I also drum in a band. Saw Chad Smith drop his sticks 4 times. Now I don’t feel so bad anymore. So I agree, show bad pics so we won’t feel discouraged about our own ‘stick dropping’!
Like the last name. Any time I feel the urge to critique photography, I remind myself with a quote “Pride goeth before destruction.” We all take crappy photos, but still get one or two bangers that feed our desire to keep creating. We’ve all been there. I would rather encourage learning instead of scoring troll points.
I think I am paraphrasing Mark Twain who said "small people want you to be small, the great ones make you believe that you can be great as well". Simon is a great photographer 😊
Ok, I didn’t subscribe until 10 sec ago, but have watched many of Simon’s UA-cam’s before. Recently ( 10 days ago) I’m in Botswana staying at Pangolin in Kasane, with the family (4) and the divine Ms P tells me we have a visitor on our boat this afternoon. It’s Simon. I know him (from UA-cam) the rest of the family have no idea, i’m amateur, and they are less. This is the REAL DEAL. He is fantastic, just like on UA-cam only better. No BS, he’s likeable, not showy, polite, considerate, happy to share, absolutely no hogging of the opportunities. We take same great shots (he’s one day in advance of a few groups he’s taking around in Africa.) Those elephant silhouettes with the water in the foreground on his Insta. Great shots I’m sure you will all agree ( promise Simon , I won’t tell the insurance company how close that camera was to the water.) BUT that’s not the great part. After dinner I enjoy a great drink with this bloke that is exactly as he appears on UA-cam, except we don’t talk photography AT ALL. He is very knowledgeable, and I’m not just talking photos, well rounded, educated, considerate, willing to share. As we would say in Aus - A Good Bloke. Listen to what he has to say, there are gems in every sentence. You may not agree all the time; he’s doesn’t expect you to, but listen for you will learn, and that’s the greatest gift anyone can give you.
I am not a beginner but I have fallen into the trap of having to come home with something rather than just enjoying the experience. I want to thank you for pointing this out. I guess I needed to hear, it’s ok to come home empty handed.
We never come home empty handed. We have memories to last a lifetime. When we stay home, that's when we have nothing to show for it. It's always ok to bring home no keepers, so long as we enjoyed the journey. We gain experience and wisdom, each and every time.
Kinda have always thought about photography as a way to help share my experiences with others, come home with less, tell the story better. Going on 3 hour long nature hikes in the early morning and coming home with maybe a video, and 2 good photos is an alright thing. Going storm chasing and maybe not getting anything of note, that's okay but hey look at the billowing cumulus video. It has kept me happy in recent months where I wasn't getting much before.
What I love about Simon is not only that he is a great photographer but he is willing to share and explain in detail how to take better pictures. He's an awesome photographer and mentor.
1st tip is an absolute truth. Tip #4 is gold, look around you, enjoy the day, you never know what scene will come forward and tell you "Hey, photograph me !"
Simon thank you for saying what all beginners need to hear but rarely do. Probably the best advice ever given. Inspirational for all artistic genres 👍👍👍👏👏
Simon, I really needed this tonight. I have felt so discouraged lately. Sharing your “less than stellar” images lets me know that I’ve created an unreasonably high bar for myself. I’ve been doing this for a while now, but I am struggling with getting to know my R5, and have been feeling uninspired because of it. But, your terrific pep talks really keep me hanging on. Thanks.
hey don't give up. keep going and trying different things. you will find that everything works out OK in the end. that's a great camera you have, honestly. keep things simple and just work slowly from there. good luck and please DONT be so hard on yourself or too critical 👍
One of the best tips I am now applying with my Canon D90 (it's not a R5, but a fine camera anyway): Put in on manual mode, but put the ISO on "Auto" on the very left. This way you can just shoot, try out different shutter speeds, different f-stops and rarely get an image that's totally useless. Part of it is his other great advice "Don't be afraid of high ISO" 😅.
You can get this reminder continually: Notice that Simon repeats usage of the same duck flapping its wings, plus the elephant, plus just a couple others. He has about five pictures which are the highlight of his career, the PINNACLE of a moment of luck, plus the PINNACLE of one or two (at most) technical aspects which mattered in that moment.... And he does that because so many other pictures are downhill of that. A career portfolio is nothing more than "The best I have ever taken, so far". These amazing images are something to strive towards. Not something you should imagine you will capture once a year, or once a day, or every trip. So, yes, don't compare Simons lifetime achievements to your first year, or your own fortieth year.
It is, but also takes talent, or at least a lot of training to do that. I have a friend who has that talent, I'm amazed on how she can take great photos out of things I'd never imagine! I try, but don't even come close
There are a lot of good youtubers that focus on photography, but you are in another league. The communication is excelent and the content is much more than just the technicalities.
Bravo. You describe in this video what took me 5 years to figure out on my own. Sometimes you can be your own worst critic and take the fun out of it. Now if I go out and take a hundred bad pics I take it as a challenge to figure out what went wrong and go back and get it right. Great way to learn. We all need a pep talk now and then, thank you.
