Reignite Your Passion: How to Save Your Photography Soul

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  • Опубліковано 18 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 102

  • @ricklaney3139
    @ricklaney3139 10 місяців тому +8

    One of your best videos ever! Probably one of the best photography videos I've ever watched on UA-cam - seriously. In addition to checking out master photographers (you provide an awesome list in this video) I would also suggest checking out great painters for photography inspiration. Having a large UA-cam following (or any large social media following) simply means you know how to build a following - nothing more.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +3

      Thanks Rick, right after I posted the teaser on Instagram some dude said I was being distasteful and an elitist, so I was worried my message was coming off properly. However, after reading all these comments I see my true audience understands what I'm doing here and people like you make me want to be speak more truths, thanks brother.

    • @_parkphoto
      @_parkphoto 10 місяців тому

      Good point on painters, I’ve been telling myself to study painters for this reason.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +1

      I suggest the same thing to my students, to dive in with painters to understand their process, compositions, colors, etc. I bought a De Kooning book that I absolutely love.

  • @jenniferromonoyske3655
    @jenniferromonoyske3655 3 місяці тому +1

    I completely agree. My world opened up when I learned about Henri Cartier Bresson in college and magnum. He said if he has 1 or 2 images a year that are good he’s happy or lucky.. something like that. Anyways yes it’s about what’s going on the story. You can hyper focus or intensely be driven to create imapactful images. I just came home from Paris I was documenting the set- up. It was personal project stuff. I was there 2 weeks and I realized a week in , I had not seen the Eiffel Tower yet. I staying on the river in the 4 (an ile) so it’s not like it was far. I just forgot about it. I was in and around different neighborhoods capturing stuff. Yes with a a M 11. lol I forgot my Q2 in home in NY too so that all I had. I then go and buy a m6 film camera inspired by all the people shooting film in Paris and a 35. So I swapped the lens too. That the stuff you think about not getting posed shots. I actually thought I was Vivian Maier. Taking photos of my reflection in windows and mirrors lol

  • @donjagoe
    @donjagoe 10 місяців тому +10

    Amen brother. I am so sick of empty, pastel, Wes Anderson-like gas stations, random street shots with nothing underneath the actual blurry image of normal people on a street and yet another shot of some vista in Iceland. There ARE some terrific photographers that I have found via UA-cam-Alan Schaller and Paul Reid being a couple of examples.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +2

      Love it Don, I'll add to that all the terrible street photography images I see in Vietnam where the "photographer" spent 5 hours filming and 8 seconds shooting. I finally had enough and had to make this episode. For sure YT has a few gems but the majority of the treasures are elsewhere and people should look at their work and be inspired.

    • @prherman
      @prherman 10 місяців тому

      Man, all the Wes Anderson LUT/presets are going to be so embarrassing to look back on in a year if not much (hopefully) sooner. No disrespect to Wes himself who bears no responsibility to what he has “inspired”.

    • @xiiiconcepts
      @xiiiconcepts 10 місяців тому

      Alan Schaller is an acclaimed Leica ambassador before starting a UA-cam. Paul Reid is a great photographer, especially of people. It’s no accident both guys shoot on monochrome cameras.

  • @JJ_Photo
    @JJ_Photo 10 місяців тому +1

    Exactly! This video is actually the only video we need to see in 2024! Thank you 🤗

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      No, you still need to watch my weekly videos ha ha.

    • @JJ_Photo
      @JJ_Photo 10 місяців тому

      @@AskMOTT 🙃

  • @raystonestudio1490
    @raystonestudio1490 2 місяці тому

    I totally agree with you Justin !
    Love this content 👍🏼
    I think photography isn’t about chasing trends or following someone else’s story. Each photo I take is driven by a personal experience and an emotional connection. I strive to keep my work simple, truthful, and deeply felt. I may not always have the words to describe the moment, but the emotion is in the photograph itself, and that’s what matters.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  2 місяці тому

      Thank you Ray :).

