Stumbled across this video and agree, I take photos because it slows me down and helps me see the little interesting things around me that I'd otherwise miss if I let myself get lost in my thoughts when I go through my daily life.
Yep, same. I just got back from visiting the Oregon coast with friends and I’d be such a pain in the ass on the hikes if I didn’t have my camera to get me to stop and appreciate the views.
yeah most of the time my camera is my excuse to stay in one place a little bit longer when I travel around. its ok if I dont bring my camera, but I can have more excuse to stay there longer when travelling in groups if I have it with me. that said when I travel alone, almost half the time I forgot to bring my camera since I dont need any excuses to stay longer and I have my phone which is perfectly fine
For me it's a little of both - I use photography as an excuse to explore the world, but when I'm doing paid gigs I also just enjoy the technical aspects and challenge of actually practicing photography. Being skilled in pointing this massive piece of glass at someone and dialing my settings down in real time is an awesome feeling
@@dawnkeyy Definitely! I’m finally getting more confident in shooting in full manual so I can go for exactly the look I want. Another reason why I don’t like using my iPhone’s camera even though it is more convenient. I also love photography because I can’t draw or paint so instead my canvas is what’s given to me in this amazing world we have. And the stories that comes out of it are unforgettable
@CDGage I've met many photographers who went to art school and hated to draw so they chose photography. I've also met a lot who started out as a mom or dad photographing their kids soccer game. We all start somewhere and welcome to the world of shooting manual! The doors open to do whatever you want to do, like a painter would with a brush.
It’s a shame people keep insisting on making universal statements. So many videos are like this. While I respect that for YOU photography may be an excuse rather than a hobby, that is not true of everyone, or even most. Some people do indeed have a passion for a certain subject or activity and transition into doing photography focused on that. The sports nut who becomes a sports photographer, the constant traveller who becomes a travel or documentary photographer, the people watcher who takes up street photography, that person who is fascinated by bugs and insects becoming a macro photographer, or indeed the people person who loves meeting and talking with new people who takes up portrait photography. However, for me, (and for many others as well I think) photography is about 2 things. Capturing and recording a moment, and creating art. The joy I get from doing photography, the reason I do it, is to create beautiful or compelling images. I get a kick out of it. I love composing the image, editing it afterwards and turning a real life moment into art in a way that is totally different from when I paint or draw. I know very little about insects, and have no desire to learn about them either. And whilst flowers are beautiful, I don’t want to spend my life looking at them from point-blank range. However I will do it for a few minutes, maybe an hour in order to create a beautiful or captivating image. Just as I will scramble up onto rocks at the beach to get a seascape from a certain angle or subject myself to the potentially judging gaze of people to get a good street photo. Perhaps those who are passionate about the subject or activity anyway and who just take photos in addition, are the best photographers. Maybe they do get the best images because they are imbued with an understanding and passion I don’t have. But still, I enjoy “mere photography” as a hobby. And I think I am not alone in this. If your definition of photography is not simply button-mashing on a camera, but rather, composing, capturing and creating an image; than “mere” photography itself can indeed be the end goal. A hobby and a reason unto itself, not just an excuse.
No, for me it’s the very definition of a hobby. I go out and wander for fun to take photos. I look forward to sitting down and editing my photos and not for anything but fun. I put them out on instagram for me not expecting any likes or interaction. It’s strictly for me, and that’s a hobby.
Completely agree with you. I approach photography the same way I approach my other creative hobbies like drawing and writing. I simply enjoy the process from start to finish and the feeling of satisfaction with how a completed project turned out. I expect no financial payoff, I just do it for fun. That’s a hobby.
I disagree with this video because I actually enjoy taking the picture. I do enjoy hearing the sound of the shutter. When I was younger and I got my first phone, I took pictures of everything any anything; I took pictures because I liked taking pictures, not because I was interested in how my room looked. Sure, nowadays that might be a PART of it, but I still enjoy taking the picture the most. I don't really understand the point of this video, and it kind of rubs me the wrong way (kind of like how video essays do when they try to explain their idea to the viewer while acting like it's the absolute truth), but I'm glad some people are saying they needed this video.
This is the video I needed right now. I picked up my first film camera 20+ years ago and then put it down because digital came in and overtook it. I shot for years using a Samsung but never really believed what I was doing was photography because, well, it was my phone. I only just bought a dedicated camera 6 months ago (a simple Sony a6000) and started shooting again and I realized it wasn't all that different in principle. But now I had a new problem of 'what' photography I wanted to make. I spent a couple of months just shooting things on walks, not what I would call street photography but something close to it. Then I started bringing my camera to the live music shows I'd go to and really started loving taking pictures of bands. Then I realized I love tight framing. And now I'm at the point where I'm thinking I may absolutely love portraiture. I talk with the artists in the bands after I shoot them and they love the photos. I caught you in a way that was real to me and also real to you - that's such a satisfying thing. I honestly didn't know where to go because I watch too much Photo RUclips, but this video really helped put a lot in to perspective for me. Thank you!
I don't know you from Adam, but RUclips put you in my feed because I've been looking at some photography related stuff as a prelude to starting to shoot again. And on the basis of this one thoughtful video you win my sub. And a comment, "for the algorithm" . Cheers.
Spot on. I love the wilderness, I love to explore new places. My camera gear and my drone are there to remind me to get out there. And when I'm out in nature, my gear gives me that extra reason to slow down and take in every moment.
I love this perspective and I'm glad I stumbled on this video. I love to take portraits because it helps me, an introvert, step out of my comfort zone and engage with people. Watching their faces light up when they see the pictures I have taken, that capture their raw emotion, beauty, and story really is something special. It's hard to put in words to how interesting people are, but a photo can say it all.
