A Practical Exercise for Photographers
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- Today I'm sharing a self-assignment, a practical exercise for all photographers.
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In my opinion, this is by far one of the best videos you’ve ever made. Growing up in LA, you never really think about this. I’ve been going to those since I was a little kid, and it made me happy to see them portrayed in this light.
I appreciate that Alan! Thanks for sharing.
I agree, this might be his best work
Could not agree more. The shot at 4:38 is (in my opinion) one of your best ones ever! The story made them so personal. Love it.
Agreed! The best, at least my favorite ✨
As a mag editor, I can tell you that this is a good story. Great instinct. You should pitch this around, and I'm convinced someone will pick it up.
I do these mini "commissions" with a friend. We regularly agree on a specific task for a roll and battle it out once the pics are in. It's great fun and a really good way to stay active and keep trying out new stuff. We live in different cities, so it's also a good way to stay in touch.
Thats awesome!
Yes!! I would love to see this in Nat Geo :)
It's been fantastic seeing LA through the eyes of a newcomer, and even after a good while of you moving out here I feel like you're picking up on things I've taken for granted in all my years as a resident.
That means a lot! Thanks
I feel so lucky to be able to watch videos like these for free. I'm incredibly inspired by your projects and thought processes. Now I just need to find some motivation and maybe I'll finally finish a project or two...
when i was looking at the original footage i was trying to think of what photos i would take if i were there to photograph it and then i saw your pictures and was blown away at your ability to contextualize the whole story while maintaining beautiful compostitions
Honey wake up, Willem has posted!
I love this idea. it even makes things that you've shot before different because of the restrictions that you set for yourself, whether it's a location or subject. now I have some ideas :) thanks Willem
Happy to hear it, its amazing how much inspiration you can find by limiting yourself to a very specific subject.
This seriously could not have come at a better time!! I’ve been so lost (stepped away from photography for the past 4 years) so this idea of a focused, self-project is exactly what I need. Tysm for sharing!! Your work is a huge inspiration to me😊
Great Tip! Beautiful shots! I'm in love with the details and all the layers you photographed. Really interesting place especially all those power lines going over it.
Thank you Samuel!
Yep, a great self project. And many awesome images. The images of that woman were really good.
Those same utility alignments are also used for RV Storage. Not as pretty as plants.
your eye for composition and finding those special pockets of light is unmatched.
Man, thank you for the inspiration. this just just shows that you dont need the fanciest locations and travel to tell new stories.
I love how visionary you are and how you show your passion for photography! That’s what makes you different to the others. So nice to see your work and how you express your vision ❤
one of my absolute favorite videos you've ever made
This was a phenomenal "self-assignment". You made me feel the subject and brought out its meaningfulness through your photos. Well done, sir.
I hope you'll continue visiting these nurseries, the juxtapositions of fragile plants and towering infrastructur are amazing ... I would def by a book on this subject (On the sunny side of the street sits on the shelf behind me as I type this).
In my opinion this is your best project since you went back to Belgium and took those 4x5 photo's of the small chapels and take aways. If you'd combine portraits like the once you made in this video with you'll have a very strong project.
Wonderful pictures! I often forget that fields of flowers are not a usual sight for everyone. One of your best videos so far. Great story telling and stellar camera work!
I've driven by these nurseries many times and you did a great job capturing the beauty and ambiance of the places as well as dignity of the people. Really nice colors on the photos. Love it.
Beautiful story/assignment.
its been a blessing to watch your journey as a photographer! Looks like your style has change a lot during these years and right now I'm loving the poethic nature of you images. Your videos gives me a lot of inspiration! Great advice, I'm going to self-assign myself in the future, haven't done that since school.
Totally agree with this. Always easy to fall into "grass is greener" trap. I just picked a local high-street and started walking up and down it to make a project out of a location. Nice to have even the slightest amount of focus/purpose to photo walks.
Incredible light even in winter time! I'd love to have that in central europe in summer!
You’ve got some really gorgeous images in here, Willem, and the joy you had in making them is readily apparent. Congrats!