This is the only photographic channel I still watch regularly. Simon is a born teacher. As for the topic in question, I put all my gear in storage months ago, and now I only use my Pixel 8 Pro. I now focus on images, not equipment, it's so much more rewarding!
Totally honest explanation that I’ve seen no other photographer that I have watched on UA-cam do before. Most just make us all look inferior to what they are doing. Well done and thanks. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Another great video! And SOOO many gatekeepers and discouraging folks in photography groups. I was shooting astro recently and a younger guy came up nearby and set up his camera about 20 feet away. We were at a pullout/vista point right next to the outside of a curve on a road, so we were both trying to shoot in-between passing headlights. At one point, several cars all pulled up at once, shining headlights on us. I could see his chagrin was as strong as mine, and we both started joking around about the light. We ended up chatting for awhile and he moved his camera closer to mine after asking if it was okay. He was like, "You're so nice! So many photographers are so territorial and mean." It's sad that this community can be that way and has a reputation for it. Thank you for bringing a more positive light in every single video!
This whole video and especially the bonus tip really hit home for me! Today I shot a photo of a stinging nettle in front of an appartment complex. The most mundane subjects, but because I liked the composition, the colors and the fact the shot was sharp, bright and had a nice bokeh I really appreciated it :)
Simon, this is one of your best videos and you never mentioned a shooting mode or an F number what you say about "the going out" is correct, being there and enjoying it is" the drug". I get many average and a few "keepers", some days the "photography brain" works better than others, not everything works out perfectly, and sometimes things work out unexpectedly. Enjoyment is the main thing, not fighting a technical battle or seeking a technical solution for every frame, as for negative "expert" attitudes and "gatekeeping" - good luck to them, their comments are usually more about themselves and massaging their ego,- making themselves feel good. Thank you for a reminder of what is important both In photography and in life.
You are not only a great photographer Simon but truly a sage in this space. Always offering excellent and common sense advice and without doubt the best UA-cam channel for photographers.
Bought my first camera a year ago. First day i made a photo of an random pole on the side of the road near my house to see what depth of field i could get with the kitlens. 1 year and thousands of photo's later and it's still my favourite pic. I'm addicted now. Thanks for this great channel!
I've been following you since the beginning Simon. And I have to say that this video is the most meaningful you've ever made. Over the practical advices you have this ability to teach us the spiritual process that we can apply for photography and I'd even say, in life. Thanks again for everything. Merci beaucoup.
I have learned so much from you Simon. I did join a camera club who advertised that all were welcome, especially beginners and I hoped to learn how to take better images. Well, every other week there was a competition and I got to feel the pressure of entering a great image so as to not be so harshly critisised and made to look foolish by the judge. Pretty soon I forgot to enjoy taking photos. I needed and wanted positive critisism so enable me to improve, not to feel completely demoralised. Even other members of the club were no help. I even thought of giving up photography and selling my camera. Anyway, I have now left the club and have started to really enjoy the process of creating images that please me and when comparing them with earlier ones, I can see how I am improving. Thank you for this video.
Such groups in any field of life or profession/hobby are frequently led by narcissist's or mobbing type people. You did the right thing to leave. Maybe you can find an open, easy going photography group that doesn't have a leader or committee but rather is just a group of people that go out on one day of the week to take photos for a simple, specific theme. You know, more like a motivation and inspiration for oneself as oppossed to a beauty contest for others.
Man did I need to here this! I've been doing exactly what you talked about here. Started to forget how much I love getting out into the bush and enjoying it. Started to againise about getting "the photo" instead of enjoying being in the moment. Thanks.
Excellent. I like being outside. A photograph can be a bonus. I can go out and delete ALL my photos from that walk. I've been taking bird shots for just 5 months. I am limited to where I can go and I do get frustrated. But it is great when one shot is a keeper. Thank you for the video.
Wow...hearing that someone at your level can take hundreds of bad photos in a morning gives me hope, inspires, and motivates me to keep going. Thank you for sharing that. 🙏
Best part of that advise is the 'I take 2000 photos and maybe get 1 or 2 bangers'. When I first bought my full frame mirrorless I expected every shot to be a banger, 'well I have a top camera now', but they were not. Time and effort and planning make great photos along with patience. Another great video, thanks Simon.
This is invaluable perspective. With the requisite skill and knowledge, great shots are the result of a numbers game or just plain luck....and a matter of taste as to what a great shot actually is. I forget that photography begins with what I see and HOW I see it. It doesn't start when I pick up the camera.
My Sensei used to say, "If you want to be good at it, you have to be bad at it first". This is such an important concept to understand when learning anything.
Your tips are gold. I'm on a trip with my wife trough Europe and got a second hand mirror less and the photos I took are amazing thank you Simon you're the best
Also, going back to image quality, the scene can 100% give the illusion that your image is higher quality. For example, if you’re shooting a bird across the river on a cloudy day where the background is five feet behind it, everything will look compressed and there will be so many distractions. On a sunny, golden hour morning, if your subject is close and the background is far, your photo can be an award winner. I’ve seen so many photos taken with a Nikon D80 or Canon 70D that are higher quality than most of the photos I see taken with the higher end cameras. Do the best with what you have and you’ll be surprised!
