Well thank you very much for taking the time to listen to me. Talk about these things. It does feel like sometimes I’m swimming against the tide but it’s great when I see the type of responses that these videos get and realise that there is a space for people just to simply talk about what they appreciate.
I have been confronted many times by photographers who say that an image has to stand on its own, words get in the way. So wonderful to see examples that show how words and images are great partners.
As I was saying to another person in the comments I think when people have to explain the photograph then the photograph is a failure or at least it’s not as good as the photography thing it is. However when the story is just that it is a story of the environment around the photograph then I think it is a whole experience which makes the enjoyment of the image so much richer
I love the verbal narrative from the photographer. I've always resisted the concept of an image "telling a story". Imo that's a vacuous comment because a picture evokes a visual reaction and triggers emotion, rather than telling a story. Deep understanding of the intentionality of the artist and details of the subject needs words.
There’s a big difference between a photograph telling a story, a photographer trying to explain the photograph, and a story of the events surrounding the photograph I think in this case, like I often see with Obie Oberholzer as well, it is the story of the events that make the photograph so much richer
We’re usually told that our picture should “tell a story”to be most effective. Yet, many of this gentlemen’s picture are very good they are taken to the next level and only tell a story (to me) when I am read the actual narrative about how he felt. Taking a decent picture is nice; being able to share your feelings (effectively) on why you took the picture is yet another skill that can take your picture to the next level.
The more I’m exploring the photographs that were around in a more commercial sense during my childhood which is the 70s and 80s I see a lot of this solid very bold colour work at play and I’m starting to take a real shine to it
Thanks for profiling Meola, his color work along with Pete Turner’s was what I aspired to as a young photographer. I think both of them deserve more credit for their contributions than they typically get.
I think the problem is that that type of photography isn’t really very fashionable today. It’s also possible and this is just my gut feeling because it’s quite commercially orientated it’s filed into the not really art bin
@@ThePhotographicEye most definitely, as far as I know neither Turner or Meola have been collected to any great extent by the major museums. I expect it’s very much the opposite for Eggleston. In Andy Grundberg’s excellent book How Photography Became Contemporary Art, he mentions that back when he was writing for Modern Photography he would sometime visit the “commercial “ studio of Pete Turner. There was a real hierarchy in the art world, at least back then, between commercial and fine art photography. Of course, that line got pretty well erased for Irving Penn.
I am once again confirmed in always shooting in RAW mode and even when I am in MC mode (NIKON for monochrome) for architecture, especially construction sites, I always have the option to explore some pics in color afterwards. People who shoot only in BW really don't know what they are missing. So the expensive Leica Monochrome would NEVER be a choice for me. Thanks for refreshing Meola and Turner here. I know them since mid-70s.
That phrase.....photograph in colour or photograph colour......has just resonated with me with so much power. It's been a huge mindshift change in just the couple of weeks since this video appeared in my feed. I've probably photographed 80%+ of my work recently in B&W but this has made me totally reappraise how I view many scenes, and resulted in some colour images I'm really pleased with recently. Looking forward to more. Thanks
I so enjoy listening to you. I feel your respect & awe as you convey your delight in the images you show case. I am learning from you how to look at an image. Thank you.
The images and comments from books made for a powerful experience. Thanks for introducing more photographers to enjoy. I took a lot of screenshots of Eric Meola's pictures to enjoy later on my phone. Huge thanks for this outstanding video.
I have taught many people to manipulate light with a camera. "The one thing I tell them all is anyone can take a picture, but it takes talent to take a photograph." A photograph tells a story and conveys feeling, it makes the audience want to know more and want to be in that moment. Learn the basics, learn to brake the rules and find your voice within the medium of manipulating light and share our world and keep making others love this world.
Your channel and specifically videos like these are costing me money. After you profile these great photographers, my collection of books increases while my bank account balance decreases. 😂😂
I got my copy of the book today! Now, as far as the cohorts go . . . my sense, for right or wrong, is that they are mostly beginner oriented. If they were more advanced, more conceptual, more art oriented, I'd be interested!
