Wow I needed this. I get discouraged being stuck in my hometown as I feel like I've taken every photo I can take, but there's always something more. Cheers 🤘
Have you ever been confronted when shooting in small towns? I feel like people in small towns ( I know this because I live in one, much smaller one than the video) like their privacy and reject people photographing.
Living in a small town in the UK I never take local street photos. I've been thinking it would be great if Evan did a vlog on shooting in small-town, So big thanks for added inspiration!
"Everyone has a unique story to tell." It's beyond true. Nobody makes art like you do in the place you are at this exact moment. Thanks for the inspiration. Your videos always make me wanna go out and shoot.
Ive been photographing the same small town for years and i think the most important point in this video is, as you said, "Keeping your inspiration in line with reality." its so hard to consume so much work from youtube/instagram of landscapes/spaces that are no where in near the realm of what your area has to offer. Many times i feel low about my work because I'm comparing it to mountain landscapes, and sometimes its weeks before I get my mental back in check and make the work thats local to me again. Very well put together video.
There are so many small towns in my state. I'm going to drive around them sometime and take shots inspired by my favorite movies! Thanks for another great video Evan!
I absolutely love this video. I don't necessarily live in a small town nor big city. But photographers where I live tend to go to the sAme spots over and over and I find that boring. When I started shooting at random buildings/places it really made a huge difference. Now I'm always looking for spots I could potentially go to and make my photos not boring.
I think what's even more difficult than making photos in a small town, is making photos in suburbia. It's all rows and rows of McMansions, and multiple "lifestyle centers" with all the same chain stores and restaurants. There's just so little that is interesting or unique, or not a complete eyesore, that it just leaves me feeling stuck with my photography. Does anyone else struggle with this?
I need to hear this! I go to college in a small town and finding inspiration can be hard at times! So this was refreshing to hear! Keep up the work my man
Great points for those outside big cities. People just need to go out and shoot. The same principles apply in big or little cities. Best get out and practice now for when you do finally get to one of those iconic places. Failing to practice is practicing to fail.
Bro you spoke some serious gospel because everything you said I am going through as a new photographer. Ive been at this now going on 1 year and I cant thank you enough for putting this type of content out. Awesome job.
This means so much because I am trying hard to develop a photography/creative career and I am based in Orwell, OH, which is about fifteen to twenty minutes past nowhere.
Very odd Evan I just got done walking around my small town taking photos after having a talk with my self how I need to find interesting perspectives. Then shortly after here you go posting a video of it.. Great Video
Friggin' awesome video. Recently, I've been doing small town "walk arounds": one roll of film, one lens, one occasion, one small town, and posting these pictures on social. I have been surprised how inspired and excited my friends have been. Must be something about seeing their town in a way they have been missing all these years...
This is one of my favorite videos I’ve seen of yours. I often struggle with what to photograph around Nashville. Not that there isn’t a lot, but that I seem to get it a rut. The idea of challenging myself never really hit me. Thank you for this 💯
Search up Joe Greer, he’s a film photographer in Nashville, he’s been an inspiration for me, dig up in his Instagram and should be able to find a lot of shoots did downtown.
I'm a HUGE fan of small town shooting. It's my primary subject. Every single town is very different. Sometimes I plan my trip...and sometimes I grab my gear and just drive with no destination in my mind until I get there. :)
Next time you're in TN, swing thru Asheville NC and let's get some snaps! Super inspirational video for somebody living in a smaller town who finds himself comparing his shots to those of larger cities and feels "left out".
Thank you for making this video. I needed this like no other. You see I am that guy that lives in a small town and I and everything you said rang true to what I am doing. Thank you for the inspiration.
So so true. I've been making photos in small towns around Birmingham, AL for years. It definitely takes a keener eye and a more creative effort. It's worth it!
Awesome video, Evan! I think a lot of people need to hear this, I've been photographing where I live although I used to consider it boring. I'm working on a project on documenting my neighborhood.
