Your point about the obsession over technical perfection ruining digital photography really describes something I felt for a long time but couldn't put into words.
Yeah, lately I've been posting pictures that mean more to me than how technically good they're. Sometimes I'd like to just forget all I learned as a photographer and be as impressed with a picture as someone who has never clicked on a camera
@@federicoskliarevsky yes you need to stop worrying about the technical and free up your mind from all this nonsense of perfection, all it does is make people more critical of things that have no substance, everything becomes so bland and the same when you stick to the guidelines like they are rules.
He definitely has a way of delivering such things. Same thing for me was when he talked about all those sony boys that edit their ,creative’ pictures in pure teal and orange.
You are absolutely right Nick. Doing large wall prints means a heck of a lot of huge darkroom equipment. I work at a Fujifilm lab and inkjet is definitely the way to go for large format printing. 10x8's etc. Yes, printing them the analogue and building your own darkroom is fine, but even then you need a fair bit of space to do that. I shoot digital for my work and film for everything else, but I always go through the digital process at the end. I think your dog gave up and went to sleep. He probably thinks you are just talking to yourself again.
Earlier today I was bummed for about a second that “blew the focus” on a candid portrait I took of my sun while we rode a mini train at the local park. Then I realized precisely Nick’s comment about sharpness as some collective arbitrary standard. My shot captures his emotion, as he turned around to look at me. He was happy, joyful, and wanted to look at me to share the moment. And I blew the focus because after a year of covid, I just hadn’t been shooting on my Sony a7ii and was a little rusty. But we had a wonderful mini adventure, and that snapshot captured it all. It’s a photo that I will cherish forever. Who cares about sharpness when you have the other stuff.
Nick, people shoot film because they like the look from it. Continoue with it, it is your thing. Full respect. I like what you are doing and the photos you make.
Don't take this the wrong way, because a lot of your answers were fantastic and absolutely worth talking about. But the sleeping puppers on the edge of the frame was the best part of the video.
Loved the rant. The prints were fabulous. The things I liked best about them: 1) composition and imagery was striking. 2) the inclusion of the border with film data was genius 3) The light leak was thumbing your nose at pixel peeping know nothings. I applaud all three. This video and the polaroid bee adventure are my two favorites. You are not a cardboard cutout of a person, but someone like us, but perhaps with a special gift for composing pictures. Keep up the good work.
A university lecturer once said to me. "One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star". (Friedrich Nietzsche).. If I have to explain you won't understand, but I think you do. Great video, you nailed it again.
Hey, Nick. You just gave me the perfect answer to "Dude, why do you shoot film with a wooden camera?" My new answer is, "Because it's a bear to get a good light leak with a dslr." Good stuff, Carver. Keep 'em coming.
Love how the dog is completed sacked out on the couch during the light leak rant. Good on you, Nick. This sort of stuff is why I keep watching. (not the dog - your point of view - but the dog is an added bonus).
You ARE respected as a photographer! Other channels speak highly of your videos and your art and you inspire other photographers (look at the comments). Love your videos, your art and the way you present them. Thank-you!
Loved and agreed with the rant. A neighbour of my parents converted a bedroom in to a listening room for his vinyl; it was mint. I asked my father what he thought and his only comment was that the guy had stopped listening to the music and only heard the imperfections. Same thing with getting obsessed with technical perfection. You stop seeing the picture.
You said it spot on, man. If you like it, if you have clients who love it, who cares what the technical quality of a photo is. People are so narrow minded.
People need to stop worrying about what other people are shooting, Nick is one of the few TH-cam photographers that doesn't make me vomit in my mouth watching them he's just a awesome personality and photographer. I personally couldn't care less about what camera he shoots or film he uses, i just care about the journey and end photo that he takes. Look at your own photography and choose where YOU want to take it and stop giving a crap about film or digital and start creating your own work.
The light-leak just adds to the originality of the photo. These prints were great and I love imperfection (perhaps that's why I like your channel so much - ha ha).
You are such an inspiration to myself and I am sure many others. The level of professionalism and attention to detail is to be admired. Really enjoyed the video, on a few occasions already. Keep up the good content.
