You have found the missing link for photographers! The tech videos have been my go to so far in my journey. I now have a direction and I am excited about my future photographic "projects" thanks to you. I have taken your course and you have directed my passion in a whole new way. Thank you.
One way I keep up with my passion, is I generally take landscape, but when I can’t get out or don’t want to, I then pivot to macro. It allows me to take pictures inside and always reminds how much easier outside can be. No sliver of focus, no manipulation by me, but motivates me to get back outside. I love both,but they feed off each other very well. Love your shows, learn something every time and makes my book collections swell!
Alex, its your fault that my direction has changed by 90 degrees in releasing a passion that I had successfully suppressed for all my working life. A passion to live and enjoy and express myself uninhibited including photography, seeing things a bit different, capturing what I see. Bear in mind I am very much a work in progress but the changes have started,I and others have noticed, and it is your talks that have opened that door. For some years I have been a tech nerd, up to date with the latest and yet no change at all in the capture. Absolutely looking to an unchained future with experimentation and fun and joy. THANK YOU.
I'm an old guy, still clicking the camera. When I was young, I was inspired by Yousuf Karsh for his iconic character studies. When I entered the army I became a combat photographer and artist, inspired by Larry Burrows. My lifelong career has been mostly as an artist/illustrator, and my work relies much on photographs I take in portrait sessions and candid photos at festivals and such. I don't copy the photos for my drawings but use them as launching points for artistic license. My passion for character studies in art and photos stems directly from a long list of photographers and artists. As I take photographs, I'm torn between publishing them as such, or as reference for my drawings. I'm working on my third published art book, but hoping I live long enough to make my next book a collection of my lifetime photographs. Thank you for your candid talks on the spirit of photography!
I just thought about what you said about going back to the roots. I looked at the first photos I took when I was teenaged and understood that I wanted to capture the beauty of the world in little things, from the beginning. I also understood that to my eyes, beauty doesn't only lies in aesthetics but in an emotional relationship to what I'm looking at. Photography gives me a second wind after two years of painting like crazy but going nowhere. This stepping back has been fruitful and I feel like being at the beginning of a long journey. Thanks for enthusiasm and your deep insights about photography. They're true for art in general.
My approach to photography depends on the subject matter. Landscape = unique or definitive view of natural beauty, street = spontaneity and juxtaposition, people = beauty and personality, cityscape = abstract forms and relationships.
Thanks for your videos Alex, I've watched every one of them right from the beginning of your TH-cam journey. I was always slightly sad that Ted Forbes moved away from his inspirational videos but things change and people move on. I'm so glad you're here.
I love the bit where you said that the people watching your videos have rekindled an interest again because you have done exactly that for me. I hadn't picked up my camera for over a year until I came across your channel. Now I take it out with me everyday when I walk me dog. I am halfway through the alphabet exercise. Thank you very much for such great content.
Love the video! Photography keeps me sane. It helps with my mental health issues when I need it. I can be creative and it forces me to go out to take some photos.
The format you have is spot on and showing how quickly the channel has grown, it was needed. It has introduced me to loads of photographers and styles. And like you say it's good to put the camera down if you aren't feeling it, better to do that than kill it all together. Photography has always been a hobby for me and I've had some big breaks from it over the years. But after a year of hospital appointments and radiotherapy I've got the bug back but body isn't quite up to it just yet, but a few snaps have been taken in the garden. Keep up the good work I always find your content interesting.
I didn't use my camera for 3 or 4 months. I picked it up again in February and I'm now on a creative streak, taking some amazing photos. I highly recommend just clean it, pack it away in a bag and forget it for a short time, it works !!
Creative inspiration comes from within. For me it was the spiritual look of an old 1940’s black and white wedding photo that got me inspired. You can’t give a person a glass of water unless you first go to the well to fill the glass. You have to keep returning to the well. I think this does mean, put the camera down. It’s not taking photos that inspires us but we take photos as an expression for the thing that inspires us. It’s the spirit that gives life, not photography. If the spirit is not in it, it dies. Take time out to feed your spirit. This is different for every-one of course.
Hi Alex Thank you for these videos. You are helping me, so your goals and aspirations are working. My first camera was one I made at school. A pinhole camera. Metal biscuit tin painted black inside. A small hole in the lid. We stuck a piece of photographic paper inside the box in a darkroom. Covered the whole wit finger and went outside. The first image I created was of the bikes in a bike rack. Obviously a negative photo. Luckily my school had a darkroom and photography was a lesson that we all had to do as first year students at high school in Australia. That was it. Hooked.
I recognized at a young age that I noticed details. Cool lines on cars, unusual shadow play, architectural angles, the line of an athletic figure etc. I loved cycle touring because you had time to look at things, animals, buildings and as I rode closer I could see a frame develop. It was all very playful and was often just a series of fortunate events converging. I think the passion for me is still, at 50 years of age, trying to share my eye view. Trying to capture and keep a moment that had an emotional impact
OMG, the image of the Canon AE1 manual made me smile - my first serious attempt to learn photography was by reading that manual, after my mother let me use her new (AE1) camera.
Another great thought provoking video. I recalled the beginning of my photography. I took photography in my senior year in highschool. So I bought a twin lens 120 Yashicamat 124. The teacher recommended it and it was a great camera. For me I was fascinated with capturing a moment in time. Freezing time. Thanks again
By now I've been doing landscape photography for just a little over 10 years and in that time if there's one thing I've learned is to "take a break instead of quitting", this alone has saved me twice from total break down, so to whomever reads this, if you're tired for whatever reason please [take a break don't quit].