I live in a small town in jersey. I always felt like I had to travel to NY to get cool shots, I don't think I even tried taking pictures in my town. I really appreciate this. I'll try to explore my own little town little more and think out of box a bit.
I love street photography but live in a small town in northeast Iowa. No subways here, lol! Small town street can be a thing for sure. And definitely the people, if you’re brave enough to engage. Good encouragement.
Straight up know exactly what you’re talking about. I moved from Melbourne, Australia to a small town in Sweden, with a tiny population in comparison, with my wife and kids last year. There’s plenty to shoot and the possibilities are endless depending on what style you shoot too. Urban landscape, street, streetscape, documentary, street still life, landscape, candid portraits, etc. I think it forces you to be MORE creative. Just need to think outside the box. Great video as always, mate!!
Lately I have felt a lack of motivation and inspiration in my photography. Your talk about reality has hit home. I’m going to get back out there and take some photos. Thanks man.
Thank you Evan!! Love this! Been so down on myself for the past few years with current area and not having the same things around me that I’ve been inspired by in the past…getting out and after it this week over here in Dickson, TN
It's very refreshing to find a photographer who really has something to say. Watched a few of yours now and there are always pearls of wisdom in there that I can apply to my own situation, I appreciate it and have subscribed. :))
Evan, thank you so much for your message. It really hit home for me. As a re(new)ed photographer, I've watched dozens of RUclips videos on people taking awesome portraits, landscapes and street photography that it's hard not to try and not measure yourself against them. Your advice to "tell your story" from your own town came to me at just the right time. I will attempt to take a picture every day to increase my photography skills and edit them to improve my post-production skills. Thanks!
Thanks for the pep talk. I live in a small town outside Nashville so this is incredibly pertinent to my situation as a beginning photographer who would like to grow to making some side money through this hobby I’ve taken quite an interest in over the past couple years.
I totally get it!I live in a small city and I am trying to make vlogs and photos there. I believe you can make cool photos everywhere. Even the same little spot is different when hit by the light in a different time of day. Just go out shooting!👍
its definitely a challenging to go out to a boring small town city and make something big. This was really helpful and needed to hear to get some more inspiration to keep shoot.
Amen on that last point. For a while I was getting bummed out getting jealous looking at all these London street photographers and their foggy, moody, atmospheric images. I live in Downtown Los Angeles and the conditions are never going to allow for capturing images like that. Having grown up here it is actually hard for me to see what is interesting about the place I'm in but I'm trying to learn to see it with more of a fresh perspective. I'm learning to embrace the daily reality of the harsh noonday sun. I'll leave all the sunsets for the tourists :P
Mountain towns have an advantage to! My town sits at the bottom of a national forest that harbors big bear so I guess you can say the scenery makes a difference
Great videos, I’m getting into photography myself just a side hobby but I really love it I’ve researched so much and you’re the first photo blog kinda thing that I actually enjoy watching. I appreciate the content!
Yo seriously I get so much inspiration from you Evan! You make me want to shoot everytime I can I bring my camera almost everyday to and from work because I'm starting to notice more and new spots to shoot at! I started doing photography couple months ago and learned a lot but you have taught me a lot and I apperciate every video you put out! Thank you 🤗
Hey. This inspired to go out in town and photograph it . The town I live is a small town. We don’t have much here. But I still got some photos done. Thanks for the content and hard work.
Loving your videos on small towns :) making me excited that I just moved back to my hometown! I'm excited to move away from the concrete jungle and try a new something new
this is exactly what i needed, man. thank you for this. now i’m going make another video today in my small town haha huge motivation. not just in this one but all your videos.
Drew Schmanke Tucson is awesome. I’ve been there twice. Biked mount Lemmon. Tacos almost everyday. There’s such a good vibe there ... compared to small town Midwest where no one talks to one another.