I clicked on this video expecting to mentally argue the topic. I'm coming away from it thinking about how much it's true. While I enjoyed playing with my camera when I first got it, now it's more just a tool I use to show people things that I find beauty in. Mainly my animals and explorations I go on. I like to take eye level photos of animals or angles we normally wouldn't see and I love nature scenes of close up snow, water, rocks, moss, etc. Things that we would otherwise never take the time to admire. This video is so well done, the first I've seen of your channel, but wow. 10/10
I love your assertion of "photography is the tool" I always found it weird and pretentious when people said "cameras are a tool" but could never quite put my finger on why, you hit the nail on the head in a way few can. I am subscribing just for that one line.
Nah. His entire take is ridiculous. Just a snarky know-it-all who thinks he can go around acting like some authority. He’s the kind of guy that goes “uhh actually” because he thinks he’s superior to everyone. I don’t know how this crap ended up on my feed but I downvoted it and will be reporting the content to get any and all ad revenue taken away from him.
This is great. I have been struggling for a while now to go out and take photos. I look at my camera collecting dust at home and wonder... what's missing, what's holding me back? Now I realize that it is not the act of taking photos what is not working for me. Instead, the problem is that I don't have a reason to take photos in the first place. I don't have a passion and I am not living experiences meaningful enough that I feel naturally motivated to share them. It makes sense now, every time I pictured myself taking photos, I was in fact picturing myself enjoying something and being able to share it with my camera.
Glad this idea resonated with you. And great point - its both enjoying something and sharing it that makes it special. Let me know what sort of videos you'd like to see in the future.
Awesome video, thank you! After I watched it, I was thinking on why I wish to take camera, what kind of pictures inspire me and why, it was 5 min of pure insight.
Very interesting. To answer one of your questions, I can state categorically that there are many places I wouldn't have researched or even bothered visiting without my camera. It provides me with the motivation to travel, something constructive to do with myself when I arrive and assists my memories greatly after the event. I also enjoy the immersive physical connection between the viewfinder and my brain that enables me to see the world in a rather different perspective. So no, it's not an excuse for me, but as often as not the very reason behind my actions.
I might be of the same camp. Visiting locations without a camera feels dull and fleeting to me-almost pointless. What I enjoy more is capturing a moment at a location, researching it’s history, and sharing what I learned or experienced. Maybe that is why I struggle with enjoying street photography, but can become obsessed with landscapes or documenting cultural sites.
I love taking the most random pictures, like the ceiling of my house, the parking lot, etc. I love the electro-optical system of the CMOS sensor and variable muti-elements lens. I enjoy the amazing sound of the mechanical shutter. I think this classify myself as a photography lover.
I've never thought that way - using photography as an excuse. But it just came to my mind that at least once I used it to cure homesick and a bit of a depressive mood. I traveled all the way from Germany to Netherlands just to take some photos and see the sea for the first time. I wanted to capture it, to not to forget that feeling. I used black and white ilford film, it was very cold and wet and windy. I was not clothed properly, but I felt SO happy. There was a dog I petted for a few seconds - it multiplied the palette of feelings and I even cried a bit. Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of the dog. I am not a photographer and photos I made turned out objectively bad, but I love them and the experience they were taken as an excuse.
I totally understand. same reason, why I love taking photos of my family, especially when my mom and dad are enjoying their tea. Seeing them happy and relaxed just makes me want to capture the moment.
This is one of the best, maybe THE BEST, video on photography I’ve ever seen. And I’ve watched thousands. THANK YOU for posting this. Liked and subscribed before it even ended.
I watched this video because I thought that the title was obvious click bait and I wanted to see what the video was really about. I was wrong. The title is spot on and the video is very thought provoking. Thank you for making this video and I look forward to exploring your other content.
Very beautifully put. I personally don't pull my DSLR out often, but I do it if I want to capture a space I have walked a few times and want to share with other people. It is about archiving a point in time that existed, to perhaps show people why I appreciate it. The camera being slightly better than my phone is mainly to ensure the image is higher quality, to portray the space a little more accurately.
I picked up a 35mm film camera a few months ago because I had heard that taking more time before seeing your photos can help reinforce your memory of those events. Having struggled with mental health related memory issues I thought that it might be neat to carry around an analog camera and snap pictures of little moments here and there that I might want to remember.
@@gediminasa.1914 For me, yes. I've always struggled with mental health related memory issues too, along side my own issues and it's helped so much. taking pictures where i do something, or just the experience of daily life, what i'm doing, who i'm hanging with. It catches those good memories and freezes it in a picture for me to come back to and revisit later. I have so many polaroids of just me and my friends hanging out and i cherish them with the world. If you're anxious about it, i just recommend diving in, it'll be okay
This is a fascinating argument. Most of the good portraits I've taken were taken when the subject didn't know I was taking the picture. I was talking to them and distracting them and then got the right smile and emotion. I still believe that I am camera focused at times, because I like taking photos that shift or alter the meaning of the subject matter, but most of the time, I'm capturing something that's already there. The photo is meaningful because of the connection to the subject.
Honestly, this was a great video. I’ve been so focused on the gadget part I’ve kinda lost focus on why I take pictures in the first place and as I’ve been working on that, this helped put into words what I’ve been struggling with. Can’t recommend this enough.
Such a good video. The first part is a great answer to the question I used to ask myself, why aren’t famous photographers talking about their gear at all? Looking through a HCB book and there are no references in the captions to camera body, lens, film stock. Let alone shutter speed or aperture settings. I realized slowly that the reason was an indifference to the mechanics of it. No one asks what enlarger the print was made on after all.
I always loved taking pictures on my phone and when I got a new phone the camera was also a big deciding factor but as I picked up my first analog camera a few days ago I can never look back. It is something only the act of photography, only the pictures we make can describe. I also adore the technical aspect of my camera especially since I repaired it myself without any knowledge before that whatsoever. I’m glad I’m here, in this community and I’m glad I stumbled upon this video of yours.
recently I made the realization that I've been taking photos for the sake of taking photos. I was interested in the camera rather than photography. somehow over the years I've learned what photography really is and I've gained a deep curiosity and love to it. I will try to make more photography rather than just clicking the shutter in the years to come, with the goal of truly learning photography, and making good work. this video sums up this huge thing that took years to realize in my photography journey. thank you.
