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.
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).
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 😎.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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!
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.
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...
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'.
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!
"If the picture is awesome that's all that matters". I had to pause the video right there to comment down here: THANK YOU. The dude who replied to me in your last video about the light leak was really pretty annoying. The fact that he thinks since you didn't originally like the light leak when you took the photo made you somehow disingenuous for then selling a print of that photo to a client was a ridiculous notion. As if you're not allowed to change your opinion or allow your customer to form their own opinion about what they like. It's art, it's, subjective! To me it's a cool photo with cool esthetics! /rant
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!
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.
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) :)
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.
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!
I work in a darkroom in the 60s and believe me it's not all that mush fun. Yes, seeing the image show up is pure magic. But to make museum quality prints takes years of work. Many famous photographers didn't make their own prints. Ansel Adams was the rare exception. And like you mentioned making large prints requires more square feet than your house has. Seriously. Another important factor is that digital prints will last a lot longer than silver based prints. PS: I miss Laguna Beach for photography.
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 👍🏼
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.
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!!
Nick, I just re-re-re-watched this video. And I have to say all you said is so true. Photography, as I understand it, is a translation process from the reality (or what we believe is real), which we see with our eyes, into the image that we finally hang to our wall. Nobody ever said that the image has to show "reality" 1:1. Even Ansel Adams said his images don't show nature as he saw it. He modified it, a thing called "creativity". And there is nothing wrong if the process and equipment, camera, film (grain!), light leaks (!), lack of sharpness, and so on, leave their footprint in the artwork. This can be part of the creative process, so why hide it? The "imperfection" can even be an important tool in the creative process. Why are people buying old lenses that have "character" again? I was recently at the Alabama Hills (guess who inspired that?), and running behind my schedule I decided to take some quick-and-dirty pics to finish a roll of Ilford FP4 in one of the film backs of my RB67. I parked the car and went with the 127 mm lens and without tripod to look for some good compositions between these amazing rock formations. Minutes later the film was full and I left. I just developed it and - long story short - I selected three of the six frames to become a triptych which I currently have printed 22x26 inches on Baryte paper, which you know isn't cheap. All three shots are not technically perfect. They could have been sharper had I used a tripod and stopped the lens down some more, and one even has a little motion blur. You know how it is using the big Mamiya hand-held! But hell, by my standards the shots are amazing, and I even resisted re-sharpening them in LIghtroom. And I scanned them including the film border (guess who inspired that!). I didn't reduce grain, and I didn't reduce the motion blur in one of them, although Photoshop can do that. I left them as they were, removed dust and adjusted brightness just a little, so the three images go together well. I like the idea that the imperfection of the process and equipment and the eight inches behind the camera, are visible in the prints. All this is part of the making of these images. And guess what: When the prints have been framed, I will put a sticker on their back. I'm so proud of these three images. Thanks for the inspiration! Alex PS On the drive from Colorado to L.A. and back I didn't spot a single Ocotillo bush! Too bad. I'll be back!
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.
Awesome follow up! The printing of the Ocotillos is by far one of my fave vids.. I’m just a nerd like that lol.. 1000% agree about thee obsession of megapixels, technicality, etc.. I’ve been shamed a few times over about my photos, and my perspective changed when I saw some of my critic’s photos 😂😂.. kinda reminds me of the “health and diet experts” around me offering their critiques on my journey to shed some weight and get healthier.. that are not necessarily much better off than me if you catch my drift 😂😂😂..
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 👍🇬🇧
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.
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.
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
I so agree with you wrt to so-called perfection in photography. I came to photography as a computer geek, so was interested in technical perfection. And then I understood there was something much more important than technique. I'm not sure what to call it. Vision? I sell (small) prints made from photos I created with my midrange phone. Some of them would qualify as garbage according to those who value the technical first. But I like them a lot and so do the people who've paid for them. Even better, it forces me to concentrate on what matters: I can't rely on technical perfection, so I have to create something that's valuable in another way. Emotion, for example? Even with my "proper" camera (not my smartphone, that is), I've learned to concentrate more on composition than I do on settings. Sure, I'll try and choose settings that do a good job. But I don't stress over getting the absolute best settings before finding the strongest composition. I try and get my priorities straight. Anyway, this long comment just to say I agree and thanks for the great videos. I started following you only recently, but I'm glad I did. Looking forward to all the good stuff you'll share with us. Thanks!
