Three Tips to Improve Your Photography

I haven't done an improvement/philosophy episode in a while so I figured this would be a good time to jump back in.
In this video we'll discuss 3 tips to improve your skills as a photographer.

[@davymike761]

No single person has done more to improve my photography than Ted! Ted you're so appreciated!

[@owentuckett938]

One of the most intelligent, articulate series of videos on the web. Thanks Ted for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm; you are providing an education here.

[@MrWatchcollector]

Him and Sean Tucker

[@user-re5un2pn7m]

@@MrWatchcollector EXACTLY

[@Joseph_Greco]

Good video.....the last tip reminded me of what an instructor told us in art school 40 years ago. When he charged a client for taking a photo the client squawked "...are you kidding? it only took you a few minutes to push the button on the camera"....the photographer's reply was " .... no, it took me my whole life to push that button".

[@brianrae1624]

I love that quote from your instructor. so true

[@user-re5un2pn7m]

@@brianrae1624 exactly

[@-ca--]

You've covered such a broad range of topics, there's always one that applies to wherever we are on the photography path.

[@jacksugden6948]

I’ve been feeling in a rut for a while, at one point I wasn’t shooting for months and months.. lately I’ve been making a point to shoot everyday, and it can be discouraging as I usually come home with images I don’t really like... but this video is helping me. I really need to focus on the type of photography that suits me. Thanks!

[@petergunndetective]

I love the think more, shoot less point. I've always been that way and it's great to hear it from somebody else. People always just run with "keep shooting constantly" and forget about the need to think things over.

[@TravisHenson777]

I love your videos, especially the ones like this. I love the theoretical, timeless, knowledge. I imagine the cameras and technology will always change; it’s most important to me to learn to think like a great photographer.

[@emkamaux2]

Wonderful! Ted Forbes is responsible for a catastrophic decline in my sleep time. I hope I can survive. On to the next one!

[@photographybynnene2703]

Thank you so much. I've been binge watching your channel ever since I found it last week. You are such an inspiration.

[@jean-francoisrenaud2649]

Here is three tips that help me to be better as a photographer. 1) Do the pastiche method : try to replicate images that drives you; 2) Do it twice : after you shoot something and look at the results on your computer, go back and shoot that same thing again. 3) As for anything, all you need to do is to put 10 000 hours : see psychologist K. Anders Ericsson’s theory.

[@npatricksmith]

Thanks Ted. It's always a pleasure when your videos come out. I learn much from them and as a bonus, your voice seems to help my newborn baby fall asleep.

[@zathraspersonal]

I thought I was a lone voice in this connection between improvisation and photography. I am both a jazz musician and a photographer. I know as a musical improviser that its vital to understand your domain and the work of those who have gone before. If you study the history of jazz it advances in a series of quantum jumps where one individual has taken the medium and developed a completely new voice, thus expanding the language. I'm newer to photography so can't see these parallel processes, but understanding musical improvisation has helped me improve my photography. Take what ha gone before and what others are doing and let it inspire you....then tweak it and push it. I'm looking for my own voice. Thanks Ted for an inciteful view.

[@TheOverlordOfProcrastination]

The preamble nearly made me switch off, but I'm glad I didn't. Interesting thoughts.

[@dear_totheheart]

I really appreciate your analysis, insightful, and how educational all your videos are. Great perspectives and challenging thoughts and ideas every time to encourage us to improve, wonderful work!

[@jfanzeres]

The Art Of Photography is simply the best photography program in KZbin. Thanks Ted for sharing with us all the photo knowledge you have, which helps a lot photography fans to improve their passion.

[@francolaria]

These three tips are timeless in their relevance - but probably never more relevant than now at a time when everyone's going nuts over the "Revolution" in the mirrorless form factor. Not that I'm not one of those who's above it all - on the contrary - the kit you buy brings an excitement all of its own, but owning a great camera don't make you a great photographer. Very useful insights, Ted. Especially of interest to me, and something I want to study some more, was the reference to Arnold Newman and his people in their environment photography - because its not just the about the environment but the interplay of the subject in their environment. That's going to be my focus. Thank you.

[@nolan5881]

As a jazz guitar player your improvisation analogy really helped me understand everything so much better. Great videos man and wonderful content! I just wish I'd found this channel a long time ago!

