I think it's always helpful for artistic people to share their creative struggles. I think most creative people go through many plateaus in their work. We have a wonderful, creative period and then eventually become dissatisfied with our work to some degree or another. Then we have a period of doubt, dissatisfaction, uncertainty from which we finally break through and begin on a new level of creativity. And the cycle can repeat many times over our lives. To me, while those periods of dissatisfaction are uncomfortable, they indicate we are maturing, personally and artistically, and want to do something better in our work. I fell in love with film photography too, and am happily learning about film types and film cameras.
I had a similar experience to you, also about a year ago, getting back into shooting film, developing and enlarging black and white photos in the darkroom. So I can totally understand the feelings you talk about in your video, it's not that digital cameras are bad, they just give me an overall photography experience that is too thin. The film is sumptuous， and although it's getting more and more expensive, it's important to continue on a shoestring because every barrel of film is nourishing my heart. I'm from Chengdu, China and you are welcome to come and play, it's beautiful.
You raise some great points and I agree that digital can be, as you say, a bit too thin sometimes. However, for me I think it's a case of using the wrong digital camera. My primary digital camera is a 5Dmiv, it's a phenomenal imaging device but just too cumbersome for my style now. Film is certainly sumptuous though and I'm very much enjoying my journey with it. I visited Chengdu briefly in 2016 and then again in 2018. Fantastic city with hotpot experience I'll never forget! Thanks for commenting.
Didn't know your channel, wonderful video, subscribed! It resonated so much (commission work aside) with my studying in Beijing, discovering photography, and then being under lockdown in the tiniest seaside city on the french atlantic coast, finding my own photographic path, with all the struggles of belongings staying in China, thousands of photos to process etc. Currently I am trying not to dive too deep in film photography because of other concerns, but instead trying to bring all the joy of shooting film with digital equipment! Thanks, may you enjoy your creative journey!
Well done, enjoyed very much. For me, you nailed it when you said that film photography is all about the process. It's that, and it's the sensory experience of using mechanical equipment - spending time framing, focusing, using the "foot zoom" to capture your vision, previsualizing the exposure instead of chimping, and finally creating that satisfying "click/clunk" that records the moment in time. When you come up with a perfect image, it's not only more intentional than any digital alternative, it's even more the result of a more deliberate and intentional process. Well done! Andy
Love sitting down and watching these videos when they come out. The effort that goes into them matt is so rewarding for us the viewers. Good Times ahead.
I decided to pick up film photography during the pandemic. I always loved the feel, the naturalistic aspect of film in comparison to digital. It puts you in a position to test your limits and be cautious with what you shoot since you're limited to an amount of pictures you can take per roll. It's been a journey and I am still in the process of understanding it all. I just want to say thank you, Matt. This video presented a simple timeline of where you were, where you are currently and where you may possibly go further down the line. It's been an inspiration as well. I do hope you continue with this line of videos. Cheers !
Matt, thanks for sharing your photographic journey. I just followed you on both your digital and film Instagram feeds. My journey with photography is similar in that I'm old enough to have started with film, knowing very little about photography however to starting my professional photography with digital DSLR's and mirrorless cameras. Now I'm back shooting film on classic rangefinder cameras, the Canon P mostly and it makes up about 25% of all my photography at the moment. I plan to get it to 50% of my photography by year's end. The process of shooting street photography with film is much more calming and edifying for me. I'm not a fanboy with a film vs digital mentality. At the end of the day, whether it's a roll of film or an SD card in my favourite digital camera, they're both tools. Nothing more, nothing less. Composition of a scene however is in the eye of the photographer him/herself. Hell, I shoot Fujifilm and I've made some photos with my X-H1, X-E3 and X-E2s that even that most ardent film photographer on Instagram thought was an actual film photo when in fact it was digital. Wishing you all the best in your continued journey. Hopefully, the outdoors will open up again and the pandemic will fade away as we enter 2022. Make it a great day!
Great journey. I started out with film when I was 8 - a Kodak 127 Brownie. That was about 66 years ago. I have shot digital for years but I'm now rediscovering film again - with a Canon EOS 7, a Canon P rangefinder, and a Bronica SQ Ai. I am also developing film again, after a period of about 50 years. I never was a city person - brought up in London after WWII and still have memories of the bombed-out buildings. However, like you I love cities for photography. So much to see.
I just stumbled upon and watched your video. Thanks for sharing, I agree with the comment below that the video in itself is already like a piece of art! I also found that the pandemic situation, while taking away many photographic opportunities that we had before, has that effect that it pushes you out of that previous comfort zones and rethink what we’re doing and creating - which as in your case - hopefully might spark something new and relit the fire. I am also going back more and more to analog. Well for me it’s “going back” cause I started photography before digital existed :) there are sooooo many aspects about “why go analog” and so I also thoroughly enjoy watching, reading and listening to other photographers and their motives for analog. Makes me re think a lot which is always good. So again, many thanks for sharing your story!
Great video brother. I found your candor to be very humble and refreshing in the day and age of "Everyone look at me!" It's nice to see your appreciation for the profound, and silent beauty that can only be found within chaos. And your ability to graph those moments is inspiring. Your work is fu#$in dope bro! And you seem to be a good dude, Again great video. Keep it up.
Many thanks for the support & kind words Jason. Stretching the mind is always good mental exercise and that’s what I tried to do here. Thank you again & take care out there!