At one point in my life photography was an everyday experience. The cost of gear just kept going up. I gave up on updating my digital and went back to film. The cost of film keeps going up. Now days I just pick up my Les Paul and make music. There is no upgrading needed with a Les Paul.
I'm thankful for getting across such a profound opinion on the flow state of artistic expression. As for me, i do enjoy more basic art paths to be more happily gratified with my own tricks :)
This is a brilliant video idea. In a world full of camera reviews, I love the philosophical contemplations you brought up here. I’ll definitely save this video and watch it again soon.
amazing video. reminded me a lot of Susan Sontag's book "On photography". But, while I totally agree with everything you said around 5:00, I think there is a point that needs to be made. Some beginners confuse "good photographs" with "things they enjoyed", "things that are emotional". Let me give an example. Someone from our uni photography club shared a photo they took, it had two people in it saying goodbye to each other in a train station, one in the train, one on the platform. While this moment was "sentimental" in a human sense, the photo they took failed to convey these emotions because of the photographer's lack of clear composition. So, I think that while "experience" is one of the reasons why great photograps ARE great, but also a clear composition is also required to communicate said emotions with the viewer.
Saw the title, got confused, watched it, and I agreed. Photography really helps influences my drive for adventure and see the things I've always wanted. Granted, I've been in some possibly danger situations for it but... I'd do it all over again.
Beautifully put. I have not come across this perspective before and I find myself agreeing with everything you're saying! Even if my camera evaporated away, I would still be there. The camera is a way for me to capture a moment I enjoyed, relive it and share that moment with others. I look forward to hearing more from you!
This made me emotional. I'm not a photographer, and I don't want to be. I like taking pictures in any way because they open me up to the world and human experience ( I love taking pictures of ppl) and help me remember the moments in time I cherish. The moments in time bring us all closer. It's almost a means of spreading joy and light to everyone. Even for a moment..
I did a bit of digital photography about a decade ago but only recently picked up film photography, partly because I wanted an excuse to go on walks - turns out that works really well and I also fell in love with taking pictures again.
Agreed. About 15 years ago I used digital for weddings/proms etc. But I'm 62 now with all the ailments that incurs (COPD, osteoarthritis and so on). I've had to slow down, and my old film cameras have made me remember why I loved photography when I first started enjoying it around the late 70's.
This is exactly right. A few years ago I started referring to photography as a “social passport,” because it can be exactly that. I shoot a lot of events for work, and I love it because I’m always curious about what’s going on that I may not know about. I think some of the comments are misinterpreting the word “excuse” and taking it to mean you’re blaming photography for something. Excuse to me in this context just means “reason,” which does not have any negative connotation. I
Absolutely - I didn’t intend a negative connotation, but “reason” is spot on. The camera grants us access to amazing situations we wouldn’t get otherwise.
Something clicked in me after hearing this idea. I think it can work for other similar craft too such as illustration or music, using them as a way to capture interesting things and ideas instead of an end in and of itself. Such a profound message and I hope it reaches more people. Thank you very much!
I really liked this video. Really, really. I couldn’t explain my thoughts but this video does it for me actually. It is the capturing the aesthetic/feelings. It’s a way of telling really.
I just like the technology and seeing how it was done in the old days with pinhole cameras, mechanical cameras, the firsy color photos. Plus if you get good at framing, lighting, ect. People pay you for it
I opened the video fully expecting something silly or controversial that I will not agree with. What I got was the exact opposite. A thought provoking video, igniting a spark that was long gone. Thank you, now I can see again, why I started in the first place.
This idea has hovered just out of my reach for a few years while I've explored my own photography. As soon as you mention the hypothetical of the camera evaporating, I think something clicked. I love the collaboration between myself and subject, whether that's landscapes or people. I've recently started writing about my work for a photo book I'm working on, and everything I write is about the moment surrounding the frame - not the technical aspects of the photo. Thank you for sharing this perspective
It's interesting how we are opposite. My intentions are technique, joy of taking pictures, joy of the process. Sometimes I process pictures only after 1 or 2 years have passed after taking the shot. I don;t care about the object. It just happens that the object is usually also pleasant.
I think this was a most delightful and refreshing change from the normal photography videos. The parting words "if your camera evaporated, would you still like to be at the event" has made a lasting impression on me.
I understand completely, and I don't even do photography, the only time I listen to music is if I drive, as I am too focused on not dying. When I walk, run, or exercise, I now completely stopped and smelled the roses, so to speak. When I see something truly beautiful, I make a genuine effort to sink the vista into long term memory. Real life may not look as pretty without a camera, but it's more real, it's no simulation or still image, it's something you can reach out and interact with.
I actually thought this was going to be some sort of gatekeep-y video by the title. Actually wound up being super positive and exactly what I needed to hear. Excellent points!
I love photography. I bring my cameras and equipment everywhere I go, look for motives, subjects, landscapes, perspectives, etc. Then when the time is right and the weather is nice, I jump on my motorcycle, head to the spots I find, and take pictures by myself. If that isn't a hobby, idk what is.
Very good points made here and I think logically it makes sense. But, personally for me, photography is an escape and even though I take photos of subjects I already have an interest in, I find it hard to engage with them socially because I am introverted and much prefer the act of photography
Using a camera has pushed me to go out more often, and helped me realise how beautiful things actually are. Now with or without a camera, I find myself always adamant on exploring new places or striking up a conversation.
What an insight! Thanks a lot! This was a pivotal point in my life when for the first time ever I've starting taking self-portraits with my old Olympus E330. Before it was hard for me to look in the mirror, I was constantly dissociated from my look. Like I didn't identify with the person in the reflection. Couple years of taking self-portraits and working on my inner self-love I can say that I finally enjoy how I look. I still don't know if it's good or bad, but it's not a big deal for me. Photography is an amazing grounding technique.