[@claudiadances]

So happy to have found your channel! Truly appreciate your advise. I have tried different areas of photography and have found out that my strength is capturing performers and events, I also want to perfect portraiture and try to figure out how to bring these two together and your advice on photographing the individual in their environment would be the perfect combination of my interest in the area I want to keep focusing on.

[@maxfig4167]

Thank you for these lessons they are so important to help me become a better photographer, it is true what you say about the cameras, a good camera help you manipulate the results better, however, something I always notice, can take a simple point a shoot, and make a beautiful picture, I have try with a good cameras, and I take thousand of pictures, and nothing came out that good. these techniques you are showing I believe is probably what I need to improve my skills. Thank you for these lessons

[@ynekevollemans]

I can relate to your words a hundred percent. Thank you for making me aware again.

[@MegaNardman]

I truly appreciate how your channel always challenges me to think. Thanks Ted!

[@backlandlands5793]

Good video but one thing you said caught my attention. It was about a photo you liked that was out of focus. It reminded me that photography is an art. Lately I have been so hung up on getting the image as sharp as I could that I misses the big picture.

[@Sufibooks]

If a photo turns out as not good turn it into art

[@genevieveeldred7816]

Really appreciate your videos; they're very thought-provoking and they've really spoken to me as an amateur photographer. Keep it up!

[@sonvfave]

love your humble attitude and just wonderful content keep it up!

[@123robbertjan]

Again a great video! I like your perception on this and the link you make with a different line of field (music). You did this in an earlier video as well and it really changed my approach to photography. Thanks again!

[@yashadattadeo]

Simply superb!!! I was searching for a video, to know the mental aspects behind the photograph, and not just the technical aspects, and this video is bang on. Thanks a lot for sharing it.

[@Cyriljayant]

Seen this talk before and And like see this over and over . Thanks TED ! Great video.

[@five3girl]

So well said. Especially step 3. Loved this, thank you.

[@davidspillanespillane6376]

Thank you for all the encouragement ! you have a gift

[@Tonxoo7]

Fascinating video Mr Ted, thanks for this. I always get lost between the "think more , shoot less" and the improvisation when people are involved. I`d love to listen to this stuff on The Photography Show again.

[@EnjoixRicky]

I was always fascinated by photography. Due to skateboarding. I would like to let you know your an inspiration. The passion you have towards photography is amazing i look forward to watching more episodes thank you!

[@whyrural]

AWESOME...Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ted.

[@dallasthomas5489]

Ted a great video thanks for your time for creating and sharing your thoughts and experience.

[@Earbly]

One of the biggest things I learned way back that greatly improved the composition and draw of my images is a technique they also do in music. In music you don't simply turn up the sounds that sound good, you also cancel out the sounds that *don't* belong. It's important to look before you shoot, what *doesn't* belong in the shot? Since you probably already know what you want in it, it's very helpful to also judge what should be omitted. So watch your edges!

[@gwebb2020]

I really enjoy your videos! Thanks for the great info.

[@rogrodzinski]

This is the 2nd video of your's that I have watched Ted. I see "binge-watching" of The Art of Photography coming! Awesome information!!

[@rbruce63]

I enjoyed thoroughly this dissertation on the philosophy of photography!

[@bryangideon5822]

Great video Ted as I am a musician I understand the the connection between the two arts and you have given me plenty of food for thought. I have always found people fascinating and street this photography is ideal to capture human nature. Plenty of homework for me to work on. Thanks again

[@johnkraemer5505]

Very good information and tips! Your video really got me thinking! Thanks!

[@nerwin]

Narrow focus, narrow focus...I always hear this and while I agree with it, I personally have no idea what I want to narrow my focus on. I like to shoot a lot of different things, I don't know if I can just limit myself to one subject and forget the rest. It is really tough man....

[@MyBabyLikesToBeBop]

My thoughts exactly.

[@Corruptness]

But that IS it, your focus is that you like to shoot different things!

[@nerwin]

I like the way you think!

[@elizabethwhitley5169]

I am right there with you! I can honestly enjoy shooting landscape as much as shooting a cat's face or a brick wall or a bride at a wedding!!

[@nerwin]

Elizabeth Whitley Totaly! No weddings for me though, haha.

