A ton of portrait tips (with the Fujifilm X-T5)

Рет қаралды 50,656

Күн бұрын

After my X-T5 review and the launch of the project for Fujifilm Global, I received a lot of questions about the portraits I shot. So I went through the behind-the-scenes footage and compiled a list of portrait tips.
The first section is about what I call "Freeflow Portraits", choosing to work with only basic equipment to be in the moment, connect with the subject and be creative.
In the second section, I show you how I work with ambient light, both natural and artificial. I also share my favourite natural light technique, talk about "bad" light and show you how I used a small Godox M1 RGB LED panel on a night shoot.
The final section is more about the creative process that works for me on these Freeflow shoots.
0:00 intro
1:32 the power of simplicity
4:22 light
9:47 the creative process
12:06 conclusion
If you haven't seen my Fujifilm X-T5 review: • I shot with the X-T5 f...
My X-T5 project for Fujifilm: • X-T5: Bert Stephani/ F...
Visit my website for much more: www.bertstephani.com/
Follow me in Instagram: / bertstephani

Пікірлер: 167

@lionheart4424 3 ай бұрын

I love natural light portraits, this video is awesome. Thank you!

@brauliomillalaf1709 9 күн бұрын

Insane that this is free. Thank you

@andybrining3090 Жыл бұрын

Another great video Bert - thanks for taking the time out of your busy life to post! Some really useful tips there

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thanks Andy, glad you got something out of it.

@fvsch Жыл бұрын

Loved this video. Great mix of technical and creative advice, with great video and photo illustration. Kudos!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

thank you, making that mix is always my goal so I'm happy I achieved that.

@SamTaylors Жыл бұрын

Great video and great ideas. Most of all beautiful portraits. Thank you for sharing Bert - your content is always thoughtful and thought provoking.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Sam, that means a lot to me

@BrandonDavis985 Жыл бұрын

I loved this video! Your method of story telling is very enjoyable and the tips were things I've not heard before. I can't wait to see what comes next.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Brandon, new video coming soon

@expatant Жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation and some great points of view. One can always learn and improve ones photography even after shooting for years and you have put some thoughts in my head for upcoming shoots, thank you.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Glad I was able to provide some inspiration

@subliminaldoubt2092 Жыл бұрын

Hey man, I’m a working photographer and I’ve seen lots of videos about photography. This is by-far one of the absolute best videos I’ve seen in a while. Your experience and creativity really show in how you explain your approach to photography. I really appreciate this content. Ive subscribed.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you, that means a lot to me!

@iaincphotography6051 6 ай бұрын

Loved that my type of gig. I liked the bit about the camera club president too as the great Harry Callahan said "Being a member of a camera club taught me the type of photographer I never wanted to be".

@lukjanssens6918 Жыл бұрын

Well done. Good format, great content and tips. Keep going.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thx Luk, I'll try to keep it up.

@tonyadamis4171 Жыл бұрын

Fabulous video! I came away with a few simple, very useful principles, plus a lot to think about regarding control, flexibility, and simplicity.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thanks Tony. I'm glad it made you think about some ideas.

@studiojege287 Жыл бұрын

Great video Bert! Tons of tips & trick from the master 🙏

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

I've just been doing this stuff for a loooooong time ;-)

@WayneMurphyjmkphotography Жыл бұрын

Finally an X photographer I feel I connect with! Love the work and videos. Keep them coming!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thanks Wayne, new videos are in production

@robbquinnimaging4321 Жыл бұрын

Bert, this was an excellent video and perfect in length. Just got yourself another subscriber!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thanks Robb, hope to bring you more good content.

@bnwchris Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video and sharing your knowledge. Its really interesting and inspiring for me 🙂

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Christian, If I can inspire just one person with a video I consider it a succes.

@EnsoIlluminations Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your encouragement. Your presentation is very natural and your content helpful. I hope you will continue to make videos (on a more regular schedule).

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind words. The ambition is there to post more regularly but good content takes time to make. I'd rather make one video a month that I'm proud of than a boring video every week (there's already enough of those). But I'm definitely committed to make more educational videos.