I really appreciate your channel. My photography is really taking off and a lot of people are asking me to take photos of them right now and its just overwhelming the success I'm experiencing right now and your channel is just always there releasing new stuff that keeps me grounded and focused on doing a great job. You're really doing great work and these videos are making a difference to people. Thank you
Thank you for all you do. You are my most favorite photographer channel on TH-cam. The thing that helps me increase passion and take better shots is meditation practice. The more I meditate, the better the results. 🙏🏻❤️
Alex, love your videos! Parallel to my job as a statistics professor has been my love of photography, and that job has sustained my passion for visual images. Thanks for the chats. Cheers, Doug
I've just stumbled on your channel and this video has resonated so much in me. I've been passionate about photography for most of ny life but suppressed my urge for decades which I now know is wrong but sometimes life got in the way. As I hit my mid 40's I went through the motions of what was important to me and acted upon them. Not in a let's go and buy a sports car kind of way but what ultimately makes me feel whole. Cue my life change. I went out and signed up for a photography degree (I always wanted to do a degree but again, life), got my first DSLR and went all in. I moved to Sweden, from the UK, three years ago and the difference in culture has held me back a little as I need to refocus. Living on a farm in the middle of nowhere kind of verified my want for nature and quiet (i used to live in Brighton) but has suppressed my photography. This video has literally sparked my passion to try and overcome the issues I have with living away from the hustle and bustle of the life I had where there was continous interest around me. Thank you so much for taking the time to inspire others. 🙏🙌❤️
Thanks for taking the time and effort to put this and all your videos together. They really are something unique and in short supply on this forum. I'm going through a bit of photography ennui at the present and it was good to see this and remember why I used to drag that Ricoh SLR with a50mm lens and a broken meter EVERYWHERE as a kid.
I have really enjoyed trying to paint. I am not a good painter, but I do try to make ‘painterly’ photos. When I try to paint, it is very difficult, and after I fail at it, I can then return to photography with a bit more passion.
Alex I'm from India. I'd love for you to look at the work of an Indian photojournalist, Raghu Rai. He's an icon, and a much revered name in my country. If you've never been to India, looking at his photographs will give you a very good idea of the place, the people and the culture. I visit his work when I feel a bit flat, and it always helps. Perhaps you could start with his book, Picturing Time.
Im glad you mentioned album covers. Im really into conceptual photography and album covers are one of my biggest inspirations. Album cover photographer/designer would be ideal job for me to be honest. Luckily i have my library just around the corner, so i'd definitely check that out, never crossed my mind before. Thanks!
Have a look at the work of Danny Clifford photography. Go to local gigs (high Iso time, they don't like flash), get to know the local bands and don't get stuck in one genre of music. Make your own luck and make it happen.
I think many people try to first decide what their style will be, and then try and shoot accordingly; instead of leaving all possibilities open, just shoot and their 'style' will develop naturally.
While you were talking I was thinking about the idea of the Amateur. Patrick Moore was given a few minutes on the BBC talking about The Sky at Night as a child I found him fascinating. An Amateur astronomer on the TV! . He had no formal qualifications but a passion for Astronomy and a thirst for knowledge that was infectious. Someone following their passion for no other reason than they want to seems to have been devalued. At the same time, we crave it.
I love this channel. It has helped me learn and verbalize a lot of the more abstract stuff in photography, in a way maybe a book would. The tech stuff is pretty easy to describe, but Alex has a knack for getting into the core of what makes photography an artform like no other. I am an amateur photographer, an enthusiast at best, i am still very green although i've been shooting for a couple years. All my photos are incidental, none of them are staged. I just catch what i can. I would love if Alex could talk about that sometime. We don't all have the time to give oursleves completely to our passions in life, because of family and work commitments. How do we get ahead and move forward with our craft? Be more intentional, deliberate, confident. Thank you.
Thanks Alex! Bruce Barnbaum (The Art of Photography) has a similar commentary. I rearranged his original words as the "THE" principle. They are Talent, Hard work and Enthusiasm. Pairs of those will work - if one is Enthusiasm.
Quality advice! Some of my favourite photographers are Isadora Kosofsky,Ashley Amitage and Akashi Rabut. Very talented modern day photographers with inspiring work
Probably the most "intimate" of your videos so far. Inspirational like all of them! It is so good to see the focus on the actual art/passion rather than "social media celebrity" or "tech nerd". I am looking forward to have a look at the community through your course on seeing!
Great advice. I especially agree with your advice about stepping back. Over the last 10 years, I learned to stop struggling to make photos and that helped immensely, though also learning about other photographers' stories re their own struggles, failures, and inspiration and process helped me immensely. And that is, for me, central to my enjoyment of photography: the strong international community (I added that "international" part because it dawned on me the other day that several of the photographers I communicate with regularly are abroad, and that thought was exhilarating; the Internet rules!) of fellow photographers whose friendship I enjoy. We have different styles and tastes, but we share a love for the art and process of photography. Also, I agree with your advice re looking at other photographers' work, but I find that other art forms can be inspiring as well. I have several painters and a couple of illustrators as part of my band of muses. Anyway, thank you. Great, as always.
I found photography thru my passion for trains, at first I liked filming trains, but then I kinda steped away from that and started taking photos, in my phone od course, and I wanted to buy a Camera, but I had no idea what to buy and I was on a big buget, and my Grandma said that she has a pretty much unused camera in her home after our dead Grandpa, Fuji HS10, and yeah, but the Fuji broke and I bought a proper camera in the Canon 400D and I'm still only really doing trains, but I realy like normal photography aswell.
Your Pete Turner video flicked a light on for me and I'm set up and off soon for a colour film adventure. Thank you for the inspiration. Wishing you well.
