Goodbye Telephoto Lenses...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ต.ค. 2024
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This week I'm showing some of the last photos I'll perhaps ever take with a telephoto lens shot earlier this summer in Svalbard. I'm also talking about why I sold my long lenses to MPB and explaining one of my photography mantras.
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I'm looking forward to next year's "I'm buying back all my telephoto lenses" video. 😉
Course we are!
More like next week’s 😜
You are no snapshot photographer...you are one of the best. Its just that you have your own style and know how to do it. You dont take yourself too seriously and when Nigel Danson or Mads says James Popseys is a brilliant photographer, well i know who i will listen to...
I was just thinking that by now we can identify a "James Popseys" style of photography. It is interesting to have been able to follow its development through the years.
I have to disagree, Marlene, James is a snapshot photographer and the best I have ever seen. Everything about his style gives hope to the snapshooters that we may one day record the world the way James sees it but it hasn’t happened yet. I love his work and live in hope I might occasionally produce something as good!
We will have to agree to disagree ....i love his style esp when he goes out on the bike to take shots. Although there is hope for any of us if Hasselblad are giving free cameras to snapshooters.
@@marlenehazlehurst8666😂
About a Month. It took me about a month to watch this channel. From the very first video to today. This channel is a gem for me. Thanks for the inspiration, James
People that feel compelled to make negative comments should go watch noodle making videos or whatever they are interested in! Photography is an artistic endeavour and I both find your work interesting and appreciate the effort you go to to explain it. Thank you James.
This video explains exactly how I feel about my own photography and why I relate and love so much your photography James.
I call it point of view for simplicity. I love POV so that the viewer feels like they are there in the scene, behind my own eyes.
Man i love your style and approach to your photo's. Not a snapshot photographer at all. They show a constant slightly minimalist, slightly ethereal feeling but really grounded view of the world. Thanks for the overview of your mantra's as well.
I really appreciate your take on photography.
Very much looking forward to next week's video. You were definitely the first person I thought of when I saw Leicas announcement for the Q3 43.
It is a great day; a new james popsys video was released.
After actually watching the video; this has to be one of the most gamechanging pieces of advice i have ever heard, the one about shooting the way you would see the world that is. F6 suddenly starts to make so much sense. I can do nothing but thank you, this is going to change how I take pictures in an instance! Cheers.
I really enjoy this channel and James' output. It is such a calm, joyful, subtle, refective perspective on photography. Fairly unique.
Also, the guy is a master of high-key in an increasingly low-key world. Literally and figuratively!
Always admire your outlook on photography, James. Definitely resonates with me as your photos are always the ones I spend the longest time looking at and asking myself questions. I guess that means you’ve got them spot on and achieved your desired outcome.
Consistency is everything: have always admired that in your style. Photos taken at multiple focal lengths can seem disjointed. I love how the presence of humans, shown typically by bright colours and straight lines, offsets nature in your work. Its a very pleasing style. Those who call such images "snaps" literally dont know what they are talking about.
Man… you’re just such a good bloke. An amazing photographer, how anyone can be negative to you, whether they like your photos or not… is beyond me. I look forward to your videos more than any other- and I do watch loads of other. Recently started subscribing to TH-cam because 1- I hate adverts and B- someone told me that you guys get paid more..? I hope that is true. All the best.
You've showed that school bus picture a number of times and every time I see it I think it's an oil painting. So so good.
I like your work, and I like listening to you talk, especially how you alternate between footage of yourself and showing photos
Love your personal reflections and mantras regarding photography. Your photos are beautiful and really inspiring.
This video adds a lot of context and answers a lot of my questions on your work. I couldn't put my finger on what about your work I enjoyed. Thats not a negative as art should be thought provoking in my opinion, but the "like you would/could see it" is spot on. The art of gearing down vs gearing up. I do enjoy shooting with a telephoto as I enjoy the compression that is achieved and also using a long lens to avoid the distraction of a busy scene and find the unseen element.
Its a long way of saying that I really like your work and this explanation added the relatability to what you produce. Looking forward to the next on location video particularly where you use the 5 min rule you spoke about the other week.