Definitely very interesting and salient points you make there... and I agree. My camera is a tool, and I enjoy remembering memories, and capturing those memories from the places I go, and the experiences I have
Great video! Reminds me of the concept of 'storytelling', which 3d artists talk about a lot. 3d artwork and photography have a lot in common - you consider optics and composition in both. But what all art has in common is story. In photography you're going out and capturing a story. In 3d rendering, you're setting a scene, writing a story, and then capturing it. In music, the flow of harmony and melody, the character of the instruments' timbre and tone, and of the room's warmth and color - these all tell a story, too. Art can be beautiful on the merits of composition alone, but a story gives it depth and meaning.
I just stumbled across this video. I enjoyed it so much I liked and subscribed. I also shared to my Facebook page and Instagram as well. You perfectly summed it all up.
That's a really great video. It verbalised my progress as a hobby photo- and videographer over the last couple of years. I started with taking pictures of everything and then it narrowed to three things. Travel photo- and videography. Portraits of my friends and topics that is connected to my profession (architecture/urban planning/public transit).
Yes. Indeed! It has taken me over 10 years of photographic education, experimentation and work to realize what this video says so distinctly. Thank you❤. Well put. Now I am starting my(photographic) career with the RIGHT mindset. Thank you for this new years gift❤❤❤
As a astrophotographer I couldn’t agree more I started off with nothing more than my two eyeballs staring up at the sky as a little kid over the years I picked up astrophotography as a way to enhance my view of the night sky and the process of watching my image turn into something that I’ll keep in my image gallery forever just going out with other people that enjoy looking up into the heavens takes the cake for me
I'd say there are times when photography is the tool and others when photography is the fascination or goal. Now that I've spent so many years with a camera in hand, it has also become part of how I travel, socialise, think, make art and generally engage with the world. But I still enjoy working on technique, figuring out how to capture a certain range of shadow, backlit smoke, dancers in motion or angular buildings. I love comparing background compression and bokeh between lenses. I make multiple copies of images in Lightroom to see what an underexposed edit brings out versus a brightened one. The subjects are interesting but so are the photographic choices. Coming from a drawing background I'd say it's similar in the sense that I'm genuinely interested in mark-making as its own act; in line quality and texture and the differences between starting with light paper and adding dark, dark paper and adding "light", or midrange paper and adding both. Or trying out different physicalities and gestures to see what they bring out. Of course, I make choices about what I draw (and photograph) based on my interests but they are also interests in their own right.
Wow what a breath of fresh air, great video. Exactly what I needed to hear, as I am feeling burnt out on mototsport photography, which is why I got into it... but realised my interests have wandered in other directions so it now makes perfect sense.
The machine that is a camera fascinates me. Taking light and creating an image that records that light in different ways is such a cool thing. Sensors, film, glass plates if you're really wanting to get into reenactments. All of it is a wonder and I end up just fiddling with a camera while bored and having nothing else to do. But I don't go to concerts, I don't have various conversations with people, there's no vistas I want to see or places I want to visit. I only just recently got a (working) dedicated camera and so far it's only subject has been the sky. Clouds, that's all I've photographed so far. It's all I've really wanted to photograph lately. Here one moment, changed in the next, then gone in a minute or two. I like to save those formations for just a few moments more. I don't even review the pictures much after they're taken, and I forget everything about that day even if I do go back through. But I still like to look at the sky and see some of those peaceful moments in life.
A fresh take on photography on which I find myself agreeing very much. I'm an amateur wildlife photographer and it's the wildlife that has interested me for years before I picked up a camera. With wildlife photography I've been out in the wild for whole days, experiencing nature for long stretches of time. I sometimes find myself putting down the camera when I know the photo won't turn out as I planned, and just enjoying the animals. Thanks for making this video, being more conscious of this will probably make the whole process more enjoyable
Stumbled across this video and agree, I take photos because it slows me down and helps me see the little interesting things around me that I'd otherwise miss if I let myself get lost in my thoughts when I go through my daily life.
That's exactly right. It's a way to explore, and we'd miss out on so much without it.
Yep, same. I just got back from visiting the Oregon coast with friends and I’d be such a pain in the ass on the hikes if I didn’t have my camera to get me to stop and appreciate the views.
I apparently have ADHD. This resonates.
Mind you, people at rock concerts spend so much time "capturing the moment" to "relive later", they don't enjoy it while it's actually happening.
yeah most of the time my camera is my excuse to stay in one place a little bit longer when I travel around. its ok if I dont bring my camera, but I can have more excuse to stay there longer when travelling in groups if I have it with me. that said when I travel alone, almost half the time I forgot to bring my camera since I dont need any excuses to stay longer and I have my phone which is perfectly fine
For me it's a little of both - I use photography as an excuse to explore the world, but when I'm doing paid gigs I also just enjoy the technical aspects and challenge of actually practicing photography. Being skilled in pointing this massive piece of glass at someone and dialing my settings down in real time is an awesome feeling
*Shoots with an Olympus Trip* :P
I agree. There's something satisfying in manipulating a system (a camera) skillfully enough to get out of it what you'd envisioned.
@@dawnkeyy Definitely! I’m finally getting more confident in shooting in full manual so I can go for exactly the look I want. Another reason why I don’t like using my iPhone’s camera even though it is more convenient. I also love photography because I can’t draw or paint so instead my canvas is what’s given to me in this amazing world we have. And the stories that comes out of it are unforgettable
@CDGage I've met many photographers who went to art school and hated to draw so they chose photography.
I've also met a lot who started out as a mom or dad photographing their kids soccer game.
We all start somewhere and welcome to the world of shooting manual! The doors open to do whatever you want to do, like a painter would with a brush.