Let me tell you something: When I go out shooting, for instance at the beach, I walk through the dunes, shooting nature, then walking down the beach, shooting people walking, fishermen, objects, the sea, the sky, all under different angles, sitting, standing, laying, whatever I can think of. Then, I am sitting outside at a beach cafe having a coffee and pick up my camera and start experimenting with my camera, and lens in particular, manual focus, macro, different DoF, different shutter speeds, different exposures, just do the most weird stuff even when it makes no sense. When at home and downloaded my shots I am often very surprised how thinks end up in that series of weird images and not seldom happily surprised. Settings I use later on purpose.
Ha funny you say this Alex but last year I found myself taking fewer photos , feeling a bit disheartened through a lack of interest in my pictures and lost my "Mojo". It was watching an episode of "The Crown" covering Princess Margaret's Relationship with Antony Armstrong Jones and seeing a photo that he took of her that fired me up again .... Equallly I have also gained inspiration from Edward Steichen after watching your video about him and buying the book that covered his "Vogue" years with those beautiful classical pictures which for me is what photography is all about.
Sometimes I will take an old vintage prime lens and try to get a good photograph. Struggling with the lens has helped me see a different side of creativity where results are much less predictable than a perfect af sharp modern lens, and it forces me to rethink and see whats important when you need to compromise
Inspirational words once again. Here's another thought; If you're struggling with ideas and not sure why you're pursuing photography, maybe the question to ask yourself is, "Am I passionate about photography, or am I passionate about camera gear?" Answering this will help you find your starting point. If the answer is the latter, well then just enjoy the gear (or take up another hobby!) If it's the former, then Alex's words will help enormously.
Thank you Alex for your wonderful videos. Photography would be so much more boring without them. I am pleased that we have helped you too but you give so much to us with your content. I’m glad Tom Forbes changed his style. Our gain. ❤
This is a good to ask myself.. What is the why that fuels me and makes me produces images with a tools that we call a Camera. I've to think about it. In 2020, thanks to lockdown, I had enough free time. And I used it to start something I thought would not work, but somewhat I needed to do : a youtube channel talking about photography, more in a editing. I wanted to learn and share. It not big after 2 years, but I'm happy of the journey, andI feelI needed that. Is it may be my why ? The journey continues.Thank Alex:)
By looking at the works of others may inspire someone who is "lost" and may require a pivot point of which to start thier photographic journey... To learn from others and get motivated / inspired until their own Jonra is a great way to start but as you learn from that point forward, try to lean a bit more to the "uncomfortable side" Staying within your "comfortable zone" only keeps you bound to what you already know.
Hi Alex. I'm trying to put something in the comments that hasn't already been said.. maybe that's the whole point. Maybe that's what I'm trying to do with my photography.. do something that hasn't already been done! I think I could be here for a while eh? 😂 Thank you so much for your inspiration though, seriously. You always succeed in making me think "Why is it that I do this?" which is a good thing. I'm quite analytical about things in general so that comes quite naturally to me. I think that's also reflected in the style of photography I like to do. I love macro photography where you can see every tiny little detail of the subject! Also, when someone looks at one of my photographs, I love it when I get the reaction of "Eh?? What the heck is that??" 🤣
I’m really getting into your videos much more Alex, always enjoyed them but now I find I’m really listening to them instead of watching as I’m doing something else. Most likely due to the fact I’ve had a lot of issues health wise lately, on top of quite a few lifelong illnesses, like a wrist I just that’s caused other issues which can affect me in years to come, not going to try to explain, just to say I’m on my 4th Kidney Transplant. Anyway, as I was saying, d been getting distracted, with my photography, I mainly shoot Street but do like all genres and I have had to miss a couple of meet ups down in London, which, being unable to work isn’t something I can do that often but I had the cash set aside after selling some gear that I’d won but it wasn’t worth me going with an injured wrist as I wouldn’t get much out of the day so didn’t want to waste the money. As I have spent my life having to let people down ( like most with lifelong illnesses ) but this time knowing I was well enough to go then being unable to due to something else had got me down, more so as I was getting a little bored with Street Photography, I think bored may be the wrong word, more to do with being bored of going to the same places so to have the chance of going to London, then having it taken away had started getting to me. I’ve always liked landscape so started doing a bit more as I could do more tripod stuff to save me having the carry my camera and your channel, well you and your honest take on things, take this video for instance, really rings true with me but in different ways than yourself yet with the same outcome. Many thanks and keep them coming
Hi ! I am a big fan of your EVERY episode. It's a treasure house of learning how to explore to STUDY world of photographs and others' creations. In place of reading books on photography, I love to listen to your every word. I have a question HOW IMPORTANT IS FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER TO APPEAR 'GOOD LOOKING PROFESSIONAL'IN THE PRESENT TIMES? DO YOU REALLY THING PERSONS CAN LEARN THE MAXIMUM BY LOOKING AT PHOTOGRAPHS THROUGH OBSERVATION OR BY STUDYING LONG LESSONS TO JUST UNDERSTAND ONE OR TWO PHOTOGRAPHS? SANDEEP DATTA, INDIA
This feels like the precipice of burnout. I love everything you talk about and your cadence when you talk about the discipline of photography, but I fear for you and it comes entirely from your frequency of uploading. I don't really care what other people think, I really don't want you to burn out. Your work and passion feels unique, and I would hate to lose that to an algorithm
Hi Joshua, Thank you for that candid comment. It's very touching that you have reached out with your concerns - which, TBH, I also share to an extent. Whilst on the surface, the channel looks like it has been going for some time, it's still in its relative infancy, only about 18 months. So that means I'm still experimenting and finding my way. Especially so with creating content to a schedule that both keeps the momentum going on the channel itself, but also one that I can maintain mentally. So far this year, the content has been produced in relatively quick succession because I wanted to test out ideas for content that connected with the good people who watch the channel. I'm getting more of an idea about that topics and themes that people enjoy because of this, but it does come at a cost of what you've termed burn out. As you probably know, I am a strong believer in that we should create things for ourselves first and foremost. So this may seem at odds with having to 'play the TH-cam game'. There are rules to this game, and I am still learning them. The reason I do this is two fold: Firstly, by knowing these rules and applying them in ways that appeal to YT, but also don't alienate the audience, more people can discover this content (which benefits them if they enjoy it) Secondly, YT is my business (or at least a main pillar of it), so I need to treat it as such - so that means testing uploads schedules, creating goals like subscriber counts, views etc. All of this benefits me, and when that happens I can create more content which benefits the viewer, and so a virtuous circle is created. One of the goals for this year was to break 100k subscribers, this is happening earlier than expected. I had said that after that landmark I would back off the upload schedule. Like so many things in life, it's about finding a balance between often two opposing forces. Thanks again Joshua.