  • @washingtonradio
    @washingtonradio 10 місяців тому +3

    I think the basic problem is too often people equate large likes/large following as meaning the person is good. What I try to do is photograph what interests me try to capture a solid photo of the scene. Some of my favorite channels actually discuss the work of other photographers.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      100% true, that's what I find in many of my students and that can also be problematic for people who actually want to work full-time as a photographer and not an influencer, and their quality of work in photography definitely isn't sustainable to earn money, it's pretty bad.

  • @michaelacedeno
    @michaelacedeno 10 місяців тому +3

    This man is just spitting fact after fact.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Thanks Michael, it was long overdue ha ha.

  • @LukeTaylorPhotography
    @LukeTaylorPhotography 10 місяців тому +2

    I think you made a good point when you said... Popular UA-camrs are good at telling their own story, but not necessarily the stories of others.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Thanks Luke , they are actually pretty awesome at that , something I’m still trying to improve on as well , at least for UA-cam that is .

  • @orjos2
    @orjos2 10 місяців тому +2

    Ralph Gibson was a revelation to me when I began many, many years ago. I’d been taking photographs, trying out many different genres, until his work clicked with me.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      I love hearing that, thanks for sharing your inspiration.

    • @_parkphoto
      @_parkphoto 10 місяців тому +1

      I love Ralph Gibson. His way of thinking and seeing is so inspiring to me

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +1

      @@_parkphoto I did an episode about one of his Leica prints, thanks for sharing.

  • @mikeabcable
    @mikeabcable 9 місяців тому

    This is what I was waiting for. Thank you so much
    I heard Vivian Maier a few days ago, a photographer who never shared the work with the world. I thought she's also inspiring.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  9 місяців тому +1

      I have one of her books , definitely inspiring.

  • @paulbegg.photography
    @paulbegg.photography 10 місяців тому +2

    Kudos, Justin. I developed my skills by reading magazines and books, paid for courses, and gradually developed my skills. In this age of social media, so much has been given over to the likes of UA-cam, FB and IG for instant gratification and 'success. It all lacks soul. Like dry January, I have decided to give up on SM for a few months and possibly hit the reset for some ideas I have. Best.

  • @jeffreypackard
    @jeffreypackard 6 місяців тому

    Heya Justin, I really appreciated this video. I can see how some might jump to calling it elitist, however I don't feel that at all. What seems clear to me is that you are really using this as a platform to (re)introduce us to "the greats"; not giving us something to emulate, or saying "how to be like them." It seems you're really asking us to derive our own inspiration from these great bodies of work, and then step forth into creating imagery in the best way we know how. So thank you for this.
    I now have a page full of tabs to dive into with some awesome looking photographers (some new to me, some not).
    Thanks for the great videos! I'm really enjoying your channel.

  • @grantrobertdavies
    @grantrobertdavies 10 місяців тому +1

    Great Video man… I’ve got a photography based channel, however I have made it clear on a few occasions to my audience, that photography is a side hustle for myself - My Career is in Graphic Design & Although I do, DO a stack of photography with-in design and for clients AND I am confident with my photography skills - I can’t actually call myself a “full time working photographer” that would be misleading my audience… Having that mindset has really freed up my approach on my channel and how I run it :)

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      I love that grant and I'm so happy people understood the point I was trying to convey which isn't to knock UA-cam-based photography channels, I mean, that's what I have right :). I just wanted to inspire people to look outwardly for quality work out there and look to some historical and modern-day legends. I will definitely check out your channel as well, thanks for sharing.

  • @johndwilliams
    @johndwilliams 10 місяців тому +1

    Well done for taking about this subject. As my own skills have improved I've noticed the same. There are some of my favourites who are great for learning techniques or reviewing gear but when they show their own work its not always that great. Present company excepted, of course!
    Now I just take out of it what I need and move on.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +1

      Thanks John, makes me so happy that this episode was so well received and not misunderstood like I was worried it might be , love you guys for that.

  • @RhondaTipton
    @RhondaTipton 8 місяців тому

    I have just recently found your channel. Your material and subject matter is truly inspiring and definitely makes me think. Thank you.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  8 місяців тому +1

      Thank you Rhonda, welcome to our little photography community here :).

