sorry i haven't got a video about shooting highly reflective surfaces - but that's a great idea for a vid maybe in the future. Reflective things are very specialised because the only way is to block the reflections and with such big object that's not easy. My preferred method is to build a tent over it with Muslin cloth and set up lighting outside the tent so the lights don't reflect in the shiny surfaces. You still have to take care with the lighting so there are no strong highlights though. depending how reflective the surface is you might be able to lightly coat it with a product called 'Dulling Spray' which will reduce reflections and highlights together. You still may need to retouch reflections in Photoshop. Link below... - MIKE www.calphoto.co.uk/product/K-Line-Dulling-Spray-Matte/193-290C

[@tonycasey5205]

Love your work man

[@cato451]

Very nice. Thanks.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks +cato - MIKE

[@thecheesecake123]

Great video as always Mike, cheers for the content :)

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks +thecheesecake123, You may find it easier to watch my videos on my website - MIKE www.photographycourses.biz/videos

[@AnPrionsaBeag]

I kind of understand what you mean, Mike, but it's a vast topic and I'm not 100% ready to go out and take photos just yet. That's why in the interest of science and education, I believe you should do more of these videos and make sure to include Praew in all of them.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks +Mica GBM, i'd love to include Praew more but she's a busy lady - MIKE :-)

[@_richie_manila5371]

Hi +Mike Browne, Richie here from the Philippines, can you do a video about Exposing to the right, or ETTR. Is it really a helpful technique in photo quality?

[@MikeBrowne]

HI Richie , It is not a technique that is universally applicable to all types of photography, as there is a risk of clipping highlights if care is not taken when exposing your image. Exposing to the right is most suited to when photographing in a controlled environment, for example, when shooting landscapes, using graduated filters to ensure that all highlights are contained within the dynamic range of the sensor, but you can also try not using a filter. The last thing you want to do is to lose highlight detail when trying to maximise your image quality. Images that have been exposed to the right will need some additional post processing to correct the exposure, but this can lead to smoother tonal transition and reduced image noise. So give it a go, take two images at different exposures (one exposed normally, one exposed to the right) and see if you can see a difference. Understanding the performance of your individual sensor in such a way is a step further to knowing how to get the most out of your camera.- Melissa PP Mike

[@_richie_manila5371]

Mabuhay! Salamat Hi +Mike Brown, Melissa :). Great and simple explanation as always. I'll definitely give this a try.

[@RodrigoAReyes95]

I know this has nothing to do with the video, but a Nikon D300 is still a good buy these days? I found one for 340 with an original battery grip and 17k shutter counts, I have a D7100 as my first body and a D3200 as a second, should I keep the D3200 or a D300 is good to replace it?

[@MikeBrowne]

Hi Rodrigo Antonio, you may find this link helpful it's a comparison of the D3200 and the D300... I have also attached a link to my video about buying a camera, this should you too... - MIKE www.photographycourses.biz/videos/reviews-and-help/help-and-advice/buying_a_dslr_camera.html snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D3200-vs-Nikon_D300

[@dutchman8129]

thanks for this upload Mike! It does look familiar though.. perhaps it's the surroundings

[@MikeBrowne]

No worries dutch man, it is probably because I made a vid about light meters in the same place with the same girl on the same day... MIKE

[@martinbenford3442]

Awesome! Keep up the good work.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks - MIKE

[@rcordiner]

With the huge dynamic range available in modern sensors the decision to blow out highlights becomes a stylistic choice.

[@riboid]

Mike the picture at the end was 1/420 sec (shutter speed), f4 (aperture size) - ISO 200 (sensitivity) - but what is the 44mm? Is that the zoom length?

[@MikeBrowne]

Yes it is the length I had the zoom set to for that shot. But don't get too hung up on the numbers, just use the one that makes the shot look how you want it to... MIKE

[@NicolasBlouin]

I really like the perspective of the shot at 7:38.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you - MIKE :-)

[@tectorama]

(AKA Alan Radley :) ) Mike, you are always (ok, usually) careful to avoid shadows on faces, and illuminate them head on. I know we all like different things, but my preference is for some shadow, and avoiding bright light. Perhaps a future video could be on this subject ?, using shadow to enhance a photo. I don't think it's just a male/female subject issue.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Alan :-) Good idea it's gone on the list for potential new videos and you are right it's all down to personal preference and what you want out of the photograph - CHRISTINA

[@bigham48]

Proof that Calshot can look good in the sunshine : )

[@MikeBrowne]

Indeed it can +bigham48 - MIKE :-)

[@sulphuricacid16]

could you link me to your video where you explain how to expose your subject if the sun is behind subject or on front of the shooter..thanks

[@MikeBrowne]

Perhaps this is what you are looking for kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWeqiYWadrdkfa8 - Melissa pp Mike

[@sulphuricacid16]

Mike Browne thanks

[@MileyonDisney]

I'm guessing that when the sun was higher for the first photos you took, it lit the side of the shed on the right, which reflected light into the darker areas of the girl's face, therefore darkening the highlights in comparison. If there's ONE THING I hope people get from this video that you do right, yet 99% of photographers get it wrong, is that ISO is a word, pronounced, "ISO" - not an acronym, pronounced, "I-S-O". Think 'isometric', 'isolate', or 'isosceles' From iso.org: "Because 'International Organization for Standardization' would have different acronyms in different languages (IOS in English, OIN in French for Organisation internationale de normalisation), our founders decided to give it the short form ISO. ISO is derived from the Greek isos, meaning equal. Whatever the country, whatever the language, we are always ISO."

