Couple of things: Devour art-paintings, music, photography, everything. Absorb it. There is an immense amount of pleasure in discovering that the portrait you took looks like a Carravagio. Also, don't try to find your 'style'. Keep shooting and it will find you. Also, shoot what you love and you might discover your audience. The Fine Art crew here doesn't think much of my work but the low riders and heavy metal musicians and fans love it. I don't do sunsets and flowers. Also, when Robert Capa said that if your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough, he wasn't just talking about where you stand to take the picture.
Thank you so much Alex! I'm 73. Decades ago when the women's movement was at full steam ahead, I created a multi-media slide show entitled Dare To Be Real. I shared it with many kinds of groups and derived such pleasure from the sharing. Some liked it. Some didn't. I never became famous, never wanted to really. But I was driven to create something that inspired women to discover their own unique voice and beauty. Qualities and values I was personally striving to do. Fast forward to today and I'm engaged with photography at a higher level than ever before. I've been watching everything I could get my hands on to ensure I understand the camera, composition, lenses, post processing, etc. Copying the images of those I respect and admire has certainly helped me. However, as I've evolved, I have struggled with once again, Daring to be Real and shoot what truly inspires my soul. Voila! Alex Kilbee comes along at the perfect time with this absolutely amazing vlog inviting and urging his viewers to Dare To Be Real. You have truly left me weeping with delight. Thanks so much! You are an inspiration and Angel.
The internet has created "an echo chamber of homogenous and nondescript photography.". Thank you! I thought I was unique in my internet photography apathy, wading in an endless sea of sunsets, butterflies and flowers just to find one photo worth looking at. In addition to photo books, I also include your videos as inspiration.
Came to the comments to say the same thing after hearing it in the video. He's spot on. And my aversion to sunset/sunrise photos apparently mirrors yours. I refuse to shoot them.
Your so right, unless you have something different that makes you stand out you are same as the the rest. You make me think what makes my work different. Thankyou.
I had to stop watching this video midtarsal just to comment, THANK YOU. You and several other UA-cam creators have been speaking to my very own struggle. This year I've really found myself shooting photos that mean something to me. I don't get lots of social media likes. But, recently, a photographer friend who follows me gave me the high compliment that my style is becoming recognizable to him when one of my photos appears in his feed. That's how I know I'm finally getting somewhere.
Love this sentiment. My mum always said something very similar. “You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”
"I am being me", that´s the first Journey I do right now since a while. Loosing fear, not being afraid, not being scared are the Mountains that will be climed. But since I climed up the first one to the top, you can breathe again, feel again, enjoy again, feel more selfconfident again, feel more focused again, take power again to climb the next Mountain. Photography isn´s working successfully, if you are lying to yourself or don´t know who you are. You are doing a great job - thank you so much!
I'm my worst enemy. Being part of a local photography club/group I've never really got anywhere, especially while trying to please other photographers. This year with lockdown and being separated from other people might have taught me something about pleasing myself.
I didn't have such a local group, but was interacting with other photographers online. The result for me was the same. Nice to hear, that you managed getting over other people opinions and start pleasing yourself. I'm still stuck at the first step, making progress though.
It's hard to not worry about what people think. Something that helped me was not posting anything online, just sharing over private channels with friends.
@@pascalschindlerphotography8725 i had a bit of the same path, i felt very lonely being the only one in my friends and family being so much into photography, so i started looking for local clubs, and online communities to talk about what i love, the result were both good and bad, actually, i think it was so bad, and so toxic, it made me push myself towards things i would have never done before. It's amazing to see that online groups are not what they seem, you'd think this is all fun but it's all about bashing on others gear, bashing the things they do, telling them they are not real photographers if they do it things in some way or another. I got so fed up with this that it made me shoot outside of all the rules, and i never had so much fun!
This is so applicable to all types of art. They always expect to make what they like to hear, see and feel but are never natural with their true expression. I often feel like we would not like to talk to ourselves, and therefore, often cannot make the things we love to hear and see as well as the people we are inspired by. Running after someone else is hiding yourself behind an idol, someone you are not. We should appreciate who we are, which isn't perfect, and I believe that this will reflect in our art. We see ourselves much more than anyone else, including its flaws and embarrassments. We should be proud of this expression, motivation and work-flow, as these things will be missing to the rest. Aside from this, skill will drive the rest on the road to unique and creative art. ♥
Thank you. I needed to hear these words. I am returning to amateur photography after over 8 years break as I got frustrated with the lack of reach. I worked hard in a collection of pictures of the Magnificent Seven, I shared and had zero feedback... Now I was watching your video and realized I am again doing the same. Seeking the Twitter/Instagram audience and I was already starting to loose my motivation again. I've been taking photos for everyone else but for myself. Thanks! Really needed to hear that.
This is where my past experiences of being bullied as a child actually assist me…..through that process I developed a resistance to seeking the approval of others. In fact, once I decided to do whatever appeals to *me* rather than what I thought the crowd would approve of….people seemed to gravitate to me in ways I had never experienced. Good video, thank you.
As a child it was absolutely fascinated by photography, Over the years shooting different things , becoming more and more Defeated by life and just trying to make a living and sticking photography I have become a slave to crappy real estate photography. At 51 years old I’m ready to make some serious changes. I really do appreciate your Insight!
Hi Alex. Thank you so much for your words. They flow in my soul like water in a desert! In a few month I am 60. Since my 14th, I practice and learn photography trying to be creativ, to make good shots. Often I lost the virus in the whirlwind of life but it comes back to me again and again. I discover you videos yesterday and I love them. And yes I still have to be very brave !!!!
Finally another one of those rare channels that deals with photography in terms of how we can see and how we can develop our photographic approach rather than what brand is the button we click and what model is every part of our gear! So glad I found your little corner in the internet dear Alex. Feels like home. Watching you so far is nothing less than pure pleasure and freshness! Heartfelt thank you for that!
I was a former professional street dancer. We did our own thing. Didnt get us famous but we were extemely original. The way we danced was learning foundation and then breaking down movenments to their smaller parts and with that understanding we could grow. My crew and i would speak of concepts and ideas to utilize in dance. What was nice was, everyone interprets ideas differently. It was amazing to see how we all danced together everyday but we looked so different because we intrpreted those ideas differently. I now do photography but unfortunately i am self taught and dont have strong foundation and dont know many concepts and ideas. I have no friends who shoot...so its hard to get good at this game. But i hear you. I do my own thing and could care less what people think. This channel has been nice because you are sharing concepts i can intepret for myself and grow on my own. thank you. Its nice to listen to real game.
What I like about your videos is that is just a talk, a serious one but open, honest and it carries no prejudice! Congratulations, I'll always be here!
Now you mentioned that. I have been forgetting to capture THE EMOTION in the photographs. I was too much looking for texture and composition. Thanks for reminding me of that.