  • @RubyRodd
    @RubyRodd 9 місяців тому

    All of this needed to be said.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  9 місяців тому

      Thanks Ruby :).

  • @chrisgalephoto
    @chrisgalephoto 10 місяців тому +1

    I used to joke that all UA-cam channels eventually become microphone review channels, regardless of what they start out as (and that the UA-cam recommendation algorithm is just a Price is Right Plinko game where all the slots on the bottom are men's rights advocates and two people who live in their vans). Occasionally I'd be happy to discover a photographer I liked would create a UA-cam channel (I assume at the behest of their team who told them they need to be on the platform), and the predictable lifecycle would be: BTS video of a shoot they had already done, a couple short videos about lighting and gear, and then the release schedule starts to increase monotonically as they realize that managing a channel is basically a full-time job and they eventually abandon it). I think the secret to success on UA-cam is realizing that the audience is actually just people who want to have a successful UA-cam channel. This happens even in non-photographer contexts too. There's a channel I used to subscribe to where it was a Doctor who talked about studying and stuff, and within like two years of his channel he stopped being a doctor to do UA-cam full-time. Or there's an airline pilot who reviews backpacks on UA-cam and you can see him now transitioning to that full-time. Like it doesn't matter what you did before creating the channel, it eventually becomes tautological. I think there's a gravity to managing a channel that will eventually corrupt any content creator, especially once they start having success on the platform.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +1

      Very interesting Chris, yeah I suppose that happens a lot. So what happens to me , do I end up just posting dog videos, ha ha, maybe it will, don't let stray too far from photography. I hope people take this video with its intention which is to look elsewhere for inspiration, that list I created is a good start. Thanks brother.

  • @guillaumebouqueau
    @guillaumebouqueau 10 місяців тому +2

    I do look at a lot of photo books but haven’t yet found the one that really resonated with me. I guess I’m more influenced by film noir. The work of Gregg Toland is amazing. On the more recent side, I could spend all day watching every frame of a Lav Diaz movie.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Get video books ha ha or are those called films :). I personally love photo books but i like discovering them at bookstores which are a dying industry.

  • @zoltankaparthy9095
    @zoltankaparthy9095 10 місяців тому +1

    Agreed. I find that there are a lot of good photographers out there but not a lot of inspirational photographers. There are a few, but there are way more posting vids. You are right. So, yes, I try to follow my own muse. Most of what I shoot is not good but I do get a few good ones and that is what keeps me going. And the more I shoot the more I have and the better I will, hopefully, get.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Well said Zoltan, hope to get you shooting a project if you're not already.

  • @_parkphoto
    @_parkphoto 10 місяців тому

    Totally agree. I’m also so tired of wedding photographers who have super high follower counts for their reels on IG, very quickly setting up “education” platforms for their “brand” while their actual photo quality is very beginner. I feel bad for everyone who gets sucked into that culture because it’s not helpful for one’s photography at all. Great for making money but useless as far as the art is concerned. All I really care about is the art, and the people I photograph.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +1

      Well said Austin, I feel like I'm their stop after that happens. Many of my online students are recovering from looking at that type of work and being influenced by that type of work, it's like rehab for them.

  • @mikedodd4546
    @mikedodd4546 10 місяців тому +1

    Hi Justin, I'm based in Thailand and went to BKK a month back to see an exhibition of James N's work. Amazing. Far from easy watching but brilliant stuff. Some of it reminded me of W Eugene Smith's work. Love your channel, it's really helping me be a better amateur!

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +1

      I love to hear that Mike, James has been a huge inspiration to me and I've met him a few times and have some mutual friends. He's a legend, such a true documentarian.

    • @mikedodd4546
      @mikedodd4546 10 місяців тому +1

      Thanks Justin. You snap a reasonable shot yourself! I'll be in Hanoi for 2 weeks at the end of the month and for the life of me I can't find a fixer. Any tips? BTW, I'm interested in your mentoring program but I need a small body of work first. Hence one of the reasons for trying to find a fixer. There were a couple of shots of James that brought me close to tears. Compelling extraordinary work.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      @@mikedodd4546 Thanks for the kind words Mike, my mentorship is also about helping you get a body of work and working on a project along the way that I can help you discover and shoot. I can help you find a fixer for sure, even if you aren't in my membership so just shoot me an email and I'll help you out.