When it comes to whose opinion matters most in the "art on the wall" relationship it's 51% photographer vs 49% client. If the photographer is not happy with the work then eventually he/she will burn out and will no longer be able to produce product that a client will want to buy. Produce what makes you happy and let like minded clients find your work. And you are right about the work for hire aspect. Shoot what the client requires and God help you if you don't have a creative outlet. Keep on keepin' on. Love your stuff.
Nick, I so agree with the commentary on the nerding out on "technical perfection". But, the autofocus! But, the megapixels! But, the dynamic range!... Groan. Where is the soul? The obsession with such things loses sight of what making a photo is all about: making a connection with others through the expression of your way of seeing.
Love the rant. I have several images that I really like that are not technically perfect, but have a soul to them. Your channel is educational to me because it gives another perspective to help me detox from the internet forums and the pundits who couldn't take a good photograph to save their own pitiful lives. Another photographer called them the "middle managers" of the hobby and I think that is too kind.
You are sharing your trade secrets and encouraging us to find our owns. Focusing on the essential: pleasure and process. That’s generous of you and inspiring. Thank you Nick.
Thanks for the rant Nick. Couldn't agree more. In my opinion, these "technical errors" add to the story of the photo. Like that light leak, soo much character... I'm digging it 😎.
I enjoyed your rant :) there is a distinct difference between a fine art photography channel like yours and a photography technique/gear channel. I really appreciate your artistic focus. I watched a youtube video about wet-collodion process photos and I loved the results this guy was getting. He was very nonchalant about the way he captured and developed his images but the end result was spectacular. Anyway thanks for the quality content.
People asking why this process obviously haven't worked in a dark room to know the obstacles and limitations. Nuff said on that. Well done for another great video Nick.
I really enjoy watching your channel and totally agree with you about so called perfection. Unfortunately there appears to be too many "photographers" concerned with pixel peeping, resolution and discussing the technical merits of one camera system or another but would fail to recognise a good photo opportunity even if it had neon signs on it. Never let the trolls get to you.
Nick, with the talk about sharpness and technical perfection, you just gainer another subscriber :) That is the reason I left digital photography for perfectionists. Happily printing in my modest darkroom on 10x12 paper max. Looking forward to another video
The dog passed out on the couch was funny. Glad for the rant. I don't go for tack sharp in my images, but what will yank the guts of the people looking at it. If I can get a tear out of somebody's eye then I feel like I've accomplished something.
You are bang on with the search with perfection, we see an awful lot of people on youtube saying this camera is not perfect because res/focus/sharpness etc, but the truth in most digital or film are fine, it is almost as if they are going to do billboards size prints, but lets face it is usually 8" x 10" prints at the most, I have used have worked in the graphic arts for over 40 years and back then it was film, as for enlargers I used to use an 10" x 8 " DeVere enlarger but the headroom needed was a really high and it took up a huge amount of space so I can understand you not going down that road, as it very expensive run and can only be justified if you running a lab.
I shoot pretty much only on film. All my negs get 'scanned' on a lightbox with a digital camera. I do minor post-processing in Photoshop. So all my prints and books are digital prints. It has never occurred to me that that's 'wrong' in some way. You are spot on. There's no point explaining why I shoot on film. I like the end result. That's all. Also, love those out of focus pics. For same reason, I love pinhole photography cos it stops me worrying about 'image quality'.
Oh man, great follow up video!! What I really loved was when you were talking about shooting film, but scanning amd printing digital! I couldn't agree more!
Preach it brother, preach! The pursuit of technical perfection is the death of artistic vision. I am so sick of people pushing the “latest greatest” camera which has no regard for how it contributes to the making of art. My newest digital camera is 8 years old and the number of photographers I encounter who say I can’t be serious about my art because my camera is old - look at the 16x20’s I have hanging on peoples walls and tell me how I would sell more photos by upgrading my camera. I try to sell photos that people like to look at, not photos with the greatest dynamic range or highest saturation point. Again, preach it brother!
I enjoyed these two videos hugely. As usual. A mature artist showing his process and thinking, which are the result of long and thoughtful experience. They help me keep my eye on the ball, rather than all the technobabble which you targeted in your rant. And congrats on keeping the rant under control! Sticking to the real point. As usual. Thank you very very much!
Nothing I've seen you do is even remotely boring. Always informative and entertaining. Turns the rainy day we're having here in Washington state, on this last day of April into one with some Nick Carver sunshine.