LOL... armchair quaterbacks regarding your work.. Love your response. The mistakes (light leaks) or other subtle nuance IS what makes the image unique. Anyone can take a good picture of a plant !!!!! Frank Onkenfels talked specifically about this very thing, mistakes is actually what hes looking for.
Great video Nick! I watched it off-line yesterday, but had to log in today to comment. And see how many dis-likable people gave it a thumbs down. Seems you just can't get away from those anti-alcohol and/or anti-art peeps, no matter how hard you try. ;) Keep up the great art buddy!
Speaking of 'is the photo any good or not.." I have an instant Kodak picture that my aunt took in 1978 at a roadside stand in Florida, bushel baskets of earthworms. Blue sky, yellow baskets, strong leading line from the highway edge and even has her shadow in the corner. It is soft, has some kinda weird color balance, but it looks like a Winogrand. great photo. It inspires me everytime I see it.
Hey Nick, this being the third of your videos I have so far watched (obviously including the one this is related to) I just wanted to say that I LOVED your rant almost as much as your art work! Pure comedy gold, as well as reiterating so many of my own feelings about those large numbers of faceless, opinionated, self-declared experts, who sadly waste too much of their little lives online, venting their spleens in the hope that it will make them feel better for not having produced ANY of their own artwork they are proud enough of themselves, let alone enough to show it to the world, and risk having people like them tell them nasty things the don’t want to hear! For the record, I rather liked the light leaks, and it makes me laugh that amongst the ever growing variety of software techniques to make digital images look like analogue film (some of which I also like) these also include the ability to add in light leaks and other such "defects" to your digital files! Keep up the fantastic work man and look forward to hearing you rant 👍
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...
👍🥰 Totally agree with you on this. Photographers could greatly benefit from a deep look at the history of realism and impressionism -- certainly a good place to start. Obsessing about tack sharp photographs, dynamic range, resolution, megapixels, ibis -- its boring. Imagine -- pixel peeping, sharpness check of Sally Mann's work. Great work. Love your Joshua Tree photographs.
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.
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).
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.
I just found you channel and I have to stay because of your blunt and honest personality when teaching. Thank you 👏
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!
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.
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.
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 ;^)
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).
Everything, and I mean everything, you've said, and your disgust with "perfection" is spot on.
You just said everything I keep to myself when having this discussion with people who are obsessed with technical qualities of making an image. 👍🏻
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.
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.
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.
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.
We just enjoy listening to you talk -- doesn't matter all that much what it's about. 😊
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.
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 😎.
you nail it absolutely on point how you describe the technical perfection-problem in photography today. thank you nick!
Thanks for your response to the questions about the design of your label on the back of your prints. Very helpful and appreciated.
Nick, your point of view of art and your works are truly inspired me!
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.
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.
One of your best videos. Is not about perfection is about the composition and content on the photography. Thank you 🙏 Nick.
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.
Totally agree Nick, its all about the picture, not who, why or what, the picture is as good as the eye of the beholder
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.
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
I've now watched "The Rant" 4 times! So powerful, gives me a totally new perspective! Thanks Nick
Thumbs up to you Nick. All of the iconic photos lack perfection and that is what make them iconic.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
Excellent! More of the community need to hear "the rant".
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.
waiting for the drunken rant video about why you shoot film and print digitally.
That will go viral :)
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 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!
I am sooooo with you about the technical perfection of photography - love your work geezer.
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.
THIS!! Every photographer should watch this. So inspiring. This is where you can find the point. Thanks mate.
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...
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'.
The amount of small details that you put into your work is really something else, great stuff
Great discussion on technical perfection!! Spot on.
Great video and fabulous rant. Your videos always warm the cockles of photographers hearts worldwide. Look forward to the next location shoot.
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!
"The content matters. Composition matters"! Yes sir! I'm loving this video - from a pinholer!
"If the picture is awesome that's all that matters".
