GET THE PERFECT EXPOSURE every time.
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My name is Simon d'Entremont and I'm a professional wildlife and nature photographer from Eastern Canada. In this video I'll show you how to get great the perfect exposure every time. I'll even show you how to ETTR, that is, Expose To The Right.
I use Topaz Labs software for noise reduction, sharpening and upscaling:
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Getting your metering right will help too! Check out my video on that. kzhead.info/sun/lrypkt6hnX6ea3A/bejne.htmlsi=5QCAlxWHROqEFQNe
Simon, do you still shoot film, weather medium format or 35mm film or is it exclusively digital? If so or if not why? Thoughts. Sentimentally, the pentax K1000 holds a place in my heart as is was what I innitally learned photography with in the early 90's
@@atruceforbruce5388 I’m a strictly digital guy who learned in the digital era. It’s also convenient for me and flexible.
@@simon_dentremont much respect.
Very helpful.
IT IS OFFICIAL. You are the greatest photography teacher in the history of the world. 📸😃👍🏻
Haha that’s too kind!
@@simon_dentremont Just facts!
Ex-Combat Photojournalist here! Your explanation of photography and camera techniques are exceptional. I appreciate you for reigniting my love for this medium enjoyed by many. The photo community thanks you.
nice!
Your explanations are a lot easier for amateurs like me to understand. Thankyou
Glad to hear that!
Definitely, it's not that hard to understand. Pretty easy actually, but my Sony phone and my tiny camera's are not complex enough
Hey Simon, the topic is interesting and your explanation is spot on, but I think there are some extra recommendations that can help here. One is to choose a neutral as possible tone for your camera. The histogram is usually based on what the camera has set as final result, so it will differ between Landscape, Portrait, Vivid or whatever other modes the camera manufacturer chooses to name it. The other one is that the histogram will actually represent the data from the JPEG conversion the camera makes to show you the raw data on the screen. It is not representative for the raw data. Why does this matter? Well, based on the mode you choose to have your camera on, it might show you that the (JPEG) data is clipped, while the raw data from the sensor is not. Here, only testing can help, put your camera on a as neutral setting as possible, expose until the camera says it is over exposed and take some sample shots while exposing even more. This is how you find out when exactly the raw data clips and how much can you over expose until you start loosing data. The deeper rabbit hole is sensor technology and ISO invariance. This can maybe have it's own video :)
Great additions!
Fuji users should be careful with film sims/tone curve and the histogram for these reasons. I like to have a super flat profile when I know I’m going to edit the final pics due to exposure
Thank you for this comment! I have been struggling so much when I shoot in RAW because: 1. the histogram shows no blown out highlights 2. the image I am seeing on my LCD looks properly exposed. So then I look at my photos in Lightroom and my image is very disappointing. I have been trying to find the answer to this and I think this is it, thanks so much!
@@GloriaLiu. Raw files are nearly always disappointing, the need to be developed. The LCD is displaying jpg, which has been developed automatically.
Still finalizing my testing but I’ve been finding from the point my LCD shows clipping I can add two stops+ of exposure and still have plenty of detail in the highlights after opening the raw file in LR. Definitely worth finding what your own cameras can do
This fundamental flaw in presenting histogram info on our camera screens has received very little KZhead discussion and absolutely no mention in our camera manuals or camera reviews. As a Canadian I would like to see this channel grow because of Simon's 'cut-2-the-chase' approach in presenting issues we all face in our photography journey.
You mentioning this reminds me why I color correct my gaming videos, i learned about deep darks and whites many years ago, and that I should always be in between 17-235 and things like that. I adjusted since then and sorta like a cinematic color LUT profile for them, making it slightly warm without killing detail wherever else. I hope this wasn't confusing.
As a retired photographer that shot film for 20+ years, and had to move to digital in the final years of business, making the transition to digital was quite a challenge. I wish I'd had the benefit of your teaching videos then. I have learned SO MUCH from you. The best instruction video's on You Tube for clear explanation about exposure. Thank you so much! You've taken the stress out of taking pictures, and made it fun.
Welcome!
Digital solution: Auto exposure (A), or Program setting (P) on the dial. Or, "Scene Mode" turn the selector to portrait, sports, pets, landscape, food, candlelight. More fun that way. 🙂
By far the best photography instructor on KZhead. Simple and to the point. I love photography, but I'm not very good at it. I've already improved immensely by using your technics and instruction after a few weeks. Thank you!