It’s a shame people keep insisting on making universal statements. So many videos are like this. While I respect that for YOU photography may be an excuse rather than a hobby, that is not true of everyone, or even most. Some people do indeed have a passion for a certain subject or activity and transition into doing photography focused on that. The sports nut who becomes a sports photographer, the constant traveller who becomes a travel or documentary photographer, the people watcher who takes up street photography, that person who is fascinated by bugs and insects becoming a macro photographer, or indeed the people person who loves meeting and talking with new people who takes up portrait photography. However, for me, (and for many others as well I think) photography is about 2 things. Capturing and recording a moment, and creating art. The joy I get from doing photography, the reason I do it, is to create beautiful or compelling images. I get a kick out of it. I love composing the image, editing it afterwards and turning a real life moment into art in a way that is totally different from when I paint or draw. I know very little about insects, and have no desire to learn about them either. And whilst flowers are beautiful, I don’t want to spend my life looking at them from point-blank range. However I will do it for a few minutes, maybe an hour in order to create a beautiful or captivating image. Just as I will scramble up onto rocks at the beach to get a seascape from a certain angle or subject myself to the potentially judging gaze of people to get a good street photo. Perhaps those who are passionate about the subject or activity anyway and who just take photos in addition, are the best photographers. Maybe they do get the best images because they are imbued with an understanding and passion I don’t have. But still, I enjoy “mere photography” as a hobby. And I think I am not alone in this. If your definition of photography is not simply button-mashing on a camera, but rather, composing, capturing and creating an image; than “mere” photography itself can indeed be the end goal. A hobby and a reason unto itself, not just an excuse.
This made my day. Thank you so much for sharing!
Very much appreciated - thank you!
No, for me it’s the very definition of a hobby. I go out and wander for fun to take photos. I look forward to sitting down and editing my photos and not for anything but fun. I put them out on instagram for me not expecting any likes or interaction. It’s strictly for me, and that’s a hobby.
Completely agree with you. I approach photography the same way I approach my other creative hobbies like drawing and writing. I simply enjoy the process from start to finish and the feeling of satisfaction with how a completed project turned out. I expect no financial payoff, I just do it for fun. That’s a hobby.
If it's strictly for you, why put them on Instagram?
@@LuigiToby just my way of expressing myself
one could argue that you enjoy wandering and photography gives you an excuse to do so-i don’t think Ops argument is so easily escaped.
@@domoroboto8752 could very much be true!
I disagree with this video because I actually enjoy taking the picture. I do enjoy hearing the sound of the shutter. When I was younger and I got my first phone, I took pictures of everything any anything; I took pictures because I liked taking pictures, not because I was interested in how my room looked. Sure, nowadays that might be a PART of it, but I still enjoy taking the picture the most.
I don't really understand the point of this video, and it kind of rubs me the wrong way (kind of like how video essays do when they try to explain their idea to the viewer while acting like it's the absolute truth), but I'm glad some people are saying they needed this video.
Thanks
Wow! Very much appreciated. Glad you are enjoying the channel!
This is the video I needed right now. I picked up my first film camera 20+ years ago and then put it down because digital came in and overtook it. I shot for years using a Samsung but never really believed what I was doing was photography because, well, it was my phone. I only just bought a dedicated camera 6 months ago (a simple Sony a6000) and started shooting again and I realized it wasn't all that different in principle. But now I had a new problem of 'what' photography I wanted to make. I spent a couple of months just shooting things on walks, not what I would call street photography but something close to it. Then I started bringing my camera to the live music shows I'd go to and really started loving taking pictures of bands. Then I realized I love tight framing. And now I'm at the point where I'm thinking I may absolutely love portraiture. I talk with the artists in the bands after I shoot them and they love the photos. I caught you in a way that was real to me and also real to you - that's such a satisfying thing. I honestly didn't know where to go because I watch too much Photo RUclips, but this video really helped put a lot in to perspective for me. Thank you!
Glad it resonated with you!
That's lot.. but yup nice
I don't know you from Adam, but RUclips put you in my feed because I've been looking at some photography related stuff as a prelude to starting to shoot again. And on the basis of this one thoughtful video you win my sub.
And a comment, "for the algorithm" . Cheers.
You're completely right. Im selling my camera now and going to take up smoking.
Wow, this just completely blew my mind. You put it straight on the point.
Spot on. I love the wilderness, I love to explore new places. My camera gear and my drone are there to remind me to get out there. And when I'm out in nature, my gear gives me that extra reason to slow down and take in every moment.
This is how I've always felt about my photography, perfectly described! Photography; is the perfect tool for connecting to the world around us.
It’s amazing, isn’t it! Thanks for the comment.
I love this perspective and I'm glad I stumbled on this video. I love to take portraits because it helps me, an introvert, step out of my comfort zone and engage with people. Watching their faces light up when they see the pictures I have taken, that capture their raw emotion, beauty, and story really is something special. It's hard to put in words to how interesting people are, but a photo can say it all.
I clicked on this video expecting to mentally argue the topic.
I'm coming away from it thinking about how much it's true.
While I enjoyed playing with my camera when I first got it, now it's more just a tool I use to show people things that I find beauty in. Mainly my animals and explorations I go on. I like to take eye level photos of animals or angles we normally wouldn't see and I love nature scenes of close up snow, water, rocks, moss, etc. Things that we would otherwise never take the time to admire.
This video is so well done, the first I've seen of your channel, but wow. 10/10
This Video has completely changed my view on artistic expression in general and photography in particular. Thank you
Phenomenal idea... 😯
I love your assertion of "photography is the tool" I always found it weird and pretentious when people said "cameras are a tool" but could never quite put my finger on why, you hit the nail on the head in a way few can. I am subscribing just for that one line.
Nah. His entire take is ridiculous. Just a snarky know-it-all who thinks he can go around acting like some authority.
He’s the kind of guy that goes “uhh actually” because he thinks he’s superior to everyone.
I don’t know how this crap ended up on my feed but I downvoted it and will be reporting the content to get any and all ad revenue taken away from him.