Love your conversational style. I really enjoyed and agree with your rant. There are too many channels that go out and take a picture (or a thousand of the same image) and then spend hours on power point.
Hey man, it was cool of you to answer these questions. Always awesome to have a little insight into the "behind the scenes" processes. I believe I took pearl or two from this one. Cheers from your northern pal.
i couldn't agree more about the obsession with mega pixels and sharpness making photography boring and clinical. just find an interesting subject, grab a tool for taking photos, take the shot! tell the story! thanks again for another great video Nick!
Nick the print/framing bit was awesome. This follow up paired really well so thanks for taking the time to do it. Appreciate the straight forward comments and answers.
Excellent video! I enjoy most of your videos, but the two last ones were special. I probably would have spend hours in Photoshop trying to fix a light leak, but it never occurred to me to criticize your decision not to. It's so refreshing to see your attitude/view on what's cool, particularly when it doesn't align exactly with what I'd would have done.
OMG that was the perfect rant! I shoot film because I love the process. I also don't share my work outside good friends and family because in my world they are the only ones that matter.. Thanks for another great video
Those videos might be less popular for your audience as a whole. But for other artists and photographers especially watching you must be so inspirational! There's so much useful information in those, that's incredible! After watching all of your videos I decided I am going to start printing my work this year.
I enjoyed the original video and I thought this follow-up was great also. I am glad you tell it like it is. When people post negative comments (different from constructive criticism)on videos or in photo groups, I just look at them as someone who is insecure and need to make themselves feel superior. At the end of the day, you are a well know photographer (they are not) and you have a good following and most people don’t know who they are. Like you said, if you like it and the client likes it that is all that matters. You jumped on one of my soapboxes, so I totally appreciate your comments!
lol It's ART! More importantly, it's YOUR art. I agree 100% regarding your comments about people obsessing over whatever technique. One of my best photos from a shoot was one with a slight blur - and the client loved that one. I have never been able to duplicate it, but it's not one of the best. Technique? None. Artists create. Keep on doing you style - that's why many of us following Are following. (I do suspect there would have been 'Words' if I had glitched a wedding shoot though) :)
By about 18 minutes in I was starting to feel a little sleepy. No blame on the topic or the speaker, but the extremely relaxed pup in the lower left was starting to get to me. Who can resist any creature that content and secure? And, oh, yeah, the content is great. “If I have to explain, you’re not going to get it...”
Thanks, Nick. Great rant; by the time you're 70, you'll be a master!! By the way, your print vid inspired me to print a couple of my images -- so I went to Bay Photo as I have for years, and now I have two beautiful 12 X 18 B & W prints that go into next month's budget for framing!! Also, loved how the dog sensed you initial discomfort getting started with this vid and tried to be there for you! Sweet.
Your rant is proof of maturity and professionalism in art; I couldn't agree more with your points. It's nothing new though, I mean it used to be that you couldn't be an expert landscape photographer if you shot your color photos on negatives. Just like the argument that the best painters use oils instead of acrylics. Give me a break, who cares. Just make good work. The funny thing about dynamic range is how much that changed with digital.
I love your videos and thank you for explaining that. I kept thinking I am a bad photographer because it is not technically correct. I hear that so much on TH-cam ,so I don’t show my images but I love my composition. I will start looking through my old images again and reassess them. Thanks again
Nick, new to your channel, love your approach . Totally agree with you on the stupid questions. I have been shooting medium format for 20 years, for me it is the only way to go.
Thanks Nick, for letting us behind the curtain! All your videos are worth watching. 👍👍 Just found you, btw. Hence the late comment. I'm joining the film fray after many years in a digital wasteland. Sold all my gear and went old school. Your tips really help. Thanks again...
Thanks for the book recommendation. As the title perfectly describes the way I am doing photography. Therefor thanks for the video too! And I love the light leak as it adds so much more to the photo.
Hello Nick Thank you for the great videos that you put on TH-cam. Always a joy and very inspiring. Are you an internationally respected photographer? Absolutely!!! Greetings from Sweden.
Just loved that rant Nick. Great responses btw. I thought the slight light leaks were a masterstroke in creating genuine artistic authenticity to those particular prints - great idea.