Well said. I'm 75 years old. My first "real" camera was a Pentax Spotmatic. It was intimidating. I wanted it because it had a light meter in it. That was important because I was intimidated by trying to figure our exposures. Ansel Adams was my favorite photographer. I loved black and white and I loved how he portrayed the natural world. Consequently, I wanted to make Ansel Adams photographs. As I traveled around the west on vacations, I went to places he photographed. I wanted to make photographs that looked like his. Same location. Same vantage point, etc.. I've been through various stages in my photographic hobby. I tried portraits, weddings, landscapes, wildlife, architecture, birds...I even sold a few from my display in a friend's cafe. I'm still shooting, and still experimenting. I love history and it appears my photography now is settling on photographing history in the old, abandoned buildings and places around me. It makes me wonder about the past life surrounding them. If I may I might suggest a new book I picked up capturing some of these places; BackRoads and Buildings: in search of the vernacular, by Steve Gross and Susan Daley, published by Schiffer Publishing. I love your channel and the intelligent conversations about photography and the people that take photographs.
I’m thinking of what to write. Your way of talking about photography, makes me fall in love with it. Your so right of what you say here, do your know kind of art, or whatever you want to call it, do it for yourself, do it for your soul. And yes, watching a new camera, or new lens, is like going through a pamphlet of a new car. Nice modern features, which might make driving easier, but you’ll lose the feeling of the contact with the road. And after all, it’ll get you only from A to B. I much prefer your kind of videos, because it touches your soul, and makes you want to go out, and let your soul express it self. Thank you so much for another great talk. 🙏🙏🙏
Best advice ever. Make the photos you want to look at. Unless you're being paid, of course, then you have to produce the photos the person with money wants to look at!
Saw an interview with David Bowie once who summed it up brilliantly. He said "never play to the gallery." "An artist who plays to the gallery never does his best work." "Never forget we do our work so it will tell us who we are." I do miss him…rip David.
I like gear. I like to take a well made camera in my hand. I like to talk about gear and up to a certain point, i like gear channels. But... talking and thinking about why and how to take a picture, about the art and psychology of photography is so much more important and so much more interesting, than talking about the tool to do this. I'm glad, this is a channel about the art, the why and how and not about gear. Thank you very much for your great work.
Thanks for sharing! I also like a new lens or kit from time to time, but I'm not keen on spending hours comparing 50mm lenses! Pleased you like the channel
I almost want to cry sometimes when I watch your videos. It's likely because I'm in a place in life where I'm journaling, traveling, meeting with a therapist and focusing on my mental health and this channel conveniently fits into my current journey.
I am so grateful that you are NOT doing gear reviews, I have unsubscribed from a number of UA-camrs because I could not bear to listen to another lens or camera review. I’ve shared this video with a number of my photography friends as it’s something we all need to hear and remind ourselves of in this brave new Insta world - when you try to please everyone you please no one. Keep up the amazing work 👍
@The Photographic Eye. I've seen other channels that started out similarly. Many positive comments. Eventually gave in to the pull of the popular and turned into "look at this great new camera from...." You've chosen the harder road, hope you can stay on it. Producing meaningful work takes effort. Mostly mental I believe. That separates the folks who are happy to produce "the flavor of the week" and the others who are trying to express their original vision. There will always be a smaller cohort in the latter group, so ultimately, less views/subscriptions. However, those of us who are on the same page with you are here for the long run. Stay true. Good luck.
Yes, I also liked Mr Forbes. He's doing his own thing, and that's his journey. I've got no interest in gear (at least none in talking about it), and I'm not that great a photographer that I think people would want to watch me wander about making slomo landcape pr0n videos! Thanks for your support
Just started to learn photography. A little late at mid 40's but with the current COVID climate, I took the opportunity to pick up a new hobby. It really has helped me to see the good thing out there. Really like your channel and views. Thank you for sharing.
Still trying to fathom why your videos are so impactful to me. It almost makes me cry. Not in sadness but pure joy for this kind of art. Thank you for unleashing my potential
I've only been shooting for a year or so, but I'd still tell myself "Don't take your camera more places, go more places with your camera" Taking my camera on runs and stops didn't help me to stop and use it. But strap a camera around my neck with nothing to do, and I'm excited to walk 20 blocks in circles.
This video made me remember one day that a very good friend of mine, that brought me back to photography made a comentary and I replied defending my opinions and I was ammazed how he was happy to read me doing this, defending my ground in the most positive way the expression may have. Since them I hear all the criticism and oppinions with attention and consideration but I always give the last word. I just can classify this with one word, liberation. I´m so glad to watch your videos, Alex. I´m very affortunated to have found your channel.
Loved this video. After 60 years taking photographs, an MA degree from Natal University and 40 years as a full time professional photographer I am now retired. At first I revelled in the freedom of not having to take thousands of photographs that clients hired me to do and being back to amateur status. But realised that I had along the way lost my personal vision and style. As a great friend of mine said when I went professional - "Bruce you have prostituted yourself to the Golden Calf". I am slowly rediscovering my own voice in photography and am finding myself loving every one of your videos - especially ones like this. You must have just missed out on the "Bang Bang" club in Gauteng - I was friends with Ken Oosterbroek and Kevin Carter and was devastated by their untimely demises. I hope you go from strength, we need people like you. Thanks, Bruce
I hid my photography for years because a friend stated, "you are not that good." I do it for me now and for my happiness. I am not the best but I am working to do it for me and not for the approval of others.
start with what speaks to you and look for things that distract from what you see. Then try lots of different angles. Don't be afraid to crop in closer. Don't be afraid to look at an image darker or lighter. What you are doing here is resonating with me. Please continue. You are inspiring me to try new things in my photography
Wow. What a series! For me, the richest part is the way art and philosophy blend together. "Seeing" is a way of life, not just a method of photography. These videos both sharpen my skills and feed my soul. Thank you.
I completely agree and have always done, in fact I've never understood why people ask other for opinions on their photography. One is a creator as well as audience, primarily, otherwise there's no truth in what we make. However it comes to a point when a project is in full swing and we have so many images it's hard not to want an outsider's eye as we can get too biased and lose perspective. I suppose this is where we have to be careful who we ask or maybe wait long enough and not ask at all. There's the expression echo chamber but there's also Plato's cave of shadows and this is the one I'm talking about.
I'm so glad to have found your channel, Alex. I'm a newcomer to photography, basically amateur level with the standard cheapest gear, but I can say that my eyesight is growing wider by the day thanks to the inspiration I found here and on other channels. Keep up the spectacular work! ❤️ from Brazil
Remember when you were astonished that you had 100 subscribers? Your numbers keep going up and it’s well deserved. Thanks again for another great, thought provoking video. I find myself waiting for them. 🤓
It would be basically writing an album with every style of music. That would be boring! Unless you are only into singles and not the entire album. I just found this channel. I love it so far.
Excellent content. I have just returned from a photo walk inspired by one of your latest videos whitch I came across by accident. My role of film is drying after home processing. What you said in this video is so true and those phrases were issued by my father many years ago. But the biggest thing that you, Sean tucker and I have in common is leaving our home environment. The contrast in lifestyle, culture and people is more evident to us than the people of the locality. I personally view things here very differently to my home town of Dublin and even after 18 years I still wonder at things in Nante that the locals take for granted. Even short term travel widens your horizons and does help find your inspiration and voice. One last phrase that my father used was, "you can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time. But you cannot please all of the people all of the time."
