This video is old but is exactly what I have been looking for. Most photography tutorials tell how to change aperture or shutter speed or change settings, but don't tell you how to think about composition and the process of finding opportunities for interesting photos. This is the art of photography. A great video!

"He's really lost it this time" haha I liked that a lot. Made me chuckle :)

Awesome ideas even relevant 5 yrs. later photography never gets old it just keeps getting new resources

This video is so important to watch, no matter how obvious it may sound.

Over the last year, one of the most important things I've learned about photography is that in most situations composition can really make or break a picture... yet it's something that's too often neglected. I really enjoy your videos Mike, you always get to the bottom of things without ever being boring ;)

Hello Mike. You have done it again - putting things across in such simple terms. I have all your videos. I keep watching them and practicing with my camera.Thank you very much.Today I went out, sprayed some water on a colocasia leaf and took some snaps. Let me see how they turn out.

i could not agree more Mike, i have watched all your videos and i have found the information to be the back bone every time i go out with my camera. But i have found my self now just concentrating on a certain subject, the other day i was at my computer desk messing around with manual exposure and all i was doing was taking a photo of my computer trying to get the exposure right. in my opinion you never take a bad photo you have just learnt that the settings you were using was not right so that bad photo has just become a great learning tool. keep up the great work Mike

@2:15 the comment "He's really lost it this time." was so hilarious that alone made my day and I replayed it many times and kept laughing. Priceless humour. Addictive. WOW!!!

Yep anywhere! I love this photography thing so much I practiced to ease some pain of a bad stomach. Sitting on the toilet in the so that if a bomb were to go off it would do so in the right place. Very dull room, to take my mind off of the pain I pulled my phone out and tried to compose a shot of the tiles somehow until I finally got some relief. Crap shots, butt, this kept the part of my brain used to find pictures flowing and working; flushing away any other thoughts and just being able to focus on the shot. Then once I achieved some relief in that bathroom, I was able to get to work on time feeling ready to run out the last month of wrenching pipes together before flying down to a different continent to enjoy a different piece of this great world...solo, with epilepsy:) Chileans who spoke some english thought I was nuts, but did not mind if my friend Alistair and I bought the first round

Mike, always a treat when a new video is posted! I find the challenge is that's its one thing to admire someone else's perfectly composed pictures and "seeing" the shot oneself. Its a big world out there and sometimes there is just too much subject. Seeing the world through an imaginary lens and making a shot interesting is my goal. Oh and in focus and perfectly exposed and with great light!! Keep the vids coming, they really give me ideas!

This is really one of the funniest films. Nice to see how well Mike is performing his old profession. And as always: he is right on the spot.What a great tips!

The dog walking into the frame made the already informative video even more entertaining! :)

The end of that really made me laugh! Even without a camera I'm thinking like a photographer, how can I frame that in the car window to look more pleasing just by moving my head, it all helps. Another great video, love it!

I really love it. you dont go by the conventional ways and try speaking heavy duty english grammars, Just plain and simple. Out of the 100 hours of photography downloads on youtube for months practicing photography,this is my first comment to any of them..Kudos Thanks

So true. We get carried away with the amazing pictures that we forget the effort behind it. In fact my motivation towards photography were the breathtaking landscapes I see in magazines and net - something which Mike pointed out. I am glad at least it started that way but true photography is a journey treading through all disciplines (as Mike says). Thanks Mike for all the hardwork & sweat you tread through to share your incredible insights!!

Your teaching videos are the best. I just bought a "real" camera about a month ago and you have really helped me out. Thanks. Looking forward to more.

Was searching for beginner videos to send to a friend and this popped up. This is the best video ive ever watched in my 5+ years of experience in photography. Most videos are shot at beautiful locations and your video really showed how important composition is by applying the concepts in the backyard!

Aww the poor dog really wanted his photo taken. What a cutie. Great tutorial, thanks again.

Hi Mike. The shot at 7:55 with the paws and the cups is actually pretty good. I know you just tried to take a boring shot, but it turned out kind of interesting :-) Just goes to show you how unpredictable photography can be. Love your tutorials. Very down to earth and unpretentious. Keep it up...!

This guy is great. This is the first vid I've seen so far and I'm amazed by his dedication.

Actually this is Mikes house.. i know as i often lurk in the shadows of a night and peer at him through his windows.. he once had scaffolding up and i was able to follow him from floor to floor. it is a memory i shall always cherish .

seriously, one of the best videos out there about photography. you're awesome

another great video, thanks Mike. I am enjoying my photography more then I use to and its mainly due to your you tube videos. I am more relaxed and that give me more time to relax, compose the frame and exposure before I take the photo.

Thank you. Photography is always my fantasy and recently bought a mirrorless camera. Your videos are really helping.