[@Thie210]

This was great advice. I'm at a stage where I think my photography can improve, but wasn't sure how I wanted to improve specifically. I am mainly a portrait photographer interested in fashion and creating unique images for clients. I am also interested in fine art photography as well. Thanks again!

[@jadeforest4441]

Thank you a lot for the 3 good tips , really just what I need now as a beginner. Iam so glad I can follow your lessons, I mean that you do it in my pace :-), I will study, think it over and meditate on these tips, and practice practice practice and take notes and evaluate and start all over...I am sure I will improve my photography, so I will apply all your lessons Ted!

[@PartScavenger]

Hey Ted! Thanks for these videos I have learned so much! I've watched a ton of them, Thank you so much for the effort you put into these videos!!!

[@StephenBridgett]

Excellent advice Ted, just in time advice, many thanks

[@garysmith5838]

Excellent thoughts. Thanks, your lesson was very timely for me.

[@EdwardFielding]

So refreshing to see a vblog about photography the art medium rather than photography equipment.

[@francesculus]

This works for every art practicing...Great Job Mr. Forbes!

[@elizabethwhitley5169]

I know this video is old, but thank you! I am definitely in a rut with my pursue in photography and my style. As of right now, I know I love all black and white photography... when you mentioned Ansel Adams, I could feel those little hair cells in my ears move (strange, I know). I am in a rut of finding my style, whether landscape or people/street or somehow blending those together or would that be too much, or would that be worth pursuing. However, I know you mentioned, stop shooting and start thinking. I am the opposite, I think too much to the point that a few hours passed by and nothing was accomplished, I over think, I need to learn how to shut my mind off and let my heart and soul do the rest... but then it comes back to the while thinking aspect of, is my heart and soul interesting to others! AAHHHHHH!! Well, thanks for sharing!!

[@georgemitchell9244]

I love your Jazz analogy.

[@HarmFlo]

You are my favourite guy on KZbin. Great videos.

[@israelperez6143]

If you would have spoken for 3 more hours I would have still been listening. Thank you for posting at a time when I needed to hear something of substance as the stress of trying to improve my skill as a photographer is building up. I will be emailing you!

[@dansterism8628]

Only Gregory Crewdson can be Gregory Crewdson. No financial limitations and huge teams of assistants. This is reflected in his work. Premeditated and artificial. To me the best photography has some form of serendipity as part of it's spirit.

[@theartofphotography]

Well sort of - you ever seen his early work? There's some black and white neighborhood landscapes that are wonderful. I see your point though. However you can do anything you want but you have to move in that direction. Crewdson found a way to make it happen ;-)

[@dansterism8628]

theartofphotography To me art is transcendental. The more an image can reveal our most naked, fundamental being the more I am inspired and compelled. Crewdson's work is clean and manufactured, it shows no portal into the soul.

[@khorijwilson]

+dansterism I understand where your coming from but I think the surrealism achieved through the manufactured aspect of his work is what gives it soul. I think some people are put off by his process, budget and extensive team and that's completely fair. However, given the opportunity, would you turn down the creative power he has to work with?

[@JanoUrda]

his work is portal into the soul by itself, you just have to grow for that

[@MileyonDisney]

Ha! Ha! Ha! Gregory Crewdson made it. He didn't sit at his keyboard and whine about somebody else making it. He developed a style that is definitely his own. Haters gonna hate. Those who can't hate those who do. "Duh... let me push this shutter button thing a whole bunch of times and maybe I'll get lucky and find some serendipity."

[@LoIi]

you and john free have taught me more about my passion in a month then my photo teacher has in 3 years

[@LoIi]

than*!

[@mikemccarthy1981]

Best audio quality on KZbin.

[@joyce-ux7ec]

I literally fall in love with you! LOL I hate those noises from people who don’t even understand art. What hung your videos is such an agreeable pleasure. Thank you for sharing.

[@CheqkoO95]

Amazing listen to you every time!

[@badgerag]

I love your passion Ted. When you talked about setting the camera up and not taking the shot, I really related to that. I will apply Tip One later today, it's 01:47 here!

[@sonvfave]

its almost like you are saying discover yourself! GREAT!! and thank you

[@Anselarnold]

Really great video, very inspiring!