Never a truer word was spoken! Yes, I believe being in a different environment can help kickstart the seeing, it is totally possible (and possibly more fulfilling) to work through the hurdles that stop us in our own accepted settings.
I post images on Instagram, at this point, without hash tags. I left behind the awards and daily image of the day because it did feel like an echo chamber. I watched a great video on colour grading by one of the industry’s best, and she recommended to stop looking at mediocre images. Find the best, look to the masters.. painter or photographer. I do agree. I have to say I try different things, sometimes to introduce new ideas. But I have been looking at light and colour.. which affect composition immensely. Trying to please everyone thus pleasing no one.. ironically is exactly the same in business selling a product. You cannot target everyone. Know your audience.
A few years ago I tried to stop looking at photography online. Barely use IG, and I'm not a member of any groups either. Went back to the roots of what visually inspired me back in the day - music videos, paintings, album art etc. It's great to help reboot the process.
I absolutely agree about the effects light and colours have on images. I’ve gotten into the habit of taking screenshots of images that have appealing colour gradings. I use these images to add the colours to my editing software’s gradient tool. In that sense, IG to me is like a craft store hahaha.
Probably the best advice on photography that I've ever gotten ....... 'Do you do it for sale or for the soul ' . I've never heard that line before .... Nice one !!!!!
I especially appreciate the comment about shooting mid day when supposedly the light is too harsh. I do a lot of road trips and sometimes I just happen to be at such and such location at 11 AM with the sun glaring overhead. I don't have the luxury to sit for 7 hours till golden hour. Rather, I am going to take my shot of that moment at that precise time. It doesn't always work but other times I get a great shot that I love.
My first thoughts is this guy for real? After the second video I realized this is the exact path I already started recently. and has improved my skills to another level. Good solid professional advice that totally by-passes social media.
Wow! Discovering this channel is a true “revelation”. After watching endless number of channels with reviews and “the 10 best XX for pupose YY” this is exactly what I need. Thank you! 🙏🏻
Alex, whenever I watch your videos I feel like I’m in photography school. Lately I got in the habit of watching one of your videos before I go to sleep.
This advice is spot on!! Bookstores are filled with self help psychology books that attempt to help people accept and express themselves as individuals, and to accept others as individuals. Apparently, that is the goal for a healthy mind and spirit. Yet, most mature people live as teenagers, pining for the acceptance of the "cool" crowd. When I was a teenager, I remember hearing some of my friends say that they wanted to live a life that was unique to them. However, they also wanted to fit in with trend setters. I understand wanting acceptance, but not at the cost of losing my soul.
Fantastic contents Alex. We remember those photographers who broke the rules to create a new artistic vision, rather than those who aimed to be technically correct or follow what's popular at the time.
You are so right! I never put anything anymore on Facebook and things like that. Always was hoping for the most likes. But like you say, I was making my photo's for others I don't know. Now, aigain, I make the photo's I want to make and I don't care what others have to say if I shw them to them.
agreeing or disagreeing. liking or disliking. you may not know me but I respect you for putting yourself out there. creating one's own bravery despite the obstacle is a grueling task. hats off to you.
Another excellent video. I'm at a stage in life where I don't need affirmation by the 'echo chamber' (great description). It's so liberating; I've even begun to paint after being told all my life I can't. Thanks.
I would have to say I am my worst critic, I am not so worried about what others think as I know this is a journey and the longer I am on it, the longer I realize I have to go. So I keep working and I am happy with my work even though I know it will become better... it is part of the journey and one should always be proud of how they have progressed.
I’m not creative by nature. Never really have been. I still enjoy trying to capture a scene differently. I watch these videos trying to find little snippets from others I can incorporate into my own photography. I have no illusions of grandeur regarding either my goals or my results. I’m looking for images that are pleasing to my eye. When I ask for help, I’m looking for help to make a photograph how I want it to look. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series and I’m going to use it as a textbook going forward. What I think would be an interesting add to this series would be a shoot where you’re demonstrating the concepts contained herein. You don’t need to go far from your front door. I’m more of a visual learner and I’m sure others are too. Thanks again for a great series that leaves settings and gear behind.
Discovered this channel by chance. I love the fact that these videos are all about what goes on between your ears...not gear...not technique...not mantras about how to be more creative. They are as much about the psychology of photography that can easily cross over into other areas of your life. About the relationship...your personal relationship... with photography. Seriously interesting stuff
What advice would I give myself if I could go back....? The same advice I am FINALLY giving myself now, more than 20 years later: Who gives a damn what the trends are....follow your gut, follow your instinct, go after what makes you tick. Learn the controls of your gear so you don't have to think about them, then feel what you want to photograph. Thanks for these videos!
Really well said. I just started to get back into photography and it really helps to see that you shouldn’t please anybody but yourself with it. Especially when there are so many „Instagram advisers“ telling you to keep the same look over and over. I kicked out some images just because they wouldn’t fit the colour scheme and then thought wtf am I doing here. Just keep doing what you like and don’t give too much about the opinion of others. Thx for that great little reminder! 👍🏻
Yes, you have to cherry pick those Instagram advice! Sometimes, it can help to look at the feed and find it is messy, an armchair here, a sunset there, a ceramic bowl there. Or, sometimes I look at my feed (food photography) and realize, this is the fourth photo in a row of cake, maybe I should look for something savory. But then again, if I bake a lot or want to improve my cake photography on purpose, why not post 10 cake photos in a row? One tip that really helped me was taking lots of similar photos in a row. I used to build up my set, take 10 photos of the same composition until the light was right and call it a day. Then I was advised to take 10 different photos, different props, food in different positions, on or several bowls, different aperture, flatly and eye-level, close-up and camera further away, using different lenses etc. And suddenly I did actually have something to choose from, not only the one photo that "turned out right". Another tip was to make time in my schedule for photography. To say, Saturday morning I will go to this spot and look for those sights, Sunday afternoon I will shoot sandwiches.
I truly enjoy listening to you speak. I know its a difficult and uncomfortable feeling to talk to a camera and put yourself out there. I tried it. I find it amazing how easily people make judgement of others without any thought. I have tried the social media thing and wondered why I don't get the "likes" I myself, and everyone desires. I like listening to your videos about what photography really is (creating my own art, capturing how I see the world around me through my camera). Keep making content, its what is real about photography. The love and enjoy the way I feel when creating an image. Even if I take some images I later don't like. They are still mine and I like to learn why I took the image. Thank you.
Another great video. I don't log onto to instagram very often. I think I have done it twice in 2020. Your views of what happens when you want everyone to like your photos mirrors my own concern about the homogenization of beliefs and art that the social media drives. On youtube many good presenters have now turned to using click-bait to get people to connect. Even the thumbs up and thumbs down deals with "likes". Should be useful or not useful. Or interesting or not interesting. Some of the most useful things that I have learned are those that I didn't necessarily "like". Many photos that I do not like have still taught me much. I enjoy the channel. Keep up the great work.
