Nah, doesn't sound like as if just a mood-of-the-day. It sounds well founded and consistent to his style and how he sees the world around him. Same reason why he avoids these gimmicky ultra-wide-angle cliché perspectives, the stuff which beginners like so much when they just bought their first ultra wide angle zoom 😉
The “I don’t need telephoto lenses “ video will disappear into the archives with the “ I don’t see the point in selling presets and I’ll never do it” video.
It's better than all those landscape foto's in wich something of interest is in the foreground and all things in the shade show miraculus details. Boring.... I do not always like the hyper lifting of all the shadows in James's pictures, but they in general beat 90% of what I see online.
About a Month. It took me about a month to watch this channel. From the very first video to today. This channel is a gem for me. Thanks for the inspiration, James
It took me two months. I just skipped editing and collage old videos because they're not for me. I couldn't agree more. It's also cool to see James' development as a person and as a communicator.
I started watching YT photography channels about 8 yrs ago. During that time, your channel, James, is the only one I still watch. And, you’re the only photographer whose print I have actually purchased. I love your channel, your style, and your mantras. Keep doing you!
You are no snapshot photographer...you are one of the best. Its just that you have your own style and know how to do it. You dont take yourself too seriously and when Nigel Danson or Mads says James Popseys is a brilliant photographer, well i know who i will listen to...
I was just thinking that by now we can identify a "James Popseys" style of photography. It is interesting to have been able to follow its development through the years.
I have to disagree, Marlene, James is a snapshot photographer and the best I have ever seen. Everything about his style gives hope to the snapshooters that we may one day record the world the way James sees it but it hasn’t happened yet. I love his work and live in hope I might occasionally produce something as good!
We will have to agree to disagree ....i love his style esp when he goes out on the bike to take shots. Although there is hope for any of us if Hasselblad are giving free cameras to snapshooters.
Not a snapshot photographer but an artist who has thought very deeply about his work. Really appreciate your way of looking at photography and thinking about it. Also great commitment to talking of even epic trips in a casual but thoughtful manner that makes it feel accessible to many.
what I really love about your channel besides looking at great photography, is your way of looking at things, rather speaking metaphorically than literally. You ask interesting questions while not waffling around. This is not only interesting but also quite entertaining! Thanks for that 👏🏻
People that feel compelled to make negative comments should go watch noodle making videos or whatever they are interested in! Photography is an artistic endeavour and I both find your work interesting and appreciate the effort you go to to explain it. Thank you James.
Man i love your style and approach to your photo's. Not a snapshot photographer at all. They show a constant slightly minimalist, slightly ethereal feeling but really grounded view of the world. Thanks for the overview of your mantra's as well.
James’ aesthetic preferences are antithetical to just about every other photographer I watch on RUclips; and, frankly, contrary to most of my own. And, bless him for it.
I really enjoy this channel and James' output. It is such a calm, joyful, subtle, refective perspective on photography. Fairly unique. Also, the guy is a master of high-key in an increasingly low-key world. Literally and figuratively!
There is always a great sense of relief when watching your videos because you articulate so well the advantages simplicity over complexity. For me this addresses the frustration we all experience as photographers from time to time (when we inevitably contemplate selling everything!), puts the joy back into just seeing and shooting. Good stuff.
While I may not love how you edit the exposure and colors on your pictures I do love your choice of composition and it's something I've tried to learn from. Whenever I see one of your photos I can tell it's you and I think that's awesome.
Always admire your outlook on photography, James. Definitely resonates with me as your photos are always the ones I spend the longest time looking at and asking myself questions. I guess that means you’ve got them spot on and achieved your desired outcome.
This video explains exactly how I feel about my own photography and why I relate and love so much your photography James. I call it point of view for simplicity. I love POV so that the viewer feels like they are there in the scene, behind my own eyes.
After actually watching the video; this has to be one of the most gamechanging pieces of advice i have ever heard, the one about shooting the way you would see the world that is. F6 suddenly starts to make so much sense. I can do nothing but thank you, this is going to change how I take pictures in an instance! Cheers.
I really like your style/mantra. I am following you since your Micro Four Thirds days and am liking your dry sense of humour. Have two of your books and love the down to Earth perpectives and what you can do with normal focal lengths and your trained eye! Please keep doing such „concept“-videos. Greetings from Germany Christoph
Another excellent video. I'm eagerly awaiting your detailed video on "how the human eye sees the world". I love your style of photography, no gimmicks, no B.S, pure photography at its core.
James, your videos always make me think. One of the very few RUclips photography channels that does this for me. Your photo style as discussed here, and reflected in your new book, is a cogent, coherent visualization of the world. Actually taking normal-looking photos of "scenes one might see on a walk" sounds simple enough although in my experience, it's quite a challenge.
I love everything about this channel. I love the novel way to consider ordinary things and the human-nature theme that threads through this work. But especially the humility and relatability. I find inspiration here to be more considerate in my own photography and think hard about what my photos are about -- but I also recognize that as a novice it's okay to like taking golden-hour photos that are really just about the light.
I feel compelled to tell you that I love your photos! I love how your style is different from most of the other influencers I watch. Thank you for sharing an alternate perspective.
Ignore the voices James and stick to your mantra. It’s great to see a professional doing something different and your images are unique and do indeed tell a story.
Really enjoyed this. Helped me to consider what I'm looking for out of my photography, why I shoot what I do and don't shoot what I want to shoot. Your methods for looking for scenes to photograph are seemly so laid back and not stressful. I'm going to endeavor to be less worried about getting a perfect photo and try and enjoy just being out and capturing whats around me. Thank you.