That is such a great video! So nice that you share your experience and the whole journey. It is inspiring, I must say. We all have so much doubts and difficulties on our way, anyway, I wish you to continue. Your photos are amazing, and a pleasure for eyes and soul… And it is so great you had the opportunity to live in China, and made so many great photos of life there. And thank you for sharing your experience with film photography, it is inspirational as well 👍
Really interesting video (and your street photography is outstanding). I'm just a hobbyist but re-discovered film about 3 years ago (I'm old enough to recall the pre-digital world). Too many cameras later I'm trying to stop buying and spend more time on producing better images, and printing them. Covid has limited things somewhat - I have an ever expanding portfolio of local trees and so dreaming of getting back into the city to photo anything other than a freakin' tree. Good luck with your journey - I guess we're all on one - subscribed and looking forward to the next instalment.
For the bus-car shot you should have said "every little detail was meticulously planned" :-D Nice vid, just discovered your channel, it's nice to watch why a photographer with a vision have partly switched to film. There's intent, not just that "cool effect" about film that makes film and film cameras' prices go sky rocket. Great work. Subbed. Now binge watching of course.
Totally agree, you nailed it with the quote "photography is as much about observation as it is actually taking photographs" and also I have just bought a Mamiya c330 roll film camera to go back to my roots of my early career in photography. Strange how the lockdown has created different opportunities.Great photographs, look forward to seeing more of your work.
Amazing story, thanks for sharing! Im also struggling with some motivation and creative block kind of issues and Im falling for film as well. I found a lot of similarities from what you told. Subscribed and im interested in seeing what these few years have brought you since this video was released.
I enjoyed your video, I decided today to sit, relax and focus on something like listening to music or watching something. I had saved this video for later, I guess youtube recommend it for me some days ago, and while I don't really like digital photography it was interesting to see someone taking new interest in film photography
Matt this was a super insightful video and gives a very in depth look at your history as a photographer and creative up till now, I enjoyed the video heavily and can’t wait to see more content on your creative process, overcoming creative blocks, and film photography videos.
Looking forward on the day you will start shooting large format. Im sure you will create beautiful images.. I like your video. One of the videos that's long and amazed that I finished it.. keep creating
Very much enjoyed this video. Due to Covid, my creative endeavors were also uprooted, which has forced me to change course. I’ve came to realize that change has been a positive one. You inspired me to pursue through the creative struggles I am also currently experiencing. Thank you. I look forward to your future content. Just a suggestion - I would be very interested in hearing a more in depth story about what it was like living in Wuhan during the Covid breakout.
Hi Jake, thanks for getting in touch mate. As I said in the video and something I'm trying to remember is that the only consistency is chaos. How we deal with that chaos will shape the next opportunity. Whoever we are it can be tough one day and easy the next, but in times like this it's more tough than easy! Thank you for your suggestion. I have been planning a Wuhan video for sometime. At one point I was considering moving back but due to the political climate and various other reasons I'm probably not going to anymore. Never say never though. Even so, whatever happens I will eventually make one so look out for that!
I loved the video. I took up photography while living abroad out of university as well, but I find it interesting that while I switched from mostly film to mostly digital during lockdown, you (and many others, in fairness) have done the opposite. I hope you keep the channel going. I look forward to seeing more.
Good video! It's interesting to me to watch these videos of new film shooters. I started on film and finally succumbed to digital, but then switched back to medium format film, while still using digital. Let's see what you do next!
I've been following you on instagram since about a year ago, probably when you stayed in Hong Kong. Since then, I've been obsessed with your unique style of photography, it's very inspiring, I was surprised when you followed back. Now that I'm in the UK, looking at the photos you took in Hong Kong really made me miss home. And watching this video made me realise how similar the early stage of your journey is to mine.
You're very kind Paul, thanks. I miss HK too, I was hoping to spend a lot more time there but it looks like that has to wait for now. Let's hope for better times soon.
I learned about photography from my father who owned a Kodac Retina iii foldable 35mm rangefinder camera with an f1.7 50mm lens. I later had to replace it in 1987 with a Leica rangefinder. I do not shoot much now, and not all of the images turned out, but I do have some remarkable portraits and outdoor photos with amazing colors and detail. I have the f2.8 28 mm which is needed where expansive landscapes are the subject or environment portraits, the 50mm f2 and the 90mm 2.8 which I discovered made beautiful landscapes and amazing portraits. I have usually used 100 asa color print, but my father always used 50asa color slide film and used a slide projector for viewing and I think these are now antiques. I have not done too much with filters and polarizers, but with a tripod these extra tools produce remarkable landscape images. Of course now the film is scanned and high resolution 70 megapixel scans can be made and they can also be digitally manipulated. I have no idea how to market or sell photos as I have only made them for myself. Most digital images to me lack quality, but the technology is improving very slowly.