Some time ago i went out on a winter's foggy night in the hope of coming back with something different and special. When I showed the pictures, the one people liked were some photos I took near the carpark just to ensure everything was working and I'd not left anything behind.
me too BUT every time i hate my pictures i shoot with SIMON's advices so unique ....I will keep shooting like he say !...never give up ! who say photography was easy ?
I am as far away from wildlife photography as you can think off. But I really love your channel and find it very helpful. Thank you for all the effort you are putting into this movies.
Right on Simon. I used to shoot hummingbirds on my porch. The feeder is in the shadows so it was set up with 3 flashes (2 as slaves) in high speed. If I got 1% keepers it was a great day. And, using flash, you can't just mash the shutter! Certainly NOT like being a wedding photographer.... done that a couples of times too though. Photography is like music.... so many genres that are all different.
Of all the photography sites I have read, listened to, or watched, NO ONE has shared this type of information. Thank you for taking the time to put it together. Bravo!
I like your channel because you speak to me. Me, an un-serious photographer, rather than just someone trying to get into the photography, professional or amateur, scene. I only take photos as a hobby. I am much more of hobbyist jigsaw puzzler, than I am a hobbyist photographer. I find when taking photos, the number one criteria for me is, will it make a good, interesting, jigsaw. One of these days, I'll find a good forum for jigsaw puzzle, photographer, hobbyists. :)
Thanks. I returned to photography in July 2023 with the purchase of my first mirrorless camera (M50 Mark 2). I have taken over 50,000 images in one year. I can see great progress in my work in that I am learning to make the camera to make the image in my imagination - sometimes. I recently went out and shot hundreds of images that I thought that I would really like. But, I realized that I used too shallow of a depth of field. It was a day of failure. Nothing met the standard that I had developed during the last year. Then I compared them with work that thought was great last August. Yep, several of them were worse. I was feeling a bit down. I went out again and shot some of the same subjects again using a larger depth of field and better exposure bracketing. It is helping me to realize that a bad day can be a great teacher. I needed to hear this encouraging lesson!
Last year at Toronto Pride I took the only 5 star image in my catalog along with several 4 star images. This year I walked away with only a couple 2 star images. Disappointed, sure. But I still had a great day and enjoyed the act of photography. I always know it's going to be a good day when Simon releases a new video. Best photography channel on UA-cam imo.
Great advice, but I believe that there was one omission, and that’s the role of post-processing in photography. When I went digital in 2010 (after shooting 35 mm film for 30 years), I stubbornly stayed away from post-processing for my first 5+ years in the digital world. I was taking pleasing compositions, but my photos weren't "popping" like the "best of the best" on other photographers' IG feeds. It was frustrating enough that I finally caved and started doing post-processing, and it made considerable difference in my final images. There's still so much that I have to learn about post-processing, but it has made the whole photographic experience more pleasant. Of course, post-processing can be a double-edged sword if images are processed too much.
"Doing photography while you're doing what you love takes the pressure off and allows your photography to be therapeutic and not a pressure cooker." 6:03
Your comment about GateKeepers on social media hit a recent chord with me. I have upgraded my camera and posted an image in a FB group for some advice. Comments were quite cutting and suggested I should not experiment in manual mode til I had had more experience. My reply was that you learn as much from your failures as you do from your keepers. Love your channel.
I wholeheartedly agree to all of this - and finding beauty in the mundane is not only great practice, it's also a fabulous way to explore what really matters in life and that more often than not it's the little things that can bring just as much joy. Saying that as a former pro for seven years who is now only using her phone and sometimes a jeweler's magnifier glass as addition.
If I could make one request, it would be to include a few 'failed' images in every video! When you showed the birds cut in half out of the frame, it was so FAMILIAR. I felt something very poignant at that moment. That is obviously such an important part of the process of photography, but we never, ever get to see other people's flops, so it's always a mystery just how/when they happen to others. Your saying that maybe getting one or two good photos out of taking 2,000 is one thing, but to see a few examples was so meaningful. Thanks Simon, you're an asset to UA-cam photography!
Simon, you restore my faith in photography as a hobby to enjoy, not to stress over while trying to be a 'perfect photographer'. UA-cam is full of 'gatekeeper' photographers, spouting rules and decrying anything that isn't to their liking. Your videos are the exception. Thank you.
Took a photo of a Common Kingfisher other than sitting still or diving but instead cleaning its wing. I get told the background is not blurry enough by some other wildlife photographers (though, blurred enough to make the bird stand out). I tell them I want habitat. An animal doesn't live in a vacuum. Now some relatives want canvas prints as they see the photo is not like the usual kingfisher photos you see out there. From day one I didn't care what people say if all it is is negative. I still make mistakes but I already have quite some nice bird photos.
This is an amazing video, full of so many truths which so many need to hear. But, your last tip is probably the single best advice I've ever heard. Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Simply excellent. I have another hobby (scale modeling) that caused me to become interested in photography, as I wanted to post photos of my work. While there’s not many opportunities to be a “pro” in scale modeling, each and every one of these tips and observations applies. If like the vast majority of us, we are not pro’s, but enthusiastic and maybe advanced hobbyists, these tips will make you advance, and more importantly enjoy your craft
Simon, I always look forward to your videos. I think you truly are the best at what you do. You are so thoughtful and helpful. I have been a photographer since 2019 and often am super critical about my work and self doubt often. These tips came at a perfect time and a great reminder. I am going to actually write them down and reference them when I’m doing the whole “self doubt” thing. Thank you!
