Why I shoot all my photography wide open

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 พ.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 102

  • @bernym4047
    @bernym4047 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I find your philosophy of photography totally refreshing. For a long time, I tried to become a 'better' photographer. I think I only succeeded in becoming a more expert recorder of photographic images. I have achieved some very pleasing images but they are not creations in the way that you create images. You have given me a new perspective on photography. Thank you.

  • @breathestrongcycling3672
    @breathestrongcycling3672 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    So many people seem to chase absolute perfection, this I feel leads to so many images that really look all the same. Imperfections give character....Ludwig was right...

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yes. Perfection is usually a distraction from what matters the most, which is the image we are making. Perhaps because it's the hardest question we need to answer: "why? and what?". Of course there's a place for technically perfect images, too.

  • @lucaf7416
    @lucaf7416 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Totally agree. Shooting wide open or nearly wide open also adds the bonus of higher shutter speeds. Thus allowing handheld photography even in darker situations. Great video, great job, keep going my friend.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you, Luca! Yes, that's a nice added bonus :)

  • @peterfritzphoto
    @peterfritzphoto 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I absolutely love your videos, and your philosophy. 👍🇦🇺🦘

    • @aows
      @aows  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for the kind words, Peter!

  • @just_eirik
    @just_eirik 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Finally someone with a similar style of photography to me (though I don’t do black and white very often :P). I feel like the term “subject photography” fits pretty well with what we do.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi, Eirik! I like it! Sometimes, I find it very hard to define my photography. I don't like to call it "fine art", it sounds rather pompous to me... I definitely prefer subject photography.

  • @stevenbudd3725
    @stevenbudd3725 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    As Ansel Adams said...'sharpness is a bourgeois concept'. I've long since given up on any interest in what manufacturers and many photographers obsess about these days - resolution and sharpness. It's why I began with vintage lenses on digital bodies and then transitioned back to film. It's so ironic that You Tubers with sizeable followings keep buying in the latest 'top performing' kit and then edit for a 'painterly' look that does away with that outright blistering detail capture. Then there are the shots that suck in every scrap of resolution and sharpness and boost it further in post production. These images are so far beyond what is natural to the eye they are painful to look at. Weirdly unnatural. Of course, this is the world according to me and it's fine if I'm in a club of one and everyone else likes what I avoid. Make images that please and speak to you and step off the social media merry-go-round that tries at every turn to engender the belief that you should chase 'likes' and 'followers'.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Steven! You are absolutely right, you should focus on your art, and create what you see. Unfortunately, it's all so easy to fall in the trap of having to do what others are doing, especially when we are just getting started. It's over time that you realize most of the things that work for others don't apply to your work.

    • @denislaroche3957
      @denislaroche3957 ปีที่แล้ว

      the quote is from Henri Cartier-Bresson...

  • @carldaniel3155
    @carldaniel3155 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video... on my Canon R6 with 50mm f1.8 lens - I often hit the 1/8000 max shutter speed limit!!! Have tried ISO 50 - but this just blows out bright highlights to easily! I love shooting street at f1.8 - but in bright light, need 1/16,000 or 1/32,000 shutter speeds. On my Fuji xt3 - it does these speeds - Sony a7iv and Canon R6 don't!!! Do people fit ND filters to get around this issue? thanks

  • @gary344
    @gary344 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Yes, the tripod adds distinction !! Lols … I find many of your images visually poetic and at times evocative. Most refreshing to the mind and spirit. Bless

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Distinction, right! 😁 Thank you so much for watching and your kind words.

  • @manlio1152
    @manlio1152 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Excelente los conceptos de tu estilo de fotografiar, muy parecido a la manera que yo tengo de abordar la fotografía . Saludos

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Muchas gracias!

  • @RFranks
    @RFranks 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Can't agree more! I personally hate focus stacking, I think it creates a flat looking image with no depth.