This is incredible, I found your channel only yesterday, because I put "Olympus om 10" into youtube and you popped up! I am originally from Bristol (Avonmouth area) I'm sure you being from Newport you know of this place. Your story of China was deeply profound, in a strange way I can kind of relate, as I have been living in Poland for the last 10 years, although I am pretty sure China has a much bigger influence on us Westerners than living in Poland does. Your journey through photography is very interesting also, as I have hit a block too, and finding this film and your OM 10 film yesterday has had a big affect me, almost to the point I may cancel my order for a new Canon R10. I got back into photography earlier this year after 15 plus years away, I am currently using a Canon 1000D, but in the last few months I have become soooooo disillusioned with photography. I have been watching many TH-camrs with 500,000 plus subscribers, using the most unbelievably expensive Sony cameras and lenses, and then almost completely changing their images in "Light room" Changing the sky, adding and taking a way light, completely changing the colours, adding birds etc etc. They have taken away the magic and skill of photography, with their idiot proof cameras and even bigger idiot proof light room applications, I'm actually struggling to understand why they need these cameras in the first place!? Which has led me recently down the path of considering buying an OM 10, a camera which I owned in the late 80s, and that thought has now led me to you. I really love idea what you are doing with these old cameras and your films have definitely inspired me to buy one, which I will after Christmas. PS, I will probably still buy the R10 for bird and nature photography, and use the Olympus for urban photography. Thanks for the inspiration Matt!!
First off, thank you for the thoughtful comment, I really appreciate it. I haven’t shot a lot of film recently but I have some rolls to get into over the festive break. You’ll have to let me know how the R10 is, I’d love to have a go at Canon’s mirrorless range at some point, they look decent. If you reunite yourself with the OM10 for film photography I think you’ll be very happy, it’s a little beast as I’m sure you already know. Thanks again & hope you have a good Christmas holiday period mate.
@@MattJNeale thanks for replying. I will keep you posted, the R10 is bought but I haven't even taken it out of the box yet, it will stay to after Christmas. To be honest though, I'm looking forward more to buying an OM10 🤔🙂 Have a good Christmas and keep those films coming.
This video just showed up on my recommended videos, and I am happy that it did. It’s a great story, and you are telling it in a good way. Love go see the evolution of you photos, and hopefully I will be as good as you one day, as I want to do photography as a job.
Hi Matt , since the beginning of the pandemic I’ve started to use film again . I love the fact that it slows you down and makes you think about the shot . Great upload 👏🏻👍🏻
Really enjoyed the video, it's great to get an insight into what has built up your style of photography and a bit about you :) I also really enjoy your videos of days out shooting, as someone who is new to film photography I like seeing the outcome of the different films used and shots, it gives me some ideas and inspiration to shoot!
Just subscribed Matey, really enjoyed your ironic take on an introspective journey. Personally speaking I am all for hearing about creative process & figuring out what any of it means, so don't be afraid to talk about it. I really enjoyed hearing about your photography experiences in China and the opportunities that came along for you. I have only really been a 'serious' Tog for a few years (I took it up as part of my recuperation after a major back op) but I have learned so much & met so many interesting people in that time, it marked a sort of midlife creative renaissance that's been so wonderful, and I'm learning all the time. I recently bought a Canon eos300v film camera so I'm trying my hand. I'm not a perfectionist in that I enjoy imperfection, and mayhap film will offer me a more emotive outlet than the precision of digital. I look forward to seeing what you do with your next Tube vid, and will check out your earlier stuff. Be well! 👍
Hey man! It was really good to see the underworld of Birmingham in your zine. It's inspired me to get out more in Newport during this lockdown. Thank you for the kind words, photography has become a bit of an obsession for me at this point and I do like combining it with video. I find it's helping me learn things I perhaps wouldn't usually think of. _'The precision of digital'_ struck me, I suppose that's how I feel about it too. Thanks again mate, appreciate the support!
A very enjoyable video in that it was entertaining, informative, deeper than the average video channel while providing a different ‘eye’ when seeing what’s around us. Thanks for being able to express yourself so cogently with a wee bit of sarcasm. I feel that your journey will inspire others to see the creative journey as fun, exciting as well as rewarding. The key is to be willing to go where you have never gone before. Thanks for being open and ‘pushing’ the envelope.
Hello Matt. Greetings from Albany, NY. I found your video quite good, it's always nice to see what other photographers are doing no matter where they are in their walk. I was just given my first film camera, a Graphic 35. I have no idea what I am doing with film, never had a film camera prior to digital, I'm pretty sure the old Kodak Disc camera doesn't qualify. Anyway, like you, I'm learning about film, it's fun, a nice break once in a while from digital. Keep up the good work and thanks for taking us along on your journey.
Hello Mike, NY is a place I long to visit. I can hopefully come in the next few years. You’re most welcome and thank you for reaching out with a kind message. Film is indeed a fun break from digital.
The algorithms showed me this video when I was looking for a new way of photography videos. Amazing job, Matt! Gonna dig your content. Loved the storytelling and the paper of the cities in your journey. I think it’s basically the same as mine in photography.
I forgot I clicked on another video of why did I start shooting film and instead found myself in a documentary only realizing at the end I was watching that same video. Superb story telling! This channel has a bright future ahead of it.
Loved this film. Being a fellow photographer im so jealous on how you express yourself. My mind is fine taking a shot but hopeless on the explaining Please carry on in the video world great speaker. You have it.
This was a different kind of "why I like film photography" video and it is great :) interesting editing, storytelling...everything :) keep making videos and shooting film
Hi Matt, this came up on my recommended videos and I'm so glad it did! For me it was a great introduction to you as a photographer and your work. The video reminds me stylistically of some recent videos from George Muncey at Negative Feedback, although the storey is obviously very personal to you. Fantastic video and I've subscribed to see more!