Great advice Simon. This is me, I go do things, for the sake of doing them, and bring the camera along. If I spot something I shoot, a bunch. Maybe I'll strike gold. But I probably won't. As long as I have this expectation I never lose. Every photo that doesn't turn out is practice.
hi Simon i'm totally beginner... i just want to say thank you to generously share ur knowledge. Ur quote, "i know u can do it" i believe help encourage many beginner photographer like me to always learn and practice more. Btw I'm from Indonesia maybe sometime u can explore wildlife in here. I know u will love it :D
This little talk has brought back to memory something I've known from early on, as have others of course: If you have a passion for photography, if it 'lights your fire', then you already have the raw material for becoming an excellent photographer. The converse is also true.
My story for Tip #4: I really needed this when it came to the solar eclipse. I was very excited to get photos that day, however, because of the weather, I could only get 3 blurry photos of the partial eclipse in the corner of my camera. Despite that, I was able to enjoy the eclipse with my family and neighbors, seeing both the partial and the effects of the total eclipse. I definitely agree with not letting your photos be the gauge on whether the outing was worth it or not.
I found your channel like in the veeeery beginning of my photography journey, like literally when I got my first dSLR. And tip 1 really made me feel good because yeah I have always a couple photos I'm genuinely proud of and this makes me proud that that's normal that the percentage of amazing photos I usually not that high.
I agree with the others. Excellent advice. (I've been doing this for a while.) A friend, who recently retired, asked me about why a camera and not a fishing boat? (We both grew up on the NE coast.) I said a camera is like fishing boat. Some days you go out and get a keeper and some days you get nothing. But you still loving going out. However, with a camera your fingers never smell like bait! :-)
Woow that was a wonderful video Simon! Just what i need to hear, you're a great person and you got a great personality by sharing your own experiences learning everyone have an excellent day! And thank you!!
Hi Simon, that's exactly how it is, sometimes a like from a photographer who considers himself really good is more important than 50 dislikes from someone who might not even be able to take the denigrated shot. I personally started following and being followed on Instagram by a good photographer who has the same surname as me and who follows you (maybe we will even be distant relatives since there aren't many of us with this surname) and any appreciation received can give that enthusiasm needed to improve.
All YT photographers should do a regular "check out these crappy pics I took this week" feature. thanks Simon
Some of them take crappy photos anyway but adding some LoFi glitchy backing track makes them better!
There was a trend a while back for scientists to share their "CV of failures"
It was really helpful
I also drum in a band. Saw Chad Smith drop his sticks 4 times. Now I don’t feel so bad anymore. So I agree, show bad pics so we won’t feel discouraged about our own ‘stick dropping’!
Damn right ...
Like the last name.
Any time I feel the urge to critique photography, I remind myself with a quote “Pride goeth before destruction.” We all take crappy photos, but still get one or two bangers that feed our desire to keep creating. We’ve all been there.
I would rather encourage learning instead of scoring troll points.
This is the best photographic advice on the internet
Absolutely!
Agreed!
I agree dude.. he is so honest.
Thank you…
I’ve been an amateur photographer for 60 years and have never heard better advice than this! Well articulated.
I think I am paraphrasing Mark Twain who said "small people want you to be small, the great ones make you believe that you can be great as well". Simon is a great photographer 😊
Ok, I didn’t subscribe until 10 sec ago, but have watched many of Simon’s UA-cam’s before. Recently ( 10 days ago) I’m in Botswana staying at Pangolin in Kasane, with the family (4) and the divine Ms P tells me we have a visitor on our boat this afternoon. It’s Simon. I know him (from UA-cam) the rest of the family have no idea, i’m amateur, and they are less. This is the REAL DEAL. He is fantastic, just like on UA-cam only better. No BS, he’s likeable, not showy, polite, considerate, happy to share, absolutely no hogging of the opportunities. We take same great shots (he’s one day in advance of a few groups he’s taking around in Africa.) Those elephant silhouettes with the water in the foreground on his Insta. Great shots I’m sure you will all agree ( promise Simon
, I won’t tell the insurance company how close that camera was to the water.)
BUT that’s not the great part. After dinner I enjoy a great drink with this bloke that is exactly as he appears on UA-cam, except we don’t talk photography AT ALL. He is very knowledgeable, and I’m not just talking photos, well rounded, educated, considerate, willing to share. As we would say in Aus - A Good Bloke. Listen to what he has to say, there are gems in every sentence. You may not agree all the time; he’s doesn’t expect you to, but listen for you will learn, and that’s the greatest gift anyone can give you.
This is the best comment. Simon through his words, shows us how great of person he's.
I am not a beginner but I have fallen into the trap of having to come home with something rather than just enjoying the experience. I want to thank you for pointing this out. I guess I needed to hear, it’s ok to come home empty handed.
