I sometimes wonder why I bother every time I look on Instagram and see amazing photos, but I then realise I do things my way and it's what works for me. You can spend ages looking at how other people work and edit, but you ultimately have to be yourself. It's what makes you who you are. You can't please all of the people all of the time.
Brilliant Tim. This all makes total sense as I recognise those phases in my journey on the streets. Your channel is a breath of fresh air. No "lifestyle" music, no coffee shop breaks, just sensible advise. Your presentation style just feels so conversational. Really like this. Keep it as it is. Clive
Phase 1: coming away with 2 lucky & decent photos Phase 2: going out to recapture that magic Phase 3: chasing gear/Leica Phase 4: getting a Leica and eating instant ramen for 4 months Phase 5: shooting film & collecting photobooks Phase 6: Frustration and imposter syndrome Phase 7: quitting film Phase 8: creating a zine Phase 9: selling your gear Phase 10: rebuying your gear and starting over
I think I’ve been through all those phases since 2005 - mostly phase 7 for years at a time! So in all that time I’ve probably only done four serious years of Street. I wish there had of been more on TH-cam back in the day. Now I do it primarily for the thrill of being on the street observing the world. The occasional decent photo is a bonus. I’m just not creative enough, energetic enough or brave enough and live in the wrong place to get really good but it is what it is. Cold Manchester tomorrow 📷🙁
I like the manner in which you have set out the path we take on our journey through street photography. It makes a lot of sense to see it in this way - thanks.
This is interesting stuff. I shoot street every single day around NYC, and I have been for a few years. I don't look at the work of others, and only post on my personal account which has no viewership. I noticed all these videos and articles from people where they really struggle with the idea of getting better and consuming work. From the outside, it looks to me like that public facing photo world requires adherence to many things which are at direct odds with the act of shooting itself. Personally, I find mental clarity from the pursuit and I can't imagine how the judgement of others- positive or negative- would help when I'm out there with my camera, just trying to slip into flow time. It feels like it would tug at my natural urges, even if subconsciously. That's just me, though. We all do it for different reasons.
That resonates! Your 'bad' shots are quite good I found, so this might where I'm at :) At 2:38' I think I recognized Nelson Street, in Liverpool's China Town and have been playing with that green grid as background as well hehe!
Ah that’s very kind of you to say! I’m glad it resonates, but for me there isn’t really ‘good’ or ‘bad’ just personal fulfilment I’ve found. And yeah, I loved my short trip to Liverpool! Will be back there in the new year for some snaps 📸
This was great, Tim! I really like the concept, and it's funny. I think I'm often in the realization phase. I'm always coming around to a new realization that I've got to go back to the drawing board. BTW, your "bad" photos are probably where I am, still. :)
@@timjamiesonphotos - good! Some of my old ones, I'm happy to delete forever. But some of them, I think I stumbled into it. I love what you do. You fill a very specific part of the world with the way you see things and I'm grateful for your posts.
A great short video with an important message Tim. I recently spent time really exploring some of my books about well known street photographers and then revisited my own photos. I found a few gems which I'd dismissed in the past. Am I learning to see? Who knows?
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it! And yeah 100% what we like changes all the time so that’s why I never bin any of my photos. You never know how you might feel in the future
This summer I bought my dream camera (sony a7c with holy trinity) and coincidentally I took my favourite photo with my phone, and realized that gear doesn't matter 😂 (okay, it does matter, I take full frame for night shots, waterproof phone for rain, etc.. but since I'm not limited by gear, I have a choice in tradeoffs)
Yeah I purposely left that out as this channel is more about the how and the why of street photography than the gear - appreciate that’s important to folks though!
About to start on Phase 1/2 so fingers crossed and here we go. I think my first step is to get off my **se and start pressing the shutter, wish me luck 🤞
At the end of the day, all that matters is that YOU like your photos. Comparison is the thief of joy. There are tons of blurry, out of focus, grainy photos that are some of my favorites, and if I kept comparing to others, I would have tossed them out.
I went from Phase 2 straight to Phase 7 and haven't circled back to anything yet...I never made it to "The Comfort Zone" phase...No matter how many photos I take or how much time I put in, it still looks like I'm just a beginner...