Hello from NZ Matt. I too have rediscovered my love of film photography in the last year. A way to reconnect, slow down and express myself creatively. We are lucky to be in the position we are in NZ, but we are so isolated from the rest of the world. Keep creating mate.
My first time seeing any of your videos. Definitely enjoyed it and was drawn to this video by the title. I've recently gone back to film photography as well.
Wow this is a great video. Iam obsessed with your work. I have a tipp for you. There’s a digital camera you will love. Try one of the Fujifilm cameras out. The x100s, x100f or the x100v. I switched from canon full frame completely over to fuji because Iam a digital and film photographer and it matches perfectly.
Quite a surprise to see someone who is at heart an optical painter and too humble to see it. Your colour harmonies are both brilliant and very satisfying. A word about creative block, there is no such thing. Every now and then, the brain needs a rest from the constant bombardment of stimuli, and to switch off and do other things is completely natural. There is a synergy between digital capture and analog film. They are equal but different, and you will find a call and response between the two. Anyway, you are a natural storyteller, so just keep going.
Excellent professional video. I'd like to hear more about how you develop your film photography, especially when you venture into B&W - so very different from much of your digital and colour work.
Hi Geoff, I haven’t tried developing myself yet as I’m currently limited by where I’m living during the pandemic. I will have a go and this as soon as possible though, and when I do I’ll make a video about it! Thanks for reaching out.
Beautiful video, I bought recently old vintage lenses for my sony a7, and 2 film cameras '50 and '70, and see how it goes. Sorry to be indiscreet, but the illness was an unidentified pneumonia, or something else (wish you health). Have a great week !
Hi! Thanks for the video, i really like your works. This year i started to do film photography, idk if i can consistent with this things, i have no basics in photography at all, but i do like the adventures of using film photography. I hope this year may be good to you, me and all of us! 🎉
We all have to start somewhere and film photography is a great place to start! I hope this year and beyond is good for you too. Thank you for watching!
I shot film for 46 years: 35mm; medium format; and 4x5. I'm happy for you to discover the nuances of film but I'm through with it. Too many advantages with digital to go back to the limitations of film. :))
This was good. It makes me want to do this myself. It brings up questions about how one makes money from photo in a gallery and how one gets galleries wanting the photos.
So interesting... thanks so much for your thoughts. I am moving into film photography to recycle. I discovered myself taking my previous work for granted, going too fast, not thinking. I was producing good work, I still am, digitally, but I am not happy, with it, or with myself. I am starting slowly because I have financial restraints and I have to be careful. So far I see progress, but I wish there was more. The technical aspect has me floundering a bit, but I do know that with practise I will advance in that area. But my biggest problem is me. My chip. The things I am not doing well come from my digitlly infested brain and resulting digital habits. It unsettles me, because I find it difficult to change that aspect of what I do.
I think it's always helpful for artistic people to share their creative struggles. I think most creative people go through many plateaus in their work. We have a wonderful, creative period and then eventually become dissatisfied with our work to some degree or another. Then we have a period of doubt, dissatisfaction, uncertainty from which we finally break through and begin on a new level of creativity. And the cycle can repeat many times over our lives. To me, while those periods of dissatisfaction are uncomfortable, they indicate we are maturing, personally and artistically, and want to do something better in our work. I fell in love with film photography too, and am happily learning about film types and film cameras.
I had a similar experience to you, also about a year ago, getting back into shooting film, developing and enlarging black and white photos in the darkroom. So I can totally understand the feelings you talk about in your video, it's not that digital cameras are bad, they just give me an overall photography experience that is too thin. The film is sumptuous， and although it's getting more and more expensive, it's important to continue on a shoestring because every barrel of film is nourishing my heart. I'm from Chengdu, China and you are welcome to come and play, it's beautiful.
You raise some great points and I agree that digital can be, as you say, a bit too thin sometimes. However, for me I think it's a case of using the wrong digital camera. My primary digital camera is a 5Dmiv, it's a phenomenal imaging device but just too cumbersome for my style now. Film is certainly sumptuous though and I'm very much enjoying my journey with it.
I visited Chengdu briefly in 2016 and then again in 2018. Fantastic city with hotpot experience I'll never forget! Thanks for commenting.
Didn't know your channel, wonderful video, subscribed! It resonated so much (commission work aside) with my studying in Beijing, discovering photography, and then being under lockdown in the tiniest seaside city on the french atlantic coast, finding my own photographic path, with all the struggles of belongings staying in China, thousands of photos to process etc. Currently I am trying not to dive too deep in film photography because of other concerns, but instead trying to bring all the joy of shooting film with digital equipment! Thanks, may you enjoy your creative journey!
Well done, enjoyed very much. For me, you nailed it when you said that film photography is all about the process. It's that, and it's the sensory experience of using mechanical equipment - spending time framing, focusing, using the "foot zoom" to capture your vision, previsualizing the exposure instead of chimping, and finally creating that satisfying "click/clunk" that records the moment in time. When you come up with a perfect image, it's not only more intentional than any digital alternative, it's even more the result of a more deliberate and intentional process. Well done! Andy
I couldn’t have said it better myself Andy! Thank you for watching.
Love sitting down and watching these videos when they come out. The effort that goes into them matt is so rewarding for us the viewers. Good Times ahead.
Thanks Liam, appreciate these words mate!
