Photography On Location: The Liquor Store
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
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You know what kind of guy I am? I'm the kind of guy who spends an entire day and evening photographing a liquor store. And films himself doing it. And then posts that video to UA-cam.
I came across a delightfully unmaintained liquor store in Santa Barbara County, California while I was on a walk one day. After taking some scouting pictures of this beautiful building using my Polaroid SX-70 and some instant film, I decided that the next time I was in the neighborhood, I'd bring my trusty Shen-Hao TFC 617-A 6x17 panoramic camera with me so I could do some real serious slow-and-steady-on-the-tripod kind of work. After all, this thing was begging for a panoramic composition (or two).
As great as this scene looked in the harsh light of midday, I knew almost instantly that I'd want to photograph it at dusk. You know that time of day where the sun has set and the streetlights have turned on, but it's not completely dark yet? That's what we in THE BIZ call "magic hour", baby. It's called "magic" for a reason. It's where beautiful photos are born.
But because indecisiveness is my thing, I ended up photographing it 3 separate times anyway - in midday, dusk, and morning light. I wanted to see it on film under each type of lighting. I was right about dusk, though. The dusk shots ended up being my favorite (uh-oh, spoiler alert!).
Surprisingly, I haven't taken many pictures on film at dusk. I've done more dusk shots than I care to count on digital, but not film. Kodak Portra has plenty of dynamic range to help me tackle the difficult lighting/metering of dusk, but I was still a little concerned I would screw it up. But - and again, spoiler alert - turns out I had nothing to fear because the exposures came out perfect.
Aw hell, I'm just going to say it...Hot damn I love how the dusk shots came out!
I spent much of the day leading up to dusk scouting my compositions. Dusk is a very tiny window of opportunity, so I wanted to nail down exactly where to put my tripod well in advance. I used a fantastic app on my iPhone called Mark II Artist's Viewfinder along with an Aukey clip-on iPhone camera lens to help guide me. You should check both of these things out whether you're a digital photographer, film photographer, or both. I find the app and lens combo invaluable.
Mark II Artist's Viewfinder: www.artistsview...
Aukey iPhone Lens: www.amazon.com...
Anywho...please enjoy the video. And thank you for watching!
Website: www.nickcarver...
Instagram: / nickcarver
You're not a serious photographer till you've offered to pay someone to get out of your shot, haha. Nice work!
Haha! Glad I'm not the only one.
Nick Carver photography advanced course; Rule #1-- as a photographer, you should always carry twenty dollars in your wallet.
what about almost getting into a fist fight over it?
@@iswatman It's a rule for traveling photographers too. You better have some cash when you get mugged. It will save your life.
@@iswatman I'm cheap. Five bucks is my limit. LOL!
I thought "TON'S....IQ" kind of funny name for the store.
Brent Drafts I hoped that someone had noticed that!
I haven't done any serious photography like this for many years so it was fantastic being allowed to tag along and watch you at work. Brought back many memories. Shooting film you never knre for sure what you got until the film came out of the soup, something today's digital photographers will never experience. Ansel would have been proud of what you are doing. Many thanks.
Man I was stressed just watching you do this . That might be one of my favourite shots ever . This little vid was so good .
Thank you very much
Yeah ton's of times I shouted FUCK in the dark room when I realize i shot at the wrong moment and got a part of car covering the frame lololol
Man I always come back to this video when feeling down with my photography career. You’re awesome Nick
"dripping with delapidated goodness"... love it.
Man, I felt your pain when you were losing the light and people were getting in the way! Many years ago I was 1st A.D. on a movie where we had to get a scene at sunset every day of the shoot (don't ask) and that light fades sooo fast at that time of day. Good work for getting such wonderful shots!
Yeah it’s always an anxiety-tainted 30-minute window. And thanks for the kind words.
I could watch you all day, all year. Incredibly compelling and therapeutic. Thanks so much!
The last evening shot of the store at an angle is my favorite. Loved the signs and, perspective.
Jeff Pettitt Photography thank you!
Yeah the head on shot was alright but kinda meh so I wouldn't worry bout the car being in it. That last one really captures it all well.
"She's GLORIOUS!" Haha! I agree...it is a very interesting old store.
OMG: "Dripping with dilapidated goodness." I’m two years late, but that resonates with me like the voice of James Earl Jones! Very enjoyable, thanks!
The suspense with that truck was almost killing me...
Loved the vid!
It was mooning the camera with it's ass hehehe
One of the best photography videos ever! Brilliant on all fronts!
Thank you!
I honestly do not know why you don't have more followers?!?! I find your videos helpful, inspiring/motivating, and very informative. Keep up the awesome work and content brother!!!