Glad you're enjoying it. Click bait type stuff is only a problem when it's clearly bait and switch. What irks me most is titles like 'you're loading film wrong', or 'omg I exposed some expired film and the results are insane'
Love this video & completely agree. I do post my photos online & I do ask for feedback but I take most of it with a pinch of salt. I personally don't count every "like" but I do appreciate genuine comments. I also left a local photography group for this reason. It dawned on me they were heavily influenced by one specific person who calls himself a guru, I think that says it all really...I realised that I needed to find my own way, so I don't bother with photography groups now. I did something that scares me today: I took my first long exposure. It's very complicated, confusing & scary when you've never done it before but I'm so pleased I gave it a go. I quite like the idea of taking long exposures of everyday things...
Thank you. I’ve approached photography the wrong way and I know my voice but worried about thoughts of others. I subscribed to your channel yesterday and I’m hooked. Thank you for your guidance. I’m ready to roar.
I just your channel. It resonates a lot like Sean Tucker's. That's a good thing. South Africa. That explains why the voice patterns also sounds like Sean's, but with a different tone. Or maybe he sounds like you. ;) Both of you present a practically spiritual side of photography. More about the inner, personal reasons of what and why we photograph. There are so many technique and gear videos out there. A rare and delightful thing to find a few people who actually delve into that intangible emotion that is photography. Thank you.
Alex, your channel has become a firm favourite of mine. It's so refreshing to see someone talk about the creative and artistic side of photography rather than focussing on the latest, must-have equipment. Many UA-camrs are young and full of energy and verve, and although many of them are superb, it can often be exhausting! It's invigorating to watch videos made by someone my age with what seems like a similar perspective of photography as mine. Thank you.
I have enjoyed this episode as well as many others you’ve produced and I agree with many comments: it’s a refreshing change in the landscape. I have an Instagram account with a thousand or so followers and recently I have grown to dislike what it was doing to my photography. I realised that in order to get those dreaded Likes, I had to go back in my feed and create and post a similar photo I had already done. In a way it could be an interesting process but what did put me off was the way I felt forced to do what the crowd liked and not what I liked. So my decision was made to end posting on Instagram. I am exploring Flickr at the moment and started building a website. Live and let live.
I am so incredibly glad that I came across your channel. UA-cam is a sea of photographers who know how to make the most of the attention economy by focusing on trends, top queries, and exciting videos; yet create content with very little substance. I have felt so lost on where to find real advice and exploration that would help me learn more than how to compare two lenses I can't afford 😂 Thank you so much for creating and sharing such insightful and valuable content with us.
When I was 10 years old a teacher showed me how to make pinhole cameras and to develop that film in a darkroom. That year I spent every waking moment doing just that thing. I found it to be very enjoyable. We then moved back to the USA and I never picked up a camera again until 6 months ago at the age of sixty. I agree that we should be doing photography for the right reasons. To please are self's and to feed are souls. That's why I'm going to follow your advice. Life is to short for trying to please others. Love your video.
Finding your posts very informative and have been making notes constantly, thank you. They're really a breath of fresh air over the lacklustre 'I'm funny, follow me' types. We're the same age with a very similar background of art college and later university with photography at the helm, and admittedly I miss those days desperately. Social media is a paradox and not sure where I stand with it all, yes, there is the seemingly mandatory Instagram account yet in the same breath it's not doing anything for me personally. On top of that there's the shouting that you *must* have a website displaying your work. Websites are a privilege to those who can afford them and I'd rather have books truth be told. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, I don't know.
OK, interesting, I wrote the comment below after listening through about 20% of your stream. Subsequently I found you introducing exactly the parallel journey I believe exists, that of copying to a) learn, b) branch off of to make your own versions, c) introduce your other personal aesthetics or ideas/messages into your work. New subscriber!
I gave up posting images to social media about 2 years ago. I definitely now shoot just for my soul and I’m much happier with my photography. Way to go Alex, thanks.
"One photographer to change a light globe..." doesn't this say it all! Thanks you for supporting the idea of taking photographs to please myself and to allow me the freedom to explore and grow in what excites me. Thank you for your channel. Keep on doing what you do so well.
Thank you! I am trying to please the masses by running a photography business, but I do want to be creative. When you said, “Find things you love and get close to them (photograph)”. This really resonates with me. Why do I do a certain type of photography when I really don’t like it?
Loving what you bring us Alex and thank goodness you are not a review channel .. Be yourself. I much prefer seeing something, even it is clumsy, that doesn’t look like somebody else’s work. William Klein ..... Thanks very much for the video and keep well.
Finally a photography channel with actual photography content instead of gear reviews. Thank you!
More to come!
Amen! Thanks for the perspective. Coffee on the way!
I am so inspired right now
you should check out The Art of Photography and Jamie Windsor, also Sean Tucker
@@comfypeepo Jamie is fantastic! I'd also include Pat Kay into this. Pat, Jamie and now Alex are my favorite channels.
Couple of things: Devour art-paintings, music, photography, everything. Absorb it. There is an immense amount of pleasure in discovering that the portrait you took looks like a Carravagio. Also, don't try to find your 'style'. Keep shooting and it will find you. Also, shoot what you love and you might discover your audience. The Fine Art crew here doesn't think much of my work but the low riders and heavy metal musicians and fans love it. I don't do sunsets and flowers. Also, when Robert Capa said that if your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough, he wasn't just talking about where you stand to take the picture.
Thank you so much Alex! I'm 73. Decades ago when the women's movement was at full steam ahead, I created a multi-media slide show entitled Dare To Be Real. I shared it with many kinds of groups and derived such pleasure from the sharing. Some liked it. Some didn't. I never became famous, never wanted to really. But I was driven to create something that inspired women to discover their own unique voice and beauty. Qualities and values I was personally striving to do.
Fast forward to today and I'm engaged with photography at a higher level than ever before. I've been watching everything I could get my hands on to ensure I understand the camera, composition, lenses, post processing, etc. Copying the images of those I respect and admire has certainly helped me. However, as I've evolved, I have struggled with once again, Daring to be Real and shoot what truly inspires my soul. Voila! Alex Kilbee comes along at the perfect time with this absolutely amazing vlog inviting and urging his viewers to Dare To Be Real. You have truly left me weeping with delight. Thanks so much! You are an inspiration and Angel.
Thanks Leslie! I'm so pleased to hear that my video spoke to something inside you. 🙏
My philosophy: “the artist decides for himself and accepts the consequences.” Thanks for your insight. You, sir, are a great resource.”
🙏 Thanks!
Added that to my list of quotes, did you come up with it?
The internet has created "an echo chamber of homogenous and nondescript photography.". Thank you! I thought I was unique in my internet photography apathy, wading in an endless sea of sunsets, butterflies and flowers just to find one photo worth looking at. In addition to photo books, I also include your videos as inspiration.
Well said Bradley. Alex deserves great credit for going against the tide, and simply telling us the way it is.
Thank you for your comment Bradley. There is great work out there, just finding it is the hard part.
Well, I've been told I do waffle on a lot :D
@@ThePhotographicEye keep waffling.
Came to the comments to say the same thing after hearing it in the video. He's spot on. And my aversion to sunset/sunrise photos apparently mirrors yours. I refuse to shoot them.
