My mentor was my dear wife who passed away too soon. She was (how I hate to use past tense) an amazing artist who worked in everything from pencil, ink to watercolor, oils, etc. Why she was such a good mentor was not necessarily her skill, but her honesty. I’m currently struggling to get myself going again since she’s been gone (2 years), because I don’t get the feedback. She didn’t fail to tell me when something wasn’t good, but it was so thrilling to when something worked and she liked something. I learned so much from her. The attributes in a mentor is someone who is honest and can “explain” why they feel that way. So you have to be able to verbalize. One final point, she made me stronger and as time passed, I felt I could disagree with her and she could respect that. Thanks so much for sharing this topic, you’ve stirred up some nice memories.
Finding a mentor is really tough. Online groups generally say "you're great", "you su¢k", or nothing at all. Rare is the comment with specific suggestions for improvement (or at least a different approach) that photographers really need. I joined a camera club, looking for role models and mentors. But most of the feedback there is about how to fix a problem in Photoshop. Next to nothing about composition, subject matter, use of light, etc. that would actually make me a better shooter. I consider myself a pretty good self-teacher and I've gotten a lot better the last few years. But if I had someone really knowledgeable to bounce around ideas about photography with, it would be invaluable.
I can really relate to this. The kind of relationship where one can be completely honest and direct about art and the philosophy behind it is rare. It’s often easier to talk about technical issues than the more amorphous aspects of art. I end up writing my thoughts about art in a journal and that helps solidify them to some extent, but I still lack the feed back from other people.
I can so relate to your points here. I finally got up the courage to join a local photography group. My first experience was so disappointing. It was very much clique oriented. Very few women. And they spent so much time talking about Photoshop and Lightroom. It's great to learn editing tricks, but I was so disappointed. I could just feel it wasn't the group for me. Then, good ol' covid arrived, so that put an end to it anyway. Maybe I'll try a different group at some point, or I'll just join in with Ted and Ralph. :)
Put me in the same category as the others, however i think the problem is that creatives at that level tend to be a bit flaky. The problem is who can teach you what you dont know. The only thing we can look towards is wisdom ie people who have come a long way in their craft, and also really ask ourselves what is the point of our own photography and try to connect the dots. Creative endeavors are filled with problems not found in other disciplines because we have to create something out of nothing.
For this exact reason I’d love for you to bring photo assignments back. I’ve always seen you as a mentor. You might not have had any formal training but your insight into especially the theory and philosophy of photography is second to none.
I'm 68 and still with Thoreau, whom I first read in college: "You may say the wisest thing you can, old man-you who have lived seventy years, not without honor of a kind-I hear an irresistible voice which invites me away from all that."
I have been a passion-driven amateur photographer for seventy years. In that time I have accumulated a lot of knowledge and soon it will all be gone. I have never had or been a mentor. Now I w the art going. I would love to share my love for photography with someone who might keep the art going. Most people seem content with snapshots from their cell phone.
SAD but true me 30 years started film days - today NOBODY wants to learn and they ALL believe the iphone is all U need. They will argue that the camera can replicate what U see 100% - though not true, they don't care.
I thought this was a timely message! Two things came to mind as you were speaking. 1.) Selflessness 2.) Humility It takes a selfless person to be able to SHARE information and to mentor someone else. It's VERY easy to be selfish and to only do things that benefit us personally. Humility it what someone who is being mentored needs to posses in order for the mentorship to work properly. It's VERY easy to get a big head or become prideful because of social media numbers and followings. Thanks Ted for being both humble and selfless to share your knowledge, insight and time with us! I greatly appreciate it! I wish you the best! Keep up the great work!
One thing that has helped me is joining local camera clubs / PPA groups and building relationships with photographers that are achieving the goals you aspire to or doing work that's just impressive! Also always have a "student" attitude that theirs someone out their that has something to teach you.
That was really inspiring to watch. P.s. - the photograph with the baby and the guitar player was amazing. It gave me goosebumps. I’m a music producer and I love using photography as one of my creative releases. I’m looking forward to the videos!
I did professional photography work for many years. My sons grew up more into sports than anything. As life has a way of taking unexpected turns, both of them ended up getting film degrees. My oldest son started doing still as a hobby during his college years. I can honest say that now, both of them have become my mentors.
When I first moved to Los Angeles I sort out Ken Marcus who was initially the head of the Playboy photography department I went to a birthday party met him and we’ve been friends for many years now, he’s a great photographer very knowledgeable, I have one of his prints of Jimi Hendrix lighting his guitar on fire. Thanks for the video!
I have recently begun following your videos. This particular video about mentors really caught me by surprise. Greg Booth was a classmate of mine back in the late 60's into the early 70's at Art Center College of Design. This was when the old Art Center was on 3rd and Highland in Los Angeles. We were good friends and often went out shooting class assignments together. Even back then it was easy to to see Greg was destined to be a great photographer. Nothing seemed to deter him from his vision. If there was such a thing as a Valedictorian, he definitely would have been the one as he graduated with 'Great Distinction'. After graduation, we all went our separate ways and I lost contact with him. I am so sorry to hear he had passed away at so young an age. He always seemed to burn his candle at both ends. I am happy you had the opportunity to call him friend and mentor.
@@sergeantcrow it fell from my tripod and de lens mount broke off, I live in Costa Rica, Soo there are no authorized retailer here and taking it to the states is not feasible, it was a D810
Ted I've been subbed to you for close to 6 or more years now I think and I have to thank you for the continued work you do. I understand the mentorship relationship you held with greg. I've similarly began to study with an incredibly successful director of photography and its incredible to bounce off eachother about lensing and light speaking for 12 hours or so on the phone sometimes. Thank you for being so vulnerable and open look forward to more of your work!
I had several short term mentors...my highschool art teacher..then years later i took portrait oil painting..then sculpting with a master sculptor from Japan and worked in a stainglass shop as a youth. Now im in my 50"s and became a Olympic archery coach and mentored young and old on the art of the string and stick. Ive been truly blessed and sharing your story was truly a treat. Thanks so much.
In & around 1976 I was living & going to NW campus of Tarrant County Jr. College & taking a photography class. One of the photography instructors was David Pond-smith. In some fashion David knew Ralph Gibson & arranged for private showing in Dallas Texas. I purchased Ralph Gibson Days At Sea which he signed. In a brief conversation with Mr. Gibson & he was very bright & quick witted about many things & of course to include photography. Needless to say I always admired & attempted to emulate him. I look forward in seeing the future series. I throughly enjoy what you have presented all these years. Thank you.
Wonderful broadcast, Ted. I wanted to mention one of my mentors in photography. Peter Espe (1932-2021) sadly passed away last month in Oxford, UK. We shared many hours together discussing photography, the early cinema, approaches to photography. Peter gave me the much needed encouragement and I vividly remember showing him my album 'Ecosystems' that you so kindly featured on your channel. Peter came to my Ecosystems exhibition at Oxford University and I rolled him in his wheelchair around my exhibition for over an hour. Peter was so interested in every image and was visibly very pleased. In his earlier days, Peter worked at the London College of Printing and one of his most famous students was Michael Kenna, one of my true heroes in photography. Peter photographed Salvador Dali and taught several generations of image makers. It is sad loss.
As someone who has been in a photographic slump for over a year, I'm really looking forward to this. It may be just what I need to get back into it. Thank so much for all that you do Ted.