Thanks man I appreciate that!
I love this. The stress and angst. Who doesn't love it.
Damn! Those came out great, two 6x17 exposures and filming, recording audio and narrating what you're doing... you're giving it 100% to get all that right.
David Bryan not going to lie, it's a bit of work. Haha. But I'm really glad some people enjoy watching it.
Small time amateur in digital format here. This is just smoothing to watch. Thank you and please continue the great work.
I admire your dedication to the film/wide medium. I've 'thrown in the towel' and gone digital in 2006. I am sometimes nostalgic about analogue but then I remember all the trials and tribulations of film and slides (your videos are a good reminder :-) and I make peace with digital. Carry on the good work, it is lovely !!!
Dimitris Tsagdis thank you very much. And yes, I can certainly relate to the difficulties and hassles of film over digital. That's why I still much prefer digital for my commercial work. Glad to know you still enjoy the videos, though, not being a film geek like me.
I wouldnt touch digital even if i was paid. if film is alive im going to shoot it untill it dies.
I have no dogma. If digital was just better than film then I'll go for it. But there is one thing digital just can't do (well) : grain.
That's the only but major thing that prevents me from making my workflow way easier.
But it's not going to happen eventually as digital is moving towards less noise (and therefore its analog equivalent too), not more of it.
@@bachirmessaouri4772 why not add noise in post?
@@dimitristsagdis7340 It's not the same. Like soft focus, yeah you can fake it in post but it's not the same as using a soft focus lens.
I also use that Mark II Viewfinder app. It’s pricey (for an app), but totally worth it for scouting compositions without lugging the camera around/setting it up. Another great video, Nick!
Todd Hurley yeah I agree. The price tag scared me off at first. But man is it worth it.
just discovered this channel. Top to bottom, GOLD! For some reason, quite therapeutic...most of the time.
Well THAT is how the true art is being created. Man, the "Photography On Location" videos are the true inspiration, absolutely brilliant shots, an overall approach to the process is stunning. Cheers from Ukraine!
so crazy all of your photos look animated in the best way possible. love your work. keep it up brother
Thank you! Will do
Nick, I've just started following your videos (subscribed very soon after haha), and I must say this is one of the most inspirational photography videos in the history of You Tube. I'll tell you why.
By default, I'm a fashion photographer who happens to love the craftsmanship behind landscape photography.
I live in Brazil, and despite the general notion that we have beautiful natural scenery, you won't find here the typical elements for landscape photography, like gorgeous snowy mountains, old rusty trailers parks, route 66, movie like settings like California and Nevada deserts, or Icelandic landscapes, etc.
We have none of that here. Landscapes here tend to be mountains covered of green, and that's just about it.
This video is such a phenomenal inspiration because it shows you don't need the classic elements to build an amazing landscape shot (and therefore a jaw dropping portfolio).
You have ALL those elements at your disposal in the US, yet you've chosen this subject that (to most people's eyes) is like "Huh??? Why did he choose this place???? I don't get it!", and when you see your end product, you just get it. You have such an AMAZING eye, you really do.
This video proves to us all you can do gorgeous landscapes no matter where you live, no matter how epic or not your subject it.
I hope I don't get lazy now, because I really got inspired to go out and find me some non-classic landscape scenery!
Thanks for the gigantic inspiration.
Please, please post more videos, you've become my favorite photography related You Tuber. Thanks for the amazing content!
Wow, thank you so much for the kind words! Encouraging people to photograph the less-obvious landscapes is the best thing I can hope to do. That's what it's all about - getting out and trying to create something you haven't seen before.
my visits to brasil have been full of images like this. In downtown sao paulo there are old bakeries(paderias, excuse the spelling) surrounded by banks and highrises etc the contrast in the buildings is amazing. keep shooting and keep looking
You're only limited by your skill. The more you learn to think for yourself the more you start getting unique shots in you're own style. Every location has it's own charm, stop looking for the same old Cliches and stereotypical shots and be original. Otherwise you end up with a portfolio of carbon copies no matter where you go.
I have to admit I was sceptical the first time you showed the store. What in the hell is Nick thinking? But you pulled it off, you saw something that the rest of us would have missed. Fun video and great shots.
Richard G thank you!
Seems more like a you problem. Everyone saw it.
Great video, Nick 👍 preplanning superb !! Blue Hour shot at the end, Beautiful!! Everything about it was Spot on 👌✅ You’re one of The Best on You Tube 👍✅👌😎
Thank you very much!
Great video! Your reaction of the truck parking in front of you (and the car on your second exposure) sum up perfectly my frustrations of being a photographic artist in the often very crowded SoCal! Kudos on the offer to buy the trucker some dinner.
