Why I RARELY Shoot Wide Open (How to Separate the Subject from the Background)

[@KebsCayabyab]

First! Thanks for watching! Please let me know if I missed anything :) SUBSCRIBE - kzbin.info/door/A8IEfNRgCQbD-qpqF_ZS0g

[@truejungli8507]

One of the best videos I’ve seen in a long time. Thank you

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you! That's encouraging!

[@marcusrivera4090]

This video completely changed my way of thinking when taking photos moving forward! Thank you so much for this 🙏🏽

[@KebsCayabyab]

I'm happy it helped you Marcus! 🙏

[@Schoolofshots1]

One of the best videos on KZbin! Great breakdown.

[@Zgv8gyxc]

I like the way you you speak.. You are very intelligent and creative 👍👍

[@gorfschlorf]

I didn’t even realise I hit the point of relying on wide open too much before I found this video. Thanks a lot for the input and inspiration

[@KebsCayabyab]

Yey! I'm happy it helped!

[@aquilifergroup]

Crutches help you walk. If you need them, use them.

[@sunsettaye4820]

I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear this...especially as a beginner trying to learn ways to compose. Thank you! I will not settle for bokeh only😉

[@KebsCayabyab]

Yey! I'm glad it helped! 😁

[@LucaEandi]

Great video, and a good topic for people to think about, especially since so much of the discussion in the photographic community in the last few years is around extreme wide-aperture lenses. Bokeh is a crutch! Don't lean on it.

[@KebsCayabyab]

That's true Luca! Wide-aperture lenses are amazing, but not everyone 'needs' them. Having a fast aperture lens 'should' be an advantage as it adds more shooting options; that was not the initial effect on me. Being intentional is key.

[@yveschristianflorendo]

Just had my first personal photo walk. I tried to remember all of these tips. Thanks for widening my perspective!!

[@tsangced1]

I can count in 1 hand how many times ive commented on videos. But this was exactly what I needed. im a beginner and I was starting to get really bored of shallow DOF. And when I noticed a lot of great photos, didnt rely on that. I wanted to know how they did it. This is definitely helpful!

[@tdddxn1144]

Excellent video! You said what nobody else is saying. Look all over the internet and the message is always the same, that you need a lens that can provide a super shallow depth of field. I think that is a major contributor to gear acquisition syndrome. But your message is about being a better photographer. Well done!

[@DomCaligan]

Getting better in video bro! Love the chill and calm vibe 😍

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks brother!

[@ShunsukeShimada]

共有してくれてありがとう、たくさんの役立つ知識を学びました。 これは私のストリート写真撮影に非常に役立ちました、もう一度感謝します。 より多くの人が自分の写真に影響を与えられるよう、更新を続けていただければ幸いです。

[@problemat1que]

Casually dropping knowledge in a mere five minutes that blows the minds of legions of wide-open photographers. Great video, liked, subscribed, and bookmarked.

[@KebsCayabyab]

"Legions of wide-open photographers" XD Thank you!

[@rjohnbernales]

I will now keep this in mind Kebs. I’m gonna mix it up 🙏

[@thekushinator]

I’m loving your videos mate. You seem to have a great knowledge about photography. Keep it up.

[@echo_waves9439]

This video is brilliant, I learnt so much from this, thanks for making it, love the shots.

[@w00tw00tish]

Somehow I found your channel and your feedback, tips and advice is like a breath of fresh air! I'm really learning a lot from your experience - thank you!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you! That's encouraging :)

[@JohnChubbSr]

Thanks, Kebs! This is an excellent reminder of all the options, which sometimes I forget.

[@bhagyashreedhavalshankh8452]

This is a gem video! Thank you so much for this

[@tuluspambudi1577]

This is what I've looking for, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@KebsCayabyab]

You're welcome! Happy it helped!

[@spandsbab]

Man thank you for this video, it's simple but very informative and inspiring

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Christian! I'm happy it helped!

[@chinotolentino]

just wow, love your channel. thanks for this

[@BIMLounge]

This is a very clever way of putting it. I knew all the individual techniques, but I like how you "reframed" them lol. Thanks!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you! :D

[@flatlandadventure7123]

Solid video on composition. So simple yet so impactful and true!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Trey!

