Make Better Photos and Videos Podcast - The Photo Video Guy
The Make Better Photos and Videos Podcast, hosted by Ross Chevalier (The Photo Video Guy), offers practical advice for photographers and videographers. Each episode aims to help listeners get more out of their cameras and improve their photo and video skills. The show covers techniques, gear, and creative approaches in an accessible format. It is produced for an English-speaking audience, primarily in the United States.
Episodes
Ep 254 : Building a Travelogue
In this episode, Gordon and Ross discuss the planning and preparation for photography during a vacation that could result in a travelogue. Please support the channel by becoming a monthly donor on Patreon.
Ep 257 : 2024 Thoughts
Hey folks! In this episode Gordon and Ross look back on what happened in photography in 2024 and discuss their photographic intent for 2025. To help keep things going here, please become a monthly supporter on Patreon.
Ep 256 : Why So Serious? ISO
In this episode, Ross and Gordon discuss why worrying about ISO value can be a fool’s errand and prevent you from making the image you desire.
Ep 255 : Travel and Photography
We often travel with the goal to make images where the primary purpose of the travel is NOT photography. Deciding what to take, how you will carry it while travelling, and making the process successful is important. This episode, Gordon and Ross share practical guidance on these questions. What to photograph, when to do so and how to do so are topics for another time as before you make the firs
Ep 254 : Making Your Holiday Video
Every holiday season, billions of pictures are taken, but even when it’s so easy, many picture takers and photographers miss out on the opportunity for video. In this episode, Ross asks Gordon to take us through his process which is simple, easy and quick so you can also make cool videos for the holidays. And for any other time as well.
Ep 253 : Zoo Photography
Hello everyone and welcome to the Make Better Photos and Videos Podcast. In this episode Ross and Gordon talk about how to get the best wildlife photos at the zoo. We cover equipment, accessories, and of course patience and watching for gesture.
Ep 252 : Audio for Your Videos
Hello listeners. In this episode Gordon wants to learn how to capture good audio with his video. Ross provides an inexpensive and simple solution. Please support us by becoming a Patron on Patreon.
Ep 251 : Table Top Tripods
In this episode Gordon highlights when and where a tripod helps him and shares where he finds gaps. Ross offers a solution to the problem of a great table top tripod.
Ep 250 : Ringflash for Closeup Photography
Hey folks. In this episode, Ross and Gordon discuss the best tool for the best lighting when doing close up work. It’s called the Ringflash and can be inexpensive and is really easy to use. Nothing to fear here, so listen in.
Ep 249 : Lunar Photography
In this episode, Ross and Gordon simplify the process of making successful images of the moon. If you like our work, please become a patron on Patreon. Your small monthly donation helps a lot.
Ep 248 : Best Practices for the Photography of Wee Beasties
Hello everyone. In this episode, Gordon shares his best practices used when it comes to the photography of the wee beasties that live all around us. Please become a Patron on Patreon to provide your support to our work.
Ep 247 : Photo Books
Welcome! In this episode, Gordon and Ross talk about why photo books are a superb way to preserve memories and why keeping your past solely on your hard drive can be the wrong answer. Please support the channel by becoming a member on Patreon.
Ep 246 : Lightroom Classic Previews
Hello everyone. In this episode, Gordon decides to take a dive into the different previews in Lightroom Classic. What does each one do? Is one better than another? Do they matter at all? Listen in to find out!Please become a Patreon member to support our work. Your small monthly donation makes a big difference to us.
Ep 245 : Workflow
Hello everyone. In this episode Gordon and Ross discuss the ever present topic of photographic workflow. While there is not likely one single workflow that is perfect for everyone, you may find this approach useful. Please become a channel supporter by joining Patreon and making a monthly donation.
Ep 244 : Sharpening and Noise Reduction
Name two tools that work in opposition to each other and that create both frustration and bloat in post processing. If you said sharpening and noise reduction, you are on the money. There is so much bafflegab and misinformation about them, it’s time to clear the air. If you like what we do here, please become a supporter on Patreon. Your monthly donation makes a big difference.
Ep 243 : Exploring Some Incredible In Camera Innovations
In this episode, Gordon discusses some incredible in camera innovations that he uses in his OM System cameras, and Ross details in what other systems similar functions can be found. Unsurprisingly, neither Canon nor Nikon can do these things.