Thanks Evan, for sharing your useful and inspiring tips. Two tips from my side: Don't use a room reverb on your voice if your scene is not in a room. Your voice sounds really detached from the video this way. Second, filter out the low rumble if the wind is blowing in the microphone.
I personally find that locations are rarely boring, people are just pretentious. I'm like that sometimes too, my taste for photography is far better than my skill, but I'm aware that's the case and I'm working on improving :P
Yo when you were talking about the New York subway, an awesome yellow van drove past that I think would have made an awesome photo. Love the video and your recent work mate
I feel this way living in a small town. There's not many interesting people or many locations. I feel like the photos I take are all too similar. I enjoy finding an old building and taking pics of my car for the most part. There's no city square or downtown where there's many different people. I also live in a 1 red light town in the south. People always look at me like I'm crazy just pulling over randomly to take pictures lol.
I really love this video - of course I get great value from almost all of your content, but this one really speaks to me. I am trying to start running my own street photography walking tours in Sydney, Australia (which you'd think would be an incredible city to shoot street), but as you have outlined, my expectations of trying to re-create Hong Kong / Tokyo street photos in a city like Sydney is not realistic. This really got me thinking about adjusting my expectations and re-aligning my passion with a style of street photography that I can love doing in Sydney. Thanks for your ongoing great content and thought-provoking messages - Keep up the good work! Chris
Been struggling with what to shoot in my small-ish college town, and this really opened up my eyes a bit. Oddly enough, my town is called Columbia too haha. Thanks man
*I absolutely agree that small-towners have an underrated advantage!* The smaller the better! Own where you live and photograph the hell out of it! LA, NYC, etc., are over done IMO. That's where everyone goes.
Thank you for watching!!
You're welcome and thank YOU !
Again, another cool video with really good advices.
Evan Ranft is this in Clarkston,GA?
Evan Ranft this is great! Thank you!
I lived in Nashville for 30+ years now I'm currently in a small town called Cape Coral,Florida
Wow I needed this. I get discouraged being stuck in my hometown as I feel like I've taken every photo I can take, but there's always something more. Cheers 🤘
So true!
As someone who lives in a small town, I seriously appreciate this video! Thanks Evan!
This is so real and I definitely needed it. I believe small cities call for a more intimate style of photography. Portraits, lifestyle, activities.
Have you ever been confronted when shooting in small towns? I feel like people in small towns ( I know this because I live in one, much smaller one than the video) like their privacy and reject people photographing.
YES this also !
Everyone! Literally everyone is watching while judging.
Always watching and judging. 💯
Living in a small town in the UK I never take local street photos. I've been thinking it would be great if Evan did a vlog on shooting in small-town, So big thanks for added inspiration!
Loved how the containers on the rail track were going at the level of your cap @4:58.. that looked awesome!
Yass! Pretty bomb!
I think I'd prefer a small town, forces you to think and create.
FACTS
Totally agreeed 👍🏻
"Everyone has a unique story to tell." It's beyond true. Nobody makes art like you do in the place you are at this exact moment. Thanks for the inspiration. Your videos always make me wanna go out and shoot.
Ive been photographing the same small town for years and i think the most important point in this video is, as you said, "Keeping your inspiration in line with reality." its so hard to consume so much work from youtube/instagram of landscapes/spaces that are no where in near the realm of what your area has to offer. Many times i feel low about my work because I'm comparing it to mountain landscapes, and sometimes its weeks before I get my mental back in check and make the work thats local to me again. Very well put together video.
There are so many small towns in my state. I'm going to drive around them sometime and take shots inspired by my favorite movies! Thanks for another great video Evan!
I absolutely love this video. I don't necessarily live in a small town nor big city. But photographers where I live tend to go to the sAme spots over and over and I find that boring. When I started shooting at random buildings/places it really made a huge difference. Now I'm always looking for spots I could potentially go to and make my photos not boring.
The best spot for photos is where your feet are.
Awesome video.