While I may not love how you edit the exposure and colors on your pictures I do love your choice of composition and it's something I've tried to learn from. Whenever I see one of your photos I can tell it's you and I think that's awesome.
Super interesting video brother. Always a pleasure to get a deeper glimpse into the way you see the world!
I'm so on board with your photography philosophy. Your images stand out from the golden hour crowd, and often make me wonder about the location which draws me to an image even more. They're clean. They're light. They're life.
I'd love a copy of your book, but I'm all poor. One day I'll get something 😅
I hope you've kept a telephoto lens for Antarctica next year!
It was your photograph of the orange pylon legs that completely won me over. It's part of the scaffolding in my shonky little heart, that one.
I really like your style/mantra. I am following you since your Micro Four Thirds days and am liking your dry sense of humour. Have two of your books and love the down to Earth perpectives and what you can do with normal focal lengths and your trained eye!
Please keep doing such „concept“-videos.
Greetings from Germany
Christoph
I'm new to your channel but I like the way you approach this topic. When I was a kid, there was a really popular book called "The inner game of tennis" where they just talked about the subjective experiences and motivations that go into playing tennis. I think photography is similar. There is an inner game, where we use mantras and sometimes are aiming at achieving really complex effects, and it almost has nothing to do with gear or technique but rather has to do with what we're thinking as we approach the subject. (Sorry about this, I got a philosophy degree when I was young and I love talking.) New subscriber!
Can’t wait for the book to arrive! 🎉
After I saw this video, I looked at my metadata in Lightroom and my favorite focal length is around 45 mm. Even though I do a lot of landscape photography and street shooting. My favorite lens is a 24 - 90 and I tend to keep it around 40 to 45 mm. I do like my telephoto lenses, especially for trips to Iceland and Greenland when you can get compression and angles against an iceberg that presents a beautiful pattern to the viewer, but you’re right. I also had an opportunity to pick up the new Q3 with a 43 mm lens and I’m using that a lot more than I use the Q3 with 28 mm. In fact, I just sold mine to MPB your sponsor. But the most important lesson is something that I have often thought about is “take a picture about something not of something”. Great advice.
I’m mixed on this. I really like your photos. But, I also really liked the photos you were taking 5-6 years ago up until the point where you started shooting more 35-50mm exclusively. You’ve definitely identified what you like though and that’s not an easy thing to do. I’m hoping to get your new book to go along with your others as a Christmas present from my much better half. Love the channel, it’s been great seeing your journey. I do miss the old guy who used to leave a comment on every video with a 🐑
I was in Longyearbyen just a couple of weeks ago and I love seeing what you were able capture. Same location, (mostly) the same weather, and honestly even a pretty similar camera setup for what it's worth (i'm on the A7iv with Contax Zeiss 35 2.8 and 50 1.4 primes)
I'm happy with the photos I took, but I'm also impressed with how you are able to turn that little town into an absolute work of art. Major props to you!
I like all photos. To me it’s magical.
I love your content, you have inspired me so much in my photography journey, I just wanted to thank you
This idea is beautiful; thank you
I love your photography. They are inspiring!
considerations really do matter. understanding them matters more. ty for the vid.
I like to understand how different artists approach photography. One it gives me something to think about that I might want to explore and two it helps to understand my own approach as an artist. A bonus is their explanations also help understand their artistic choices.
I respect and understand your goals and explanation about your photography, but I feel like by sticking to this way of working you commit yourself to being a documentarian, and omit the most important tools from photography as an artform. There is nothing wrong with this, but this only works if you can constantly visit places that are very special and that people can't really visit themselves, otherwise it can get boring very quickly. Compression, larger-than-life bokeh, interesting point-of-view, exciting colours in editing, filtration, motion blur are very important, and when a photo shows me something that I've never seen before that's way more exciting than normal photos of places and things. Harder to create, but when you get it right, absolutely more rewarding for the photographer as well. Love that we can talk about these things, great channel and great community you've built here!