Ep 242 : A Discussion of Olympus Pro - Capture function and who else does it
Hello all. In this episode, Gordon shares his love of and experience with the Pro-Capture function in his Olympus / OM Systems cameras. Ross shares what other camera companies have similar functionality.
Ep 241 : Considerations on a Camera Upgrade
Hello folks. We received a request from a listener on this topic, and while we have covered it on other occasions in the past, we agreed to do it again. Have a listen! Please help support the channel by becoming a Patron on Patreon. Your small monthly donation is very helpful and we really appreciate all who are already Patrons.
Ep 240 : Random Q & A
Hello listeners! We’re back after a two week break. A break taken for no reason other than we could not come up with what we thought was content worth listening to. This time, we are here with a series of random questions that we have been hearing and do our best to provide clear and straightforward answers. Please enjoy. Please consider supporting the channel by signing up to make a monthly
Ep 239 : Make a How-To Video
Hi everyone. In this episode, Ross issues a challenge to the audience to make a tutorial video on some area of personal expertise and to share it with someone. Please become a Patreon member. Your monthly donation makes a huge difference here.
Ep 238 : Questions About Apertures
Hi everyone. Massive thanks to Peter from South Australia for sending in questions that made this episode happen. Please support the channel by becoming a Patreon member.
Ep 237 : Struggling with Story
Hello folks. In this episode, Ross shares his current challenge of getting story and emotion out of images of beautiful subjects. Gordon asks leading questions to turn the process to resolution into a working project. Please support the channel on Patreon, your regular monthly donation makes an enormous difference.
Ep 236 : A to Z Photography
Hello listeners! Gordon is returning from his trip so it’s just me again. This time I want to invite you to take on a photographic challenge known in some places as A to Z photography. Listen in to learn what you will be doing. Please become a member on Patreon to support the channel
Ep 235 : Simple Focus Stacking
Hey folks, Gordon is away for a bit so it’s only me for two episodes. This time I am looking at the simple way to do focus stacking from the shooting perspective. Follow this method, and your stacking software will produce great results. Please support the channel by becoming a member on Patreon
Ep 234 : Photographing Light Trails
Hello everyone. In this episode Ross and Gordon talk about what’s needed and a successful approach to photographing light trails, with the example of cars at night. Please support the channel by becoming a member on Patreon.
Ep 233 : Light Meter Basics
Welcome to Episode 233. In this episode, Gordon and Ross discuss the critical light meter basics around understanding middle grey. Please support the channel by becoming a member on Patreon
Ep 232 : Water Droplets
Hello folks. In this episode Gordon and I talk about photographing water droplets on glass. It’s great fun so listen in to learn to make these kinds of images yourself. Please consider supporting us by becoming a member on Patreon.
Ep 231 : Creative Food Photography - no smartphones
Hello everyone! This episode, Gordon and I talk about the steps to make engaging and pleasing photographs of foods. Have a listen! Please consider becoming a channel member on Patreon and help support us.
Ep 230 : Silhouette Images
Welcome to the Make Better Photos and Videos podcast, this is episode 230 and this time Gordon and Ross discuss the practice and opportunities in silhouette photography.
Ep 229 : Panoramas
Hi folks! In this episode, Gordon and Ross talk about making panoramas using your interchangeable lens camera for when you want high quality images and the ability to edit them effectively without working on lossy compressed JPGs.
Ep 228 : Craft. Or the Other Thing
Hello listeners! This episode is about the importance of craft, your craft that goes into the making of images and videos. Some might think it’s a rant, but real creatives, will, I hope, see the point that I am making.
Ep 227 : Fill Lighting in Harsh Bright Light
Hi everyone. In this episode Ross and Gordon talk about some simple solutions to filling harsh shadows that occur in harsh and bright lighting situations. Might be easier than you think!
Ep 226 : Getting Low
Welcome to episode 226. This time, Gordon and Ross talk about the values and tools in getting low when making a photograph.
Ep 225 : Light Painting Close Up and Macro
In this episode, Ross challenges listeners to combine light painting with close up photography and Gordon sees how simple and inexpensive it is.
Ep 224 : Editing Colour Spaces
In this episode we conclude the conversation started in episode 223 pertaining to file bit depth and editing colour spaces. Join us for some useful facts, but be warned, the facts may contradict common beliefs.
