I Forgot What Photography Was Meant To Be
Вставка
- Опубліковано 20 жов 2024
- I have been shooting for a decade, and the way I have approached and understood photography over those years has changed. Sure, I've learned much and greatly improved my craft (evidenced by the involuntary recoil experienced when looking back on my old photos...), but as time moved forward my photography grew less and less casual.
For formal projects, commissions, and work, this is surely a good thing. But for enjoying photography, for maintaining a fun hobby and keeping this passion alive? Casual photography is necessary, producing work that hasn't been meticulously planned and scrutinised - shooting for no greater reason than enjoyment, and to create something that JUST looks nice. I forgot how to do that.
Over the last week since buying this little Lumix GX850/GX800/GF9, I have been shooting far more casually, far more often. With it being pocketable, I just take it out with me wherever, and take photos of whatever. This passion for photography won't die. Don't let yours.
Website
www.firbyphoto...
Instagram
firbyphotography
Facebook
profile.php?id=61550032427128
I started with DSLRs a few years ago and moved to film photography not long ago (and I love it) but there's something about being able to take those 'pointless photos' with no guilt of wasting film and sifting through them all on the laptop later to find the one or two that really look great. Film really makes you focus on the shot and composition, but digital allows you to shoot everything and find what looks great after the fact and both are a lot of fun!
Well said. I'm just getting into film photography, and the difference in the feeling of shooting film, and the process, is huge. I think it's a healthy balance to have different modes of shooting. The guilt free that digital provides, and the thought out technical that film provides.
Pointless or instinctive reflex pictures that rely on your impulses are great to keep your initial passion! I totally relate to that.
Well said! It seems there's a lot of us here that have found the same.
I love the way you tell your story. It feels free, magical and inspiring. But the moment you tell me what to do I feel resistance and the magic is gone.
Merely suggesting the solution to a problem, tried and tested by myself. It's advice, not a demand. Don't let that magic die. If you want to revive your love for casual photography, taking some "pointless pictures" might help. If not, ignore me, and shoot what you love.
You're spot on with this.
Thank you!
I relate to what you describe. I don't do photography professionally, but taking more of these "pointless" photos has helped me reignite the hobby after it had been dormant for several years.
Your video also reminds me of a book I've read last year. It's by the German author Hiltrud Enders and called "Kontemplative Fotografie", i.e. "contemplative photography" - not sure if an English edition exists. She describes the process of taking "pointless" photos as a way to be more mindful and observe the world as it presents itself to us, not as we intend the world to be - opposed to more methodical and calculating kinds of photography. Maybe an interesting read if you want to dive deeper into what you've started exploring.
That certainly sounds interesting, I'll have to try and find an English version if such a thing exists. Thanks for the comment!
You do it to evolve your craft. To practice. To enjoy.
That you do
#123!
Love the video, and the Moka pot... good luck with your channel man, you are killing it.
Thank you man! I really appreciate it
I agree
Cool name, seems familiar
59 subscribers!? ill make that 60, but i expected thousands!! I love your work, man.
Thank you man, much appreciated!
Art is Life--Life is Art.
Very true
Saw you had 99 Subs, and have some great content - So here I am - I believe I am your 100th sub!
Legend, thank you! Much appreciated
i like these kind of photo's and enjoying making them :)
There's something pure about them; good wholesome photography
Casual, no rules, thats freedom to just be yourself. 👍
Certainly is!
i think the photos you showed are "pointless" in the same way that a landscape painting is "pointless". the point is the beauty. just immortalizing a cool and visually interesting sight to show people
100%. For years now I've been focusing on long form projects with greater meanings and purposes. Shooting purely to capture beauty, and nothing more, often gets forgotten, but really it's needed for a healthy balance.
Great video. I just ordered my first compact camera for this very reason. 👍
Thank you! Definitely a good move, I've no regrets with this little Lumix thus far. Certainly solved the problems for me.
your webcam quality and lighting is pristine. Very beautiful. May I ask what your setup is?
Recording on Fujifilm X-T4, lit by the sunlight through my window. Bare. Not even softened. (Just got to be careful when it gets brighter/darker)
Great video mate, sound local ish. Im Durham way.
Love this as a concept, i try to do this pretty often and made the switch to film generally for this exact reason.
Local ish indeed, I'm from Teesside.
Just bought my first film camera, would love to do the same as you, but it's one expensive hobby. Maybe one day.
I think, what "brings them" together is the "pointlessness" - in fact, this would make for a great collection/zine/etc. I think something that's hugely underappreciated and that sites like flickr/500px don't really allow for is for stories/collections of photos. A single photo, no matter how good or bad is lost in a sea of other amazing photos. However if you have a story (like with this video, or how james popsys does in his), photos that would be "boring" on their own become interesting.
