Your comment about camera clubs is the main reason I've never joined one. They get so into technical perfection that nothing else seems to matter, that your vision doesn't count if it's not technically perfect. I met Cole at the 2019 Sedona Photography Symposium where I was an attendee. His talk on how he found his vision and that it involved photographic celibacy was eye opening. The part that involves photographic celibacy confounded me at first and had the audience confounded too. Some were angered by the idea and some of us just sat there trying to process such a foreign concept. While I now understand it, I can't do that. But I appreciate how it lets him create his art.
@@colethompson1906 Yes. It did get a little heated, didn't it? I still don't understand why some people got so upset with the idea or how anyone could get downright mad. Didn't a few people walk out?
@deborahnielsen6286 It's really interesting that people had such a strong reaction to Cole's choice. Being confounded I can understand, but angered? Enough to walk out? As you say, you can appreciate how it supports his art while not taking the same path for yourself. It makes you wonder what was happening for those who were mad, what buttons were getting pushed!
@@PixelsHeartandArt Maybe Cole has an answer to that. Most of us there were hobbyists/enthusiasts. Cole's celibacy is totally opposite to the message we get over and over; that to learn and appreciate photography, you must study and look at others' photographs. Some people join camera clubs for the critique sessions and competitions. I think many of us who went to his presentation expected to hear a more usual "10 Steps to Find Your Vision/Voice". To hear a message totally opposite from everything you've ever heard before challenges some people more than others and they can't accept that message. I was amazed that some people got so angry and challenging to Cole and didn't give him a chance to explain why it works for him before they started getting mad and challenging him about it. I was sitting there gobsmacked. It was totally not what I expected to hear or learn. Sometimes you need that in order to open your mind to other ways of seeing.
A Great Podcast! I just started to shoot only in black and white and or convert from a raw image that has for some reason maintained its colors that I have not figured out. I just enjoyed Cole's images that have lead me to your wonderful podcast. Thank you both.
Very interesting! Such a great conversation and it made me think. I liked what he said about advice from others and he worded it better than I did. Also, funny how the video was edited in BW. Photography celibacy sounds good and complicated. I think I would find it difficult. I also think it’s true that what you create is based on life experiences, what you have seen, loved, lost etc.
Martha, glad you liked the b/w editing choice ;-). And I agree, photography celibacy would be difficult! Especially if you choose to be active on social media. When I strip the philosophy down to its essence, I come up with the idea of building one's vision on what's personally meaningful and resonant, rather than what others are creating/liking/sharing. Still difficult, but more doable for me ;-)
There is one comment that Cole makes that seems most relevant to being a photographer. You must be you and I must be me. The most important thing to me is that I do what makes me feel comfortable when the shutter is fired. Fortunately over my 50 year career in photography that made me millions of dollars and wonderful accolades in the biggest art and photography magazines out there I was never tempted to be anyone other than myself. I guess I was very lucky to never need to find my own style or vision. Art directors, creative directors and gallery owners have often mentioned how they liked my style and I could never understand what they were talking about. I have always seen things the way I see them now. There was no learning how to see. Maybe that comes from not having a photographic education. Maybe that was my celibacy. Cole, another photographer and I have lunch together several times a year in our small town here in Colorado. It's always so much fun to hear how my fellow photographers have grown over the years. Everyone has taken a different path but we all seem to have ended up in the same place.....we all realized once photography is in your blood it never goes away.
I agree, I avoid looking at other peoples work as much as possible. I have photobooks from 10 20th Century greats, these I allow myself to look at as much as I like. My pictures are also dark and black and white. He's right most people ignore black and white. I also keep use of social media to an absolute minimum.
Thanks for sharing, Jeremy. It seems there would be solid value in focusing on the greats. I'm not basing this on anything other than my intuition, but it seems that pre-social media/pre-digital photography has an immediacy and intimacy to it that is compelling. If you see this reply and feel so inclined, would love if you'd share which photobooks you recommend.
Thanks for the sub :-). King has a very good point! It also makes me think about the choice to keep looking at, reading, or listening to something that doesn't resonate. For instance, when I go to a museum now, I don't feel I have to spend time with every piece in a room. If a piece pulls me in, I go to it. If it doesn't, I don't. That might seem like a "duh" sort of move, but it also feels like it goes against convention, because if it it's in a museum, it must be great, right? And therefore we should study it and be in awe! Nah... life's too short! That's not to say I won't take a second look and consider works that didn't pull me in the first place; there's information in what we're indifferent to or dislike as well. But I prioritize resonance over "I should..."
