Ahahah that "KENT (My new life coach)" bit was so good! That watch assignment stuff is giving Mark Mahaney in the best kind of way. You're killing it man, all of the assignment work is SO good, very proud of you for getting results like that under pressure
Bryan that was not long at all. Looks like you're enjoying the education process you're going through. I think the key to learning is to be entertained at the same time. Congratulations. Liking your work as well.
This was FREAKING fantastic. Thank you for sharing the lessons that you've learned. The advice that you are dispensing from your first hand experience is extremely valuable,. I just shared the quote "”the heart lives by breaking. That’s how the light gets in" with someone that needed to hear it. She replied "Ohh wow. That's powerful". Keep up with the good work. I'm rooting for you.
That last side by side comparison digital vs. 4x5 is astounding. There is no substitute for that large format look! And I really like that advice: "Shoot more - shoot a lot more." That can be applied well to so many disciplines.
Really enjoyed this Bryan it is always really inspiring seeing what you have been up to with project and assignment work, you can really see how your work has grown and how its always improving. You are making some amazing photographs… something I hope to be able to do one day. Thanks again for always putting out content for us to watch.
The feeling of being able to ingest critical feedback in a positive way is one of the best feelings, especially from someone you respect. I'm really enjoying the process of seeing your assignment work too. One of the best channels with honest and critical insights into photography that sets you and your work apart from most. Love from England.
Lovely video. I don't know if the lines are original to Leonard Cohen or not, but in the song "Anthem" he wrote "There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in."
I am no one in particular and have no credentials to backup my advice. I think the feedback you received is excellent. You have both the eye and technical ability to take good photographs, but also both an emotional sympathy and intellectual rigour towards chosen subject. I think this combination of ingredients is the thing that will seperate you from the background, and the feedback you received, from what you say, has tacitly ackoweledged this very solid foundation and offered you ideas for filling out the story-telling to do justice to what is already your worthwhile idea. So, I guess just carry on following your nose, with their suggestions in the background, and all will be well (with the usual required doses of luck). Please continue your current, thoughtful, algorithm-indifferent approach to youtube. This is the good stuff.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I’m glad you included the last part as I am always wondering if what I’m doing and saying is interesting enough to warrant making TH-cam videos. I think it is most of the time but then I watch other videos and doubt myself. Regardless, I will continue until I feel like I’m repeating myself.
@@BryanBirks i absolutely agree. Your channel is one of the few on TH-cam where I have notifications turned on and always watch the whole video (and paying attention - not playing on my phone ;-) )
Bryan, great video as usual. The Chico Review experience sounds incredible. I wonder if there was discussion about how photographers get their work out in the current times I.e. books, galleries? Were there discussions on pros/cons of social media? I really appreciate your TH-cam channel as it is another accessible avenue to get your work and process out to other photographers. Thanks this one.
I talked a lot about social media with my peers while there and a lot of people agreed it’s a necessary evil. You almost have to use it these days. I mean I was discovered by NYT because of Instagram. I think it’s a strange time in general for photographers but at the end of the day I still believe that good/interesting/passionate work and people will rise to the top. It might take time but the cream always rises. I think my channel is a good representation of that. I’ve been going at it for five years at a steady pace and it’s starting to pay off. I know my channel is good and informative but not a lot of people know about it in the grand scheme of TH-cam photography. But you just gotta keep pushing.
Knew this was gonna be good when it started with Stinkfist. Been listening to a lot of PhotoWork podcast and Chico had been brought up quite a bit- was great hearing about your experience.
Thats the first video of your channel that pop up to me, and i must say, it was amazing hearing your stories and getting some advices for my photography journey aswell! Keep up the work man, hugs from Brazil!
Thanks for this video Bryan. Don't care whoever bitched to you that a 15 minute video would be to long, this video was great and had tons of great images to back up the stories you told. I look forward to the expansion on the midwest project. The photos you took in Butte wear a beaut.... sorry Ill see myself out. lol Lastly, the assignment photos from the watch factory LOVED! The nun assignment was great but the portrait that I was like HOLY SHIT, PAUSE! was @12:34 *chefs kiss* Keep kicking ass Bryan.