I think what's even more difficult than making photos in a small town, is making photos in suburbia. It's all rows and rows of McMansions, and multiple "lifestyle centers" with all the same chain stores and restaurants. There's just so little that is interesting or unique, or not a complete eyesore, that it just leaves me feeling stuck with my photography. Does anyone else struggle with this?
I need to hear this! I go to college in a small town and finding inspiration can be hard at times! So this was refreshing to hear! Keep up the work my man
Living In Chicago for the past 3 years... my favorite place to shoot is back home near Michigan/Indiana! Small town is the best
Great points for those outside big cities. People just need to go out and shoot. The same principles apply in big or little cities. Best get out and practice now for when you do finally get to one of those iconic places. Failing to practice is practicing to fail.
Bro you spoke some serious gospel because everything you said I am going through as a new photographer. Ive been at this now going on 1 year and I cant thank you enough for putting this type of content out. Awesome job.
This means so much because I am trying hard to develop a photography/creative career and I am based in Orwell, OH, which is about fifteen to twenty minutes past nowhere.
Very odd Evan I just got done walking around my small town taking photos after having a talk with my self how I need to find interesting perspectives. Then shortly after here you go posting a video of it.. Great Video
Happy to hear it, appreciate you watching!
Friggin' awesome video. Recently, I've been doing small town "walk arounds": one roll of film, one lens, one occasion, one small town, and posting these pictures on social. I have been surprised how inspired and excited my friends have been. Must be something about seeing their town in a way they have been missing all these years...
This is one of my favorite videos I’ve seen of yours. I often struggle with what to photograph around Nashville. Not that there isn’t a lot, but that I seem to get it a rut. The idea of challenging myself never really hit me. Thank you for this 💯
Search up Joe Greer, he’s a film photographer in Nashville, he’s been an inspiration for me, dig up in his Instagram and should be able to find a lot of shoots did downtown.
I'm a HUGE fan of small town shooting. It's my primary subject. Every single town is very different. Sometimes I plan my trip...and sometimes I grab my gear and just drive with no destination in my mind until I get there. :)
Next time you're in TN, swing thru Asheville NC and let's get some snaps! Super inspirational video for somebody living in a smaller town who finds himself comparing his shots to those of larger cities and feels "left out".
Thank you for making this video. I needed this like no other. You see I am that guy that lives in a small town and I and everything you said rang true to what I am doing. Thank you for the inspiration.
So so true. I've been making photos in small towns around Birmingham, AL for years. It definitely takes a keener eye and a more creative effort. It's worth it!
“No country for old men” is my jam! Dope video 😊
Awesome video, Evan! I think a lot of people need to hear this, I've been photographing where I live although I used to consider it boring. I'm working on a project on documenting my neighborhood.
I live in a small town in jersey. I always felt like I had to travel to NY to get cool shots, I don't think I even tried taking pictures in my town. I really appreciate this. I'll try to explore my own little town little more and think out of box a bit.
I love street photography but live in a small town in northeast Iowa. No subways here, lol! Small town street can be a thing for sure. And definitely the people, if you’re brave enough to engage. Good encouragement.
Straight up know exactly what you’re talking about. I moved from Melbourne, Australia to a small town in Sweden, with a tiny population in comparison, with my wife and kids last year. There’s plenty to shoot and the possibilities are endless depending on what style you shoot too. Urban landscape, street, streetscape, documentary, street still life, landscape, candid portraits, etc. I think it forces you to be MORE creative. Just need to think outside the box. Great video as always, mate!!
Lately I have felt a lack of motivation and inspiration in my photography. Your talk about reality has hit home. I’m going to get back out there and take some photos. Thanks man.
Thanks Evan, time to get out and take some local shots of my town. Thanks for the "kick in the butt" reminder that we can shot anywhere.