Simon, you are one of the very best photographers on here. Your photography is of superb quality and your videos are short and concise and have more information in them than any of the long drawn out videos which I find boring. I learn something from everything you post. Keep them coming!
Your instruction is both concise and thorough. I love how you gave advice with each shooting option. Your videos are constantly so helpful; thanks Simon!
I love the way Simon makes me think again about things I already know. Thank you.
One of the all-time greatest videos on the basics of correct exposure, and the options to get there
Congratulations on 304K subs. That is awesome. Last upload 5 days ago you were 298K (I wrote it down because I've seen you skyrocketing). When I told my husband and son, they said 'Of course, he's the best.' We all love your videos, Simon. ATB from Western Australia.
Thanks! Appreciate it!
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE 😂 queenslander here, if you couldn't tell
I just love your "I know you can do it!", Simon 🤩You're a fantastic teacher, thanks!
Thank you! 😃
This video explains the fundamentals so great. In my opinion all you need to take great photos and you did an amazing job at showing the concepts
I swear any time I have a question about photography, one of your videos appears to save the day. It’s really quite amazing how many times it’s happened
Just wanted to say that I found your videos on accident earlier in the week but the few I have watched have really helped me. Please keep up the great work!
So many videos online on the latest expensive gear but this is the sort of important stuff we should all remember.
I don’t know what I like better, your videos or reading the comments of the passionate community you are creating
I appreciate that
One of the best explanations on the exposure triangle as it applies to camera settings and decision making I’ve ever seen. I have a friend just starting out in photography. I’m sending him to this 11 minutes of quality content! Keep up the good work!
As a definite beginner in the world of photography, I find your videos to be very clear, concise and very comprehendible. Thank you for creating such amazing videos that have helped my photography immeasurably. A true asset to the community ❤
Another great educational video to get the most out of the settings on my camera. Every beginner photographer should definitely watch your videos.
Thanks again. Your videos are really helping this beginner wildlife photographer get things straight in his own mind.
Thank you for sharing real content! Excellent signal-to-noise ratio from an educational perspective. :) I am learning a lot without having to watch 20 looks-cool but low-content videos. Makes me happy. I subscribed to your channel.
This is one of the most useful videos I've seen on KZhead for improving my photography, thanks for sharing these very useful tips on exposure!
What's a great teacher? He knows how to be succinct but get the message across quite accurately and very informatively
Even though we are in different genres your videos are amazing and can easily be applied to my work. They are teaching me things I may not have understood or had a different thought process on for years. This one is very eye opening, i thought it was the opposite and always shot dark so now I have some adjustments to make. Thank you for the videos. I have gotten a lot out of them, even 10+ years I know I can always learn and improve. This is helping me fine tune things.
Great attitude so honest, only way to learn, be flexible, bend the rules and love the ethical mention!
Simon your videos are the best I've ever used to improve upon the various aspects of my photography. Your explanations are straight forward and easy to understand. The impressive knowledge base you share is a tremendous asset to those of us who want to improve on our skills & enjoyment level. My wife & I will be in Canada June of 2023 on the western side of your beautiful country riding the Rocky Mountaineer train on a 2 week trip through the Canadian Rockies and look forward to capturing this wonderful scenery. Please keep these great videos coming as I enjoy them very much!
Well you finally gave me what I needed to understand about ETTR. I've always been hyper sensitive about blowing out my highlights so I under exposed. Going to get over my fear and ETTR. Thanks!
Genius tips, I’ve never had it explained so thoroughly & easy to understand. I’ve been starting to turn my passion for landscape/urban photography into something more. I’ve struggled with this, sacrificing f/stops or shutter speed to get exposure right. THANK YOU!!! Can’t wait to check out more of your vids!
What an absolutely incredible video, thank you so much. Seriously, super helpful and amazingly explained
I am able to advance to a new level, now that you have explained how to use the histogram when shooting. I have turned on the blinkies! Back button focus, exposure compensation button/dial, and now with histogram info, I am off to the races...with some more practice, I think it will be more intuitive. Thank you so much, Simon
Thank you for these videos. Very helpful, and now can’t wait to get out there this weekend and shoot
This video is gold to me. It answers several questions i had. Thank you so much.