Great post, Bryan. From a non-emotional perspective, if you didn't already have talent AND maturing skillsets, you wouldn't be getting the commercial opportunities to work. Your perrs are already recognizing your tallent. Make a list of some of your many project experiences that have gone well. Memorize that list. When you hear that inner voice questioning your work, remind yourself of the good work that you've done. Over time you won't hear that voice any longer. Of course you are still growing; you have another 60+ years of creating images and refining yourself. Allow yourself to grow. I'm no expert but I can see that you are on the right path
I played Stinkfist at the saloon in Montana and everyone looked around like the people there had twelve heads. Edit: Stinkfest to Stinkfist. My iPhone did me dirty.
Thanks for sharing. Much respect for seeking out feedback from such accomplished peers. It isn't easy putting yourself out there to be critiqued. Doing this shows how committed you are to growing as an artist. Looking forward to seeing future work.
I have enjoyed following your photographic and career journey especially because you are very open about how each experience has changed you for the better. There is a lot of value in getting a critique from more experienced photographers, in the case of your "Articles of Virtue" project, I think the advice to "build out the world" of the Midwest, as well as the still life garage images, will make for an even better body of work about car culture. The workshop sounds like a great opportunity to hang out with peers and pros after the "workday" is done and just enjoy the company of people with different backgrounds but similar interests. I hope you keep getting more and more assignments which allow you to build on your strengths, but also challenge you to expand your portfolio.
I think it is something that everyone needs but I get that it can be incredibly scary and daunting to think about someone potentially ripping you apart. But it is all with good intentions.
Incredible video. So inspiring and illuminating. Thank you so much for sharing the feedback that you got. It’s so helpful to hear the kinds of things that working professionals and the top minds in the field are concerned with.
5:45 sorry if I don't get it but, isn't that your project idea? Classic cars and their owners? If you start including more elements of the midwest, won't that be a kinda different project? (I get the "too many old guys" thing tho)
It was more of "too many old guys who look the same with the same composition, light, expression, etc.". To the Midwest comment, I think a lot of people were just wanting more out of the environment and to lean into the space in which I live. Showing more of the Midwest in the project isn't going to change the central idea all that much.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and take aways with us! I personally prefer this kind of content as its not only interesting in general but educational too. And thats nice :) love those photos of the hotel! :)
Oh shit, I live near Chico/Butte, and I only found your channel a few days ago and have been binge watching since. Funny little coincidences. Hope you enjoyed your time here!
@@BryanBirks Nice! Glacier is the best of the National Parks in my opinion. Definitely worth the trip, with or without a camera. That being said I've taken some of my favorite pictures in the park. Bozeman's pretty sweet (I'm biased since I live here, though). There's a lot of cool stuff to see in and around town. I"d be happy to buy you a beer/coffee if I'm in town when you come through.
Boom! After your videos I feel set back into reality and the current moment. That's what seperates you in my eyes. Your honest, refined way of conversing. Also I'd love to see Analog Artisans revived, but you do you
Thanks for the kind words! Trying to work on more of those but it’s hard to find people that I find interesting in my area! Especially photographers. It’s something that is always on my mind though. They’re just really time consuming to make right!
I really enjoyed your video! Your photos were great, and I appreciated hearing your thoughts and insights. I had a question about your note about "kick the tripod." meaning avoid using a tripod or to move around more?
Thank you! What I took out of it is get the shot that you were pining for and then after that do something different. Change the composition, focus on something else, screw with the horizon, just try something out of the usual. More options the better.
There is no video in particular and you don't necessarily apply to them but all you can do is make the work you want to be hired for and then put it out into the world. You can certainly email editors to look at your work, but you should have a pretty solid portfolio before doing so to not waste anyone's time.
Thank you for your video! I loved hearing about your experience at Chico. I'm thinking about applying for Chico. Do you mind talking about your application process? Any advice for someone like me, who (like you) has never been to a review and is keen to learn more about myself, my photography, and photography!
Applying is pretty straightforward! Just submit your ongoing project and then wait and see. I would recommend having a pretty tight and cohesive project going in. I would also recommend that you go into with the idea of being extremely social and working on making connections. If you think that isn’t the place for you and the money is a big con then I would look at other reviews. I would venture to guess some people that weren’t as social when I went may say that it’s not worth the investment. But if you have the money, a good cohesive project, and are looking to make friends in a community then I say go for it. You will undoubtedly learn things about your photography and more importantly yourself. I don’t think that’s even a question.