Thanks Alex. You have encouraged me to look beyond my first impressions when perusing the photography section at my local used-book store. One has to sit with a book like the ones you presented here to connect with the photographer as well as their photos. Come to think about it, it was the writings of Ansel Adams that I appreciated at least as much as the photographs in his autobiography, AA's willingness to share his craft with others is a hallmark that you have carried forward. Good-on-ya.
Sensitivity to colour and expressing it is a wonderful thing, many thanks. There was an absolutely fantastic Spanish photographer blazing a trail in colour cityscapes when I was learning photography in the 1970s. To me he was the equal of Pete Turner, if not better. And he's not even on Wikipedia! Have you heard of him - he was called Francisco Hidalgo.
WOW! As a colour blind photographer I tend to love strong colours, even if others think they clash! And the cowboy in me would love to visit the great planes. The only photo I've ever purchased is Tony Worobiec's shot of a tiny church house with the huge mammatus clouds forming proceeding a tornado. I will look out for a copy of Eric's book. Brilliant video, one of the best in the series. Thank you. And yes, I would have turned the smokey cowboy into mono :)
Perhaps a stylish coffee pot or an aqua-colored Dutch oven sitting on the stovetop would add dimension and life, akin to a photograph. Since a coffee mug is a constant presence, it makes sense to display its source as well.
I have often said that no matter what the world does or from what eyes we may see in the future, therebwill always be beauty to see. In the sparkle of flame on quartz in concrete. Or the mixture of colors on a rusted debris. The rainbow sheen of contaminated water. The dance of happy rats in acid rain. Whatever, whereever, we have the capacity to find beauty the way dogs find sticks for play.
I’d love to see a video like this, but about your books. Just a quick summary on each and the photographer. Never heard of this guy, but I’ll be looking into his work!
@@ThePhotographicEye Yes, that's what i was getting at. Would be useful as a reference point and a starting point for those like myself who are relatively new to the channel.
Thanks for sharing this. Interestingly, I was in the process of editing a photo when I watched this. I'm generally not a fan of pushing saturation, but reviewing Meola's work (as well as that of others of a similar sensibility) prompted me to "emphasize the color" (one in particular) in the image and I feel that it makes a stronger statement as a result. Just as Ansel pushed reality to achieve his previsualization on an image, those who emphasize color judiciously (or not so much) can really transform an image (well, duh)... I'll have to get that book--as you point out, he's really quite eloquent.
I’m also not a big fan of just simply whacking up colour saturation as a talk about in the colour course that I just put out but there is a case for knowing when to lean heavily into that saturation
Interesting opening photograph of Eric Meloa. The Americana theme is so obvious.The red storage doors, the white walls, the blue sky and the white fishtail 1950's car peeking through the door is priceless. Most his photographs are reminiscent of a time and place gone by. The photograph at 11:15 looks like a Marlboro cigarette print ad. I doubt the photograph would work as a black & white, because the impact of the Americana reminiscent theme would be lost. Since AI has no soul, it can never capture or comprehend that theme.
If somebody’s reading this who photographs digitally then I would suggest it rather than being able to carry two bodies around you think deliberately about whether or not the photograph is going to be in colour or black-and-white before you press the shutter
Ah love the rusty metal pattern (around 9:00). Very painting-like. This, I think, is one of the cases where color works really well. Shooting in black & white diminishes the effect.
@@DebiSenGupta don’t remind me! One of my little boys friends is half Indian and we had a holi festival at their place once! For a week after his hair was still blue !
What is this channel! Why is he talking about art of photography? Does he have nikon z7? Canon r6? The latest eye tracking af??? This is so new to me...
These have always been my favorite episodes of yours, where you highlight the work of an artist. Just don’t forget to include women and people of color, please.