Make backroom deals with the local tow truck company lmao
wow the colors look like a painting, something unreal yet with stunning image quality, I didn't now nothing about these types of cameras but now I'm amazed. it seems very unlikely any digital camera could replicate the qualities of that beast you have
Señor Calabaza thank you very much! It's a hell of a camera. I love the lenses it uses too.
I’m a truck driver and photographer... glad you went and asked him because that is who we are. We don’t like to intrude on people’s lives and/or livelihood. We know these vehicles are obnoxious, and no, you wouldn’t have to pay us.
Great video story... love your channel!
Thanks for the video.
Yes, dilapidated buildings and houses do offer great compositions.
You made a 'nothing" shot into a real "something" shot. Now that's ART; vision and a real photographer's eye. I also like the trials and tribulations of getting it right. I also talk to myself when trying to get the shot and some car parks right in the way (or any object you don't want). When you get it right it is even sweeter as you know the back story and all the hassle it took to get it "spot on"..
Meticulous as always. What a true passion and dedication to the art of real photography. A great lesson for us enthusiasts. Thanks.
Love watching you guys do 'Large, Medium, Panoramic etc.' Film photography.
At this stage I wouldn't have the patience or be able to put up with the hassle to do, so I really appreciate it.
Though I am a boring digital enthusiast! I have learnt the importance of scouting my scenes to shoot and the optimum times of day to do it.
Cheers E.
Love the guy sitting still inside, it makes the whole image work. Also, that trucker was awesome!
Shawn Miller amen to that. And thank you.
The only photographer channel that doesn’t bug me at all. Love your work and video work. Film forever
Thank you very much
Nick, I want to say this from the very bottom of my heart - THANK YOU !!
I don't know if it means anything to you, but I truly deeply appreciate your efforts and all the trouble you take to educate & entertain us!
ALI you're very welcome, and thank YOU for the appreciation! It's the only reason I make these videos.
The composition at 16:05 is exquisite the way the store's light seems to illuminate the sky behind it. Thanks for going through your process with such detail.
Sitting here at 1AM mesmerized by this video and the one of the print you had made from the shot. I have.a location I pass often that has drawn me in. It's a bit tough to get to, but I think this has inspired me to give it a go. And take my time! Great work Nick. Glad I found your channel.
It had thrills. It had spills. It had decay, ruin and a spot of grot. And it had a giant semi. What else could a guy want? I was on the edge of my seat. Thanks a lot! Hoping for more electrifying action soon ...
Michael Carrithers I need you to write my summaries - haha. Thank you for watching!
Loved the solution to the truck problem, Great job!
The second composition at night, from the side, really shows the difference between film vs digital when it comes to dynamic range. Film is still king. I'm loving your videos. Glad I came across them.
Oooooh! My Lord!
That liquor store photo with the floodlight! Ooooh! How gorgeous ! Geez love it!
Daniel Alcantarilla thank you!
I love the morning shot of the store! It reminds me of Wim Wenders' 'Paris, Texas' for some reason...
' A house for horses. A horse house. Stable.' This genuinely made me laugh out loud. I wish I hadn't found these videos at 11:15PM though - guess I'll just have to have an extra cup of coffee tomorrow.
Haha! Get that caffeine flowing, my friend.
Hi Nick; I've been watching your you tube videos for a while and really like your laid back approach and the results you get with film.
Great work and thanks for posting. Cheers Pete.
Great video. You show the dedication required for proper landscape. Got to previsualize and be there when the light is there. After the shot, I hope you said hi to the owner of the store and bought something. Let’s be friendly photographers out there. Charlie
crbrelativity a free advert to his 25k subscribers ain't enuf ?
Dead Hipster, the owner doesn’t know that and few photographers have a UA-cam channel. I’m talking about being polite and keeping the door open for the next photographer. Engagement with our subjects when possible and safe, either before or after the shutter is released, is the polite thing to do. It is a choice, and if my statement above is considered admonishment please forgive me. Charlie
crbrelativity Yeah I hear you. I went in and talked to him, bought something, told him what I was up to, told him I loved his building, etc. He was a friendly gentleman.
so i showed our exchange to my friend and she said "Nick you own a store, if someone set up a tripod and camera outside and didn't say hello you'd be furious" so yeah i feel pretty dumb right now haha
@@charlieb.4273, I'm Charlie Richard Brown, we have the same initials. I love your comment.
Really enjoy your channel and this video in particular. I was on a nightscape photography kick about 4yrs ago in my part of the country (Dallas), then life changes and other stuff happened, and I kinda lost interest. I did get some of my work printed and framed. You've given me the juice to get back out there and make it happen again real soon! Thank you.
