Brief Summary
This video provides practical tips for capturing dreamy photos, moving beyond generic advice. It emphasizes experimenting with slow shutter speeds, shooting during blue and golden hours for soft, diffused light, playing with focus and sharpness to create atmospheric images, and subtly reducing clarity in editing to add a unique feel. The combination of these techniques can significantly enhance the dreamy quality of your photography.
- Experiment with slow shutter speeds to capture movement and feeling.
- Utilize blue and golden hour for soft, diffused light.
- Play with focus and sharpness to create atmospheric images.
- Reduce clarity in editing to add a unique feel.
Introduction
The video aims to provide actionable advice for achieving dreamy photos, contrasting with typical suggestions like using specific apertures or expensive filters. The presenter dismisses generic advice, such as finding better locations, especially when geographical limitations exist. Instead, the focus is on practical techniques applicable in any environment to consistently capture dreamy shots.
Experimenting with Slow Shutter Speeds
The presenter argues against the common AI-generated advice of using fast shutter speeds for dreamy photos. Instead, they advocate for experimenting with slow shutter speeds to introduce movement and feeling into images. Referencing older photography, the presenter notes the presence of motion blur due to slower shutter speeds, which adds to the aesthetic. Shooting with slower shutter speeds captures the feeling of a scene rather than just its static appearance. While not suitable for every photo, incorporating slow shutter speeds can enhance the dreamy quality of your work.
Shooting During Blue and Golden Hour
The presenter emphasizes the importance of shooting during the blue and golden hours (just before and after sunrise and sunset) to achieve dreamy lighting. The light during these times is soft and diffused, making it easier to capture dreamy-looking photos. Beyond the lighting, the streets are quieter, and the overall vibe is different, often including mist or other unique atmospheric conditions. Overcoming the reluctance to wake up early is crucial to taking advantage of these optimal shooting conditions.
Playing with Focus and Sharpness
The presenter challenges the conventional notion that everything in a photo must be in sharp focus. Experimenting with focus, such as having the subject out of focus while the background is in focus, can create atmospheric and dreamy images. Conversely, a blurred foreground with a sharp background can also be effective. Sharpness, often considered an indicator of image quality, is contrasted with texture, which the presenter finds more conducive to creating feeling. Texture, achieved through editing, film, or movement, contributes to a dreamier aesthetic, as dreams are not typically polished or high definition.
Editing: Reducing Clarity
The presenter reveals a "secret source" for achieving dreamy photos: subtly reducing clarity during editing. While developing a personal editing style is essential, slightly reducing clarity can significantly alter the feel of an image. However, caution is advised, as overdoing it, especially in close-up portraits, can produce undesirable results. A slight reduction in clarity adds an elusive quality to photos, enhancing their dreamy feel.
Conclusion
Combining the discussed techniques—slow shutter speeds, shooting during blue and golden hours, playing with focus and sharpness, and reducing clarity in editing—can lead to capturing dreamy photos. While these tips are valuable, developing a personal style and identifying preferred subjects remain crucial. The presenter encourages viewers to sign up for their newsletter and engage with the channel for more photography tips.