Great video, again, Simon! Very useful advices! I'm happy to find that these tips helped me in many situations. I'm not a wildlife photographer, but I had a lot of cases when I had to use, for example, Manual mode+Auto ISO in many situations. Now, when I have to shoot indoor without tripod (museums, churches, cathedrals etc), I use to use Manual + Auto ISO. This mode gives me the advantages to set my own shutter speed (the minimum value I know I can shoot handheld) and the aperture value I want, and letting the camera to choose the ISO. Also I use this mode outdoor, in cloudy days for example, when the light and is not vary strong, and, using Aperture priority, my camera chooses a faster shutter speed than I know would be ok for handheld. For instance, my camera decides to use 1/200sec, even I know I can shoot with 1/100sec handheld very well. So, I switch in Manual (+ auto iso) and I set the aperture and shutter speed I want (1/100sec), letting the camera decides the ISO which will be smaller for a 1/100sec than for 1/200sec.
Thank you very much. You cleared many doubts and inspired me to capture better photos.
Its my first time on your channel. Great content. I got two canon cams and for a long time I struggled with the settings. Your video is making it so easy and simple to follow. Thank you. Much love from South Africa.
Hi Simon, I just found one of your videos today. I know very little about photography. Thank you again for sharing all these tips.
I just got into photography, certified beginner, and I find these videos awesome
I’ve tried exposure bracketing in manual to get better pictures of white swans. I tend to shoot hand held so using live mode is not great for a steady hold. Thanks again for you tips to better photos.
What a great tip getting histogram on my display. While exploring that I found I can also show live view exposure and the exposure scale.
I like your explanations, simple and easy to understand. I'm sending a link of your channel to my niece who is starting out.
Nice tip to shoot brighter but not blown out then in processing make the image darker, I like that!
I love the fact that this video explained information that was once incomprehensible to me with ease, and within a short amount of time too! Great video!
Glad it was helpful!
I love this guy🔥 I'm getting better thanks to you my friend!
Saved this video to watch again and again! I got my start with photography as a teenager decades and decades ago when photography was "analog" and required all sort of films and chemicals and ISO (here in the States) was ASA! This video is so informative for this old retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer (shooting with a now-venerable Sony A58 (heyyy... it's only 10 years old, but in digital photography, that's almost prehistoric!). Wife and I are traveling to Japan again (my eighth trip), so I'll try to take some better vacation pics using it (that smartphone always seems like cheating!). I really enjoy all your videos, BTW! 😀
Nice video Simon. Like you I use mainly M + auto ISO. I want fast AV so I use Exposure compensation to expose to the right (ETTR). Your video is very well explained and will help people to be confident with their use of histogram. Good job Simon !
So glad you shared this, there are vids out there that say move the compensation meter to zero for the correct exposure without relating to the histogram. Unfortunately this is what I have been doing. Now understanding pairing the histogram with the comp meter I'll be on my way to much better shots. Thank you!!
Thank you. I am new to all this and have learned today. I have just stared burden photography and small birds in woodland are very frustrating! Light conditions are sooooo variable. The birds move quickly from light to dark areas, partly obscured by twigs and leaves etc. A leaves can be really reflective of sunlight and confuse exposure, sometimes. It's a great hobby. Thank you, again. Jonathan
You can do it!
hey I actually found this very informative, I look forward to using these new tools to help me move over to some more manual settings... thanks heaps!
One of the best and most influential videos I've seen in a while! Thanks so much, your video's are always so very helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
You really are the best teacher Simon. I am so grateful that I found you!
Happy to hear that!
Interesting. I heard completely different advice around 10 years ago - "Shoot darker because the camera gets more details in dark than in light". I still use it and yes, dace a lot of nosy images. Will try this approach.
Very informative, as a newcomer to taking photos with thought rather than just pressing the button, I am learning a lot here. I have to own up to only owning a Sony Xperia 1 V phone rather than a camera but it has most of the same controls and I am able to put into practice a lot of what I see on your videos.
I've been taking thousands upon thousands of sports photos with my Sony a9 for years now and I'm the kind of person who just takes something and runs with it without reading the directions so I never knew what that histogram thingie was even for, till now. You have just changed my life! lol
The last segment explaining the benefit of ETTR is the most helpful I've found yet to getting the best quality. Thanks.