How do you feel about using filters during editing? I have the Nik collection that I use for my black and white photos. I like my still life photos to look like Josef Sudek's. But it feels like cheating. Shouldn't I invest my money in an old camera, some film, and a dark room?
Hi Alex, I always find your videos very helpful, I do have a question though. I'm currently going through art/photo school. Second semester of my first year, so basically just started. And the first semester was great and I easily found inspiration for all our assignments, but somehow this semester I just feel the complete opposite. We are given a lot of assignments that deal with portraits which are a big weakness for me, and since we are all expected to provide constant good work I just feel stuck and can't find the inspiration to go out and take photos for these tasks. Any advice please?
Personally, I have been in a total slump photographically. I've gone out many times over the last three months or so and not even picked up my camera. I've been completely uninspired lately. I go around my local stomping grounds and all I see are photos that I've taken over and over and over. Every view, mountain, waterfall, creek, river, tree, rock, on and on ad nauseum. It's winter in the Rocky Mountains for crying out loud. You'd think I would see compositions everywhere. Looking around I see nothing new or exciting to shoot. The few shots I do take look like crap lately. I watch my favorite photographers on TH-cam for inspiration and see nothing. Even some of their photos are starting to look uninteresting. Maybe they're part of the problem. Maybe it's just a case of burn out. I'm taking a ten day road trip next month. I can't believe I won't start shooting like crazy as it will all be fresh and new. At least I hope so.
Thank you again Alex, I always find these videos a little scary because I don't know where they are taking me on my own journey. I have found my own "Why" that followed early retirement, I am still doing my Shoot like a child, exploring things 36 ways, and taking pictures just to see what things look like in a picture. I am constantly reminded of a comment by Mark Wallace of Adorama. Give yourself "permission to fail," if that photo walk etc is a load of rubbish it is not the end of the world, things work out another time another place. If they are all a load of junk it has been a nice walk, you have had interactions with people .. Still looking for that "Purple Cow" though ... 😇
I suggest looking at the BBC series, Master Photographers, from 1983, available on TH-cam, covering Ansel Adams, Kertesz, Eisenstaedt, Lartigue, Brandt and Feininger. th-cam.com/play/PLFnHr5CMeqHwnJ4Lq7CRn24G15du9hT3m.html
Alex, please send us your residential address - if ever you stop making these videos, I would like to know where you are, so that I can come and give you a "vet klap"... (I hope you can still understand this, coming from Pretoria). I am an old man (compared to you), but your videos fill a gap in the photography arena that is sadly overlooked - which is to regard us as human beings, and not as digital fundi's. Keep it up, please.😊
You have found the missing link for photographers! The tech videos have been my go to so far in my journey. I now have a direction and I am excited about my future photographic "projects" thanks to you. I have taken your course and you have directed my passion in a whole new way. Thank you.
One way I keep up with my passion, is I generally take landscape, but when I can’t get out or don’t want to, I then pivot to macro. It allows me to take pictures inside and always reminds how much easier outside can be. No sliver of focus, no manipulation by me, but motivates me to get back outside. I love both,but they feed off each other very well. Love your shows, learn something every time and makes my book collections swell!
Alex, its your fault that my direction has changed by 90 degrees in releasing a passion that I had successfully suppressed for all my working life. A passion to live and enjoy and express myself uninhibited including photography, seeing things a bit different, capturing what I see. Bear in mind I am very much a work in progress but the changes have started,I and others have noticed, and it is your talks that have opened that door. For some years I have been a tech nerd, up to date with the latest and yet no change at all in the capture. Absolutely looking to an unchained future with experimentation and fun and joy. THANK YOU.
I'm an old guy, still clicking the camera. When I was young, I was inspired by Yousuf Karsh for his iconic character studies. When I entered the army I became a combat photographer and artist, inspired by Larry Burrows. My lifelong career has been mostly as an artist/illustrator, and my work relies much on photographs I take in portrait sessions and candid photos at festivals and such. I don't copy the photos for my drawings but use them as launching points for artistic license. My passion for character studies in art and photos stems directly from a long list of photographers and artists. As I take photographs, I'm torn between publishing them as such, or as reference for my drawings. I'm working on my third published art book, but hoping I live long enough to make my next book a collection of my lifetime photographs. Thank you for your candid talks on the spirit of photography!