Loved this video though have to confess it's the first one...my bad! Only come to know of you after watching your podcast interview with Thomas Heaton. Liberating to hear of a professional photographer dismissing the perfection-hunting wannabes out there (in the context of art). It gives me confidence. Will now go and watch a few more of your back catalogue of videos. Subscribed 👍🏼
On the BBC One TV series, "Fake or Fortune", Provenance is always the first line of inquiry. Your use of a unique serial number for your prints is a good move. Excellent follow up to Part 1.
Bravo for saying it as it is Nick! Book duly ordered. I'd link this video in my local Club Facebook page, but the sheer amount of opprobrium I'd receive for having the temerity to question the prevailing orthodoxy is just too much to bear. As for print framing, I did a 60inch print for a client and as you said the framing cost was way more than the print itself. What's worse is that because of the pandemic, I've never even seen it myself!
Nice follow up to the print video. I particularly enjoyed the print video as I really enjoy seeing what and how other artists present their work. Nice job!!
I do agree on the printing subject , making large prints in the darkroom can be a pain if you’re not geared up for it. I do have a darkroom and the max I will do is 20x16 ins at a push. I just enjoy the process of doing it albeit 10x8” ,5x7” etc! You will get imperfections but so what ? Just enjoy it! Great video 👍🇬🇧
Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou Amen, Im not religious but if there was a church that preached like this I would convert. That very book is also what made me sit back and think. Got into a very similar argument a while back when someone could not understand why I was scanning MF negatives to "Digital" only to print out a larger negative for A3+ Contact Printing...
Your point about obsession about focus etc....im 100% with you, like you said unless you are doing it for a clients he is the only one he have to like it...
I'm giving you a standing ovation on the "technical perfection" rant. I have, in the last 8 months or so, gone back to B & W for one reason...okay, two reasons: I love it and I became sooooo tired of seeing color images that are focus stacked, exposure stacked, and focal length blended. Do they look really good? Yeah, sometimes. Do I have a desire to capture 27 different frames and spend 19 hours blending them in PS? Absolutely not. I see people raising there ISO to capture a scene because a couple of branches are moving in the wind, hey, sometimes nature moves. Galen Rowell was amazing and he had movement in almost all of his images. I really enjoy your laid-back approach and your sense of humor is top notch. Take care.
Your point about the obsession over technical perfection ruining digital photography really describes something I felt for a long time but couldn't put into words.
Definitely what I am feeling right now. This video was really refreshing to listen to.
Yeah, lately I've been posting pictures that mean more to me than how technically good they're. Sometimes I'd like to just forget all I learned as a photographer and be as impressed with a picture as someone who has never clicked on a camera
Enjoyed the rant
@@federicoskliarevsky yes you need to stop worrying about the technical and free up your mind from all this nonsense of perfection, all it does is make people more critical of things that have no substance, everything becomes so bland and the same when you stick to the guidelines like they are rules.
He definitely has a way of delivering such things. Same thing for me was when he talked about all those sony boys that edit their ,creative’ pictures in pure teal and orange.
i bought so much bitcoin because of your recommendation
this true?
are you bitcoin billionaire yet?
@@someonewithsomename It's a joke about a spam bot on his last video
Nick, your rant about the light leak is amazing. I love you.
Art is not technical perfection, art is emotional expression. Great job Nick, always appreciate your videos.
You are absolutely right Nick. Doing large wall prints means a heck of a lot of huge darkroom equipment. I work at a Fujifilm lab and inkjet is definitely the way to go for large format printing. 10x8's etc. Yes, printing them the analogue and building your own darkroom is fine, but even then you need a fair bit of space to do that. I shoot digital for my work and film for everything else, but I always go through the digital process at the end. I think your dog gave up and went to sleep. He probably thinks you are just talking to yourself again.
Earlier today I was bummed for about a second that “blew the focus” on a candid portrait I took of my sun while we rode a mini train at the local park. Then I realized precisely Nick’s comment about sharpness as some collective arbitrary standard. My shot captures his emotion, as he turned around to look at me. He was happy, joyful, and wanted to look at me to share the moment. And I blew the focus because after a year of covid, I just hadn’t been shooting on my Sony a7ii and was a little rusty. But we had a wonderful mini adventure, and that snapshot captured it all. It’s a photo that I will cherish forever. Who cares about sharpness when you have the other stuff.
