Hi Alex, I work at IWM Duxford. It’s a fantastic environment to photograph inside and out. Hanger 3 has the best light and not as busy. If you ever return let me know I can show you around without the restrictions the public have endure.
The photos that people react to the most in my portfolio always surprise me. They're never MY favorite photos, but they end up growing on me too. I've also gotten into the habit of revisiting a day of shooting a couple months later for a second look. I often find a few shots that I missed and even some of my all-time favorites have come about this way. Maybe because it's a pleasant surprise, like finding $20 in a jacket pocket. 🤣 Another habit I have started doing again is looking at mirrored versions of my images. I learned this in art school in my drawing/painting classes and it's really helped whenever I'm stuck on how to edit something. I just see it with fresh eyes.
Just the right video for me at the moment. I loved getting the motivation behind the images. For anybody tempted to have a go at this yourself: if you haven't been to Duxford before, the other hangers are worth a look for details as there are aircraft in bits being worked on so you'll find odd shapes and fragments of metal, piston engines and so on. Ditto for the Tank museum at the far end of the airfield. Admittedly, the light is rather more challenging than the two aircraft collection hangers.
I got a 💡moment when you explained that you didn’t feel connected to the subject you’re photographing. When I try to photograph people I tend to not be close to them, instead I use a tele lens and when you said that about connection I understood the why of my distance. Thank you for that insight! I think it will make me take photos in a different way or at least be more aware of why I have this distance, a distance that I thought came from the culture I live in (in Sweden we keep our distance to others, it’s almost seen as rude if a person stands to close to us 😅). Thank you for a very interesting video!
This video was instructive. It gave me a lot to think about. I've struggled with taking photos of places like this in the past. Your ideas are helpful. I can't wait to give them a try.
Not sure how the TH-cam algorithm knew about my current struggles, but this video really helped. Winter is tough for me for photography, because of the lack of sunshine and naturally induced contrast. So I've been banging my head against a wall for the last 2-3 months, trying to 'isolate' my subjects more. And this video summarised and confirmed a lot of what I've been thinking about and trying. Thank you for sharing it! 🙏🥰
Absolutely loving this form of videos from you. You are an amazing teacher because you make me think in ways that I have not before. The way you see and explain the concepts in a non complicated way is so refreshing to me. It is very evident that you study your craft to fully understand it. Thanks and more please.
Been there. Great museum. I got some good close shots of Concorde’s jet exhausts. Helps to imagine the power of the thing. The National Museum of Flight in Scotland has some great aircraft too. Happy Christmas.
Merry Christmas Alex. Nice to see a wee tour of Duxford. Haven't been there. East Fortune in Scotland has a great aircraft museum if you're ever up that way. The images are very you. You've got a very unique style and way of seeing things. I've been following you for years and your channel is always a superb source of inspiration. You've introduced me to so many amazing photographers, to the point where I've been building a library of monographs over the last few years. So thank you for your continuing inspiration. Sending you and yours the very best wishes for the year to come.
Excellent advice ... "... trying to make compromises in the photograph to end up with an image that I like." I am guilty of relying too greatly on taking an image "of the whole thing," because anything else seems a compromise of some sort. It's great to hear words from others that the compromise is acceptable. I know that a compromise of some sort is always necessary. There are always things to overcome ... lighting issues ... accessibility issues .... But I think this statement says that even though your initial vision doesn't work, keep looking, keep drilling down, and you'll find other gems.
Great video, I think of photography as first being an observational art. We have to be looking at what is around us and looking things to photograph. Some of your shots gave a macro feel by isolating only part of the plane.
As an aviation enthusiast and photographer, finding unique shots of iconic aircraft is my favorite challenge. Some very nice photos in your video and some angles I havent found before. I tend to use 50mm f1.8 and 90mm macro a lot for my shots, and I'm starting to reach out to museums to get access when I can control the light to that I can isolate and provide depth to my photos. Thanks for the great video. It was very interesting to see your unique view.
I need to revisit the Intrepid Air and Space Museum in NYC, as well as the Smithsonian in Washington. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring video! Happy Holidays!