I just thought about what you said about going back to the roots. I looked at the first photos I took when I was teenaged and understood that I wanted to capture the beauty of the world in little things, from the beginning. I also understood that to my eyes, beauty doesn't only lies in aesthetics but in an emotional relationship to what I'm looking at. Photography gives me a second wind after two years of painting like crazy but going nowhere. This stepping back has been fruitful and I feel like being at the beginning of a long journey. Thanks for enthusiasm and your deep insights about photography. They're true for art in general.
My approach to photography depends on the subject matter. Landscape = unique or definitive view of natural beauty, street = spontaneity and juxtaposition, people = beauty and personality, cityscape = abstract forms and relationships.
Thanks for your videos Alex, I've watched every one of them right from the beginning of your TH-cam journey. I was always slightly sad that Ted Forbes moved away from his inspirational videos but things change and people move on. I'm so glad you're here.
I love the bit where you said that the people watching your videos have rekindled an interest again because you have done exactly that for me. I hadn't picked up my camera for over a year until I came across your channel. Now I take it out with me everyday when I walk me dog. I am halfway through the alphabet exercise. Thank you very much for such great content.
Love the video! Photography keeps me sane. It helps with my mental health issues when I need it. I can be creative and it forces me to go out to take some photos.
Same. Same
The format you have is spot on and showing how quickly the channel has grown, it was needed.
It has introduced me to loads of photographers and styles. And like you say it's good to put the camera down if you aren't feeling it, better to do that than kill it all together. Photography has always been a hobby for me and I've had some big breaks from it over the years. But after a year of hospital appointments and radiotherapy I've got the bug back but body isn't quite up to it just yet, but a few snaps have been taken in the garden. Keep up the good work I always find your content interesting.
Thank you for the spark that rekindled the fire that builds the passion.
Thanks Alex for another great video. You are one of the few filling the gaps not easily found on TH-cam anymore regarding the art of photography.
I didn't use my camera for 3 or 4 months. I picked it up again in February and I'm now on a creative streak, taking some amazing photos. I highly recommend just clean it, pack it away in a bag and forget it for a short time, it works !!
Creative inspiration comes from within.
For me it was the spiritual look of an old 1940’s black and white wedding photo that got me inspired.
You can’t give a person a glass of water unless you first go to the well to fill the glass. You have to keep returning to the well. I think this does mean, put the camera down.
It’s not taking photos that inspires us but we take photos as an expression for the thing that inspires us.
It’s the spirit that gives life, not photography. If the spirit is not in it, it dies. Take time out to feed your spirit. This is different for every-one of course.
Very wise. Thank you
8:18 That's the Bradbury Building in Los Angeles. It has been used in at least two dozen movies, a dozen television shows and 10 music videos.
Hi Alex
Thank you for these videos. You are helping me, so your goals and aspirations are working.
My first camera was one I made at school. A pinhole camera. Metal biscuit tin painted black inside. A small hole in the lid. We stuck a piece of photographic paper inside the box in a darkroom. Covered the whole wit finger and went outside.
The first image I created was of the bikes in a bike rack. Obviously a negative photo.
Luckily my school had a darkroom and photography was a lesson that we all had to do as first year students at high school in Australia. That was it. Hooked.
You, sir, never failed to accurately articulate my feelings towards photography. This made me take practical steps to resolve them. Many thanks.
I recognized at a young age that I noticed details. Cool lines on cars, unusual shadow play, architectural angles, the line of an athletic figure etc. I loved cycle touring because you had time to look at things, animals, buildings and as I rode closer I could see a frame develop. It was all very playful and was often just a series of fortunate events converging. I think the passion for me is still, at 50 years of age, trying to share my eye view. Trying to capture and keep a moment that had an emotional impact
OMG, the image of the Canon AE1 manual made me smile - my first serious attempt to learn photography was by reading that manual, after my mother let me use her new (AE1) camera.
Another great thought provoking video. I recalled the beginning of my photography. I took photography in my senior year in highschool. So I bought a twin lens 120 Yashicamat 124. The teacher recommended it and it was a great camera.
For me I was fascinated with capturing a moment in time. Freezing time. Thanks again
Thank you for watching.
By now I've been doing landscape photography for just a little over 10 years and in that time if there's one thing I've learned is to "take a break instead of quitting", this alone has saved me twice from total break down, so to whomever reads this, if you're tired for whatever reason please [take a break don't quit].
I really appreciate your channel. My photography is really taking off and a lot of people are asking me to take photos of them right now and its just overwhelming the success I'm experiencing right now and your channel is just always there releasing new stuff that keeps me grounded and focused on doing a great job. You're really doing great work and these videos are making a difference to people. Thank you
I think that's a typographical error. I think you meant to type I really appreciate your channel. 😃
@@Anon54387 yes that was a critical typo. I've fixed it. Thank you!
Thank you for all you do. You are my most favorite photographer channel on TH-cam. The thing that helps me increase passion and take better shots is meditation practice. The more I meditate, the better the results. 🙏🏻❤️
Alex, love your videos! Parallel to my job as a statistics professor has been my love of photography, and that job has sustained my passion for visual images. Thanks for the chats. Cheers, Doug
I've just stumbled on your channel and this video has resonated so much in me. I've been passionate about photography for most of ny life but suppressed my urge for decades which I now know is wrong but sometimes life got in the way.
As I hit my mid 40's I went through the motions of what was important to me and acted upon them. Not in a let's go and buy a sports car kind of way but what ultimately makes me feel whole. Cue my life change. I went out and signed up for a photography degree (I always wanted to do a degree but again, life), got my first DSLR and went all in.
I moved to Sweden, from the UK, three years ago and the difference in culture has held me back a little as I need to refocus. Living on a farm in the middle of nowhere kind of verified my want for nature and quiet (i used to live in Brighton) but has suppressed my photography.