Your explaination of your photographic intentions is brilliant and so helpful because it allows each of us to consider our own intentions with that clarity. I have always loved the existential view of a human being: head high and something like 40-50mm, and enjoy the extremes to either side when they best convey what it's "about". Thank you for a great video!
I totally get this James and it's thought provoking. I must say you do have a very distinct style and I find your images very pleasing to view. Making interesting images from ordinary situations is a real skill that you have pretty much mastered in my opinion much more so than many photographers we see on RUclips. I've said it before too that you always nail exposures !
So with you on that 'thin glass' philosophy : having mainly used Leica Ms since 1984, my brain now really struggles with anything outside the 35 - 50mm range. If I try walking around with a 24-70 and 70-200 zoom kit, I am searching wide, near and far, so it is almost impossible to come home with anything other than a jumble of snapshots.
You could call your style "Realistic and Relatable". Normal standing height with human-equivalent focal length at all times is indeed what we experience most of the time. Carefully considered snapshots might work too, but does not embody your intent so much. I too am unafraid of photography throughout the day, and I am not bothered by sleeping in and missing sunrise. Conveniently, there are two golden hours each day and the second one is much easier to deal with as it develops. Absolutely KNEW you were going to concentrate on 40-50, looking forward to seeing the next post. As a pro, you know the effects of aperture and can choose to NOT pursue the extremes if they don't suit your purpose. Really great post! Loved the bit about polar bears. Yeah, if you are trying to get an intimate photo of one with a normal focal length, might as well bathe in ketchup and serve yourself up as lunch. You can always call MPB and borrow a tele for such trips instead of owning them. Gives an opportunity for more variety too.
Thanks James. It's been fascinating over the years watching how how you've developed a style and a philosophy to your photography. Your style is one of the most distinctive out there and it's kind of bizarre that there are people who criticise because your images don't look the same as all the rest. I'm really looking forward to the book.
I really like your channel because you make me think. Think about my photography, about why I do it and what I am trying to show with it. I often don't agree with you, or perhaps more accurately, I often find what you say about what you are trying to achieve with your photography is not in line with what I am trying to achieve. This gets me thinking about what I am trying to achieve. I often have difficulty articulating it to myself. You videos often motivate me to work on this, which I think helps my photography. For instants am I trying to show the world as one might see it on a walk, or am I trying to show people an unusual prospective on the world? I'm not sure, but it is a good question and one I probably would not be pondering if it weren't for your video.
Consistency is everything: have always admired that in your style. Photos taken at multiple focal lengths can seem disjointed. I love how the presence of humans, shown typically by bright colours and straight lines, offsets nature in your work. Its a very pleasing style. Those who call such images "snaps" literally dont know what they are talking about.
This video adds a lot of context and answers a lot of my questions on your work. I couldn't put my finger on what about your work I enjoyed. Thats not a negative as art should be thought provoking in my opinion, but the "like you would/could see it" is spot on. The art of gearing down vs gearing up. I do enjoy shooting with a telephoto as I enjoy the compression that is achieved and also using a long lens to avoid the distraction of a busy scene and find the unseen element. Its a long way of saying that I really like your work and this explanation added the relatability to what you produce. Looking forward to the next on location video particularly where you use the 5 min rule you spoke about the other week.
Don't listen to the naysayers (and I don't believe you do listen)- your photos are the best. They're beautiful and considered. It was really interesting to hear that your focal length of choice is what it is. That explains a lot. I would love to use MPB but being on the other end of the world makes it more difficult. I would like to source a used telephoto!
Due to illness I sometimes need an electric wheelchair to get to town. Complete different perspective on people, sceneries, situations. Different things that will catch my eye. And a radically different contact to people. Some oversee me, some offer help, some are curious. (Especially when I suddenly stand up. A MIRACLE!!! 🙂) The photos that I take home are definitely different. So yes, eye level matters. A lot!
A lot of your photos are the type of photos I love to take/make. Yours are obviously far better and I hope for my images to feel as engaging/beautiful one day - I appreciate the inspiration. I find myself in a beautiful location and shying away from the beauty and seeing the crumbling human aspects in the scene. And I think… yea that’s legit, James would call it human nature! 😏
Just started following you and wanted to say I like your photos. They look natural and makes me feel present in that location and for a second feeling like I’m there. Thank you
I like the way you creatively put yourself in a box. You seem to be steering a whole generation of photographers to the mundane with your charisma and charm. I have been with you way back in the MFT days and always look forward to another episode of the mundane with a comic twist. I'll stick to being outside the box enjoying creative photography with lenses ranging from 16mm to 840mm on Full frame, APS-C and MFT. I just love all aspects of the creative art and you intersect a small portion of that venn diagram. If I were to vote on my favourite photo of yours it would be the high key New York yellow busses. Nicely done.
Never change James. Your channel is one of two that both my wife and I watch always. We never miss a video and have been watching for years. Where is that little assistant?
This video made me stop and think more than any of the others that you’ve made of late. Your explanation that you wanted people to be able to just happen upon the place in the photo and see it for themselves was really interesting .
The fact that you get it right mostly in camera and edit it for a natural look doesn't mean you're a snapshot photographer. It means you know what you're doing with your camera. I have spent years trying to get my digital photos to look like film. Like I didn't edit it at all. And when I achieve it like I did on my last trip, it looks like I "snapped" it even though it was years of work to get to that point. In short I would respond with that's the point! Ha!