  • @terryolsen4244
    @terryolsen4244 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    It's interesting to hear your thoughts and your approach on this topic. Regardless of your reasons, your process works for you as demonstrated by your wonderful images.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for watching, Terry! At the end of the day, it's about making the images you want to make. Those are the ones that should dictate the process, and not the other way around.

  • @geoffgowans7778
    @geoffgowans7778 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I’ve always loved the impressionist paintings, so I prefer to use the word impression rather than imperfection.
    I use Lensbaby lenses, which give me an impression of the scene instantly.
    Add fog and that makes it even better.
    I also do infrared, so even more impressions with my photography.
    I haven’t done ‘proper’ photography for a long time ! 😜

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I've always wanted to use a Lensbaby! One day, one day. And I agree about the fog and infrared. I have a little camera converted to infrared and like to use it every once in a while. It opens a whole new world. Still haven't gotten results I love from it, I need to keep using it to find a way to create with it. Cheers to "unproper" photography! 😁

  • @RussWeymouthPhotography
    @RussWeymouthPhotography 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I like to capture the landscape with my photography but I also like to experiment, for example I captured some very abstract images when some low misty cloud wrapped itself across distant Mountains in the Scottish Highlands - shapes, textures and patterns formed the compositions.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Absolutely, we don't have to stick to just one style. Experimentation is really important in photography, we can't forget to have some fun! Those abstracts sound lovely.

  • @LarryFasnacht
    @LarryFasnacht 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Nice! I hate ticks too. I go to great lengths to avoid them…and still get a shot.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Haha, be careful! Those little things are very sneaky.

  • @thomashilmersen711
    @thomashilmersen711 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Excellent video and some very interesting points. Thanks.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you, Thomas!

  • @peterwachter4051
    @peterwachter4051 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I really appreciate your efforts. You have been able to cover the range of photograph. From the reality of a "slice of life" photograph, max resoltion, perfect exposure and post processing and the "art of the photography."

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you, Peter!

  • @1961Duane314
    @1961Duane314 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Very good advice or comments on how you shoot. See way to many vlogs striving for perfection. Sharpness is one of them. The human eye does not see everything sharp and neither should photographs be that way either in my opinion. I too find the tripod more of a hinderance than a help in most situations. Those who use it all the time are losing out on the freedom we have without it. Yeah those ticks are annoying as I have had my share of them here too. Take care and thanks...

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I feel like "perfection", or striving for perfection, is a bit of a distraction from what matters the most: the image. It is definitely easier to talk about how to focus properly, about the choice of aperture and shutter speed, and all the technical details, than talking about why we are photographing that scene. I totally agree about the tripod :) I'm kind of stuck because I need one to record myself, but I still like the freedom of movement I get when I'm composing the image.

    • @terryallen9546
      @terryallen9546 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Exactly.
      Most of what we see is not sharp. Even when viewing the sharpest photo on earth, our eyes have to dance around like our eyes are a spotlight lens, in order to eventually view it all.

    • @RamaSivamani
      @RamaSivamani 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree with, in regards to the tripod, however, I think it depends on what you feel you need to do realize your vision. If you want more freedom then yes the tripod can be a hindrance. If you feel like you tend to move too fast and need something that will make you slow down and be more methodical and feel that slowing down would allow you to create the images you want to create then a tripod will be really beneficial for that.

  • @Brenby
    @Brenby 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice video, Adrian! I also like the softer look. Not all forms of photography need to be 100% sharp. That's why a lot of us still shoot film :)

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Absolutely! I love shooting film, I just wish it wasn't so damn expensive 😁

  • @davemenard5089
    @davemenard5089 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I recently acquired the Otus 28 & 84 from Ziess to shoot at maximum aperture ( not for people). Great to here your philosophy on this subject. I’m loving your channel. "Visual Poetry " right?

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      That's the goal :) Thank you so much for watching, those two look like they are beautiful lenses. Enjoy :)

  • @davidmullinphotography
    @davidmullinphotography 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was a great video. I believe we are kindred spirits as I hate lugging around a tripod for my landscape work as well. I call myself a Landscape Street Photographer :).