This is great. I have been struggling for a while now to go out and take photos. I look at my camera collecting dust at home and wonder... what's missing, what's holding me back? Now I realize that it is not the act of taking photos what is not working for me. Instead, the problem is that I don't have a reason to take photos in the first place. I don't have a passion and I am not living experiences meaningful enough that I feel naturally motivated to share them. It makes sense now, every time I pictured myself taking photos, I was in fact picturing myself enjoying something and being able to share it with my camera.
Glad this idea resonated with you. And great point - its both enjoying something and sharing it that makes it special.
Let me know what sort of videos you'd like to see in the future.
WOW, what a great teaching. Just touched my little photography soul. Thank you so much. Will watch it surely again, and again.
Awesome video, thank you! After I watched it, I was thinking on why I wish to take camera, what kind of pictures inspire me and why, it was 5 min of pure insight.
Very interesting. To answer one of your questions, I can state categorically that there are many places I wouldn't have researched or even bothered visiting without my camera. It provides me with the motivation to travel, something constructive to do with myself when I arrive and assists my memories greatly after the event. I also enjoy the immersive physical connection between the viewfinder and my brain that enables me to see the world in a rather different perspective. So no, it's not an excuse for me, but as often as not the very reason behind my actions.
I might be of the same camp. Visiting locations without a camera feels dull and fleeting to me-almost pointless. What I enjoy more is capturing a moment at a location, researching it’s history, and sharing what I learned or experienced. Maybe that is why I struggle with enjoying street photography, but can become obsessed with landscapes or documenting cultural sites.
I love taking the most random pictures, like the ceiling of my house, the parking lot, etc.
I love the electro-optical system of the CMOS sensor and variable muti-elements lens.
I enjoy the amazing sound of the mechanical shutter.
I think this classify myself as a photography lover.
I've never thought that way - using photography as an excuse. But it just came to my mind that at least once I used it to cure homesick and a bit of a depressive mood. I traveled all the way from Germany to Netherlands just to take some photos and see the sea for the first time. I wanted to capture it, to not to forget that feeling. I used black and white ilford film, it was very cold and wet and windy. I was not clothed properly, but I felt SO happy. There was a dog I petted for a few seconds - it multiplied the palette of feelings and I even cried a bit. Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of the dog. I am not a photographer and photos I made turned out objectively bad, but I love them and the experience they were taken as an excuse.
I totally understand. same reason, why I love taking photos of my family, especially when my mom and dad are enjoying their tea. Seeing them happy and relaxed just makes me want to capture the moment.
This is one of the best, maybe THE BEST, video on photography I’ve ever seen. And I’ve watched thousands. THANK YOU for posting this. Liked and subscribed before it even ended.
Really kind - thank you!
I watched this video because I thought that the title was obvious click bait and I wanted to see what the video was really about. I was wrong. The title is spot on and the video is very thought provoking. Thank you for making this video and I look forward to exploring your other content.
Very beautifully put. I personally don't pull my DSLR out often, but I do it if I want to capture a space I have walked a few times and want to share with other people. It is about archiving a point in time that existed, to perhaps show people why I appreciate it. The camera being slightly better than my phone is mainly to ensure the image is higher quality, to portray the space a little more accurately.
I picked up a 35mm film camera a few months ago because I had heard that taking more time before seeing your photos can help reinforce your memory of those events. Having struggled with mental health related memory issues I thought that it might be neat to carry around an analog camera and snap pictures of little moments here and there that I might want to remember.
did it work?
@@gediminasa.1914 For me, yes. I've always struggled with mental health related memory issues too, along side my own issues and it's helped so much. taking pictures where i do something, or just the experience of daily life, what i'm doing, who i'm hanging with. It catches those good memories and freezes it in a picture for me to come back to and revisit later. I have so many polaroids of just me and my friends hanging out and i cherish them with the world. If you're anxious about it, i just recommend diving in, it'll be okay
@@theskycrusader7100 sounds lovely, thank you.
Thank you for your insight and great presentation. When I take pictures of people, animals or things I like, they come out much better.
This is a fascinating argument. Most of the good portraits I've taken were taken when the subject didn't know I was taking the picture. I was talking to them and distracting them and then got the right smile and emotion. I still believe that I am camera focused at times, because I like taking photos that shift or alter the meaning of the subject matter, but most of the time, I'm capturing something that's already there. The photo is meaningful because of the connection to the subject.
Honestly, this was a great video. I’ve been so focused on the gadget part I’ve kinda lost focus on why I take pictures in the first place and as I’ve been working on that, this helped put into words what I’ve been struggling with. Can’t recommend this enough.
Glad it was helpful!
Such a good video. The first part is a great answer to the question I used to ask myself, why aren’t famous photographers talking about their gear at all?
Looking through a HCB book and there are no references in the captions to camera body, lens, film stock. Let alone shutter speed or aperture settings.
I realized slowly that the reason was an indifference to the mechanics of it. No one asks what enlarger the print was made on after all.
This video was very well made, insightful, and thought out. Thank you!
I always loved taking pictures on my phone and when I got a new phone the camera was also a big deciding factor but as I picked up my first analog camera a few days ago I can never look back. It is something only the act of photography, only the pictures we make can describe. I also adore the technical aspect of my camera especially since I repaired it myself without any knowledge before that whatsoever. I’m glad I’m here, in this community and I’m glad I stumbled upon this video of yours.
I really enjoy the technical aspect of photography. The technology, the numbers, the settings, and applying all of that knowledge to my shots.
This is the best description of me as a photographer that I’ve found 👏
some EXCELLENT points were made here. I have always thought of photography being an excuse, or even a motivation for me to do stuff.
recently I made the realization that I've been taking photos for the sake of taking photos. I was interested in the camera rather than photography. somehow over the years I've learned what photography really is and I've gained a deep curiosity and love to it. I will try to make more photography rather than just clicking the shutter in the years to come, with the goal of truly learning photography, and making good work. this video sums up this huge thing that took years to realize in my photography journey. thank you.
This is exactly what I needed when I needed it, thank you!