1. Buy a Leica. 2. Shoot 3 rolls of film. 3. Sell that Leica. 4. Buy a small $100 camera. 5. Expose many rolls of film while smiling all day long. 6. With all the money you saved take your love one out for a romantic evening. 7. Aren’t we all happy now? I am. I sold my Leica many years ago and have never regretted it. And my wife loves me for it.
I’m coming to the realization that comparison is futile. Every photographer should have their own point of view. Trying to look like someone else is flattering to the person you’re trying to imitate, but it does a disservice to developing your own style. Even if you don’t know what your style is right now, keep going; it’s probably already there; even if there’s just one pixel in the photo that’s uniquely you, that’s enough to build upon.
🔴 Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed it hit the like button and drop a comment - it really helps spread the video for more people to see ✌🏻
I sometimes wonder why I bother every time I look on Instagram and see amazing photos, but I then realise I do things my way and it's what works for me. You can spend ages looking at how other people work and edit, but you ultimately have to be yourself. It's what makes you who you are. You can't please all of the people all of the time.
Exactly!
Brilliant Tim. This all makes total sense as I recognise those phases in my journey on the streets. Your channel is a breath of fresh air. No "lifestyle" music, no coffee shop breaks, just sensible advise. Your presentation style just feels so conversational. Really like this. Keep it as it is. Clive
Ah thank you, Clive! That’s very kind of you to say 🙏🏻
Phase 1: coming away with 2 lucky & decent photos
Phase 2: going out to recapture that magic
Phase 3: chasing gear/Leica
Phase 4: getting a Leica and eating instant ramen for 4 months
Phase 5: shooting film & collecting photobooks
Phase 6: Frustration and imposter syndrome
Phase 7: quitting film
Phase 8: creating a zine
Phase 9: selling your gear
Phase 10: rebuying your gear and starting over
🤣
@@timjamiesonphotos😅
This is great 🤣
😂
magnum streetwise opened up my eyes, love it
It’s a fabulous book!
I'll be starting my fourth year of street photography in the Spring. Sometimes I think I've got it all figured out, then my anxiety hits me.
That’s normal! It’s not a linear process, just comes in cycles I find
This is so good. Hopefully when I reached phase 7, I will not give up so easily. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! I hit phase 7 pretty much every week haha but it passes, just part of it all really
When you get to the "I quit phase", go ahead, quit social media.
I think about quitting social media all the time (apart from TH-cam)
I think I’ve been through all those phases since 2005 - mostly phase 7 for years at a time! So in all that time I’ve probably only done four serious years of Street. I wish there had of been more on TH-cam back in the day.
Now I do it primarily for the thrill of being on the street observing the world. The occasional decent photo is a bonus. I’m just not creative enough, energetic enough or brave enough and live in the wrong place to get really good but it is what it is.
Cold Manchester tomorrow 📷🙁
This was incredibly helpful and eye opening
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it
I like the manner in which you have set out the path we take on our journey through street photography. It makes a lot of sense to see it in this way - thanks.
Ah thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏻
This was all so relatable, Tim. I battle the “I Quit” phase every 2-3 weeks 😂
Haha me too mate, me too
I always enjoy your videos Tim. I learn something every time. Cheers
Thanks, Alan! that's very kind of you to say
This is interesting stuff. I shoot street every single day around NYC, and I have been for a few years. I don't look at the work of others, and only post on my personal account which has no viewership. I noticed all these videos and articles from people where they really struggle with the idea of getting better and consuming work. From the outside, it looks to me like that public facing photo world requires adherence to many things which are at direct odds with the act of shooting itself. Personally, I find mental clarity from the pursuit and I can't imagine how the judgement of others- positive or negative- would help when I'm out there with my camera, just trying to slip into flow time. It feels like it would tug at my natural urges, even if subconsciously. That's just me, though. We all do it for different reasons.
Cheers Tim! I needed this.
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏻
Wonderful explanations.. Thanks a lot.. Guess I am at phase 5..❤❤❤❤
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙏🏻
That resonates! Your 'bad' shots are quite good I found, so this might where I'm at :)
At 2:38' I think I recognized Nelson Street, in Liverpool's China Town and have been playing with that green grid as background as well hehe!