Nick, people shoot film because they like the look from it. Continoue with it, it is your thing. Full respect.
I like what you are doing and the photos you make.
Don't take this the wrong way, because a lot of your answers were fantastic and absolutely worth talking about.
But the sleeping puppers on the edge of the frame was the best part of the video.
Except a smaller aperture would've kept the dog in sharper focus ;^)
Loved the rant. The prints were fabulous. The things I liked best about them: 1) composition and imagery was striking. 2) the inclusion of the border with film data was genius 3) The light leak was thumbing your nose at pixel peeping know nothings. I applaud all three. This video and the polaroid bee adventure are my two favorites. You are not a cardboard cutout of a person, but someone like us, but perhaps with a special gift for composing pictures. Keep up the good work.
A university lecturer once said to me.
"One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star".
(Friedrich Nietzsche)..
If I have to explain you won't understand, but I think you do.
Great video, you nailed it again.
Hey, Nick. You just gave me the perfect answer to "Dude, why do you shoot film with a wooden camera?" My new answer is, "Because it's a bear to get a good light leak with a dslr." Good stuff, Carver. Keep 'em coming.
Love how the dog is completed sacked out on the couch during the light leak rant. Good on you, Nick. This sort of stuff is why I keep watching. (not the dog - your point of view - but the dog is an added bonus).
You ARE respected as a photographer! Other channels speak highly of your videos and your art and you inspire other photographers (look at the comments). Love your videos, your art and the way you present them. Thank-you!
Loved and agreed with the rant. A neighbour of my parents converted a bedroom in to a listening room for his vinyl; it was mint. I asked my father what he thought and his only comment was that the guy had stopped listening to the music and only heard the imperfections. Same thing with getting obsessed with technical perfection. You stop seeing the picture.
I just found you channel and I have to stay because of your blunt and honest personality when teaching. Thank you 👏
You said it spot on, man. If you like it, if you have clients who love it, who cares what the technical quality of a photo is. People are so narrow minded.
One of your best videos. Is not about perfection is about the composition and content on the photography. Thank you 🙏 Nick.
People need to stop worrying about what other people are shooting, Nick is one of the few TH-cam photographers that doesn't make me vomit in my mouth watching them he's just a awesome personality and photographer. I personally couldn't care less about what camera he shoots or film he uses, i just care about the journey and end photo that he takes. Look at your own photography and choose where YOU want to take it and stop giving a crap about film or digital and start creating your own work.
Totally agree Nick, its all about the picture, not who, why or what, the picture is as good as the eye of the beholder
The light-leak just adds to the originality of the photo. These prints were great and I love imperfection (perhaps that's why I like your channel so much - ha ha).
You are such an inspiration to myself and I am sure many others. The level of professionalism and attention to detail is to be admired. Really enjoyed the video, on a few occasions already. Keep up the good content.
When it comes to whose opinion matters most in the "art on the wall" relationship it's 51% photographer vs 49% client. If the photographer is not happy with the work then eventually he/she will burn out and will no longer be able to produce product that a client will want to buy. Produce what makes you happy and let like minded clients find your work. And you are right about the work for hire aspect. Shoot what the client requires and God help you if you don't have a creative outlet. Keep on keepin' on. Love your stuff.
Nick, I so agree with the commentary on the nerding out on "technical perfection". But, the autofocus! But, the megapixels! But, the dynamic range!... Groan. Where is the soul? The obsession with such things loses sight of what making a photo is all about: making a connection with others through the expression of your way of seeing.
The dog is so cute. 😍 Everyone talks about whether a picture is technically perfect but not whether it is good. So true
You just said everything I keep to myself when having this discussion with people who are obsessed with technical qualities of making an image. 👍🏻
Love the rant. I have several images that I really like that are not technically perfect, but have a soul to them. Your channel is educational to me because it gives another perspective to help me detox from the internet forums and the pundits who couldn't take a good photograph to save their own pitiful lives. Another photographer called them the "middle managers" of the hobby and I think that is too kind.
Everything, and I mean everything, you've said, and your disgust with "perfection" is spot on.
I am sooooo with you about the technical perfection of photography - love your work geezer.