Good stuff Bryan. I hope to go to one of those higher level retreats at some point. When you were talking about the feedback of shooting nothing but classic cars, it resonated with me as I really only shoot trucks/18 wheelers on large format. I should expand a bit although my username doesn’t really lend itself to expansion 😂
Glad you had such a great time at chico. I had a similar experience at Sian Davey’s workshop with a lot of great photographers and you realise it’s us that puts them on a pedestal and they’re just real people. Also, which c41 kit are you using? I recently got Fuji xpress kit and aside from messing up 2 sheets by loading them in a hurry, it works really well.
I've used the Cinestill kit as well as the Arista kit. I think the biggest problem I've had is with the Cinestill kit I bought from Amazon, which I no longer use. But I used it long enough to mess up some sheets. I recently switched to a water bath, and it has given me pretty good results!
@@BryanBirks I tried cinestill before and wasn’t too keen, the Fuji had a bleach and fix separate step, I guess whatever works is what you should use. If I could afford it I’d send it off to a lab but the savings from developing at home make it a no brainer.
@robbiemurrie7562 I’ve seen that the separate bleach and fix is the move. I’m a glutton for punishment so I’m about to develop some sheets right now. I send it out every once in a while but yeah the price is nuts just for processing.
As someone who has nothing to do with commercial photography at all, I actually do have a question. Out of curiosity - how does one get a New York Times assignment? Like, do you send your portfolio to their editors amd one day they suddenly offer you a job? Do they stumble upon your TH-cam videos and sent you an email, asking whether you want to work for the NYT? Or does it all through relationships and nepotism? I literally have zero clue. The reason I'm asking is because I've seen quite a few photographers on TH-cam talk about doing work for the NYT, especially a lot of the street photographers from Paulue B.'s Walkie Talkie series. Often, those people don't even have their own channel, they hadn't ever really published real, complete projects beforehand. Just Instagram and maybe some really small personal stuff. And they don't have much of a public presence at all - similar, no offence, to you. As in, realistically, this channel (despite being great and beautiful) isn't exactly huge. Lastly, on a side note: it feels like the New York Times is the only print medium in the world that still commissions quite a bit of film photography.
I got my first assignment because they found me on Instagram. They reached out, and we set up a call to talk about potential work, but then I didn't hear anything for six months. I had my first one, then second, then third, and by that time you are in their system of photographers and have a proven track record. I got the NBC assignment because someone from NYT recommended me to another editor. It is a lot about your work and some word-of-mouth. You also have to be a kind person and someone that others want to work with. A lot of the work that I've seen from the street photographers for NYT has been very specific art direction in that they want that "street look," if that makes sense. Most of the time I am doing very basic editorial work with portraiture, and those stories were more artful in a way, and the editor probably had a look that they wanted going into it. I think a lot of people still do film, but mostly it comes down to the editor letting the photographer have their choice of medium, and if they are coming to me, they probably know that I shoot 4x5 for the majority of my work.
I would say no. Nothing has changed all that much except for having relationships with very cool people. I think the main benefits will come in the long run, if they come at all.
@ I think community is the big take away outside of the review itself. It’s just about making the work to begin with of course. But having the honor of being selected for such a prestigious review, puts you on the map with contemporaries on that level. Thank you. Although I live in NY now, I’m from Champaign Urbana IL so much of your channel resonates with me.
Glad you found Chico valuable, though I can't help but feel icky about the Workshop Industrial Complex as it has taken shape in the photography world. Asking people spend upward of $10,000 for these short reviews at lavish locales and dangling access to famous photographers in front of them...I don't know, something seems off about the system. Don't get me wrong, workshops can be valuable. I have attended some of the lower priced ones. But it seems like people really milk the workshop circuit as a way to get their foot in the door. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Understandable for sure. Chico could be cheaper but then it wouldn’t be what it is. I made my decision based off of the quality of the reviewers, the access to such people, and the location that it was at. It was a review but it was also a vacation for me complete with all inclusive meals and drinks. There are always going to be different, cheaper, and more accessible options. I’ve looked at a ton of different reviews but the quality of the people giving me feedback left a lot to be desired. With this you had pretty much unlimited access to top tier individuals in the industry. Photography has always been a pricey endeavor and I don’t feel like the cost of a new camera setup (people spend the cost of Chico on new shit they don’t need constantly) is excessive for what you get with this review in particular.