We never come home empty handed. We have memories to last a lifetime. When we stay home, that's when we have nothing to show for it. It's always ok to bring home no keepers, so long as we enjoyed the journey. We gain experience and wisdom, each and every time.
Kinda have always thought about photography as a way to help share my experiences with others, come home with less, tell the story better.
Going on 3 hour long nature hikes in the early morning and coming home with maybe a video, and 2 good photos is an alright thing.
Going storm chasing and maybe not getting anything of note, that's okay but hey look at the billowing cumulus video.
It has kept me happy in recent months where I wasn't getting much before.
What I love about Simon is not only that he is a great photographer but he is willing to share and explain in detail how to take better pictures. He's an awesome photographer and mentor.
A true leader's m.o.
Too kind!
I really hope budding phographers, enthusiast find your channel very soon. They need to hear this.
1st tip is an absolute truth. Tip #4 is gold, look around you, enjoy the day, you never know what scene will come forward and tell you "Hey, photograph me !"
Simon thank you for saying what all beginners need to hear but rarely do. Probably the best advice ever given. Inspirational for all artistic genres 👍👍👍👏👏
Simon, I really needed this tonight. I have felt so discouraged lately. Sharing your “less than stellar” images lets me know that I’ve created an unreasonably high bar for myself. I’ve been doing this for a while now, but I am struggling with getting to know my R5, and have been feeling uninspired because of it. But, your terrific pep talks really keep me hanging on. Thanks.
hey don't give up. keep going and trying different things. you will find that everything works out OK in the end. that's a great camera you have, honestly. keep things simple and just work slowly from there. good luck and please DONT be so hard on yourself or too critical 👍
so true this.
One of the best tips I am now applying with my Canon D90 (it's not a R5, but a fine camera anyway): Put in on manual mode, but put the ISO on "Auto" on the very left. This way you can just shoot, try out different shutter speeds, different f-stops and rarely get an image that's totally useless. Part of it is his other great advice "Don't be afraid of high ISO" 😅.
You can get this reminder continually: Notice that Simon repeats usage of the same duck flapping its wings, plus the elephant, plus just a couple others.
He has about five pictures which are the highlight of his career, the PINNACLE of a moment of luck, plus the PINNACLE of one or two (at most) technical aspects which mattered in that moment....
And he does that because so many other pictures are downhill of that.
A career portfolio is nothing more than "The best I have ever taken, so far".
These amazing images are something to strive towards. Not something you should imagine you will capture once a year, or once a day, or every trip.
So, yes, don't compare Simons lifetime achievements to your first year, or your own fortieth year.
@stefanschneider3681 Topaz AI will sort out noise on your Canon 90d and others 7d2 etc..
"Take uncommon photos of common things". That's one hell of an advice. Thanks as always Simon.
My pleasure!
It is, but also takes talent, or at least a lot of training to do that. I have a friend who has that talent, I'm amazed on how she can take great photos out of things I'd never imagine! I try, but don't even come close
There are a lot of good youtubers that focus on photography, but you are in another league. The communication is excelent and the content is much more than just the technicalities.
Bravo. You describe in this video what took me 5 years to figure out on my own. Sometimes you can be your own worst critic and take the fun out of it. Now if I go out and take a hundred bad pics I take it as a challenge to figure out what went wrong and go back and get it right. Great way to learn. We all need a pep talk now and then, thank you.
Dude ignites my creativity every time he expresses his love for photography. All the best mate! 🇵🇭 🇬🇧
This is the only photographic channel I still watch regularly. Simon is a born teacher. As for the topic in question, I put all my gear in storage months ago, and now I only use my Pixel 8 Pro. I now focus on images, not equipment, it's so much more rewarding!
100% agreed.
Pep talk of the year. Great advice to get out of a slump. Bookmarked. Thanks, Simon!
Glad it was helpful!
Omg, photography forums are the WORST. There are some nuggets of wisdom in there, but you have to filter out all of the negativity.
Except maybe Pentax forums. They're mostly just vibing and not caring about the best most technical camera stuff.
Totally honest explanation that I’ve seen no other photographer that I have watched on UA-cam do before. Most just make us all look inferior to what they are doing. Well done and thanks. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
This is the best advice I have ever heard, and I feel lots better about my photography now. Thank you, Simon, for all these great tips!
The most encouraging video on photography. Thanks a lot.
I wish I had been able to see this video 40+ years ago, but luckily "enjoying the process" has always carried me through.
Wise, wise, wise words! As usual, you never fail to deliver. A timely reminder for me in my photographic journey!
Absolutely!l
This is one of the finest and most empathic videos, Simon. Thank you!
Simon!! You are just the note of positivity I needed to end a blue monday! Bless your heart 😊
That video has made me feel a whole lot better Simon and the will to carry on.
I’ve been taking photos for over 40 years, but I still found this inspiring. Thanks.
Great to hear!
Me too, and I agree 100%. It's a short video that all photographers should watch, especially hobbyists/amateurs/beginners.
The best photography educator on the internet. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, thank you!
