Improving in photography is less about mastering complicated camera settings and more about understanding a few practical strategies. Being intentional about timing, composition, and simplicity can dramatically enhance your results without making editing tedious.
Coming to you from Jason Vong, this insightful video addresses common misconceptions that hold photographers back, particularly those around perfection and complexity. Vong encourages a counterintuitive approach he calls "thinking negatively," which simply means removing distracting elements rather than adding more into your frame. He illustrates this clearly by referencing everyday situations—like taking food photos at restaurants—where you instinctively clear away unnecessary clutter. Extending this habit to other photography situations simplifies your composition, emphasizing only two or three key elements for maximum visual impact. Vong explains why this matters through relatable examples, such as cropping distracting cars from a picturesque cherry blossom scene in Japan, resulting in a much stronger photo.
Vong also tackles the sometimes controversial topic of AI and Photoshop edits. He argues there's a clear ethical line between deception and minor aesthetic improvements, making a compelling case for the legitimacy of removing small distractions digitally. He reassures viewers that photographers have always used techniques like cloning and stamping, well before AI became mainstream. His straightforward stance on this sensitive issue provides clarity for anyone uncertain about where to draw the line in their editing practices.
The video further explores composition techniques through identifying and leveraging distinctive shapes to frame subjects creatively. Vong demonstrates this principle effectively at Hokkaido's Hill of the Buddha, where he uses natural and artificial elements to create frames within frames. He emphasizes the advantage of this strategy: it draws viewers’ eyes directly to the subject, enhancing visual interest even in commonly photographed locations. Through relatable examples and challenges, like capturing an umbrella-shaped frame, Vong motivates you to actively look for these shapes when composing your shots.
Another essential aspect discussed is timing. Vong points out a common beginner mistake: photographing great locations at poor times, particularly under harsh midday sunlight. He emphasizes the importance of planning around optimal lighting conditions—sunrise, sunset, and particularly the often-overlooked "blue hour." During this short window, ambient city lights begin to glow while the sky retains enough brightness to preserve detail and rich colors. Photographs taken during these ideal times typically require minimal editing, saving considerable effort later on. Vong candidly shares his own ongoing learning process about handling challenging lighting conditions, making the advice feel genuine and approachable. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Vong.