I really love the subject of your video. Not only because I too love airplanes, but also because you touch on the matter of being in a place where one is trying to take pictures but is overwhelmed by the subject. I wish I had seen this when I came across a mig 19 a month ago 😅 Thank you
Great video. We have an aircraft museum near me and I’ve been there several times. The last couple times I’ve been there, I wasn’t feeling it. I wasn’t seeing the photos. This video has inspired me to go visit again with a fresh set of eyes.
I appreciate your take on art of photography. Seems like I always pick up a new tidbit or idea to play around with. I like the idea of not getting too attached to the result of any photo. just try it... No pressure... Play.
I also like to get close. In fact I mostly use a 28-mil prime now. Forces me to get closer. Gets the viewer closer, letting him feel that the photographer was actually there.
In your fantastically good video I see color photos and black and white photos. Fortunately, I have a camera that shows black and white photos as black and white in the viewfinder. A great help in analogue photography, which we are now practicing again. It will take some practice to think in black and white again without the immediate control that the digital camera offers. Your videos are inspiring.
Living in the US I have a few options for air museums to visit. I do think judging from your shooting perspectives I’d bring my 40 mm and just for a more compressed view my 100-400 mm lense. It’s grey and winter like now so this is a great option for some detail shots. Thanks for the idea.
A frustrated architect. A whole new dimension of you. How fun! I love learning more about you over the years. Have you ever checked out the airport in Bilbao, Spain? (Random, I know.) But figured you'd know what I meant.
I enjoyed this very much, particularly your discussion on how the light affects the appearance of the "bits and bobs" in your photographs, as I am also someone who enjoys shooting the details. I also enjoyed the way you ended the video, talking about "how much is too much" when it comes to post processing. Will be following your thoughts on this!
Fabulous video!!! Fabulous thoughts!!! Thank you Alex! Must return to RAF Colindale with your subject isolation thoughts in mind. I've always tried to capture the biggest percentage of the airplane possible. I feel like your video is my Christmas present. Happy Christmas!
I often photograph car shows, very rarely shooting a complete car. All about the sections of a particular vehicle for me ,although I find non photographers often don’t get it
You described photos that leave one unfulfilled and that have an undefined lacking. Those photos, and I’ve taken quite a few of them myself, always remind me of a stanza from Simon and Garfunkel’s “Kathy’s Song” And a song I was writing is left undone I don't know why I spend my time Writing songs I can't believe With words that tear and strain to rhyme
That describes my problem: I like cars and airplanes, and that's exactly where I find it difficult to go beyond objecthood. One is always inclined to see the whole rather than the interplay of forms.
interesting. Before this vid came out I went out to take some photos, this time trying to not photograph what is obviously there and instead trying to find things which might be overlooked by others. Did not work out too well, more often than not I just took a photo where I know it works. But, as I know have the skill to take technically proficient photos, I lost interest to take just common photos. The photo should show someting other than the thing itself. Alex is an inspiration, this video has a lot of nuance which helps in thinking about how to approach things.
So interesting, thank you for this video. Somehow, you alway find subjects that are near and dear to me!! I had a chance to visit a similar museum in Tucson, Arizona a few years ago. They had indoor and outdoor exhibits. I was overwhelmed as they had JFK's presidential jet and an SR71 along with countless fighter jets and unique planes I had never seen before. I was with my wife and could not sped hour photographing these things. So, I did as much as I could. Oddly enough, the most unique and interesting images are the closeups, similar to the ones you took. I want to go back and spend a few days there as there was so much to photograph. I drove well over 400 miles in one direction to get there!
9:42 Telephoto lenses often get what you want into the frame, but as you observe the distance is still captured in the image which leads to a sense of disconnection
Yes, it has a de Havilland Comet 4 in the Airspace hanger. It used to be possible to go inside it (as part of a ticket giving you access to the airliner collection) but I'm not sure if that's still the case.
Alex I find you and Nick Carver have a unique way of looking at the world. Much differnt than i do i liking photographing the whole plane instead of a part of it thats why l'll never be a professional photographer i look at the world much different than you do . Thats also the reason I'll never be a artist either i just look at the world differently than they do also . Thats not to say either of our pictures are bad there just differnt and im have a hard time articulating the difference.