Ep 223 : Understanding File Bit Depth and Not Confusing It With Colour Space
In this episode, we work to make clear what file bit depth means, and how it has no relation the editing colour space.
Ep 222 : Where Best to Store Your Images and Video Clips
Hello listeners, in this episode Gordon and Ross discuss the best practices for the storage of your image files and video clips.
Ep 221 : Success in Low Light Photography
Hello folks. In this, the first episode of 2024 we talk about how to improve your success in low light photography.
Ep 220 : Practical Bird Photography
Hello folks. We’re responding to a request from a regular listener to spend some time on best practices for the photography of our avian friends. Thanks for the push Jeff!
Ep 219 : No Subscription Photo Editor Options
An increasing number of photographers are looking for alternatives to subscription plans. They aren’t seeing value and are afraid of being locked out of their images if they cancel. Gordon and Ross look at the realities and excellent non-subscription options.
Ep 218 : The New HDR Profile in Lightroom Classic is Pointless
In this short episode, we dive into the new HDR profile in Adobe Lightroom Classic and learn very quickly why it is pointless, and then provide a far superior alternative.
Ep 217 : Depth of Field and Sharpness
We often think of depth of field as also defining sharpness but there are other considerations. In this episode we discuss these realities.
Ep 216 : Stupid Hits a New Low
In this episode, Gordon wants to know what new idiocy has Ross so annoyed.
Ep 215 : The Sony A9 III Brings Global Shutter. Should You Care?
In this episode, Gordon asks what the hubbub about the new Sony A9 III means to a regular photographer.
Ep 214 : Software and Operating System Upgrades
Hello listeners! This time Gordon and I talk about the “joys” of software version upgrades such as from Adobe, and operating system requirements and upgrades to support the latest releases.
Ep 213 : The Only Thing That Matters is That You See
Hello listeners. In this episode I challenge accepted norms and standards to identify the only thing that matters to a successful photograph
Ep 212 : Where Goes Lightroom?
Welcome listeners to episode 212. This episode is an opinion piece on the direction of Adobe’s Lightroom family of products. No actual statements from Adobe exist, but it’s easy to see if you look closely.
Ep 211 : The Forgotten Powerful Function in Most All Cameras
This episode, Gordon addresses a flying beast in his bonnet about a common function that he has found most photographers never use. Listen in to learn more.
Ep 210 : Why You Should Use Manual Mode for Video
In this episode we cover the simplest way to shoot great video on your stills camera while maintaining full control.
Ep 209 : Make Better Fall Colour Images
Hello listeners. In this episode Gordon and Ross discuss a method to achieve better images involving fall colours.
Ep 208 : The Optimal Second Lens
Hello folks. In this episode Ross proposes what he thinks is the “optimum second lens” Gordon is not surprised and draws out the rationale for the selection.
Ep 207 : Curing the Number One Composition Error
Hello listeners! In this episode I tackle, with Gordon’s help as usual, how to cure the number one error made in photographic composition.
Ep 206 : Using Compositional Guides to Learn to See
Hello listeners. In this episode Ross and Gordon discuss how actively using compositional tools will help you learn to see, before you squeeze the shutter release.
Ep 205 : The Best Lens for Landscapes is Probably a Telephoto
Hello everyone. In this episode we expand on a comment made by Gordon several episodes ago. We believe that your best landscape lens is probably a telephoto.
Ep 204 : Best Practices for Street Photography
In this episode Ross discusses his proven best practices for street photography while Gordon challenges the approach amongst perceived standards.
Ep 203 : The Most Useful Second Lens for Most Photographers
Hi folks, in this episode, Gordon and I talk about what statistically is my most useful second lens and why I think that this will be true for most photographers. We’ll also chat about the need with current cameras for super large maximum apertures, or if there really is one.
Ep 202 : What If There Was No Social Media Results
Hello listeners. This short episode shares the results of the What If question asked in episode 200.
Ep 201 : Multi Modal Options for your Images
Ep 201 : Multi Modal Options for your Images
Ep 200 : What If? There was no online sharing..
In this, the 200h episode of the Make Better Photos and Videos podcast, I ask an intriguing question. I encourage all listeners to ask it and answer it for themselves and those who are so motivated, to submit a comment with your answer and why you choose it.