@@BryanBirks Totally get it. Don't fault you or any individual for going at all. I've considered it many times and then back away when I ponder the cost. I just think the industry touts expensive workshops too heavily in way that almost feels exploitative
I don't know Bryan. Portfolio reviews often are more about the projection of the reviewer's taste than your photography and goals. For example when you were told you had "too many pictures of old men" and "too many pictures of old cars," you need to take more landscapes - seriously? Would that genius tell Ansel Adams "a lot of waterfalls and mountains, you need to take more street photography?" "Annie, that's a lot of portraits - why don't you shoot more architecture?" Someone might tell you the tired, "you're not close enough." Yeah, no s@^&# Sherlock - that's because you're photographing scenes like realist painters painted...you're not trying to be postmodern and chaotic inside someone's space.
I think you’re taking it a little too literally. For Ansel Adams, a critique might be “you have too much of X.” His X will differ from my X. Same with Annie. I wasn’t taking one reviewers suggestion and running with it. I took what everyone said and tried to see the biggest faults. It just so happened that many people were saying the same things so it’s obviously something that needs to be looked at as a glaring problem. I was simplifying a lot when I said what I said as well.
Excellent detailed debrief and imagery; thanks. Perfect length for a video -- enough to take in. Good to hear that the NYT has something positive to offer rather than justifying war-profiteers or the surveillance state -- Chris Hedges spoke to the 'India & the Global Left' yt livestream yesterday about his experiences there. Looking forward to more.
Thanks! Yeah, you can take the good and the bad with anything. As a photographer if I chose to only interact with corporations that had perfect ethical standards then I wouldn’t be on TH-cam, Instagram, any social media platform really and I certainly wouldn’t make any money on assignments. I’ve battled with this moral dilemma more times than I can count.
True! I think what I forgot to mention was not only that but it was the same composition, light, expression etc. That was the repetition they were commenting on.
Me watching the shots that show our house hoping that it doesn’t look a mess. 🫣 Oh also I love this video, I love your work and I love watching you flourish. But you already knew that. 🖤
Ahahah that "KENT (My new life coach)" bit was so good! That watch assignment stuff is giving Mark Mahaney in the best kind of way. You're killing it man, all of the assignment work is SO good, very proud of you for getting results like that under pressure
Do not compare me to our lord and savior, Mr. Sheepskin!
Bryan that was not long at all. Looks like you're enjoying the education process you're going through. I think the key to learning is to be entertained at the same time. Congratulations. Liking your work as well.
I’ve said it before I’ll say it again…you are a visual poet my friend. You deeply move me with your story telling ability.
Happy to hear that. Thank you!
This was FREAKING fantastic. Thank you for sharing the lessons that you've learned. The advice that you are dispensing from your first hand experience is extremely valuable,. I just shared the quote "”the heart lives by breaking. That’s how the light gets in" with someone that needed to hear it. She replied "Ohh wow. That's powerful". Keep up with the good work. I'm rooting for you.
Glad it was helpful!
That last side by side comparison digital vs. 4x5 is astounding. There is no substitute for that large format look! And I really like that advice: "Shoot more - shoot a lot more." That can be applied well to so many disciplines.
Truly no comparison. I can always get close but it’s never quite the same.
The algo brought me here but you seem a nice lad so better believe I'm subscribing. Great portraits!
Thanks, Curtis. The algo is never on my side so I’m glad to have you here!
Really enjoyed this Bryan it is always really inspiring seeing what you have been up to with project and assignment work, you can really see how your work has grown and how its always improving. You are making some amazing photographs… something I hope to be able to do one day. Thanks again for always putting out content for us to watch.
Glad you enjoyed it!
The feeling of being able to ingest critical feedback in a positive way is one of the best feelings, especially from someone you respect.
I'm really enjoying the process of seeing your assignment work too.
One of the best channels with honest and critical insights into photography that sets you and your work apart from most.
Love from England.
Thanks, Joe. Just browsed your channel. Looking forward to diving in more!
Excellent stuff Brian. I really enjoyed that. The assignment work you showed was superb. Thanks.
Lovely video. I don't know if the lines are original to Leonard Cohen or not, but in the song "Anthem" he wrote "There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in."
