The Most Important Skill in Photography.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2022
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The photos: www.jamespopsys.com/trearddurbay
In this video I visit one of my favourite places here in Wales, Trearddur Bay, to try and practice what I think is a photographer's most important skill.
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Excuse me, with what camera did you record when you were walking?
Ya know what I appreciate about you James? You never complain about blue skies, harsh light, or summer greens. You find ways to make those things look beautiful and to me, that makes you a great photographer.
good point - this might actually inspire confidence... i just recently realized this flaw about myself and am trying to do better since^^ (specificly harsh light that is)
James you’ve brought me a moment of positivity with this video during a time in my life of struggle. You’ve always done this for me, and of course you shine new light onto my passion for photography. Thank you so much for all that you do.
So nice to hear - I really appreciate you watching ❤️
Back in 1987 I got my camera bag stolen in Glasgow, and it took some time until I could afford to buy another camera. And when I finally had a camera again, I indeed needed to learn to "see" again - or "observe", as you've said. Right after the theft I always was like "look, I would have taken a picture of that!", but that faded away, until I didn't "see" the motives right in front of me.
This makes me feel good, because I'm not a photographer. The moment you gave that example of observing, how someone just stops walking and says "oh wow look at that", I thought that sounded a lot like me. I rarely take pictures, but I've always just liked to stop and stare at beautiful things, sometimes a friend will just look at me like "what?" and I have to explain why it's beautiful enough to make someone stop. I think simply taking life slow and appreciating natural beauty is an important trait not enough people have. Bears would be great photographers.
This is me lmao, sometimes I just imagine me taking pictures of some random things and interactions between strangers I see, and think how it would’ve been a cool picture if I was good at photography or at least had a good camera.
seeing compositions is a skill you can develop technically and through experience that gets fuled by your interest in nature/new things. people say "you have a good eye" (meaning talent) and although its meant to be a compliment it doesnt feel that way because it disregard all that work that went into training the eye to become good. still better then "you must have a good camera".
Hahha the camera line
At first i didnt get why some people dislike when others say someone has talent. Then I went on a google search of the meaning of the word "talent" and realize it's me who didnt really understand the word correctly. And I gotta admit they're right. You might have been born with good eyes for these things but it takes a lot of work to get better than just that "talent".
The horse sign on the telegraph pole and the light on the building..You're easily impressed James, you really are!🤣🤣😉😉
Cool - but interested in seeing ALL the photos you take on a trip (like scroll over all of them quickly). You've mentioned that you take 100s of photos on a day out, and say that we should too - but we see 10 photos of 10 different shots/scenes in a video, and thats it. Could we see all the attempts of any certain shot, your mistakes or ones that fall short - then how and why you make a select from the dozens (like a screen capture clip from lightroom selection) ?
Thanks - over the weekend I went to San Francisco and did your "shoot in only 35mm / 50mm" on a zoom lens trick and it was great!
Man, that little Ricoh is an awesome little point and shoot.
Really nice story telling plus great images. The “I get a great photo no matter the circumstances” attitude is very refreshing. You and Craig Roberts mastered this 100%.
I credit you for most of my nature photography improvements. Thank you James
Anglesey is such a scenic place. I absolutely rate it.
How do you make it look so easy? I know there's way more thought process that's goes into the shots and the edits. However, watching your videos makes it so seemless. Love it. I move to Germany a few months ago and after re-watching some of your older videos, I've forced myself to get out and travel more with my camera and have gotten some amazing results. Thank you James for your videos and inspiration!
Always an enjoyable watch James, very informative & inspirational, you make the craft look so easy
My favourite kind of photography - just ambling wandering and wondering as I go. Love seeing what you come up with in what could easily be a meh kind of everyday feeling place. May we all be open to what the world has to give us image wise!
