I am in no way in the same leagues as a magnum photographer but just here to share my tips from a brief stint in press photography. I just want to re-emphasise the point on projects. Learn how to take different types of photos. A project is not a collection of images depicting a chosen subject. Its about everything that surrounds it. Details, the atmosphere, the environment, the reactions and interactions. I see so many instagram photographers simply posting series that don’t work together to tell a story. This is not just applicable to magnum but to other photojournalism companies like Nat Geo and Getty. For example, if you are shooting a wildlife project, having 20 photos of the animal portraits is NOT a series. dedicate some of the photos to the environment, their relationship with the space. Learn how to tell the story without your subject being in it as well Next is to learn how to tell a story in a single image. The image is imo more powerful than a video cuz it evokes imagination. You are not laying out a sequence of events but are presenting a moment within that sequence. Learn how to engage the viewers imagination so that they can visualise what happened before and after that moment. Thats what makes an impactful image that catches the attention and is often what news editors look for for the front page. I know this is a long comment, but for those that read through, hope this helps!
The “embedding” is the most important aspect. The best photos need time. Not for taking them, but for the photographer to become a fly on the wall. People need to get comfortable with your presence, for you to be able to photograph something meaningful. Also, Leica helps. 🤣
After getting back into it after a hiatus and wanting not to get too stuck in "taking pictures of my family" I looked back at what I had and tried to pick up on themes. And I think that's the cool thing about accidentally giving yourself almost 2 decades of experience (with a few years breaks here and there) you get to see what you care about, what patterns you have, what you absolutely don't like doing. But I was able to say "here are things that matter to me and STILL matter to me and I can continue to focus on".
This is why I always say I'm a travel, street, doc, & snap photographer. The travel aspect focuses on ideally representing place or scene setting. The street aspect focuses on finding optimal light/angles/symmetries/contrasts/humour even in mundanity. The doc aspect focuses on capturing story/time/culture/society/people. The snap aspect focuses on mood/expressiveness/ambience. Another way to think of it is like switching between getting insta bangers, working a scene, reportage, and tumblr/vsco vibes. 😂
Another great video! The only difference between us and them is the dedication and intention. Our gear is significantly better and faster, it is easier to get anywhere in the world and travel to incredible places, and we can manipulate photos to look nothing like the raw image (or even the film itself that can be manipulated in LR). It only comes down to dedication and experience, which can be achieved, so now it's up to us to take ourselves out and be there! Overall, this turned out to be a surprisingly optimistic comment!
Shooting an assignment or a project requires a much greater degree of focus and commitment…but you can turn any shoot into a project, as long as you commit to the idea of it before you take the first shot.
"Bit of a genre smoothie." Lost my ability to pay attention for about 3 minutes after that. Had to back up and replay a few times because I was still smirking.
All these Magnum photographers are on paid assignments for magazines and newspapers. Trust me if you get paid to be in a particular city or location then you will get great photos. My advice focus on documenting where you live.
@@RANDassociatesincthats not at all what he meant. He said that since a lot of magnum phitographers work for (mostly local) newspapers, they photograph in the cities they already know. So photographing in your city can make for better pictures, because you know your environemt better and are more comfortable.
so tired of these titles... "THIS is why your photos SUCK" "Here's what you're doing WRONG about photography" "5 editing mistakes EVERYONE makes" sorry man i have nothing against you personally but damn
They may not all be great, but at the very least, I think it's a shame as a photographer and as a journalist to focus on beauty while turning a blind eye to ethical issues. Ten Magnum Photos members are working on a photography project from 2021 to 2026 in South Korea's Sinan County. South Korea's Sinan County is a place where ethical issues such as human trafficking, sex trafficking, slavery, and wage labor continue to persist to this day, and there are many people who think that artists are hired there to launder images. I am one of them. There was another slavery case there three years ago. During that time, they were probably working hard to capture the beauty of Xin'an County for their employers rather than the dark shadows of the place. No media outlet would be critical of hiring artists to launder images. I don't want to suggest that artists should necessarily care about social issues, that it's their duty. But I think it's different when it's journalists who are not artists. Are they artists? Are they journalists? 👎
Magnum photographers are all great but the lacking of diversity in their group speaks volumes. Are white males the only people that are allowed to take great photos and be celebrated for doing so? Incredible that we miss this and that it's so normalised through photography culture.
I generally agree with your conclusion. ID go even further in saying that the Google old boys in the club promote one specific political agenda also. And that is where Magnum fails in general.
I always thought Magnum togs were just part of a boys club..........................aren't they? A bit like getting a ' Master Shot ' on LFI ( only if you are paying a subscription .....even though they deny it.......officially)
I love the sound quality from the wooden mic
Thanks haha
I am in no way in the same leagues as a magnum photographer but just here to share my tips from a brief stint in press photography.
I just want to re-emphasise the point on projects. Learn how to take different types of photos. A project is not a collection of images depicting a chosen subject. Its about everything that surrounds it. Details, the atmosphere, the environment, the reactions and interactions. I see so many instagram photographers simply posting series that don’t work together to tell a story. This is not just applicable to magnum but to other photojournalism companies like Nat Geo and Getty. For example, if you are shooting a wildlife project, having 20 photos of the animal portraits is NOT a series. dedicate some of the photos to the environment, their relationship with the space. Learn how to tell the story without your subject being in it as well
Next is to learn how to tell a story in a single image. The image is imo more powerful than a video cuz it evokes imagination. You are not laying out a sequence of events but are presenting a moment within that sequence. Learn how to engage the viewers imagination so that they can visualise what happened before and after that moment. Thats what makes an impactful image that catches the attention and is often what news editors look for for the front page.