I am veteran of the Army and former Police Officer, I just got a new camera and I am going to Academy of Art instatute at California. I am doing it online. I would love to have a mentor but I don't know any photographers at all. So I go go this journey alone... I do enjoy listening to Ted, he seems like a really good man and very smart
i think it may be somewhat a novelty for some american/european people, but in asia its quite common thing. becoming an apprentice, finding a master, becoming an assistant of a photographer - IS a way to learn, and IS a way of becoming a master of your own. finding a "mentor" or a "master" is a skill, person who is successful in craft/art not immediately translates into successful mentor. than actually becoming an apprentice/student of his is another different type of skill and work. i had to walk after one of my masters for a year and being rejected every time. but than my ego was crushed, i was ripe and he took me under his wing... best learning period of my life ever. having a master is like having a deep roots, that will protect you from harsh winds of life. i wish many of you find master. if you cant "literally" be in contact with a master - approach it like a biographer, like youre about to write a book on him. and study everything there is to know about this person. i myself do that, and i know people who learned this way.
Ted, you'd be surprised by how many of your subscribers you've helped over the years with your videos. In fact, the reason I bought the Nikon F5 was because of a review you did on the camera some years back. Thank you for your time and informative videos that you've posted over the years to help everyone interested in the art of photography.
Think, you should feel very blessed and lucky to have one or more mentors in your life. Just figured, I did not have any mentor in more than five decades on this planet, not even on how to throw a snow ball or fold a paper plane, let alone photography. All I ever learned is either from standard school teachers or self taught. I have that feeling that only few people have the luck to have mentors to speak about. You should truly feel really good about it.
My older brother Mike was a professional photographer, a photojournalist for several newspapers with a college education and formal training in photography. He always was willing to give me truly constructive criticism about my photography, from "your blacks aren't black enough" to "you have to find your own style". He died six years ago of stomach cancer. I still think about him every day, and this video made me realize how much I miss him even for the more mundane points of life, like "what do you think of this photo"?
Awesome news and so cool that you still take the steps to keep growing. Through a number of coincidences I met one of the bigger local commercial photographers a number of years ago. I ended up assisting him but I would also do whatever he needed. I was willing to install new toilets in the apartments over his studio because I knew it was a chance to pick his brain about photography and the business while I did it. He is retired now, I’ve bought his building and I was just over at his house the other day installing one of those wall mount TV things. Again - still picking his brain. My advice would be to never pass up any opportunity even if it doesn’t seem directly related to photography. When I met him I had no idea how I could make a living at this - now I run my own studio.
Hi Ted, I have never had a mentor for Photography or Videography; but I live with my Aunt. She is not a photographer, but she did take photographs of my brothers and me when we were little. (She had a 35mm Minolta camera, but never went digital.) She is very into arts & crafts, and she always gets my opinion on paint colors when we are repainting a room. I love to show her my work and get her opinion on it. I know she does not follow photography, and I like that about getting her opinion. Photographers always care about image quality, but she cares about the subjects of my photos. For example, I like headshot photography and she caught on right away that my subjects facial expression was very important! Talk to you later. Mathew
That is great Ted. Just like you I had the opertunity to meet one of the greats in the world of lutherie. It was unexpected but a great meeting. When I told him that I was going to work for the same enterprise, he wanted to know when I was starting. I think I may have found my mentor, just amazing. Don't worry, I still will be following you. Thanks Ted.
I apprenticed in chordophone making, specifically guitars and violins. The maker, a guy called kif wood, had a radical outlook on guitar making. I wanted to learn classical guitar making techniques, however coming from an engineering background he taught me so much more than that. I was a very young man, he invited me into his home and family, he taught me life lessons. We built a huge extension on his house. We replaced his roof in a Cornish storm watching the lighting over the sea. I hold a special place in my heart for him as he changed me whole outlook on things. I read books from his amazing collection and as a result of our relationship I learned how to make top quality guitars, I sold a lot of guitars and had great reviews from amazing musicians. Unfortunately the relationship soured for various reasons. I think when the students ability rises the master can become quite bitter. However I never felt anything negative towards him and he is an amazing man, mentor and maker. Check out kif wood guitars. Legend.
As far as knowing someone personally, no I don't have a mentor. I have my favorite RUclips and instagram photographers that I follow that influence/inspire me in developing my style. One time I reached out to another local photographer, we went out and shot one day and it was fun but since then this person just kinda ghosted me. Idk if he didn't like me or what but that's my experience with other local photographers. So im just doing me, focusing on getting better and working towards my goals.
I got two friends who I consider "mentors" one of them actually has a pretty good understanding of art and all that stuff and the other one is a trainer in football. I'd usually send the image to both of them and ask them what they think of the image and what could be improved. I do get one really critical analysis from the "art" friend who is really picking it apart (colors, contrast, lines etc) and I get one from a not-so-experienced friend, who has a good way of getting people inspired and has strong thoughts. Usually when I ask them both, I get two different responses with different areas of what I should be doing better. One is more on the technical side while the other one is more on the "casual viewer" side. These two opinions matter to me as they're always find the things that bug me but I usually don't know what that particular thing is. Also, due to these two opinions, I got a basic understanding of a casual viewer and I got a critical analysis from someone who has the "knowledge" and I find that rather good. Both of them have absolutely nothing to do with photography but it's always great getting their opinions on what should be changed and what shouldn't be etc :D
15 years ago or so there were a couple of guys who had a youtube channel teaching photo processing with PhotoShop, well before LightRoom. One of the guys would review images that viewers sent in. He was very polite. He would never say "Your Photo sucks!". He might say "In an ideal world" followed by something like "You might take another step back at the edge of the Grand Canyon". But between those reviews, and how he would adjust them to perfection, viewers learned some standard techniques. You might go off to your own interpretation, but you had some reliable, proven techniques.
Since my early 20s I look up to you and to your work Ted! Always loved photography and I have managed to get my first camera early this year. Im in my early 30s now. Thank you for everything you do for this community!
I am way far from Dallas to be exact i am watching from Portugal the last 5 years... everytime i need to learn or to vizualize a simple image of composition your way simple of explain and shown things make all the sense to my brain... so. You've been a very mentor for me and i will reach you everytime i need to learn anything for the sake of soul.
I can dig it. Never had a "traditional" education in photography, but had an excellent college professor at a small liberal arts university. A person who pushed, showed, cajoled and pointed a way for his students to grow. I still miss him so much. There's no single path in art, you have to figure it out for yourself. He excelled as a true educator. I can only hope that I can reach the level he created.
I learned from my dad in my teens, but since then it was relearing what I forgot when I started shooting again later in life. RUclips and books mainly. No mentor at this point, but I do have a couple of photographer friends I shoot with. We actually learn from each other and that encouragement tends to push us to try new things. So no mentoring, but a mutual training/support group. I find this to be very useful.
Me before actually watching the video: "so i need new lenses, gotcha". All jokes aside gear acquisition syndrome really makes you think gear is everything. Some of my best pictures are on my iphone simply because lighting and conditions were better than when i had my real camera on me.
I was in a small photography group with some friends and we shared photos and sometimes set challenges. Problems arose when a photo was not fully appreciated for its (perceived) worth; Although the quality of the outputs improved, the motivation altered and the joy of taking photos diminished. We should have found an independent, competent third party to adjudicate our photos, even if payment was involved. Never found such a source, strange to say.
