I Flew All The Way To California To Look At Some Photos
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
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There are great things to photograph in both countries. The UK has very old, very interesting buildings that don't exist in the western part of the USA. I live in an area of the western USA where a town or city older than the 1880s is rare, and often the oldest buildings in these towns are from the 1920s. The bare bones buildings they put in when first establishing the towns in the 1880s were not substantially built like in the eastern USA. It was a real eye opener for me to see stuff on the east coast hundreds of years old, that's something of a novelty for someone that grew up where I did. And to think of those medieval buildings in the UK and the medieval walls in a place like York, somewhere I watched a documentary of a wool market town that's been around since the 12th century. UKers probably take that stuff for granted.
BTW, just being with other photographers in an area one is familiar with can mean seeing the "same old tired" environment with a new eye. I'm not unfamiliar with the Los Angeles area, and on the spur I decided to join a photowalk while in the city of Long Beach. Just some food for thought.
Have you considered dabbling in oil painting? It's a different sort of artistic pursuit in that one can paint whatever, one can move buildings around, composing can be much more of a challenge in photography because things are where they are, one can change angles and distances by walking around, and that challenge to compose makes it more rewarding when it comes together, but one is freer to imagine with painting. I find both photography and painting suit me in different ways. I paint some scenes that I just couldn't catch due to not having my camera or just timing in the moment, but these scenes just stick in my head. One I really wish I had taken was when I was out in the countryside, and saw this mom giving haircuts to her kids in the garage. The reason I didn't was just one of, I suppose, decency in not wanting to alarm her because this was a very rural area way out in the countryside. I just didn't want to alarm her, but it was just at dusk, and the lights were on in the garage, and that had potential to be a striking image. Other things just various scenes in shops in the city at night that caught my eye, but they were over before I could get the camera out and on, that sort of thing, but still stuck in my head.
Not really the topic of this video, but I despise driving in downtown San Francisco. When I'm there, I just keep my car in a parking garage and walk.
Not to go on and on, but I think part of the limitations we face is that we are told not to let our imaginations run away from oneself, and there's good reason for that in the day to day business of life, but to get from the practical mindset of going to work and getting the kids to school, etc. that people have trouble switching from that into the creative mindset for things like photography, oil painting, writing a novel, what have you. But those very things can be an important break for those of us with quote-unquote real jobs.
For those who have photography as a job, I wonder if that gets to be feeling like just the same ol, same ol. I wonder if the musician gets tired of playing that song for the 8,000th time.
Please don't stop doing what you're doing Alex. You're the philosopher photographer, nobody else is making videos like yours.
I have spent 50 years photographing Durban and Pietermaritzburg, I am also attracted to geometric images, my daughter was born 18 years ago and started photography around 6 years old. In order to ramp things up we choose a subject for the photography day, like shoes, shoes on an escalator, hands, road markings, poles, umbrellas, doors, windows, reflections, parts of a car or we choose a colour and that keeps the perpetual interest. We also choose global subjects like tribal, informal shackland, township, inner city, suburbs etc and combine the former subject list into a specific area.
Your comment at the beginning of the Picdrop plug I found a bit self-deprecating: I think your videos play a significant role for photographers such as myself who don't get hung up on the gear but are seeking a deeper understanding of the art. I first discovered these wonderful clips while I was in my final year of a Honours degree in photography and have been plugging them to my classmates and friends ever since - especially when I see one that has particular relevance to an individual or which emphasises an aesthetic or philosophic element that distinguishes formulaic snapshots from potentially classic images. This is a long-winded way of once again thanking you for your passion and wisdom that these videos present. I have even been returning to the earliest ones and still finding gems of inspiration and teaching. Like any good image, these clips are worth going back to and visiting like old friends.
Pics on the bus are amusing and interesting. A very different perspective to view a city and you have to react quickly. That in itself is a fun challenge. Have a full roll of film ready!
Loved your thoughts, as always. Mr. Poe - what a star!
Always really interesting subjects on your channel. The kind of conversations I like having with my photography friends.
Hi, as usual, interesting topic to share, as an amateur fotographer, similar thoughs arise in my mind as I am stroling along with my camera in what ever place.
And eventually, these thoughts are the ones making me move ahead in the way I take new paths and experiment.
The abc of fotografic technical basics sure matter in terms of understandind the way your cameras works, and by doing so give you a gripp on that very starting point.