I had to pause the video right there to comment down here:
THANK YOU. The dude who replied to me in your last video about the light leak was really pretty annoying. The fact that he thinks since you didn't originally like the light leak when you took the photo made you somehow disingenuous for then selling a print of that photo to a client was a ridiculous notion. As if you're not allowed to change your opinion or allow your customer to form their own opinion about what they like. It's art, it's, subjective! To me it's a cool photo with cool esthetics!
/rant
Man I’ve have pictures that took months to grow on me, then I loved them. I guess some people just have a hard time understanding a change of mindset.
@@nickcarverphoto Same! Some would say that's part of what makes a normal human being! "A change of opinion? Impossible!"
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!
the on locations and the print tutorials are awesome!!! thank you Nick, waiting eagerly for the large format course!
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.
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) :)
Regarding the light leak: better beautiful than perfect.
The photos are gorgeous.
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.
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.
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!
I hate to break it to you, but you are already respected as a photographer. Carry on.
I work in a darkroom in the 60s and believe me it's not all that mush fun. Yes, seeing the image show up is pure magic. But to make museum quality prints takes years of work. Many famous photographers didn't make their own prints. Ansel Adams was the rare exception.
And like you mentioned making large prints requires more square feet than your house has. Seriously.
Another important factor is that digital prints will last a lot longer than silver based prints.
PS: I miss Laguna Beach for photography.
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 👍🏼
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.
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!!
Great Rant Nick. Fun and entertaining.
Thanks
Nick, I just re-re-re-watched this video. And I have to say all you said is so true. Photography, as I understand it, is a translation process from the reality (or what we believe is real), which we see with our eyes, into the image that we finally hang to our wall. Nobody ever said that the image has to show "reality" 1:1. Even Ansel Adams said his images don't show nature as he saw it. He modified it, a thing called "creativity". And there is nothing wrong if the process and equipment, camera, film (grain!), light leaks (!), lack of sharpness, and so on, leave their footprint in the artwork. This can be part of the creative process, so why hide it? The "imperfection" can even be an important tool in the creative process. Why are people buying old lenses that have "character" again?
I was recently at the Alabama Hills (guess who inspired that?), and running behind my schedule I decided to take some quick-and-dirty pics to finish a roll of Ilford FP4 in one of the film backs of my RB67. I parked the car and went with the 127 mm lens and without tripod to look for some good compositions between these amazing rock formations. Minutes later the film was full and I left.
I just developed it and - long story short - I selected three of the six frames to become a triptych which I currently have printed 22x26 inches on Baryte paper, which you know isn't cheap. All three shots are not technically perfect. They could have been sharper had I used a tripod and stopped the lens down some more, and one even has a little motion blur. You know how it is using the big Mamiya hand-held!
But hell, by my standards the shots are amazing, and I even resisted re-sharpening them in LIghtroom. And I scanned them including the film border (guess who inspired that!). I didn't reduce grain, and I didn't reduce the motion blur in one of them, although Photoshop can do that. I left them as they were, removed dust and adjusted brightness just a little, so the three images go together well. I like the idea that the imperfection of the process and equipment and the eight inches behind the camera, are visible in the prints. All this is part of the making of these images.
And guess what: When the prints have been framed, I will put a sticker on their back. I'm so proud of these three images.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Alex
PS On the drive from Colorado to L.A. and back I didn't spot a single Ocotillo bush! Too bad. I'll be back!
Art is not technical perfection, art is emotional expression. Great job Nick, always appreciate your videos.
You are spot on. Great video Nick. Cheers!
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.
Awesome dude. Great information for the photo community.
As a fellow fine art photographer, i relate so much to the light leak rant. Very well said.
Excellent video Nick. Ive been shooting a Holga lately to embrace the imperfections. Thanks for sharing pal
Awesome follow up! The printing of the Ocotillos is by far one of my fave vids.. I’m just a nerd like that lol.. 1000% agree about thee obsession of megapixels, technicality, etc.. I’ve been shamed a few times over about my photos, and my perspective changed when I saw some of my critic’s photos 😂😂.. kinda reminds me of the “health and diet experts” around me offering their critiques on my journey to shed some weight and get healthier.. that are not necessarily much better off than me if you catch my drift 😂😂😂..