[@vasilisalexandrou1227]

Hello, Which metering mode you used for this video?

[@MikeBrowne]

I always metre in evaluative so it averages the tones in the whole image. Have a look at the video linked below which will explain...- MIKE www.photographycourses.biz/videos/technical/exposure/metering-modes-1

[@shadyninja1]

why do you use iso 200 with all the available ambient light

[@Enrique-the-photographer]

What can I say Mike, in the words of the great philosopher Robert De Niro in the movie “Analyze This”…….., you’re good Mike, you’re really good.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks +RickBSO - MIKE :-)

[@Dmsstudios64]

she is a little cutie, nice tips bro

[@TimberGeek]

is 200 the base ISO on that Fuji?

[@MikeBrowne]

It is TimberGeek - MIKE

[@cosawanty]

It wouldn't be possible to take a bad shot with the model you had :)

[@MikeBrowne]

Praew will love that cosawanty.. And you've just given me an idea for a video... Thanks - MIKE :-)

[@alexandergomes3317]

+Mike Browne very attractive model mike... possibility of a hookup... I'm in houston

[@riboid]

Plenty other www for you to home in on. This is serious stuff.

[@MikeBrowne]

ALEXANDER GOMES Unlikey - she lives down the road from me on south coast of UK - MIKE :-/

[@alexandergomes3317]

Mike Browne mike tell her I'm a multimillionaire from london but reside in texas to run my oil and gas company in texas.....Thank you for the response..you're a true brit..missed that British properness actually

[@tiger1971ish]

mike how do I join your Facebook group ?

[@MikeBrowne]

facebook.com/DigitalPhotographyVideos/?business_id=348353088849398 - see you there! - Melissa pp Mike

[@GabrielKnightz]

Mike at 02:50 you made a choice to crop a bit of her hair out, can i ask why you did it. I would stand there with my brain caught in a loop for five minutes going "it looks better but i'm cutting off the subject" over and over again, then just pointlessly take both versions. Any rules of thumb or suggestions there? Sorry if it's an irrelevant question. Keep being awesome :)

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks GabrielKnightz, no reason, there are no rules with this sort of thing, I just thought it looked nice. There is also no reason why you couldn't take both quickly and just keep the one you like. Forgive me, but it sounds like you're afraid you might get it 'wrong'. So that makes you stand like a rabbit in headlights not knowing which way to go. You may have seen it but i suggest you take a look at this video.. - MIKE :-) www.photographycourses.biz/videos/reviews-and-help/help-and-advice/fear-of-getting-it-wrong

[@GabrielKnightz]

I do, i have yet to let go of the 'technicality' of it and take what feels right. Thanks Mike :)

[@SakthiVel-wh6hf]

Mike can you do a video on a real photo shoot. I think that will be great.

[@MikeBrowne]

Hi +Sakthi Vel, we've done a couple we'll do some more when we can. Links below.. - MIKE :-) www.photographycourses.biz/videos/tips-and-features/techniques/real-rural-photo-shoot www.photographycourses.biz/videos/tips-and-features/techniques/photo_tips_from_a_real_life_shoot.html

[@SakthiVel-wh6hf]

Thanks Mike

[@GreenMorningDragonProductions]

i love the beach, me. can you live in a beach hut?

[@mrN3w7]

Challenge... have a photo shoot with someone without any kind of modeling experience... a "normal everyday" person. Make a video about it :).

[@bdemelo]

Bump

[@MikeBrowne]

Ha ha - that's what this and the Metering videos are +mrN3w7. Praew's a waitress in the cafe where I get breakfast some days. I asked her if she'd come be in a video. She's never modeled. - MIKE

[@mrN3w7]

Well, in that case she is natural :). What I was more curious about, was the interaction where you explain what you want and how do you get it out of her. In other words, I would of been interested to see the conversation that was going "behind the cameras" - if there was any. Anyway, thanks for the reply! :)

[@LongTimeTTFan]

That just illustrates your expertise, Mike, as a photographer. You make an ordinary person with NO modeling experience feel at total ease and act as if she is an experienced model. Obviously, some people think she is. Thank you and thank Praew also. Enjoy ALL of your videos.

[@Sbayo9]

Hey, check out Mikes video "How To Learn Posing Techniques" where you could learn how to pose correctly and use these tips on inexperienced models :)

[@mohammadqatawi4986]

Forget to tell you, you are my godfather 🤗 I am start to get money from my cam because of you.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thats brilliant news mohammad qatawi- MIKE :-)

[@olliehanson3816]

133rd

[@MikeBrowne]

??? A_Dandy_Pickle - MIKE

[@davesharp5197]

why nowadays do Models not smile?

[@MikeBrowne]

I tend to prefer a smile too Dave though it depends if the photographer wants a smiley pic or not. In this video I'm concentrating on showing everyone what the light and exposure is doing, rather than what the model's doing. Praew's great, but in this instance she's there as a subject for light to fall on so I'm not directing her. BTW, she's not a model, she's a student and part time waitress where i go for breakfast sometimes... MIKE :-)