@benard702 Жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation! You packed just the right amount of information in a single video and clearly illustrated your points. The content is 1st tier quality with emphasis on the creativity and less on gear. I have been mostly doing free flow without the articulation that you’ve presented here. I’m looking forward to your channel’s growth and wish the best!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thx Ben, I hope to bring you some more good content soon.

@JasonLawrenceNoel Жыл бұрын

Free flow shooting is my favorite:) thank you for this video💪 very helpful! Perfect!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

thank you

@rh5400 Жыл бұрын

The best photography video I have seen in awhile ,thanks sir

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much

@neoritz Жыл бұрын

This was a great video, quite informative and instructional. Thanks!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@Deminimis2 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Bert for a really good video. I have been subscribing for a while but this video made me hit the bell. I can really use this technique.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you, glad it's useful to you

@anthonymara4533 Жыл бұрын

Great information, good video time, not at all too long. Nice point by point description of ideas, and conveying of techniques. Honestly, I felt the video itself was executed in a comfortable way, anyone form a beginner to an advanced or pro shooter could learn something from this.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Anthony, that's exactly what I wanted to achieve

@EatInTaiwan 11 ай бұрын

Thank you, this was very nice listen at. I will try to follow your suggestions, and see what I can get myself 👍🏻

@bertstephani 10 ай бұрын

Thank you and good luck!

@kbqvist Жыл бұрын

What a great video, even including a philosophy of photograpy, in just 12 min! Do not worry about the length of you videos as long as they have content to match. Thanks!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Karsten, good to know that I'm on the right track here.

@denniss277 Жыл бұрын

Afdakskes FTW, great vid man! Thinking about getting the 56mm WR fir portraits soon

@chrisburnard5157 Жыл бұрын

New to your channel and subscribed. Thank you so much, brilliant inspiration and learning.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Welcome!

@JakeKumar Жыл бұрын

Such a helpful and inspiring video❤Thank You❗️❤️

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@Racsophoto Жыл бұрын

This is, for sure, the most encouraging speech and knowledge share I’ve seen on this market. Professional, confident about the knowledge but always humble. One of the best videos I’ve seen. Congratulations 👏🏻

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that!

@stefankuhn6887 Жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing your experience with us, Bert. 15 minutes is a perfect length even if the video is full information. The expression “free float shooting” was new for me but it’s a nice technique I will keep in mind for sure. Like the “under cover technique” - I already heard and saw that eg a tunnel is a perfect for portraiture. And the low light photos in combination with the led light were really inspire. Looking forward to your next video!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Stefan, I'm already working on some ideas for the next video.

@JeffreyHauser Жыл бұрын

Thank you for a very nicely done video Bert. I agree with the 16mm, 33mm & 56mm lenses as being wonderful choices for portraiture. They are all phenomenal pieces of kit. I enjoyed your tips & your “thinking process” that you employed in your shooting scenarios. Best wishes for you & your channel.😊👍🙏

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Jeffrey. I'm replacing the 16mm with the 18mm at the moment, but I agree.

@farosonico Жыл бұрын

Very well explained and useful, thanks!

@bertstephani 11 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@backwoodstrails Жыл бұрын

Very nice photography and great tutorial. Loved the Domke bag, had the same exact bag over 40 years ago when working as a news photographer...it was the gold standard at that time!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

thanks, to me Domke is still the gold standard ;-)

@TryingtoLearntheuke Жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed the video. So much so that I subscribed to the channel. Looking forward to more content.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thanks Pam!

