Thanks for watching! This video is for anyone having an identity crisis as a photographer 😅. Especially those who do photography professionally and feel like they have to fit neatly into a 'box'/genre
I agree with all your points. As a hobby photographer who takes pictures only for myself, I don’t feel constrained by a specific genre as you and other content creators might. However, over the years, I have gravitated towards genres like nature, holiday, and family photography because they were convenient and I felt confident in them. Now that my kids are getting older and I have more time, I’m beginning to explore new genres. For the past six months, I’ve experimented with many new genres, such as street photography, macro, and wildlife. This broader approach to trying different styles of photography has been fantastic. It has given me a lot of experience and forced me to use various techniques and skills that I wasn’t accustomed to, helping me grow as a photographer. Combined with a much greater focus on editing in Lightroom, the quality of my pictures has improved significantly. The best part is that I now start to merge elements from different styles, giving me more tools and opportunities. For example, using people as subjects in landscape or forest photography is something I began doing after starting street photography. Macro photography has opened my eyes to many more details when I’m out and about, both in nature and in cities, and so on. Sorry for the long answer, but I don’t think one should label oneself as a certain type of photographer, but simply as a photographer 😊
Thanks for watching and for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment! I really appreciate hearing your thoughts! They’re great to hear and I think reflect my journey too! I’ve dabbled in all sorts of genres over the years, especially when I was learning. And now in my work as a Commercial Photographer - every shoot is different! It’s made me realise that I no longer really think about genres, I just photograph the things I like and I find myself adopting techniques from different genres all the time!
Great video, Chris - lovely photos from you both. I do love that rustic shed shot! I think about this genre thing too. I strongly believe the most important thing in making photographs is the making/taking itself, rather than the final photograph or sharing it, and for that reason I feel photography genres actually describe ways of making (bear with me!). A photo walk, with little planning except just taking photos of whatever interests you, what makes you curious, is a street photography technique - it doesn't actually matter that the photographs aren't take in an urban environment, or have people in. Hope that makes sense! Anyway, agree about autumn being over quickly this year, and good luck with the house move!
Thanks for watching Max! Really appreciate the kind words! That’s a really interesting way of putting it! I like that perspective! I definitely find myself implementing techniques between genre! The example you make with street photography really resonates with me! Totally makes sense! 👌🏻 Thanks for the well wishes on the move mate!
Good stuff again Chris, 'do what interests you' - nobody really has one dimensional interests in life, so if you carry a camera you can record a rich tapestry
Stellar post and collaboration w/Scott Edwards, who posted his take on your joint venture just moments ago - nice. (Noted your brief “cameo appearance” in his post last week.😊 Terrific venue. Image comps make the point. IMO, versatility is a virtue and we limit our potential growth by artificial pigeon-holes strong-armed by social media. IMO, we think too much about our “style” - it’s something that should, and will, develop organically and change over time. Been said that you have a photographic “style” when others recognize your work, even when not attributed, if that makes sense. As for shooting from atop a truck, Ansel Adams did likewise. My hunch is that there are two broad classes of “pros” - (1) those in the commercial field (e.g., fashion, product, real estate, portraits) who are boxed-in by conventions of commerce; and, (2) aspiring “fine art” folks who likely struggle more to earn a living. Both face confines of their fields. Good luck w/moving house. Will your new abode include a studio or larger photo work space? Cheers!
Thanks Paul! Apologies for the slow response, the house move is going well thanks but no internet and limited time means keeping up with RUclips is a challenge 😅. Glad you checked out Scott's video too and thanks as always for the support! Great to hear you enjoyed this video! Style is certainly something that develops over time and the more we shoot, the more we funnel and refine our tastes and I think that is what creates a strong identity as a photographer. I actually made good progress on my home office today which I hope will be a much better space for filming videos - really happy with how it's coming together but very much a work in progress.
The old esso sign on that building! Love stuff like that mate pure perfect example of little finds that so many people forget can be so interesting, and most importantly part of history! Great job matey!!
Yeah man, that location was really fun to shoot, so much nostalgia! As you say, it’s the stuff most people would disregard but it was probably the spot where we spent the most time that day! 📸 super interesting! Really appreciate it mate! Thanks for checking out the video! Hope you’re keeping well bud!