Cheeky tease of the Q3 43, picked mine up yesterday and will be interested to see what you think. Very much enjoy your (considered) style and looking forward to the pre-ordered book. Great to hear your thoughts as always, thanks.
So funny because I think "snapshot" photographer would be a badge of honor considering how incredible some of your shots are if you only got them in a moment! I think you made a bold & honorable choice & the quality of the images you are still able to create so consistently speaks for itself! Thanks for sharing your journey with us even if some people are too dumb to appreciate it 🙈
Brilliant. Wonderful and clear description of the choices you make to make your pictures. Few people can break down their aesthetic choices as clearly as you have. Thank you.
This is such an interesting take. It seems in the landscape photographer world, there's a certain criteria of what makes a professional/good landscape photographer, namely, long shutter speeds, focus stacking, unique angles and focal lengths, etc. Which I do enjoy looking at and admire the skill that goes into that! However, I've often felt there is no place for those of us who like to capture landscapes moments in a subtle, naturally human way. I always felt like landscape photos had to be super epic and unique to be considered "good." Thanks for sharing your philosophy as it's very similar to mine and it's nice to know there's others out there who think that way too!
Yeah, I agree. I also dont like overedited lanscapes and especially dont touch the removal tool. Subtle colors of good light, accepting blown highlights of dark shadows when they dont matter or even reinforce the image. But a 40mm is the most natural as the eye sees it photo maker. I do use a variety of lenses, like a 24-105, 150-600, and 35mm. The 35mm f1.8 with image stabilizer and the 40mm 2.8 super compact lenses are the mainstays though for regular "as I saw it" images.
@@mikafoxx2717 Yes, the blown out highlights and shadows is something I had to learn. At first I thought the more detail, the better--especially since our eyes naturally have more dynamic range than our cameras do. But equalizing all tones ends up in an image with much detail but no focal point or "story." Since landscapes don't usually have a "subject," the light itself creates a "subject" for our eyes to focus on. Nice! It's good to have that variety available when you need it! I just got a 40mm and for that exact purpose of capturing a field a view that's similar to the human eye.
@@juliannedyck2054 See, the problem is that our screens only really show like 6 stops unless they're OLED set ludicrously bright, but then they get banding from only 8 bit. Until HDR is better supported you just can't cram 10+ stops of dynamic range from a good camera into 6 on a screen and have it look anything but flat. You need to have realistic contrast and that means clip something and get good light so you have good contrast on your subject within the range that looks natural. Same or even moreso with prints. You can only get black ink so dark and so much light on a page. Slide film used to be only like 5 stops but projected big with extra high contrast and it looked fantastic when done properly.
I know other people have said this, but I find you such an inspiration… a really thoughtful photographer without any pretension but willing to explain what you do and why you do it, and produce such amazing pictures. In particularly you’ve really shown me how negative space can make such a difference to the composition of the picture, and how the apparent “highlights” can be a major feature of a photo - shooting at all times of day is inspiring to think about how we view the world, and how we capture that experience in 2d space. Amazing and thank you.
Man… you’re just such a good bloke. An amazing photographer, how anyone can be negative to you, whether they like your photos or not… is beyond me. I look forward to your videos more than any other- and I do watch loads of other. Recently started subscribing to RUclips because 1- I hate adverts and B- someone told me that you guys get paid more..? I hope that is true. All the best.
Out of all landscape photographers, you're my favourite, I know you don't really coin yourself as a landscape photographer but it's pretty close lol. Calling your photos "snapshot" photography is wild, in that case you make some really great snapshots, goes to show you don't need the all the typical gear; tripods, multiple zoom lenses, a thousand lens filters etc. and using low shutter speed, exposure/focus stack techniques to shoot great photos. Plus your videos are entertaining to me, talk about 40mm 6 videos in a row and I'll have no issues watching them. With other landscape photographers/RUclipsrs I end up getting bored of their videos/photos very quickly, not to say they're not good at all, it's really a me problem. Keep it up James, love your work!
Snapshots is a silly term, should be called "normal" or "natural" photography. I do like using different ranges, I need telephoto for some photos and for wildlife, and sometimes I want to use conpression to make the forest feel more vast, or whatever else. Zooming willy nilly to make it into a magic crop is the wrong way to use a zoom though. Use your feet for the conpostion, focal length for the compression field of view effect.
I'm new to your channel but I like the way you approach this topic. When I was a kid, there was a really popular book called "The inner game of tennis" where they just talked about the subjective experiences and motivations that go into playing tennis. I think photography is similar. There is an inner game, where we use mantras and sometimes are aiming at achieving really complex effects, and it almost has nothing to do with gear or technique but rather has to do with what we're thinking as we approach the subject. (Sorry about this, I got a philosophy degree when I was young and I love talking.) New subscriber!
I was in Longyearbyen just a couple of weeks ago and I love seeing what you were able capture. Same location, (mostly) the same weather, and honestly even a pretty similar camera setup for what it's worth (i'm on the A7iv with Contax Zeiss 35 2.8 and 50 1.4 primes) I'm happy with the photos I took, but I'm also impressed with how you are able to turn that little town into an absolute work of art. Major props to you!
I always enjoyed your videos. It’s nice to hear your evolving approach to photography and the “why” behind how you shoot. This “thin glass” concept is a great way to summarize your philosophy. Looking forward to more videos digging into it.
Refreshing to hear about your shooting style. I like it. And I like your photos. Looking forward to your video on focal lengths. I shoot 50mm and 35mm Summilux. Natural light only. Fun to read the light. Thanks for your videos.