I decided to pick up film photography during the pandemic. I always loved the feel, the naturalistic aspect of film in comparison to digital. It puts you in a position to test your limits and be cautious with what you shoot since you're limited to an amount of pictures you can take per roll. It's been a journey and I am still in the process of understanding it all.
I just want to say thank you, Matt. This video presented a simple timeline of where you were, where you are currently and where you may possibly go further down the line. It's been an inspiration as well. I do hope you continue with this line of videos. Cheers !
Matt, thanks for sharing your photographic journey. I just followed you on both your digital and film Instagram feeds. My journey with photography is similar in that I'm old enough to have started with film, knowing very little about photography however to starting my professional photography with digital DSLR's and mirrorless cameras. Now I'm back shooting film on classic rangefinder cameras, the Canon P mostly and it makes up about 25% of all my photography at the moment. I plan to get it to 50% of my photography by year's end. The process of shooting street photography with film is much more calming and edifying for me.
I'm not a fanboy with a film vs digital mentality. At the end of the day, whether it's a roll of film or an SD card in my favourite digital camera, they're both tools. Nothing more, nothing less. Composition of a scene however is in the eye of the photographer him/herself. Hell, I shoot Fujifilm and I've made some photos with my X-H1, X-E3 and X-E2s that even that most ardent film photographer on Instagram thought was an actual film photo when in fact it was digital.
Wishing you all the best in your continued journey. Hopefully, the outdoors will open up again and the pandemic will fade away as we enter 2022. Make it a great day!
Great journey. I started out with film when I was 8 - a Kodak 127 Brownie. That was about 66 years ago. I have shot digital for years but I'm now rediscovering film again - with a Canon EOS 7, a Canon P rangefinder, and a Bronica SQ Ai. I am also developing film again, after a period of about 50 years.
I never was a city person - brought up in London after WWII and still have memories of the bombed-out buildings. However, like you I love cities for photography. So much to see.
I just stumbled upon and watched your video. Thanks for sharing, I agree with the comment below that the video in itself is already like a piece of art! I also found that the pandemic situation, while taking away many photographic opportunities that we had before, has that effect that it pushes you out of that previous comfort zones and rethink what we’re doing and creating - which as in your case - hopefully might spark something new and relit the fire.
I am also going back more and more to analog. Well for me it’s “going back” cause I started photography before digital existed :) there are sooooo many aspects about “why go analog” and so I also thoroughly enjoy watching, reading and listening to other photographers and their motives for analog. Makes me re think a lot which is always good.
So again, many thanks for sharing your story!
Wow! This video in itself is a work of art. What a journey so far. Love this.
My Newportonian brother! Glad you enjoyed it, thanks mate.
Hey dude just wanted to say I really loved the contemplative tone of this video. Hope you're gonna post more!
Good job man! Excellent video, I started shooting film 2 months ago and I'm hooked!
Great video brother. I found your candor to be very humble and refreshing in the day and age of "Everyone look at me!" It's nice to see your appreciation for the profound, and silent beauty that can only be found within chaos. And your ability to graph those moments is inspiring. Your work is fu#$in dope bro! And you seem to be a good dude, Again great video. Keep it up.
Many thanks for the support & kind words Jason. Stretching the mind is always good mental exercise and that’s what I tried to do here. Thank you again & take care out there!
That is such a great video! So nice that you share your experience and the whole journey. It is inspiring, I must say. We all have so much doubts and difficulties on our way, anyway, I wish you to continue. Your photos are amazing, and a pleasure for eyes and soul… And it is so great you had the opportunity to live in China, and made so many great photos of life there.
And thank you for sharing your experience with film photography, it is inspirational as well 👍
Thank you very much for the kind words
I also turned to film in lockdown, it has really got me into photography when I wasn't before. Love the videos - keep it up!
Thank you Hector, I’m glad you found some enjoyment with film, have fun with it!
Really interesting video (and your street photography is outstanding). I'm just a hobbyist but re-discovered film about 3 years ago (I'm old enough to recall the pre-digital world). Too many cameras later I'm trying to stop buying and spend more time on producing better images, and printing them. Covid has limited things somewhat - I have an ever expanding portfolio of local trees and so dreaming of getting back into the city to photo anything other than a freakin' tree.
Good luck with your journey - I guess we're all on one - subscribed and looking forward to the next instalment.
For the bus-car shot you should have said "every little detail was meticulously planned" :-D
Nice vid, just discovered your channel, it's nice to watch why a photographer with a vision have partly switched to film. There's intent, not just that "cool effect" about film that makes film and film cameras' prices go sky rocket.
Great work.
Subbed.
Now binge watching of course.
Totally agree, you nailed it with the quote "photography is as much about observation as it is actually taking photographs" and also I have just bought a Mamiya c330 roll film camera to go back to my roots of my early career in photography. Strange how the lockdown has created different opportunities.Great photographs, look forward to seeing more of your work.
Thanks for sharing. Really enjoyed the video, as I am new to film after a 7+ year hiatus from photography. Keep it up!
Amazing story, thanks for sharing! Im also struggling with some motivation and creative block kind of issues and Im falling for film as well. I found a lot of similarities from what you told. Subscribed and im interested in seeing what these few years have brought you since this video was released.