But from that point on, the very thing that matters, is where your thoughts are leading you creatively...
And these are well worth to share !
Thank again for doing so !
Indeed, getting out of my normal track physically gets me out of my mental track as well.
Thanks for this. Looking out the hotel window of a strange city right now, and this post got me out of the chair and on to the sidewalk outside.
Your squares with slanting content, usually architectural, are almost location independent. All you need are a few buildings or a few edges of some kind. You do not even have to leave your kitchen. If that is your favorite style, LA, SF, NY simply do not really matter. You might, however, have a bit of a problem on the moon.
I do my squares as a sort of artistic extra. I usually do them after I have captured the vista or whatever I happen to have in my viewfinder in the more or less "standard" picture-postcard manner. So the location or venue is more important to me and probably has more influence.
Glad you had a nice time in our neck of the woods! I find that when traveling, I get energized and inspired by the new location, but I’m still going to shoot photos the way I always do. I’m having a hard time being inspired by SF and wish I could get out of the Bay Area more!
There's neat stuff in SF, but yeah, I get what you are saying. There's a lot of neat stuff to see around the USA. The small towns, country side and wilderness have a lot to offer in just exploring and photo taking.
I hear SF is a ghost town when it comes to shops/shopping in the downtown areas and that the trolly turn arounds are ghetto. If it’s true, that makes me sad, I’ve never been able to venture around SF, I’ve only driven through there.
I must say, the greatest impact my association with you and your online community has been in how I think about and approach my photography. I really can see a big difference in my images since I joined one of your cohorts. Most importantly, I have moved from imitating the street photography I admire, and have been focused on developing my own interest, approach and style. I really enjoy your videos and being part of the community!
Thanks for sharing a very inspiring and encouraging video Alex! And thanks for introducing us to Poe!
Can't help you with Frankfurt...but if you're ever in the Chicago area I'd be happy to show you around 👍
Love your kitchen and Mr Po. ❤ Also the cat cushion. 🎉. The new experimental stuff is great. Going somewhere new opens half open doors I feel. In my experience, something out of the ordinary always seems to happen in a new environment. Thanks for sharing. ❤
Oh man, awesome and very insightful video. I live an hour from Frankfurt and would definitely love to meet up there. I have been wanting to get there and take some photos. Cheers
Alex, really beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing. I know you don't like discussing gear, but what are you shooting with? Just curious. Love your channel.
Welcome back! Nice to see you in 4K
Looking through fresh eyes. What I find is going somewhere different that is not familiar it is easier to see compositions for I suspect one main reason familiarity when the same scenes or perspective leads to the mind becoming far too numb.
Keeping photography human 👌
Going to unfamiliar places is a matter of moving from being a 'participant' to becoming an "observer." In your local, familiar area you are a 'participant' in your environs; being in a new locale you become an 'observer' and the difference makes a world of difference. If I travel half way across the US for a photoshoot, I will often take the backroads and stop at every small town and photograph them, often in great detail. I often get the sense that every little town across the American South is the same, but the 'sameness' is expressed in an infinite number of different and unique ways. The same is true with big cities. The only difference is in how those same things and themes are manifested and tgat is the fascinating part of it all.
Am I right(or wrong) to assume these were taken with a Ricoh GR? They look great!
This is timely. I've felt for some time that I've lost my street mojo and realized that I was going round the same old streets looking for the same old things. Gonna take a day off and jump a train somewhere fresh.😊
Glad to hear that it was helpful for you. Got anywhere in mind that you’re going to go to.
@@ThePhotographicEye Edinburgh. It's a busy metropolis that's within easy traveling time.
Excellent video Alex, as usual. However, My comment is not about the video, but about the cat's collar. In my opinion (I've had many cats, I know what I'm talking about) it's a bit too tight (just the impression watching the video, but if you can insert two fingers between the collar and cat's neck, then it's fine), please consider making it wider, thank you. :-)
A change of scenery can sometimes spark our creativity, but it doesn't solve all our problems. The grass is greener where you water it.
Totally agree! Ive been lost for years with no motivation. I just so happened to watch a video of daido moryama and loved his snapshot style. A trip to london to see his exhibition was amazingthen i saw Alex’s subjects and something clicked. Now I’m shooting like mad but i face another problem, my work is now a cross between the two mentioned. Whatever i do i just keep going back to it. The main thing is, my boring town is now packed full of opportunities.