@@chrisharveyphotography so true mate, shots like that genuinely say soo much more than the most epic of landscapes could to me now days! - Doing well mate just chaotically swamped with work leading up to Christmas haha, trying to keep up as best I can 🤣
Great video. Beautiful photos. I love this style and genre. I think when something man made is included in landscape photos, it adds a lot more of a story.
Thanks for watching, I really appreciate the kind words! I totally agree, there’s so much more to landscape photography than just the natural, unspoilt landscape. I find myself being drawn to these scenes more and more - where there are subjects that add more context to the landscape 👌🏻📸☺️
Brilliant video, a great topic for discussion and really good points. I think you are spot on with the over thinking things. Following your passion strikes me as the best route as you should produce better images. Looking forward to the next video.
Thanks Jim, really appreciate the kind words! Being a professional photographer, I'm constantly questioning things, especially when it comes to 'marketing' ourselves. I thought it might make for an interesting subject and wondered if anyone else felt the same way. As you say, following your passion will inevitably lead to the best results photographically, so that's definitely my focus moving forward. Hopefully see you in the next one! 👍🏻
Loved the images in this video! I personally enjoy the process of photography, maybe one day it's landscape and the next it's wildlife or architecture and I am not overly concerned about fitting into a particular niche. If I felt inspired to take an image then something must have stood out to me and in the future maybe my images will act as a timeline of changing interest (which would be fun to reflect on). Great video as always!
Thanks Tim, really appreciate the kind words and thanks for watching! That’s great that you adopt this approach yourself! It’s so beneficial to just follow your curiosity and open to what’s around you!
Is there a specific focal length that you prefer for these types of photos, or do you use a zoom and vary based on the composition you are trying to get?
I think sticking to a single focal length can be a great exercise and really helps with composition and visual style. That being said, I do shoot with Zoom lenses the majority of the time and will adjust focal length depending on the composition. If I had to pick one focal length for this kind of photography it would be between 40-50mm ☺️📸
Thanks for watching! This video is for anyone having an identity crisis as a photographer 😅. Especially those who do photography professionally and feel like they have to fit neatly into a 'box'/genre
I agree with all your points.
As a hobby photographer who takes pictures only for myself, I don’t feel constrained by a specific genre as you and other content creators might. However, over the years, I have gravitated towards genres like nature, holiday, and family photography because they were convenient and I felt confident in them. Now that my kids are getting older and I have more time, I’m beginning to explore new genres. For the past six months, I’ve experimented with many new genres, such as street photography, macro, and wildlife.
This broader approach to trying different styles of photography has been fantastic. It has given me a lot of experience and forced me to use various techniques and skills that I wasn’t accustomed to, helping me grow as a photographer. Combined with a much greater focus on editing in Lightroom, the quality of my pictures has improved significantly. The best part is that I now start to merge elements from different styles, giving me more tools and opportunities. For example, using people as subjects in landscape or forest photography is something I began doing after starting street photography. Macro photography has opened my eyes to many more details when I’m out and about, both in nature and in cities, and so on.
Sorry for the long answer, but I don’t think one should label oneself as a certain type of photographer, but simply as a photographer 😊
Thanks for watching and for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment! I really appreciate hearing your thoughts! They’re great to hear and I think reflect my journey too! I’ve dabbled in all sorts of genres over the years, especially when I was learning. And now in my work as a Commercial Photographer - every shoot is different! It’s made me realise that I no longer really think about genres, I just photograph the things I like and I find myself adopting techniques from different genres all the time!
I follow my feeling...
That certainly seems like the best way! I’m enjoying the results of this in my own photography
Great video, Chris - lovely photos from you both. I do love that rustic shed shot! I think about this genre thing too. I strongly believe the most important thing in making photographs is the making/taking itself, rather than the final photograph or sharing it, and for that reason I feel photography genres actually describe ways of making (bear with me!). A photo walk, with little planning except just taking photos of whatever interests you, what makes you curious, is a street photography technique - it doesn't actually matter that the photographs aren't take in an urban environment, or have people in. Hope that makes sense! Anyway, agree about autumn being over quickly this year, and good luck with the house move!
Thanks for watching Max! Really appreciate the kind words! That’s a really interesting way of putting it! I like that perspective! I definitely find myself implementing techniques between genre! The example you make with street photography really resonates with me! Totally makes sense! 👌🏻
Thanks for the well wishes on the move mate!