I enjoyed your video, I decided today to sit, relax and focus on something like listening to music or watching something. I had saved this video for later, I guess youtube recommend it for me some days ago, and while I don't really like digital photography it was interesting to see someone taking new interest in film photography
Matt this was a super insightful video and gives a very in depth look at your history as a photographer and creative up till now, I enjoyed the video heavily and can’t wait to see more content on your creative process, overcoming creative blocks, and film photography videos.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Gavin!
Looking forward on the day you will start shooting large format. Im sure you will create beautiful images.. I like your video. One of the videos that's long and amazed that I finished it.. keep creating
Me too Leo, me too. I’ll hopefully purchase a medium format camera sometime this year. Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it!
That was one the most interesting video i've seen in a while !
This is my first time watching you. I want to watch more of you on TH-cam
Very much enjoyed this video. Due to Covid, my creative endeavors were also uprooted, which has forced me to change course. I’ve came to realize that change has been a positive one. You inspired me to pursue through the creative struggles I am also currently experiencing. Thank you. I look forward to your future content.
Just a suggestion - I would be very interested in hearing a more in depth story about what it was like living in Wuhan during the Covid breakout.
Hi Jake, thanks for getting in touch mate.
As I said in the video and something I'm trying to remember is that the only consistency is chaos. How we deal with that chaos will shape the next opportunity. Whoever we are it can be tough one day and easy the next, but in times like this it's more tough than easy!
Thank you for your suggestion. I have been planning a Wuhan video for sometime. At one point I was considering moving back but due to the political climate and various other reasons I'm probably not going to anymore. Never say never though. Even so, whatever happens I will eventually make one so look out for that!
I loved the video. I took up photography while living abroad out of university as well, but I find it interesting that while I switched from mostly film to mostly digital during lockdown, you (and many others, in fairness) have done the opposite. I hope you keep the channel going. I look forward to seeing more.
I did enjoy the video, and I’ve subscribed to your channel. I look forward to your next post.
Good video! It's interesting to me to watch these videos of new film shooters. I started on film and finally succumbed to digital, but then switched back to medium format film, while still using digital. Let's see what you do next!
I really enjoyed this video! Looking forward to more videos!
I've been following you on instagram since about a year ago, probably when you stayed in Hong Kong. Since then, I've been obsessed with your unique style of photography, it's very inspiring, I was surprised when you followed back. Now that I'm in the UK, looking at the photos you took in Hong Kong really made me miss home. And watching this video made me realise how similar the early stage of your journey is to mine.
You're very kind Paul, thanks. I miss HK too, I was hoping to spend a lot more time there but it looks like that has to wait for now. Let's hope for better times soon.
Great video, thanks for the inspiration and perspective!
Very interesting life story and great video, looking forward to more! Oh, some amazing images too!
I learned about photography from my father who owned a Kodac Retina iii foldable 35mm rangefinder camera with an f1.7 50mm lens. I later had to replace it in 1987 with a Leica rangefinder. I do not shoot much now, and not all of the images turned out, but I do have some remarkable portraits and outdoor photos with amazing colors and detail. I have the f2.8 28 mm which is needed where expansive landscapes are the subject or environment portraits, the 50mm f2 and the 90mm 2.8 which I discovered made beautiful landscapes and amazing portraits. I have usually used 100 asa color print, but my father always used 50asa color slide film and used a slide projector for viewing and I think these are now antiques. I have not done too much with filters and polarizers, but with a tripod these extra tools produce remarkable landscape images. Of course now the film is scanned and high resolution 70 megapixel scans can be made and they can also be digitally manipulated. I have no idea how to market or sell photos as I have only made them for myself. Most digital images to me lack quality, but the technology is improving very slowly.
This is incredible, I found your channel only yesterday, because I put "Olympus om 10" into youtube and you popped up! I am originally from Bristol (Avonmouth area) I'm sure you being from Newport you know of this place. Your story of China was deeply profound, in a strange way I can kind of relate, as I have been living in Poland for the last 10 years, although I am pretty sure China has a much bigger influence on us Westerners than living in Poland does. Your journey through photography is very interesting also, as I have hit a block too, and finding this film and your OM 10 film yesterday has had a big affect me, almost to the point I may cancel my order for a new Canon R10. I got back into photography earlier this year after 15 plus years away, I am currently using a Canon 1000D, but in the last few months I have become soooooo disillusioned with photography. I have been watching many TH-camrs with 500,000 plus subscribers, using the most unbelievably expensive Sony cameras and lenses, and then almost completely changing their images in "Light room" Changing the sky, adding and taking a way light, completely changing the colours, adding birds etc etc. They have taken away the magic and skill of photography, with their idiot proof cameras and even bigger idiot proof light room applications, I'm actually struggling to understand why they need these cameras in the first place!? Which has led me recently down the path of considering buying an OM 10, a camera which I owned in the late 80s, and that thought has now led me to you. I really love idea what you are doing with these old cameras and your films have definitely inspired me to buy one, which I will after Christmas. PS, I will probably still buy the R10 for bird and nature photography, and use the Olympus for urban photography. Thanks for the inspiration Matt!!
First off, thank you for the thoughtful comment, I really appreciate it. I haven’t shot a lot of film recently but I have some rolls to get into over the festive break.
You’ll have to let me know how the R10 is, I’d love to have a go at Canon’s mirrorless range at some point, they look decent. If you reunite yourself with the OM10 for film photography I think you’ll be very happy, it’s a little beast as I’m sure you already know.