I have redescovered my home region (mostly small towns) this past year and I have shot some of my favorite photos :)
Thank you Evan!! Love this! Been so down on myself for the past few years with current area and not having the same things around me that I’ve been inspired by in the past…getting out and after it this week over here in Dickson, TN
Bro this is the most frickin inspirational video I've watched
Dude! I've been searching for this video for a long time. Thanks, Evan. You're the truth.
It's very refreshing to find a photographer who really has something to say. Watched a few of yours now and there are always pearls of wisdom in there that I can apply to my own situation, I appreciate it and have subscribed. :))
ngl this encouraged me so much, i'm already thinking about all the spots i could find bellow my ugly ass building
Evan, thank you so much for your message. It really hit home for me. As a re(new)ed photographer, I've watched dozens of RUclips videos on people taking awesome portraits, landscapes and street photography that it's hard not to try and not measure yourself against them. Your advice to "tell your story" from your own town came to me at just the right time. I will attempt to take a picture every day to increase my photography skills and edit them to improve my post-production skills. Thanks!
Thanks for the pep talk. I live in a small town outside Nashville so this is incredibly pertinent to my situation as a beginning photographer who would like to grow to making some side money through this hobby I’ve taken quite an interest in over the past couple years.
I totally get it!I live in a small city and I am trying to make vlogs and photos there. I believe you can make cool photos everywhere. Even the same little spot is different when hit by the light in a different time of day. Just go out shooting!👍
Thank you for this video! I live in a small rural Texas town and this was very helpful.
This was great! I outside a very small town. Your video shows me a new way to think.
its definitely a challenging to go out to a boring small town city and make something big. This was really helpful and needed to hear to get some more inspiration to keep shoot.
Nice video about having perspective. I think it’s about finding unique details that support the narrative that is your life.
Evan, you just gave me a photo and video project idea. If it comes together, I'll let you know how it went.
Amen on that last point. For a while I was getting bummed out getting jealous looking at all these London street photographers and their foggy, moody, atmospheric images. I live in Downtown Los Angeles and the conditions are never going to allow for capturing images like that. Having grown up here it is actually hard for me to see what is interesting about the place I'm in but I'm trying to learn to see it with more of a fresh perspective. I'm learning to embrace the daily reality of the harsh noonday sun. I'll leave all the sunsets for the tourists :P
Hey Evan I just wanted to thank you for this video and also the colors on your sleeve are *amazing*!!
Mountain towns have an advantage to! My town sits at the bottom of a national forest that harbors big bear so I guess you can say the scenery makes a difference
This was golden. You spoke to my soul right now
Right on! This is reason I subbed to you way back. The inspiration to shoot with what you got. You always make it work. LOVE THIS!!!
Think this is your best vlog yet, really strikes a chord and very positive and motivational.
Great videos, I’m getting into photography myself just a side hobby but I really love it I’ve researched so much and you’re the first photo blog kinda thing that I actually enjoy watching. I appreciate the content!
Yo seriously I get so much inspiration from you Evan! You make me want to shoot everytime I can I bring my camera almost everyday to and from work because I'm starting to notice more and new spots to shoot at! I started doing photography couple months ago and learned a lot but you have taught me a lot and I apperciate every video you put out! Thank you 🤗
Hey. This inspired to go out in town and photograph it . The town I live is a small town. We don’t have much here. But I still got some photos done. Thanks for the content and hard work.
I am also living in ATL and I really like your photos! Always learning.
hey evan i’ve been watching your videos for a few weeks now and your content is very useful and organic..thank you ✨
Loving your videos on small towns :) making me excited that I just moved back to my hometown! I'm excited to move away from the concrete jungle and try a new something new
this is exactly what i needed, man. thank you for this. now i’m going make another video today in my small town haha huge motivation. not just in this one but all your videos.
I Live in Tucosn AZ and its hard but I still try and ill be using these tips. Thanks for the vid
Drew Schmanke Tucson is awesome. I’ve been there twice. Biked mount Lemmon. Tacos almost everyday. There’s such a good vibe there ... compared to small town Midwest where no one talks to one another.