Very welcome!
Good day, thank you for your vast knowledge. I just got a new Canon rebel T6, and trying to get with it. I just started watching your videos, it has been about 40 years since I played with camera and trying to get back.
Even though this subject is covered all over KZhead, you still manage to organize this topic well and even add some knowledge on top of everything. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
great video, Simon. Thank you for this manner of explanation.
This definitely will help me. I primarily focus on motorsports and run into the issue of the race cars going from light to shadow which makes getting a consistent exposure a challenge for all photos for the day. A tip when adjusting outside of the camera, when adjusting the exposure, balance the contrast.
There is one more important factor, the lens. Not always easy or even possible to change but especially in dark environments switching to a lens with larger aperture can do wonders. You might need to move to anther position and/or crop the photo but you got the photo you wanted! Myself I often prefer my photos to be a tad on the dark side but then I often take close ups of flowers and don't like post processing - getting the exposure right from the start is part of the fun for me.
Yep, lens with a wide aperture play a BIG role here. With the kit lens that came with your DSLR (and mine too ) you're very limited.
I also prefer photos on the darker side, I do mostly nature and wildlife, but also hate post processing (never find the time). A darker photo automatically looks better compared to a lighter photo, but the tip to shoot as bright as possible as very useful.
I found your channel only recently. You explain everything so beautifully and your photos are breathtaking. Thank you.
Glad you like them!
Without a doubt, your photography videos are the most educational ones I have ever watched so far. Great work!
Thanks very much!
Excellent lesson. I always learn so much from each one and I have been doing this a long time. It’s good to watch them a second time to make sure it sinks in. Repeating them down the line is also useful. Seeing beautiful Canada is just icing on the cake. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share and educate on this topic. I’ve been a hobby photographer for a few years and am self taught. I have read and viewed so many books and videos on how to understand this concept and how the different pieces work together, or against one another. You have explained it so beautifully. I feel I FINALLY understand!
You're very welcome!
You truly have a gift for teaching, your channel is a goldmine!
Wow, thank you!
Very well explained. You are a very good educator.
Another option for dealing with very high dynamic range you did not mention is using a graduated filter to reduce the brightness of the sky. Of course, only useful in very specific landscape scenes. I am a fairly experienced photographer of a certain age but am learning such a lot from your channel. Thanks.
THANK YOU! I UNDERSTAND, I couldn’t find anyone with answers I needed and you answered almost every one of them. I’m a beginner as heck and you really helped me
Glad I could help!
Excellent explanation of the subject. Thanks
Thank you for all of your help. I recently went to Scotland, and my photos were overall much better because of your videos. Thanks!
Great to hear!
Another great concise explanation of photo technique, and the reason you’ve grown to over 330k subscribers Simon. Congratulations, you’re still the best out there!
Thanks Bob!
Thank you Simon; I must watch again as your info is pure photography GOLD!
Many thanks!
This is BY FAR the best place to learn how to EFFECTIVELY improve photography skills. You, sir, are a true master of your craft and a clear/precise teacher.
Wow, thank you!
This was fantastic info for me as a beginner. I had to replay all the sections several times for it to sink in as it was fast paced but after that it got clearer to understand. Thank you Simon 🙏👍
You're very welcome!
ahhh just the videos ive been looking for well explained and getting to the point no 45 min videos
Dude im about to get into photography and im only 14 and i find your advice to be really good and thank you for these videos!(Gotta start young so i can build up that experience)
The best Photography channel on KZhead. Thanks again!
Wow, thanks!
ETTR-WOW! Thank You!
Wow, your channel is growing quick. I remember not long ago when you were under 50k subs and I knew right away you would get the recognition you deserve based off the first video i saw of yours. you explain things extremely well which is what makes an amazing teacher. you also keep your audiance hooked throughout the whole video! congrats on your success on KZhead!
Thank you so much!
You my friend are the “best”! Your explanations make learning photography much easier, keep up the great work.
Wow, thanks!
I’ve watched many videos on this subject and thought that I understood it, until seeing your video. Thanks again for another explanation that is both in depth but concise. 👍😎
Glad it was helpful!
My understanding of photography has excelled since watching your channel, and I'm starting to see the results in my work. Another great video, thank you.