I have to say I like the photos a lot more before hearing about what the photographer was thinking and feeling. It feels like a desperate used car salesman trying tell why it’s special rather than letting me decide for myself, in most cases for me it undermines the work.( I’m sure an unpopular opinion)
Some people prefer not to hear any thoughts from the photographers and some people do In this case, I very much like them because they aren’t stories about the photographs specifically themselves but the story around the image My personal bugbear is titles on photographs. I’ve never seen the point of having to put mothers ruin or sleeping angel underneath the photograph of a bottle of gin or a quiet baby!
I like hearing the stories, not from the perspective of the photographer at first. I want to hear from someone who has intimate knowledge of the subject. THEN, if the photographer has something interesting or worthwhile to add then say it. Otherwise keep quiet and let the voices and ghosts from inside the image speak, otherwise they will be drowned out.
I think if I had the book I'd look at the photo on its own for a few minutes and study it. Then I'd read what the photographer had to say. I think this particular photographer is very good with words, I certainly feel the story about the man getting married in the church and saying goodbye to his son in the same church after 'THAT' war added to the image.
Great question, "are you a colour photographer or a photographer who take photos of colour?" To me colour has feeling. Sometimes it is the combination of colours in an image. This question made me stop and think, and I don't take photographs if I don't like the colour.
Please excuse the spelling error in the title card- it should be Eric Meola, Eirc Menola!
also in the caption you spelled it Meloa.
I so appreciate you talking about images, ideas, feelings. I'm tired of listening about cameras, techniques and AI.
people forget what it is to take a photograph and just snap pictures with the best of gear.
Well thank you very much for taking the time to listen to me. Talk about these things. It does feel like sometimes I’m swimming against the tide but it’s great when I see the type of responses that these videos get and realise that there is a space for people just to simply talk about what they appreciate.
I have been confronted many times by photographers who say that an image has to stand on its own, words get in the way. So wonderful to see examples that show how words and images are great partners.
As I was saying to another person in the comments I think when people have to explain the photograph then the photograph is a failure or at least it’s not as good as the photography thing it is. However when the story is just that it is a story of the environment around the photograph then I think it is a whole experience which makes the enjoyment of the image so much richer
Eric's words are as artistic as his photographs. Brilliant.
Yes, I really enjoyed them as well!
Another top video…thanks for introducing me to the inspiring photography of Eric Meola!
I love the verbal narrative from the photographer. I've always resisted the concept of an image "telling a story". Imo that's a vacuous comment because a picture evokes a visual reaction and triggers emotion, rather than telling a story. Deep understanding of the intentionality of the artist and details of the subject needs words.
There’s a big difference between a photograph telling a story, a photographer trying to explain the photograph, and a story of the events surrounding the photograph
I think in this case, like I often see with Obie Oberholzer as well, it is the story of the events that make the photograph so much richer
Stunning photographs complete with a stunning narrative. Makes the whole experience of the photography so much more complete.
We’re usually told that our picture should “tell a story”to be most effective. Yet, many of this gentlemen’s picture are very good they are taken to the next level and only tell a story (to me) when I am read the actual narrative about how he felt. Taking a decent picture is nice; being able to share your feelings (effectively) on why you took the picture is yet another skill that can take your picture to the next level.
Eric Meola was a constant in the mags during the 80's, loved his work influenced me greatly, so simple yet full, and all on 'film'
The more I’m exploring the photographs that were around in a more commercial sense during my childhood which is the 70s and 80s I see a lot of this solid very bold colour work at play and I’m starting to take a real shine to it
Thank you for showcasing this. He is clearly as good a poet as he is a photographer.
Your videos are always inspiring and educational
Thanks for profiling Meola, his color work along with Pete Turner’s was what I aspired to as a young photographer. I think both of them deserve more credit for their contributions than they typically get.
I think the problem is that that type of photography isn’t really very fashionable today.