  • @joetrent4753
    @joetrent4753 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I’ve noticed with street photography, it’s very popular to shoot with a Fujifilm and 18mm lens. Very wide perspective and everything from around 1m to infinity is in focus. My 40mm on my FF camera doesn’t have that same dof so I need to zone focus and aim to keep subjects within the limited zone. Much harder to hit the focus zone and often making mistakes can lead to some interesting results.

  • @richardsimms251
    @richardsimms251 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Good thoughts. Different but certainly worth doing. RS. Canada

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks, Richard!

  • @salmonefotografia77
    @salmonefotografia77 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Firstly, thank you for sharing. I love your photography style, these b&w photos are very intersting, and I followde your instagram for a long time. And the 1:1 format, I do not know how to explain, I mean , I feel very good , I am very enjoyed with your photography! Thanks again.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you so much for watching the video, for following along, and for the very kind words!

    • @salmonefotografia77
      @salmonefotografia77 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@aows See you next video!!!

  • @jeffreythemeditator
    @jeffreythemeditator 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    i just love your channel man.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you so much! Appreciate it.

  • @Imho
    @Imho 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I saw you use a Chinese faux vintage 35mm lens. I recently acquired a helios lens and have fallen in love with vintage style wide open lenses. Can you be more specific about what lens you use? I'd love to find one.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi, Alex! I don't use any Chinese vintage 35mm lens. I have the Samyang 35mm f/1.4, and the 2.8 version, but that's about it. The lens in the thumbnail of this video is a Minolta Rokkor-X 58mm f/1.4. I don't really use that lens, but it came very handy for the thumbnail because I can manipulate the aperture while it's not attached to a camera :)

  • @frankleap
    @frankleap 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Brilliant! Thank You!

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you!

  • @neilpiper9889
    @neilpiper9889 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love my old Nikkor SC AUTO 1.4 50MM at full aperture. Never use a tripod or a flash.
    I use it on my Nikon FE, but mostly on my F2a.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Nice! It looks like a beautiful lens.

  • @Peter-df1br
    @Peter-df1br 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well said! Always looking forward to another video. I know in your videos you sometimes switch lenses for your needs. Perhaps sometime, you could dedicate a video taken solely with an 85mm f1.4, 35mm f1.4 or 21mm f1.4, etc.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks, Peter! Yes, definitely, I should and will make a video where I stick to just one lens.

  • @mata4r43un
    @mata4r43un 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Shooting wide open with vintage lenses gives you some characters that would be impossible (or very hard) to replicate in post-processing. It's unlikely I can replicate the unique softness and 'glow' of my almost 80 years old WWII era lens :)
    If I'm shooting for myself, I'll always embrace the imperfection and just have fun. It's a bit different if I was hired by the client, which often demands a 'perfect' image with high sharpness corner-to-corner.
    Btw, I found your channel from another youtube photography channel and really like how you focus on the photography aspect instead of gears :)
    Also, greeting from Indonesia :D

  • @Berry_N
    @Berry_N 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I appreciate this video. Definitely thought provoking.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you, Berry!

  • @bang1432
    @bang1432 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    So much on point here 👍👍

    • @aows
      @aows  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks!

  • @bioliv1
    @bioliv1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    By the way, did you see "Gauguin: Symbolism's Problem Child (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary) | Perspective" ?
    You must see that! It seems that to become a famous artist there are two main ingredients:
    1) You must live an absolutely insane life.
    2) Your art cannot be understood before after your death.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I haven't, but I'll check it out. Well, becoming a "famous artist" shouldn't be the goal, but I do agree that in order to become one you have to be a little insane and stand out somehow.

  • @leonardodimarco52
    @leonardodimarco52 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Muy bueno... lo veré varias veces

  • @bioliv1
    @bioliv1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wow, this is the exactly opposite of Mads Peter Iversen, he does all this bracketing and extracts so much detail with his amazing skills in Photoshop, but after your lecture I see I don't need to learn all that stuff after all!
    By the way, the new Tamron 28-75 has got amazing corners wide open, while loosing a little sharpness at f8. My old Tamron has got a huge dust inside, have no idea how it got there, but after shooting in the fog yesterday I must admit it gives a "flare" more often than I like. So don't know what to do about that?