I really love your photos James! The whole process you go through to get those shots is what I identify with the most. And also the way you edit them, to me, it seems the most correct and natural. I like the idea of shooting at any time of day and in any weather conditions, that resonates with me as well. But selling the telephoto lenses... hum... big mistake! 🤔
Hi James,
I've been watching your videos for a while now and I'm really enjoying the content! As life has gotten more busy though, I find myself listening to your videos rather than watching them a lot. I really like the way you think about photography and the ideas you explain in your videos but a lot of the time I just don't have the time or space to watch a video. Have you ever thought about doing a podcast where you discuss your ideas and Philosophy about photography and how you feel about it? Perhaps with other photographers who might have very different ideas?
Funnily enough I am one of the channel followers who neither like James's concept - human artifact in the middle of nature - nor really like his typical photos. The reason I follow the channel is to see somebody else constantly doing things differently to myself. Although the title of this video was a bit click-bait-ish James convinced me that he really does have a valid reason for flogging his telephoto stuff.
Deciding to stick to 40 to 50 mm is quite valid, and to be honest, 50 mm was the focal length I started on. I was even stuck to it for several years because I did not have the money to buy any thing else. You do get a very natural view of things using this focal length and if you only use one focal length you grow to know what the photo will look like without having to pick up your camera, let alone peer through the viewfinder. Your camera and your mind become one.
Anyway, James gave us a nice glimpse behind the scenes as to his approach to photography. As he pointed out, he just has to refrain from taking any pictures of marauding polar bears.
Interesting video, I like that you have a clear vision of what you are aiming for.
Love this, great points and great photos as per usual
Great video, I love your style of photography.
I 100% concur. My practice is very similar. I go for walks and snap what I see in a topographic documentary style. A review of my work once said it exhibited a "zen like banality," and I thought great, I'll have that.
For years, my primary camera was a Mamiya RB67 with two lenses, a 90mm and 65mm lenses, which I used for everything, from my landscape work to weddings. My 35mm kit at the time was a Pentax MZ5n mostly with the 43mm ltd and occasionally 35mm. Much the same with my current Pentax K1ii, but with the addition of the 31mm ltd and an Irix 45mm. My APSc Pentax cameras are usually used with a 21mm ltd or the short 20-40 mm zoom, and I've recently purchased a Lumix gx80 and a 20mm lens, which I'm really loving. And I'm also loving your photography. Subtle understatement is a much undervalued quality in photography.
Really looking forward to getting the book 😊
Cheeky tease of the Q3 43, picked mine up yesterday and will be interested to see what you think. Very much enjoy your (considered) style and looking forward to the pre-ordered book. Great to hear your thoughts as always, thanks.
Pre ordered your human nature book because I love the concepts you base your photography on. You have grown to become one of my favorite photographers so I am looking forward to receiving the book! For me, I also always end up shooting between 40mm and 50mm. The Leica Q3 43 seems like a perfect match, but my bank account doesn't agree with me on that!
James ,Once again brilliant! Any time I can get a peak into your brain to get a piece of the Popsys Process makes me a better photographer! Can’t wait for the book ! Cheers !!
You are in good company. Sam Abell is well known for mostly shooting with 28mm and 90mm lenses, with a few other lenses of rather normal focal lengths in his bag. Known for quiet photographs, I think part of this was the use of neither extreme wide nor extreme telephoto lenses.
Excellent video. Your philosophy is similar to mine. Whilst I have telephoto lenses and enjoy a bit of wildlife photography, those photos at 400mm look very out of place with the bulk of my photos. I’m thinking of packing all my wildlife stuff off to MPB myself, so this was a timely video to give me some food for thought.
I recently acquired the high-end 50mm for my camera rather than a nifty fifty, and it’s been a lot of fun. The past few hikes to local nature preserves, it’s been the only lens I’ve brought. I do appreciate telephoto lenses-I like to get close to things, but when you’re on the end of a peninsula, you literally can’t get closer without a boat, and a lens is cheaper and far more portable.
Great video! Knew you'd be tempted by the Q3 43 (from having watched your Q3, and 40mm _obviously_ being the superior focal length). Looking forward to hear your thoughts on the Q3 43! You're my favorite non-gear gear channel. Cheers! ;)
Great video, James, and excellent work for just being a snapshooter. 🙄Looking forward to the new book. 👀
Love your photo style. It seems to me that you lighten skies quite a bit in editing. At least I think you do. Would love to find a Fuji recipe with a similar look as I don’t like editing.