I really like those photos. They are both individually excellent and really provide a sense of narrative about the places you visited. Can absolutely see them in a magazine. Brilliant!
1:45 ... always stunning to see how much our ways of perception are influenced by Caspar David Friedrich!
Amazing amazing photos! By far my favourite project of yours!!
I ordered everything from Longweekend, it arrived today here in Switzerland :D The shipping was just 3 Days, awesome!
Awesome!! Thank you
Really beautiful work Willem! Love he concept of self-assignment.
Thank you very much!
It very similar in many countries where the areas below such power grid towers are used for horticulturists and occassionally, small scale farmers.
1. Such lands below and next to grid towers are usually claimed to be hazardous to health. Hence, its a cheap land.
2. Most of such towards are located in highly remote forested areas where access is difficult. If the area surrounding the base of such towers are clean and “socialised”, its a huge benefit to the electric companies and their maintenance sub-contractors cos they dont need to wade through dense wild forest to get to the base of the towers.
So, such flower farms below the towers are actually a huge help to the electric companies.
You sir are a true artist!
I like seeing the need for photos in a news article and making that a goal
One of my favorite videos you’ve ever done! Thank you for making this!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you
what a beautiful work! Loved
I love this types of videos, sitting down and talking about a project that means a lot to you. keep it up dude
Same!! These types of videos inspire me so much
Probably my favorite series of photographs from you thus far.
This was great One of those nurseries is right by my house. I've been taking pictures of the powerlines though instead of the plants, never thought to go in...
For someone that’s not got any commissioned project or planning on any soon, every assignment is a self assignment ;) also really love the shots on the series
Your photos are always so calming, they bring me so much peace.
Thank you :')
Beautiful video Willem. Fantastic subject matter and a great way to think about building a body of work!
it’s one thing for you to ask owners to take photos of their location but the fact that you ask to take photos of them is probably such a big deal to them, their children’s children will talk about their family business and they’ll have photos not only of their business but also them, you’re a beautiful soul willem. never change haha such a nice video and I don’t think we will ever understand how much they appreciate you for doing this for them
man, you know what, good for you. this is awesome. i had an idea kinda like this that i didnt follow through on, that i now will
Love the concept of this project. There’s a lot of beauty in LA if you know where to look
Love what you did here Willem! Great story and beautifully captured. And yes yes yes its so empowering and such good practice to self-assign! (side note that piano music was so perfect)
I knew it was you! ;-) You both are inspiring the shit out of me with this, thanks 🤩
Can't agree more! I've tried this where I took a personal habit of mine that loves to take selfies on convex mirror and set it as a specific subjects for a whole roll. Still need times to perfect it but pretty happy that it actually does help in pursuing a better understanding in photography. Really love your interest on plants Willem! The photo with blurry flowers and power plants behind really mesmerizing!
Somehow this made a bit emotional haha. I admire your eye for hidden or overlooked things so much.
That's so awesomeee! I love that idea so much, that i want to do it but with filming!
I love doing this exercise as a way to not only practice but learn about the place I am living in just as you did here. Every city has its special little things going on that often get overlooked and it is fun and rewarding to do the research, meet people, make images and feel nourished in the end. Absolutely loved the images you made here, they are hands down some of my personal favorites of yours and I appreciate seeing you sharing the work with us!
Looks like on of these is in the Torrance Area on Crenshaw! If so they are awesome over there. Cool to see a local spot in one of your videos. I was just talking about these nurseries to a friend and how being an east coast transplant means I had never seen something like them before. Love it!
stunningly beautiful photos. such a calm stillness.
Excellent video. Great suggestion and lovely work.
I love this! I'm absolutely going to put this idea to use. This will help me stay engaged and focused! Cheers from Sacramento!
wow... so encouraging to hear you recommend something i started doing few months ago. I gave myself two very specific things to shoot. its also a great way to keep urself motivated, if u are feeling uninspired and dont know what to shoot for the day
Great tips and beautiful shots I'm really interesting place especially All those power lines going over it.