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      He does that in order to get the images he wants, they are just different styles. Neither of them are right, or wrong, you do whatever you want with your photography :) But I do feel like sometimes we get stuck in technical details, when the important question we need to answer is "why" and "what". The "how" will always be secondary.
      About the dust, I'm not sure. Those flares sound annoying. Maybe you can send it somewhere to have it open and cleaned?

    • @bioliv1
      @bioliv1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@aows Thanks for pointing out that "why" and "what" is primary, and "how" is secondary!
      I'll contact JapanPhoto to see if there's some guarantee? If not, whit the version two of the 28-75 mm, I'm afraid the value of this lens now is so low that I cannot justify the money an opening and cleaning will cost. But I might ask them for a price. Probably I'll try to find a used 24-105 mm f4, I see there are some of them for sale even in this small country.

  • @Nonduality
    @Nonduality 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Every scene is an optical illusion. The illusion is that you are seeing the scene. Keep looking. The dynamic will change. It will now be known that the scene is seeing you. Now ... take the picture.

  • @jasongold6751
    @jasongold6751 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I must disagree about lenses! One did you notice that some lenses cause grain on film? Don't laugh. Test! Diffraction, shoot at f16 22 and make prints 20x25/30cm. Well? How bad or none! Sharpness is also contrast. Using Rodinal after a long period, grain yes but so sharp and detailed. Lovely tonal range. Seeing photos/images so easy. You have to carry a camera. Even the phone that outshines my fancy gear! Great ideas and keeping contacts, a big positive thing. Bravo.

  • @tuisitala9068
    @tuisitala9068 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Well said. We want to make mages that are suggestive rather than descriptive. Sharpness is a distraction. Mood........................

    • @mikejankowski6321
      @mikejankowski6321 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It’s not for everyone, and not for every image, but it has its place and value. Choosing that approach, then knowing how to pursue it and getting the results you want is what’s important.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It is a way to do it, I like it that way :) But you are right, sharpness, and all the other technical aspects of photography, are often used as a distraction.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      That's the key, knowing the "why" and the "what" of your photography. The "how" comes after you've figured it out.

  • @MrCochise71
    @MrCochise71 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Excellent! 👏👏

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you! Cheers!

  • @terryallen9546
    @terryallen9546 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I like the way your mind works. Sharp, clinical photography is like refined white sugar; while evocative photography is like honey.
    Btw, you can dust yourself with tick and flea powder. It works well.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks, Terry! I'll try the powder, I really hate seeing them crawling on my clothes.

  • @andrewsimpson5436
    @andrewsimpson5436 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You shoot it as you see it, that's good and it's up to you!
    That said the corners are irrelevant with you displaying everything 1x1 :-)

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Very true, one of many advantages of shooting square :) Very rarely, I make the occasional panorama, so in that case they matter a bit more, but still, nothing to be concerned about.

  • @Xan3ddd
    @Xan3ddd 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Well said sir 👌🏽

  • @davecarrera
    @davecarrera 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have no choice but shoot wide open with my point and shoot film camera , 35mm 2.8 all the way :-)

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Haha, nice! Which one?

    • @davecarrera
      @davecarrera 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@aows Minolta AFZ 35mm f2.8. Just developed a roll of Tmax 400 and looking good so far but will scan the negs and make a quick video later. Wishing you well

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@davecarrera thanks and back to you. Good luck with those negatives, I'm sure they'll be awesome. I've subscribed so I'll keep an eye out for that video :)

    • @davecarrera
      @davecarrera 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@aows early signs look good but will see once I scan them. Thank you for the sub it is very much apricated. :)

  • @flexable9256
    @flexable9256 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Also, when shooting wide open I feel the colors are "better" - they feel different to me. Of course, not really helping for you :)

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      No, haha, but I know what you mean :)

  • @Andrew19772
    @Andrew19772 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Gracias por aportar, algo nuevo siempre, al mundo del arte.. Un saludo.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Muchas gracias, Andrés!