Great video! Knew you'd be tempted by the Q3 43 (from having watched your Q3, and 40mm _obviously_ being the superior focal length). Looking forward to hear your thoughts on the Q3 43! You're my favorite non-gear gear channel. Cheers! ;)
I'm so on board with your photography philosophy. Your images stand out from the golden hour crowd, and often make me wonder about the location which draws me to an image even more. They're clean. They're light. They're life. I'd love a copy of your book, but I'm all poor. One day I'll get something 😅 I hope you've kept a telephoto lens for Antarctica next year!
I really relate to your technique and have been hand held for a number of years and as i get older more often at standing height, but not always and recently brought a prime . Very light set up and love it.
Your approach to photography is much the same as mine. It’s an approach that is in short supply on YT, so I found this quite refreshing. The one area where I change things up a bit is when photographing people or animals or plants whose plane of existence is lower than mine…e.g. children. For those photos I take a knee. I do that an awful lot when photographing at our church. I guess it’s a similar approach to stand-up photography, in that I’m seeking to photograph subjects squarely up front.
I think your mantra of taking pictures between 50 and 40mm an interesting approach. I think you make interesting photos. Your approach is inspiring to me at times. I would not take pictures like you do … but that's what a mantra is all about … it's personal. Keep on making images your style and keep on sharing them.
I’m mixed on this. I really like your photos. But, I also really liked the photos you were taking 5-6 years ago up until the point where you started shooting more 35-50mm exclusively. You’ve definitely identified what you like though and that’s not an easy thing to do. I’m hoping to get your new book to go along with your others as a Christmas present from my much better half. Love the channel, it’s been great seeing your journey. I do miss the old guy who used to leave a comment on every video with a 🐑
I love your channel and photography, really thought provoking images and beautifully composed. Love your presentation style dry humour, fun and informative.
I see certain misconceptions portrayed in the video. First of all, the human eye is not a (still) photographic device, it's more of a video device: it permanently auto focuses while looking at various distances, it permanently adjusts its aperture (pupil) to adapt to lighting conditions. So looking at your finger tip and deciding that the unsharp background is "natural" only holds for that single facet of multiple viewing options. And comparing the dynamic range of a camera to the human eye is a fallacy. Anyway, developing one's unique style is fine. And liking or not liking someone's style is ok too. There's more than one way to do it, especially with photography.
I also became very fearful of heights when I became a parent. Taking my family to visit canyons and mountains was terrifying. The good news is that the children have left home and my ability to appreciate and negotiate heights has returned. Something to look forward to. I truly enjoy your images because of the perspectives you bring to them, otherwise I would not keep watching your channel.
I respect and understand your goals and explanation about your photography, but I feel like by sticking to this way of working you commit yourself to being a documentarian, and omit the most important tools from photography as an artform. There is nothing wrong with this, but this only works if you can constantly visit places that are very special and that people can't really visit themselves, otherwise it can get boring very quickly. Compression, larger-than-life bokeh, interesting point-of-view, exciting colours in editing, filtration, motion blur are very important, and when a photo shows me something that I've never seen before that's way more exciting than normal photos of places and things. Harder to create, but when you get it right, absolutely more rewarding for the photographer as well. Love that we can talk about these things, great channel and great community you've built here!
You might be saying the same, but I would argue that shooting in a "normal way" is harder to create, in the sense that it's harder to create compelling images. Huge bokeh, interesting points-of-views, and exciting colors can be used to distract from bad composition or lack of taste. When you remove those, you have fewer dimensions to add up when considering whether a photo is great.
@@BenjaminLeeds No, this is not what I'm saying. Of course a bad photo is just bad even if you use the creative tools available to you, similar to how you can't save a bad story with CGI, but you can create amazing work if you use them right. If you are shooting documentary style, that IS lack of taste, you basically remove yourself, your personality and taste from the equation, you just show the same thing that I would see if I was standing there. I'm not interested in head hight 43mm photos of my home city, because I've seen it before this way a million times with my own eyes. Take a look at Becki and Chris' coffee table book "Mauzy" they created, it would be way more boring from head height only with 43mm.
@@volkom91 To me, that's the best part of James' work. He makes compelling images out of things that I would have walked past without noticing. He's highlighting beauty in the world that is often ignored. It serves as a reminder to enjoy where you are.
Love your work, James! Such a great video here. Thank you for sharing your mantras with us! I got a kick out of the 'Snapshot Photographer' comment. "...say all the smartphone users," I thought.
Your simple photography paradigm must be very liberating for your creativity. The choice of background music reminds me of being in an slow elevator in a very tall building. Eventually you forget what you are doing there in the first place. Great channel.
I've been using a zoom recently, just to change things up. You'd be amazed how many shots I have between 40mm and 60mm - Not sure if it's because I'm an old dog who grew up shooting a 50mm but I found it interesting. I'm giving serious thought to selling everything and buying the Olympus 25mm f/1.2 and just being happy for the rest of my life
After I saw this video, I looked at my metadata in Lightroom and my favorite focal length is around 45 mm. Even though I do a lot of landscape photography and street shooting. My favorite lens is a 24 - 90 and I tend to keep it around 40 to 45 mm. I do like my telephoto lenses, especially for trips to Iceland and Greenland when you can get compression and angles against an iceberg that presents a beautiful pattern to the viewer, but you’re right. I also had an opportunity to pick up the new Q3 with a 43 mm lens and I’m using that a lot more than I use the Q3 with 28 mm. In fact, I just sold mine to MPB your sponsor. But the most important lesson is something that I have often thought about is “take a picture about something not of something”. Great advice.