Everything you say here is really interesting to me, because my personal feeling has always been that there is no focal length that sees the world the way my eyes see it, even the famous 50mm at head height. I just feel too much of a disconnect between the two dimensionality of a photo and the way the world looks when I see it.
If anything, what sells the end result to me is the lighting and colours, because they feel like a more obvious target to match or accentuate in any given photo. As long as I feel that the light is true to what my eye sees I think I'd find a telephoto shot of a polar bear pretty natural looking as well.
I’m sensing a Leica Q3 43 video coming
Casually dropping that Q43mm in. What a flex.
I don't mean to sound critical, but after awhile I won't look at your images because they'll all look the same and if that's what you wanna do then that's great but no thanks. You've probably established a great career. James and I do like your videos but to shoot everything from the one height I couldn't look at images. I would do my head in looking at the same photos over and over that's like being in a Photography torture chamber. Put on the flipside if that's what you like about your Photography that's great and that's one of the strengths. You don't care if people like your work or don't like your work so all credit to you.
I'm heavily invested in Lumix m43 gear, and I do think I can streamline my kit quite a lot. Like you I don't use most of my telephotos enough to justify having them in storage and rarely taking them out. I hope I could have rental services where I live, so if I had a trip I know I will use one, I can simply rent it for the duration of the trip. But I will have to keep at least one just in case. But there are other lenses that are simply collecting dust, so I can open up a space and maybe invest in a A7 Mark IV with the 40mm. I might end up using that single focal length more than I think. Who knows. Anyway, thanks for the great idea and amazing photos you took on your trip.
Love your photography style, and colours! Personally I'm going to keep my telephoto lenses😅
Your photos are unique
I fully understand that the glass floor could hold a herd of elephants. That is rational and even scientifically provable. But my fear of heights is not rational and I have great difficulty stepping out over such a height. To paraphrase the comedian Jackie Mason. I don't have a fear of falling...Landing!
As for parenting; my fear of heights predated the birth of my two daughters. But parenthood certainly brings on other fears.
For whatever reason, the image of the bin suspended from the cable at 4:50 really worked for me.
I was already motion sick by the time you brought it up. Which has more to do with my stomach than your camera work...this is the only reason that I have not joined you on one of these trips.
I've been using a zoom recently, just to change things up. You'd be amazed how many shots I have between 40mm and 60mm - Not sure if it's because I'm an old dog who grew up shooting a 50mm but I found it interesting. I'm giving serious thought to selling everything and buying the Olympus 25mm f/1.2 and just being happy for the rest of my life
You have a carefully defined standard for your images, that you stick with and that makes your images recognizable. Nothing wrong with that.
2:18 so many people develop new fears when they become parents. In fact, most people I know who have fear of flying say they developed it after becoming a parent. I know a wóan who developed a debilitating phobia of tunnels (because she lives on the faroe Islands. Good luck getting around without going through a tunnel)
5:24 is such a cool picture
That Leica Q3 43 is calling you.
Ha I knew it! After 5 min I was like “wait… I bet this is James spending 14 minutes justifying to himself why he should get Leica Q3 43!”
Third photography mantra: F TRIPODS
🤣
Deja vu with those photos at the start O.o checked the release date of video and everything
Well, I keep all of my Lenses, it is as Ansel Adams always told, about visualize the finished image before using the camera gear. So it all depends of what you want.
Absolutely right James, polar bear at 400mm means you get to eat lunch. Polar bear at 50mm means you are lunch
oh this is very cool, I and probably many others would like to qualitatively convey what they saw without any difficulties and costs
Prime Popys explanation, but don't get too close to any Polar bears!
The way you shoot requires the composition to do a lot of heavy lifting, otherwise it will really look like a snapshot. That is really respectable!
How does it come, the preview title is different to the actual video title? 😂
From sold my telephoto Len’s to you’re a snapshot photographer
Imagine changing video title
TH-cam has tools to A/B test video titles so James is probably using that here as well
Please show more RAW photos and settings, a lot of times your photos look nothing like they do on the video cam, so it'd be very helpful to see unedited image.
