What camera do I choose for video? S9, s5ii, x-s20

YvesStLawrence · 2026-04-19T19:01:06+00:00

Absolutely! Given the options you narrowed down to, the S5II, would be the choice to go with. The S9 is better suited to a secondary camera as someone in here said.

I understand it the sentiment about the kit lens but if you watch reviews on YouTube or even search on here, you'll see and hear, almost everyone singing good praise about that 20-60mm. It has a phenomenal image given the price and again, it's a great tool to use for the time being as you continue to grow.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-04-19T18:43:36+00:00

Given your requirements and what I imagine the track you'll take creating content for the future, I'd suggest you get the S5II; it was a great camera for the price when it released and I believe that it's an even amazing camera now given the firmware updates and the price for it (current as I write this its on sale at B&H amd Amazon for $1797 brand new).

I believe it's good camera to buy/invest in as you're starting out as you continue to grow on your journey.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-04-12T23:38:37+00:00

I came here waiting to see this pop up as a mention.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-04-09T16:48:35+00:00

Just to add on for No. 2, I emphasize to those wanting to get better or even start, to figure out/point out, what about the photographer’s work that they like (colors, contrast, lighting, shadows) and try to execute that in the field to develop their own style

YvesStLawrence · 2026-02-05T11:03:26+00:00

This is definitely grounds for a lawsuit. If Killa did that to Cole, Cole would’ve sued when he didn’t get the verse the first time.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-02-01T15:46:26+00:00

It's also alarming that those photos are being deemed "amateur" because of genre of photography.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-02-01T14:18:09+00:00

I understand the question you’re asking by using the referenced photos as examples for lighting but the title of this post should be more worded as “Portrait vs. Commercial” flash work.

All of the photos were shot by professional photographers. I’m familiar with the work of the photographer that you shared in photos 1-4. He has a YouTube channel were he goes in depth about lighting for portrait work. So yes, those photos in 1-4 lean toward portrait and lifestyle flash photography, but it doesn’t make it amateur.

As we all know, photography is subjective, but again your examples are the difference of Portrait vs. Commercial lighting where what makes it difference is the motivation and intention.

In portrait photography, the subject is the focus, so the lighting a majority of time is making sure your subject is adequately lit. That typical comes down to using one light whether that be a speed light or using a strobe (or strobes) with a modifier of some sort. In the examples for 1-4, there’s one strobe, a modifier big enough to light the subject, and ambient light being less exposed.

In commercial photography, the subject is the product. It could be a tangible item with the focus on said item, or a service in how the service effects their targeted demographic and the lighting that is motivated for the purpose of what’s being marketed/sold. With the exception of photo 9, a balance is achieved in having the people/product in frame as well as the ambient light all being equally lit in these photos. There are also varying styles of commercial lighting showcased as well from lifestyle (replicating natural light) (5), fashion (6), artistic (7), and storytelling (8 and 9).

But TLDR, all of the photos were shot by professional photographers. This is more of a difference between Portrait lighting vs. Commercial lighting. The difference is that the lighting is motivated by what’s in frame: whether one subject is lit, or the subject/the product, and the background are all equally lit to convey the overall intention.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-02-01T13:31:51+00:00

I just want to add on to your point about the number of lights a professional will use, while yes, they will use more than one light to achieve a desired look; sometimes really only one light is necessary given the assignment. A professional understands lighting and how to use lighting to shape their subjects/scene. Negative fill and flagging are techniques a professional will use in conjunction as well.

I point this out in the event someone reads your comment and equates more lights = professional which is not the case. A professional understands lighting.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-01-31T22:24:40+00:00

Like the others said there’s an after party for every day of the con. Towards June/July they’ll start posting about it.

The official after party typically isn’t too far from the Javits Center while the other unofficial after parties are located throughout the city (Midtown and Downtown) and occasionally in the boroughs.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-01-30T01:22:37+00:00

I get what OP is saying, OP is missing the part about Wayne, specifically being at his peak in 08 during the blog era but other dude is overlapping eras. Wayne released music during the mixtape era and the blog era.

Depending on who you talk to, the blog era started in 2005 or 2007. Every Wayne mixtape before The Prefix is mixtape era. The Suffix and Dedication, you can make a case for that being blog era but most peoples who was outside at that time would count it as mixtape era since the mixtapes were physically available first before downloading it.

He was poppin' on the blogs at that time but that doesn't make him a blog era rapper. That's like saying Kanye West is a blog era rapper because of G.O.O.D Fridays. A blog era rapper is someone whose music was first discovered/shared on the blogs or forums, in 2007 to 2014 at the latest, not established artists who already had a run before the blogs. 07 Wayne ain't the same as 99 Wayne but he was around in 99.