My photography teacher in high school really helped me build my early foundation and "style". I'm really fortunate I had 2 years with him, he was my biggest influence. I went on to become a full time news photographer for a few years, thanks to his guidance. Very much looking forward to your sessions with Ralph, can't wait! 😎📷
It's probably important to say that mentor, coach, and teacher are very different roles. Mentoring is a process where the mentee is at the centre. The mentor asks questions, listens, and manages the process keeping things on track and holding the mentee to account but not instructing or passing judgement. eg "all your images are blurred. OK if that is what you set out to achieve" It may be that Ted is really talking about finding a coach - a role that does require more experience of the knowledge by the coach in order for the client to learn.
Well, I'm at an age where I'd typically be asked to BE a mentor, but NOT for photography! How does a 60+ year old man find a photography mentor?! Seek a younger person? Other options? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
(Different Ted here) Throw age out of the equation. See who’s doing what you like and reach out to them. I work with, for and lead several people 10-20 years younger and I’ve found they are happy to share their knowledge, probably more so than people my age (50). Be open to what they say. Don’t try to filter them, let your wisdom know what to take from their advice.
One of the things I've done. Is over the years I found a few people on Instagram I admire. I've sent them messages telling them that they inspire me. When you're looking at a photograph on Instagram you can send that photograph in your message and you can tell the person you admire hey I really like how the color of the shoes and the helmet matches the color in the windows in the background. So then over time. Instagram keeps track of all of these messages. So when you send this person you admire a new message. There's this message stream. Where you're not just some random individual. You have kind of sort of created a kind of relationship. I have recently watched a couple videos on Mark Mann's portrait photography. So I took a self portrait kind of sort of using his style. And sent it to him through Instagram. I didn't ask about what camera he uses I didn't ask what Lindsay uses I didn't ask what his camera settings were. I sent him a photograph that was my best try at shooting like he does. And he said wow. Great lighting. Bam. The path that I went through to watch videos that he was in. Then copy his style. Then send him the photograph. Then getting him to just give me a simple message back. Was a wonderful experience. I do recommend that you watch Peter Coulson's RUclips videos. And if you like his RUclips videos you can purchase his online tutorial videos at Peter Colson Inspire. You have to wade through lots of bits and pieces to learn a nugget here and there. But the nuggets are gold. Another interesting person to watch videos on RUclips of is Will at Monochrome Memoirs. He has not continued posting videos. But the videos that are there are good.
Finding a mentor in wildlife & bird photography is pretty easy if one is a beginner, or still producing beginner level work, despite having shot for several years. But once you have success and are getting published regularly, and are a "pro" making a good share of your living from your wildlife photos, then it is really difficult to find someone whose skills are above your own, who is willing to spend time helping you to continue to improve. I think this is because a lot of the highly successful wildlife photographers think of you as "the competition" if you are selling your images to the same publishers that they sell their images to. It would be awesome to have a real mentor who would take me under their wing and help me elevate my skills beyond what they are now, but none of the people that I know of who are able to help me are willing to help me.
Excited for this and for you Ted! Ralph Gibson was one of the first “art” photographers I was exposed to. I was looking through one of his books in the high school library and my photography teacher came in and noticed. He said, “Gibson, huh? What do you think?” I talked about if and he told me to wait, got a spare key to the darkroom and said, “you’re on the list” (to be authorized to be in the school after hours). “Use the room when you want.” Different days then but I learned a lot.
As someone who was trained in classical music and composition, this is something that resonates with me very deeply. Maybe your experience learning music has influenced your conclusions on this. I would say most people who've had formal training in music or dance, theatre etc. would agree that we wouldn't be where we are without our mentors. I meet a lot of people who think you can't learn or teach creativity. You can, and THIS is how! Thanks for all your work Ted!
I was just blown away! I have had many mentors in my life, and some would argue I have had my fair share. Photography is a passion that I brought to real life with a deep dive, starting with your guidance on the Nikon z50 and then on your discussion of settling on a lens view and sticking to it for a while. stick with the 18-50 has been curtailing in some ways but totally challenging in others... Look at the world not as a capturable moment but as moments in time within reach. I love your thoughts on photography and honestly appreciate your take on this art. Thanks So much!
I only know my father as a mentor, he taught me the basics of photography and I put in the art that I learned in school. The only problem is that we have very different tastes and he thinks that photography is made in only one way. But I still look up to him, especially when I ask him what does he think of my photos 😂
I had a mentor in high school who I lost contact with. Back then I just wanted to be a RUclips and wanted a camera but he pushed me to appreciate photography and the work that goes into creating images. I miss skipping French class to hear what he has to say and teach me all senior year. I just realized he is part of the reason I bought my Fuji XT-2 My favorite camera. I wonder what he would have to say about my photos today. Going to reach out to him..
I am coming from a music backround too. Started with piano since I was young and in the end studied classical composition. I would love to hear more about your transition and how you use music elements in photography. I am thinking always that the way you compose music has really much to do with the way you make a movies and not only this. I would love hearing you talking about this subject!
In many situations in my life a mentor would have made a huge difference to my success, I love my photography passionately but really don’t know if I’m good, reasonable or rubbish. It’s a hang up for me, and has hindered my growth call it insecurity I guess. I could put them in competitions but I would rather a mentor to talk to me about the good bad or ugly of my photos
I've developed a mentor relationship with a friend who is a gifted cinematographer. He wants to study further to Canada and need to upgrade his English language skills so I offered to swop lessons, he teaches me Lightroom and PS skills and I prepare him for the exams he needs to pass. I repect not just his technical skills but also for his input on my photography which comes from someone whose opinion I respect.
My mentor was and still is Eddie Van Halen.. I study his style in my guitar playing and his work ethic I apply to my photography..He was a true innovator, he never went by the book and basically wrote his own!
I have someone I would consider to be a mentor, and I respect his opinion regarding my photography more than just anyone else on the planet. His art is stunning. It's amazing to not only get constructive criticism from him, but also unending support from someone that talented.
I'm passionately looking forward to put my all eagerness in those videos and it's going to be a double treat to watch them and grow my fathomless affinity of understanding what it is that means all about photography!! I always appreciate your efforts to uplift the art of photography and you're pretty straight forward to the direction as always!!
I'm 67, and I have no person these days, I just pretty much shoot for me, and do pretty good. I even attended a 3 year digital photography degree. However, it was my Grandmother, and my Dad that got me started a long time ago, so I reckon it is them that I look up to photographically. Maybe it's sad, maybe it's not,but I do not have any photo friends, or in any clubs, and I'm fine with that :)
I have just subscribed to your channel having watched some of your videos. I was a very keen photographer back in the 80's with my chinon CG5. I decided to get back into photography and bought a Nikon D3000 with a 35-80mm 4:5.6. It was the cheapest Nikon I could find on ebay at the time with a lens and all for £117. This was in 2015 and I used it a couple of times and left it in the cupboard as I was put off with the settings and the quality of my images (the lens is pretty awful as I found out later). I have since moved to Spain with my wife and we have an impressive castle literally on our doorstep. I have since learnt to use the D3000 and snap everything from street, landscape to almost astrophotography. I'm looking to buy a D7000 or probably the 7100 for better low light performance when I get some spare cash, somehow. 😕 Thank you and look forward to watching your content.
I get stuff printed. Not everything, but the best pictures get printed. First small, then out of those I choose the right ones and print big. And I get it done by a business, no use for me to have my own big as printer doing that work for me. It is effectively cheaper done by them! So yeah, small prints, then one or two big prints for on the wall. And life is good.