I don't like your photos.....I love them
Though it has no baring on your photography I do disagree with the general idea that 40-50mm reflects how we see the world and telephoto lenses do not.
This can be seen by expanding on the example of holding a finger in front giving a shallow depth of field. It does not just occur front to back, but also left to right, we focus on a point not a plane, and with that there is an apparent compression of perspective as our focus falls away at the edges that we barely perceive it.
Even with the greater distance from a subject, a long lens feels more natural because of how it removes distracting elements from that focal point. A close up of a distant object matches reality because we eliminate so around it that we perceive it much bigger. Conversely despite being closer to a subject (which is not just a singular thing but its surrounding context) with normal and wider lenses, they feel smaller and farther away because they are lost amongst an environment we do not perceive. Even if surrounding objects are out of focus we see them as such, but in reality we do not perceive the blurry background beyond a certain extent.
Both reflect reality in different ways. A wider lens captures a landscape that you have to explore with your eyes, just as you do in reality in a landscape. But a longer lens allows you to see an environment how you would in reality.
Your photography reflects a reality, and maybe the one that is more dominant in how you perceive the world. But personally I find telephoto lenses produce something that is more reflective of how I perceive the world. Which is why I wanted to defend the notion of telephoto reality from scurrilous accusations! But that we all perceive things differently is why photography can be good, bad, and unique.
If you ever want to get a "just in case" telephoto lense, why not try a mirror lense? They are way more compact and might be great for something like those antarctica trips. Of course they have their own quirks, but might be worth considering.
I like your work as a photographer and a content creator. I also like long lenses for some reason. Its a shame you are committing against them, I would like to learn a thing or to regarding 400mm photography.
Its also interesting how more and more limited your kit becomes over years. One camera, one lens, no tripod, no filters... Do you feel that you are now experimenting less because of that? Or quite the opposite?
James I agree with your mantras.
I have been doing similar photography on and off past 10 years.
At present my gear has improved but my photography is still of things but not about things. I don’t know how to get to the latter. Maybe any pointers??
It’s a bit like street and architecture photography in the country, it sounds like you are getting ready to buy a Leica Q343😂
28-35mm is the sweet spot for almost everything.
Taking Photos about things rather than of things - which one of you video's can I watch to find out more about this please?
I love your stile, but I cannot put it on my photos and I think the reason is the list of mental steps you take that I cannot even phantom. That said, in a world of mirrors, I want my photos to be as real, yet interesting as possible.
Yeah suddenly developed fear of heights years back . I still climb though
Snuck that Q3 43 in there enough times lol... I guess shooting between 40-50mm that might just be the perfect camera? PS I know, no such thing as the perfect camera... but maybe close?
I don’t get the tripod use in light that is. Bright enough to hand hold
So with your photos, do you ever use filters like graduated filters.
Very rarely use filters and never graduated ones 👍🏻
5:08 what do you do in your edit to get such dark shadows without making it look harsh? Is it because you turn down the clarity?
do you consider yourseld to be a deadpan style photographer?
I find myself mostly these days going out 1 lens only ....be it prime or small zoom. To challenge myself
By the way: what's wrong with snapshot photographers?
enjoying your videos. "shoot all my photos at head height" -- controversial :)
Polar Bears with 400mm, might be safer further away ( 800mm + 😊 )
James your not a " snap shoot photographer" 🤫
What’s your pizza of choice?
I respect your creative constrains, but I would miss super telephoto and ultra wide too much. Kk
Q3 43?
How many people put their finger out in front of them? 🙋♂️😂
All of your "style"-rules happens to coincide with what a really lazy photografer would do 😂
I think we don't need to say we are a parent, let's use the word father without fear of getting labelled as a misogynist.
people can call themselves "parent" without any of the thoughts you are projecting into it 🙄
No clouds to yell at?
@@BlueberryFennec or i can share my views without you getting hyper?
@@JamesPopsysPhoto i was hurtful?
attention seeker, seeking attention.