The perfect part of that video is the scene which I can quite readily sympathize with where you hope and pray for the cars and trucks going out of your composition! Great! Thanks for sharing!
Excellent work Nick and loved the description of balancing the ambient light with the shop lights.
23 minutes well spent to watch you do your passion!
This what photography is all about, emotion, unique moments, experiences. Great job man, really, this shot is something very big, it should go on history books
You are an inspiration. Love all of your videos I've caught so far. I'm currently trying to tell myself I don't /need/ one of these panoramic cameras... but I think i do. Maybe. I think.
Thanks! And I feel your pain. I went through the same internal debate for months before pulling the trigger.
Everything about it!! The newspaper stands, the shopping cart, the signage..... MEOW!!!
Louis Rafael Rosenthal thank you!
I love this photo! Thanks for giving us the look behind the curtain
LOVE these shots and although when I've shot "street" landscapes like this I often find power lines to be the bane of my existence I think they kind of work for this shot. They add to the gritty industrial, days gone by old timey feel of what you captured. Much like the burned out lights on the sign.
fantomfoto couldn't agree more. I usually hate power lines, but I'm glad they were not distracting in this scene.
Excellent I like very much the way you took in a zen part to explain and the time you took this really good liquor store picture, thank you so much, I feel really good now to take time also and make some also beautiful store here at Brussels. But of course no with the same gear like yours. Thanks Nick to share !
Very nice & inspiring moments! It's all about passion & joving what you do... thanks for sharing.
Hey Nick,
you relighted my spark on analog photography! Thank you, and my UA-cam algorithm for showing me your channel!
Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪
Hey Nick, Been really enjoying your videos since Thomas Heaton put us on to you. Thank you for putting it out there. J.
I'm in the same situation! Since Thomas mentioned him in his x-pan video I've been watching all his videos from the start. Haha
A really high quality, all kinds of photography and really fun&entertaining videos to watch.
Nick, one of the best videos I’ve seen on UA-cam, and I’ve seen a lot. See you work with your subject and equipment is fabulous. Many thanks for the entertainment.
Gary Row that's saying a lot - thank you!
Horse house 😂🤪. Like the pictures. Daylight straight on is great 👍.
when you showed the location, i cringed in horror on how ugly the location was and wondered if you actually picked a good subject. Once again you proved how good of a photographer you are, and the eye for your subject and making sure that you convey they feeling/character of the liquor store. The very first image was your best.
It reminded me of a guy who did a series of liquor stores for his final project at Santa Monica College, it was amazing on conveying the feeling on standing there at the time he visited those stores as a customer on those late, late nights.
Sine Nomine thank you. Yeah I suppose it's not exactly a place of obvious beauty - ha
Wow. Best film photography video I’ve seen here yet.
Anatomy of an iconic shot. Well done my friend. I loved every second of this video. This reminds me of Greg Crewdson photos. I hope you make the same money he makes.
You one bad hombre, hombre. Excellent images. Great story telling too.
Absolutely sweet photos man....just awesome!
Thank you very much!
Ha was randomly trying to find a place that sold high end wine and saw a pic on google maps of this place and was like "hmm...didn't Nick Carver take pic of this place?". Did a quick youtube search and there you are, paying off truck drivers just like I remembered. Didn't live near Santa Ynez when I watched this vid, and didn't know it existed, but apparently it's engraved in my memory forever, good to know. Thanks!
First this probably the third time I have viewed this video as well as the others about the liquor store. Over the years I have gradually gone from shooting buildings from an angle, which I call three-quarters, to straight on. Don't know what influenced me but everytime I look at a building from different angles I always chose the straight on picture. Even if I want to get the side of a building I will photograph the side straight on.
Enjoy all your stuff so keep on traveling the road less traveled and share it with us all.
DUDE. That morning shot of the liquor store is FANTASTIC! It legit looks like a miniature model set. Def my fav. Nice work overall.
Nowadays, in our, "hurry up to go nowhere", microwave culture, most people seem not to care about the process, only the results, however, I LOVE watching your "behind the scenes" stuff and hearing your thought processes.
Keep the videos coming.
Excellent, Nick. The way you photograph and see things is awesome.
Thiago Perilo thank you very much
Great video. I had to watch it twice. So entertaining and informative! I love the centered shots.
Please continue to do these types of videos. So damned authentic!
Man, that truck stopping there. It's amazing how stuff like that happens. You were much calmer than I would be. Nice shots.