Great video. I'm in my 60s. My mentor is the great Howard Simmons who worked with the also great John White at the Chicago Sun-Times and who Howard introduced me to. I'll see Howard this weekend. He's a treasure.
You post heartfelt commentary Genuine honest and much valued and loved!! You where an early mentor getting me going!!! Did u have a Gibson book you especially like to recommend??
Great news. This channel keeps on getting better. There is a lot of pride involved in creative work - swallowing your pride and taking criticism is a tough thing to do for everyone - but in the end we all need it.
I discovered Ralf Gibson in a classy mag back in the 80’s. Collectors was a magazine devoted to the female form and was published by Jeff Dunas.. Some really great work in those pages. Looking forward to more Gibson on your channel Ted . Cheers from Western Canada 🇨🇦
Before and during my time shooting , I do my best to study all the greats (often ) : Saul Leiter , Ernst Haas, William Klein , etc. A lot of photographers don’t even know who these guys are. Finding a real life mentor could prove cumbersome . Study , study , study . Please stay a way from a lot of these you tubers who talk constantly about gear but can’t frame or compose an image.
I'm not a pro (although I did darkroom work and shot portraits in the late 70s - I learned a LOT then). My parents gave me my first camera in 1976, and I've been shooting since. My family is all that sees 99.8% of what I do. Besides the structured studio portraits, I've had zero training outside of watching RUclips videos from you and quite a few others. Since I'm in my 60s, and work way too much, finding a mentor for my hobby is probably a reach. Thanks for what you do... and what you're about to do.
Great video and great content overall. I keep coming back to your channel (e.g. I bought my F3 after watching one of your videos :D). As for having a mentor, I still have a mentor but I ask and receive advice on a really rare occasion. It still means a lot and if my mentor says it's ok then I am happy (or offers criticism and then that's another valuable pointer for future reference). What really strikes me in my relationship with my mentor is that I really didn't receive much advice or seek it very often, but every time I did I was pushed in a new direction which ultimately made me a better photographer. Just a slight gentle push to move on to another level - amazing stuff, I am really happy with my mentor and grateful beyond words.
Yikes! Ralph Gibson. That will be amazing. ... I took a workshop with him in Maine in the late 1970s. I was completely taken by his books - Days at Sea and especially The Somnambulist. The workshop was a great few days of immersion in photography. ... For a mix of reasons, I stepped away from photography shortly after that, and now, and am now finding my way back. I'm looking forward to the sessions you're planning together. Many thanks.
read lots of books, photography-pschyology-philosophy; watch lots of images- different genres..And--listen to your instinct(s). They will be your greatest Mentor..
I don't believe that one *needs* a mentor. Having one is great. But you can learn *a lot* by getting out of your comfort zone. Go travel and talk to people. Hear their story. Get out of your head, wondering what you *need* to be doing. And just do. For reference, watch a movie "slumdog millionaire" its a perfect metaphor for what am describing.
@@AlenAbdula I've actually done pretty well over the years. Being the guy who stays at the office late learning the new software. Teaches the new employees. Going to meetings and keeping my mouth shut when people say things that are not good ideas. I do think you've created a bit of a straw man when you say. People don't need mentors. I don't believe in this video there was ever the proposal that one has to have a mentor to pick up a camera in and press the shutter button. But some of us spend time considering. How can I be better. Years ago I read a book that was literally named. And it's fun to say that something was literally named. In a world where people constantly misuse the word literally. A whack on the side of the head. It talked about how the subconscious brain internalizes what we consciously learn and research. The book talked about how people spend a great deal of time not knowing what an answer is. And searching for it. And while they are researching possibilities. Their brain is storing up all this data. The proposal of the book was that the conscious mind cannot connect random data in a spider web. The conscious mind works in a linear one after the other fashion. So then there's this moment. The aha moment. The apple falling out of the tree on the head of Newton. Where all that data is brought together. And the book talked about how this happens at random times. When you're taking a shower. When you're practicing the piano. When you're out running. Suddenly you get this a whole moment where everything has meaning. I feel like that is me. So in some sense my subconscious mind is my mentor. And the world is my teacher. I read articles. Read books. Look at photographs. Put things in my shopping cart. Take things out of my shopping cart. And then one morning I wake up. And I grab my camera and I go out and I take a photograph like I've never taken before. And the universe is happy. Because another. Has taken one more organic baby step forward.
It used to be called constructive criticism. Unfortunately , we have a culture where people are afraid to offend. This isn't a new phenomenon. However, It goes both ways. You have to be humble enough to accept and if giving advice; balance good and bad. It is a skill to criticize. When we eschew criticism over politeness we all lose. Also, If you want to learn, you need to be unafraid to ask questions. There are many ways to learn. Keep an open mind. Even in some people's nastiness you may be able to gleam an idea or two. Sometimes, you just learn how not to act.
No don’t have that. Took a lot of courses though. My problem is to keep doing it and make it a system with some goals and focus on one or two thing as infrastructure and Woodland. I’m upgrading my equipment slowly to a D850 and some VR E lenses from Nikon D700 but I do not have allot of money so I have to save to each upgrade. I like you programs on History of Photography and comment on Photographers.
Amigo, I just want to say "thank you for you channel and videos!" you are the youtuber that I find in a class of his own! and that is a good thing!! When I see your videos I have to stop everything else, yes you talk way faster then the average man does, BUT it is all good stuff! Thanks !!! and keep t coming with the projects!! I will be waiting!
I am soooo excited to learn that you and Ralph Gibson will be doing some videos together -- such great news!!! I absolutely have loved his work since the first time I saw one of his books about 30 years ago! I'm really looking forward to learning from both of you! Thank you!
My mentor was my dear wife who passed away too soon. She was (how I hate to use past tense) an amazing artist who worked in everything from pencil, ink to watercolor, oils, etc. Why she was such a good mentor was not necessarily her skill, but her honesty. I’m currently struggling to get myself going again since she’s been gone (2 years), because I don’t get the feedback. She didn’t fail to tell me when something wasn’t good, but it was so thrilling to when something worked and she liked something. I learned so much from her.
The attributes in a mentor is someone who is honest and can “explain” why they feel that way. So you have to be able to verbalize.
One final point, she made me stronger and as time passed, I felt I could disagree with her and she could respect that.
Thanks so much for sharing this topic, you’ve stirred up some nice memories.
Where I live there are way too many “photographers” who have a know it all mentality that it’s difficult to just talk about photography.
@@SteveKleinheider nah, I don’t and have never claimed I did.
Finding a mentor is really tough. Online groups generally say "you're great", "you su¢k", or nothing at all. Rare is the comment with specific suggestions for improvement (or at least a different approach) that photographers really need. I joined a camera club, looking for role models and mentors. But most of the feedback there is about how to fix a problem in Photoshop. Next to nothing about composition, subject matter, use of light, etc. that would actually make me a better shooter.
I consider myself a pretty good self-teacher and I've gotten a lot better the last few years. But if I had someone really knowledgeable to bounce around ideas about photography with, it would be invaluable.
I can really relate to this. The kind of relationship where one can be completely honest and direct about art and the philosophy behind it is rare. It’s often easier to talk about technical issues than the more amorphous aspects of art. I end up writing my thoughts about art in a journal and that helps solidify them to some extent, but I still lack the feed back from other people.
That's my experience as well plus I also relate to what Lars added to these points.