Maybe a flash? Not long ago I was having difficulties getting a historic locomotive, I came to the conclusion to exclude. Tomorrow is free at The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa...I think I'll go and take a flash.
I shoot many abstracts and shapes even when on holiday, and always get slated for it whilst doung so .. BUT, I then get told how much more interesting my everyday and holiday shots are. I now choose to ignore critics, because just like food critics they're wrong 99% of the time.
If you ever make this a series or a book, you should call it "Craft". It's a double meaning, a play on words, of the aircrafts and the craft of the compositions you are seeking. Oh, and Merry Christmas! Hope to see more of your inspiring videos in the new year.
I find it interesting that most of the photographers i follow want depth and 3D feeling in their photos, you want the opposite you squish it to as much as you can to 2D ,😅❤. Thanks for sharing!
i think your photos/crops/frame allow people to think about "what is this" and fill out the whole thing (jets or whatever) in your head - like mentally sketch out from a polaroids on a page of A4 from following the lines and curves.........if that makes sense?!
Hi Alex, I work at IWM Duxford. It’s a fantastic environment to photograph inside and out. Hanger 3 has the best light and not as busy. If you ever return let me know I can show you around without the restrictions the public have endure.
The photos that people react to the most in my portfolio always surprise me. They're never MY favorite photos, but they end up growing on me too.
I've also gotten into the habit of revisiting a day of shooting a couple months later for a second look. I often find a few shots that I missed and even some of my all-time favorites have come about this way. Maybe because it's a pleasant surprise, like finding $20 in a jacket pocket. 🤣
Another habit I have started doing again is looking at mirrored versions of my images. I learned this in art school in my drawing/painting classes and it's really helped whenever I'm stuck on how to edit something. I just see it with fresh eyes.
Love the idea of revisiting a shoot after time had passed and also love the analogy of finding $20 in a jacket.
Just the right video for me at the moment. I loved getting the motivation behind the images.
For anybody tempted to have a go at this yourself: if you haven't been to Duxford before, the other hangers are worth a look for details as there are aircraft in bits being worked on so you'll find odd shapes and fragments of metal, piston engines and so on. Ditto for the Tank museum at the far end of the airfield. Admittedly, the light is rather more challenging than the two aircraft collection hangers.
I've watched a lot of your videos, Alex and for me this is the best one you have made. It made me pause and think a number of times. Thank you.
Like these pictures very much. Thank you for the inspiration.
I got a 💡moment when you explained that you didn’t feel connected to the subject you’re photographing. When I try to photograph people I tend to not be close to them, instead I use a tele lens and when you said that about connection I understood the why of my distance. Thank you for that insight! I think it will make me take photos in a different way or at least be more aware of why I have this distance, a distance that I thought came from the culture I live in (in Sweden we keep our distance to others, it’s almost seen as rude if a person stands to close to us 😅). Thank you for a very interesting video!
This video was instructive. It gave me a lot to think about. I've struggled with taking photos of places like this in the past. Your ideas are helpful. I can't wait to give them a try.
Not sure how the TH-cam algorithm knew about my current struggles, but this video really helped. Winter is tough for me for photography, because of the lack of sunshine and naturally induced contrast. So I've been banging my head against a wall for the last 2-3 months, trying to 'isolate' my subjects more. And this video summarised and confirmed a lot of what I've been thinking about and trying. Thank you for sharing it! 🙏🥰
Absolutely loving this form of videos from you. You are an amazing teacher because you make me think in ways that I have not before. The way you see and explain the concepts in a non complicated way is so refreshing to me. It is very evident that you study your craft to fully understand it. Thanks and more please.
Been there. Great museum. I got some good close shots of Concorde’s jet exhausts. Helps to imagine the power of the thing. The National Museum of Flight in Scotland has some great aircraft too. Happy Christmas.
Clean shapes patterns and form 👌 got it ❤
Outstanding video, Alex. Really thought-provoking.
…and a surprising number of intriguing and beautiful photos.
The images around the 10:20 mark really fired me up. Showing how to address the challenges on these field trips is also helpful and entertaining.