One of the cool things about any artform is that there are unlimited ways to approach it. Although there re certain FLs I tend to favor, I expect to always have a wide range of lenses available, as I never know what I may want to photograph or what approach I'll use. I also shoot by experience-based feel and don't spend much time consciously considering things, plus I have no hesitation doing whatever I feel best addresses what I'm seeing/feeling, and that may involve low or high (or skewed) shooting angles and anywhere from 122° down to 3° AoV (12-800mm). Not all images have to look "natural" (in fact some of the more interesting ones don't). Thankfully, we all have our niches...
I really love your photos James! The whole process you go through to get those shots is what I identify with the most. And also the way you edit them, to me, it seems the most correct and natural. I like the idea of shooting at any time of day and in any weather conditions, that resonates with me as well. But selling the telephoto lenses... hum... big mistake! 🤔
2 weeks ago I took all my lenses to Scotland for a holiday. I usually use the 24-70mm for landscapes, but I didn't use it at all, instead I used my new Canon RF 35mm. Tack sharp. May sell the 24-70mm at some point.........I haven't used MPB in a couple of years now. I drove 1 hour away to WEX. Hassle free with no waiting around for money to be put in my bank or WEX account.
I love the take on thin glass. I can see where you're coming from with trying to get that natural documentary look as a style choice. Style is more than a preset or colour grade. ✨ For me, my issue is with flat compositions. I find it's easier to end up shooting flat with longer lenses. It's possible to get some dynamism with any lens of course, I just find I'm less likely to get weird and work the scene as much with a mega lens. 50+ makes me a bit lazy. The focal length that really forces me out of that comfortable flat composition style is 28mm. Due to it being a bit annoyingly wide that it feels unnatural to my personal perspective, I end up looking for a more ideal director's perspective than my eyeline. Means I'm using the LCD more than the EVF, but so it goes. That's my personal style anyway. 😂
To start my comment about this video, I love your photography. And in a couple of weeks I will receive your book. I can see you moving to focal length 40 to 50mm. That seems to be most of your photography. And I love how you incorporate the human element. Recently a photographer who I well respect, and still do, commented on a shot I was trying to get. I was waiting for the weather to change. I found an Adirondack chair to sit in and wait. The moment I said Adirondack he was no longer impressed. One has to be in wilderness and far away from civilization I guess to make a great shot worth it. Not true! As you, I love golden hour, but I also love 10 am, 12 noon, 2 PM, and everything else. Life as one sees it all day. Keep it coming!
What I think is most interesting for me, is the fact that in the beginning I thought your photos were much too bright especially the sky. But the more photos I saw, the more it grew on me. It doesn't matter that you can't see structures in the clouds. It is the subject that you take the picture of that matters. And a blown out sky can contribute to that. I like it and I think I will try out something new. Although I will not sell my telephoto lens. ;)
I'm looking forward to next year's "I'm buying back all my telephoto lenses" video. 😉
Course we are!
More like next week’s 😜
lol I was gonna say, he's a bit fickle when it comes to his love for any lens
Nah, doesn't sound like as if just a mood-of-the-day. It sounds well founded and consistent to his style and how he sees the world around him.
Same reason why he avoids these gimmicky ultra-wide-angle cliché perspectives, the stuff which beginners like so much when they just bought their first ultra wide angle zoom 😉
The “I don’t need telephoto lenses “ video will disappear into the archives with the “ I don’t see the point in selling presets and I’ll never do it” video.
Absolutely right James, polar bear at 400mm means you get to eat lunch. Polar bear at 50mm means you are lunch
Best lens for photographing a polar bear therefore is 80mm, then you get the shot of him enjoying his lunch 😂
EXACTLY what I thought!
I love how you can tell a photo is from James when you see it's 2/3 white
It's better than all those landscape foto's in wich something of interest is in the foreground and all things in the shade show miraculus details. Boring.... I do not always like the hyper lifting of all the shadows in James's pictures, but they in general beat 90% of what I see online.
@@PeterBrand-hw7wu I didn't say I don't like it, his style is awesome, he just sticks to it very much
I thought James was 100% white… 🥁
About a Month. It took me about a month to watch this channel. From the very first video to today. This channel is a gem for me. Thanks for the inspiration, James
It took me two months. I just skipped editing and collage old videos because they're not for me. I couldn't agree more. It's also cool to see James' development as a person and as a communicator.
That’s sick that you watched them all. I gotta do the same
I started watching YT photography channels about 8 yrs ago. During that time, your channel, James, is the only one I still watch. And, you’re the only photographer whose print I have actually purchased. I love your channel, your style, and your mantras. Keep doing you!
You are no snapshot photographer...you are one of the best. Its just that you have your own style and know how to do it. You dont take yourself too seriously and when Nigel Danson or Mads says James Popseys is a brilliant photographer, well i know who i will listen to...
I was just thinking that by now we can identify a "James Popseys" style of photography. It is interesting to have been able to follow its development through the years.
I have to disagree, Marlene, James is a snapshot photographer and the best I have ever seen. Everything about his style gives hope to the snapshooters that we may one day record the world the way James sees it but it hasn’t happened yet. I love his work and live in hope I might occasionally produce something as good!
We will have to agree to disagree ....i love his style esp when he goes out on the bike to take shots. Although there is hope for any of us if Hasselblad are giving free cameras to snapshooters.
@@marlenehazlehurst8666😂
yeah he is probably my favourite photographer right now. Every photo shows high level of intentionality
Not a snapshot photographer but an artist who has thought very deeply about his work. Really appreciate your way of looking at photography and thinking about it. Also great commitment to talking of even epic trips in a casual but thoughtful manner that makes it feel accessible to many.