Another great video! And SOOO many gatekeepers and discouraging folks in photography groups. I was shooting astro recently and a younger guy came up nearby and set up his camera about 20 feet away. We were at a pullout/vista point right next to the outside of a curve on a road, so we were both trying to shoot in-between passing headlights. At one point, several cars all pulled up at once, shining headlights on us. I could see his chagrin was as strong as mine, and we both started joking around about the light. We ended up chatting for awhile and he moved his camera closer to mine after asking if it was okay. He was like, "You're so nice! So many photographers are so territorial and mean." It's sad that this community can be that way and has a reputation for it. Thank you for bringing a more positive light in every single video!
Astro is actually the friendliest genre from my experience.
This whole video and especially the bonus tip really hit home for me! Today I shot a photo of a stinging nettle in front of an appartment complex. The most mundane subjects, but because I liked the composition, the colors and the fact the shot was sharp, bright and had a nice bokeh I really appreciated it :)
Simon, this is one of your best videos and you never mentioned a shooting mode or an F number what you say about "the going out" is correct, being there and enjoying it is" the drug". I get many average and a few "keepers", some days the "photography brain" works better than others, not everything works out perfectly, and sometimes things work out unexpectedly.
Enjoyment is the main thing, not fighting a technical battle or seeking a technical solution for every frame, as for negative "expert" attitudes and "gatekeeping" - good luck to them, their comments are usually more about themselves and massaging their ego,- making themselves feel good.
Thank you for a reminder of what is important both In photography and in life.
You are not only a great photographer Simon but truly a sage in this space. Always offering excellent and common sense advice and without doubt the best UA-cam channel for photographers.
Bought my first camera a year ago. First day i made a photo of an random pole on the side of the road near my house to see what depth of field i could get with the kitlens. 1 year and thousands of photo's later and it's still my favourite pic. I'm addicted now. Thanks for this great channel!
I've been following you since the beginning Simon. And I have to say that this video is the most meaningful you've ever made. Over the practical advices you have this ability to teach us the spiritual process that we can apply for photography and I'd even say, in life.
Thanks again for everything.
Merci beaucoup.
I have learned so much from you Simon. I did join a camera club who advertised that all were welcome, especially beginners and I hoped to learn how to take better images. Well, every other week there was a competition and I got to feel the pressure of entering a great image so as to not be so harshly critisised and made to look foolish by the judge. Pretty soon I forgot to enjoy taking photos. I needed and wanted positive critisism so enable me to improve, not to feel completely demoralised. Even other members of the club were no help. I even thought of giving up photography and selling my camera. Anyway, I have now left the club and have started to really enjoy the process of creating images that please me and when comparing them with earlier ones, I can see how I am improving. Thank you for this video.
Such groups in any field of life or profession/hobby are frequently led by narcissist's or mobbing type people.
You did the right thing to leave.
Maybe you can find an open, easy going photography group that doesn't have a leader or committee but rather is just a group of people that go out on one day of the week to take photos for a simple, specific theme.
You know, more like a motivation and inspiration for oneself as oppossed to a beauty contest for others.
Man did I need to here this! I've been doing exactly what you talked about here. Started to forget how much I love getting out into the bush and enjoying it. Started to againise about getting "the photo" instead of enjoying being in the moment. Thanks.
Good stuff!
Excellent.
I like being outside. A photograph can be a bonus.
I can go out and delete ALL my photos from that walk.
I've been taking bird shots for just 5 months. I am limited to where I can go and I do get frustrated. But it is great when one shot is a keeper.
Thank you for the video.
Words of wisdom! Thanks for your honesty and keeping it real!!
Always!
Wow...hearing that someone at your level can take hundreds of bad photos in a morning gives me hope, inspires, and motivates me to keep going. Thank you for sharing that. 🙏
Agreed!
He's just trying to make us feel good. Most of his pics are 🔥
If you shoot wildlife, 99% are not keepers.
@@kifley19He specifically said the opposite. Why do you insist on using his space to undermine the point he’s trying to make?
Simon, you have taught me a lot as a beginner, but this has been the most valuable. Thank you! Big fan from South Africa!
Best part of that advise is the 'I take 2000 photos and maybe get 1 or 2 bangers'. When I first bought my full frame mirrorless I expected every shot to be a banger, 'well I have a top camera now', but they were not. Time and effort and planning make great photos along with patience. Another great video, thanks Simon.
Best teacher on UA-cam. Thanks for the excellent videos.
Wow, thanks!
This is invaluable perspective. With the requisite skill and knowledge, great shots are the result of a numbers game or just plain luck....and a matter of taste as to what a great shot actually is. I forget that photography begins with what I see and HOW I see it. It doesn't start when I pick up the camera.
My Sensei used to say, "If you want to be good at it, you have to be bad at it first". This is such an important concept to understand when learning anything.
Your tips are gold. I'm on a trip with my wife trough Europe and got a second hand mirror less and the photos I took are amazing thank you Simon you're the best
Fantastic!
Also, going back to image quality, the scene can 100% give the illusion that your image is higher quality. For example, if you’re shooting a bird across the river on a cloudy day where the background is five feet behind it, everything will look compressed and there will be so many distractions. On a sunny, golden hour morning, if your subject is close and the background is far, your photo can be an award winner. I’ve seen so many photos taken with a Nikon D80 or Canon 70D that are higher quality than most of the photos I see taken with the higher end cameras. Do the best with what you have and you’ll be surprised!