    • @mikedodd4546
      @mikedodd4546 10 місяців тому

      Legend, thanks mate, will do!!

    • @mikedodd4546
      @mikedodd4546 10 місяців тому

      @@AskMOTT now I'm a member!

  • @LeslieABronxBebeFalu
    @LeslieABronxBebeFalu 10 місяців тому +1

    Can I have your books and dogs?😁
    I really like this video because it speaks a lot of truth about UA-cam photographers.
    I'd be watching some videos and I'm like 😴.
    They talk too much and not showing their work.
    Others do talk about their work and im not bored.
    Some, I follow for education about my gear.
    The legendary photographers you've mentioned are some of my faves.
    Thanks for this video, I enjoyed it.👍🏾

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Thank you Leslie, I'm glad this episode landed the way I wanted it to. I'll compromise, you can meet the dogs and check out the books if you're ever in Hanoi :).

  • @toddkorolphoto
    @toddkorolphoto 10 місяців тому +1

    Great video. It's interesting I have watched a lot of videos where UA-camrs look to other UA-camrs for their photography inspiration, not necessarily photographers creating bodies of work. I've always said if you want to get better as a photographer study some of the greats and what they have produced. BTW, you don't need fancy lights in the background when you have something to say! ;-)

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      I appreciate that Todd, thanks brother.

  • @AskMOTT
    @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +3

    Add your inspiration here.

    • @alistairmerrifield5035
      @alistairmerrifield5035 10 місяців тому +1

      Can never go past Ansel Adams. Amazing to realise some of those photos are 70 to 80-odd years old.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +1

      @@alistairmerrifield5035 Truly a legend, I remember going to Yosemite just because of his images, glad you mentioned him.

    • @cecilsharps
      @cecilsharps 10 місяців тому +1

      Dennis Ziliotto.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      @@cecilsharps Thanks for sharing Cecil.

    • @HighPingDrifter1
      @HighPingDrifter1 10 місяців тому

      I'm into portrait work generally, some of the less famous photographers I've been inspired by include Tom Hoops, Andrew Farrington, Megan Doherty, Derek Ridgers and Xenie Zasetskaya.

  • @tundrusphoto4312
    @tundrusphoto4312 10 місяців тому +1

    Some time ago professional photographer Scott Choucino posted a video on the same topic. The reality for UA-cam is that there are great UA-cam channels on the topic of photography and then there are working photographers who have great UA-cam channels. Both are fine in their own way. But, it the distinction is obvious for those that care.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      I like that guys channel as well, just started watching him.

  • @eljin00
    @eljin00 10 місяців тому +1

    A lot of the youtube photogs seem gravitate towards abstract street and boaring landscape photography which is ok but it seems lacking, however after seeing your work and the formentioned from your list you so kindly provided It's quite apparent what real photography should be, and that's story telling . After all a picture paints what? your video was like someone opened a window to let the cool air wash in. Thank You.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +1

      This is my favorite comment, thank you. I posted a teaser for this on Instagram and someone called me an elitist and said it was distasteful, my goodness how sensitive people are and I didn't even call anyone in particular out I'm just trying to help people find inspiration in legends. I'm so happy you got that, thank you.

  • @Jazodog
    @Jazodog 10 місяців тому +3

    Word!! Im glad that latelly, trend is changing a bit. Few of you guys that really lives from serious photography stood up and point out the difference. I consume gear reviews ofc. I came to your channel first time 3 years ago on Leica wildlife gear review haha. Thank you for quality content, keep going with video camera on location when you doing a project. It is great to see workflow and decission making on spot. Thank you!

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому +2

      Thanks brother , I think some people will misinterpret the purposes of this video so I’m happy you didn’t :). I appreciate you taking the time to comment because that motivates me to do more truthful videos like this .

  • @visualsciencelabkirktuck3834
    @visualsciencelabkirktuck3834 10 місяців тому +1

    Well said. Thanks!