I am no one in particular and have no credentials to backup my advice. I think the feedback you received is excellent. You have both the eye and technical ability to take good photographs, but also both an emotional sympathy and intellectual rigour towards chosen subject. I think this combination of ingredients is the thing that will seperate you from the background, and the feedback you received, from what you say, has tacitly ackoweledged this very solid foundation and offered you ideas for filling out the story-telling to do justice to what is already your worthwhile idea. So, I guess just carry on following your nose, with their suggestions in the background, and all will be well (with the usual required doses of luck). Please continue your current, thoughtful, algorithm-indifferent approach to youtube. This is the good stuff.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
I’m glad you included the last part as I am always wondering if what I’m doing and saying is interesting enough to warrant making TH-cam videos. I think it is most of the time but then I watch other videos and doubt myself. Regardless, I will continue until I feel like I’m repeating myself.
@@BryanBirks i absolutely agree. Your channel is one of the few on TH-cam where I have notifications turned on and always watch the whole video (and paying attention - not playing on my phone ;-) )
I love lazy Sunday mornings with coffee and a new Bryan video ☕📺
Hope you enjoyed it!
Bryan, great video as usual. The Chico Review experience sounds incredible. I wonder if there was discussion about how photographers get their work out in the current times I.e. books, galleries? Were there discussions on pros/cons of social media? I really appreciate your TH-cam channel as it is another accessible avenue to get your work and process out to other photographers. Thanks this one.
I talked a lot about social media with my peers while there and a lot of people agreed it’s a necessary evil. You almost have to use it these days. I mean I was discovered by NYT because of Instagram.
I think it’s a strange time in general for photographers but at the end of the day I still believe that good/interesting/passionate work and people will rise to the top. It might take time but the cream always rises.
I think my channel is a good representation of that. I’ve been going at it for five years at a steady pace and it’s starting to pay off. I know my channel is good and informative but not a lot of people know about it in the grand scheme of TH-cam photography. But you just gotta keep pushing.
it's cool to hear about your assignments as a working photographer.
Knew this was gonna be good when it started with Stinkfist. Been listening to a lot of PhotoWork podcast and Chico had been brought up quite a bit- was great hearing about your experience.
You’re a man of culture.
Photowork is great. Love listening while I’m driving around.
Thats the first video of your channel that pop up to me, and i must say, it was amazing hearing your stories and getting some advices for my photography journey aswell! Keep up the work man, hugs from Brazil!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this video Bryan. Don't care whoever bitched to you that a 15 minute video would be to long, this video was great and had tons of great images to back up the stories you told. I look forward to the expansion on the midwest project. The photos you took in Butte wear a beaut.... sorry Ill see myself out. lol Lastly, the assignment photos from the watch factory LOVED! The nun assignment was great but the portrait that I was like HOLY SHIT, PAUSE! was @12:34 *chefs kiss*
Keep kicking ass Bryan.
Thank you for the kind words! I love a good Dad joke.
Great post, Bryan. From a non-emotional perspective, if you didn't already have talent AND maturing skillsets, you wouldn't be getting the commercial opportunities to work. Your perrs are already recognizing your tallent.
Make a list of some of your many project experiences that have gone well. Memorize that list. When you hear that inner voice questioning your work, remind yourself of the good work that you've done. Over time you won't hear that voice any longer.
Of course you are still growing; you have another 60+ years of creating images and refining yourself. Allow yourself to grow. I'm no expert but I can see that you are on the right path
Thank you!
60 years. Woof. I’ll be 92 and still rocking large format. Haha
Tool in the beginning gave me another reason to stay until the end!
I played Stinkfist at the saloon in Montana and everyone looked around like the people there had twelve heads.
Edit: Stinkfest to Stinkfist. My iPhone did me dirty.
It was great meeting you and the others at Chico! I too am still processing all I learned. Cheers!
Great meeting you as well!
This was awesome. Love all the insights and the work is beautiful.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you 🍻
Thanks for sharing. Much respect for seeking out feedback from such accomplished peers. It isn't easy putting yourself out there to be critiqued. Doing this shows how committed you are to growing as an artist. Looking forward to seeing future work.
Thank you for watching!
You have great images and I love your work
Thank you very much. Thanks for watching!
I have enjoyed following your photographic and career journey especially because you are very open about how each experience has changed you for the better. There is a lot of value in getting a critique from more experienced photographers, in the case of your "Articles of Virtue" project, I think the advice to "build out the world" of the Midwest, as well as the still life garage images, will make for an even better body of work about car culture. The workshop sounds like a great opportunity to hang out with peers and pros after the "workday" is done and just enjoy the company of people with different backgrounds but similar interests.
