CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS TUTORIAL – A Slice Of Life




In this exciting creative video, Ray Scott looks at using a shallow depth of field to create a slice of reality thus creating something that is unreal. Often, as photographers, we try to create images that mimic a 3 dimensional world even though photography is a 2 dimensional medium. This tutorial encourages using camera and lens to make images that are truly “photographic” in the sense that the naked eye cannot see in this way. As always, Ray encourages a lot of experimentation.

When in studio or in the field Ray uses Canon gear. This is a choice he made years ago knowing that he was buying into a system that he could grow into. His go to camera is the Canon EOS 6D with the second camera being a Canon 5D. Lenses used are all L series f/4 except for the 100mm macro f/2.8L lens. They are the 16-35mm f/4L wide angle, 24-105mm f/4 walk around and the 70-200mm f/4L medium telephoto. These lenses round out the kit which is carried about with either a Lowepro Urban Reporter 250 messenger bag for city shooting or a Lowepro Sling Bag for landscape field work. While Ray does more camera handholding than before due to the image stabilization capabilities of his various lenses, he still is a believer in using his Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod. It’s light and it is sturdy. In studio Ray now uses Westcott constant lighting for good clean balanced lighting.

Ray is a firm believer in exposing himself to as much photography and its history as possible. By looking at other people’s photos, he has gained a big appreciation of what this medium has to offer. Ray doesn’t think that “copying” someone else’s style is a good thing but rather feels that exposing oneself to others work can work as a teaching and inspirational tool. With this in mind, Ray has amassed a list of favorite photographers that he uses for inspiration. Some of these artistic photographers are Galen Rowell, Ansel Adams, Frans Lanting, Annie Leibovitz, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Freeman Patterson, William Neill and Richard Avedon.

One of the playlists on this channel is called “neighbourhood photographer” which covers tutorials shot in urban and suburban areas. It’s always a challenge to see different things of interest when you’ve been to an area many times yet this is the best way to create good images. You need to return to familiar locations many times. To do so, Ray often drives by car to an area but when he really wants to cover ground yet see things more clearly, he uses his bicycle…bike…and explores the given place.

Whether shooting landscape, macro, portrait or abstract images, Ray always tries to be aware of his surroundings to capture the best pictures possible. Part of this workflow means he is very aware of composition and uses various tips, such as the rule of thirds, as a good starting point in composing. He also likes to break rules from time to time to add new effects to his photos. Being aware of angles, shadows, shapes, lines, textures, patterns and colours goes a long way to making good pictures. He is also a big believer in “getting out there” and shooting as much as possible as it is the only way to improve and flex one’s imagination. His message is it doesn’t matter if you do your photography in the city, suburbs country, mountains or by the sea, just make sure you do it and follow your artistic passion.

Find me also on…
Facebook…https://www.facebook.com/visart66?ref=hl
Website…https://www.visart.ca

Original source


28 responses to “CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS TUTORIAL – A Slice Of Life”

  1. So glad I stumbled upon this video. As a new and amateur photographer, I'm trying to find my niche and you just awakened me to take notice of the everyday things that surrounds us that I can photograph from my perspective. I have a interest in different genres of photography but I noticed I tend to gravitate more towards macro photography, plus I love the mood that b/w photography tends to create. Anyway, I really enjoy the examples of your work I've seen, and you got yourself a new subscriber. Thank you for your knowledge and wisdom, it is very much appreciated!

  2. Hello Ray.
    Firstly, I want to apologize.
    The reason is that in a another video I asked if you wanted to make a program about macro photography not in nature or with flowers but with everyday objects.
    Now I have watched both of your channels and there is so much of this work in what I have never seen before.
    First of all, so sorry for this stupid question, and secondly, thank you for these good, educational, inspiring and motivating videos that you have made. I will certainly continue to follow you because I have now seen that you make the best program for me and that I can learn a lot from it. Thank you, Ray and I hope you will make a lot of these videos. A sincere greeting from the Netherlands, Toine

  3. Another very informative video. I really like the examples used and the thought processes that automatically start in my mind after I watched this video. For that, I say "Thanks". Just one question: I have noticed in many of your tutorials, the lighting on your subjects indoors are subtle and evenly distributed with no harsh glare. I have always struggled in that dept. and wondered if you can or have done, any videos pertaining to light, mainly indoors, and the setup you use. Thanks again sir for your incredible vids.

  4. Oh Ray, after watching your very instructive videos I always want to rush out and "try" the marvelous things you suggest and this is no exception. I can think of a dozen things I would like to try it your ideas on. Thank you very much…I'm out the door already ha ha.
    Joan

  5. Thank you so much Ray. I continued to learn from you how to look closely at what surround us, how to teach and how to see because photography is a mechanical analogy of reality. Take care . All the best. Happy weekend.

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