Very much looking forward to next week's video. You were definitely the first person I thought of when I saw Leicas announcement for the Q3 43.
what I really love about your channel besides looking at great photography, is your way of looking at things, rather speaking metaphorically than literally. You ask interesting questions while not waffling around. This is not only interesting but also quite entertaining! Thanks for that 👏🏻
People that feel compelled to make negative comments should go watch noodle making videos or whatever they are interested in! Photography is an artistic endeavour and I both find your work interesting and appreciate the effort you go to to explain it. Thank you James.
Is that a dig at culinary channels? There's quite a lot of creativity involved there as well. 😄
Surely negative comments about negative comments are even less worthwhile
Man i love your style and approach to your photo's. Not a snapshot photographer at all. They show a constant slightly minimalist, slightly ethereal feeling but really grounded view of the world. Thanks for the overview of your mantra's as well.
You've showed that school bus picture a number of times and every time I see it I think it's an oil painting. So so good.
James’ aesthetic preferences are antithetical to just about every other photographer I watch on RUclips; and, frankly, contrary to most of my own. And, bless him for it.
Thanks!
I love your style. Deceptively simple but I am drawn in time and again by the care you take with the seemingly ordinary.
I really appreciate your take on photography.
I really enjoy this channel and James' output. It is such a calm, joyful, subtle, refective perspective on photography. Fairly unique.
Also, the guy is a master of high-key in an increasingly low-key world. Literally and figuratively!
There is always a great sense of relief when watching your videos because you articulate so well the advantages simplicity over complexity. For me this addresses the frustration we all experience as photographers from time to time (when we inevitably contemplate selling everything!), puts the joy back into just seeing and shooting. Good stuff.
I find your "snapshot photography" deeply inspiring.
While I may not love how you edit the exposure and colors on your pictures I do love your choice of composition and it's something I've tried to learn from. Whenever I see one of your photos I can tell it's you and I think that's awesome.
Always admire your outlook on photography, James. Definitely resonates with me as your photos are always the ones I spend the longest time looking at and asking myself questions. I guess that means you’ve got them spot on and achieved your desired outcome.
This video explains exactly how I feel about my own photography and why I relate and love so much your photography James.
I call it point of view for simplicity. I love POV so that the viewer feels like they are there in the scene, behind my own eyes.
It is a great day; a new james popsys video was released.
After actually watching the video; this has to be one of the most gamechanging pieces of advice i have ever heard, the one about shooting the way you would see the world that is. F6 suddenly starts to make so much sense. I can do nothing but thank you, this is going to change how I take pictures in an instance! Cheers.
I really like your style/mantra. I am following you since your Micro Four Thirds days and am liking your dry sense of humour. Have two of your books and love the down to Earth perpectives and what you can do with normal focal lengths and your trained eye!
Please keep doing such „concept“-videos.
Greetings from Germany
Christoph
Another excellent video. I'm eagerly awaiting your detailed video on "how the human eye sees the world". I love your style of photography, no gimmicks, no B.S, pure photography at its core.
James, your videos always make me think. One of the very few RUclips photography channels that does this for me. Your photo style as discussed here, and reflected in your new book, is a cogent, coherent visualization of the world. Actually taking normal-looking photos of "scenes one might see on a walk" sounds simple enough although in my experience, it's quite a challenge.
I love everything about this channel. I love the novel way to consider ordinary things and the human-nature theme that threads through this work. But especially the humility and relatability. I find inspiration here to be more considerate in my own photography and think hard about what my photos are about -- but I also recognize that as a novice it's okay to like taking golden-hour photos that are really just about the light.
I feel compelled to tell you that I love your photos! I love how your style is different from most of the other influencers I watch. Thank you for sharing an alternate perspective.
Ignore the voices James and stick to your mantra. It’s great to see a professional doing something different and your images are unique and do indeed tell a story.
Really enjoyed this. Helped me to consider what I'm looking for out of my photography, why I shoot what I do and don't shoot what I want to shoot. Your methods for looking for scenes to photograph are seemly so laid back and not stressful. I'm going to endeavor to be less worried about getting a perfect photo and try and enjoy just being out and capturing whats around me. Thank you.
Your explaination of your photographic intentions is brilliant and so helpful because it allows each of us to consider our own intentions with that clarity. I have always loved the existential view of a human being: head high and something like 40-50mm, and enjoy the extremes to either side when they best convey what it's "about". Thank you for a great video!
I totally get this James and it's thought provoking. I must say you do have a very distinct style and I find your images very pleasing to view. Making interesting images from ordinary situations is a real skill that you have pretty much mastered in my opinion much more so than many photographers we see on RUclips. I've said it before too that you always nail exposures !
So with you on that 'thin glass' philosophy : having mainly used Leica Ms since 1984, my brain now really struggles with anything outside the 35 - 50mm range. If I try walking around with a 24-70 and 70-200 zoom kit, I am searching wide, near and far, so it is almost impossible to come home with anything other than a jumble of snapshots.
You could call your style "Realistic and Relatable". Normal standing height with human-equivalent focal length at all times is indeed what we experience most of the time. Carefully considered snapshots might work too, but does not embody your intent so much. I too am unafraid of photography throughout the day, and I am not bothered by sleeping in and missing sunrise. Conveniently, there are two golden hours each day and the second one is much easier to deal with as it develops. Absolutely KNEW you were going to concentrate on 40-50, looking forward to seeing the next post. As a pro, you know the effects of aperture and can choose to NOT pursue the extremes if they don't suit your purpose. Really great post!