Thanks, Claude, for offering this up. Bruce's work is gorgeous! I've now subscribed to his channel. Looking forward to diving in more (and reaching out to see if he'd be up for a conversation here?!).
Would be interesting what the relationship of "vision" and "style" might be. I think I have some intuitive understanding, but both are still blurry concepts for me (after some decades of amateure photography).
You know, semantics always get in the way when talking about fuzzy concepts, such as Vision. Here's how I look at it: Vision is how you see, and it's not always the same. Mine varies from subject to subject and from scene to scene. But style is something you adopt, it's contrived, that you apply to your images. Vision is how we see, style is an external look that you apply. Again, that's just how I see it.
Thanks for that question. I see Cole's reply and that gives us something to chew on. In my thinking, I've considered personal vision to be an overarching way of seeing that draws me to certain scenes and subjects because they resonate with me on an emotional, spiritual, and/or intellectual level. My vision is as much about what I decide to photograph as it is what I decide not to (a statement I'm making to see if it's true... trying it on!). Style is how I uniquely interpret that scene through composition and processing, as well as my description, title, and presentation of the image. Style and vision seem to be two sides of the same coin, each reinforcing the other. Very interesting... lots to reflect on!
Oh.. this will change my entire perception on shooting and showing... especially because I was so concerned with the options of those that don't feel what I do..although my work was presented twice in Fujilove magazine but my ego was my worst enemy.. thanking you so much. @@PixelsHeartandArt
Learn to criticize your own photos. If you don't know, you won't know. If you never look at others' pictures how will you know what to criticize in your own pics? Enjoyed the video (series) ... which, btw, was suggested by a member of a photo club.
If we all adopted his philosophy then you tube would disappear and most likely we never know Cole exists🤓. Honestly I find it a bit beyond belief in fact if he does not look at others work.
I do not look at other's work! Sometimes I see other's images, but I never sit and look at images. Not in books, not on other's websites and not on social media. As to what would happen to youtube and social media if we all adopted this practice? Not much, there are 7.5 billion people in the world, a VERY small portion of those are photographers seeking to find their Vision. But if it did disrupt social media, I'd say: GREAT!
I suppose that's a risk! Most people wouldn't have the desire or discipline to follow Cole's lead... my guess is that his philosophy has caused some folks to be more intentional and discerning about what they consume (which is the case for me), and if that happened to influence social media/UA-cam, that wouldn't be so bad, as it might help the more substantive, thought-provoking, and/or quality work to rise to the surface. I don't know... it's an interesting question!
There's a vast world of amazing creativity to explore! Since you mention cinema, I have to share that the series "Ripley" made me want to get out and photograph more than anything I've seen lately.
Jesus, this guy is full of himself! Looking at other photographers doesn’t mean that you can’t do what you like. It’s like locking yourself in and closing out the rest of the world. POOR guy!
It sounds like Cole's approach wouldn't work for you, and that's okay. It works for him, and he'd likely be the first to say that "you do you" and to focus on whatever strategy supports your vision. I appreciate that he's challenging the default of "consume as much as possible." It's caused me to be more intentional about what I choose to look at and to notice if I'm subverting my personal style because of it.
@ It is never wrong to learn from other people, you just have to choose the right source. Learning has nothing to do with copying. Seeking inspiration from other photographers or painters is opening your mind, not the contrary.
@@goldfinch2283 Agree about choosing the right sources, the ones that work best for you. Sources could be music, painting, dance, poetry, architecture, fashion, photography, or anything that stirs the imagination in the way one wants it stirred. To each their own 🙂
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![Learn Photography [Full Course] by Australian Geographic Photographer Chris Bray](/img/n.gif)
Here I am watching your Podcast for the second time and have found it as enjoyable as the first time I viewed it a few days earlier.
Excellent interview!! Really enjoyed this episode. Amazing work and story! Thank you for sharing these amazing interviews!
Your comment about camera clubs is the main reason I've never joined one. They get so into technical perfection that nothing else seems to matter, that your vision doesn't count if it's not technically perfect.
I met Cole at the 2019 Sedona Photography Symposium where I was an attendee. His talk on how he found his vision and that it involved photographic celibacy was eye opening. The part that involves photographic celibacy confounded me at first and had the audience confounded too. Some were angered by the idea and some of us just sat there trying to process such a foreign concept. While I now understand it, I can't do that. But I appreciate how it lets him create his art.