You've "seen" some really nice pics there. When you're in that mode, it actually becomes quite exciting to see what you can find next. You should hang around that area in winter for bigger waves and spectacular sunsets. On one exceptionally clear day in October, I got a great telephoto sunset shot of the sun setting over the Wicklow mountains in Ireland! - from the South Stack car park.
This being the first video of yours I'm watching, I have decided one of your best features is being spontaneous. Those extra steps going back to get another picture of the old man/woman that went by is what makes for a great photograph at sometimes and it's very important for us photographers to not be bored to do so! The decisive moment one might say!
Also I loved the way you kind of take us with you on this nice walk, sharing your thoughts as to why you might change your angle or what you expect from the lightning and how you organize your shots.
One of my favourite quotes on observation and simply seeing was from a recent(ish) interview with Jeff Wall where he encapsulated beautifully just how I feel about photography (or the photography I like to do):
“I think I’m the kind of person who’s happy to participate in things but not unhappy to find a point of view where I can see things happening rather than jumping into the middle of them myself, even though I do that too, sometimes.
I think that one of the main qualities is ‘observance’, and I guess that’s also a photographer’s nature, to be observant. Or any artist who has to deal with the world as it appears, and trying to deal with its appearance (is observant).
And I feel also that picture-making of any kind... expresses something of an acceptance of the way things are. Not for everyone and not (in) the same way, but I’ve a feeling I’m sort of an accepting person in that I’m glad all these things have existed and have allowed me to see them, or (have) shown themselves to me.
So you know, I think there are other elements that come into play, in terms of the activity of making, that also bring out other aspects of a person’s character, but those come behind, in a way, the sense of observing and liking the appearance of things.
I love the appearance of a tree or a face or a sidewalk, I just like the way they look. I get enjoyment just from seeing them and seeing them maybe in this light and then in that light. (So) I think that’s pretty basic for me.”
Some great images in this one, really liked them. And it‘s such a nice idea to have them on a separate page on your website!
I always get excited when I see a GR in the thumbnail. Idk if it's because I've been shooting Fuji and Canon so long, but I really like the clean and clinical look that the GR delivers. I really looks natural.
Love your GX snaps, they're such perfectly-observed spontaneous little vignettes of the world. Also great illustrations of your thesis here. Cool location too.
I just recently picked up a Sony RX100vii. I never thought I would enjoy shooting with a compact camera, but I have come to love that thing so much. Can't even imagine leaving home without it. I'm glad to see other photographers actually showing their photos with compact cameras. Great video!
I love seeing your work progress, especially love seeing you being in elements of human life into your landscapes. Great video and tips!
Brilliant video. Love your ability to visualize an interesting composition. Makes me want to go out and “see” what I’ve been missing- and record it with my camera. This was truly an inspiring video. Thanks for posting it.
Appreciate you uploading your photos somewhere; a lot of my favourite photographers on youtube will show us amazing photos just for a second and then continue with the video, those photos deserve more!
A verry big thank you sir for posting these videos. Am a huge fan of your videos and photography. You have been my inspiration for all time. I learned photography from your videos. Love your work sir
Something I noticed during this video is the way you hold your camera at an elevated angle in a lot of shots. That is something that often doesn't occur to me. But it does change the scene. I will have to get more creative with the way I shoot. Thank you so much for sharing your content. I find I am learning a lot.
Totally spot on, its something I practice if stuck in a car on a long trip. I just look out the window and spot potential images, done it for years, really only to pass the time but it has been a huge help. So I'm glad you did this video. And yes I do the same thing, seeing photo opportunities and blocking out the rest of the world. And yes I get told off.
Thanks for sharing the pictures you took in the video. Very inspiring!
i thought i was alone! when you talked about zoning out and focusing on something, i realized i did that myself haha. the world is so amazing to not look at it and admire, even just the small moments between people, in the way something looks, anything! really helps you appreciate the time and place you're in, it's such a beautiful and happy feeling. thank you for making a video on this, and very well said!