  • @MrNosslo
    @MrNosslo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    that was goood !

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you, Mats!

  • @fungiformenow
    @fungiformenow 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Ya

  • @gunslingorgunslingorsadf8150
    @gunslingorgunslingorsadf8150 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow, 6 minutes to say you shoot wide open for style, maybe I missed something. Anyway, I tend to shot wide open for landscapes too, not all only about 30%, usually to get more light though... it is definitely a balance... I mean, you said at one point the real reason was that you like the images wide open is softer imagines, one could also active a similar effect with longer exposure and motion blur in which case your using motion to get the effect instead 🤔... you could also achieve something similar with iso I suspect but not sure how, maybe set to 25 or 50... iso now is just an on sensor preamplifier I think... anyway, post processing is also an option... the art, imho, is knowing the right time, place and settings for any shot and every shot is different... I can't imagine limiting myself to totally wide open anywhere... what if you are in the Sahara desert?

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That's true, I could have done a video with just that one sentence, but I thought that sharing what that style is about and what I'm trying to achieve with it was also interesting. I thought I was being concise and to the point 😅 Anyway, of course, I don't shoot wide open *all the time*, don't take the title literally, but most of the time. As I said in the video, this is just one of the many things I do to achieve the style I want, among them motion blur, which I use rarely but I do. Lastly, wide open doesn't mean extremely fast apertures - I have f/4 lenses, so shooting at f/4 is shooting wide open. But, if you happen to be in the Sahara (or anywhere where it's sunny) well, you could just use an ND filter. I have a few for that reason, and they also contribute to the character of the image.

    • @gunslingorgunslingorsadf8150
      @gunslingorgunslingorsadf8150 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@aows I got you... my annoyance isn't with you, there is just so much click bait and people making videos in a futile attempt to make money when youtube takes the most... finding really useful information has started to become a real challenge...

  • @josebainakielorriagaarriet2066
    @josebainakielorriagaarriet2066 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Oído cocina!!!!!!!

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      😊

  • @petrub27
    @petrub27 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    But that's a 2.8-5.6 lens. Not that wide. Anyway, good job

  • @acmdv
    @acmdv 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Use a monopod instead of a tripod.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I've thought about it! But I've had plenty of accidents with 3 legged things, I can only assume I'd be terrible with a 1 leg approach.

  • @weisserth
    @weisserth 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    “Sharpness is a bourgeois concept.” - HCB
    That said, shooting everything wide open is TERRIBLE advice to other photographers.
    I understand your approach being your approach. And everyone owns their own approach. Nobody else. Which means everyone needs to find their own approach. For that, it helps if growing photographers looking for their approach can master the craft of photography before they find a way to express themselves through the art of photography. And shooting everything wide open prevents photographers from getting there. One doesn't master the craft if one only shoots wide open.
    Instagram and Flickr are full of MEANINGLESS photographs of BORING objects through out of focus, portraits with the tip of an eye lash in focus and everything else out of focus - the result of "noobs" buying into the bokeh and full frame hype rather than learning the craft of photography first.

    • @aows
      @aows  3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Hi! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, T.W.
      Well, this wasn't supposed to be advice, I said at the end that this is just my way to do photography because it's the way to make the images I want to make. There's nothing wrong with sharp images, with technically flawless photographs. I just wanted to share my perspective and maybe give people "permission" to break some conventions and rules that might not serve their goals.
      True, you can find a lot of boring and meaningless images out there, in and out of focus, blurry and sharp, with shallow and infinite depth of field. That's because the technique doesn't matter if we don't know why we photograph, and what we want to make.
      As for the order in which someone should learn, I don't know. Everyone should carve their own path, it doesn't really matter how they do it. I think we can do everything at the same time, too.
      Thanks for your comment!