You are sharing your trade secrets and encouraging us to find our owns. Focusing on the essential: pleasure and process. That’s generous of you and inspiring. Thank you Nick.
you nail it absolutely on point how you describe the technical perfection-problem in photography today. thank you nick!
Spot on, the obsession over perfection is a waste of effort
Thanks for the rant Nick. Couldn't agree more. In my opinion, these "technical errors" add to the story of the photo. Like that light leak, soo much character... I'm digging it 😎.
Thanks for your response to the questions about the design of your label on the back of your prints. Very helpful and appreciated.
Great video and fabulous rant. Your videos always warm the cockles of photographers hearts worldwide. Look forward to the next location shoot.
I enjoyed your rant :) there is a distinct difference between a fine art photography channel like yours and a photography technique/gear channel. I really appreciate your artistic focus. I watched a youtube video about wet-collodion process photos and I loved the results this guy was getting. He was very nonchalant about the way he captured and developed his images but the end result was spectacular. Anyway thanks for the quality content.
Nick, your point of view of art and your works are truly inspired me!
People asking why this process obviously haven't worked in a dark room to know the obstacles and limitations. Nuff said on that. Well done for another great video Nick.
I really enjoy watching your channel and totally agree with you about so called perfection. Unfortunately there appears to be too many "photographers" concerned with pixel peeping, resolution and discussing the technical merits of one camera system or another but would fail to recognise a good photo opportunity even if it had neon signs on it. Never let the trolls get to you.
Nick, with the talk about sharpness and technical perfection, you just gainer another subscriber :) That is the reason I left digital photography for perfectionists. Happily printing in my modest darkroom on 10x12 paper max. Looking forward to another video
The dog passed out on the couch was funny. Glad for the rant. I don't go for tack sharp in my images, but what will yank the guts of the people looking at it. If I can get a tear out of somebody's eye then I feel like I've accomplished something.
You are bang on with the search with perfection, we see an awful lot of people on youtube saying this camera is not perfect because res/focus/sharpness etc, but the truth in most digital or film are fine, it is almost as if they are going to do billboards size prints, but lets face it is usually 8" x 10" prints at the most, I have used have worked in the graphic arts for over 40 years and back then it was film, as for enlargers I used to use an 10" x 8 " DeVere enlarger but the headroom needed was a really high and it took up a huge amount of space so I can understand you not going down that road, as it very expensive run and can only be justified if you running a lab.
I shoot pretty much only on film. All my negs get 'scanned' on a lightbox with a digital camera. I do minor post-processing in Photoshop. So all my prints and books are digital prints. It has never occurred to me that that's 'wrong' in some way. You are spot on. There's no point explaining why I shoot on film. I like the end result. That's all. Also, love those out of focus pics. For same reason, I love pinhole photography cos it stops me worrying about 'image quality'.
Oh man, great follow up video!! What I really loved was when you were talking about shooting film, but scanning amd printing digital! I couldn't agree more!
Lol. a well known and respected photographer. What are you talking about? You already a well known respected photographer brother. Love what you do.
Yes, taking anything too seriously is never healthy. You have the better attitude! This helped me lighten up a little. Thanks!!
Loved your comment about light leaks.
Preach it brother, preach! The pursuit of technical perfection is the death of artistic vision.
I am so sick of people pushing the “latest greatest” camera which has no regard for how it contributes to the making of art. My newest digital camera is 8 years old and the number of photographers I encounter who say I can’t be serious about my art because my camera is old - look at the 16x20’s I have hanging on peoples walls and tell me how I would sell more photos by upgrading my camera. I try to sell photos that people like to look at, not photos with the greatest dynamic range or highest saturation point. Again, preach it brother!
I enjoyed these two videos hugely. As usual. A mature artist showing his process and thinking, which are the result of long and thoughtful experience. They help me keep my eye on the ball, rather than all the technobabble which you targeted in your rant. And congrats on keeping the rant under control! Sticking to the real point. As usual. Thank you very very much!
Nothing I've seen you do is even remotely boring. Always informative and entertaining. Turns the rainy day we're having here in Washington state, on this last day of April into one with some Nick Carver sunshine.
Love your conversational style. I really enjoyed and agree with your rant. There are too many channels that go out and take a picture (or a thousand of the same image) and then spend hours on power point.