Thanks for what you're doing here on UA-cam. It's so fantastic to see your process and the emotions you go through for some exposures. Great photos as always. Keep it up.
MrSQUABify thank you for the appreciation. It's why I do these videos.
Great images, and video. I bet the shop owner was waiting all day for you to buy some cold ones.... :)
Chris Cameron haha. That's a good point. I should have.
Absolutely love the straight on dusk shot. I do wonder how it would have looked without the Center ND and a little natural vignetting. I'm not usually keen on it but think it may have worked here.
I’ve watched this videos about 4 times now, doesn’t get old.
Thanks for the heads up on the Mark II Artist’s Viewfinder.
the point where you offered the guy 20 bucks put a smile on my face and earned a like
This was great. I enjoyed the hoodie, looks comfortable but not too hot. I was getting anxious along with you. Glad you listened to your inner antsy and took the early shot: it came out great. Then when the truck pulled up, my heart sank for you. Glad he moved. You're right about the car: it's too "new" or "modern" looking next to the store. Although the argument could be made it's a good juxtaposition, but that's reaching. The old house in the morning is a keeper. First thing I noticed right whe it was shown was the trellis. Keep up the great work, and thanks for the inspiration and entertainment. ✌
Arcana73 thank you for the kind words. And I agree about the car. Honestly if it was a car from the 70's or 80's, I probably would have loved having it there.
As always, an interesting subject, great composition, wonderful result! And I love you wry commentary...
Ed Adams thanks!
You're right, the manager sitting there is like the one element that makes this a unique image. Otherwise, it's just another store. The manager sitting there actually tells the story.
Great video, Nick, thanks for bringing us along. First dusk exposure was definitely the best. I’d consider buying that one. Well managed with the truck driver too!
Stephen Lloyd thank you!
Man, you should visit Bronx Pizza in San Diego. You will be amazed at how much character it has, even though it might be hard to take as nice of a picture of it as you have here.
Excellent video, one of your best(I have watched them all). You really allowed us to see your creative process and thinking, artistically and technically. Thanks for sharing your photo making process.
Wayne Yuhasz that's awesome. Thank you for the views.
Wonderful images Nick! I just recently started following your videos and have really enjoyed your commentary and work. Thanks for sharing and teaching me things and techniques! Kudos...
Man you knocked this one out of the park! The dusk images were my favorites and that white delapedated house looked great too. The shadows were really beautiful. Excellent work as always!!!
Fernando Rodriguez thank you very much!
Man Nick, I sure do dig your processes! "...dripping with dilapidated goodness." CLASSIC!! You've ignited a spark and I can't WAIT to revisit all my old haunts from La Jolla to Bishop that I NEVER captured, but that are always ingrained in my memories. Thanks bro!
Very nice gesture offering to pay the guy to move his truck
That is a fantastic liquor store and you caught it with some perfect light. That wonky light added to the atmosphere. Really well seen and taken, especially impressed with doing it on film!
That's Buellton! I've driven by that liquor store thousands of times but never thought about it in this way! Great video and sparks my imagination of what I can take pictures of out there.
Awesome work, Nick!
I think I like the daytime front on the most 👌🏽
Solid planning and perfect outcome. I was stressed just watching it.
Awesome video, and I think the pictures came out great. I don't mind the car on the second long exposure, it makes the image look more "real".
new to the channel and I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed these 'on location' videos. I could feel my own anxiety getting out of control as you raced to take the shot of the liquor store as the light faded and the truck pulled up! Classic... we have all been there as someone comes into the shot. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your guide ! i love this type of live photography with nocut , it taught me a lot !
I enjoy your videos Nick. Not for your great photos as much for your enthusiasm for photography. Specifically the rundown and downtrodden! Thanks!
You've made "TON'S IQ" famous. You're taking Mr Shenhao to levels never seen before with these cityscapes. Fabulous images and a superb video.
Stuart Kinkade haha - it's a good name for a liquor store. And thank you!
Nick, I see you've acquired a Rodenstock 115mm lens in your bag now filling in the gap from 90 to 150mm. What is the f/stop of the 115mm? Thx
Ohhh I was waiting for that one!! Super cool shots! And my favorite one is your first straight on compo in after sunset.. that photo is sweet! Cheers!
Gaetan Cormier thank you!
What a great story and a wonderful image. Always wonderful to get the image you planned for. As you say, having the store manager in the shot as well adds a most welcome element. I was also blown away by the detail in the negative. Also, what a nice truck driver.... just shows you that being polite and engaging with people can deliver all sorts of benefits. :-)
Julian Baird - Landscape Photography thank you! And I agree. I'm almost always pleasantly surprised by how nice strangers are.