This video has literally sparked my passion to try and overcome the issues I have with living away from the hustle and bustle of the life I had where there was continous interest around me.
Thank you so much for taking the time to inspire others. 🙏🙌❤️
This guy's videos are above and beyond incredible
Thank you for this kind of video. I'm still a beginner, going 2 years now in photography, and I find your videos to be inspiring. More power!!!
Thanks for taking the time and effort to put this and all your videos together. They really are something unique and in short supply on this forum. I'm going through a bit of photography ennui at the present and it was good to see this and remember why I used to drag that Ricoh SLR with a50mm lens and a broken meter EVERYWHERE as a kid.
I have really enjoyed trying to paint. I am not a good painter, but I do try to make ‘painterly’ photos. When I try to paint, it is very difficult, and after I fail at it, I can then return to photography with a bit more passion.
Thank you Alex. Sharing your wisdom and experience with us is much appreciated.
Alex I'm from India. I'd love for you to look at the work of an Indian photojournalist, Raghu Rai. He's an icon, and a much revered name in my country. If you've never been to India, looking at his photographs will give you a very good idea of the place, the people and the culture. I visit his work when I feel a bit flat, and it always helps. Perhaps you could start with his book, Picturing Time.
You have the smartest photo channel on the Web. Keep it up!
Glad you started this channel! Thanks mate!
Im glad you mentioned album covers. Im really into conceptual photography and album covers are one of my biggest inspirations. Album cover photographer/designer would be ideal job for me to be honest. Luckily i have my library just around the corner, so i'd definitely check that out, never crossed my mind before. Thanks!
Have a look at the work of Danny Clifford photography. Go to local gigs (high Iso time, they don't like flash), get to know the local bands and don't get stuck in one genre of music. Make your own luck and make it happen.
Thank you for the constant encouragement!
I think many people try to first decide what their style will be, and then try and shoot accordingly; instead of leaving all possibilities open, just shoot and their 'style' will develop naturally.
While you were talking I was thinking about the idea of the Amateur. Patrick Moore was given a few minutes on the BBC talking about The Sky at Night as a child I found him fascinating. An Amateur astronomer on the TV! . He had no formal qualifications but a passion for Astronomy and a thirst for knowledge that was infectious. Someone following their passion for no other reason than they want to seems to have been devalued. At the same time, we crave it.
I love this channel. It has helped me learn and verbalize a lot of the more abstract stuff in photography, in a way maybe a book would. The tech stuff is pretty easy to describe, but Alex has a knack for getting into the core of what makes photography an artform like no other. I am an amateur photographer, an enthusiast at best, i am still very green although i've been shooting for a couple years. All my photos are incidental, none of them are staged. I just catch what i can. I would love if Alex could talk about that sometime. We don't all have the time to give oursleves completely to our passions in life, because of family and work commitments. How do we get ahead and move forward with our craft? Be more intentional, deliberate, confident. Thank you.
Thanks Alex! Bruce Barnbaum (The Art of Photography) has a similar commentary. I rearranged his original words as the "THE" principle. They are Talent, Hard work and Enthusiasm. Pairs of those will work - if one is Enthusiasm.
Thanks, Alex. I needed to hear this today.
Quality advice! Some of my favourite photographers are Isadora Kosofsky,Ashley Amitage and Akashi Rabut. Very talented modern day photographers with inspiring work
I'm enjoying listening to this as I (try) to develop some 50 year old film. Thanks for the inspiration.
I was always good at taking photos. Now I have learned how to take photos that have that extra something.
Alex man... thank you so much for these videos... can't appreciate you enough.
Probably the most "intimate" of your videos so far. Inspirational like all of them! It is so good to see the focus on the actual art/passion rather than "social media celebrity" or "tech nerd". I am looking forward to have a look at the community through your course on seeing!
Thank you so much Alex. The videos get better each time.
Glad you like them!
Thankyou for the inspiration.Watching your channel gives a lot of food to think about
Great advice. I especially agree with your advice about stepping back. Over the last 10 years, I learned to stop struggling to make photos and that helped immensely, though also learning about other photographers' stories re their own struggles, failures, and inspiration and process helped me immensely. And that is, for me, central to my enjoyment of photography: the strong international community (I added that "international" part because it dawned on me the other day that several of the photographers I communicate with regularly are abroad, and that thought was exhilarating; the Internet rules!) of fellow photographers whose friendship I enjoy. We have different styles and tastes, but we share a love for the art and process of photography.
Also, I agree with your advice re looking at other photographers' work, but I find that other art forms can be inspiring as well. I have several painters and a couple of illustrators as part of my band of muses.
Anyway, thank you. Great, as always.
This is my new favorite channel 🤩
I found photography thru my passion for trains, at first I liked filming trains, but then I kinda steped away from that and started taking photos, in my phone od course, and I wanted to buy a Camera, but I had no idea what to buy and I was on a big buget, and my Grandma said that she has a pretty much unused camera in her home after our dead Grandpa, Fuji HS10, and yeah, but the Fuji broke and I bought a proper camera in the Canon 400D and I'm still only really doing trains, but I realy like normal photography aswell.
Your Pete Turner video flicked a light on for me and I'm set up and off soon for a colour film adventure. Thank you for the inspiration. Wishing you well.
Thank you Alex! You really spoke to me today.
Wonderful video again, Alex. Your subscribed community is becoming a great one. Nothing less than what you deserve. Thnx
Let me tell you something:
When I go out shooting, for instance at the beach, I walk through the dunes, shooting nature, then walking down the beach, shooting people walking, fishermen, objects, the sea, the sky, all under different angles, sitting, standing, laying, whatever I can think of.
