Photography Tips: Composition and Focal Lengths

Composition and Focal Length combined can revolutionise your photography. Learn how to use them together because they're best friends.

Lets look at a scenario. You're on holiday, see something interesting and take a snap. STOP! THINK! take a few moments to work with your focal length and composition and it won't be a 'snap' you take - it'll be an image.

Mike Browne

[wahabdilawar]

You are the ONLY ONE, on whose videos, I click the "Like" button before watching it. You are one of the biggest contributors to my photography knowledge. Please keep posting more stuff.

[justininfrance]

Good to see someone who is an unashamed zoom lens shooter, and a kit zoom lens to boot! There is far too much "proper photographers only shoot primes" snobbery on YouTube. Fine if one can spend a fortune on lenses, not many of us in the real world can. Thanks Mike.

[benwelles]

Virtually all other photography channels here on YouTube primarily produce gear reviews, hours of nothing but test charts and pixel peeping at 400%, personally it drives me crazy. To me this channel has always symbolized a refuge from all that superficial neurosis that's become so pervasive in the photographic world. With so many experienced photographers (who should know better) going on about lens sharpness and aperture equivalencies and frames per second, it can be maddening for anyone seriously exploring photography, it certainly was for myself just a few years ago. I know you go on about how little of importance equipment has quite a lot, but it can't be stressed enough to combat this ridiculous notion that GEAR is what counts. Thanks for keeping it real Mike.

[Oozywolf]

Out of all the videos I've watched on this channel, getting low and finding foreground are by far the easiest ways to get away from that classic "Dad on vacation" look most photos have. It wasn't comfortable and probably didn't look too cool, but getting close to the floor gave me some awesome shots at Cabela's (large hunting/camping store) and at a car show. Knowing you're camera is super important, but I think this is a good summary: A good photographer can take a great picture with a camera on AUTO, but someone that doesn't know composition can't take a great photo even if they know everything about their camera. Knowing your camera increases the amount of things you can do and fine-tune. But knowing composition is the difference between truly great photos and decent photos. The photos in this video are great evidence of that. The original photo looks pretty nice. However, compare it to the end result, and it's no contest. Awesome video as always. I could watch a million of these composition shoots and see how many different ways there are to "fix" a photo/scene. Really shows off the "Think like a photographer" phrase in action!

[lucia.marginean]

I'm happy to find a new composition video from you, Mike! Thank you for your work!

[tomscott]

As usual, an entertaining and informative video. Not overwhelming with technical jargon but not too simplistic either. Educational without being intimidating. Well done.

[petermoeller]

Great video... really true, you often see people pull over the car, jump out, take a snap, jump back in and drive off. Fair enough, memory, but probably not a very good image. Very practical and helpful video, as always... just had to play it a second time for my wife.

[toxiqrox]

I will have to look at your focal length videos, I am notoriously poor at this stuff! Does my head in every time! Thank you for sharing.

[miggymig]

I look forward to your videos. You are always straight to the point with very clear explainations of what your are doing and why. I look forward to many more. Thank you Mike!

[tomkornas]

Outstanding location & tip mate.... always looking for a great way to add interesting ideas to boring pics .... don't forget the sunscreen lotion! 😉

[ericgeorge]

Another wonderful upload from the best Photography tutor on the net, BAR NONE! I have a confession. I was on holiday on Lanzarotte very recently and I only took my phone; however, I did get a couple of ok, shots; as Mike said, what an amazing place!!

[romanov_uz]

Mike, your videos realy great! Seen them all at one breath 😁👍 Keep on going this way ☺

[Ajajambo]

Terrific video Mike, keep up the good work.

[rixeykelly]

Wonderful tips and comments, thank you sir!

[RupeeNL]

Thanks a lot Mike. I recognize the will to shoot a fast picture of an eye-catching place, while walking around and thinking about perspective, composition and viewpoint are often worth the additional time. Guess I have to develop some more patience :-)

[asanganalin]

Yes! another great video, Thank's Mr.Mike

[jimjarvis]

I have been leaving my focal length set at 35mm and moving my feet. This video gave me some fresh insite. thanks Mike.

[HusamNurein]

That's a wonderful composition, didn't see that coming,
I never thought that house could be photographed for another perspective, absolutely brilliant, you rock mate ha ha ha,
Thank you...

[qb]

Wow 168k subs. Glad to see you're doing well. Great video as always.

[tekguy]

Great video. I always understood the technical side of photography but I'm struggling with the composition part. So for me this was a very helpful video.