Enjoyed your video very much. A lot of inspiration here. Thank you and Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas Alex. Nice to see a wee tour of Duxford. Haven't been there. East Fortune in Scotland has a great aircraft museum if you're ever up that way. The images are very you. You've got a very unique style and way of seeing things. I've been following you for years and your channel is always a superb source of inspiration. You've introduced me to so many amazing photographers, to the point where I've been building a library of monographs over the last few years. So thank you for your continuing inspiration. Sending you and yours the very best wishes for the year to come.
Excellent advice ... "... trying to make compromises in the photograph to end up with an image that I like." I am guilty of relying too greatly on taking an image "of the whole thing," because anything else seems a compromise of some sort. It's great to hear words from others that the compromise is acceptable. I know that a compromise of some sort is always necessary. There are always things to overcome ... lighting issues ... accessibility issues .... But I think this statement says that even though your initial vision doesn't work, keep looking, keep drilling down, and you'll find other gems.
Great video, I think of photography as first being an observational art. We have to be looking at what is around us and looking things to photograph. Some of your shots gave a macro feel by isolating only part of the plane.
Appreciate this video, you have a totally different style to me. It is always good to understand how someone else works.
Thanks for the recognition and the comment about The Crit House. I'm glad our critique session planted a seed. I see it's grown. Nice.
so cool and i like the photos you got! it looks like it was a good challenge and experience ^.^
As an aviation enthusiast and photographer, finding unique shots of iconic aircraft is my favorite challenge. Some very nice photos in your video and some angles I havent found before. I tend to use 50mm f1.8 and 90mm macro a lot for my shots, and I'm starting to reach out to museums to get access when I can control the light to that I can isolate and provide depth to my photos. Thanks for the great video. It was very interesting to see your unique view.
I need to revisit the Intrepid Air and Space Museum in NYC, as well as the Smithsonian in Washington. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring video! Happy Holidays!
great lesson in looking, with an image in mind to emphasise the whole.
I really love the subject of your video. Not only because I too love airplanes, but also because you touch on the matter of being in a place where one is trying to take pictures but is overwhelmed by the subject. I wish I had seen this when I came across a mig 19 a month ago 😅
Thank you
Great video. We have an aircraft museum near me and I’ve been there several times. The last couple times I’ve been there, I wasn’t feeling it. I wasn’t seeing the photos. This video has inspired me to go visit again with a fresh set of eyes.
Food for thoughts, interesting to see this video right now, as it confirms some ideas floating around. Thank you very much!
I'm glad @thecrithouse was a part of your thought process. Very cool
10:37 is an outstanding photo!
I appreciate your take on art of photography. Seems like I always pick up a new tidbit or idea to play around with. I like the idea of not getting too attached to the result of any photo. just try it... No pressure... Play.
Thanks for sharing.
I also like to get close. In fact I mostly use a 28-mil prime now. Forces me to get closer. Gets the viewer closer, letting him feel that the photographer was actually there.
A man who talks about roundels ,cowlings and TA has more than a passing interest in planes!
Loved your images and your thinking behind them. I love places like that but never know where to start. Maybe I should think like an alien! ❤
Really important topic in this video.
Thanks Alex! Happy Christmas!!!
In your fantastically good video I see color photos and black and white photos. Fortunately, I have a camera that shows black and white photos as black and white in the viewfinder. A great help in analogue photography, which we are now practicing again. It will take some practice to think in black and white again without the immediate control that the digital camera offers. Your videos are inspiring.
Living in the US I have a few options for air museums to visit. I do think judging from your shooting perspectives I’d bring my 40 mm and just for a more compressed view my 100-400 mm lense. It’s grey and winter like now so this is a great option for some detail shots. Thanks for the idea.
A frustrated architect. A whole new dimension of you. How fun! I love learning more about you over the years. Have you ever checked out the airport in Bilbao, Spain? (Random, I know.) But figured you'd know what I meant.
I particularly liked the abstraction of the Concorde at 4:13.
I enjoyed this very much, particularly your discussion on how the light affects the appearance of the "bits and bobs" in your photographs, as I am also someone who enjoys shooting the details. I also enjoyed the way you ended the video, talking about "how much is too much" when it comes to post processing. Will be following your thoughts on this!