I hope you keep getting more and more assignments which allow you to build on your strengths, but also challenge you to expand your portfolio.
Thank you, Rob. I really appreciate it!
thanks for sharing this, i need to source critique as well and find your experience encouraging. 'building the world' is a really good idea as well
I think it is something that everyone needs but I get that it can be incredibly scary and daunting to think about someone potentially ripping you apart. But it is all with good intentions.
Great to see another video Brian! Super stoked for you getting those assignments. Well deserved.
Thank you!
Incredible video. So inspiring and illuminating. Thank you so much for sharing the feedback that you got. It’s so helpful to hear the kinds of things that working professionals and the top minds in the field are concerned with.
Glad it was helpful!
Just keep doing this, you’ll succeed.
5:45 sorry if I don't get it but, isn't that your project idea? Classic cars and their owners? If you start including more elements of the midwest, won't that be a kinda different project? (I get the "too many old guys" thing tho)
It was more of "too many old guys who look the same with the same composition, light, expression, etc.".
To the Midwest comment, I think a lot of people were just wanting more out of the environment and to lean into the space in which I live. Showing more of the Midwest in the project isn't going to change the central idea all that much.
Love the lines at the end, man.
Thanks for watching, sir!
Thanks for sharing your experiences and take aways with us! I personally prefer this kind of content as its not only interesting in general but educational too. And thats nice :) love those photos of the hotel! :)
Thank you! I’m happy that you enjoy it. Comments like this keep me going 🍻
Oh shit, I live near Chico/Butte, and I only found your channel a few days ago and have been binge watching since. Funny little coincidences. Hope you enjoyed your time here!
I did indeed. It was all fantastic. Pray, Livingston, Butte...I am planning another trip to Bozeman and Glacier in August.
@@BryanBirks Nice! Glacier is the best of the National Parks in my opinion. Definitely worth the trip, with or without a camera. That being said I've taken some of my favorite pictures in the park. Bozeman's pretty sweet (I'm biased since I live here, though). There's a lot of cool stuff to see in and around town. I"d be happy to buy you a beer/coffee if I'm in town when you come through.
Boom!
After your videos I feel set back into reality and the current moment. That's what seperates you in my eyes. Your honest, refined way of conversing. Also I'd love to see Analog Artisans revived, but you do you
Thanks for the kind words!
Trying to work on more of those but it’s hard to find people that I find interesting in my area! Especially photographers. It’s something that is always on my mind though. They’re just really time consuming to make right!
@@BryanBirks I feel you. Follow the route you're on! They're gonna come along eventually. Focus on what feels right, for the time beeing.
Best way to start the Weekend~~~ Thanks Bryan!! love your content.
Always appreciate it, sir.
Great work. The digital shots are beautiful too, what were they shot on?
Thanks! Lumix S1.
Brother the Travis portrait is one of the best I’ve ever seen, hands-down
Thank you! I’ve been trying to replicate that one since I took it.
Love the pics and commentary, Bryan. Very special to be able to follow your creative journey.
I really appreciate the support 🖤
Do I recognize Tool in the intro ? :)
You do indeed.
An interesting experience. I enjoy seeing your progress. Keep sharing.
Thank you! More to come.
These watchmaker shots are beautiful, Bryan!
Thank you, Wesley!
Love the shot at 7:35
I was just trying to copy the book cover of “Suttree” by Cormac McCarthy.
DUDE I only live about 50 Mi from Quincy. Man I wish I could find photographers close to me to be able to just hang out and talk.
Maybe next time!
Another great video Bryan! It was really cool to see some of the results of your assignment work. Take care...
Appreciate it, Steve! 🍻
Sounds like an absolute dream week!!! Congrats on how it all went
Thanks, dude. Always appreciate the comments!
Nice one, super cool to get insight into the workshop. You have a genuine approach and make great videos.
Happy to hear that! Most of the time I find myself insufferable while editing so it’s good to get feedback like this 😂
Nice to see you back, Bryan
Happy to be back!
thanks for sharing the tips, awesome photos
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
What are you shooting for digital work Brian? Excellent images of the watchmaker.
Thank you! I use a Lumix S1 and a Sigma 35mm. Some stuff was a Sigma 70mm macro.