Then, I am sitting outside at a beach cafe having a coffee and pick up my camera and start experimenting with my camera, and lens in particular, manual focus, macro, different DoF, different shutter speeds, different exposures, just do the most weird stuff even when it makes no sense.
When at home and downloaded my shots I am often very surprised how thinks end up in that series of weird images and not seldom happily surprised.
Settings I use later on purpose.
art always has been populated with happy accidents skilfully camouflaged.
Wise point of views about a passion -
Ha funny you say this Alex but last year I found myself taking fewer photos , feeling a bit disheartened through a lack of interest in my pictures and lost my "Mojo". It was watching an episode of "The Crown" covering Princess Margaret's Relationship with Antony Armstrong Jones and seeing a photo that he took of her that fired me up again .... Equallly I have also gained inspiration from Edward Steichen after watching your video about him and buying the book that covered his "Vogue" years with those beautiful classical pictures which for me is what photography is all about.
Sometimes I will take an old vintage prime lens and try to get a good photograph. Struggling with the lens has helped me see a different side of creativity where results are much less predictable than a perfect af sharp modern lens, and it forces me to rethink and see whats important when you need to compromise
Inspirational words once again. Here's another thought; If you're struggling with ideas and not sure why you're pursuing photography, maybe the question to ask yourself is, "Am I passionate about photography, or am I passionate about camera gear?" Answering this will help you find your starting point. If the answer is the latter, well then just enjoy the gear (or take up another hobby!) If it's the former, then Alex's words will help enormously.
Thank you Alex for your wonderful videos. Photography would be so much more boring without them. I am pleased that we have helped you too but you give so much to us with your content. I’m glad Tom Forbes changed his style. Our gain. ❤
thank you, Sir, for all of your video's!
This is a good to ask myself.. What is the why that fuels me and makes me produces images with a tools that we call a Camera. I've to think about it.
In 2020, thanks to lockdown, I had enough free time. And I used it to start something I thought would not work, but somewhat I needed to do : a youtube channel talking about photography, more in a editing. I wanted to learn and share. It not big after 2 years, but I'm happy of the journey, andI feelI needed that. Is it may be my why ? The journey continues.Thank Alex:)
Howzit. Nice to hear a comment about Obie, certainly a force at Rhodes when I was there.
Thank you so much! ❤
By looking at the works of others may inspire someone who is "lost" and may require a pivot point of which to start thier photographic journey... To learn from others and get motivated / inspired until their own Jonra is a great way to start but as you learn from that point forward, try to lean a bit more to the "uncomfortable side"
Staying within your "comfortable zone" only keeps you bound to what you already know.
Hello Alex, thanks for the excellent and thoughtful videos. I really enjoy them. Keep up the great work!
Hi Alex. I'm trying to put something in the comments that hasn't already been said.. maybe that's the whole point. Maybe that's what I'm trying to do with my photography.. do something that hasn't already been done! I think I could be here for a while eh? 😂 Thank you so much for your inspiration though, seriously. You always succeed in making me think "Why is it that I do this?" which is a good thing. I'm quite analytical about things in general so that comes quite naturally to me. I think that's also reflected in the style of photography I like to do. I love macro photography where you can see every tiny little detail of the subject! Also, when someone looks at one of my photographs, I love it when I get the reaction of "Eh?? What the heck is that??" 🤣
Alex! It's you and Dan Milnor and we are ok with photography on TH-cam. Thank you! 🍺 We need more of these thoughts. Gear is not photography. 🙏
The honor is mine, and my work thanks you sir.
Looking forward to this!
I’m really getting into your videos much more Alex, always enjoyed them but now I find I’m really listening to them instead of watching as I’m doing something else. Most likely due to the fact I’ve had a lot of issues health wise lately, on top of quite a few lifelong illnesses, like a wrist I just that’s caused other issues which can affect me in years to come, not going to try to explain, just to say I’m on my 4th Kidney Transplant. Anyway, as I was saying, d been getting distracted, with my photography, I mainly shoot Street but do like all genres and I have had to miss a couple of meet ups down in London, which, being unable to work isn’t something I can do that often but I had the cash set aside after selling some gear that I’d won but it wasn’t worth me going with an injured wrist as I wouldn’t get much out of the day so didn’t want to waste the money. As I have spent my life having to let people down ( like most with lifelong illnesses ) but this time knowing I was well enough to go then being unable to due to something else had got me down, more so as I was getting a little bored with Street Photography, I think bored may be the wrong word, more to do with being bored of going to the same places so to have the chance of going to London, then having it taken away had started getting to me. I’ve always liked landscape so started doing a bit more as I could do more tripod stuff to save me having the carry my camera and your channel, well you and your honest take on things, take this video for instance, really rings true with me but in different ways than yourself yet with the same outcome.
Many thanks and keep them coming
Thank you. 👍📷😎
I needed that. ..
Well, there was definitely one photographer in there I didn't expect.
Who was that? Meatyard?
How’s it, how’s it…. I am hearing this correctly? Thanks Alex
Lovely educational content
Thank you, sir.
Hi ! I am a big fan of your EVERY episode. It's a treasure house of learning how to explore to STUDY world of photographs and others' creations. In place of reading books on photography, I love to listen to your every word. I have a question HOW IMPORTANT IS FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER TO APPEAR 'GOOD LOOKING PROFESSIONAL'IN THE PRESENT TIMES? DO YOU REALLY THING PERSONS CAN LEARN THE MAXIMUM BY LOOKING AT PHOTOGRAPHS THROUGH OBSERVATION OR BY STUDYING LONG LESSONS TO JUST UNDERSTAND ONE OR TWO PHOTOGRAPHS?
