OpenTube

A Photography Rule I Actually Use.

James Popsys

175,791 views

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That page: https://www.jamespopsys.com/barmouth

This week I'm in Barmouth here in wales, photographing the town and attempting to put a story together in the form of a page on my website. I also talk about the 3 shot rule, which I think is a really valuable exercise for all photographers and can help anyones work.

My New Book: https://www.jamespopsys.com/human-nat...

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The Prints: https://www.jamespopsys.com/store?cat...

Custom Prints: https://www.jamespopsys.com/customprints

Antartica workshop: https://geni.us/Antarctica2026

New Presets: https://jamespopsys.com/mypresets

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0:00 The 3 Shot Rule
11:51 Sponsor message
13:02 Pulling a story together.

20 Comments

@method341 10 months ago (edited)

this guy is the master at not getting straight to the point but I still watch the whole video anyway

@streets_dmv 8 months ago

Love the 3 shot rule - shoot the same scene three ways so it can’t escape. Different distances, different details, somehow still the same conversation.

@MartinOcando 10 months ago

Quite frankly, this is one of the most useful videos I've watched from your, James. It immediately clicked on my brain and started thinking on so many places that I have visited, that I could have done a story like you mention, and would have been way more interesting to see, but I never thought about it until now. Is so good the feeling that you finally settled on the kit that you'll use for the foreseeable future and your interest switches from gear to the images, and now thanks to you, to the story. Thank you very much for this and for getting my creative juices flowing.

@deanelliot4127 10 months ago

After years of enjoying your videos, and struggling to pinpoint what I like about your work (in addition to your humor and demeanor), I have finally figured it out: you take beautiful photos of ordinary subjects. The thing is, everything you see (and subsequently share) can be interesting and attractive if we just take the time to SEE and not just LOOK at the world around us.

@thecasualphotographer 9 months ago (edited)

Sir, you can't tell me there is a story about birds pooping on your head and then proceed to not tell me the story. Great video!

@chocolatecatdad 10 months ago

I like your '3 shot rule' of shooting a scene at different distances or focal lengths. The photos are linked together somehow but explore different aspects.

@heeltoeco 10 months ago

Therapy ❎ New James Popsys Video ✅

@ukejon 10 months ago

Utterly brilliant in its clarity, James’s photography advice is inspirational and deeply appreciated. And his photos are simply gorgeous.

Many thanks, James

@falloutboy691 1 month ago

I loved the way you walked us through your process, with a bit of humor here and there. Great video mate!

@montanaylago 10 months ago

Wrist strap!!!
I don’t like the feeling of the camera+lens hanging from my neck… I did it anyways in order to protect the camera… until one day I “experimented” with a wrist strap. In combination with a clip (peak design style) for my bag, for those moments where two hands are needed.

Now I only use the neck strap (across my back) when a heavy lens for wildlife/sports is needed.

Cheers!!!

@CreativeIsolation 10 months ago

7:44 The modern human silhouette… neck hunched staring at a phone. As I’m doing right now. 😂

@bradkerr2798 7 months ago

Your photographic work always has a beautiful aesthetic, but this video's balance and tones from the onscreen image, to the room lighting and even shirt-to-skin all in harmony really highlights the thought and effort you put in. Appreciate you sharing your process.

@andynorman5522 10 months ago

I much prefer walking around with my camera in my hand rather than on a strap and I can thoroughly the peak design cuff wrist strap. It's a great way of keeping your camera safe whilst still having the feeling of being free from straps (even though you're still kind of relying on a strap). I love their quick release system and I'm a big fan too of the magnet they've put in the cuff so you can wrap it around your wrist like a bracelet and it'll stay there, rather than have it it dangling around in the way. Definitely worth at least checking out!

@marcohorodnichev9489 10 months ago

I see detail photos as textures. They make you feel the place more, because they show you what the whole place is made of

@TheKimchiDemon 10 months ago

There's quite no one like this man. Always funny, interesting and inspiring and taking so many absurdly amazing pictures. I keep learning a lot and getting excited to go out and shoot more. Also I could feel the no camera strap thing was not gonna last long 😂

@andrewmckinney3053 10 months ago

A most satisfying video in every way. Thanks, James!

@frankyfarset 8 months ago

I frankly just enjoy hearing him talk about photography. He has a great speaking voice to me. Plus his content is informative and subjectively pleasing to watch.

@areonleon 3 months ago

One of the most useful videos so far, James, especially how you curate the page. Very helpful as I'm building my own website Rn.

@ameenfahmy 10 months ago

I like how brutally honest you were about the camera strap thing.
I learn a new thing about photography in each video, great photos and always a great watch!

@ericlamont4130 10 months ago (edited)

Great video and images. A good reminder to vary it up. When I shot weddings I tried to follow a similar “rule” called EDFAT as a way to remind myself to vary my images:
* Everything (wide establishing shots)
* Details (pick out individual couples, objects, details)
* Focal Length (same scenes wide and zoomed)
* Aperture (don’t just stick at f/1.4 or f/11)
* Time (drag shutter for added motion blur, or faster speed to freeze fast moving subjects)