Hi Mike. It would appear that we are reading from the same page. I'm one of those photographers who positively turns away from 'people' photographs. I have never liked them; largely because with 'people' photo's, you have your subjects to please! "It's a bit dark/light/near/far". You get the picture? I like to photograph everyday objects (like your wheelbarrows) and make them visually powerful. Composition is imperative! And using the available light, rides shotgun with composition. After seeing your video on 'reverse-mount' macro photography, it caught me; Hook. line and sinker!! I bought some extension tubes. A 10x (screw-on) macro lens. Then in the following weeks, I found myself buying two more sets of extensions tubes! It taught me that shooting in manual was far more useful than leaving it to the camera! Bored? Moi? Non, Jamais! I have the entire British Isles at my disposal. (And of course, my home town, London, with its countless parks, museums (and pubs!)) Thank you, for all your hard work and dedication and your kind, approachable presentation style. We'll be watching! Ilonka & Daz

I just love how playful and creative you are and how you make it seem so easy!

You never fail to teach simply for us all to learn. Thanks Mike. Watched this one over and over again. Always pick up something else.

not only dedication and effort but also LOCATION if you are in the Hawaii with ocean and waterfalls and colors your pics will look prettier than lets say your backyard. so practice helps you with the amount of knowledge you gain so that when you do go to Hawaii or other beautiful places your pics will look awesome thanks to having practiced before

This is so useful! Composition has always been a huge weak point for me (which is a bit embarrassing because I'm a fine artist!). I can't wait to practice this! :)

Truely inspiring, just a couple of days ago I took a photo of a beer glass on my study table because the book I was reading was a bit boring. The photo turned out to be interesting after editing a bit on lightroom. Thanks Mike! :)

Forget the camera. I wanna controle a digger! Thanks Mike :)

Wonderfully uninspiring environment for practicing the basics of creativity: composition! And that subjects desrves several videos! Good job, Mike!

Thank you Mike. Watch your video every day and a lot to learn.

What an awesome and unconventional way to start a segment on composition! The hand full of sentences below it are spot on, just what I needed to hear after coming up short on 'amazing images' last night, turning in early and missing an opportunity to practice. I'll be leaning hard on your videos over the the next few weeks in preparation for two shoots coming up the end of this month & beginning of next, my first ever. One is a paid job while the other is an exchange of time for portraits. I almost backed out but finally decided to just run with it. My kit is pretty basic but workable, at least for me: Nikon D3300, Nikon AF-S 50mm, Nikon F/1.8G, Nikon 35mm F/1.8G, Tamron 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro. I also have one flash, stand, umbrellas and reflectors . Manual is the mode I prefer to shoot in for the time being since it gives me the most control along with using my flash off camera, aperture priority isn't a favorite though other people I know use it.

Awesome videos like always mike ! I'm new in photography and have the tendancy to buy gears like everbody else. But now i know, 'Dont buy gears,practice and buy books instead'

Thanks for this approach: how to assess wherever you might be in order to create an interesting photo, instead of just showing what makes some photos look interesting after they've already been taken. I'm downloading your "Ultimate Beginner's Course" at this very moment!

Hi Mike, You always make me want to get my camera out and shoot - thanks!

Hey Mike, another great example how to practice anywhere. I tend to do this in my living room around small objects where I like to play around with the depth of field.

Another afternoon spent watching your tips and tuition!. Loved it Mike, YOU just inspire me and I long to get out and about again. I thank you Mike.

Thank you for your videos! It has taught me everything I know about photography even though I am all the way in Texas. Again, thank you!

I just stumbled upon your channel and i got to say i actually learned something. You really get into it and teach. Thank you, you have helped me.

Thank you for this video, I am now starting to ask questions to myself when I see things, and I have not ever done that before. You have put it into my mind that there are many different ways to shoot something, not wrong or right, it will just be my way, and my achievement if it turns out good. Great stuff here.

Love this. As a beginner it gave me ideas about PRACTICE...one discipline at a time. Thanks.

Very amusing - and a good photography points too. Love the ending: "Better leg it before the owenrs come back".

Mike, I really enjoy watching your videos, you're the only guy on KZfaq I can learn from. I couldn't find any in your uploads - could you please do a studio tutorial for fashion, catalogue style shooting, full body etc? I would like to see what lighting you would suggest.

Thanks Mike - I love your videos and you have got me out and about with the camera again after a 10 year gap. Your thoughts about practise really hit home - I've been a programmer since the 70's and still love to program. And it always gets me that "the youngsters" think you can read a book and be an expert programmer in 30 days. Like the theory in the book The Outliers, practise, practise, practise!!! Please keep up the brilliant vids. Best wishes from frozen New Hampshire.

Another great vid, Mike. I'm really looking forward to learning more about composition, amongst other things, down on the south coast next month.

Love that you encourage the practice of perception

Very Inspiring yet simple video. Thanks Mike!

Your the best, Mr Browne.

The dog was so gentle and ur lessons too meaningful sir 😊

Great tutorial with a twist of humour. I really like it. Thanks for the inspiration...

Im actually surprised you didn't get a cool shot of the digger lol. Your channel is absolutely brilliant for newcomers to this complex game

Simple as usual Mike ... and Welcome back.