I will have to check out your website. Since meeting you on Antartica 2022 I have really loved your style of photography. I can't be a pure landscape photographer where I live. Thanks for the inspiration and realism in your videos. Best part about your website is Antartica 2024...can't wait!
Love your video style!!...slowly making my way through them.
Beautiful photography! Really great subject, colors and compositions in the images!
Simply Loved that James I thank you
This was lovely, James.
Quite an escape I have to admit.
Beeing present and observative.
Thats the spirit.
🙏🙏🙏
I love all the composition. You nailed it
Love your videos, have really helped me hone my craft
Fantastic webpage idea! Thanks. Such beautiful work!
I think something that really reflects my personality in my photos is the focal lengths that I take photos at. I like taking tight photos. 50mm-200mm is where I thrive but it kinda shows that I'm a little too focused into one spot never seeing the bigger image that could be. So your photography has always been such a mystery to me because you shoot so much wider than I'm used to but at the same time whenever I go out and try to stick to 24mm or 35mm it feels so eye opening. I've been missing a lot but at the same time I don't know how to process and capture the moment.
You inspire me to shoot wider and at the same time be more aware. I need that because being stuck inside my head or being so hyper focused, so punched in can be tiring sometimes
Artists and Photographers are similar in this sense. Where they would observe and notice beauty in the most mundane things. Observing small movements people do to get a feel of their mood. I remember in animation school, we spent a whole semester just learning how people walks depending on their mood or emotions then we try to translate that on paper. We also had painting class where we would focus on small details and choose which part we want to highlight. How to guide people's eye with composition etc
Thanks James for sharing your experience with great comments.... love the location and pics..... your videos are very natural & without technical terms.... just straight out photography that hobbyist like myself can follow..... cheers from Australia 😀
Absolutely amazing
I really enjoyed this episode! I found myself inspired to go shoot some photos as well by the end of this video. Thanks man!
I really enjoy your videos James, thank you.
This was fun and inspirational. Love your work 😁
The image with 2 persons in the water on 5:24 is fantastic!
Really like the pictures up on your site! Great idea!
Vision. Seeing the beauty of composition, light and the subject most people gloss over or just don’t see. 🎉😊😮
looooove the idea of posting pics from each trip!
Hi James, thanks for this inspiring! Love your photos too!
I really enjoyed this video and liked seeing you taking photos in a mostly cloudless sky with harsh light at points. Encouraging to take photos at all times and just get out.
Thanks!
Best soft soft tutorial for beginners on TH-cam! I'm an absolute beginner and all the other tutorials I've found on TH-cam have been so
Always great advice James!
G'Day James. Great video. One of your best imo. More of this stuff please.
Composition and lighting using the sun is AWESOME.
So true. I have learnt tons of stuff about photography from your videos.
I love the thing about uploading the photos from the video to your website. Thanks
What a place and wonderful images
A nice morning of photos again James. Great topic too 👍
Gad, I love your images. Fine work!
Great video James, I spent a week on Anglesey last week and Trearddur Bay was the first place we visited, I didn’t get much photography done as it was most definitely a holiday first, photo trip a far distant second, or so my wife told me. Definitely want to go back, loved the island and the place we stayed was great, spotlessly clean etc and just a really nice place. We stayed on a farm a mile out of Bodedern, not the nicest of villages so we only went there for the shop, yes THE shop, or passing through.
Always enjoy these walk along videos James. Love hearing the thought process behind the pics you take.
observing! 👍
I have just noticed something today in this video. It's what you do with the color blue. It's lovely. It just hit me today. Thanks.
Absolutely my kind of photography , great images
First totally agree. I love this about photography, it helps me keep a mind about appreciating what’s around me. However also makes it nearly impossible to wear sunglasses since they mess with the light & especially colors.
Love this video. I knew I had a reason to charge up the point and shoot Olympus yesterday.
Amazing❤
Great video James as usual, within seconds I though looks a bit like Treaddur and then you said it was. The swell when I was there last January was great.