[@shapesinaframe]

Great video! 👍 One other way to separate subject and background is the attributes of subjects in the frame eg: a photo of many cars in a car park and one of them is a different colour to the rest; the one that is different becomes the subject due to it being the odd one out, the rest become the background due to their uniformity. 🚙🚙🚙🚙🚙 🚙🚙🚗🚙🚙 🚙🚙🚙🚙🚙

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you! Great addition! I think this is an extension of 'contrast' - not just different colors, not just how bright or dim, but also in 'attributes'. It can also fall into 'juxtaposition', like your example, a car with different color from the rest, a kid in the midst of the elderly, etc.

[@xDev0kira]

Honest and true content. Love it

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you!

[@majorredbeard]

Stellar job explaining all of these examples, especially with video. Beautiful captures as well!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Ryan!

[@xavierdumar5388]

Took a while for KZbin to put you on my feed but they were right on the money. I've been searching composition, settings etc videos for the past few and saw relatively similar content and this is something new. The shots are all amazing man🙏. Love from 🇿🇦

[@KebsCayabyab]

Yey! Thank you! (And thanks youtube for recommending!) I'm happy you liked the video! I have a list of composition related ideas lined up, just need to take photos for samples to start creating the videos :)

[@leofabrial]

This video has been on my mind for a few days now. I'm relatively new to photography and ever since I first saw this, it has really changed the way I approach the craft. I really appreciate you making this video.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you so much Leo! I'm happy it helps!

[@simple.visuals]

Great video. Very informative and in less 10 mins, too

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you!

[@LouisLuzuka]

The blur got me , wow 😯 never thought of that

[@PyramKing]

Remember these tips back when I was shooting film (B&W) decades ago. Great reminder and well done simple video explaining the thought process of when/how to frame the subject (beyond just shallow dof). Thank you.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Pyram! Happy that you found this useful!

[@dedapperz0]

Great pointers and tips! This was very well explained. Definitely gonna be trying these techniques out!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Damion! Excited for you!

[@headbanger1428]

Awesome points! Thanks! Makes me want to formally pursue a study on photography.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Wow! Excited for you! I definitely want to study photography (I am, 'informally') and I'm curious about the experience of people who formally studied it!

[@wtfgadget]

wow kebs, how helpful this video is. much appreciated !

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Henry!

[@mabor8539]

Yes. I was shooting everything wide open when I got my prime. When I compared photos taken with my 200$ Nikon 50mm f1.8g and the ones taken with my 1300$ zoom lense 24-120 f4, I was blown away. The 50mm wide open had so much fringing, it was hard to nail the focus on dslr, perspective distortion... When I zoomed in my zoom lense on 120mm at f5.6 or 6.3 there is still lovely background blur but the sharpness and overall quality is just sooo much better.

[@austindrawhorn2141]

Just a perfect video, well done!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Austin!

[@joshashdown4431]

Well done! I enjoyed this and learned some extra ideas. Thank you.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Josh! Glad it helped!

[@hanifmacca]

Great info all round. Thank you.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Happy you found it useful!

[@mark_midmark]

Very good video, thanks for creating it.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Mark! :)

[@maskretek4099]

For example the audience. Everyone (background) sitting relax. And the subject doing a Pencak Silat demo. Or kids in school. Everyone (background) standing straight and singing the National Anthem. And the subject is hising the Flag. As a journalist I often used this kind of separating subject from environment (backround for example). I called it Separating by Difference in Action. Succes - I like your personality .-.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you 🙏 I imagine this is even more valuable for journalism. Blurred background sometimes mean less context. I think I get what you mean by 'Separating by Difference in Action', it's contrasting the subject from the background through what they are doing (moving vs. not moving, doing action vs. staying still).

[@maskretek4099]

@@KebsCayabyab Yesss ... my English is not so strong, but I read that you understand what I want to describe. Indeed for journalism it is actually better to have more items of the environment recognizable. That can make the story richer/completer and more understandable.

[@KebsCayabyab]

@@maskretek4099 Got it! Basically adding more context to the shot, using more elements that contributes to the whole story. Thank you for sharing!

[@JayRegular]

Great video Kebs! I agree, I find I'm chasing less depth of field these days and focusing on more of what makes a good image. Of course, unless bokeh plays a part in making the image good 😉 there are some lenses out there that would be a sin not to shoot wide open!

[@KebsCayabyab]

I believe that's key : focusing on what makes a good image. With all those options, I still want a wide aperture lens (50f1) for when the bokeh matters 😁

[@shashvatsinha]

I was extremely reliant on bokeh to get my subject to stand out. I'm going to try the suggestions in this video.