I really enjoyed your video! Your photos were great, and I appreciated hearing your thoughts and insights. I had a question about your note about "kick the tripod." meaning avoid using a tripod or to move around more?
Thank you!
What I took out of it is get the shot that you were pining for and then after that do something different. Change the composition, focus on something else, screw with the horizon, just try something out of the usual. More options the better.
@@BryanBirks Great to keep in mind. Thank you for the response.
Sounds like you had an amazing week and got some really good feedback about your work, which is awesome. Also, Tool??
Yes it was! Really great experience overall.
Tool is life.
That last quote ❤
One to remember.
I see a Bryan Birks video uploaded, I press play
There he is.
Is there a video on how to apply for these assignments
There is no video in particular and you don't necessarily apply to them but all you can do is make the work you want to be hired for and then put it out into the world. You can certainly email editors to look at your work, but you should have a pretty solid portfolio before doing so to not waste anyone's time.
Killin it dude! Love it!
Appreciate it!
Got that TOOL going on the intro! 🙌🏼
Never leave home without them.
Which focal length do you use most on your digital? Loved the look this time so much
35mm!
Thank you for your video! I loved hearing about your experience at Chico. I'm thinking about applying for Chico. Do you mind talking about your application process? Any advice for someone like me, who (like you) has never been to a review and is keen to learn more about myself, my photography, and photography!
Applying is pretty straightforward! Just submit your ongoing project and then wait and see. I would recommend having a pretty tight and cohesive project going in.
I would also recommend that you go into with the idea of being extremely social and working on making connections. If you think that isn’t the place for you and the money is a big con then I would look at other reviews. I would venture to guess some people that weren’t as social when I went may say that it’s not worth the investment.
But if you have the money, a good cohesive project, and are looking to make friends in a community then I say go for it.
You will undoubtedly learn things about your photography and more importantly yourself. I don’t think that’s even a question.
Good stuff Bryan. I hope to go to one of those higher level retreats at some point.
When you were talking about the feedback of shooting nothing but classic cars, it resonated with me as I really only shoot trucks/18 wheelers on large format.
I should expand a bit although my username doesn’t really lend itself to expansion 😂
Like the great Shia LaBeouf said, “don’t let your dreams be dreams. Just do it.”
@@BryanBirks 💯
Really interesting video….. some very powerful portraits :- )
Thank you!
Glad you had such a great time at chico. I had a similar experience at Sian Davey’s workshop with a lot of great photographers and you realise it’s us that puts them on a pedestal and they’re just real people. Also, which c41 kit are you using? I recently got Fuji xpress kit and aside from messing up 2 sheets by loading them in a hurry, it works really well.
I've used the Cinestill kit as well as the Arista kit. I think the biggest problem I've had is with the Cinestill kit I bought from Amazon, which I no longer use. But I used it long enough to mess up some sheets. I recently switched to a water bath, and it has given me pretty good results!
@@BryanBirks I tried cinestill before and wasn’t too keen, the Fuji had a bleach and fix separate step, I guess whatever works is what you should use. If I could afford it I’d send it off to a lab but the savings from developing at home make it a no brainer.
@robbiemurrie7562 I’ve seen that the separate bleach and fix is the move. I’m a glutton for punishment so I’m about to develop some sheets right now. I send it out every once in a while but yeah the price is nuts just for processing.
Great pictures
Thank you kindly!
As someone who has nothing to do with commercial photography at all, I actually do have a question. Out of curiosity - how does one get a New York Times assignment? Like, do you send your portfolio to their editors amd one day they suddenly offer you a job? Do they stumble upon your TH-cam videos and sent you an email, asking whether you want to work for the NYT? Or does it all through relationships and nepotism? I literally have zero clue.
The reason I'm asking is because I've seen quite a few photographers on TH-cam talk about doing work for the NYT, especially a lot of the street photographers from Paulue B.'s Walkie Talkie series. Often, those people don't even have their own channel, they hadn't ever really published real, complete projects beforehand. Just Instagram and maybe some really small personal stuff. And they don't have much of a public presence at all - similar, no offence, to you. As in, realistically, this channel (despite being great and beautiful) isn't exactly huge.
Lastly, on a side note: it feels like the New York Times is the only print medium in the world that still commissions quite a bit of film photography.