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Thank you , glad this landed the way I wanted it to as I always worry people will misinterpret these sorts of videos.

  • @kimw994
    @kimw994 10 місяців тому +1

    Eddy van Wessel- what a great photographer !

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Thanks for sharing :)

  • @streetinvertphoto963
    @streetinvertphoto963 10 місяців тому +1

    Alan Schaller inspired me to my own style of photography. Not quite there yet but I agree with the UA-camr point. Many of them move between photography and gear reviews. And for much of the time, the photos are to make a point not arts

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Thanks for sharing , glad you were inspired by a quality photographer and love that you found your own style in the process . Thanks for commenting.

  • @berjarak2535
    @berjarak2535 10 місяців тому +1

    thank you for making this video

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      My pleasure, thanks for taking the time to comment. In such a sensitive world I was even worried doing this sort of episode even though I didn’t name names or anything like that people always get so offended by everything:).

  • @jayse1195
    @jayse1195 10 місяців тому +1

    100%. You wouldn't aspire to drive like a shitty driver. Great to hear you say what others are scared of saying.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Thanks Jay, I always get a little scared as we live in such a sensitive world and the internet is even more sensitive but then I just ask myself what are my intentions and will it help people improve so I hope this episode accomplishes that :).

  • @xiiiconcepts
    @xiiiconcepts 10 місяців тому

    I think it’s perfectly okay to look for inspiration from UA-camrs including yourself, regardless of the quality of their work. For the very simple fact that if they inspire you to get off the couch and go shoot, then they did their job.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      I think it's okay too absolutely. I hope my point was absorbed that the you can find more more inspiration from the legends in photography compared to the big names on YT if that makes sense. I see a lot of my online students start their journey in photography looking up to YT'ers with big channels for inspiration in their style of photography and I hope they also look to the legends. I feel YT is a great platform to teach and to inspire people to learn and definitely to go shoot as well. Thanks.

  • @davidpierini3316
    @davidpierini3316 10 місяців тому +1

    Truth!

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Thanks David :).

  • @bunnytobin
    @bunnytobin 10 місяців тому +1

    Amen.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Thanks Brendan, had to be said :)

  • @PhotographybyJeroen
    @PhotographybyJeroen 10 місяців тому

    Hey Justin! Thanks for that! 😊So I don’t care about who you think aren’t good, that’s some negative vibes no one needs, but it would be great if you could give us your opinion on who you consider to be the really good ones….

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      I did give several examples of who I feel is good in the episode and on the description, check those photographers out.

    • @PhotographybyJeroen
      @PhotographybyJeroen 10 місяців тому

      yes you did thank you! i kinda jumped the gun when i saw the first few seconds of the video. i didn't want to forget to ask so i sent it before i finished watching. lol.@@AskMOTT

  • @kimw994
    @kimw994 10 місяців тому +1

    well said‼

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      I appreciate that Kim, where do you look for inspiration?

    • @kimw994
      @kimw994 10 місяців тому +1

      I met JN as well (in Somalia and Indonesia in the 90´) what a great work ...! Alex Webb and Thomas Dworzak ! are something really special to be inspired..greetings from Frankfurt!.@@AskMOTT

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Greetings back from Hanoi, I was passing through Frankfurt last year on my way to Wetzlar . I had Alex Webb on my initial script but forget to mention him.@@kimw994

  • @martinmeyer1261
    @martinmeyer1261 10 місяців тому +1

    🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      Thanks Martin , much love.

  • @WhoIsSerafin
    @WhoIsSerafin 10 місяців тому

    I want names! I want to see if I agree with you about their photography or if I even know who they are.

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      All of them ha ha , I mean all of them compared to the names I listed. I’d fairly say I feel this way about “search top 20 photography channels “ when it comes to quality of photography for inspiration.

  • @splootan
    @splootan 10 місяців тому +1

    YEP, everybody only listen to Justin Mott, Not..

    • @AskMOTT
      @AskMOTT  10 місяців тому

      You can listen to a few other people as well, I’m cool w that.

    • @splootan
      @splootan 10 місяців тому

      @@AskMOTT you are too much up your own backside