Some beautiful tones in/on/at Anglesea. Thanks for the observations on observation, I get growled at too. 🙂
Nicely done James. I like to think I notice stuff - my wife reminded me that I said the following in April 2011: “As you walk around this beautiful world, think wide angle.” Yes, I prefer wider angle lenses, but understand your preferences. Regardless, wide-angle noticing could be a thing.
Thanks for yet another lovely video. The Welsh Tourist Board really should employ you to shoot for their promotional material. It is an excellent idea to post your images from your shoots on your Squarespace site. I'm heading over there right now. Cheers.
Great vlog as always James. My problem has always been the missed images when I don't have a camera with me. Lovely pictures. Keep it up mate and stay safe
When i first took up photography around 10 years ago for a long while i was chasing the 'award winning' picture, something worthy of Time or National Geographic or even just 'the best picture of all time ever'. But couldn't achieve it. I have finally found my niche and now photograph every day mundaness. I'm not for a moment suggesting your images are 'mundane but 1:49, 4:45, 5:00, 9:33 are great images, right up my street. Nice work mate. How's your shave!
Good one, James!
Love these videos. Keep it up I’m glad you got a Ricoh as well 👍
I like that theres a forground background and you in the focus
Nice photos!
Really enjoyed this video! You really know how to get the most out of that little Ricoh!
Excellent video. The shots made with the compact have a look of Harry Gruyeart's photos and that pleases me.
some good insight
Happy to see that you use the GRiii to take your lovely pictures 😍
Thanks =)
It was awesome to hear you describe this as important, a friend I went shooting with said this is something I’m really good at, now it’s just every other skill I need to keep at 😂👌🏼
If you want waves try Rhosneigr as it's a surfing beach and any time it blows westerly it picks up the surf. Quite a lot of the beaches do need specifically a northerly wind.
So so good! James, I love your videos! They good this peaceful vibe! Watch and relax! Love it!
I was wondering if you used the presets available on your website for the start of your editing process?
Thanks in advance!
Yes, seeing is a very important part of photography. You may shout at the “shooter” and not even make him/her flinch. The other thing is to know instinctively how to use the tool (camera/lens) to instantly capture that idea that attracted attention in the first place.
haha that's so true, you can never pull my attention away while taking a photograph. but you're so right about knowing your tool, the better you know how to use the camera, the easier it is to make the photo look like how you see the world
Love seeing you using Gr, great video!
My man, you are an inspiration :)
Haha, guilty as charged. So many times I zone out and get captured in framing a scene appearing before my eyes. So glad I’m not alone.
Great video James, thanks for always sharing your work. Brilliant stuff.
This video just makes me want to get out, walk around, and take some shots - great stuff! Subbed :)
Man, I wish I liked power / telegraph / telephone poles in my images.... 🙂 We have soooooo many of them (Louisiana, USA)! But they're against chaotic, busy backgrounds and have tons of wires on them. I like the bright cheerfulness of your imagery. Great video as always.
Cool 👍
This is so cool! I totally didn't realize that I was doing this a bunch in Rome Italy recently. My friend was just talking to me and I'd totally blank off into photography haha. Spot something and just walk off to take a shot of it. I'm currently in the UK visiting a friend. I'd like to go out and take some photos soon around this area. Excited to see what I can get before I go back to my bland state haha
What a fab location. I adore wales
Trearddur Bay❤️☺️always enjoy your videos and sense of humour but this took me back years
Over 40 year's, we always had our holidays at "The Lee Caravan Site" just a mile or so along the road on the left-hand side of the beech. You can access the coastal walk from the site to, which is well worth doing. Auntie's caravan used to over look a small cove and we used to call it "The Sugar Lump Beach" because the rock formation in the middle was just like a sugar lump😂so if you are there again go take a look😉
The Ricoh is so fun isn’t it? I love it. Surprising great quality for a little camera too.
Composition!
yelow & blue is a new brave this year :)