The single most meaningful video about photography. Really opened my eyes to what photography means to me. Thank you.
At one point in my life photography was an everyday experience. The cost of gear just kept going up. I gave up on updating my digital and went back to film. The cost of film keeps going up. Now days I just pick up my Les Paul and make music. There is no upgrading needed with a Les Paul.
Very well put. This video really changed my perspective.
I'm thankful for getting across such a profound opinion on the flow state of artistic expression.
As for me, i do enjoy more basic art paths to be more happily gratified with my own tricks :)
This is a brilliant video idea. In a world full of camera reviews, I love the philosophical contemplations you brought up here. I’ll definitely save this video and watch it again soon.
"A portrait is an excuse for a conversation." Love that!
I enjoy Photography because I enjoy technology. Really cool features come through on things like Camcorders.
Is the youtube algorithm getting better? Never had you on the screen but I'm super thankful for finding you
amazing video. reminded me a lot of Susan Sontag's book "On photography".
But, while I totally agree with everything you said around 5:00, I think there is a point that needs to be made. Some beginners confuse "good photographs" with "things they enjoyed", "things that are emotional". Let me give an example.
Someone from our uni photography club shared a photo they took, it had two people in it saying goodbye to each other in a train station, one in the train, one on the platform. While this moment was "sentimental" in a human sense, the photo they took failed to convey these emotions because of the photographer's lack of clear composition.
So, I think that while "experience" is one of the reasons why great photograps ARE great, but also a clear composition is also required to communicate said emotions with the viewer.
A wonderful converstion, thank you for such insightful advice.
This really made me see it from new perspectives
thanks❤
I’ll be showing this to my photo students thank you for this!!!
I was nervous at first but you really created something truly fascinating. I was glued to the screen. Thank you!
No need to be nervous. Thanks for the comment!
This was a lovely essay. You’ve given me food for thought. Cheers.
I appreciate your kind words! Glad it was useful!
Saw the title, got confused, watched it, and I agreed. Photography really helps influences my drive for adventure and see the things I've always wanted. Granted, I've been in some possibly danger situations for it but... I'd do it all over again.
Beautifully put. I have not come across this perspective before and I find myself agreeing with everything you're saying! Even if my camera evaporated away, I would still be there. The camera is a way for me to capture a moment I enjoyed, relive it and share that moment with others. I look forward to hearing more from you!
This made me emotional. I'm not a photographer, and I don't want to be. I like taking pictures in any way because they open me up to the world and human experience ( I love taking pictures of ppl) and help me remember the moments in time I cherish. The moments in time bring us all closer. It's almost a means of spreading joy and light to everyone. Even for a moment..
I did a bit of digital photography about a decade ago but only recently picked up film photography, partly because I wanted an excuse to go on walks - turns out that works really well and I also fell in love with taking pictures again.
Agreed. About 15 years ago I used digital for weddings/proms etc. But I'm 62 now with all the ailments that incurs (COPD, osteoarthritis and so on). I've had to slow down, and my old film cameras have made me remember why I loved photography when I first started enjoying it around the late 70's.
This is exactly right. A few years ago I started referring to photography as a “social passport,” because it can be exactly that. I shoot a lot of events for work, and I love it because I’m always curious about what’s going on that I may not know about. I think some of the comments are misinterpreting the word “excuse” and taking it to mean you’re blaming photography for something. Excuse to me in this context just means “reason,” which does not have any negative connotation. I
Absolutely - I didn’t intend a negative connotation, but “reason” is spot on. The camera grants us access to amazing situations we wouldn’t get otherwise.
I'm genuienly happy that a video like this is out here. Hope many people will see this! :)
Wow - This rekindled my love of photography which is really just a love of people and spaces.
Something clicked in me after hearing this idea. I think it can work for other similar craft too such as illustration or music, using them as a way to capture interesting things and ideas instead of an end in and of itself. Such a profound message and I hope it reaches more people. Thank you very much!
This video arrived on my feed late at night. Inspirational. It was the perfect closing video for the day.
I really liked this video. Really, really.
I couldn’t explain my thoughts but this video does it for me actually. It is the capturing the aesthetic/feelings. It’s a way of telling really.
Beautiful! BIG THANK YOU!
beautifully said. never heard someone talk about photography this way. thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I just like the technology and seeing how it was done in the old days with pinhole cameras, mechanical cameras, the firsy color photos. Plus if you get good at framing, lighting, ect. People pay you for it
What a beautiful video, wow! Thank you!
Great video. Enjoyed listening to it and hearing what you have to say. Very insightful.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I opened the video fully expecting something silly or controversial that I will not agree with. What I got was the exact opposite. A thought provoking video, igniting a spark that was long gone. Thank you, now I can see again, why I started in the first place.
This idea has hovered just out of my reach for a few years while I've explored my own photography. As soon as you mention the hypothetical of the camera evaporating, I think something clicked. I love the collaboration between myself and subject, whether that's landscapes or people. I've recently started writing about my work for a photo book I'm working on, and everything I write is about the moment surrounding the frame - not the technical aspects of the photo. Thank you for sharing this perspective
Really glad it resonated with you - thanks for the comment!
It's interesting how we are opposite. My intentions are technique, joy of taking pictures, joy of the process. Sometimes I process pictures only after 1 or 2 years have passed after taking the shot. I don;t care about the object. It just happens that the object is usually also pleasant.
New subscriber here, Love this video !! Your philosophy is spot on ! Photography is a passion to capture something for ever, No passion, no photo.
I think this was a most delightful and refreshing change from the normal photography videos. The parting words "if your camera evaporated, would you still like to be at the event" has made a lasting impression on me.
stumbled across this video.. thanks. having recently bought a new camera (like 5 days ha!) I have been reflecting on the object. great video
I understand completely, and I don't even do photography, the only time I listen to music is if I drive, as I am too focused on not dying. When I walk, run, or exercise, I now completely stopped and smelled the roses, so to speak. When I see something truly beautiful, I make a genuine effort to sink the vista into long term memory. Real life may not look as pretty without a camera, but it's more real, it's no simulation or still image, it's something you can reach out and interact with.