It’s also possible and this is just my gut feeling because it’s quite commercially orientated it’s filed into the not really art bin
@@ThePhotographicEye most definitely, as far as I know neither Turner or Meola have been collected to any great extent by the major museums. I expect it’s very much the opposite for Eggleston. In Andy Grundberg’s excellent book How Photography Became Contemporary Art, he mentions that back when he was writing for Modern Photography he would sometime visit the “commercial “ studio of Pete Turner. There was a real hierarchy in the art world, at least back then, between commercial and fine art photography. Of course, that line got pretty well erased for Irving Penn.
The Spaceport photo blew my mind...
I am once again confirmed in always shooting in RAW mode and even when I am in MC mode (NIKON for monochrome) for architecture, especially construction sites, I always have the option to explore some pics in color afterwards. People who shoot only in BW really don't know what they are missing. So the expensive Leica Monochrome would NEVER be a choice for me. Thanks for refreshing Meola and Turner here. I know them since mid-70s.
That phrase.....photograph in colour or photograph colour......has just resonated with me with so much power. It's been a huge mindshift change in just the couple of weeks since this video appeared in my feed. I've probably photographed 80%+ of my work recently in B&W but this has made me totally reappraise how I view many scenes, and resulted in some colour images I'm really pleased with recently. Looking forward to more. Thanks
I so enjoy listening to you. I feel your respect & awe as you convey your delight in the images you show case. I am learning from you how to look at an image. Thank you.
The images and comments from books made for a powerful experience. Thanks for introducing more photographers to enjoy. I took a lot of screenshots of Eric Meola's pictures to enjoy later on my phone. Huge thanks for this outstanding video.
Is my pleasure I’m only recently coming to experience his photography so I thought it be a great moment to share it with you
I have taught many people to manipulate light with a camera. "The one thing I tell them all is anyone can take a picture, but it takes talent to take a photograph." A photograph tells a story and conveys feeling, it makes the audience want to know more and want to be in that moment.
Learn the basics, learn to brake the rules and find your voice within the medium of manipulating light and share our world and keep making others love this world.
Thank you for taking the time to watch a video and share your thoughtful comment
Your channel and specifically videos like these are costing me money. After you profile these great photographers, my collection of books increases while my bank account balance decreases. 😂😂
Really beautiful color images and beautiful prose describing their creation.
I’m glad you enjoyed them Simon. Thank you for taking the time to watch.
@@ThePhotographicEye Your stuff is nearly alwaysworth watching.
I got my copy of the book today!
Now, as far as the cohorts go . . . my sense, for right or wrong, is that they are mostly beginner oriented. If they were more advanced, more conceptual, more art oriented, I'd be interested!
Thanks Alex. You have encouraged me to look beyond my first impressions when perusing the photography section at my local used-book store. One has to sit with a book like the ones you presented here to connect with the photographer as well as their photos. Come to think about it, it was the writings of Ansel Adams that I appreciated at least as much as the photographs in his autobiography, AA's willingness to share his craft with others is a hallmark that you have carried forward. Good-on-ya.
I’m glad that it helped you and that you’ve been introduced to a wonderful photographer
Sensitivity to colour and expressing it is a wonderful thing, many thanks. There was an absolutely fantastic Spanish photographer blazing a trail in colour cityscapes when I was learning photography in the 1970s. To me he was the equal of Pete Turner, if not better. And he's not even on Wikipedia! Have you heard of him - he was called Francisco Hidalgo.
WOW! As a colour blind photographer I tend to love strong colours, even if others think they clash! And the cowboy in me would love to visit the great planes. The only photo I've ever purchased is Tony Worobiec's shot of a tiny church house with the huge mammatus clouds forming proceeding a tornado. I will look out for a copy of Eric's book.
Brilliant video, one of the best in the series.
Thank you.
And yes, I would have turned the smokey cowboy into mono :)
I remember Eric Meola’s work during my early photography days in the 1980s. Beautiful work!
I was so taken with the images when I first saw them, but I thought I just have to share it with you
Another great contribution to your video library, Alex. Be well, and my God bless you.
This is photography Gold people !!!!! Watch it twice and “feel”………
Perhaps a stylish coffee pot or an aqua-colored Dutch oven sitting on the stovetop would add dimension and life, akin to a photograph. Since a coffee mug is a constant presence, it makes sense to display its source as well.