[@KebsCayabyab]

That's the plan! :D

[@ojhemmiez]

Learned a lot! Thanks Boss Kebs!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Salamat bro Oj 🙏

[@mfmonline]

Amazing video and eye opening! Thank you. Keep making more please :)

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Irshad! I plan too!

[@brondavidalmendrala864]

Great tips! Great reminder to rely on composition and skill rather than gear

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Bron! 🙏

[@LouisLuzuka]

This is so helpful *subbed* much love from Vancouver Canada 🇨🇦 I wanna try this

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you!

[@fluxcap4630]

Quality content. You deserve way more views!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you 🙏

[@janrance8887]

Thank you. This is so informative. I think we both have the same thinking when you say that a good picture has a blurry background. Thank you for proving us wrong. 😌

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Jan! Glad you found this useful!

[@Smooth1productions]

You covered everything excellent way of being Able to capture attention

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!

[@TyeMorrisVlog]

6:54 such a cute pupper!!! 😍

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Tye!

[@martinlawrence8427]

Great video...top tips!

[@JuliusDeterala]

Thank you sir! This is very helpful especially to the ones who just started street photography, like me.😊

[@KebsCayabyab]

Happy it helped Julius!

[@LouisLuzuka]

Sub framing is so cool 😎

[@chasingvenusfilmarts]

Hi Dojo!!! And once more you've produced a valuable, intelligent and inspirational video!! Bravo. Indeed, bokeh can be not only an artistic cliché' but also a crutch creatively. All the best to you and the family my friend. Tobias.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Tobias! Very encouraging! All the best to you as well 🙏

[@MamboFerido]

Strongly agree with everything you mentioned. Although I don’t work well with light and shadows, I’ll make sure to try that out. Great video, bro!

[@KebsCayabyab]

I know you'll improve on that fast, knowing how much you love shooting. Thanks bro!

[@josecaringal]

Great content as always. Kudos Kuya Kebs! 👏🏼

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you 🙏

[@LoksPH]

very helpful! Thanks kebs!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Happy you found it useful! 🙏

[@joeltunnah]

Great video, very enjoyable to watch and I like your narration.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you Joel! 🙏 Glad you liked it!

[@AiurMedia]

Legit and practical tips, very inspiring, good stuff

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you!

[@bayoumaroon]

Great content, gave me a lot to think about next time I'm out with my camera. Subscribed. Doji should have his own channel...

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you so much!

[@martintolley9234]

Good thoughts here. Also, you can use differing focal length lenses to help - although you do need to prepare a bit in advance, and maybe know what and where you're going to shoot, which isn't always easy if you're a spontaneous street shooter. And that's especially the case if you want to be an unobtrusive observer and not to have to carry heaps of extra "kit".

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Martin! I plan on doing that but I'm clumsy and not confident in changing lenses on the streets. I'll get to it right away if I can borrow some camera bodies. For now the strategy is to go out with a certain focal length then go home to change lenses, or go change lens whenever I'll take photos - that's what I did with the focal length comparison video. You are right, I want to be an unobstrusive observer, the only reason why I was able to blend in is that I stayed for awhile waiting for my wife. :D

[@bodhran1965]

Well done!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Ken!

[@rubahkelabu]

Subscribed sir! Thanks for the knowledge

[@KebsCayabyab]

Welcome to the channel! 🙌

[@thedachmo]

Great video! I was definitely guilty of this when I got my 50mm 1.8. Spending more time with landscape photography has helped me remember there are other apertures available! So now I rarely use wide open unless it's too dark not to. Lots of things to think about with this, thanks!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks David! I think having people as primary subjects contributed to this 'condition.' Shooting landscape is a good idea (thanks!), I'll recommend it to any one who struggles with the habit of always shooting wide open.

[@thedachmo]

@@KebsCayabyab Yeah I was surprised when I was hearing people talk about f8, 11, 13 or smaller - "who would want to shoot at that?", I thought as a total novice after seeing so many bokeh-tastic shots!😂 I am still a novice really, but I try to remember to be intentional and videos like this are really helpful, thanks!

[@KebsCayabyab]

@@thedachmo LOL! Same! Those high number of likes instagram portraits didn't help! XD

[@alexanderarendsen3796]

thanks for explaining

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@ecam90]

This channel deserves to blow up, and I truly think it will. Excellent content!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you! 🙏

[@bernadettewong2935]

Do you conduct workshops?