Ah that’s very kind of you to say! I’m glad it resonates, but for me there isn’t really ‘good’ or ‘bad’ just personal fulfilment I’ve found. And yeah, I loved my short trip to Liverpool! Will be back there in the new year for some snaps 📸
I've just started my street photography omg.. I think I'm in phase 1 obviously
Great! We’ve all got to start somewhere 👌🏻
Great video. I was taking into journey of Street Photography for my hobbies. Really helpful to help me to improve it. I'm not a professional.
Glad you found it useful! 🙏🏻
Hi, my name is Joe and I love taking photos.😊
This was great, Tim! I really like the concept, and it's funny. I think I'm often in the realization phase. I'm always coming around to a new realization that I've got to go back to the drawing board.
BTW, your "bad" photos are probably where I am, still. :)
Ah thanks Chris! Ultimately there isn’t really good or bad, just personal taste. My tastes have changed but I still like my old photos :)
@@timjamiesonphotos - good! Some of my old ones, I'm happy to delete forever. But some of them, I think I stumbled into it.
I love what you do. You fill a very specific part of the world with the way you see things and I'm grateful for your posts.
A great short video with an important message Tim. I recently spent time really exploring some of my books about well known street photographers and then revisited my own photos. I found a few gems which I'd dismissed in the past. Am I learning to see? Who knows?
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it! And yeah 100% what we like changes all the time so that’s why I never bin any of my photos. You never know how you might feel in the future
This summer I bought my dream camera (sony a7c with holy trinity) and coincidentally I took my favourite photo with my phone, and realized that gear doesn't matter 😂 (okay, it does matter, I take full frame for night shots, waterproof phone for rain, etc.. but since I'm not limited by gear, I have a choice in tradeoffs)
Yes exactly 👌🏻
def 7 to the point I dusted off my telephoto and went back birding 😅
It happens!
I feel like you've missed the "Gear Acquisition Syndrome phase" somewhere...
Yeah I purposely left that out as this channel is more about the how and the why of street photography than the gear - appreciate that’s important to folks though!
About to start on Phase 1/2 so fingers crossed and here we go. I think my first step is to get off my **se and start pressing the shutter, wish me luck 🤞
Great to hear! Enjoy
Cheers and thanks for all the vids you have posted to encourage everyone (from a 70 year old beginner😊)@@timjamiesonphotos
At the end of the day, all that matters is that YOU like your photos. Comparison is the thief of joy. There are tons of blurry, out of focus, grainy photos that are some of my favorites, and if I kept comparing to others, I would have tossed them out.
That’s true
I went from Phase 2 straight to Phase 7 and haven't circled back to anything yet...I never made it to "The Comfort Zone" phase...No matter how many photos I take or how much time I put in, it still looks like I'm just a beginner...
That’s OK! It’s really hard and it’s not a linear process, keep at it and you’ll definitely improve 👊🏼
Interesting. Which stage am I? I think I am stuck in the 5-6-7 loop.
That’s good! Nothing about being stuck there I think that’s where we make our best work :)
I think I go through all of these stages once a week, every week 😂
Haha yeah it’s definitely not a linear thing!
Tim did you travel in Korea? I saw lots of Korean signs in your photos. Lived in Seoul for 14 years.
I'm in phase 5/6
I used to live in China and that’s when I dipped my toe in street photography, I’m lucky to have travelled all over Asia including Korea and Japan
1. Buy a Leica. 2. Shoot 3 rolls of film. 3. Sell that Leica. 4. Buy a small $100 camera. 5. Expose many rolls of film while smiling all day long. 6. With all the money you saved take your love one out for a romantic evening. 7. Aren’t we all happy now? I am. I sold my Leica many years ago and have never regretted it. And my wife loves me for it.
I’m not a gear guy but my Leica was the best camera purchase I ever made haha
I’m coming to the realization that comparison is futile. Every photographer should have their own point of view. Trying to look like someone else is flattering to the person you’re trying to imitate, but it does a disservice to developing your own style. Even if you don’t know what your style is right now, keep going; it’s probably already there; even if there’s just one pixel in the photo that’s uniquely you, that’s enough to build upon.
I agree with that!
I think you needed to look harder for some "bad" examples as you started. They weren't bad at all...
That’s kind of you to say
Uh! I guess we all the same :)
Everyone has their own stages, it’s not linear just can be helpful to have an idea of where you might be in your process