I got my first assignment because they found me on Instagram. They reached out, and we set up a call to talk about potential work, but then I didn't hear anything for six months. I had my first one, then second, then third, and by that time you are in their system of photographers and have a proven track record. I got the NBC assignment because someone from NYT recommended me to another editor. It is a lot about your work and some word-of-mouth. You also have to be a kind person and someone that others want to work with.
A lot of the work that I've seen from the street photographers for NYT has been very specific art direction in that they want that "street look," if that makes sense. Most of the time I am doing very basic editorial work with portraiture, and those stories were more artful in a way, and the editor probably had a look that they wanted going into it.
I think a lot of people still do film, but mostly it comes down to the editor letting the photographer have their choice of medium, and if they are coming to me, they probably know that I shoot 4x5 for the majority of my work.
Did you find that you were getting more assignments after attending such a prestigious review?
I would say no. Nothing has changed all that much except for having relationships with very cool people. I think the main benefits will come in the long run, if they come at all.
@ I think community is the big take away outside of the review itself. It’s just about making the work to begin with of course. But having the honor of being selected for such a prestigious review, puts you on the map with contemporaries on that level. Thank you. Although I live in NY now, I’m from Champaign Urbana IL so much of your channel resonates with me.
Glad you found Chico valuable, though I can't help but feel icky about the Workshop Industrial Complex as it has taken shape in the photography world. Asking people spend upward of $10,000 for these short reviews at lavish locales and dangling access to famous photographers in front of them...I don't know, something seems off about the system. Don't get me wrong, workshops can be valuable. I have attended some of the lower priced ones. But it seems like people really milk the workshop circuit as a way to get their foot in the door. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Understandable for sure.
Chico could be cheaper but then it wouldn’t be what it is. I made my decision based off of the quality of the reviewers, the access to such people, and the location that it was at. It was a review but it was also a vacation for me complete with all inclusive meals and drinks.
There are always going to be different, cheaper, and more accessible options. I’ve looked at a ton of different reviews but the quality of the people giving me feedback left a lot to be desired. With this you had pretty much unlimited access to top tier individuals in the industry.
Photography has always been a pricey endeavor and I don’t feel like the cost of a new camera setup (people spend the cost of Chico on new shit they don’t need constantly) is excessive for what you get with this review in particular.
@@BryanBirks Totally get it. Don't fault you or any individual for going at all. I've considered it many times and then back away when I ponder the cost. I just think the industry touts expensive workshops too heavily in way that almost feels exploitative
I don't know Bryan. Portfolio reviews often are more about the projection of the reviewer's taste than your photography and goals. For example when you were told you had "too many pictures of old men" and "too many pictures of old cars," you need to take more landscapes - seriously? Would that genius tell Ansel Adams "a lot of waterfalls and mountains, you need to take more street photography?" "Annie, that's a lot of portraits - why don't you shoot more architecture?" Someone might tell you the tired, "you're not close enough." Yeah, no s@^&# Sherlock - that's because you're photographing scenes like realist painters painted...you're not trying to be postmodern and chaotic inside someone's space.
I think you’re taking it a little too literally. For Ansel Adams, a critique might be “you have too much of X.” His X will differ from my X. Same with Annie.
I wasn’t taking one reviewers suggestion and running with it. I took what everyone said and tried to see the biggest faults. It just so happened that many people were saying the same things so it’s obviously something that needs to be looked at as a glaring problem.
I was simplifying a lot when I said what I said as well.
👍
Excellent detailed debrief and imagery; thanks. Perfect length for a video -- enough to take in. Good to hear that the NYT has something positive to offer rather than justifying war-profiteers or the surveillance state -- Chris Hedges spoke to the 'India & the Global Left' yt livestream yesterday about his experiences there. Looking forward to more.
Thanks!
Yeah, you can take the good and the bad with anything. As a photographer if I chose to only interact with corporations that had perfect ethical standards then I wouldn’t be on TH-cam, Instagram, any social media platform really and I certainly wouldn’t make any money on assignments. I’ve battled with this moral dilemma more times than I can count.
Yeah, but they are all different old men.
True! I think what I forgot to mention was not only that but it was the same composition, light, expression etc. That was the repetition they were commenting on.
Me watching the shots that show our house hoping that it doesn’t look a mess. 🫣 Oh also I love this video, I love your work and I love watching you flourish. But you already knew that. 🖤
Thanks, toots 🖤🖤🖤