Amen brother! The MOST important aspect of the picture is content, not technical ability. Not enough people are saying this!
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 👍🇬🇧
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.
I already respect you as a great Artists and photographer!
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.
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
I like the light leak.... it adds to the piece for me! It IS ART! Ignore the the trolls Nick the pieces are gorgeous !! Creative freedom !!
Wholeheartedly appreciate your truth bombs on digital photography. Keep up the great content.
Now your dog has entered the frame, they'll gradually become the star, you know!
My initial reaction was to send you a bottle of fine Japanese whisky to savor with your success. Good series of videos.........
I so agree with you wrt to so-called perfection in photography. I came to photography as a computer geek, so was interested in technical perfection. And then I understood there was something much more important than technique. I'm not sure what to call it. Vision? I sell (small) prints made from photos I created with my midrange phone. Some of them would qualify as garbage according to those who value the technical first. But I like them a lot and so do the people who've paid for them. Even better, it forces me to concentrate on what matters: I can't rely on technical perfection, so I have to create something that's valuable in another way. Emotion, for example? Even with my "proper" camera (not my smartphone, that is), I've learned to concentrate more on composition than I do on settings. Sure, I'll try and choose settings that do a good job. But I don't stress over getting the absolute best settings before finding the strongest composition. I try and get my priorities straight.
Anyway, this long comment just to say I agree and thanks for the great videos. I started following you only recently, but I'm glad I did. Looking forward to all the good stuff you'll share with us. Thanks!
Great “rant”, actually insight. Refreshing. Thanks. ✌️
Love the rant. Spot on. Love that the dog slept through it too!
LOL... armchair quaterbacks regarding your work.. Love your response. The mistakes (light leaks) or other subtle nuance IS what makes the image unique. Anyone can take a good picture of a plant !!!!! Frank Onkenfels talked specifically about this very thing, mistakes is actually what hes looking for.
Great video Nick! I watched it off-line yesterday, but had to log in today to comment. And see how many dis-likable people gave it a thumbs down.
Seems you just can't get away from those anti-alcohol and/or anti-art peeps, no matter how hard you try. ;)
Keep up the great art buddy!
I appreciate learning about your process and your thoughts. Thanks for the video.
Great video, Nick! The prints vids are even as interesting as the on location shooting ones, do keep them coming ! ;)
Awesome video, thanks Nick. I also absolutely agree with you in regards to the "content vs technical perfection" topic. Cheers!
Speaking of 'is the photo any good or not.." I have an instant Kodak picture that my aunt took in 1978 at a roadside stand in Florida, bushel baskets of earthworms. Blue sky, yellow baskets, strong leading line from the highway edge and even has her shadow in the corner. It is soft, has some kinda weird color balance, but it looks like a Winogrand. great photo. It inspires me everytime I see it.
Hey Nick, this being the third of your videos I have so far watched (obviously including the one this is related to) I just wanted to say that I LOVED your rant almost as much as your art work! Pure comedy gold, as well as reiterating so many of my own feelings about those large numbers of faceless, opinionated, self-declared experts, who sadly waste too much of their little lives online, venting their spleens in the hope that it will make them feel better for not having produced ANY of their own artwork they are proud enough of themselves, let alone enough to show it to the world, and risk having people like them tell them nasty things the don’t want to hear!
For the record, I rather liked the light leaks, and it makes me laugh that amongst the ever growing variety of software techniques to make digital images look like analogue film (some of which I also like) these also include the ability to add in light leaks and other such "defects" to your digital files! Keep up the fantastic work man and look forward to hearing you rant 👍
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...
👍🥰 Totally agree with you on this. Photographers could greatly benefit from a deep look at the history of realism and impressionism -- certainly a good place to start. Obsessing about tack sharp photographs, dynamic range, resolution, megapixels, ibis -- its boring. Imagine -- pixel peeping, sharpness check of Sally Mann's work. Great work. Love your Joshua Tree photographs.
Great Rant! Great pictures! Great channel! 👍
Do what you like Nick. It has brought success and you are good at it. Maybe the questioners should focus on their own work.
Awesome video. I absolutely understand about the overuse of technical perfection in photography.