A rare thing these days. A UA-cam channel about actual photography. Thank goodness I've found your channel.
Welcome aboard John!
Your so right, unless you have something different that makes you stand out you are same as the the rest. You make me think what makes my work different. Thankyou.
"I want you to do something everyday that scares you" Wow!
Thanks, sir.
I had to stop watching this video midtarsal just to comment, THANK YOU. You and several other UA-cam creators have been speaking to my very own struggle. This year I've really found myself shooting photos that mean something to me. I don't get lots of social media likes. But, recently, a photographer friend who follows me gave me the high compliment that my style is becoming recognizable to him when one of my photos appears in his feed. That's how I know I'm finally getting somewhere.
Probably the best channel for photographers on youtube
Thanks so much Yannick!
This channel is so refreshing, 10 for 10 ,,no gear no gizmos no gimmicks, just sense.
Love this sentiment. My mum always said something very similar. “You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”
"When you try to please everyone, you please no one!" On point, love it Alex!!
"I am being me", that´s the first Journey I do right now since a while. Loosing fear, not being afraid, not being scared are the Mountains that will be climed. But since I climed up the first one to the top, you can breathe again, feel again, enjoy again, feel more selfconfident again, feel more focused again, take power again to climb the next Mountain. Photography isn´s working successfully, if you are lying to yourself or don´t know who you are. You are doing a great job - thank you so much!
I'm my worst enemy. Being part of a local photography club/group I've never really got anywhere, especially while trying to please other photographers. This year with lockdown and being separated from other people might have taught me something about pleasing myself.
I didn't have such a local group, but was interacting with other photographers online. The result for me was the same. Nice to hear, that you managed getting over other people opinions and start pleasing yourself. I'm still stuck at the first step, making progress though.
Some groups can be good - if everyone is supportive in others journeys. Alas in my experience, they mostly become some sort of pissing contest.
It's hard to not worry about what people think. Something that helped me was not posting anything online, just sharing over private channels with friends.
leave the group then do your own thing. That's what I did.
@@pascalschindlerphotography8725 i had a bit of the same path, i felt very lonely being the only one in my friends and family being so much into photography, so i started looking for local clubs, and online communities to talk about what i love, the result were both good and bad, actually, i think it was so bad, and so toxic, it made me push myself towards things i would have never done before.
It's amazing to see that online groups are not what they seem, you'd think this is all fun but it's all about bashing on others gear, bashing the things they do, telling them they are not real photographers if they do it things in some way or another. I got so fed up with this that it made me shoot outside of all the rules, and i never had so much fun!
This is so applicable to all types of art. They always expect to make what they like to hear, see and feel but are never natural with their true expression. I often feel like we would not like to talk to ourselves, and therefore, often cannot make the things we love to hear and see as well as the people we are inspired by. Running after someone else is hiding yourself behind an idol, someone you are not. We should appreciate who we are, which isn't perfect, and I believe that this will reflect in our art. We see ourselves much more than anyone else, including its flaws and embarrassments. We should be proud of this expression, motivation and work-flow, as these things will be missing to the rest. Aside from this, skill will drive the rest on the road to unique and creative art. ♥
Thank you. I needed to hear these words. I am returning to amateur photography after over 8 years break as I got frustrated with the lack of reach. I worked hard in a collection of pictures of the Magnificent Seven, I shared and had zero feedback...
Now I was watching your video and realized I am again doing the same. Seeking the Twitter/Instagram audience and I was already starting to loose my motivation again. I've been taking photos for everyone else but for myself. Thanks! Really needed to hear that.
You have given voice to what I believe and what I aspire to be: be myself and not be afraid.
This is where my past experiences of being bullied as a child actually assist me…..through that process I developed a resistance to seeking the approval of others. In fact, once I decided to do whatever appeals to *me* rather than what I thought the crowd would approve of….people seemed to gravitate to me in ways I had never experienced. Good video, thank you.
As a child it was absolutely fascinated by photography, Over the years shooting different things , becoming more and more Defeated by life and just trying to make a living and sticking photography I have become a slave to crappy real estate photography. At 51 years old I’m ready to make some serious changes. I really do appreciate your Insight!
Let us all help to spread the message of this splendid teacher! Thank you sir!
That's very kind of you Johan. Thanks
I agree Johan👍
Hi Alex. Thank you so much for your words. They flow in my soul like water in a desert! In a few month I am 60. Since my 14th, I practice and learn photography trying to be creativ, to make good shots. Often I lost the virus in the whirlwind of life but it comes back to me again and again. I discover you videos yesterday and I love them. And yes I still have to be very brave !!!!
Finally another one of those rare channels that deals with photography in terms of how we can see and how we can develop our photographic approach rather than what brand is the button we click and what model is every part of our gear! So glad I found your little corner in the internet dear Alex. Feels like home. Watching you so far is nothing less than pure pleasure and freshness! Heartfelt thank you for that!
Awesome, thank you!
I was a former professional street dancer. We did our own thing. Didnt get us famous but we were extemely original. The way we danced was learning foundation and then breaking down movenments to their smaller parts and with that understanding we could grow. My crew and i would speak of concepts and ideas to utilize in dance. What was nice was, everyone interprets ideas differently. It was amazing to see how we all danced together everyday but we looked so different because we intrpreted those ideas differently. I now do photography but unfortunately i am self taught and dont have strong foundation and dont know many concepts and ideas. I have no friends who shoot...so its hard to get good at this game. But i hear you. I do my own thing and could care less what people think. This channel has been nice because you are sharing concepts i can intepret for myself and grow on my own. thank you. Its nice to listen to real game.
What I like about your videos is that is just a talk, a serious one but open, honest and it carries no prejudice! Congratulations, I'll always be here!
Now you mentioned that. I have been forgetting to capture THE EMOTION in the photographs. I was too much looking for texture and composition.
Thanks for reminding me of that.
Well said. I'm 75 years old. My first "real" camera was a Pentax Spotmatic. It was intimidating. I wanted it because it had a light meter in it. That was important because I was intimidated by trying to figure our exposures.
Ansel Adams was my favorite photographer. I loved black and white and I loved how he portrayed the natural world. Consequently, I wanted to make Ansel Adams photographs. As I traveled around the west on vacations, I went to places he photographed. I wanted to make photographs that looked like his. Same location. Same vantage point, etc..
I've been through various stages in my photographic hobby. I tried portraits, weddings, landscapes, wildlife, architecture, birds...I even sold a few from my display in a friend's cafe.
I'm still shooting, and still experimenting. I love history and it appears my photography now is settling on photographing history in the old, abandoned buildings and places around me. It makes me wonder about the past life surrounding them.
If I may I might suggest a new book I picked up capturing some of these places; BackRoads and Buildings: in search of the vernacular, by Steve Gross and Susan Daley, published by Schiffer Publishing.
I love your channel and the intelligent conversations about photography and the people that take photographs.
What a great message. When you solicit opinions, you will ALWAYS get likes and dislikes, so why worry about it. Like you said, do your own thing.
I think this is one of the most important videos, not just about photography, but in all creative endeavours and pursuits, and even life itself.