Ep 199 : High Speed Sync Flash - Why and How-To
Welcome all. In this episode, Gordon returns to query Ross on why one would use High Speed Synchronization for flash, what to consider and to take us through an example of doing so.
Ep 198 : Simple Flash Outdoors
Hey folks. As I did not have anything until today, Gordon is off this episode and all credit for the idea goes to my friend and co-inhabitor of CommunityLIVE! on KelbyONE, Rodolfo Ghirlando. In this episode I teach a simple how-to on getting better outdoor images using your hotshoe flash.
Ep 197 : Why You Might Need a Gimbal Head
In this episode, Gordon discusses the advantages of gimbal heads, what to look for and how to maximize your success with one.
Ep 196 : Managing Humidity and Your Photo Gear
Hey gang. In this episode Gordon and Ross talk about managing humidity as it relates to your photographic equipment. Humidity is bad mmmkay?
Ep 195 : The Best Computing Platform for Emerging Creatives
Hi folks. While some of us have been doing creative work and using computers as tools for a while, others are just getting started, or reentering after some time away. In this episode, I offer my perspective on the best computing platform for creatives.
Ep 194 : My Lightroom Workflow
In this episode, Gordon asks Ross to go through his Lightroom Classic workflow step by step, to help folks seeking to build their own workflow or augment the one already in use.
Ep 193 : Sensor Dust
In this episode , Gordon and Ross discuss the source and the solution to the ongoing problem of dust on the camera sensor.
Ep 192 : Introduction to Focus Stacking
Many photographers want to make images where to achieve the desired outcome, more depth of field is required than the situation allows for. This is resolved through a methodology called Focus Stacking. In this episode, Gordon and Ross provide some workflow tips to get you started.
EP 191 : Breaking Out of a Rut
In this episode Ross talks about breaking out of a rut and Gordon works to keep him in line.
Ep 190 : The Truth About Display Calibration and Printing
There is little that irks Ross more than complaints about prints being too dark, or the colours being wrong. Using a display calibration device can address the colour concerns but doing so without understanding print requirements can make things worse. Join us as Gordon calms Ross down and gets him to explain the relationships between display calibration and printing.
Ep 189 : Why a Longer Focal Length Macro Lens Could Be Your Best Choice
Join us this time as Gordon and Ross explore the best choice for a macro lens and why this choice makes the most sense.
Ep 188 : What is Adobe Super Resolution and Where Does It Fit?
This episode Gordon wants to know the facts behind the fog of Adobe Super Resolution. What does it do? How does it work? When does one use it?
Ep 187 : Stability Without A Tripod
Join us this episode as we discuss stability alternatives when a tripod is not practical or not permitted
Ep 186 : Reach. In Your Pocket
Hello listeners! Join Gordon and Ross this episode as they discuss the power and flexibility brought by the teleconverter
Ep 185 : Watermarks and Intellectual Property Protection
This time Gordon and Ross answer a listener’s question about the effectiveness of visual watermarks as a means of protecting the creator’s intellectual property.
Ep 184 : Accessories for Close Up and Macro Photography
Hey folks! It’s about 23 degrees below zero Celsius and so Gordon and I decided to do an episode on accessories for close up and macro photography that you can do inside. Where it is warm.
Ep 183 : Uncomfortable with Video? Start Shooting Video with your Smartphone!
The idea of shooting video on a DSLR or Mirrorless camera doesn’t come to fruition with lots of photographers, so make your life simple and see what you are missing by starting with video on your smartphone.
Ep 182 : When Your In Camera Meter Gives You Incorrect Information
From time to time, we find that the image when get based on the camera’s proposed or automatically set exposure doesn’t look right. This episode Gordon and Ross explore this reality and discuss solutions, as well as some new guidelines for RAW shooters.
EP 181 : Image Resizing
In this episode Gordon raises some excellent questions about image resizing and Ross goes deep to answer them
Ep 180 : Position Defines Perception
This time it’s Ross alone on the podcast as Gordon is away enjoying the holiday break. The topic at hand is how where you stand defines what you see. It’s a short episode but highly worth your time.
Ep 179 : Successful Holiday Light Photography
Hello neighbours. Tis the season and all that and every year we hear from people who wanted great images of holiday lights and came away disappointed. We are here to help, so this time Gordon and Ross share some guidance proven by experience on how to get high quality holiday light photos, whether made indoors or outdoors.
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