Good stuff again Chris, 'do what interests you' - nobody really has one dimensional interests in life, so if you carry a camera you can record a rich tapestry
Thanks Andy! That’s so true! We should definitely follow what feels right for us! I’m enjoying the results of following that process 😌
Stellar post and collaboration w/Scott Edwards, who posted his take on your joint venture just moments ago - nice. (Noted your brief “cameo appearance” in his post last week.😊 Terrific venue. Image comps make the point.
IMO, versatility is a virtue and we limit our potential growth by artificial pigeon-holes strong-armed by social media.
IMO, we think too much about our “style” - it’s something that should, and will, develop organically and change over time. Been said that you have a photographic “style” when others recognize your work, even when not attributed, if that makes sense.
As for shooting from atop a truck, Ansel Adams did likewise.
My hunch is that there are two broad classes of “pros” - (1) those in the commercial field (e.g., fashion, product, real estate, portraits) who are boxed-in by conventions of commerce; and, (2) aspiring “fine art” folks who likely struggle more to earn a living. Both face confines of their fields.
Good luck w/moving house. Will your new abode include a studio or larger photo work space? Cheers!
Thanks Paul! Apologies for the slow response, the house move is going well thanks but no internet and limited time means keeping up with RUclips is a challenge 😅. Glad you checked out Scott's video too and thanks as always for the support! Great to hear you enjoyed this video!
Style is certainly something that develops over time and the more we shoot, the more we funnel and refine our tastes and I think that is what creates a strong identity as a photographer.
I actually made good progress on my home office today which I hope will be a much better space for filming videos - really happy with how it's coming together but very much a work in progress.
The old esso sign on that building! Love stuff like that mate pure perfect example of little finds that so many people forget can be so interesting, and most importantly part of history! Great job matey!!
Yeah man, that location was really fun to shoot, so much nostalgia! As you say, it’s the stuff most people would disregard but it was probably the spot where we spent the most time that day! 📸 super interesting!
Really appreciate it mate! Thanks for checking out the video! Hope you’re keeping well bud!
@@chrisharveyphotography so true mate, shots like that genuinely say soo much more than the most epic of landscapes could to me now days! - Doing well mate just chaotically swamped with work leading up to Christmas haha, trying to keep up as best I can 🤣
Great video. Beautiful photos. I love this style and genre. I think when something man made is included in landscape photos, it adds a lot more of a story.
Thanks for watching, I really appreciate the kind words! I totally agree, there’s so much more to landscape photography than just the natural, unspoilt landscape. I find myself being drawn to these scenes more and more - where there are subjects that add more context to the landscape 👌🏻📸☺️
Very enjoyable watch 👌🙂
Thanks so much for taking the time to watch the video! Really glad you enjoyed it! ☺️🙏🏻
@chrisharveyphotography 👍👌
That area is absolutely stunning
Oh mate, it’s one of my favourites! Feels like there’s so much more to explore! 👌🏻📸☺️ Thanks for checking out the vid!
Brilliant video, a great topic for discussion and really good points. I think you are spot on with the over thinking things. Following your passion strikes me as the best route as you should produce better images. Looking forward to the next video.
Thanks Jim, really appreciate the kind words! Being a professional photographer, I'm constantly questioning things, especially when it comes to 'marketing' ourselves. I thought it might make for an interesting subject and wondered if anyone else felt the same way. As you say, following your passion will inevitably lead to the best results photographically, so that's definitely my focus moving forward. Hopefully see you in the next one! 👍🏻
Loved the images in this video!
I personally enjoy the process of photography, maybe one day it's landscape and the next it's wildlife or architecture and I am not overly concerned about fitting into a particular niche. If I felt inspired to take an image then something must have stood out to me and in the future maybe my images will act as a timeline of changing interest (which would be fun to reflect on).
Great video as always!
Thanks Tim, really appreciate the kind words and thanks for watching! That’s great that you adopt this approach yourself! It’s so beneficial to just follow your curiosity and open to what’s around you!
Great video mate and a really great talking point too! So good to spend the day in Wales with you 📸
Thanks mate! Yeah it was great to get together for another shoot! 📸 looking forward to the next one! 😃
Is there a specific focal length that you prefer for these types of photos, or do you use a zoom and vary based on the composition you are trying to get?
I think sticking to a single focal length can be a great exercise and really helps with composition and visual style. That being said, I do shoot with Zoom lenses the majority of the time and will adjust focal length depending on the composition. If I had to pick one focal length for this kind of photography it would be between 40-50mm ☺️📸