Lots of useful tips and Great Fun. Nice Mix.

Love it. Really nice way to practice composition, so it can be implemented in to your mind - and therefore one day these tips will stay with the photos you take, and improving photography. Great video :)

Thank you Mike. Another excellent video.

Straight to the point as always. Thanks Mike

Thanks Mike! Just picked the hobby up again, and I've really enjoyed your informative and fun videos. I appreciate the time you put in to help us newbies, takes a special kind of person to teach - well!

Great speaker, great teacher - genius

Another great video Mike. Thank you.

Thanks for the lesson. It's an important one for any learner.

Thank you a lot for all these amazing videos, I like them a lot! :)

To drive a digger is my wish for this summer lol. Oddly enough some of my favourite images have been ones when I have been just out practising. Same with looking for the perfect partner i guess :-)

I really needed this. Thanks a lot!

great tutorial. thanks a ton

Best photography channel ever. Love your videos Mike :)

Have a couple of your DVDs which are very informative and enjoyable to watch. Really enjoy your enthusiasm, it’s quite contagious! 😊😊👍🏻👍🏻

Good advice.

I love the dog!

Haha i kind like the first one with the dog actually :) Great advice anyway :)

Composition is probably one of the most important things to get the hang of. Just let the camera handle the exposure, it can be adjusted later in Lightroom anyway! Rule of thirds, being on eyelevel with your subject and getting as close as possible, that often creates the most striking images. Or you get a macro lens, because getting that close almost always gives you interesting results :P flic.kr/p/qT53C5 You are also right about the whole "I am gonna get awesome photos! :D" thing... Getting good shots takes a lot of practice. And in many cases it also takes a lot of careful planning when to shoot, where to shoot and what to bring to the shoot.

My experience is that if you love something enough you'll want to know it in every possible way, and these are good videos in technique. Really, a kind of kama sutra of photographic positions. But the question for the photographer is, Are you "making love" to the scene or just going through the motions?

Haha I'd love a go on that digger too ..being a truck driver I am away from the beautiful lakes of killarney most times but I take lego men with my camera there great for practice and fun lol

Always wonderful and rich instruction. Thanks friend.

Exellent brainstorming exercise.thankyou for the labour you put to explain us.

I love your videos. You make becoming a skilled photog feel achievable.

thx a lot Mike...!!!

Thank you, your videos are always so helpful and informative as well as entertaining.

Hi Mike football match was ok, just watched the talk brilliant

Thank you for the video. Your videos have inspired me to try different angles, focal lengths, distance from the subject, etc. Really brings in a different perspective!

Awesome! Keep up the good work.

As usual,a fantastic inspirational video. You make it look so simple and when you're a professional it surely is. But the way you convey it to us is truly amazing. Cheers Mike, keep up the fantastic work👍🏻

Hi Mike. I love this video, it's got to be one of your best. Now, be assured that I really like the instruction of the video and it is something i have done myself, practising my composition and technical prowess I mean. But I also love the tongue in cheek aspects and the way you react to unplanned events too. I particularly liked Launa's behind the cmaera comment when you went for your camera. It was so unexpected and really funny. And at one point I thought you'd end up with the dog's doodah's in shot too, but of course being a pro photographer you didn't! Thanks for the video, it really cheered me up and it also put me at ease when I take photographs in the living room and dining room of nothing in particular. May I point out that from my experience it is much more difficult to assess what you have done to "fix" any exposure issues when looking back through your test shots that it is to assess your composition corrections, in spite of having EXIF data. So I now have heaps of exposure test related images to delete because I can't get any useful information from them now, other than this one is underexposed and that one is over exposed. But the compositional experiments may be kept for reference and as inspiration. Best wishes for 2015!

Basically it’s like drawing. Every artist sketches and doodles all the time, same can be done as a photographer, your smartphone can be your best friend in this ; )

that twist in the end :D

A very likeable style of presentation ;-)) All the best.

great teacher, thank you...

Excellent !, really very useful how you will approach the subject of composition and how to get a good photo, very well explained with very good examples, all very practical, thank you very much and greetings Mike !.

2:15 "He's really lost it this time." :D Haha.

Love your videos.

"You're not going to see this on the walls of Ikea". lol. My most scathing insult is saying a particular photo would be found in Ikea.

Mike, may I suggest that rather than, practice makes perfect, what about practice makes permanent, as in the way that we think around photography. After all we want our thinking to change permanently, don't we.

I loved this video, thank you so much! 👌🏼

hello.cann i do with my nikon p530 so amazing pictures?i love all videos of you.tnx you are awsom..sorry for bad ang.

Cool!! I do this too! Lol... Your videos are brilliant and have been a great help to me. Love Lorna's comment at 2:14 "He's really lost it this time".. :o))

Like an iceberg, we only see the tip, we don't see the massive amount of time and dedication it takes to be good at something

That fence post with two struts, did you think of turning it upside down?

Love your videos alllll the times

Awesome!!!