❤ Willem, what a wonderful project! I LOVE POWER LINES! For the past year I’ve been working on a project documenting sport activities in my local community park. Which happens to be under the power lines! 🤩 The backbone of this documentary project - male portraits of people doing different sports. I love projects such yours - just simple mundane things. It’s a great photographic exercise and it’s something for your soul.
Thanks for always inspiring me to keep going! It’s always nice to see new ideas!
once again amazing body of work Willem!
One of my favorite videos from you! These are great man, thanks for the constant inspiration
i gave up photography many years ago but the passion never left yk i hope i get back into it one day i really enjoyed this made me want to start creating again thankyou:)
Beautiful idea and pictures
Beautiful work as always
Love this!
Ah love these photos. Hard to pick a favorite, but 5:30 and 6:54 really speak to me. Great light and I like the story telling. Self-assigning is a neat trick to get you to shoot from a more journalistic approach I think.
So cool and inspiring. Stellar work
I think this concept of self assignment can be really useful for finding inspiration locally and trying to find quirks and traits of towns and cities near to you!
Best video you've made by far IMO. Really something a lot more personal and interesting than most of the photography channels. You can tell it's something you really enjoyed too.
such a nice project! i love all the photos, especially the ones with the owners! inspires me to think about a new project.
Man, this video is gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing your content, you really are an inspiration.
The photos are beautiful~ Thank you for the inspiration, gonna take on a self-assignment too 🙌🏻
The timing of this video is crazy. I drove by a nursery by my house and I was thinking about going in to buy some plants haha.
Such a great idea and project. The images are beautiful! Thanks for sharing this!
this collection of photos is gorgeous 🤍
gorgeous photos and a really unique story! Love your work :)
Gorgeous photography. Gorgeous story.
awesome vid. as a fellow transplant to socal i've also noticed and admired the greenery under transmission lines. another cool self-assignment could be casual food spots that are unique to LA. mostly i've noticed tons of burger shacks, mom and pop donuts shops (mostly asian owned!), and of course taco stands.
Great work, love the narrative. I have a self assignment here on the west coast of Ireland I’ve been putting off.
I love these tips. Thanks so much for sharing. ✨
Thanks for watching! :)
I would posit that there's a lot of beauty in industrial spaces and in the built environment as a whole. I am into this juxtaposition of industrial against 'curated greenness', however. Also, I see you were hanging around Sun Valley at 3:11!
Very nice pictures. Keep doing!!!
This is amazing. More videos like this, Willem. Thank you for sharing
I loved the photos dude! There were so many stunners
Thanks man. I just realized I need more narrative/thought about what I am trying to convey.
This is a great idea! And also great video, thanks Willem :)
The images are so good! good video!
Beautiful images!!
Yea Willem!!!
Love this practice, gives me so many ideas. Thanks WILLEM
Beautiful shots & love the idea behind this photo collection Willem. Great video👌
4:20 and 4:38, omg, thanks for sharing!
This is beautiful, Willem. A wonderful concept and excellent execution. Amazing video, also (as usual). Keep up the great work.
This is a great video for aspiring photographers because this practice is the difference between becoming a photographer vs photographing things. Thanks for this video 🙏🏻
Dude, I LOVE this! Firstly, the photos are beautiful - well done (as usual). You showcased this juxtaposition so well, and really made the beauty to evident. I’ve also been trying to self-assign things recently, and this is really encouraging me to just get out there and do the projects I’ve been envisioning. Thanks for the inspiration, Willem!
I love this! I just thought a few weeks ago that I should start doing things like this in my spare time and to experience new types of photography that I’ve never done. It’s a nice reminder that you posted this and I love the idea.
Such a sweet video, nailed it
What an interesting and unusual project. You took some incredible photos Willem 🎉Well done! Thankyou for this video, I’d love to see more like this.
Great video and great project.
great work great idea ❤❤
Needed a video like this right now! I just landed in Ireland and I’ll be here for a month for a photography artist residency. I’ve been trying to narrow things down so I don’t go crazy with getting film and shooting!!
Great video and idea Willem! Really enjoyed the images as well. Nicely done!
this is inspiring. I've been attempting self-assignments for a little bit now. thank you Willem.