@chrismann7629 Жыл бұрын

Just came across your video and I really like your simple approach. Not a bunch of technical jargon that over complicates things. Good job! I've subscribed also.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris, it isn't rocket science so why pretend it is ;-)

@olivervilla6367 Жыл бұрын

absolutelt inspiring. thank you 🎉

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@tonyhayes9827 Жыл бұрын

Great video The photo @ 6:21 is amazing. Great mood. Simple gear (Godox light / daylight) can kick start creativity very nicely. This video breath of fresh air Thanks Bert

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Tony

@blueanthias Жыл бұрын

Thanks Bert, I enjoy your no frills down to earth approach.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@blueanthias Жыл бұрын

@@bertstephani You are very encouraging. As a new person to Fufifilm I’m a bit gun shy. I did buy that Godox M1. Thanks again, Karl

@karlklauda7739 Жыл бұрын

Hi this is an excellent video. The length is just right. I can't agree more. I did some free flow shoots with my wife as model. This approach is working excellent. The X-T5 is just the right camera for this type of shooting. I'm waiting for better weather and that the X-Mas chaos is over. That some nice spots are free of the X-Mas markets and the people are out of the way.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the feedback Karl, would love to see your free flow results.

@MrPixelgrower Жыл бұрын

15 min. is just the right length. I have been a Landscape photographer for 25-30 years (since the film days). I think I have a new genre to tackle. Thank you for the ideas... Lots of great info in your video!😀

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for the feedback Gil. Good luck with portraiture, it's an endless source of joy and frustration ;-)

@taranoodtayo Жыл бұрын

You're great, man. Subscribed. Inspired to get an X-T5/ or maybe an X-h2 because of your passion with Fuji. Very excited to 'shoot now' and learn later

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Miguel

@FrankLewis-nl Жыл бұрын

Loved it!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Glad you did

@wanderlust139 Жыл бұрын

Loved your video!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

@Saswat-TV Жыл бұрын

Imagine what Joe the camera club president would have advised and then do the opposite! That’s the pearl of wisdom! Thank you for such a beautiful episode!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome

@EllyJellyfish 5 ай бұрын

Thank your for this!

@sigurdrille9693 7 ай бұрын

Thank you, very inspiring!

@bertstephani 7 ай бұрын

Thanks

@zhecloud1 Жыл бұрын

KZfaq recommended me this video and im glad i click on it. I learn a lot with you in only 10 min. The technique u show us is impressive. Definitely i'm gonna try out!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Pablo and good luck with your own experiments!

@silvasurfa9800 Жыл бұрын

Great advice Bert!... I love the way you work and though I still drive a ton of lighting around in my four wheel drive I have found the best images I have done are always when I just shoot with one camera and fast lens ... either my XT4 & 56,1.2 or my X100v ... you talk great wisdom! Lets see more video's! :)

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Beter to have a bunch of gear in the car and not needing it than the other way around. I also often have more gear and backups nearby, certainly on paid shoots. More videos coming up but it takes a lot of time to make a video and I usually end up doing it in-between other things.

@Rholmes2010 Жыл бұрын

I did a free flow maternity session in New Orleans French Quarters a while back and it was probably one of my best photoshoot sessions.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Wow Anthony, that must have been fun!

@susanacrosby1138 Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@georges64 Жыл бұрын

Fun and inspiring, Thank-you!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@Vetsthrottletherapy 8 ай бұрын

I really enjoyed this and your expertise and views. I am returning to photography after years and left mark IV canon for this X-T5 to give it a go. Thanks 🙏 again

@bertstephani 8 ай бұрын

Thank you and welcome back to photography ;-)

@Vetsthrottletherapy 7 ай бұрын

Thanks 😊 it’s good to be behind the lens again

@l.nauwelaerts195 Жыл бұрын

Beste Bert, fijne behind the scenes video met goede tips. Bedankt, en Brusselse groet!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Dankjewel!

@dereksmith41 Жыл бұрын

I had a “free flow” shoot in Beverley, Yorkshire UK, using my X-T3, and the XF16-80mm lens, at f/4, I took some great photos, it was last summer in bright sunlight, and I used the shade of trees and buildings to work the lighting. Excellent video really enjoyed your talk, and seeing the sample images.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thx Derek, that 16-80 is a very versatile lens if you have enought light.

@rdices 7 ай бұрын

Great video…thanks for sharing

@bertstephani 7 ай бұрын

thank you

@tonyfoulkes9289 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant, learnt alot.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

thx Tony

@ijovy3 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video Bert! The 33 is also my "desert island" lens. i think its Fuji's best lens yet.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

I still love the 35 1.4 too

@cespenar666 Жыл бұрын

This is the only way I shoot. Great video!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

thank you!