Hope that makes sense.
The grass wasn’t greener on the other size. I just learnt i didn’t open my eyes where i live.
Great stuff ! Thanks for the video !!!!
The tree photo at 5:32 is neat! I noticed you have a cat clock, do the batteries run out fast?
Try Budapest!
For me, the value of going someplace different it simply that it is different. New spots, new scenery, new, new, new. It helps me kick my brain out of neutral and provides some creative traction.
I really like your color shots.
But what if you actually live in a boring place? Like I do, unless you lik pine trees, fir trees or stumbling around in forests? Instead of running away from it I turned my camera 180 and started shooting the boring stuff and THAT is the most fun I've hade with a camera for years (even to the point that those photographs might become something bigger than just pixels on my monitor, might become a book or a local exhibition in the end).
Interesting topic, I have to say though, Frankfort really! you need to go to Porto, Portugal, you will be enchanted!!
Full disclosure, as Portuguese I am bias!🤣
Location, Location, Location, the world is not what it seems to the photographic eye. Looking for the unusual and getting the shot takes a whole lot of luck of being in the right Locations at the right time.
Poland! We are going to be there the end of July
This is an example of why mega pixels are not the answer to creative photography.
Gear in general is not. People do great work with $500 packages of a body and a couple lenses, others do mediocre work (or worse) with Leicas and Hasselblatts. Even the $500 body and lens combo is better than what Ansel Adams, Matthew Brady and the like had and look at the awesome results those guys got. One YT photographer so blindly applies presets that he doesn't even slow down enough to realize that it looked better before in some cases. Which is another point. A few seconds of thought on scene can save a lot of editing time later.
do you guys have a discord or something? i wish i had a place to share photos and get feedback
I think the US is so much more diverse than the UK, parts of it resemble Europe and it has 100x of the potential depending on where.
I've been to many parts of the US and I must say the UK is even more diverse for scenery, city scapes, etc. Where in the world can we see landscapes as diverse as the Fens, Cumbria, Devon, Scottish Highlands and Western Isles, all within 5 hours drive away? What about towns and cities as diverse as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Hull, Portsmouth, Wrexham, Durham, Cambridge, Oxford, etc etc? I've never been bored
Really great photos. Hey, ‘No Matter Where You Go, There You Are’, a favorite mantra of mine.. but definitely for you, your conceptual take on geometry and geography stayed with you in the States.
Yeah but can you photograph a landscape of sunflowers from horizon to horizon? A grand Canyon? Actual cowboys doing their jobs? Anything from a tropical paradise to a frozen wasteland? I think North America has got you beat lol. @@TL-xw6fh
@@TL-xw6fh It isn't.
@@pinkyellowblue007 Come to the UK and see for yourself.
I never go for my weekly food for thought at Alex's place and come away hungry! 🙂 Thanks and cheers from DownUnder 🦘
Any time!
You raised some interesting points. I noticed a while back that my own photography was lacking a "sense of place" but then I started shooting the same locations at completely different times of the day. The radically different lighting conditions made everything seem new. I now had an invigorated curiosity and a renewed sense of exploration so my photography found that "sense of place" which had been missing.
Lighting is number !
Thanks Alex. Are your formulaic (but good) Californian photos the result of feeling you need to produce "content"? Traveling all that way and not make anything to show for it puts a lot of pressure on. It is only when you've got something in the bag and can relax that you become creative? I find being happy with producing nothing is when i start enjoying photography.
Interesting POV there Roger.
In this context 'content' wasn't shot specifically for this channel, but for myself. Certainly there is some element of pressure coming in (you went all that way and didn't take any photos???)
What I found was that yes, some of the work as I mentioned in the video, feels like it could have been taken anywhere. I'm a little conflicted by that - it means I just shoot the same old thing no matter where I am, but on the other hand it feels like I have a certain way of seeing the world.
By the end of the fortnight when I was in Baltimore visiting a friend I was a lot more relaxed about what I was taking photos of
You did a nice job of lighting yourself in the kitchen without blowing out the light coming in from the door and windows. It was very even.