Loved the bit about polar bears. Yeah, if you are trying to get an intimate photo of one with a normal focal length, might as well bathe in ketchup and serve yourself up as lunch. You can always call MPB and borrow a tele for such trips instead of owning them. Gives an opportunity for more variety too.
Thanks James. It's been fascinating over the years watching how how you've developed a style and a philosophy to your photography. Your style is one of the most distinctive out there and it's kind of bizarre that there are people who criticise because your images don't look the same as all the rest. I'm really looking forward to the book.
This video summarises exactly why you are the only photography RUclipsr who I never unsubscribed.
I really like your channel because you make me think. Think about my photography, about why I do it and what I am trying to show with it. I often don't agree with you, or perhaps more accurately, I often find what you say about what you are trying to achieve with your photography is not in line with what I am trying to achieve. This gets me thinking about what I am trying to achieve. I often have difficulty articulating it to myself. You videos often motivate me to work on this, which I think helps my photography. For instants am I trying to show the world as one might see it on a walk, or am I trying to show people an unusual prospective on the world? I'm not sure, but it is a good question and one I probably would not be pondering if it weren't for your video.
Consistency is everything: have always admired that in your style. Photos taken at multiple focal lengths can seem disjointed. I love how the presence of humans, shown typically by bright colours and straight lines, offsets nature in your work. Its a very pleasing style. Those who call such images "snaps" literally dont know what they are talking about.
This video adds a lot of context and answers a lot of my questions on your work. I couldn't put my finger on what about your work I enjoyed. Thats not a negative as art should be thought provoking in my opinion, but the "like you would/could see it" is spot on. The art of gearing down vs gearing up. I do enjoy shooting with a telephoto as I enjoy the compression that is achieved and also using a long lens to avoid the distraction of a busy scene and find the unseen element.
Its a long way of saying that I really like your work and this explanation added the relatability to what you produce. Looking forward to the next on location video particularly where you use the 5 min rule you spoke about the other week.
Don't listen to the naysayers (and I don't believe you do listen)- your photos are the best. They're beautiful and considered. It was really interesting to hear that your focal length of choice is what it is. That explains a lot. I would love to use MPB but being on the other end of the world makes it more difficult. I would like to source a used telephoto!
I like your work, and I like listening to you talk, especially how you alternate between footage of yourself and showing photos
Due to illness I sometimes need an electric wheelchair to get to town. Complete different perspective on people, sceneries, situations. Different things that will catch my eye. And a radically different contact to people. Some oversee me, some offer help, some are curious. (Especially when I suddenly stand up. A MIRACLE!!! 🙂)
The photos that I take home are definitely different. So yes, eye level matters. A lot!
A lot of your photos are the type of photos I love to take/make. Yours are obviously far better and I hope for my images to feel as engaging/beautiful one day - I appreciate the inspiration. I find myself in a beautiful location and shying away from the beauty and seeing the crumbling human aspects in the scene. And I think… yea that’s legit, James would call it human nature! 😏
Just started following you and wanted to say I like your photos. They look natural and makes me feel present in that location and for a second feeling like I’m there. Thank you
I like the way you creatively put yourself in a box.
You seem to be steering a whole generation of photographers to the mundane with your charisma and charm.
I have been with you way back in the MFT days and always look forward to another episode of the mundane with a comic twist.
I'll stick to being outside the box enjoying creative photography with lenses ranging from 16mm to 840mm on Full frame, APS-C and MFT. I just love all aspects of the creative art and you intersect a small portion of that venn diagram.
If I were to vote on my favourite photo of yours it would be the high key New York yellow busses. Nicely done.
Never change James. Your channel is one of two that both my wife and I watch always. We never miss a video and have been watching for years. Where is that little assistant?
This video made me stop and think more than any of the others that you’ve made of late.
Your explanation that you wanted people to be able to just happen upon the place in the photo and see it for themselves was really interesting .
Book and print ordered. Love the way you walk through your approach.
The fact that you get it right mostly in camera and edit it for a natural look doesn't mean you're a snapshot photographer. It means you know what you're doing with your camera. I have spent years trying to get my digital photos to look like film. Like I didn't edit it at all. And when I achieve it like I did on my last trip, it looks like I "snapped" it even though it was years of work to get to that point. In short I would respond with that's the point! Ha!
Cheeky tease of the Q3 43, picked mine up yesterday and will be interested to see what you think. Very much enjoy your (considered) style and looking forward to the pre-ordered book. Great to hear your thoughts as always, thanks.
So funny because I think "snapshot" photographer would be a badge of honor considering how incredible some of your shots are if you only got them in a moment! I think you made a bold & honorable choice & the quality of the images you are still able to create so consistently speaks for itself! Thanks for sharing your journey with us even if some people are too dumb to appreciate it 🙈
Brilliant. Wonderful and clear description of the choices you make to make your pictures. Few people can break down their aesthetic choices as clearly as you have. Thank you.
Probably one of the best meaningful & thought provoking videos (to me ) on photography I have seen in a while .. thank you
This is such an interesting take.
It seems in the landscape photographer world, there's a certain criteria of what makes a professional/good landscape photographer, namely, long shutter speeds, focus stacking, unique angles and focal lengths, etc. Which I do enjoy looking at and admire the skill that goes into that!
However, I've often felt there is no place for those of us who like to capture landscapes moments in a subtle, naturally human way. I always felt like landscape photos had to be super epic and unique to be considered "good."