Some time ago i went out on a winter's foggy night in the hope of coming back with something different and special.
When I showed the pictures, the one people liked were some photos I took near the carpark just to ensure everything was working and I'd not left anything behind.
Every time I watch you make me go out and take photos!
It`s so!🤣
Seriously. The guy is an absolute inspiration. I'm so happy he decided to get on the UA-cam
me too BUT every time i hate my pictures i shoot with SIMON's advices so unique ....I will keep shooting like he say !...never give up ! who say photography was easy ?
Same
Great video Simon you actually make hobbyists like me feel better about our photos. Thank you for your input it's appreciated.
My pleasure!
Simon, you're a breath of fresh air. Keep up the good work!
I am as far away from wildlife photography as you can think off. But I really love your channel and find it very helpful. Thank you for all the effort you are putting into this movies.
Awesome, thank you!
Many thanks for all the encouragement and super useful tricks, tips and tutorials, Simon!
Right on Simon. I used to shoot hummingbirds on my porch. The feeder is in the shadows so it was set up with 3 flashes (2 as slaves) in high speed. If I got 1% keepers it was a great day. And, using flash, you can't just mash the shutter! Certainly NOT like being a wedding photographer.... done that a couples of times too though. Photography is like music.... so many genres that are all different.
Such a wonderful philosophy, Simon! And definitely one of the keys to growth and enjoyment of one’s photographic journey.
Of all the photography sites I have read, listened to, or watched, NO ONE has shared this type of information. Thank you for taking the time to put it together. Bravo!
Always exciting to see a new Simon video in the feed 🎉
I like your channel because you speak to me. Me, an un-serious photographer, rather than just someone trying to get into the photography, professional or amateur, scene. I only take photos as a hobby. I am much more of hobbyist jigsaw puzzler, than I am a hobbyist photographer. I find when taking photos, the number one criteria for me is, will it make a good, interesting, jigsaw. One of these days, I'll find a good forum for jigsaw puzzle, photographer, hobbyists. :)
Hi Simon, I'm from the UK and enjoy your videos tremendously. I'm such an amateur at this. You provide such inspiration to people like me. Thank you.
Fantastic!
Thanks. I returned to photography in July 2023 with the purchase of my first mirrorless camera (M50 Mark 2). I have taken over 50,000 images in one year. I can see great progress in my work in that I am learning to make the camera to make the image in my imagination - sometimes. I recently went out and shot hundreds of images that I thought that I would really like. But, I realized that I used too shallow of a depth of field. It was a day of failure. Nothing met the standard that I had developed during the last year. Then I compared them with work that thought was great last August. Yep, several of them were worse. I was feeling a bit down. I went out again and shot some of the same subjects again using a larger depth of field and better exposure bracketing. It is helping me to realize that a bad day can be a great teacher. I needed to hear this encouraging lesson!
This is the kind of positivity that every person needs in their life, great work Simon!
Last year at Toronto Pride I took the only 5 star image in my catalog along with several 4 star images.
This year I walked away with only a couple 2 star images. Disappointed, sure. But I still had a great day and enjoyed the act of photography.
I always know it's going to be a good day when Simon releases a new video. Best photography channel on UA-cam imo.
Take uncommon photos of common things is great advice.
Great advice, but I believe that there was one omission, and that’s the role of post-processing in photography.
When I went digital in 2010 (after shooting 35 mm film for 30 years), I stubbornly stayed away from post-processing for my first 5+ years in the digital world. I was taking pleasing compositions, but my photos weren't "popping" like the "best of the best" on other photographers' IG feeds. It was frustrating enough that I finally caved and started doing post-processing, and it made considerable difference in my final images.
There's still so much that I have to learn about post-processing, but it has made the whole photographic experience more pleasant.
Of course, post-processing can be a double-edged sword if images are processed too much.
Of course we can do it. Thanks for always sharing your photography experience
"Doing photography while you're doing what you love takes the pressure off and allows your photography to be therapeutic and not a pressure cooker." 6:03
Your comment about GateKeepers on social media hit a recent chord with me. I have upgraded my camera and posted an image in a FB group for some advice. Comments were quite cutting and suggested I should not experiment in manual mode til I had had more experience. My reply was that you learn as much from your failures as you do from your keepers. Love your channel.
Great and true response! ❤
I wholeheartedly agree to all of this - and finding beauty in the mundane is not only great practice, it's also a fabulous way to explore what really matters in life and that more often than not it's the little things that can bring just as much joy. Saying that as a former pro for seven years who is now only using her phone and sometimes a jeweler's magnifier glass as addition.
Photo advice does not get better than this!
If I could make one request, it would be to include a few 'failed' images in every video! When you showed the birds cut in half out of the frame, it was so FAMILIAR. I felt something very poignant at that moment. That is obviously such an important part of the process of photography, but we never, ever get to see other people's flops, so it's always a mystery just how/when they happen to others. Your saying that maybe getting one or two good photos out of taking 2,000 is one thing, but to see a few examples was so meaningful. Thanks Simon, you're an asset to UA-cam photography!