This is such a good, inspiring channel. For someone as steeped in photography as I am, I don't need 'how to' and I find these days I am using photo software less than previously. I also use my phone much more with Snapseed and it has rejuvenated my photography. Thanks Alex
Thanks Geoff! Glad to hear you're also using your phone (which to some people is tantamount to treason!)
@ThePhotographicEye I bought a clip-on grip gadget with a Bluetooth shutter release button. Makes it easier to hold the phone like a camera. I have truly gone over to the dark side.
So you go somewhere new, away from the view of friends and family, and suddenly you realise that you can take all sorts of chances without anyone you know being able to say "That was silly...!" So you do, and if it works out it's "I was inspired!", and if it doesn't, you go home and simply say "I didn't like it there..."
The real value is the sense of freedom that comes from your relative anonymity.
You imight take some better photos - or you might just go home with lower blood pressure. Win either way!
Alex
My rtrip this year was Chicago i spent 10 days there photographing the city , some strret photography, architectural photography and water front photography it was inspiring touring the city with camera in hand
I think that SF is a boring city, making it hard to come out of your comfort.
Try Europeans cities, like you said.
Love your ethos and style of photography. Once again a great video.
Great change in approach Alex. Po rocks by the way!
Being in a camera club I tend to take pictures that will compete in a competition. That may be why I take so few pictures when I go out with my camera. Some of the images you showed were technically very good but would not place in a competition. I saw what you meant by you tend to shoot the same style of image whether your home or away from home in a totally new environment.
I avoid camera clubs like the plague, there seems to be a certain snootiness to them.
Another very interesting video!
Thanks again!
Next time you come to Maryland, Come in May or October. It is delightful during those months.
Was there last October - it was hot :D
Well, until a few days before haloween lol
@@ThePhotographicEye ok, maybe by England standards I should say March or November. We can have quite pleasant days in December or January, but it can also be ridiculously cold.
Going somewhere won't make you a (good) photographer. But particularly for those of us who live in -- shall we say -- "subject matter challenged" areas being exposed to new, inspiring, legitimate subject matter can make a world of difference. For me personally that's in the context of landscape photography. Living in a 'nature-dull' area, going to new territory is incredibly empowering, to the point of feeling as if the subject matter is a vast menu from which I can take only a few bites at best.
Great cats, by the way. Cats always make a video better! LOL 🙂
You’re right to a point Alex. New York in the 50’s to the 80’s was and must have been fantastic for Saul snd his mates but that’s gone replaced with the same looking cars , same glass buildings. The countryside in the Uk is really photogenic and quaint villages to snap photos. But I’ll like to visit New England 👍
The photowalk tour was very fun. Any time Alex has an event in your city, you NEED to go! I'm glad you came to San Francisco and enjoyed our city, hope you return at some point!
I once spent a couple of weeks on business in Tempe. In the middle weekend a workmate from the West Island and I hired a car and drove to the Grand Canyon and back. Sunset and sunrise were spectacular.
When I got home and had the film developed (this was the mid 80s) I found that I had double exposed two rolls of film! And, of course, had two blank ones.
I was very upset, but I still have the memories.We have nothing akin to that scenery down here and I'm very unlikely to ever get back there.
As always I enjoyed your photography and the video as well, quick question: Is the otter painting a Japanese water color ?
Going to a new location with other photogs sounds like a recipe for all sorts of creativity! Great photos Alex and wonderful video, your insight is delightful and charming. You make me laugh and I realize that we are similar. Keep up the good work dude! Thank you!
The light in your kitchen works for you 😉
Another inspirational talk Alex, keeps me motivated to look for the unexpected.
Exactly !!!
Very interesting video! Indeed, changing places generates a different type of "flow", which in the "worst case" leads to some nice touristy pictures, and in the best case to much more. As you showed. Anyway, it is a pleasure seeing your impressions of SF and having been able to be one of the conversation partners!
I think we talked about this a bit on the Thursday. Trying to see new things, but wary of being cliche. Great to meet you, glad to hear you got home safe!
Coffee or Tea?
@cuffarophoto The answer is in the video!
It was a pleasure connecting with you in SF. Thanks for doing the photo walk and introducing me to Irving Penn. Can’t wait for more videos!
Any time!
@@ThePhotographicEye Don't say that! I might show up on your doorstep asking for a spot of tea!
Hi, did you take photos on film Hasselblad ?
More Mr. Poe, please! Another great video Alex.
Thank you and cheers from Poland :)