[@ukaszszczesniak3708]

Absolutely love this episode.

[@Liryc19]

[@Monkey_D_Cluffy]

I totally agree with your outlook that she (vivian maier) is what is being marketed right now. I totally love this show and what you've been able to also bring the the table in relation with photography, skills and history. Because I do agree being photographically literate in knowing who is who will also help develop someone's eye and skills.

[@jameskelly4196]

Liked your Jazz metaphor. I liked the book Cartier Bresson recommended Zen and the Art of Archery.

[@patthompson1253]

thank you - I needed that:)

[@gamingguru2k6]

After working at my photography for a month in a half, I know I need to vary up my photos more. That is my biggest weakness right now. I am worried about taking the same photos over, and over again. I think trying to portray more different emotions in my photos will help a lot.

[@johnburik8803]

i agree with canturgan. do a critique. dont forget us little people that want to get bigger. i have learned so much from your youtube show and applying them.

[@HJ-nh1wl]

Excellent video again ..... agree with all issues that has been covered. Indeed, I too have been covering or promoting identical or similar thoughts in the workshops I deliver. Here’s an Idea, Ted: I get my students to commit to ‘one’ pledge and how it will be achieved with regular review of their progress. “Share and Enjoy” :-)

[@omarvasquez-giron5283]

Hi Ted, just watched your video and it was great - I like to go out to the soccer park and take pictures of teams playing, but I am having trouble on getting a clean shot (speed/movement) and I get some noise on my pictures for the games are at night and the light is not great at all. What can you recommend I do? Thanks, OVG!!!

[@jetblakink]

Very good advice; thanks…

[@pearljameric]

What I find difficult about photography to me is that it's hard to know what is bad. When playing an instrument and you hit a note off key you will immediately know it. When I am taking pictures I have a hard time knowing what is wrong. I really enjoyed the composition series because it was so educational. Hope to see more educational series in the future. Could anyone recommend some resources? Having a hard time finding anything other than basic information.

[@DavidValle]

As musician, I understand you. But you know when a note is wrong (not in the key of the song), and you know when the note is not the one it should, yet it adds some harmony. It takes practice. I struggle through the same. I take 200 pics on each session and it takes me a lot of effort to discard pictures besides the out of focus or really bad cropped.

[@Noise-Conductor]

The the book "The Art Of Photography" by Bruce Barnbaum.

[@garrisonofcreativityphotograph]

@@Noise-Conductor Sir can you assist us in getting the PDF link to the recommended books. Thanks in anticipation

[@Noise-Conductor]

@@garrisonofcreativityphotograph I bought it from Amazon & it worth the price. Maybe you can buy it used.

[@garrisonofcreativityphotograph]

@@Noise-Conductor Can I get the link and how much please

[@triinkook]

Amazing video!

[@ValiRossi]

Great comparison with jazz music.

[@fotozvideo]

I agree with your advice, "Think more, shoot less." In regard to this video, the analogous thought occurs to me, "Think more, talk less." I very much appreciate your willingness and effort to make this video, but couldn't stick with it due to the rapid-fire, voluminous flow of words. Sorry.

[@blood_n_guts_murphy]

So true

[@marecee1054]

completely agree!

[@pplanetEarth]

Can I give you a genuine critique that you may find useful: I like your channel, really informative, I watched your series on Master Class and I learned a lot, your talk is engaging and it is a pleasure listening to you, I never get bored during your videos, but one thing I find about all your videos is that you go off the topic a lot, which makes your videos longer than the real core content could be squeezed into. I think you could perhaps use a very rough script to keep on track and weed out unnecessary material, although I know it is hard to avoid that compelling urge to mention things during the talk (something anyone with teaching experience maybe familiar with), at the end what makes you a very effective mentor is to keep short but to the point. People in YT are more likely to watch videos that are around 10 to 15 minutes than say 30 minutes or more.

[@imperialgarage1]

Newly subscribed to your channel (today).. Its great and i appreciate all the information. Not sure if you have covered Emily Soto and was wondering if there was a chance to cover her and take a look into her style and photos?