Thanks again & hope you have a good Christmas holiday period mate.
@@MattJNeale thanks for replying. I will keep you posted, the R10 is bought but I haven't even taken it out of the box yet, it will stay to after Christmas. To be honest though, I'm looking forward more to buying an OM10 🤔🙂 Have a good Christmas and keep those films coming.
excellent! enjoyed every second of this video. you dont see this types of inner deep content a lot on youtube. definitely make more
by the way i am just starting photography. I currently living in Fuzhou China.
This video just showed up on my recommended videos, and I am happy that it did. It’s a great story, and you are telling it in a good way. Love go see the evolution of you photos, and hopefully I will be as good as you one day, as I want to do photography as a job.
Hi Matt , since the beginning of the pandemic I’ve started to use film again . I love the fact that it slows you down and makes you think about the shot . Great upload 👏🏻👍🏻
Thank you. I hope you're still enjoying film!
Really enjoyed the video, it's great to get an insight into what has built up your style of photography and a bit about you :) I also really enjoy your videos of days out shooting, as someone who is new to film photography I like seeing the outcome of the different films used and shots, it gives me some ideas and inspiration to shoot!
Thanks a lot, I’m happy you enjoyed it. I have a lot of film to shoot, so there’ll be many more videos to come :)
Just subscribed Matey, really enjoyed your ironic take on an introspective journey. Personally speaking I am all for hearing about creative process & figuring out what any of it means, so don't be afraid to talk about it. I really enjoyed hearing about your photography experiences in China and the opportunities that came along for you. I have only really been a 'serious' Tog for a few years (I took it up as part of my recuperation after a major back op) but I have learned so much & met so many interesting people in that time, it marked a sort of midlife creative renaissance that's been so wonderful, and I'm learning all the time. I recently bought a Canon eos300v film camera so I'm trying my hand. I'm not a perfectionist in that I enjoy imperfection, and mayhap film will offer me a more emotive outlet than the precision of digital. I look forward to seeing what you do with your next Tube vid, and will check out your earlier stuff. Be well! 👍
Hey man! It was really good to see the underworld of Birmingham in your zine. It's inspired me to get out more in Newport during this lockdown. Thank you for the kind words, photography has become a bit of an obsession for me at this point and I do like combining it with video. I find it's helping me learn things I perhaps wouldn't usually think of. _'The precision of digital'_ struck me, I suppose that's how I feel about it too.
Thanks again mate, appreciate the support!
A very enjoyable video in that it was entertaining, informative, deeper than the average video channel while providing a different ‘eye’ when seeing what’s around us. Thanks for being able to express yourself so cogently with a wee bit of sarcasm. I feel that your journey will inspire others to see the creative journey as fun, exciting as well as rewarding. The key is to be willing to go where you have never gone before. Thanks for being open and ‘pushing’ the envelope.
Thank for inviting us to that journey.... it is a great video !!!! Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 and stay safe 👍🏻
Hello Matt. Greetings from Albany, NY. I found your video quite good, it's always nice to see what other photographers are doing no matter where they are in their walk. I was just given my first film camera, a Graphic 35. I have no idea what I am doing with film, never had a film camera prior to digital, I'm pretty sure the old Kodak Disc camera doesn't qualify. Anyway, like you, I'm learning about film, it's fun, a nice break once in a while from digital. Keep up the good work and thanks for taking us along on your journey.
Hello Mike, NY is a place I long to visit. I can hopefully come in the next few years.
You’re most welcome and thank you for reaching out with a kind message. Film is indeed a fun break from digital.
The algorithms showed me this video when I was looking for a new way of photography videos. Amazing job, Matt! Gonna dig your content. Loved the storytelling and the paper of the cities in your journey. I think it’s basically the same as mine in photography.
I forgot I clicked on another video of why did I start shooting film and instead found myself in a documentary only realizing at the end I was watching that same video. Superb story telling! This channel has a bright future ahead of it.
Awsome work man!! Dont stop making videos🔥🔥
Great stuff, Matt. Really enjoyed how you brought this journey together and also give a glimpse of pre-Covid Wuhan!
Thank you Mathias. Wuhan will forever be known for different reasons but it offers so much more.
Your work is appreciated. Just go ahead. Thank you.
Great and deep one; I really enjoyed the pace, and, the photography. Thank you.
Subscriber no. 721.
Great video! Love it when people discover the uniqueness of film photography.
Dude i just found you and i need to say that i love your videos!! Keep up the good work
Welcome aboard! Happy to have you here, thank you!
Love the creative concepts you used in this video. Film is really that deep. Congrats!
Loved this film. Being a fellow photographer im so jealous on how you express yourself.
My mind is fine taking a shot but hopeless on the explaining
Please carry on in the video world great speaker. You have it.
This was a different kind of "why I like film photography" video and it is great :) interesting editing, storytelling...everything :) keep making videos and shooting film
Thank you Toma, glad to see you back here!
Absolutely love your photography, fantastic video. Instant subscriber.
I was your 1000th sub😁, I think..love your videos
Excellent video, beautiful work. Subscribed!
Hi Matt, this came up on my recommended videos and I'm so glad it did! For me it was a great introduction to you as a photographer and your work. The video reminds me stylistically of some recent videos from George Muncey at Negative Feedback, although the storey is obviously very personal to you. Fantastic video and I've subscribed to see more!
