A Review of Seven Shortcuts to Taking Amazing Photos

My apologies to Tommy - this post was somehow lost. Please be patient as I go through the backups…

Found the backup. Need to restore it better.

Having spent less than $500 on lenses for my Nikon D3100 with no prior experience, I’ll use all the advice I can get when it comes to photography.

My friend, Tommy Schultz, whose work has been featured in publications such as Patagonia and the National Geographic, just created a video series to show you the best ways to capture light in the most common scenarios. Just look at his portfolio.

For the amateur, these videos provide tips and techniques for standard situations, leaving you with a professional’s take on some of the best ways to shoot your most important and memorable photos.

I purchased the series, which consists of seven topics.

1. How to Bring Back the Beach with Your Camera

In these situations, light is more intense and often doesn't meet the camera the same as it does for what you actually see. This video provides a number of great tips for capturing bright light situations, including the most ideal filter to use, allowing you to bring back the true color and essence of the photo that you're after. The examples in this video are most impressive.

2. How to Capture Amazing Sunset Photos

Tommy highlights common reasons most sunset photos fail, which is a result of either overexposure of the scene, or underexposure. He presents two solutions: high dynamic range (HDR) photography, or use of a graduated neutral density filter. Tommy explains his method for using this filter in order to produce dramatic sunset photos.

3. How to Shoot Portraits Like a Magazine Cover

In this video, Tommy outlines the extra work that is necessary with the subject prior to snapping the perfect portrait photograph. You need to find moments where people reveal their most raw form of expression. He also details the biggest pitfall in these situations in order to avoid them completely, as for the ideal locations for capturing portraits, and what features to focus upon.

4. How to Get Started With Underwater Photography

This video is a gem, with more seriously impressive examples. Tommy reveals the exact equipment he uses (without breaking the bank) in order to capture underwater life in vivid detail. He goes on to mention ideal depths, subjects, and the most appropriate times in which to use an external flash.

5. How to Create Motion With Still Photography

The familiar photo of the race car flying by or the sprinter (yeah Bolt! 9.63 WR) exploding to the finish line, with the subject clearly in focus and backgrounds sufficiently blurred is explained. The techniques necessary to capture these situations are discussed for creating a sense of energy and variety that otherwise would be lacking from your photos.

6. How to Capture Incredible Wildlife Photos

Here Tommy elaborates on the frame of the subject you wish to capture. Essentially these types of shots are less predictable than human portraits, and thus become more difficult to capture. He goes on to mention that ultimately the "feel" of the chosen subject is meant to be brought home. This video is an expressive account from shooting a powerful creature in the wild, more so than it is a lesson in basic wildlife photography. Without the main point though, your wildlife photos won't be as good.

7. How to Take Great Photos at Night

These are some of my favorite shots, because the lack of light enhances the light which is present. In low light conditions, a lot can go wrong, so it's important to adjust camera settings appropriately. Tommy gives his insight into what makes a night shot stand out and look fantastic.

Pros

The production quality of this HD video series is top-notch (I love that each video is privately hosted on the Vimeo platform) and sounds great. Being an amateur photographer, I found each video to be informative as well as captivating. Tommy is a master at his trade, and as is usual in this case, he makes it look easy.

While each video is short, they’re informative and direct. These are “shortcut” videos after all.

Cons

The videos feature some amazing shots and pro-advice, but leave you hanging with tons of questions.

• What lenses do I need?

• What manual setting did you use in each photo?

 

• In which situations do I need to focus on shutter speed?

 

• What about aperture?

 

• How can I take night shots without a tripod?

 

• Should I just start rapid firing and hope for the best?

 

Luckily for customers he’s open to Q&A, and he’s made it clear that the production of an advanced photo course is underway.

In Summary

This is an informative, high quality, must-watch video series whether you just got a camera or border the line between amateur and slightly dangerous.

If I had to provide a star rating, I would give 4.6 stars out of 5.

Get Seven Shortcuts to Taking Amazing Photos (non-affiliate link).