[@justinwatson384]

Born and raised in Baltimore, lots of INCREDIBLE history

[@zanelli9273]

thank you, ted! i´m watching a lot of your videos and i´m loving it... there is a thing that to me is so hard to understand in street photography: when i see some of Alex Webb´s pictures (or a lot of magnum phs), there are a lot of photographies that he is so close to his subjects, but he is like in an "invisible" mode. I´d like to know how is the approach to that, do you meet those people before? That´s to me is the hardest thing, because i´m so shy to point a camera to a stranger, if i´m pretending that i´m photographing something else behind him/her... any tip will be so helpful!

[@vickynagar9459]

Superb video.

[@joyce-ux7ec]

Love this.

[@MrJacobValdez]

More like; "Three Tips To Improve Your Life" Inspirational .

[@kc8owk]

I look at photography as don't limit yourself to one stile, look at many stiles and take what fits what you like. What looks good to one is not what looks good to another. I went to a local photo club and they had a judging and critique of members work. I looked at it as you cant pleas everybody. Do what you like, if it looks good to you, that is what is important. If you are working for someone you need to please that is something else, but if it is for yourself do what you like.

[@CarloStrange]

Perhaps you could go into more detail on The Great Jazz Photographers? It would be a great episode! The likes of Leonard, Claxton, Gotlieb, Fink, and so on! Cheers!

[@paulmeadia6607]

Sounds like you should!

[@edwardmurray6905]

and capturing the moment.

[@lesliedellow1533]

With my limited experience, I would say that learning how to see is just about one of the most difficult things to do. From a user's standpoint, a camera is a far from being a fabulously complicated machine, and the technical stuff is easy.

[@chadpace36912]

You're doing great, don't mind the trolls!

[@dirtbikeTIMES]

Ted, I know this video isn't the same topic as my question, but being that it's your newest video I thought my question would be more readily answered. I'm looking to buy a Pentax 645n (the film, not digital) and I was wondering if you had one, and if you could review it?

[@TheMrBennito]

Ted, what I like about you is that you are not just knowledgable; you really got something to say. You talk very fast, yet I really don't mind that, it's Ted. I think I would if you had nothing to say!

[@francesculus]

It would be interesting if you could suggest a few good photo magazines to follow...maybe a couple of your favorites...that would be nice...

[@johnnevin5706]

Decided to stop & think about your advice,so this weekend off up to London to do some photography & have set myself a limit to use manual 28 Jena zeiss jena cost me £18 so i'm think more shoot less with one prime 28 mm street work,

[@ronbianca9722]

Hi Ted,Did you do photography at the museum as well as being a curator? Enjoy your videos very much!

[@macallanvintage]

Best Tip: Use your smartphone and use the money for travels. Its the environment that creates the most impact and opportunities in your images

[@kollinkirven6157]

Sally Mann photographs both the southern landscape, and her family. (As well as other mundane things, like dog bones.) She's brilliant. I don't feel that narrowing your focus is completely necessary.

[@edwardmurray6905]

Time, and a camera, with an eye to art,seeing the picture. beforehand.

[@Esoterre]

Would you do a video on developing a personal photography style, as opposed to having heroes and just copying someone else.

[@elenl3681]

Hey ! about your second tip, i was wondering : I'm a beginner in photography and I hear many people say that shooting a lot can help us getting better. But when I hear you say the contrary I feel a bit lost. So here's my question : is this second tip of yours like a second step, meaning for people who are already really comfortable with the basics, or do you recommend it to everyone who wants to improve, no matter what level ? thanks for your answer, and good job for the show ;)

[@toomasrett3931]

Thank you....

[@ingejustavanderhelm5208]

6:16 Ted, you forgot to add the links to the photographer with that complicated name Gregory Crewdson ;)

[@tonymulholland1802]

Dear Sir. If you could please see your way and answer the following question that has been puzzling me of late, and that is what do you think about Pre-Visualisation photography as compared to instinctive or The Decisive Moment photography of (Henri Cartier-Bresson). And which one would you consider as being the best method for improving one’s photography. 1 Reply

[@bcomhaire]

Here's a tip that I (Mr Amateur ;-)) tend to give people: So you know what you want to photograph... now stop looking at it and look at the rest of what's in the frame!

[@DirtDigglerDetecting]

2022 MY goal this year is to get the Sunset with some clouds and the Moon.... Timing, planing and Patience. It's killin me Hahaha