Simon, you restore my faith in photography as a hobby to enjoy, not to stress over while trying to be a 'perfect photographer'. UA-cam is full of 'gatekeeper' photographers, spouting rules and decrying anything that isn't to their liking. Your videos are the exception. Thank you.
Top-notch advice Simon, and as usual, so very encouraging. Thank you for taking the time to share your gifts. Cheers🙏
Took a photo of a Common Kingfisher other than sitting still or diving but instead cleaning its wing.
I get told the background is not blurry enough by some other wildlife photographers (though, blurred enough to make the bird stand out).
I tell them I want habitat. An animal doesn't live in a vacuum.
Now some relatives want canvas prints as they see the photo is not like the usual kingfisher photos you see out there.
From day one I didn't care what people say if all it is is negative.
I still make mistakes but I already have quite some nice bird photos.
Enjoy the process….some of the best advice ever. Another wonderful video.
Simon is the photography father figure we all need.
This is an amazing video, full of so many truths which so many need to hear. But, your last tip is probably the single best advice I've ever heard. Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Simply excellent. I have another hobby (scale modeling) that caused me to become interested in photography, as I wanted to post photos of my work. While there’s not many opportunities to be a “pro” in scale modeling, each and every one of these tips and observations applies. If like the vast majority of us, we are not pro’s, but enthusiastic and maybe advanced hobbyists, these tips will make you advance, and more importantly enjoy your craft
this has so much value not only for photographers. Very nice video
I swapped my perspective from "why don't mine look like that" to "I can do that". Its made a huge difference!
Simon, I always look forward to your videos. I think you truly are the best at what you do. You are so thoughtful and helpful. I have been a photographer since 2019 and often am super critical about my work and self doubt often. These tips came at a perfect time and a great reminder. I am going to actually write them down and reference them when I’m doing the whole “self doubt” thing. Thank you!
You are so welcome
Great advice Simon. This is me, I go do things, for the sake of doing them, and bring the camera along. If I spot something I shoot, a bunch. Maybe I'll strike gold. But I probably won't. As long as I have this expectation I never lose.
Every photo that doesn't turn out is practice.
hi Simon i'm totally beginner... i just want to say thank you to generously share ur knowledge. Ur quote, "i know u can do it" i believe help encourage many beginner photographer like me to always learn and practice more. Btw I'm from Indonesia maybe sometime u can explore wildlife in here. I know u will love it :D
I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for sharing. And… I love porcupines!!! Amazing shot!
This little talk has brought back to memory something I've known from early on, as have others of course: If you have a passion for photography, if it 'lights your fire', then you already have the raw material for becoming an excellent photographer. The converse is also true.
My story for Tip #4: I really needed this when it came to the solar eclipse. I was very excited to get photos that day, however, because of the weather, I could only get 3 blurry photos of the partial eclipse in the corner of my camera. Despite that, I was able to enjoy the eclipse with my family and neighbors, seeing both the partial and the effects of the total eclipse. I definitely agree with not letting your photos be the gauge on whether the outing was worth it or not.
You are one of the most wholesome youtubers out there. The opposite of a gatekeeper. I love this channel.
I found your channel like in the veeeery beginning of my photography journey, like literally when I got my first dSLR. And tip 1 really made me feel good because yeah I have always a couple photos I'm genuinely proud of and this makes me proud that that's normal that the percentage of amazing photos I usually not that high.
GREAT ADVICE! I would add that the feeling you get when browsing your RAW file manager and finding that special image is good medicine.
Thanks Simon! In my humble opinion, you're simply the best! Always great advice, only you would bring us this video! Bless your heart.......
I appreciate that!
A breath of fresh air 😊😊
Thank you Simon for the uplifting advice.
😅 I needed to heard that... Thank You Simon... Much Love to You ♥️😃
You are so welcome
Great video and tips and advices, as always, love your videos on photos so much. Respect to your wisdom!
Love simons videos. I'm more of a "SOOC" photographer then one who edits on LR and totally changes their initial photo.
Best advice yet!! Thank you. Needed to hear this.
This advice is GOLD
I agree with the others. Excellent advice. (I've been doing this for a while.) A friend, who recently retired, asked me about why a camera and not a fishing boat? (We both grew up on the NE coast.) I said a camera is like fishing boat. Some days you go out and get a keeper and some days you get nothing. But you still loving going out. However, with a camera your fingers never smell like bait! :-)
Well said!
Woow that was a wonderful video Simon! Just what i need to hear, you're a great person and you got a great personality by sharing your own experiences learning everyone have an excellent day! And thank you!!
Such great tips…for photography and life in general. Thanks Simon!
Thank you! Just Thank you! Nothing more need be said.
You're very welcome!
Thanks for sharing... great tips..👍😀
Hi Simon, that's exactly how it is, sometimes a like from a photographer who considers himself really good is more important than 50 dislikes from someone who might not even be able to take the denigrated shot. I personally started following and being followed on Instagram by a good photographer who has the same surname as me and who follows you (maybe we will even be distant relatives since there aren't many of us with this surname) and any appreciation received can give that enthusiasm needed to improve.