Great to hear!
This is a great tutorial! Giving you the like and sub as you deserve. Merci beaucoup. Recently, I've been trying to get my wife into basic photography (to increase WAF for G@S) and used the following analogy for exposure parameters in layman terms: You're trying to fill up a cup from a tap (faucet) - the size of the cup is the ISO setting, the amount you open up the tap/ valve is the aperture setting, and the amount of time taken to fill the cup up is the shutter speed. As she's totally new to photography settings, I've omitted ISO as a parameter to reduce the learning curve - instead, I just let her play with the aperture (in AV) for understanding its relation to DoF; and further explaining that sometimes we want to 'freeze' a subject in a shot and that's where Shutter Priority comes into play instead. I just want her to focus more on purely composition/ framing with DoF as the only parameter to 'tweak'. At this point, I'm considering buying her a cheap pre-owned happy snappy compact from the yesteryears like a Lumix LX2 (my preference would be an LX1 but those are hard to come by here). It'd allow for basic AV/ TV modes with adjustable aperture and let her focus on just purely composing shots. This is only possible in the more modern digital age because the technology has come so far that high ISO noise is less of an issue (as compared to when we were shooting in film and ISO 1600 was considered overly grainy for most). It also helps that (Matrix) metering are significantly improved these days that you could nail exposure rather well even with backlight shots (e.g. portraits against a bright background). When the time comes around that she gets to the point when we could touch on EV compensation, I'd probably set the camera to spot or center weighted to teach her about the importance of that setting - how I learnt about exposure back in the day when cameras only had center weighted/ spot metering.
so for aperture priority, when I use a manual lens, I select the "faster" auto ISO compensation to prioritize a higher shutter speed and bracket that shutter while setting the exposure compensation. I haven't had much issue with that other than not being able to keep/adjust this setting in manual when I'm in a city and switching between human and building shots. I get some flexibility with IBS, but without a lens stabilization I'm really keeping that fast priority in the back of my mind.
You’re an amazing Teacher. Thank you!
You're very welcome!
One of your best videos. I’m going to watch again and take notes.
Awesome! Thank you!
Hey Simon, You are one of the reason I started photography recently. You show even the basics that I lack. Thank you for your work!
First video I saw or better to say first person ever I came across capabale of explaining how exposure compensation is working. Thanks a million!
Glad it was helpful!
I really needed this!
I am impressed by your understanding of all variables in the process of making a photo. I started with B&W film canisters and I understand the relationship between variables. Thank you for shearing your knowledge.
Welcome!
Every time I watch a video of Simon's, I feel like stopping what I'm doing and going out and taking photos.
I always learn something useful when watching your videos. Thank you.
Glad to help
You are really a great teacher. Many many thanks!
You're very welcome!
If you're not sure what to do in a situation, I personally recommend making your shot preferrably darker than brighter. It's a lot easier to get dark areas recovered than it is pulling back blown out highlights 👍👍
Agree. ETTR is good for image quality, underexposing is “safer”.
Hello, I'm an amateur hobbyist who got confused with your advice. It seems like the opposite of ETTR which Simon has discussed in the video. Do you mind explaining when to underexpose and when to ETTR? Big thanks
@@3lliexir If you're not sure if you're exposing your image too much, then for most styles of photography it makes sense to just underexpose it a little bit, instead of blowing out your highlights. Since your highlights mostly have something to do with your motive, and blowing them out makes you lose unrecoverable detail in areas that are most likely part of your subject. By underexposing them slightly, you give your camera less information for your background/shadows, but if you shoot in RAW, it is easier to rescue the shot by just turning up the exposure again in post-processing - that way the shot is not completely lost since overexposing is way more likely to happen to you than underexposing. Hope that helps 🙏
Very interesting as usual ! You taught me to use M and auto Iso. On my R6 I can still over-or underexpose.
Another fantastic video that led me to watch other 2 of yours (already seen) making me learn more as always. Thanks Simon. Ciao
Great to hear!
Yes Simon, another banger!
Have been hesitating for a few weeks on making the transition to a more expensive full frame camera + lenses rather than the old beginner APS-C I've had for years. Discovering your channel these past few days has gotten me so excited about photography again that I've finally made the decision to go ahead and order everything! Thanks Simon!
You can do it!