I know this is a long comment, but for those that read through, hope this helps!
The “embedding” is the most important aspect. The best photos need time. Not for taking them, but for the photographer to become a fly on the wall. People need to get comfortable with your presence, for you to be able to photograph something meaningful. Also, Leica helps. 🤣
100% it's all about time! Maybe Leica should lend me the new m11 to try....
After getting back into it after a hiatus and wanting not to get too stuck in "taking pictures of my family" I looked back at what I had and tried to pick up on themes. And I think that's the cool thing about accidentally giving yourself almost 2 decades of experience (with a few years breaks here and there) you get to see what you care about, what patterns you have, what you absolutely don't like doing. But I was able to say "here are things that matter to me and STILL matter to me and I can continue to focus on".
This is why I always say I'm a travel, street, doc, & snap photographer.
The travel aspect focuses on ideally representing place or scene setting. The street aspect focuses on finding optimal light/angles/symmetries/contrasts/humour even in mundanity. The doc aspect focuses on capturing story/time/culture/society/people. The snap aspect focuses on mood/expressiveness/ambience.
Another way to think of it is like switching between getting insta bangers, working a scene, reportage, and tumblr/vsco vibes. 😂
Another great video!
The only difference between us and them is the dedication and intention. Our gear is significantly better and faster, it is easier to get anywhere in the world and travel to incredible places, and we can manipulate photos to look nothing like the raw image (or even the film itself that can be manipulated in LR).
It only comes down to dedication and experience, which can be achieved, so now it's up to us to take ourselves out and be there! Overall, this turned out to be a surprisingly optimistic comment!
100%! We're so used to everything being instant now, it's easy to forget how long those guys were grinding for.
@@huntercreatesthings Absolutely. My grandpa used to say, "To take a good picture, you need to get your shoes worn down." he was so right!
Thanks for the great video Hunter. I love the sound quality, especially the wooden spoon mic
Glad you enjoyed!
Let’s face it, it’s because they used Leica.
Great video as always. Thanks for sharing your views :)
Haha thank you!
art is experienced, products are consumed
Shooting an assignment or a project requires a much greater degree of focus and commitment…but you can turn any shoot into a project, as long as you commit to the idea of it before you take the first shot.
"Bit of a genre smoothie." Lost my ability to pay attention for about 3 minutes after that. Had to back up and replay a few times because I was still smirking.
Hahaha thanks Chris, glad you enjoyed!!!
@@huntercreatesthings - I don't watch TV or even many shows and movies any more. I just wait for you and the spoon.
All these Magnum photographers are on paid assignments for magazines and newspapers. Trust me if you get paid to be in a particular city or location then you will get great photos.
My advice focus on documenting where you live.
Are you a high level working photographer? Why should I “trust” you? Reality: paying someone does not automatically = good photographs.
@@RANDassociatesincthats not at all what he meant. He said that since a lot of magnum phitographers work for (mostly local) newspapers, they photograph in the cities they already know. So photographing in your city can make for better pictures, because you know your environemt better and are more comfortable.
love your videos dude and really enjoy topics like these
Appreciate you 🙏🙏🙏
Guys, big brother posted!
Aw crap I'm late.
I forgive you (this time)
@@huntercreatesthings Thank you 😂
i wish i could look as good you do
It's all movie magic tbh
Another great video!
Thanks so much!!!
Definitely the leica cameras that made the difference 😂
mate the dc link is expired.
Fixed, thank you!
so tired of these titles...
"THIS is why your photos SUCK"
"Here's what you're doing WRONG about photography"
"5 editing mistakes EVERYONE makes"
sorry man i have nothing against you personally but damn
Unfortunately the way things are right now, to get people to click you gotta be a little sensational.
They may not all be great, but at the very least, I think it's a shame as a photographer and as a journalist to focus on beauty while turning a blind eye to ethical issues.
Ten Magnum Photos members are working on a photography project from 2021 to 2026 in South Korea's Sinan County. South Korea's Sinan County is a place where ethical issues such as human trafficking, sex trafficking, slavery, and wage labor continue to persist to this day, and there are many people who think that artists are hired there to launder images. I am one of them.
There was another slavery case there three years ago. During that time, they were probably working hard to capture the beauty of Xin'an County for their employers rather than the dark shadows of the place. No media outlet would be critical of hiring artists to launder images.
I don't want to suggest that artists should necessarily care about social issues, that it's their duty. But I think it's different when it's journalists who are not artists. Are they artists? Are they journalists? 👎
Magnum photographers are all great but the lacking of diversity in their group speaks volumes. Are white males the only people that are allowed to take great photos and be celebrated for doing so? Incredible that we miss this and that it's so normalised through photography culture.
I generally agree with your conclusion. ID go even further in saying that the Google old boys in the club promote one specific political agenda also. And that is where Magnum fails in general.
Magnum has become political agenda oriented. Turning down a nomination to magnum has possibly become a bigger badge of honor than membership.
To be a Magnum photographer you need a Magnum dong 😭
read John Berger, that will help
I always thought Magnum togs were just part of a boys club..........................aren't they? A bit like getting a ' Master Shot ' on LFI ( only if you are paying a subscription .....even though they deny it.......officially)
Wheres your shirt from 👁️👄👁️
Thrifted!
@@huntercreatesthings ooehh lucky
To get more clicks : How you can become as good as a Magnum photographer! 😅