I can so relate to your points here. I finally got up the courage to join a local photography group. My first experience was so disappointing. It was very much clique oriented. Very few women. And they spent so much time talking about Photoshop and Lightroom. It's great to learn editing tricks, but I was so disappointed. I could just feel it wasn't the group for me. Then, good ol' covid arrived, so that put an end to it anyway. Maybe I'll try a different group at some point, or I'll just join in with Ted and Ralph. :)
@@larsbunch Edward Weston. Daybooks.
Put me in the same category as the others, however i think the problem is that creatives at that level tend to be a bit flaky. The problem is who can teach you what you dont know. The only thing we can look towards is wisdom ie people who have come a long way in their craft, and also really ask ourselves what is the point of our own photography and try to connect the dots. Creative endeavors are filled with problems not found in other disciplines because we have to create something out of nothing.
For this exact reason I’d love for you to bring photo assignments back. I’ve always seen you as a mentor. You might not have had any formal training but your insight into especially the theory and philosophy of photography is second to none.
I’m 72 … I look up to you Ted!
I’m also 72 and look up to Ted too👍😊
I'm 68 and still with Thoreau, whom I first read in college: "You may say the wisest thing you can, old man-you who have lived seventy years, not without honor of a kind-I hear an irresistible voice which invites me away from all that."
Lemme find out you were born on October 22nd 👀
I have been a passion-driven amateur photographer for seventy years. In that time I have accumulated a lot of knowledge and soon it will all be gone. I have never had or been a mentor. Now I w the art going. I would love to share my love for photography with someone who might keep the art going. Most people seem content with snapshots from their cell phone.
SAD but true me 30 years started film days - today NOBODY wants to learn and they ALL believe the iphone is all U need. They will argue that the camera can replicate what U see 100% - though not true, they don't care.
I was going to make some big dramatic drawn-out thank you but sometimes just a simple thanks and a thumbs-up will suffice
Huge Ralph Gibson fan - this is incredible!!
I thought this was a timely message! Two things came to mind as you were speaking.
1.) Selflessness
2.) Humility
It takes a selfless person to be able to SHARE information and to mentor someone else. It's VERY easy to be selfish and to only do things that benefit us personally.
Humility it what someone who is being mentored needs to posses in order for the mentorship to work properly. It's VERY easy to get a big head or become prideful because of social media numbers and followings.
Thanks Ted for being both humble and selfless to share your knowledge, insight and time with us! I greatly appreciate it!
I wish you the best!
Keep up the great work!
One thing that has helped me is joining local camera clubs / PPA groups and building relationships with photographers that are achieving the goals you aspire to or doing work that's just impressive! Also always have a "student" attitude that theirs someone out their that has something to teach you.
That was really inspiring to watch.
P.s. - the photograph with the baby and the guitar player was amazing. It gave me goosebumps. I’m a music producer and I love using photography as one of my creative releases. I’m looking forward to the videos!
I agree, the photo with the guitar player and the baby hand was soul-stirring.
I did professional photography work for many years. My sons grew up more into sports than anything. As life has a way of taking unexpected turns, both of them ended up getting film degrees. My oldest son started doing still as a hobby during his college years. I can honest say that now, both of them have become my mentors.
When I first moved to Los Angeles I sort out Ken Marcus who was initially the head of the Playboy photography department I went to a birthday party met him and we’ve been friends for many years now, he’s a great photographer very knowledgeable, I have one of his prints of Jimi Hendrix lighting his guitar on fire. Thanks for the video!
I have recently begun following your videos. This particular video about mentors really caught me by surprise. Greg Booth was a classmate of mine back in the late 60's into the early 70's at Art Center College of Design. This was when the old Art Center was on 3rd and Highland in Los Angeles. We were good friends and often went out shooting class assignments together. Even back then it was easy to to see Greg was destined to be a great photographer. Nothing seemed to deter him from his vision. If there was such a thing as a Valedictorian, he definitely would have been the one as he graduated with 'Great Distinction'. After graduation, we all went our separate ways and I lost contact with him. I am so sorry to hear he had passed away at so young an age. He always seemed to burn his candle at both ends. I am happy you had the opportunity to call him friend and mentor.
As someone that broke my camara yesterday I would say I do, I do need a new cámara. But I get you point been using the same cámara since 2015
Damn ! How bad is it Esteban ?
@@sergeantcrow it fell from my tripod and de lens mount broke off, I live in Costa Rica, Soo there are no authorized retailer here and taking it to the states is not feasible, it was a D810
Oh man, that's sad to hear! Did you have insurance at all? I wish you the best! I hope you get a new camera soon!
That's heartbreaking. I hope something works out for you.
My sympathies on the loss of your D810. That’s a great camera.
Ted I've been subbed to you for close to 6 or more years now I think and I have to thank you for the continued work you do. I understand the mentorship relationship you held with greg. I've similarly began to study with an incredibly successful director of photography and its incredible to bounce off eachother about lensing and light speaking for 12 hours or so on the phone sometimes. Thank you for being so vulnerable and open look forward to more of your work!
I had several short term mentors...my highschool art teacher..then years later i took portrait oil painting..then sculpting with a master sculptor from Japan and worked in a stainglass shop as a youth. Now im in my 50"s and became a Olympic archery coach and mentored young and old on the art of the string and stick. Ive been truly blessed and sharing your story was truly a treat. Thanks so much.
In & around 1976 I was living & going to NW campus of Tarrant County Jr. College & taking a photography class. One of the photography instructors was David Pond-smith. In some fashion David knew Ralph Gibson & arranged for private showing in Dallas Texas. I purchased Ralph Gibson Days At Sea which he signed. In a brief conversation with Mr. Gibson & he was very bright & quick witted about many things & of course to include photography. Needless to say I always admired & attempted to emulate him. I look forward in seeing the future series. I throughly enjoy what you have presented all these years. Thank you.
Wonderful broadcast, Ted. I wanted to mention one of my mentors in photography. Peter Espe (1932-2021) sadly passed away last month in Oxford, UK. We shared many hours together discussing photography, the early cinema, approaches to photography. Peter gave me the much needed encouragement and I vividly remember showing him my album 'Ecosystems' that you so kindly featured on your channel. Peter came to my Ecosystems exhibition at Oxford University and I rolled him in his wheelchair around my exhibition for over an hour. Peter was so interested in every image and was visibly very pleased. In his earlier days, Peter worked at the London College of Printing and one of his most famous students was Michael Kenna, one of my true heroes in photography. Peter photographed Salvador Dali and taught several generations of image makers. It is sad loss.
To tell you the truth I feel you're a great teacher and would make a great mentor. I love these videos you put out that have nothing to do with gear
As someone who has been in a photographic slump for over a year, I'm really looking forward to this. It may be just what I need to get back into it. Thank so much for all that you do Ted.
I have been as well! I imagine it’s due to just being stuck at home for so long
I am veteran of the Army and former Police Officer, I just got a new camera and I am going to Academy of Art instatute at California. I am doing it online. I would love to have a mentor but I don't know any photographers at all. So I go go this journey alone... I do enjoy listening to Ted, he seems like a really good man and very smart
Much respect brother. Hope I can deliver.
i think it may be somewhat a novelty for some american/european people, but in asia its quite common thing. becoming an apprentice, finding a master, becoming an assistant of a photographer - IS a way to learn, and IS a way of becoming a master of your own. finding a "mentor" or a "master" is a skill, person who is successful in craft/art not immediately translates into successful mentor. than actually becoming an apprentice/student of his is another different type of skill and work. i had to walk after one of my masters for a year and being rejected every time. but than my ego was crushed, i was ripe and he took me under his wing... best learning period of my life ever. having a master is like having a deep roots, that will protect you from harsh winds of life.
i wish many of you find master. if you cant "literally" be in contact with a master - approach it like a biographer, like youre about to write a book on him. and study everything there is to know about this person. i myself do that, and i know people who learned this way.