I’m thinking of what to write. Your way of talking about photography, makes me fall in love with it. Your so right of what you say here, do your know kind of art, or whatever you want to call it, do it for yourself, do it for your soul. And yes, watching a new camera, or new lens, is like going through a pamphlet of a new car. Nice modern features, which might make driving easier, but you’ll lose the feeling of the contact with the road. And after all, it’ll get you only from A to B.
I much prefer your kind of videos, because it touches your soul, and makes you want to go out, and let your soul express it self. Thank you so much for another great talk. 🙏🙏🙏
Danke Heinz! I'm so pleased your getting so much from these videos and it's inspiring you to go out and create.
Best advice ever. Make the photos you want to look at. Unless you're being paid, of course, then you have to produce the photos the person with money wants to look at!
Saw an interview with David Bowie once who summed it up brilliantly. He said "never play to the gallery." "An artist who plays to the gallery never does his best work." "Never forget we do our work so it will tell us who we are." I do miss him…rip David.
Not heard that before, thanks for sharing the quote.
ua-cam.com/video/Yk3x6oBsW84/v-deo.html
Love that
Excellent!
I like gear. I like to take a well made camera in my hand. I like to talk about gear and up to a certain point, i like gear channels.
But... talking and thinking about why and how to take a picture, about the art and psychology of photography is so much more important and so much more interesting, than talking about the tool to do this. I'm glad, this is a channel about the art, the why and how and not about gear.
Thank you very much for your great work.
Thanks for sharing! I also like a new lens or kit from time to time, but I'm not keen on spending hours comparing 50mm lenses!
Pleased you like the channel
I almost want to cry sometimes when I watch your videos. It's likely because I'm in a place in life where I'm journaling, traveling, meeting with a therapist and focusing on my mental health and this channel conveniently fits into my current journey.
Thank you for watching on your journey.
I am so grateful that you are NOT doing gear reviews, I have unsubscribed from a number of UA-camrs because I could not bear to listen to another lens or camera review. I’ve shared this video with a number of my photography friends as it’s something we all need to hear and remind ourselves of in this brave new Insta world - when you try to please everyone you please no one. Keep up the amazing work 👍
Thank you 🙏
@The Photographic Eye. I've seen other channels that started out similarly. Many positive comments. Eventually gave in to the pull of the popular and turned into "look at this great new camera from...."
You've chosen the harder road, hope you can stay on it. Producing meaningful work takes effort. Mostly mental I believe. That separates the folks who are happy to produce "the flavor of the week" and the others who are trying to express their original vision. There will always be a smaller cohort in the latter group, so ultimately, less views/subscriptions. However, those of us who are on the same page with you are here for the long run.
Stay true. Good luck.
Yes, I also liked Mr Forbes. He's doing his own thing, and that's his journey.
I've got no interest in gear (at least none in talking about it), and I'm not that great a photographer that I think people would want to watch me wander about making slomo landcape pr0n videos!
Thanks for your support
Just started to learn photography. A little late at mid 40's but with the current COVID climate, I took the opportunity to pick up a new hobby. It really has helped me to see the good thing out there.
Really like your channel and views.
Thank you for sharing.
You're very welcome James. Enjoy the ride
Still trying to fathom why your videos are so impactful to me. It almost makes me cry. Not in sadness but pure joy for this kind of art. Thank you for unleashing my potential
I've only been shooting for a year or so, but I'd still tell myself "Don't take your camera more places, go more places with your camera"
Taking my camera on runs and stops didn't help me to stop and use it.
But strap a camera around my neck with nothing to do, and I'm excited to walk 20 blocks in circles.
This video made me remember one day that a very good friend of mine, that brought me back to photography made a comentary and I replied defending my opinions and I was ammazed how he was happy to read me doing this, defending my ground in the most positive way the expression may have. Since them I hear all the criticism and oppinions with attention and consideration but I always give the last word. I just can classify this with one word, liberation.
I´m so glad to watch your videos, Alex. I´m very affortunated to have found your channel.
Loved this video. After 60 years taking photographs, an MA degree from Natal University and 40 years as a full time professional photographer I am now retired. At first I revelled in the freedom of not having to take thousands of photographs that clients hired me to do and being back to amateur status. But realised that I had along the way lost my personal vision and style. As a great friend of mine said when I went professional - "Bruce you have prostituted yourself to the Golden Calf". I am slowly rediscovering my own voice in photography and am finding myself loving every one of your videos - especially ones like this. You must have just missed out on the "Bang Bang" club in Gauteng - I was friends with Ken Oosterbroek and Kevin Carter and was devastated by their untimely demises. I hope you go from strength, we need people like you. Thanks, Bruce
I hid my photography for years because a friend stated, "you are not that good." I do it for me now and for my happiness. I am not the best but I am working to do it for me and not for the approval of others.
Such a wonderful treat to watch something on UA-cam that is engrossing. Please, please, please keep your videos coming. I enjoy them so much.
You keep watching them and I'll keep making them :D
I'll try my best. Thanks for watching them
start with what speaks to you and look for things that distract from what you see. Then try lots of different angles. Don't be afraid to crop in closer. Don't be afraid to look at an image darker or lighter. What you are doing here is resonating with me. Please continue. You are inspiring me to try new things in my photography
Wow. What a series! For me, the richest part is the way art and philosophy blend together. "Seeing" is a way of life, not just a method of photography. These videos both sharpen my skills and feed my soul. Thank you.
Hi Maury.
Great to hear you're finding them helpful!
Wow, love your comment…..”the endless pursuit for validation of their photography through the digital likes of strangers” . It is so true! Thank you!
I completely agree and have always done, in fact I've never understood why people ask other for opinions on their photography. One is a creator as well as audience, primarily, otherwise there's no truth in what we make.
However it comes to a point when a project is in full swing and we have so many images it's hard not to want an outsider's eye as we can get too biased and lose perspective. I suppose this is where we have to be careful who we ask or maybe wait long enough and not ask at all. There's the expression echo chamber but there's also Plato's cave of shadows and this is the one I'm talking about.
I'm so glad to have found your channel, Alex. I'm a newcomer to photography, basically amateur level with the standard cheapest gear, but I can say that my eyesight is growing wider by the day thanks to the inspiration I found here and on other channels. Keep up the spectacular work! ❤️ from Brazil
Remember when you were astonished that you had 100 subscribers? Your numbers keep going up and it’s well deserved. Thanks again for another great, thought provoking video. I find myself waiting for them. 🤓
I know, it's unreal! I was looking when I did the 500 subs and the 1500 subs video. That 1500 one was like 10 days ago! Eeeek!
It would be basically writing an album with every style of music. That would be boring! Unless you are only into singles and not the entire album.
I just found this channel. I love it so far.
Great! No one else works at this level on UA-cam. We all need it.
I found your channel at the most perfect time in my photography journey. Thank you thank you thank you.
Great to hear!