I actually thought this was going to be some sort of gatekeep-y video by the title. Actually wound up being super positive and exactly what I needed to hear. Excellent points!
This is a great video. Very much appreciate your perspective on the concept!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love photography. I bring my cameras and equipment everywhere I go, look for motives, subjects, landscapes, perspectives, etc. Then when the time is right and the weather is nice, I jump on my motorcycle, head to the spots I find, and take pictures by myself. If that isn't a hobby, idk what is.
I do photography occasionally and mainly as an extension of my painting (taking reference photos). Really enjoyed this video, well done mate
Very good points made here and I think logically it makes sense. But, personally for me, photography is an escape and even though I take photos of subjects I already have an interest in, I find it hard to engage with them socially because I am introverted and much prefer the act of photography
Using a camera has pushed me to go out more often, and helped me realise how beautiful things actually are. Now with or without a camera, I find myself always adamant on exploring new places or striking up a conversation.
What an insight! Thanks a lot!
This was a pivotal point in my life when for the first time ever I've starting taking self-portraits with my old Olympus E330. Before it was hard for me to look in the mirror, I was constantly dissociated from my look. Like I didn't identify with the person in the reflection. Couple years of taking self-portraits and working on my inner self-love I can say that I finally enjoy how I look. I still don't know if it's good or bad, but it's not a big deal for me. Photography is an amazing grounding technique.
great video! i like that you talk about things that no one else talks about
Thank you very much! This is one of the best photography advices I've learnt!
Definitely very interesting and salient points you make there... and I agree. My camera is a tool, and I enjoy remembering memories, and capturing those memories from the places I go, and the experiences I have
This is probably the most meaningful photography video I’ve ever seen. So beautifully well put.
Great video! Reminds me of the concept of 'storytelling', which 3d artists talk about a lot. 3d artwork and photography have a lot in common - you consider optics and composition in both. But what all art has in common is story. In photography you're going out and capturing a story. In 3d rendering, you're setting a scene, writing a story, and then capturing it. In music, the flow of harmony and melody, the character of the instruments' timbre and tone, and of the room's warmth and color - these all tell a story, too. Art can be beautiful on the merits of composition alone, but a story gives it depth and meaning.
The video I wasn't looking for, but the video I absolutely needed to see. Thank you.
Really glad it resonated with you!
I just stumbled across this video. I enjoyed it so much I liked and subscribed. I also shared to my Facebook page and Instagram as well. You perfectly summed it all up.
That's very kind - thank you!
Very insightful.
As a video editor, I often find the process of making the final product more enjoyable than watching the outcome.
That's a really great video. It verbalised my progress as a hobby photo- and videographer over the last couple of years. I started with taking pictures of everything and then it narrowed to three things. Travel photo- and videography. Portraits of my friends and topics that is connected to my profession (architecture/urban planning/public transit).
Yes. Indeed! It has taken me over 10 years of photographic education, experimentation and work to realize what this video says so distinctly. Thank you❤. Well put. Now I am starting my(photographic) career with the RIGHT mindset. Thank you for this new years gift❤❤❤
As a astrophotographer I couldn’t agree more I started off with nothing more than my two eyeballs staring up at the sky as a little kid over the years I picked up astrophotography as a way to enhance my view of the night sky and the process of watching my image turn into something that I’ll keep in my image gallery forever just going out with other people that enjoy looking up into the heavens takes the cake for me
Thank you.
Someone once asked David Bailey what the most important part of his photographic kit was, "comfortable shoes".
I'd say there are times when photography is the tool and others when photography is the fascination or goal. Now that I've spent so many years with a camera in hand, it has also become part of how I travel, socialise, think, make art and generally engage with the world. But I still enjoy working on technique, figuring out how to capture a certain range of shadow, backlit smoke, dancers in motion or angular buildings. I love comparing background compression and bokeh between lenses. I make multiple copies of images in Lightroom to see what an underexposed edit brings out versus a brightened one. The subjects are interesting but so are the photographic choices.
Coming from a drawing background I'd say it's similar in the sense that I'm genuinely interested in mark-making as its own act; in line quality and texture and the differences between starting with light paper and adding dark, dark paper and adding "light", or midrange paper and adding both. Or trying out different physicalities and gestures to see what they bring out. Of course, I make choices about what I draw (and photograph) based on my interests but they are also interests in their own right.
Wow what a breath of fresh air, great video. Exactly what I needed to hear, as I am feeling burnt out on mototsport photography, which is why I got into it... but realised my interests have wandered in other directions so it now makes perfect sense.
The machine that is a camera fascinates me. Taking light and creating an image that records that light in different ways is such a cool thing. Sensors, film, glass plates if you're really wanting to get into reenactments. All of it is a wonder and I end up just fiddling with a camera while bored and having nothing else to do. But I don't go to concerts, I don't have various conversations with people, there's no vistas I want to see or places I want to visit. I only just recently got a (working) dedicated camera and so far it's only subject has been the sky. Clouds, that's all I've photographed so far. It's all I've really wanted to photograph lately. Here one moment, changed in the next, then gone in a minute or two. I like to save those formations for just a few moments more. I don't even review the pictures much after they're taken, and I forget everything about that day even if I do go back through. But I still like to look at the sky and see some of those peaceful moments in life.
great way to think about it. I feel like photography is an amazing way to live vicariously through the people the you photograph
A fresh take on photography on which I find myself agreeing very much. I'm an amateur wildlife photographer and it's the wildlife that has interested me for years before I picked up a camera. With wildlife photography I've been out in the wild for whole days, experiencing nature for long stretches of time. I sometimes find myself putting down the camera when I know the photo won't turn out as I planned, and just enjoying the animals. Thanks for making this video, being more conscious of this will probably make the whole process more enjoyable