You were there? That was a wild ride!
@@colethompson1906 Yes. It did get a little heated, didn't it? I still don't understand why some people got so upset with the idea or how anyone could get downright mad. Didn't a few people walk out?
@deborahnielsen6286 It's really interesting that people had such a strong reaction to Cole's choice. Being confounded I can understand, but angered? Enough to walk out? As you say, you can appreciate how it supports his art while not taking the same path for yourself. It makes you wonder what was happening for those who were mad, what buttons were getting pushed!
@@PixelsHeartandArt Maybe Cole has an answer to that. Most of us there were hobbyists/enthusiasts. Cole's celibacy is totally opposite to the message we get over and over; that to learn and appreciate photography, you must study and look at others' photographs. Some people join camera clubs for the critique sessions and competitions. I think many of us who went to his presentation expected to hear a more usual "10 Steps to Find Your Vision/Voice". To hear a message totally opposite from everything you've ever heard before challenges some people more than others and they can't accept that message. I was amazed that some people got so angry and challenging to Cole and didn't give him a chance to explain why it works for him before they started getting mad and challenging him about it. I was sitting there gobsmacked. It was totally not what I expected to hear or learn. Sometimes you need that in order to open your mind to other ways of seeing.
Thank you for posting this, it’s been incredibly inspiring, helpful and thought provoking.
I'm super glad to hear that! Thanks for sharing :-)
One of your best
That's kind of you :-) So glad you enjoyed the conversation!
Another great discussion with an inspirational photographer, thank you!
You're most welcome!
love your way of interviewing people. And a interesting guest again. Thanks for putting this out
Thanks, Fritz! And you're most welcome - big thanks to Cole for providing so much food for thought!
A Great Podcast! I just started to shoot only in black and white and or convert from a raw image that has for some reason maintained its colors that I have not figured out. I just enjoyed Cole's images that have lead me to your wonderful podcast.
Thank you both.
Thanks for tuning in!
Very interesting! Such a great conversation and it made me think. I liked what he said about advice from others and he worded it better than I did.
Also, funny how the video was edited in BW.
Photography celibacy sounds good and complicated. I think I would find it difficult. I also think it’s true that what you create is based on life experiences, what you have seen, loved, lost etc.
Martha, glad you liked the b/w editing choice ;-). And I agree, photography celibacy would be difficult! Especially if you choose to be active on social media. When I strip the philosophy down to its essence, I come up with the idea of building one's vision on what's personally meaningful and resonant, rather than what others are creating/liking/sharing. Still difficult, but more doable for me ;-)
There is one comment that Cole makes that seems most relevant to being a photographer. You must be you and I must be me. The most important thing to me is that I do what makes me feel comfortable when the shutter is fired. Fortunately over my 50 year career in photography that made me millions of dollars and wonderful accolades in the biggest art and photography magazines out there I was never tempted to be anyone other than myself. I guess I was very lucky to never need to find my own style or vision. Art directors, creative directors and gallery owners have often mentioned how they liked my style and I could never understand what they were talking about. I have always seen things the way I see them now. There was no learning how to see. Maybe that comes from not having a photographic education. Maybe that was my celibacy. Cole, another photographer and I have lunch together several times a year in our small town here in Colorado. It's always so much fun to hear how my fellow photographers have grown over the years. Everyone has taken a different path but we all seem to have ended up in the same place.....we all realized once photography is in your blood it never goes away.
I agree, I avoid looking at other peoples work as much as possible. I have photobooks from 10 20th Century greats, these I allow myself to look at as much as I like. My pictures are also dark and black and white. He's right most people ignore black and white. I also keep use of social media to an absolute minimum.
Cool!
Thanks for sharing, Jeremy. It seems there would be solid value in focusing on the greats. I'm not basing this on anything other than my intuition, but it seems that pre-social media/pre-digital photography has an immediacy and intimacy to it that is compelling. If you see this reply and feel so inclined, would love if you'd share which photobooks you recommend.
Subbed- “never read bad writing” is something I learned from Stephen King in On Writing. Applies in all areas of seeking for the golden golden.