Hey man, it was cool of you to answer these questions. Always awesome to have a little insight into the "behind the scenes" processes. I believe I took pearl or two from this one. Cheers from your northern pal.
"The content matters. Composition matters"! Yes sir! I'm loving this video - from a pinholer!
I totally agree with you. Obsessing with technical „perfection“ can take you away from the aesthetics that really matter.
THIS!! Every photographer should watch this. So inspiring. This is where you can find the point. Thanks mate.
i couldn't agree more about the obsession with mega pixels and sharpness making photography boring and clinical. just find an interesting subject, grab a tool for taking photos, take the shot! tell the story! thanks again for another great video Nick!
Excellent! More of the community need to hear "the rant".
Thumbs up to you Nick. All of the iconic photos lack perfection and that is what make them iconic.
We just enjoy listening to you talk -- doesn't matter all that much what it's about. 😊
Nick the print/framing bit was awesome. This follow up paired really well so thanks for taking the time to do it. Appreciate the straight forward comments and answers.
Excellent video! I enjoy most of your videos, but the two last ones were special. I probably would have spend hours in Photoshop trying to fix a light leak, but it never occurred to me to criticize your decision not to. It's so refreshing to see your attitude/view on what's cool, particularly when it doesn't align exactly with what I'd would have done.
Great video Nick. I love a good light leak. Screw perfection. It's all about the image itself.
Doggo leaping to the chair in the very last second of this video has set me up to have a very happy Friday evening.
Totally within his right. Nick didn't invoke the Call of Fives.
Amen brother! The MOST important aspect of the picture is content, not technical ability. Not enough people are saying this!
OMG that was the perfect rant! I shoot film because I love the process. I also don't share my work outside good friends and family because in my world they are the only ones that matter.. Thanks for another great video
the on locations and the print tutorials are awesome!!! thank you Nick, waiting eagerly for the large format course!
The amount of small details that you put into your work is really something else, great stuff
Those videos might be less popular for your audience as a whole.
But for other artists and photographers especially watching you must be so inspirational! There's so much useful information in those, that's incredible!
After watching all of your videos I decided I am going to start printing my work this year.
I'm so glad you don't allow the jealousy of others out there to bring you down. You do excellent work. Don't stop. In addition, the dog is sooo cute.
I appreciate learning about your process and your thoughts. Thanks for the video.
I've now watched "The Rant" 4 times! So powerful, gives me a totally new perspective! Thanks Nick
I enjoyed the original video and I thought this follow-up was great also. I am glad you tell it like it is. When people post negative comments (different from constructive criticism)on videos or in photo groups, I just look at them as someone who is insecure and need to make themselves feel superior. At the end of the day, you are a well know photographer (they are not) and you have a good following and most people don’t know who they are. Like you said, if you like it and the client likes it that is all that matters. You jumped on one of my soapboxes, so I totally appreciate your comments!
lol It's ART! More importantly, it's YOUR art. I agree 100% regarding your comments about people obsessing over whatever technique. One of my best photos from a shoot was one with a slight blur - and the client loved that one. I have never been able to duplicate it, but it's not one of the best. Technique? None. Artists create. Keep on doing you style - that's why many of us following Are following. (I do suspect there would have been 'Words' if I had glitched a wedding shoot though) :)
By about 18 minutes in I was starting to feel a little sleepy. No blame on the topic or the speaker, but the extremely relaxed pup in the lower left was starting to get to me. Who can resist any creature that content and secure? And, oh, yeah, the content is great. “If I have to explain, you’re not going to get it...”
Great discussion on technical perfection!! Spot on.
Thanks, Nick. Great rant; by the time you're 70, you'll be a master!! By the way, your print vid inspired me to print a couple of my images -- so I went to Bay Photo as I have for years, and now I have two beautiful 12 X 18 B & W prints that go into next month's budget for framing!! Also, loved how the dog sensed you initial discomfort getting started with this vid and tried to be there for you! Sweet.
Your rant is proof of maturity and professionalism in art; I couldn't agree more with your points. It's nothing new though, I mean it used to be that you couldn't be an expert landscape photographer if you shot your color photos on negatives. Just like the argument that the best painters use oils instead of acrylics. Give me a break, who cares. Just make good work.