Ted, you'd be surprised by how many of your subscribers you've helped over the years with your videos. In fact, the reason I bought the Nikon F5 was because of a review you did on the camera some years back. Thank you for your time and informative videos that you've posted over the years to help everyone interested in the art of photography.
Ted, no one asks the questions you pose for us. Thank you!
“The photographic eye” is also great for that reason. My 2 favorite photography channels.
Think, you should feel very blessed and lucky to have one or more mentors in your life.
Just figured, I did not have any mentor in more than five decades on this planet, not even on how to throw a snow ball or fold a paper plane, let alone photography. All I ever learned is either from standard school teachers or self taught. I have that feeling that only few people have the luck to have mentors to speak about. You should truly feel really good about it.
At 4.58 your voice tells it all, Greg obviously meant a lot to you. Kudos Ted for being so open.
As someone who has had an R6 sitting in my cart at B&H for 4 days now, I’m taking this personally
😆👏🏻
My older brother Mike was a professional photographer, a photojournalist for several newspapers with a college education and formal training in photography. He always was willing to give me truly constructive criticism about my photography, from "your blacks aren't black enough" to "you have to find your own style". He died six years ago of stomach cancer. I still think about him every day, and this video made me realize how much I miss him even for the more mundane points of life, like "what do you think of this photo"?
You inspire me....been new to photography I am glad I found your channel. I have learned a lot. Thank you 😊
I learn by looking at others but generally I do what I like which evolves over time.
Awesome news and so cool that you still take the steps to keep growing. Through a number of coincidences I met one of the bigger local commercial photographers a number of years ago. I ended up assisting him but I would also do whatever he needed. I was willing to install new toilets in the apartments over his studio because I knew it was a chance to pick his brain about photography and the business while I did it. He is retired now, I’ve bought his building and I was just over at his house the other day installing one of those wall mount TV things. Again - still picking his brain. My advice would be to never pass up any opportunity even if it doesn’t seem directly related to photography. When I met him I had no idea how I could make a living at this - now I run my own studio.
I have been following your channel for a year. You are such an inspiration and i have learnt so much from you! Thanks you so much for everything.
Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed photography also, I'm also very shy about my work. It's just a great release for me.
Hi Ted,
I have never had a mentor for Photography or Videography; but I live with my Aunt. She is not a photographer, but she did take photographs of my brothers and me when we were little. (She had a 35mm Minolta camera, but never went digital.) She is very into arts & crafts, and she always gets my opinion on paint colors when we are repainting a room. I love to show her my work and get her opinion on it. I know she does not follow photography, and I like that about getting her opinion. Photographers always care about image quality, but she cares about the subjects of my photos. For example, I like headshot photography and she caught on right away that my subjects facial expression was very important!
Talk to you later.
Mathew
That is great Ted. Just like you I had the opertunity to meet one of the greats in the world of lutherie. It was unexpected but a great meeting. When I told him that I was going to work for the same enterprise, he wanted to know when I was starting. I think I may have found my mentor, just amazing. Don't worry, I still will be following you. Thanks Ted.
I apprenticed in chordophone making, specifically guitars and violins. The maker, a guy called kif wood, had a radical outlook on guitar making. I wanted to learn classical guitar making techniques, however coming from an engineering background he taught me so much more than that.
I was a very young man, he invited me into his home and family, he taught me life lessons. We built a huge extension on his house. We replaced his roof in a Cornish storm watching the lighting over the sea.
I hold a special place in my heart for him as he changed me whole outlook on things. I read books from his amazing collection and as a result of our relationship I learned how to make top quality guitars, I sold a lot of guitars and had great reviews from amazing musicians.
Unfortunately the relationship soured for various reasons. I think when the students ability rises the master can become quite bitter. However I never felt anything negative towards him and he is an amazing man, mentor and maker.
Check out kif wood guitars. Legend.
As far as knowing someone personally, no I don't have a mentor. I have my favorite RUclips and instagram photographers that I follow that influence/inspire me in developing my style. One time I reached out to another local photographer, we went out and shot one day and it was fun but since then this person just kinda ghosted me. Idk if he didn't like me or what but that's my experience with other local photographers. So im just doing me, focusing on getting better and working towards my goals.
I got two friends who I consider "mentors" one of them actually has a pretty good understanding of art and all that stuff and the other one is a trainer in football.
I'd usually send the image to both of them and ask them what they think of the image and what could be improved.
I do get one really critical analysis from the "art" friend who is really picking it apart (colors, contrast, lines etc) and I get one from a not-so-experienced friend, who has a good way of getting people inspired and has strong thoughts. Usually when I ask them both, I get two different responses with different areas of what I should be doing better. One is more on the technical side while the other one is more on the "casual viewer" side. These two opinions matter to me as they're always find the things that bug me but I usually don't know what that particular thing is.
Also, due to these two opinions, I got a basic understanding of a casual viewer and I got a critical analysis from someone who has the "knowledge" and I find that rather good. Both of them have absolutely nothing to do with photography but it's always great getting their opinions on what should be changed and what shouldn't be etc :D
15 years ago or so there were a couple of guys who had a youtube channel teaching photo processing with PhotoShop, well before LightRoom. One of the guys would review images that viewers sent in. He was very polite. He would never say "Your Photo sucks!". He might say "In an ideal world" followed by something like "You might take another step back at the edge of the Grand Canyon". But between those reviews, and how he would adjust them to perfection, viewers learned some standard techniques. You might go off to your own interpretation, but you had some reliable, proven techniques.
I can't wait. Ralph Gibson is one of the most inspiring and articulate artists out there.
Since my early 20s I look up to you and to your work Ted! Always loved photography and I have managed to get my first camera early this year. Im in my early 30s now. Thank you for everything you do for this community!
I am way far from Dallas to be exact i am watching from Portugal the last 5 years... everytime i need to learn or to vizualize a simple image of composition your way simple of explain and shown things make all the sense to my brain... so. You've been a very mentor for me and i will reach you everytime i need to learn anything for the sake of soul.
I can dig it. Never had a "traditional" education in photography, but had an excellent college professor at a small liberal arts university. A person who pushed, showed, cajoled and pointed a way for his students to grow. I still miss him so much. There's no single path in art, you have to figure it out for yourself. He excelled as a true educator. I can only hope that I can reach the level he created.
Ralph Gibson is a legend! Love his thoughts on photo books !
I learned from my dad in my teens, but since then it was relearing what I forgot when I started shooting again later in life. RUclips and books mainly. No mentor at this point, but I do have a couple of photographer friends I shoot with. We actually learn from each other and that encouragement tends to push us to try new things. So no mentoring, but a mutual training/support group. I find this to be very useful.
Me before actually watching the video: "so i need new lenses, gotcha". All jokes aside gear acquisition syndrome really makes you think gear is everything. Some of my best pictures are on my iphone simply because lighting and conditions were better than when i had my real camera on me.
I was in a small photography group with some friends and we shared photos and sometimes set challenges. Problems arose when a photo was not fully appreciated for its (perceived) worth; Although the quality of the outputs improved, the motivation altered and the joy of taking photos diminished. We should have found an independent, competent third party to adjudicate our photos, even if payment was involved. Never found such a source, strange to say.