Thanks for the sub :-). King has a very good point! It also makes me think about the choice to keep looking at, reading, or listening to something that doesn't resonate. For instance, when I go to a museum now, I don't feel I have to spend time with every piece in a room. If a piece pulls me in, I go to it. If it doesn't, I don't. That might seem like a "duh" sort of move, but it also feels like it goes against convention, because if it it's in a museum, it must be great, right? And therefore we should study it and be in awe! Nah... life's too short! That's not to say I won't take a second look and consider works that didn't pull me in the first place; there's information in what we're indifferent to or dislike as well. But I prioritize resonance over "I should..."
A different take on the idea of developing one's style (vision?) cam be found in Bruce Percy's development and work.
Thanks, Claude, for offering this up. Bruce's work is gorgeous! I've now subscribed to his channel. Looking forward to diving in more (and reaching out to see if he'd be up for a conversation here?!).
Would be interesting what the relationship of "vision" and "style" might be. I think I have some intuitive understanding, but both are still blurry concepts for me (after some decades of amateure photography).
You know, semantics always get in the way when talking about fuzzy concepts, such as Vision. Here's how I look at it: Vision is how you see, and it's not always the same. Mine varies from subject to subject and from scene to scene. But style is something you adopt, it's contrived, that you apply to your images.
Vision is how we see, style is an external look that you apply.
Again, that's just how I see it.
Thanks for that question. I see Cole's reply and that gives us something to chew on. In my thinking, I've considered personal vision to be an overarching way of seeing that draws me to certain scenes and subjects because they resonate with me on an emotional, spiritual, and/or intellectual level. My vision is as much about what I decide to photograph as it is what I decide not to (a statement I'm making to see if it's true... trying it on!). Style is how I uniquely interpret that scene through composition and processing, as well as my description, title, and presentation of the image. Style and vision seem to be two sides of the same coin, each reinforcing the other. Very interesting... lots to reflect on!
Great philosophy...love it.. it makes sense..I must try it...must
That's great to hear, Michael! I hope it yields meaningful results for you.
Oh.. this will change my entire perception on shooting and showing... especially because I was so concerned with the options of those that don't feel what I do..although my work was presented twice in Fujilove magazine but my ego was my worst enemy.. thanking you so much. @@PixelsHeartandArt
Learn to criticize your own photos. If you don't know, you won't know. If you never look at others' pictures how will you know what to criticize in your own pics? Enjoyed the video (series) ... which, btw, was suggested by a member of a photo club.
If we all adopted his philosophy then you tube would disappear and most likely we never know Cole exists🤓. Honestly I find it a bit beyond belief in fact if he does not look at others work.
I do not look at other's work! Sometimes I see other's images, but I never sit and look at images. Not in books, not on other's websites and not on social media.
As to what would happen to youtube and social media if we all adopted this practice? Not much, there are 7.5 billion people in the world, a VERY small portion of those are photographers seeking to find their Vision. But if it did disrupt social media, I'd say: GREAT!
@ You are missing a lot of fine photography.☺️
@@hubertcole1645 - A small sacrifice to create images that I love!
I suppose that's a risk! Most people wouldn't have the desire or discipline to follow Cole's lead... my guess is that his philosophy has caused some folks to be more intentional and discerning about what they consume (which is the case for me), and if that happened to influence social media/UA-cam, that wouldn't be so bad, as it might help the more substantive, thought-provoking, and/or quality work to rise to the surface. I don't know... it's an interesting question!
Stay away from photography. Study painting, sculpture, cinema, architecture.
There's a vast world of amazing creativity to explore! Since you mention cinema, I have to share that the series "Ripley" made me want to get out and photograph more than anything I've seen lately.
Jesus, this guy is full of himself! Looking at other photographers doesn’t mean that you can’t do what you like. It’s like locking yourself in and closing out the rest of the world. POOR guy!
I probably am full of myself! (But who am I to judge myself?)
But my system works for me.
It sounds like Cole's approach wouldn't work for you, and that's okay. It works for him, and he'd likely be the first to say that "you do you" and to focus on whatever strategy supports your vision. I appreciate that he's challenging the default of "consume as much as possible." It's caused me to be more intentional about what I choose to look at and to notice if I'm subverting my personal style because of it.
@ It is never wrong to learn from other people, you just have to choose the right source. Learning has nothing to do with copying. Seeking inspiration from other photographers or painters is opening your mind, not the contrary.
@@goldfinch2283 Agree about choosing the right sources, the ones that work best for you. Sources could be music, painting, dance, poetry, architecture, fashion, photography, or anything that stirs the imagination in the way one wants it stirred. To each their own 🙂