Your channel, art of photography and sean tucker’s channel are a breath of fresh air
Excellent content. I have just returned from a photo walk inspired by one of your latest videos whitch I came across by accident. My role of film is drying after home processing. What you said in this video is so true and those phrases were issued by my father many years ago. But the biggest thing that you, Sean tucker and I have in common is leaving our home environment. The contrast in lifestyle, culture and people is more evident to us than the people of the locality. I personally view things here very differently to my home town of Dublin and even after 18 years I still wonder at things in Nante that the locals take for granted. Even short term travel widens your horizons and does help find your inspiration and voice.
One last phrase that my father used was, "you can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time. But you cannot please all of the people all of the time."
Never a truer word was spoken!
Yes, I believe being in a different environment can help kickstart the seeing, it is totally possible (and possibly more fulfilling) to work through the hurdles that stop us in our own accepted settings.
I post images on Instagram, at this point, without hash tags. I left behind the awards and daily image of the day because it did feel like an echo chamber. I watched a great video on colour grading by one of the industry’s best, and she recommended to stop looking at mediocre images. Find the best, look to the masters.. painter or photographer. I do agree. I have to say I try different things, sometimes to introduce new ideas. But I have been looking at light and colour.. which affect composition immensely. Trying to please everyone thus pleasing no one.. ironically is exactly the same in business selling a product. You cannot target everyone. Know your audience.
A few years ago I tried to stop looking at photography online. Barely use IG, and I'm not a member of any groups either. Went back to the roots of what visually inspired me back in the day - music videos, paintings, album art etc. It's great to help reboot the process.
I absolutely agree about the effects light and colours have on images. I’ve gotten into the habit of taking screenshots of images that have appealing colour gradings. I use these images to add the colours to my editing software’s gradient tool. In that sense, IG to me is like a craft store hahaha.
Probably the best advice on photography that I've ever gotten ....... 'Do you do it for sale or for the soul ' . I've never heard that line before .... Nice one !!!!!
Great to hear it resonated with you Jon. I forget who I heard it from, but it was someone here in the UK.
Mikajulin is absolutely right. I love gear BUT this channel has one of the best ideas, concepts and intriguing questions on the art of photography!
I especially appreciate the comment about shooting mid day when supposedly the light is too harsh. I do a lot of road trips and sometimes I just happen to be at such and such location at 11 AM with the sun glaring overhead. I don't have the luxury to sit for 7 hours till golden hour. Rather, I am going to take my shot of that moment at that precise time. It doesn't always work but other times I get a great shot that I love.
My first thoughts is this guy for real? After the second video I realized this is the exact path I already started recently. and has improved my skills to another level. Good solid professional advice that totally by-passes social media.
Wow! Discovering this channel is a true “revelation”. After watching endless number of channels with reviews and “the 10 best XX for pupose YY” this is exactly what I need. Thank you! 🙏🏻
Thanks Soren. It's great to have you here, thanks for watching.
Alex, whenever I watch your videos I feel like I’m in photography school. Lately I got in the habit of watching one of your videos before I go to sleep.
This advice is spot on!!
Bookstores are filled with self help psychology books that attempt to help people accept and express themselves as individuals, and to accept others as individuals. Apparently, that is the goal for a healthy mind and spirit. Yet, most mature people live as teenagers, pining for the acceptance of the "cool" crowd. When I was a teenager, I remember hearing some of my friends say that they wanted to live a life that was unique to them. However, they also wanted to fit in with trend setters. I understand wanting acceptance, but not at the cost of losing my soul.
How is it possible that I've missed this channel for so long? Well I am here now and I am very grateful for this breath of fresh air!
Glad to have you here Mats! Thanks for watching and commenting
My wife and I really appreciated this talk. Need to watch it again to really take it in. Profound and true. Many thanks!
Glad you both enjoyed it Jared
Fantastic contents Alex. We remember those photographers who broke the rules to create a new artistic vision, rather than those who aimed to be technically correct or follow what's popular at the time.
Your Soul in Love of Photography coming out of your mount has reached to the hearts that shared the same love,,,thank you, Alex,
My pleasure!
You are so right! I never put anything anymore on Facebook and things like that. Always was hoping for the most likes. But like you say, I was making my photo's for others I don't know. Now, aigain, I make the photo's I want to make and I don't care what others have to say if I shw them to them.
The most encouraging and real photographic advice I’ve ever come across on UA-cam. Thank you for this!
agreeing or disagreeing. liking or disliking. you may not know me but I respect you for putting yourself out there. creating one's own bravery despite the obstacle is a grueling task. hats off to you.
Another excellent video. I'm at a stage in life where I don't need affirmation by the 'echo chamber' (great description). It's so liberating; I've even begun to paint after being told all my life I can't. Thanks.
So pleased you enjoyed it Ray!
I would have to say I am my worst critic, I am not so worried about what others think as I know this is a journey and the longer I am on it, the longer I realize I have to go. So I keep working and I am happy with my work even though I know it will become better... it is part of the journey and one should always be proud of how they have progressed.
I’m not creative by nature. Never really have been. I still enjoy trying to capture a scene differently. I watch these videos trying to find little snippets from others I can incorporate into my own photography. I have no illusions of grandeur regarding either my goals or my results. I’m looking for images that are pleasing to my eye. When I ask for help, I’m looking for help to make a photograph how I want it to look.
I’m thoroughly enjoying this series and I’m going to use it as a textbook going forward.
What I think would be an interesting add to this series would be a shoot where you’re demonstrating the concepts contained herein. You don’t need to go far from your front door. I’m more of a visual learner and I’m sure others are too.
Thanks again for a great series that leaves settings and gear behind.
Do something that scares me… every day. I like it. This resonates with me.
Discovered this channel by chance. I love the fact that these videos are all about what goes on between your ears...not gear...not technique...not mantras about how to be more creative. They are as much about the psychology of photography that can easily cross over into other areas of your life. About the relationship...your personal relationship... with photography. Seriously interesting stuff
What advice would I give myself if I could go back....? The same advice I am FINALLY giving myself now, more than 20 years later: Who gives a damn what the trends are....follow your gut, follow your instinct, go after what makes you tick. Learn the controls of your gear so you don't have to think about them, then feel what you want to photograph. Thanks for these videos!
I love your content. I don’t even really got to watch it. I can sit and just listen . I love hearing your prospectives.
Glad you enjoy it! I'm surprised how many people just listen - it wonderful to hear that
Really well said. I just started to get back into photography and it really helps to see that you shouldn’t please anybody but yourself with it. Especially when there are so many „Instagram advisers“ telling you to keep the same look over and over. I kicked out some images just because they wouldn’t fit the colour scheme and then thought wtf am I doing here. Just keep doing what you like and don’t give too much about the opinion of others. Thx for that great little reminder! 👍🏻
My pleasure Rene!
Yes, you have to cherry pick those Instagram advice! Sometimes, it can help to look at the feed and find it is messy, an armchair here, a sunset there, a ceramic bowl there. Or, sometimes I look at my feed (food photography) and realize, this is the fourth photo in a row of cake, maybe I should look for something savory. But then again, if I bake a lot or want to improve my cake photography on purpose, why not post 10 cake photos in a row?