Love this .... Interesting workshops for sure .... Personally I would be more interested in portraiture.
Fabulous video!!! Fabulous thoughts!!! Thank you Alex! Must return to RAF Colindale with your subject isolation thoughts in mind. I've always tried to capture the biggest percentage of the airplane possible. I feel like your video is my Christmas present. Happy Christmas!
I often photograph car shows, very rarely shooting a complete car. All about the sections of a particular vehicle for me ,although I find non photographers often don’t get it
Enjoyed the Video , very inspiring.
You described photos that leave one unfulfilled and that have an undefined lacking. Those photos, and I’ve taken quite a few of them myself, always remind me of a stanza from Simon and Garfunkel’s “Kathy’s Song”
And a song I was writing is left undone
I don't know why I spend my time
Writing songs I can't believe
With words that tear and strain to rhyme
Hi Alex ,
I enjoyed this one immensely, I like seeing you out in the field. Maybe next time leave the kids at home 🏡 mate .
Sean
Australia 🇦🇺 🪃
That describes my problem: I like cars and airplanes, and that's exactly where I find it difficult to go beyond objecthood. One is always inclined to see the whole rather than the interplay of forms.
@ 16:06 I have an almost identical image of the SR71
interesting. Before this vid came out I went out to take some photos, this time trying to not photograph what is obviously there and instead trying to find things which might be overlooked by others. Did not work out too well, more often than not I just took a photo where I know it works. But, as I know have the skill to take technically proficient photos, I lost interest to take just common photos. The photo should show someting other than the thing itself.
Alex is an inspiration, this video has a lot of nuance which helps in thinking about how to approach things.
So interesting, thank you for this video. Somehow, you alway find subjects that are near and dear to me!!
I had a chance to visit a similar museum in Tucson, Arizona a few years ago. They had indoor and outdoor exhibits. I was overwhelmed as they had JFK's presidential jet and an SR71 along with countless fighter jets and unique planes I had never seen before. I was with my wife and could not sped hour photographing these things. So, I did as much as I could. Oddly enough, the most unique and interesting images are the closeups, similar to the ones you took.
I want to go back and spend a few days there as there was so much to photograph. I drove well over 400 miles in one direction to get there!
9:42 Telephoto lenses often get what you want into the frame, but as you observe the distance is still captured in the image which leads to a sense of disconnection
Does this museum have any Comets?
Yes, it has a de Havilland Comet 4 in the Airspace hanger. It used to be possible to go inside it (as part of a ticket giving you access to the airliner collection) but I'm not sure if that's still the case.
Alex
I find you and Nick Carver have a unique way of looking at the world. Much differnt than i do i liking photographing the whole plane instead of a part of it thats why l'll never be a professional photographer i look at the world much different than you do . Thats also the reason I'll never be a artist either i just look at the world differently than they do also . Thats not to say either of our pictures are bad there just differnt and im have a hard time articulating the difference.
Great, we have the National Naval Aviation Museum here.
Maybe a flash? Not long ago I was having difficulties getting a historic locomotive, I came to the conclusion to exclude. Tomorrow is free at The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa...I think I'll go and take a flash.
I shoot many abstracts and shapes even when on holiday, and always get slated for it whilst doung so .. BUT, I then get told how much more interesting my everyday and holiday shots are.
I now choose to ignore critics, because just like food critics they're wrong 99% of the time.
If you ever make this a series or a book, you should call it "Craft". It's a double meaning, a play on words, of the aircrafts and the craft of the compositions you are seeking.
Oh, and Merry Christmas! Hope to see more of your inspiring videos in the new year.
I find it interesting that most of the photographers i follow want depth and 3D feeling in their photos, you want the opposite you squish it to as much as you can to 2D ,😅❤. Thanks for sharing!
i think your photos/crops/frame allow people to think about "what is this" and fill out the whole thing (jets or whatever) in your head - like mentally sketch out from a polaroids on a page of A4 from following the lines and curves.........if that makes sense?!
I think planes are best photographed flying.
Nothing, is to much in art photography, anything is to much in documentary.