My photography teacher in high school really helped me build my early foundation and "style". I'm really fortunate I had 2 years with him, he was my biggest influence. I went on to become a full time news photographer for a few years, thanks to his guidance.
Very much looking forward to your sessions with Ralph, can't wait! 😎📷
It's probably important to say that mentor, coach, and teacher are very different roles. Mentoring is a process where the mentee is at the centre. The mentor asks questions, listens, and manages the process keeping things on track and holding the mentee to account but not instructing or passing judgement. eg "all your images are blurred. OK if that is what you set out to achieve"
It may be that Ted is really talking about finding a coach - a role that does require more experience of the knowledge by the coach in order for the client to learn.
We all need someone to talk out what to do next! mentors help alot!
Well, I'm at an age where I'd typically be asked to BE a mentor, but NOT for photography! How does a 60+ year old man find a photography mentor?! Seek a younger person? Other options? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
(Different Ted here) Throw age out of the equation. See who’s doing what you like and reach out to them. I work with, for and lead several people 10-20 years younger and I’ve found they are happy to share their knowledge, probably more so than people my age (50). Be open to what they say. Don’t try to filter them, let your wisdom know what to take from their advice.
One of the things I've done. Is over the years I found a few people on Instagram I admire. I've sent them messages telling them that they inspire me. When you're looking at a photograph on Instagram you can send that photograph in your message and you can tell the person you admire hey I really like how the color of the shoes and the helmet matches the color in the windows in the background. So then over time. Instagram keeps track of all of these messages. So when you send this person you admire a new message. There's this message stream. Where you're not just some random individual. You have kind of sort of created a kind of relationship. I have recently watched a couple videos on Mark Mann's portrait photography. So I took a self portrait kind of sort of using his style. And sent it to him through Instagram. I didn't ask about what camera he uses I didn't ask what Lindsay uses I didn't ask what his camera settings were. I sent him a photograph that was my best try at shooting like he does. And he said wow. Great lighting. Bam. The path that I went through to watch videos that he was in. Then copy his style. Then send him the photograph. Then getting him to just give me a simple message back. Was a wonderful experience. I do recommend that you watch Peter Coulson's RUclips videos. And if you like his RUclips videos you can purchase his online tutorial videos at Peter Colson Inspire. You have to wade through lots of bits and pieces to learn a nugget here and there. But the nuggets are gold. Another interesting person to watch videos on RUclips of is Will at Monochrome Memoirs. He has not continued posting videos. But the videos that are there are good.
Finding a mentor in wildlife & bird photography is pretty easy if one is a beginner, or still producing beginner level work, despite having shot for several years.
But once you have success and are getting published regularly, and are a "pro" making a good share of your living from your wildlife photos, then it is really difficult to find someone whose skills are above your own, who is willing to spend time helping you to continue to improve. I think this is because a lot of the highly successful wildlife photographers think of you as "the competition" if you are selling your images to the same publishers that they sell their images to. It would be awesome to have a real mentor who would take me under their wing and help me elevate my skills beyond what they are now, but none of the people that I know of who are able to help me are willing to help me.
Excited for this and for you Ted! Ralph Gibson was one of the first “art” photographers I was exposed to. I was looking through one of his books in the high school library and my photography teacher came in and noticed. He said, “Gibson, huh? What do you think?” I talked about if and he told me to wait, got a spare key to the darkroom and said, “you’re on the list” (to be authorized to be in the school after hours). “Use the room when you want.” Different days then but I learned a lot.
As someone who was trained in classical music and composition, this is something that resonates with me very deeply. Maybe your experience learning music has influenced your conclusions on this. I would say most people who've had formal training in music or dance, theatre etc. would agree that we wouldn't be where we are without our mentors. I meet a lot of people who think you can't learn or teach creativity. You can, and THIS is how! Thanks for all your work Ted!
I was just blown away! I have had many mentors in my life, and some would argue I have had my fair share. Photography is a passion that I brought to real life with a deep dive, starting with your guidance on the Nikon z50 and then on your discussion of settling on a lens view and sticking to it for a while. stick with the 18-50 has been curtailing in some ways but totally challenging in others... Look at the world not as a capturable moment but as moments in time within reach. I love your thoughts on photography and honestly appreciate your take on this art. Thanks So much!
Thank you Ted, for creating this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the most iconic photographer in the world available for everyone🙏✨
I only know my father as a mentor, he taught me the basics of photography and I put in the art that I learned in school. The only problem is that we have very different tastes and he thinks that photography is made in only one way. But I still look up to him, especially when I ask him what does he think of my photos 😂
I'm 74 and don't know it all. My mentors are either passed on or on another continent. I look forward to learning from you and your project!
Oh wow. Thank you so much Ted! I can't wait. :)
I agree! Mentors are a nice way to learn!
Just did my biggest shoot to date and this video couldn't have come at a better time. Very thankful for all of your efforts over the years
I had a mentor in high school who I lost contact with. Back then I just wanted to be a RUclips and wanted a camera but he pushed me to appreciate photography and the work that goes into creating images. I miss skipping French class to hear what he has to say and teach me all senior year. I just realized he is part of the reason I bought my Fuji XT-2 My favorite camera. I wonder what he would have to say about my photos today. Going to reach out to him..
Beautiful story. Thank you for what you're bringing to others. I'm happy that I've found an echo of myself in you.
I am coming from a music backround too. Started with piano since I was young and in the end studied classical composition. I would love to hear more about your transition and how you use music elements in photography. I am thinking always that the way you compose music has really much to do with the way you make a movies and not only this. I would love hearing you talking about this subject!
In many situations in my life a mentor would have made a huge difference to my success, I love my photography passionately but really don’t know if I’m good, reasonable or rubbish. It’s a hang up for me, and has hindered my growth call it insecurity I guess. I could put them in competitions but I would rather a mentor to talk to me about the good bad or ugly of my photos
Somehow you’re my mentor. I’ve learned so much
I've developed a mentor relationship with a friend who is a gifted cinematographer. He wants to study further to Canada and need to upgrade his English language skills so I offered to swop lessons, he teaches me Lightroom and PS skills and I prepare him for the exams he needs to pass. I repect not just his technical skills but also for his input on my photography which comes from someone whose opinion I respect.
My mentor was and still is Eddie Van Halen.. I study his style in my guitar playing and his work ethic I apply to my photography..He was a true innovator, he never went by the book and basically wrote his own!
Greetings from South Africa > been listening and watching your vids for the past 12 years Still learning Keep up the Good Work Stay Safe
I have someone I would consider to be a mentor, and I respect his opinion regarding my photography more than just anyone else on the planet. His art is stunning. It's amazing to not only get constructive criticism from him, but also unending support from someone that talented.
I'm passionately looking forward to put my all eagerness in those videos and it's going to be a double treat to watch them and grow my fathomless affinity of understanding what it is that means all about photography!! I always appreciate your efforts to uplift the art of photography and you're pretty straight forward to the direction as always!!
I'm 67, and I have no person these days, I just pretty much shoot for me, and do pretty good. I even attended a 3 year digital photography degree. However, it was my Grandmother, and my Dad that got me started a long time ago, so I reckon it is them that I look up to photographically. Maybe it's sad, maybe it's not,but I do not have any photo friends, or in any clubs, and I'm fine with that :)
I have just subscribed to your channel having watched some of your videos.
I was a very keen photographer back in the 80's with my chinon CG5.