One tip that really helped me was taking lots of similar photos in a row. I used to build up my set, take 10 photos of the same composition until the light was right and call it a day. Then I was advised to take 10 different photos, different props, food in different positions, on or several bowls, different aperture, flatly and eye-level, close-up and camera further away, using different lenses etc. And suddenly I did actually have something to choose from, not only the one photo that "turned out right".
Another tip was to make time in my schedule for photography. To say, Saturday morning I will go to this spot and look for those sights, Sunday afternoon I will shoot sandwiches.
I truly enjoy listening to you speak. I know its a difficult and uncomfortable feeling to talk to a camera and put yourself out there. I tried it.
I find it amazing how easily people make judgement of others without any thought. I have tried the social media thing and wondered why I don't get the "likes" I myself, and everyone desires.
I like listening to your videos about what photography really is (creating my own art, capturing how I see the world around me through my camera). Keep making content, its what is real about photography. The love and enjoy the way I feel when creating an image. Even if I take some images I later don't like. They are still mine and I like to learn why I took the image.
Thank you.
Another great video. I don't log onto to instagram very often. I think I have done it twice in 2020. Your views of what happens when you want everyone to like your photos mirrors my own concern about the homogenization of beliefs and art that the social media drives. On youtube many good presenters have now turned to using click-bait to get people to connect. Even the thumbs up and thumbs down deals with "likes". Should be useful or not useful. Or interesting or not interesting. Some of the most useful things that I have learned are those that I didn't necessarily "like". Many photos that I do not like have still taught me much. I enjoy the channel. Keep up the great work.
Glad you're enjoying it. Click bait type stuff is only a problem when it's clearly bait and switch.
What irks me most is titles like 'you're loading film wrong', or 'omg I exposed some expired film and the results are insane'
Thanks Alex! You are an inspiration for what photography is as an art. Please continue with your excellent work.
Thanks, will do!
Thanks!
Thanks Peter!
Currently my favourite channel on UA-cam
Love this video & completely agree. I do post my photos online & I do ask for feedback but I take most of it with a pinch of salt. I personally don't count every "like" but I do appreciate genuine comments. I also left a local photography group for this reason. It dawned on me they were heavily influenced by one specific person who calls himself a guru, I think that says it all really...I realised that I needed to find my own way, so I don't bother with photography groups now. I did something that scares me today: I took my first long exposure. It's very complicated, confusing & scary when you've never done it before but I'm so pleased I gave it a go. I quite like the idea of taking long exposures of everyday things...
"one specific person who calls himself a guru" not Welsh by any chance?
Give it a go, and see what happens!
@@ThePhotographicEye Nope not Welsh.
@@fenlandwildlifeclips I thought it might have been someone I know, Also uses the word guru..
@@ThePhotographicEye I think anyone who calls themself a guru should be avoided at all.costs.
Thank you. I’ve approached photography the wrong way and I know my voice but worried about thoughts of others. I subscribed to your channel yesterday and I’m hooked. Thank you for your guidance. I’m ready to roar.
Your advice is bang on....I wish I was braver in my youth...I think the lack of courage held me back.
I just your channel. It resonates a lot like Sean Tucker's. That's a good thing. South Africa. That explains why the voice patterns also sounds like Sean's, but with a different tone. Or maybe he sounds like you. ;) Both of you present a practically spiritual side of photography. More about the inner, personal reasons of what and why we photograph. There are so many technique and gear videos out there. A rare and delightful thing to find a few people who actually delve into that intangible emotion that is photography. Thank you.
Alex, your channel has become a firm favourite of mine. It's so refreshing to see someone talk about the creative and artistic side of photography rather than focussing on the latest, must-have equipment. Many UA-camrs are young and full of energy and verve, and although many of them are superb, it can often be exhausting! It's invigorating to watch videos made by someone my age with what seems like a similar perspective of photography as mine. Thank you.
My pleasure Stace. Glad to have you here and enjoying the videos.
That is a powerful message, not only for photography but for life it self. Taking risks and drawing your path.
I have enjoyed this episode as well as many others you’ve produced and I agree with many comments: it’s a refreshing change in the landscape.
I have an Instagram account with a thousand or so followers and recently I have grown to dislike what it was doing to my photography. I realised that in order to get those dreaded Likes, I had to go back in my feed and create and post a similar photo I had already done. In a way it could be an interesting process but what did put me off was the way I felt forced to do what the crowd liked and not what I liked. So my decision was made to end posting on Instagram.
I am exploring Flickr at the moment and started building a website.
Live and let live.
I am so incredibly glad that I came across your channel. UA-cam is a sea of photographers who know how to make the most of the attention economy by focusing on trends, top queries, and exciting videos; yet create content with very little substance. I have felt so lost on where to find real advice and exploration that would help me learn more than how to compare two lenses I can't afford 😂
Thank you so much for creating and sharing such insightful and valuable content with us.
Wow thank you for watching
When I was 10 years old a teacher showed me how to make pinhole cameras and to develop that film in a darkroom. That year I spent every waking moment doing just that thing. I found it to be very enjoyable. We then moved back to the USA and I never picked up a camera again until 6 months ago at the age of sixty. I agree that we should be doing photography for the right reasons. To please are self's and to feed are souls. That's why I'm going to follow your advice. Life is to short for trying to please others. Love your video.
Thanks for watching
You Channel is pure TREASURE! So glad I found you Alex! Thanks for all the hard research and insights x
Finding your posts very informative and have been making notes constantly, thank you. They're really a breath of fresh air over the lacklustre 'I'm funny, follow me' types.
We're the same age with a very similar background of art college and later university with photography at the helm, and admittedly I miss those days desperately. Social media is a paradox and not sure where I stand with it all, yes, there is the seemingly mandatory Instagram account yet in the same breath it's not doing anything for me personally. On top of that there's the shouting that you *must* have a website displaying your work. Websites are a privilege to those who can afford them and I'd rather have books truth be told. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, I don't know.
Thank you for teaching about PHOTOGRAPHY rather than talking about GEAR!
More to come!
🙏 Cheers Gary
OK, interesting, I wrote the comment below after listening through about 20% of your stream. Subsequently I found you introducing exactly the parallel journey I believe exists, that of copying to a) learn, b) branch off of to make your own versions, c) introduce your other personal aesthetics or ideas/messages into your work. New subscriber!
Tak!
I gave up posting images to social media about 2 years ago. I definitely now shoot just for my soul and I’m much happier with my photography. Way to go Alex, thanks.
Thanks Andrew!
"One photographer to change a light globe..." doesn't this say it all! Thanks you for supporting the idea of taking photographs to please myself and to allow me the freedom to explore and grow in what excites me. Thank you for your channel. Keep on doing what you do so well.
Who on earth says light globe ? 🤔😜
Thank you! I am trying to please the masses by running a photography business, but I do want to be creative. When you said, “Find things you love and get close to them (photograph)”. This really resonates with me. Why do I do a certain type of photography when I really don’t like it?
Loving what you bring us Alex and thank goodness you are not a review channel .. Be yourself. I much prefer seeing something, even it is clumsy, that doesn’t look like somebody else’s work.
William Klein ..... Thanks very much for the video and keep well.
Thanks! I just want to share this wonderful thing I love so much with others. Glad you (and everyone here) is enjoying it.