I have often said that no matter what the world does or from what eyes we may see in the future, therebwill always be beauty to see. In the sparkle of flame on quartz in concrete. Or the mixture of colors on a rusted debris. The rainbow sheen of contaminated water. The dance of happy rats in acid rain. Whatever, whereever, we have the capacity to find beauty the way dogs find sticks for play.
As always, this video has inspired and delighted me. You have introduced me to a photographer I don’t know. Thank you!
Fantastic photo's! Thanks for sharing this great video. Inspiring.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful photos, and writing as well. Thank you for sharing them.
Well, I’d like to say thank you, but it’s all Eric’s doing
I’d love to see a video like this, but about your books. Just a quick summary on each and the photographer.
Never heard of this guy, but I’ll be looking into his work!
You mean the photobooks I own?
@@ThePhotographicEye Yes, that's what i was getting at. Would be useful as a reference point and a starting point for those like myself who are relatively new to the channel.
This was such a treat both visual and audio. What an amazing artist.
Thank you for watching yes, I really like Eric’s work
An emotional and stunning video to watch. Thank you.
I loved this video.
And I love the fact that you loved it!
Thanks for sharing this. Interestingly, I was in the process of editing a photo when I watched this. I'm generally not a fan of pushing saturation, but reviewing Meola's work (as well as that of others of a similar sensibility) prompted me to "emphasize the color" (one in particular) in the image and I feel that it makes a stronger statement as a result. Just as Ansel pushed reality to achieve his previsualization on an image, those who emphasize color judiciously (or not so much) can really transform an image (well, duh)... I'll have to get that book--as you point out, he's really quite eloquent.
I’m also not a big fan of just simply whacking up colour saturation as a talk about in the colour course that I just put out but there is a case for knowing when to lean heavily into that saturation
loved the images but the descriptions to the enjoyment to a whole new level.................thanks for sharing Alex
Excellent! Many thanks Alex for sharing Eric's images and beautiful words. I must look for this book.
Interesting opening photograph of Eric Meloa. The Americana theme is so obvious.The red storage doors, the white walls, the blue sky and the white fishtail 1950's car peeking through the door is priceless. Most his photographs are reminiscent of a time and place gone by. The photograph at 11:15 looks like a Marlboro cigarette print ad. I doubt the photograph would work as a black & white, because the impact of the Americana reminiscent theme would be lost. Since AI has no soul, it can never capture or comprehend that theme.
I think it’s also worth bearing in mind that these photographs are taken over a protracted period of time from the 1970s till the present day
Great pictures and interesting discussion about the soul of the photo... ❤❤
Thanks ever so much for taking the time to watch the video and leave your comment
I saw Eric’s word to do far better than my own in this case
These images are truly stunning!
Great video with lots of stimulating ideas!
Finally! First comment! Thank you for these high quality lessons!
Congrats! Glad you're enjoying them :D
Wonderful journey!
absolutely loved this
Thank you for another great video!
Thank-you.... 'Colour for colour's sake.' Carry around two bodies, one with Fujichrome in it, the other with HP5. (was thinking Martin Parr.)
If somebody’s reading this who photographs digitally then I would suggest it rather than being able to carry two bodies around you think deliberately about whether or not the photograph is going to be in colour or black-and-white before you press the shutter
Ah love the rusty metal pattern (around 9:00). Very painting-like. This, I think, is one of the cases where color works really well. Shooting in black & white diminishes the effect.
This is a good example of when the photographer needs to know what sort of treatment for the image is gonna work best
Really enjoyed this one, Alex thank you!
Glad to hear it!
Fire is an amazing shot!
Enjoyed this in conjunction with your weekly mailer.
Thank you we are having a bit of a colour theme at the moment aren’t we?
@@ThePhotographicEye it's almost like it's Holi 😁
@@DebiSenGupta don’t remind me! One of my little boys friends is half Indian and we had a holi festival at their place once!