I decided to get back into photography and bought a Nikon D3000 with a 35-80mm 4:5.6. It was the cheapest Nikon I could find on ebay at the time with a lens and all for £117. This was in 2015 and I used it a couple of times and left it in the cupboard as I was put off with the settings and the quality of my images (the lens is pretty awful as I found out later).
I have since moved to Spain with my wife and we have an impressive castle literally on our doorstep.
I have since learnt to use the D3000 and snap everything from street, landscape to almost astrophotography.
I'm looking to buy a D7000 or probably the 7100 for better low light performance when I get some spare cash, somehow. 😕
Thank you and look forward to watching your content.
I get stuff printed.
Not everything, but the best pictures get printed. First small, then out of those I choose the right ones and print big. And I get it done by a business, no use for me to have my own big as printer doing that work for me. It is effectively cheaper done by them!
So yeah, small prints, then one or two big prints for on the wall. And life is good.
wow! i can’t wait for this!! super excited!! thank you for putting it together Ted!
Great video. I'm in my 60s. My mentor is the great Howard Simmons who worked with the also great John White at the Chicago Sun-Times and who Howard introduced me to. I'll see Howard this weekend. He's a treasure.
You post heartfelt commentary
Genuine honest and much valued and loved!!
You where an early mentor getting me going!!!
Did u have a Gibson book you especially like to recommend??
Great news. This channel keeps on getting better. There is a lot of pride involved in creative work - swallowing your pride and taking criticism is a tough thing to do for everyone - but in the end we all need it.
I discovered Ralf Gibson in a classy mag back in the 80’s. Collectors was a magazine devoted to the female form and was published by Jeff Dunas.. Some really great work in those pages. Looking forward to more Gibson on your channel Ted . Cheers from Western Canada 🇨🇦
Before and during my time shooting , I do my best to study all the greats (often ) : Saul Leiter , Ernst Haas, William Klein , etc. A lot of photographers don’t even know who these guys are. Finding a real life mentor could prove cumbersome . Study , study , study . Please stay a way from a lot of these you tubers who talk constantly about gear but can’t frame or compose an image.
That's really exciting news, can't wait!
Hoping to find a mentor for macro work. Great idea; looking forward to your videos!
I'm not a pro (although I did darkroom work and shot portraits in the late 70s - I learned a LOT then). My parents gave me my first camera in 1976, and I've been shooting since. My family is all that sees 99.8% of what I do. Besides the structured studio portraits, I've had zero training outside of watching RUclips videos from you and quite a few others. Since I'm in my 60s, and work way too much, finding a mentor for my hobby is probably a reach. Thanks for what you do... and what you're about to do.
Sound so cool Ted. Thanks for this! ~your neighbor in Frisco TX and lifetime Dallasite
This was a great tribute to your friend Gregg.
Wow! Ralph Gibson--taking this channel to a new level.
Gibson is beyond amazing. Can’t wait.
Adam Marelli had a great talk at b&h about portfolio reviews. He talked about how to get the most out of one and specific questions to ask etc.
Online uni course sucks and this saved me. Thank you!
Great video and great content overall. I keep coming back to your channel (e.g. I bought my F3 after watching one of your videos :D). As for having a mentor, I still have a mentor but I ask and receive advice on a really rare occasion. It still means a lot and if my mentor says it's ok then I am happy (or offers criticism and then that's another valuable pointer for future reference). What really strikes me in my relationship with my mentor is that I really didn't receive much advice or seek it very often, but every time I did I was pushed in a new direction which ultimately made me a better photographer. Just a slight gentle push to move on to another level - amazing stuff, I am really happy with my mentor and grateful beyond words.
My passing inspiration comes from the photographers working for both "Time" and "National Geographic" magazines.
Yikes! Ralph Gibson. That will be amazing. ... I took a workshop with him in Maine in the late 1970s. I was completely taken by his books - Days at Sea and especially The Somnambulist. The workshop was a great few days of immersion in photography. ... For a mix of reasons, I stepped away from photography shortly after that, and now, and am now finding my way back. I'm looking forward to the sessions you're planning together. Many thanks.
No I don't have a mentor. Sometimes I struggle with what I need to be doing.
read lots of books, photography-pschyology-philosophy; watch lots of images- different genres..And--listen to your instinct(s). They will be your greatest Mentor..
I don't believe that one *needs* a mentor. Having one is great. But you can learn *a lot* by getting out of your comfort zone. Go travel and talk to people. Hear their story. Get out of your head, wondering what you *need* to be doing. And just do.
For reference, watch a movie "slumdog millionaire" its a perfect metaphor for what am describing.
@@AlenAbdula I've actually done pretty well over the years. Being the guy who stays at the office late learning the new software. Teaches the new employees. Going to meetings and keeping my mouth shut when people say things that are not good ideas. I do think you've created a bit of a straw man when you say. People don't need mentors. I don't believe in this video there was ever the proposal that one has to have a mentor to pick up a camera in and press the shutter button. But some of us spend time considering. How can I be better. Years ago I read a book that was literally named. And it's fun to say that something was literally named. In a world where people constantly misuse the word literally. A whack on the side of the head. It talked about how the subconscious brain internalizes what we consciously learn and research. The book talked about how people spend a great deal of time not knowing what an answer is. And searching for it. And while they are researching possibilities. Their brain is storing up all this data. The proposal of the book was that the conscious mind cannot connect random data in a spider web. The conscious mind works in a linear one after the other fashion. So then there's this moment. The aha moment. The apple falling out of the tree on the head of Newton. Where all that data is brought together. And the book talked about how this happens at random times. When you're taking a shower. When you're practicing the piano. When you're out running. Suddenly you get this a whole moment where everything has meaning. I feel like that is me. So in some sense my subconscious mind is my mentor. And the world is my teacher. I read articles. Read books. Look at photographs. Put things in my shopping cart. Take things out of my shopping cart. And then one morning I wake up. And I grab my camera and I go out and I take a photograph like I've never taken before. And the universe is happy. Because another. Has taken one more organic baby step forward.
It used to be called constructive criticism. Unfortunately , we have a culture where people are afraid to offend. This isn't a new phenomenon. However, It goes both ways. You have to be humble enough to accept and if giving advice; balance good and bad. It is a skill to criticize. When we eschew criticism over politeness we all lose. Also, If you want to learn, you need to be unafraid to ask questions. There are many ways to learn. Keep an open mind. Even in some people's nastiness you may be able to gleam an idea or two. Sometimes, you just learn how not to act.
No don’t have that. Took a lot of courses though. My problem is to keep doing it and make it a system with some goals and focus on one or two thing as infrastructure and Woodland. I’m upgrading my equipment slowly to a D850 and some VR E lenses from Nikon D700 but I do not have allot of money so I have to save to each upgrade. I like you programs on History of Photography and comment on Photographers.
Amigo, I just want to say "thank you for you channel and videos!" you are the youtuber that I find in a class of his own! and that is a good thing!! When I see your videos I have to stop everything else, yes you talk way faster then the average man does, BUT it is all good stuff! Thanks !!! and keep t coming with the projects!! I will be waiting!
Your becoming my mentor more and more, keep it up... you inspire me.
I am soooo excited to learn that you and Ralph Gibson will be doing some videos together -- such great news!!! I absolutely have loved his work since the first time I saw one of his books about 30 years ago! I'm really looking forward to learning from both of you! Thank you!
Nobody close to me. But definitely some photographers on RUclips and social media. Like you, Serge Ramelli also.