@rosu1981 Жыл бұрын

I love yu re video, Bert.. a lot of informations. Thx

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

@fidiak 5 ай бұрын

Nice, thank you

@haroon420 Жыл бұрын

I’ve recently got into photography and whilst there are many very good KZfaqrs who have helped me learn, your photography method is also what I aspire too. I want photography to be unplanned. And I’m even happy if I get no good pictures on a day out. Thanks.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear. Enjoy the journey!

@ewikla1 Жыл бұрын

Inspiring❤

@bertstephani 11 ай бұрын

thank you

@GeoffGrant2010 Жыл бұрын

Bert- thank you very much! Great comments about kit, technique, and portrait shooting, although maybe not so much on what Fuji or the XT5 allows you to do, except the minimal kit. I don’t have the 33mm, but I do have the 23mm, and I’m going to do more with that at first to try more “environmental” portraits. I’m going to attempt more sense of place in a project that I’m starting. I’ll share more as it moves along. Thanks and have nice holidays! Geoff

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Geoff. I've said pretty much everything I had to say about the X-T5 in the review and I think it's more important to talk about photography itself :-) The 23mm will be just great for the more environmental portraits. Looking forward to see your results. Enjoy your holidays too!

@GeoffGrant2010 Жыл бұрын

@@bertstephani and it was a great review too! Are you having any problem with eye autofocus? Thanks!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

@@GeoffGrant2010 Eye AF is amazing on the new generation. I use it all the time now.

@notyourkeyscrypto 7 ай бұрын

You have a real gift for expressing your ideas in a way that will help open the eyes of thousands of people who will watch this video. I have been photographing for two decades and have not seen any video that comes close to how well you have explained this process , how to keep things simple and adapt to any situation that is presented to you on the shooting day and not try to sell me anything. Very well done. Subscribed, and will share with others. Thanks

@bertstephani 7 ай бұрын

Thank you, that means a lot to me.

@iSchneggs Жыл бұрын

Wise and useful advice!! Thank you! It seems there's a techie battle for incremental pixel-level advancements, however, high quality photographs require more insight, experience, and experimentation than spec improvements could ever yield.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

We all love new gear but I'm completely with you on this. The biggest improvements are made in the 10 inches behind the camera.

@7antonio9 Жыл бұрын

Hi Belgium here! Great vid.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Go Belgium ;-)

@brsaravia Жыл бұрын

Hi Bert, great video. Excellent tips. I would like it to be more longer. I did learn again with you. Where can i find information about your workshops. Best regards

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you Ricardo. Go to www.bertstephani.com/newsletter to stay up to date.

@brsaravia Жыл бұрын

@@bertstephani Hi Bert, will you teach us about your xt5 settings for portrait photography? Thank you !! Best Regards

@shy-guy5544 9 ай бұрын

Very nice, informative video. With back lighting, do you use spot metering and fill-in flash? Thanks

@bertstephani 8 ай бұрын

In portrait shoots I don't really meter. I shoot manual and judge the exposure on the screen. No fill flash

@freddywop1738 Жыл бұрын

Lol I didn’t realize the photography I do is usually free flow but I do let the sun limit me so I’m happy I stumbled upon your video and learned a lot and inspired to carry on! I’m gonna upgrade from my canon rebel t6 to the Fuji xt5 and I’m debating on just getting the camera body and get a 23 mm wr or get the kit lens or the 33 mm u suggested and btw I mostly do portrait photography

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

It's just a name ;-) I would personally get the camera with the kit lens. It's actually a really good lens and at a good price if you buy the kit. Play around with it for a while and then see at what focal length you shoot mostly and buy a good prime at that focal length. The 23 is too wide for portraits. It works fine with kids and young pretty people but I prefer the 33 for portraiture.

@freddywop1738 Жыл бұрын

@@bertstephani thanks so much for ur insight! I ordered the xt5 silver and 35 mm 1.4 r and it’s coming today I’m so excited!