For a week after his hair was still blue !
Thank you Alex, once again, for this great video.
I’m glad you enjoyed it and thank you for taking the time to watch
Enjoyed your video thanks for posting 👍
More inspiration man. Thanks 👍📸
My pleasure!
What is this channel! Why is he talking about art of photography? Does he have nikon z7? Canon r6? The latest eye tracking af???
This is so new to me...
I loved this one!
Thanks, Dan!
very inspirational...thank you Alex!
It’s my pleasure
Thanks!
I love that, junkyard angels.
Pretty wonderful. Thank you.
Thank you too!
Thank you Alex
Let’s take the time to thank Eric
cool. 'junkyard angel' is a phrase used in a Bob Dylan song...
Is it that’s pretty awesome?
Thank you from down under 😊
You’re welcome 😊
10:03 I love rust. I'm still trying to figure out how to bring out the decaying colors.
My feeling is that flat overcast light would give you the most control to start bringing out those colours
@@ThePhotographicEye gracias amigo.
These have always been my favorite episodes of yours, where you highlight the work of an artist. Just don’t forget to include women and people of color, please.
There are many videos in the library - go check them out.
Another great video
Thanks again!
I have to say I like the photos a lot more before hearing about what the photographer was thinking and feeling. It feels like a desperate used car salesman trying tell why it’s special rather than letting me decide for myself, in most cases for me it undermines the work.( I’m sure an unpopular opinion)
Some people prefer not to hear any thoughts from the photographers and some people do
In this case, I very much like them because they aren’t stories about the photographs specifically themselves but the story around the image
My personal bugbear is titles on photographs. I’ve never seen the point of having to put mothers ruin or sleeping angel underneath the photograph of a bottle of gin or a quiet baby!
I like hearing the stories, not from the perspective of the photographer at first. I want to hear from someone who has intimate knowledge of the subject. THEN, if the photographer has something interesting or worthwhile to add then say it. Otherwise keep quiet and let the voices and ghosts from inside the image speak, otherwise they will be drowned out.
@@ThePhotographicEye Yeah I’m not big on titles either, personally I like work to stand on its own, but ty for sharing great photos.
I think if I had the book I'd look at the photo on its own for a few minutes and study it. Then I'd read what the photographer had to say. I think this particular photographer is very good with words, I certainly feel the story about the man getting married in the church and saying goodbye to his son in the same church after 'THAT' war added to the image.
Thank you
You're welcome
For me one of your best clips so far - I LOVE the quote about the beauty of Junkyard Angels and RUST (commonly known as the Great Destroyer) - THX!
The story behind the photo has been missing for so long. Eric Meola, by your reading Alex, is a great photojournalist.
I think he’s just great at being eloquent about the stories around his photographs
Great question, "are you a colour photographer or a photographer who take photos of colour?" To me colour has feeling. Sometimes it is the combination of colours in an image. This question made me stop and think, and I don't take photographs if I don't like the colour.
I’m glad the question resonated with you and thank you for taking the time for sharing your thoughts
nice❤❤❤
Definitely an accomplished photographer and commercially successful, but a bit like sophisticated stock photography to me.
hi Alex, I held my keyboard so far, but the last few videos had a poor microphone voice quality
hi. Sorry you're finding it hard to hear me.
Please can you tell me more what 'poor' quality is
@@ThePhotographicEye sounds like you swapped your mic to a cheap, small one from whatever you had before.
Schinner Ville
Thank you for this interesting video. For those who like colour photography, check also Jay Maisel. My favorite of all times 🙂
Thank you for the reminder about Jay shall have to get onto that and do a video
❤
2:12 Okay Charlie Daniels...
Tan-zan-ee-ah
2:45 who has babies in churches?
Greetings from Malaysia. Some absolutely amazing photos here Alex, thank you! Might have to shell out the cash for this one 🫡
Well, thank you very much for taking the time to watch this video all the way from over there in Malaysia