SANDEEP DATTA, INDIA
Thank you
Please do an interview with Obie : an amazing photographer and wonderful storyteller.
Please do an interview with Obie : an amzingly original photographer and wonderful storyteller.
There's one coming on Monday :D
The secret ingredient to great photos: Bees.
Yeah… can’t wait. Clear the room! I’m gonna be busy.
thanx professor
This feels like the precipice of burnout. I love everything you talk about and your cadence when you talk about the discipline of photography, but I fear for you and it comes entirely from your frequency of uploading. I don't really care what other people think, I really don't want you to burn out. Your work and passion feels unique, and I would hate to lose that to an algorithm
Hi Joshua,
Thank you for that candid comment.
It's very touching that you have reached out with your concerns - which, TBH, I also share to an extent.
Whilst on the surface, the channel looks like it has been going for some time, it's still in its relative infancy, only about 18 months. So that means I'm still experimenting and finding my way. Especially so with creating content to a schedule that both keeps the momentum going on the channel itself, but also one that I can maintain mentally.
So far this year, the content has been produced in relatively quick succession because I wanted to test out ideas for content that connected with the good people who watch the channel.
I'm getting more of an idea about that topics and themes that people enjoy because of this, but it does come at a cost of what you've termed burn out.
As you probably know, I am a strong believer in that we should create things for ourselves first and foremost. So this may seem at odds with having to 'play the TH-cam game'. There are rules to this game, and I am still learning them. The reason I do this is two fold:
Firstly, by knowing these rules and applying them in ways that appeal to YT, but also don't alienate the audience, more people can discover this content (which benefits them if they enjoy it)
Secondly, YT is my business (or at least a main pillar of it), so I need to treat it as such - so that means testing uploads schedules, creating goals like subscriber counts, views etc. All of this benefits me, and when that happens I can create more content which benefits the viewer, and so a virtuous circle is created.
One of the goals for this year was to break 100k subscribers, this is happening earlier than expected. I had said that after that landmark I would back off the upload schedule.
Like so many things in life, it's about finding a balance between often two opposing forces.
Thanks again Joshua.
Such a thoughtful reply! 🙂
I would love to share some of my work with you!
How do you feel about using filters during editing? I have the Nik collection that I use for my black and white photos. I like my still life photos to look like Josef Sudek's. But it feels like cheating. Shouldn't I invest my money in an old camera, some film, and a dark room?
Me too! My father’s influence. Meow!
Hi Alex, I always find your videos very helpful, I do have a question though. I'm currently going through art/photo school. Second semester of my first year, so basically just started. And the first semester was great and I easily found inspiration for all our assignments, but somehow this semester I just feel the complete opposite. We are given a lot of assignments that deal with portraits which are a big weakness for me, and since we are all expected to provide constant good work I just feel stuck and can't find the inspiration to go out and take photos for these tasks. Any advice please?
Took me a while to figure out who you are in the class picture. You're the guy in printed white T-shirt standing at the back, right? 😀
You blend well with the crowd. You should consider a career in espionage.😀
Personally, I have been in a total slump photographically. I've gone out many times over the last three months or so and not even picked up my camera. I've been completely uninspired lately. I go around my local stomping grounds and all I see are photos that I've taken over and over and over. Every view, mountain, waterfall, creek, river, tree, rock, on and on ad nauseum. It's winter in the Rocky Mountains for crying out loud. You'd think I would see compositions everywhere. Looking around I see nothing new or exciting to shoot. The few shots I do take look like crap lately. I watch my favorite photographers on TH-cam for inspiration and see nothing. Even some of their photos are starting to look uninteresting. Maybe they're part of the problem. Maybe it's just a case of burn out. I'm taking a ten day road trip next month. I can't believe I won't start shooting like crazy as it will all be fresh and new. At least I hope so.
In the end, your photographes must SAY SOMETHING. To YOU...
Thanks for not mentioning A. A. ;-)
;)
Thank you again Alex,
I always find these videos a little scary because I don't know where they are taking me on my own journey.
I have found my own "Why" that followed early retirement, I am still doing my Shoot like a child, exploring things 36 ways, and taking pictures just to see what things look like in a picture.
I am constantly reminded of a comment by Mark Wallace of Adorama. Give yourself "permission to fail," if that photo walk etc is a load of rubbish it is not the end of the world, things work out another time another place.
If they are all a load of junk it has been a nice walk, you have had interactions with people ..
Still looking for that "Purple Cow" though ... 😇
I suggest looking at the BBC series, Master Photographers, from 1983, available on TH-cam, covering Ansel Adams, Kertesz, Eisenstaedt, Lartigue, Brandt and Feininger. th-cam.com/play/PLFnHr5CMeqHwnJ4Lq7CRn24G15du9hT3m.html
I’ve learned one thing watching your videos….I’m simply not artistic.
Alex, please send us your residential address - if ever you stop making these videos, I would like to know where you are, so that I can come and give you a "vet klap"... (I hope you can still understand this, coming from Pretoria). I am an old man (compared to you), but your videos fill a gap in the photography arena that is sadly overlooked - which is to regard us as human beings, and not as digital fundi's. Keep it up, please.😊
I can tell you that doesn't work. I put my camera down at least once a day, but I want to pick it back up right away 😂
I experience that as well. I miss having a camera at hand within about 15 minutes.
I wouldn’t believe you if you didn’t have a British accent. Lol
You have been pivotal to my understanding, learning, and appreciation of my photography. Thank you so much.
Great to hear!
Thank you
How’s it, how’s it…. I am hearing this correctly? Thanks Alex
Lovely educational content
It's 'howzit' - South African slang for hello :D
Thanks Alex