@mewtwo34 Жыл бұрын

This was a good video, it game a lot of new perspective with lighting. How are you enjoying the XT5?

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you! As for the X-T5, it's a great camera but to my surprise I tend to gravitate just a bit more to the X-H2.

@toykellie3 Жыл бұрын

❤

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

thanks

@Realdjheisenberg Жыл бұрын

Great video Bert. Only thing I’d do differently is to overlay the camera info on each shot (lens, focal length, aperture, iso and shutter speed). Other than that, great job! Where are you from? I was born in Waremme (BE). Now live in Chicago (USA) :)

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Good point DJ. BTW I'm located near Leuven/Louvain

@kieronperalta6198 Жыл бұрын

Great informative video Bert. You're a great teacher! I'll now be keeping the awning technique in mind, great tip. I'm fairly confident in my ability to compose photos but the model posing and interaction is somewhat daunting especially as my only experience is with toddlers who don't comply with their daddy's instructions 😅 Saw the snippets of you interacting with the models and you're a natural. Feel free to teach us the ways if you're up for it sometime!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thanks Kieron, if you can deal with toddlers, you can deal with everyone. Honestly, it's just a skill. The good news is that anyone can learn it. The bad news is that it takes lots of time and practice. I'll put it on the list of ideas for new videos.

@Avto28 Жыл бұрын

Some very nice tips indeed and the video length seems to be just fine considering the delivery, maybe some b-roll can be edited in a bit more coherently (that is to say maintaining more continuity and clearer cuts) at times but other than that lovely!

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I realy appreciate the suggestions as well

@bushbeatnik4480 Жыл бұрын

not too much info. Why? you set our expectations at the beginning, 3 sections, what and why. Interesting that you say there are two sides to a coin. I would argue, by explaining your process in free form portraits with limited gear, you have found what most do not see- that there are actually three sides to a coin. Love your content and just found it. New sub and working my way through the catalogue. heads or tails is easy and chance. the edge is intentional. cheers.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Thank you, that third side has got me thinking, thanks

@mickd1368 Жыл бұрын

what t said, great vid good job

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated

@draculadicruz Жыл бұрын

Can you please do a review on the XF16-80mm f4 lens? which is coming as a kit lens with XT-5. Is that lens good? Planning to switch to Fuji.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

It's definitely a nice lens. I have both the 16-55 and 16-80. The 16-55 has a bit more punch in the image and is F2.8 but it's also big and heavy. The 16-80 needs a touch more contrast in post but it's more versatile, smaller and lighter, and it has image stabilisation. You can't go wrong with the 16-80 in kit with the X-T5. Maybe add your favorite prime later and you're all set.

@draculadicruz Жыл бұрын

@@bertstephani Thank you.

@nickdual Жыл бұрын

Your model is beautiful

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Everyone I shoot is beautiful, it's just my job to make them aware of it.

@Deminimis2 Жыл бұрын

Perfect answer.

@limakilo1331 Жыл бұрын

Great content, thank you for the post.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@hpaula1946 Жыл бұрын

Just discovered your channel. I've been primarily a Fuji person since my Nikon D-750 days, own an X-T3 and an X-T4, but have been tempted lately to get a Canon R6-2 for its low light capability, which has been a little less than satisfying with my X-T4, as well as focus accuracy, which again is not a strong point with my X-T4. I shoot a lot of low light indoors with the grandkids, and prefer not to use flash, so focus accuracy and low light capabilities are important. From all of the KZfaq videos that I have watched, it seems that the X-H2 and X-T5 have not improved at all on their low light, high ISO capabilities, and the autofocus is still significantly inferior to Canon and Sony. I'm pretty bummed out, as I was really looking forward to upgrading my X-T4. Thanks in advance for any insight into my dilemma.

@bertstephani Жыл бұрын

I can't comment onthe R6, I haven't used it. AF has been improved considerably on the H2 and T5 - and even more on the H2s. Personally for me, they all work fine in low light indoor situation but your mileage may vary. Even with the previous generation, I never really had a problem in those situations.