Aye, I think you might have something there. A photo may lack point and meaning on its own, but amongst other photos it may a keystone.
Great stuff ! As a young man way back in time I wanted to take photos. Just for the sake of it. It meant waiting a week before collecting the negs. and prints from the chemist. There was some magic in what I had done somehow. Undefinable and definitely pointless but still magic. Today I have a good digital camera and several lenses. I enjoy them but in a different way. Any frame remotely pointless is quickly deleted. What a waste. Brian from Chichester.
It's true, the fast and explosive evolution of digital cameras has changed the fabric of photography, for better and for worse in many ways. I think there's something in the instantaneous nature of digital photography that can make these "pointless pictures" feel as though they lack that magic you mentioned, but in truth I'm not sure they truly do. I'm just getting into film photography at the moment, maybe I shall find out.
Thank you for your comment Brian!
I love it! I might be a pointless master. I've been thinking about making vs taking photos (we've all seen the Peter McKinnon vids) and I realized that I go the complete other direction. As a photographer my feels are that my one job is to master the art of light and time.... if I do this, then subject becomes irrelevant. Wild life photographers take one of 2 types of pics..... 1st is a common animal doing uncommon things, or an uncommon animal al doing normal things. As I master my craft of light and time, I find I become a light chaser.... any common subject suddenly becomes interesting when we get the light right in an uncommon way..... that subject only looks magical twice a day and it takes skill, luck, or both to catch it! (I'll @you when I have more time)
I think a health photographic practice has room for making and taking photos, and the balance of the two falls down to the photographer. The only wrong way to do it is the way that doesn't work for you. Looking forward to your message man!
I am like you, but opposite, I feel like my photography lost meaning, because I shoot the everyday, without story or purpose. And I need to find the meaning again.. :) subbed, great topic.
Perhaps an idea for another video there. In truth I reckon all you need is one project, one idea, to jump into. Something you really care about, and you would find that meaning again. Cheers for the Sub man!
I love taking pointless pictures. When I got my xe2, I decided to let it live in JPEG only and fire away. It’s great! Loved the idea of this video 🤙🏼
Thank you! I've been tempted to try shooting Jpegs on my X-T4 with some of the film simulations. I may well give it a shot 🙌🏻
@@FirbyPhotography go for it, my man!
🎉🎉🎉
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Thanks lad, I'm about to go out and take some pho'os
Enjoy it man!
It’s called snapshots. 😉
By definition, some of these "pointless pictures" certainly are snapshots, but I'd argue not all. There is something documentary in nature about snapshots, capturing memories, moments to look back on, travels, etc... and that intention is not the same one behind these "pointless pictures". Also, snapshots are often characterised as amateur, and I'd argue that the examples I gave are not (in my humble opinion). Maybe more accurate terms would be "Experienced Snapshots" and "Pointless Pictures", and the two share a hazy middle ground. If I waffle about definitions much more I'll end up with a large white beard and a tunic, so I'll leave it there...
I use a lumix gx80 as a walk around and enjoy it
I never thought much of Lumix cameras for years until I got this one. They're definitely undersung.
a little snack for the algo to snack on.
I've just spent a solid few minutes trying to work out what this comment meant, and then it clicked. Cheers for commenting!
@@FirbyPhotography sorry mate, I hadn’t meant to lead you off into confusion :). Enjoyed the video
@@LuuditeMade me laugh when I figured it out aha
That’s been 80% of my photography since 2005.
Nothing wrong with that. If you've been doing it since 05, and you're still enjoying it, you must be doing something right!
If you enjoy taking the pics then they’re not pointless
Very true.
101th 🙌🏼
Thank you!
I kinda think most of my photos are pointless lol. Most of my pics are general personal or foods I cooked on the BBQ which tend to have a general look of sameness but they get a lot of likes from my friends....just to let them know I'm still out there living as I don't live anywhere near them at all. I don't tend to take pics for any arty farty reason although i try and frame them as best i can.
As valid a subject, and reason, as any. Photography may be a powerful art form, but it's also one of the best mediums for documentation and communication that we have. Your photos may not have a deep artful meaning, but I think it's clear they mean a lot in other ways.
yup - most of our pics are pretty pointless, not worth any dimes but if it brings you joy or contentment, please carry on,,
Perfectly put!
better title, "Photostabation"
Don't tempt me
I like your pointless pictures
:)
Why thank you!
then buy a book on how to compose and shoot, also lose all the arm waving it is so annoying im outta here
Bro had to comment and make sure we saw him leaving. Hope you can take pride in your own work man
this aint an airport, dont need to tell us your sorry ahh's departure lilbro.
I will treasure this, my first hate comment, until the bitter end. One final wave goodbye 👋🏻 Ta-ta
In fairness, I do occasionally try to take off; I forget they're arms, not wings. I can see where he might be getting confused
ed lol your name is ed