[@RobMoses]

Good video and nice pictures Kebs.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you so much Rob;

[@legoman29981]

Salamat po para sa video na ito!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Maraming salamat sa panonood! :)

[@Smooth1productions]

Very nice video explaination Of to add & pull you subject

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you!

[@Smooth1productions]

You see I was never taught photography and I still just see a little different prospective in my approach People knock me because I might forget a setting but I'm about that moment captured. #barrynelsonphotographynyc ++++++++++++++++++++++

[@GusVisuals]

Great video, I think I'm stuck right now. I just got the fuji 23mm f2 planning to not use it wide open. I'll try some of these composition techniques

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Gustavo! I think it would be a good challenge to not shoot wide open for a period of time, just to get 'unstuck'

[@oleachenbach7313]

Wow an amazing inspiration

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you Ole!

[@ravinepz]

Beautiful video, which lens did u use here ? Is is xt2 ? Or u already upgraded? To xt4

[@KebsCayabyab]

50mm f2 for most of the photos and images, 23 f2 for the dog photos!

[@lazarj]

Great video, thanks for the tips

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Lazar! Happy you found it useful.

[@CrisostomoIbarra1989]

Thank you 🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@LOM2247]

Thank youu for this

[@crazydice98]

Very helpful, thank you

[@KebsCayabyab]

🙏 glad it helps!

[@hanzflorentino]

daymm - need to be reminded of this!! guilty!! haha keep making these bro!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Most of us are! Thanks bro! :D

[@EfthimiaAthan]

Great content! Keep up the good work!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you! Glad you liked it! 🙏

[@nntdinh]

Greate tutorial, thank you!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you!

[@pidgeo202]

I love your channel ❤️

[@michael2968]

what aperture do you shoot on now for street photography? can you do a video on your camera settings as well, like how you set up your autofocus, video settings etc?

[@KebsCayabyab]

It changes but recently, I start with f5.6+ on daytime. At night, I start with f4- depending on the amount of light. Yes, I'll create a separate video! Thanks Michael!

[@aransamson]

Thanks for this video Kebs! I especially like your discussion of 4 and 5! I think you can do an entire masterclass on just framing.

[@KebsCayabyab]

That's an idea, thanks Aran!

[@aransamson]

@@KebsCayabyab I'm a big fan of your framing! Looking forward to that video!

[@hukumongdu]

this is excellent. I am guilty of shooting wide open all the time.

[@KebsCayabyab]

We all are at one point :)

[@hlv119]

Great Video

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you!

[@Ancisace]

Good stuff!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you!

[@jimbochoo3316]

Use selective coloring also works great.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Ah, that's a good tip - thanks! Maybe I should make a part 2 but focused on post-processing!

[@relawanengineering]

Good discussion Sir! Thanks for sharing po. 💯💯 In my experience, I always find myself at f5.6 when shooting street photos. Apir!

[@KebsCayabyab]

That's one of my go-to as well! Thanks bro!

[@relawanengineering]

@@KebsCayabyab Welcome po! 💯

[@IndustryPets]

Cool video! Thanks

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you for checking it out!

[@etibkel]

great video!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thank you 🙏

[@L11-Studios]

Great video, keep it up

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Levin!

[@peterthemen]

Galing. Keep it up!

[@KebsCayabyab]

Salamat Peter!

[@roycerenzogaleos9977]

Another quality content

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks Royce!

[@player3prime]

Great video, I love the calmness and slight bit of chaos or culture in what I assume is Makati? I stayed in BFG when visiting Manila and it seemed so sterile, especially when compared to the relatives I visited in Caloocan.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Yes, Makati! I'm not sure where BFG is, but if you're referring to BGC you're right, it's far less 'messy.' There are areas in Makati where old gritty areas mix with modern 'futuristic' buildings which makes the city more visually stimulating in my opinion :D

[@player3prime]

@@KebsCayabyab Of course I meant BGC. I'll make sure to stay in Makati next time.

[@DingyullDelosSantos]

ayos sir. ma practice nga ito gamit kitlens :D

[@KebsCayabyab]

Nice! Go Ding!

[@damarslife24]

Pag sa panning ako settings mo? Iso, apperture, ss? And manual mode?

[@KebsCayabyab]

Depende sa time pero always manual. Aim ko is to have a 1/8 to 1/60 shutter speed.

[@damarslife24]

@@KebsCayabyab thanks follow me on ig @clicknshootmnl thanks 😁

[@toristangwaykwarta8829]

Nice 👏👏👏

[@jamesm9560]

Damn smart.

[@KebsCayabyab]

Thanks James!