This is your best video ever. I've never amen'd this much while watching a video. Good work!
This was awesome Evan. This will be helpful to a lot of people.
No Country for Old Men is a badass movie. Great insight in this video!
Excellent advice. Thanks for reminding me.
What a great inspiring video. Thanks Evan!
Thanks Evan, for sharing your useful and inspiring tips. Two tips from my side: Don't use a room reverb on your voice if your scene is not in a room. Your voice sounds really detached from the video this way. Second, filter out the low rumble if the wind is blowing in the microphone.
I personally find that locations are rarely boring, people are just pretentious. I'm like that sometimes too, my taste for photography is far better than my skill, but I'm aware that's the case and I'm working on improving :P
No Country For Old Men 🔥 Just watched that movie the other day for the umpteenth time. Love that movie!
Brilliant Evan! I live in a small village in Wales and it's not always easy to see the potential on my doorstep ... Very inspirational video :)
This is quite a refreshing take from big cities photography. Thanks a lot.
Also, a small town is much more interesting because here in NYC everything has been photographed over & over again.
Yo when you were talking about the New York subway, an awesome yellow van drove past that I think would have made an awesome photo. Love the video and your recent work mate
Love this advice. As someone living outside of Gettysburg, PA I need to change my attitude
Helpful reminder! Great insight!
I love small towns...they have heart. Of course I grew up in one!
Went out shooting after watching this video and just walked around the area and surprisingly I found heaps of insane photo spots were in plain sight.
Great advice, thanks for posting 👍
Brilliant thinking. Thanks for sharing. The only thing that I m lack of is photography skill.
So good dude! Keep pumping out the great content!
Excellent advice. Thank you!
Subscribed even before I seen the video because your thumbnail reminds me of a willem verbeeck video.
Love this. Very inspiring!
I feel this way living in a small town. There's not many interesting people or many locations. I feel like the photos I take are all too similar. I enjoy finding an old building and taking pics of my car for the most part. There's no city square or downtown where there's many different people. I also live in a 1 red light town in the south. People always look at me like I'm crazy just pulling over randomly to take pictures lol.
Great Video, some very good points, thank you.
Such a smart video, I think this pertains to everyone even if we live in a big city
I really love this video - of course I get great value from almost all of your content, but this one really speaks to me. I am trying to start running my own street photography walking tours in Sydney, Australia (which you'd think would be an incredible city to shoot street), but as you have outlined, my expectations of trying to re-create Hong Kong / Tokyo street photos in a city like Sydney is not realistic. This really got me thinking about adjusting my expectations and re-aligning my passion with a style of street photography that I can love doing in Sydney.
Thanks for your ongoing great content and thought-provoking messages - Keep up the good work!
Chris
I have taken over 200 photos in my small backyard and over 70 of them are great
this needs more views
sincerely: a city inspired towny
Inspiring. Thanks for the pep talk.
Awesome video man. Thx for sharing.👌🏻
Out here in UT most towns are smaller to midsize. And there's plenty too shoot! Including places that kept the old west feel/look .
Been struggling with what to shoot in my small-ish college town, and this really opened up my eyes a bit. Oddly enough, my town is called Columbia too haha. Thanks man
I`m in this situation having hard time figuring what do to with my photos. After watching this video maybe i leａｒｎ ｓｏｍｅｔｉｎｇ．
Dude, i live like 5 minutes from here! I go up there to take pictures of my car all the time, wish i could've ran into you!
Great inspiring and instructional video. Thanks.
Small town for the US ; The population was 34,681 person , my small towns between 300 and 2000 people xD Love your video
Great advice! I think that advice can apply to more than just photography also :)
*I absolutely agree that small-towners have an underrated advantage!* The smaller the better! Own where you live and photograph the hell out of it!
LA, NYC, etc., are over done IMO. That's where everyone goes.
Beauty is in everything for he/she who has an eye to see it.