The funny thing about dynamic range is how much that changed with digital.
I love your videos and thank you for explaining that. I kept thinking I am a bad photographer because it is not technically correct. I hear that so much on TH-cam ,so I don’t show my images but I love my composition. I will start looking through my old images again and reassess them. Thanks again
Nick, new to your channel, love your approach . Totally agree with you on the stupid questions. I have been shooting medium format for 20 years, for me it is the only way to go.
I hate to break it to you, but you are already respected as a photographer. Carry on.
Thanks Nick, for letting us behind the curtain! All your videos are worth watching. 👍👍
Just found you, btw. Hence the late comment.
I'm joining the film fray after many years in a digital wasteland. Sold all my gear and went old school. Your tips really help. Thanks again...
Nick your attention to detail is incredibly inspiring. I've started getting really into the whole film process thanks to you!
Thanks for the book recommendation. As the title perfectly describes the way I am doing photography. Therefor thanks for the video too! And I love the light leak as it adds so much more to the photo.
Always look forward to your videos Nick.
Nick, you hit it right on the head!! I agree with you totally about the belief that there is perfection in art!!!!
Really good deal! I was shopping around for a framer here in LA and I was getting price quotes starting from $800 to frame a 16x20 print.
Hello Nick
Thank you for the great videos that you put on TH-cam. Always a joy and very inspiring.
Are you an internationally respected photographer? Absolutely!!!
Greetings from Sweden.
Just loved that rant Nick. Great responses btw. I thought the slight light leaks were a masterstroke in creating genuine artistic authenticity to those particular prints - great idea.
As a fellow fine art photographer, i relate so much to the light leak rant. Very well said.
Regarding the light leak: better beautiful than perfect.
The photos are gorgeous.
Loved this video though have to confess it's the first one...my bad! Only come to know of you after watching your podcast interview with Thomas Heaton. Liberating to hear of a professional photographer dismissing the perfection-hunting wannabes out there (in the context of art). It gives me confidence. Will now go and watch a few more of your back catalogue of videos. Subscribed 👍🏼
On the BBC One TV series, "Fake or Fortune", Provenance is always the first line of inquiry. Your use of a unique serial number for your prints is a good move. Excellent follow up to Part 1.
Bravo for saying it as it is Nick! Book duly ordered. I'd link this video in my local Club Facebook page, but the sheer amount of opprobrium I'd receive for having the temerity to question the prevailing orthodoxy is just too much to bear. As for print framing, I did a 60inch print for a client and as you said the framing cost was way more than the print itself. What's worse is that because of the pandemic, I've never even seen it myself!
Nice follow up to the print video. I particularly enjoyed the print video as I really enjoy seeing what and how other artists present their work. Nice job!!
I'm completely with you on the perfection vs imperfection conversation. Enjoy your videos, Nick!
I do agree on the printing subject , making large prints in the darkroom can be a pain if you’re not geared up for it. I do have a darkroom and the max I will do is 20x16 ins at a push. I just enjoy the process of doing it albeit 10x8” ,5x7” etc! You will get imperfections but so what ? Just enjoy it! Great video 👍🇬🇧
Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou
Amen, Im not religious but if there was a church that preached like this I would convert.
That very book is also what made me sit back and think.
Got into a very similar argument a while back when someone could not understand why I was scanning MF negatives to "Digital" only to print out a larger negative for A3+ Contact Printing...
Great Rant Nick. Fun and entertaining.
Thanks
Your point about obsession about focus etc....im 100% with you, like you said unless you are doing it for a clients he is the only one he have to like it...
Very much agreed with the screed on perfection but have to say my favorite part by far was your dog sleeping through the rant!
I'm giving you a standing ovation on the "technical perfection" rant. I have, in the last 8 months or so, gone back to B & W for one reason...okay, two reasons: I love it and I became sooooo tired of seeing color images that are focus stacked, exposure stacked, and focal length blended. Do they look really good? Yeah, sometimes. Do I have a desire to capture 27 different frames and spend 19 hours blending them in PS? Absolutely not. I see people raising there ISO to capture a scene because a couple of branches are moving in the wind, hey, sometimes nature moves. Galen Rowell was amazing and he had movement in almost all of his images. I really enjoy your laid-back approach and your sense of humor is top notch. Take care.