Q&A #19 | PPN | Best of PPN Q&A 2018

This show contains a great selection of photography questions send in by PPN listeners in 2018.

 

Please submit your photography related questions to us here: http://www.photopodcasts.com/contact.html

This episode is sponsored by:

 

Skylum Luminar 3 - Supercharge your image editing and organizing

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Here are the questions that Marco answers in this episode:

 

Should I buy a kit lens bundle as they are often a good value or rather buy the body only and use the extra money for the better lens that I really want?

Question from: Frank from Brisbane, Australia

Hi PPN Team, my project for 2018 is to start to become a serious portrait photographer. I use a Fuji X-T2 and have the XF 14mm f2.8, XF 23mm f2, and XF 35mm f1.4 lens so far. I’m looking at buying a real portrait lens and I’m in between the XF 56mm f1.2 and the XF 90mm f2. I’ve heard that both are optically very good, but which focal length would be better?

Thanks for all the shows!

Question from: Sandro, Toronto, Canada

Hello Marco, I have been listening to you and Scott for some time and love the inspiration and knowledge that you share with so much enthusiasm on PPN. You are also one of the reasons that I want to pursue my photography more seriously and maybe start to make a living as a photographer. I enjoy to do portrait photography and could also see myself photographing weddings. You have mentioned that you are also a consultant for photography, so could you please give me some initial thoughts on how I should proceed? Thank you!

Question from: Charlotte, Dallas, Texas

 

Links that Marco mentioned while answering this question:

Save $2 on your first purchase of a new domain at Hover: https://hover.com/WAlY3czw

 

Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones Sony WH-1000XM2/XM3 or Bose QuietComfort 35 II

B&H:

Sony: https://bhpho.to/2qXGFmT

Bose: https://bhpho.to/2G0LrKV

Amazon Germany:

Sony https://amzn.to/2q8h36P

Bose https://amzn.to/2q5WUxw

 

Hi Marco, after many years of photography, I’m still uncertain which exposure metering mode I should use on my camera. My camera has three modes (matrix metering, center-weighted metering, and spot metering). Which one do you use as default mode and when would you switch to one of the other modes?

Question from: Kyle, Chicago, Illinois

 

 

Hi Marco, I have started to become a more serious photographer about 3 years ago. I share my images on Instagram and Flickr and have received many likes and some positive comments so far. Now I have been invited to submit my images to a photo competition. What are your thoughts on photo competitions? Are they any good to make me more famous and expand my network or are they a waste of time and money?

Question from: Adrian, Melbourne, Australia

 

 

I have been photographing for a few years now, but I’m still uncertain which camera setting should be my go-to base in the exposure triangle? ISO, aperture, or shutter speed?

Question from Bjoern, Hamburg, Germany

 

 

Hi Marco, why do you shoot with wide angle lenses for street or documentary photography? It seems so much easier to work candidly with a longer lens since you don’t have to get so close to your subject. And the chances of “getting caught” seem to decrease the longer the focal length of the lens is. Thanks!

Question from: Mateo, Barcelona, Spain

 

 

Hi Marco, I have recently started to work as a part-time event and wedding photographer and always try to improve my workflow and quality of work. I often read on forums that a real pro should shoot in “M” (Manual) mode like the real masters do. But I have been taught that today’s cameras are very capable and often do a better job in choosing the right settings than a human can. I’m a bit confused about which is the better approach. Can you help in clarifying this for me? Thank you for all of the great shows that you produce. I’ve learned a lot so far.

Question from: Julia, Vancouver, Canada

 

 

Hola Marco, I am really inspired by the inspirational photographers that you have interviewed and introduced at PPN. I have looked at many of their images and this has challenged me to take an iconic photo one day. I am an avid amateur and know how to take good photos. Some of my images have been printed in a local newspaper already. I know that this is not an easy question to answer, but what can I do to achieve my dream one day?

Question from: Juan, Madrid, Spain

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Links to Marco Larousse:

Web: www.MarcoLarousse.com

Twitter: @HamburgCam

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marco.larousse/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcoLarousse1

 

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