Hello from NZ Matt. I too have rediscovered my love of film photography in the last year. A way to reconnect, slow down and express myself creatively. We are lucky to be in the position we are in NZ, but we are so isolated from the rest of the world. Keep creating mate.
Very inspiring video, making me want to try and get out more to shoot and find my style! Great work
Thank you very much. Get out there and get it man!
My first time seeing any of your videos. Definitely enjoyed it and was drawn to this video by the title. I've recently gone back to film photography as well.
Love your story, your work and film photography!
Thank you, glad you like it!
Wow this is a great video. Iam obsessed with your work. I have a tipp for you. There’s a digital camera you will love. Try one of the Fujifilm cameras out. The x100s, x100f or the x100v. I switched from canon full frame completely over to fuji because Iam a digital and film photographer and it matches perfectly.
Quite a surprise to see someone who is at heart an optical painter and too humble to see it. Your colour harmonies are both brilliant and very satisfying. A word about creative block, there is no such thing. Every now and then, the brain needs a rest from the constant bombardment of stimuli, and to switch off and do other things is completely natural. There is a synergy between digital capture and analog film. They are equal but different, and you will find a call and response between the two. Anyway, you are a natural storyteller, so just keep going.
Optical painter, I like that.
Thank you very much for the kind words, I will continue.
I loved this video, probably the best I have seen. I would appreciate if you share more of your insights.
Thanks so much, that’s a very generous comment.
Great story telling! Gonna watch your other videos. Subbed!
Thank you, hope you enjoy them!
I can't wait to see where your revisitation to film goes... *Subscribed*
I too am returning to film and this was great to hear
Loved the video man, subbed ✌️
Best personal vid I’ve seen recently.
Excellent professional video. I'd like to hear more about how you develop your film photography, especially when you venture into B&W - so very different from much of your digital and colour work.
Hi Geoff, I haven’t tried developing myself yet as I’m currently limited by where I’m living during the pandemic. I will have a go and this as soon as possible though, and when I do I’ll make a video about it! Thanks for reaching out.
@@MattJNeale Haha! My fault, misleading word 'develop'. I meant 'how you advance or change your film photography'
Great video. I have dusted off my old film cameras during the lockdown and have enjoyed using them again.
Thank you John, it’s great to find something positive in this difficult time we find ourselves in. Hope you have fun with film!
Liked the video, and your photography. Keep going!
This was absolutely incredible I have no words other than that
What an adventure!! I've been tempted to get into film.
Do it. You won’t regret it.
Beautiful video, I bought recently old vintage lenses for my sony a7, and 2 film cameras '50 and '70, and see how it goes.
Sorry to be indiscreet, but the illness was an unidentified pneumonia, or something else (wish you health).
Have a great week !
Great video and amazing photographs!
Thanks a lot Chris!
Great video 👍 shooting film in Hong Kong and loving the learning curve. Keep it up
Cheers Alexander, Hong Kong is a great place to shoot, one of my favourites as I’m sure you’re now aware!
Hi! Thanks for the video, i really like your works. This year i started to do film photography, idk if i can consistent with this things, i have no basics in photography at all, but i do like the adventures of using film photography. I hope this year may be good to you, me and all of us! 🎉
We all have to start somewhere and film photography is a great place to start! I hope this year and beyond is good for you too. Thank you for watching!
New viewer. I too, like you, fell in love with film photography during the start of the pandemic. Great video.
Thanks for watching, hope you have fun in the wonderful world of film!
Really enjoyed that. Would love to see more film photography
I shot film for 46 years: 35mm; medium format; and 4x5. I'm happy for you to discover the nuances of film but I'm through with it. Too many advantages with digital to go back to the limitations of film. :))
Absolutely loved this 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
I’m glad you did, thank you.
Great video Matt. Really enjoyed it!
Loved your story :-) & Welcome to analogue ;-)
Amazing to know a bit of you story! Amazing piece 👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you Fábio!
I came back to my ae1 too and now I don’t touch my z6 so odd how that works
Loved this video! Keep it up!!
Thank you! Will do!
Nice mate! Great storytelling 👌
Love the video incredible journey!
Excellent storyteller, bravo!
Great stuff
Great Work!! I just got my shipment of Kodak TMaxx 400 Film today can’t wait to load my Minolta XG-1 and see where it takes me!!
Thanks Jeremy, have fun with the Minolta!
This is so good man
awesome video and shots.
This was good. It makes me want to do this myself. It brings up questions about how one makes money from photo in a gallery and how one gets galleries wanting the photos.
What a wonderful video. Thank you
Great video mate, I enjoyed the content a lot! Maybe you can visit Singapore someday to do some film photography :)
So interesting... thanks so much for your thoughts. I am moving into film photography to recycle. I discovered myself taking my previous work for granted, going too fast, not thinking. I was producing good work, I still am, digitally, but I am not happy, with it, or with myself. I am starting slowly because I have financial restraints and I have to be careful. So far I see progress, but I wish there was more. The technical aspect has me floundering a bit, but I do know that with practise I will advance in that area. But my biggest problem is me. My chip. The things I am not doing well come from my digitlly infested brain and resulting digital habits. It unsettles me, because I find it difficult to change that aspect of what I do.
Unbelievable video. Loved this. How did you make ends meet? Were you doing only photography?