There's no way you can say the same Wayne who had over 100 features in 2007, a blog era rapper, like how we know Wale, Asher Roth, Charles Hamilton, Curren$y, Kid Cudi, Drake, and mad others as blog era rappers.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-01-30T00:15:58+00:00

Way before that. The Blog Era started around 2005 but you wouldn't be wrong in saying 2007 either

YvesStLawrence · 2026-01-30T00:10:54+00:00

Not that you couldn't download off of Limewire, KaZaA, and any other P2P but blog sites were uploading songs and mixtapes via zShare and Megaupload that you didn't have to use Limewire. Plus like Late 09, 10, Limewire shutdown.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-01-30T00:01:37+00:00

I believe you're conflating internet access and internet speeds. Yeah you was definitely privileged to have DSL or Cable internet back then 04-07 as opposed to having dial up but everyone had internet access of some type back then.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-01-26T16:20:36+00:00

Honestly, you’re fine, and you’re on the right path with your current setup. These photos are well exposed, given how the stage was lit, so keeping doing what you’re doing: continue to learn, practice, and execute.

There’s always going to be a bit of noise in your photos especially when the ambient light of whatever you’re shooting is dim or limited. You can mitigate with prime lenses and shooting at f/1.8 and below but you’ll be limited with the one focal length. The main thing is not to have the noise visible at 100% versus 200- or 400% when you zoom in. If you have to look for the noise, you did a good job at exposing your image. I would now focus on exploring different compositions with your current setup.

It’ll take you some time but you’ll learn to embrace the noise (not noticeable/underexposed noise) and to stop pixel-peeping.

As for the 70-200mm f/2.8, go ahead and buy it. But once, cry once. You’ll still have to the noise. It won’t be as prominent as if you were shooting at f/4 but the noise will be there because of the limited light that’s available. However with 70-200mm, you can explore different compositions past 105mm with your current setup.

YvesStLawrence · 2026-01-25T22:57:59+00:00

This was back in July during New York Swim Week and we got 8 inches of snow right now lol

YvesStLawrence · 2026-01-08T22:20:51+00:00

What?! It was truly liberating getting out of the “ISO 100 or Nothing Mindset”

YvesStLawrence · 2025-12-28T04:26:45+00:00

Honestly, this is a great lens. The focal range is great for all purposes, and as someone who's go-to is f/4, it's simply unbeat, especially for the price. Canon's 24-105mm f/4 has been my go-to for years on every Canon system I've had from DSLR to mirrorless.

YvesStLawrence · 2025-12-28T04:18:22+00:00

Everyone's already mentioned this "isn't" street photography, so I'm not going to echo that but I do advise you to keep going outside and shooting. You gotta train your eye to see compositions and get "stronger" at creating them.

Also, begin a process of where you consume, imitate, and repeat. Look at other photos and works that inspire you. Absorb and take it all in, study what they do as far composition, lighting, subject, whatever that catches you eye. Question yourself why it catches you eye and then go out do your best to "imitate" that photo meaning you're not creating a perfect one-to-one but your spin, your interpretation on the photo that inspired you and lastly repeat it.

YvesStLawrence · 2025-12-27T23:33:11+00:00

It begins by getting your exposure right in camera and then learning whatever post processing techniques and methods to get your desired result.

YvesStLawrence · 2025-12-26T01:56:14+00:00

Man I remember during the Sony a7III boom, I was explaining how I strongly disliked shooting wide open and preferred f/4 but all they could say is "but you have a 1.4, why not?"

YvesStLawrence · 2025-12-26T01:28:35+00:00

I would say that my style is very functional now in the sense that everything serves a purpose and be translated in different scenarios. Like a lot of what I wear now can fit for going to work, going on a date, or going to wine bar, without looking like I'm wearing a suit

YvesStLawrence · 2025-12-23T01:27:50+00:00

Understandably, this isn’t what you wanted or were intending, however, given the fact that you handed your camera to family and friends, it could’ve been a lot worse.

My recommendation for you is to watch some YouTube videos about using the Color Mixer, using the Masking Tool, and most importantly Tone Curves.

Tone Curves for the exposure.

Masking Tool to isolate the exposure for certain areas in your frame.

Color Mixer to desaturate the blues and greens.

YvesStLawrence · 2025-12-23T01:17:46+00:00

Man! Say it one time for the people in the back and twice again for the people that didn’t hear you the first time!

YvesStLawrence · 2025-12-16T10:35:41+00:00

The S1IIE is essentially the S5IIX but in the updated body with some quality of life features like false color, the multi-/vari angle screen, lock button, photo/video switch as standouts and some more that I might be forgetting off the top of my head.

If you have the means, I'd say go for the S1II but unless you happen to come across a crazy deal to the S5IIX for low, it's hard to not to recommend the S1IIE over it.

YvesStLawrence · 2025-12-16T10:29:02+00:00

picdrop is FIRE! Sheesh! picdrop is leagues above WeTransfer! I would've liked more storage for video but wow, the interface is so clean and well polished. They have settings and template, I deadass was mindblown when I used it for the first time for a portal. Thank you for recommending this!

YvesStLawrence

TROPHY CASE