Thanks for sharing your philosophy as it's very similar to mine and it's nice to know there's others out there who think that way too!
Yeah, I agree. I also dont like overedited lanscapes and especially dont touch the removal tool. Subtle colors of good light, accepting blown highlights of dark shadows when they dont matter or even reinforce the image. But a 40mm is the most natural as the eye sees it photo maker. I do use a variety of lenses, like a 24-105, 150-600, and 35mm. The 35mm f1.8 with image stabilizer and the 40mm 2.8 super compact lenses are the mainstays though for regular "as I saw it" images.
@@mikafoxx2717 Yes, the blown out highlights and shadows is something I had to learn. At first I thought the more detail, the better--especially since our eyes naturally have more dynamic range than our cameras do. But equalizing all tones ends up in an image with much detail but no focal point or "story." Since landscapes don't usually have a "subject," the light itself creates a "subject" for our eyes to focus on.
Nice! It's good to have that variety available when you need it! I just got a 40mm and for that exact purpose of capturing a field a view that's similar to the human eye.
@@juliannedyck2054 See, the problem is that our screens only really show like 6 stops unless they're OLED set ludicrously bright, but then they get banding from only 8 bit. Until HDR is better supported you just can't cram 10+ stops of dynamic range from a good camera into 6 on a screen and have it look anything but flat. You need to have realistic contrast and that means clip something and get good light so you have good contrast on your subject within the range that looks natural. Same or even moreso with prints. You can only get black ink so dark and so much light on a page. Slide film used to be only like 5 stops but projected big with extra high contrast and it looked fantastic when done properly.
I love your content, you have inspired me so much in my photography journey, I just wanted to thank you
I know other people have said this, but I find you such an inspiration… a really thoughtful photographer without any pretension but willing to explain what you do and why you do it, and produce such amazing pictures. In particularly you’ve really shown me how negative space can make such a difference to the composition of the picture, and how the apparent “highlights” can be a major feature of a photo - shooting at all times of day is inspiring to think about how we view the world, and how we capture that experience in 2d space. Amazing and thank you.
Man… you’re just such a good bloke. An amazing photographer, how anyone can be negative to you, whether they like your photos or not… is beyond me. I look forward to your videos more than any other- and I do watch loads of other. Recently started subscribing to RUclips because 1- I hate adverts and B- someone told me that you guys get paid more..? I hope that is true. All the best.
You and Roman Fox really inspire me. Thank you!
Out of all landscape photographers, you're my favourite, I know you don't really coin yourself as a landscape photographer but it's pretty close lol. Calling your photos "snapshot" photography is wild, in that case you make some really great snapshots, goes to show you don't need the all the typical gear; tripods, multiple zoom lenses, a thousand lens filters etc. and using low shutter speed, exposure/focus stack techniques to shoot great photos.
Plus your videos are entertaining to me, talk about 40mm 6 videos in a row and I'll have no issues watching them. With other landscape photographers/RUclipsrs I end up getting bored of their videos/photos very quickly, not to say they're not good at all, it's really a me problem. Keep it up James, love your work!
Snapshots is a silly term, should be called "normal" or "natural" photography. I do like using different ranges, I need telephoto for some photos and for wildlife, and sometimes I want to use conpression to make the forest feel more vast, or whatever else. Zooming willy nilly to make it into a magic crop is the wrong way to use a zoom though. Use your feet for the conpostion, focal length for the compression field of view effect.
My knees are really glad to hear about shooting at head height 😅. So many photographers say you need to get down low and I really struggle.
I'm new to your channel but I like the way you approach this topic. When I was a kid, there was a really popular book called "The inner game of tennis" where they just talked about the subjective experiences and motivations that go into playing tennis. I think photography is similar. There is an inner game, where we use mantras and sometimes are aiming at achieving really complex effects, and it almost has nothing to do with gear or technique but rather has to do with what we're thinking as we approach the subject. (Sorry about this, I got a philosophy degree when I was young and I love talking.) New subscriber!
I was in Longyearbyen just a couple of weeks ago and I love seeing what you were able capture. Same location, (mostly) the same weather, and honestly even a pretty similar camera setup for what it's worth (i'm on the A7iv with Contax Zeiss 35 2.8 and 50 1.4 primes)
I'm happy with the photos I took, but I'm also impressed with how you are able to turn that little town into an absolute work of art. Major props to you!
I always enjoyed your videos. It’s nice to hear your evolving approach to photography and the “why” behind how you shoot. This “thin glass” concept is a great way to summarize your philosophy. Looking forward to more videos digging into it.
Love that boots & ice (water) photo! Thank you for sharing it.
Refreshing to hear about your shooting style. I like it. And I like your photos. Looking forward to your video on focal lengths. I shoot 50mm and 35mm Summilux. Natural light only. Fun to read the light. Thanks for your videos.
Great video! Knew you'd be tempted by the Q3 43 (from having watched your Q3, and 40mm _obviously_ being the superior focal length). Looking forward to hear your thoughts on the Q3 43! You're my favorite non-gear gear channel. Cheers! ;)
Love your photos. And I also like the subtle humour in your narration. ❤
Man, your shot at 5:18 is so so so good. The colors and shadows and the simplicity reminding me of an Edward Hopper drawing, love it! 😍
I'm so on board with your photography philosophy. Your images stand out from the golden hour crowd, and often make me wonder about the location which draws me to an image even more. They're clean. They're light. They're life.
I'd love a copy of your book, but I'm all poor. One day I'll get something 😅
I hope you've kept a telephoto lens for Antarctica next year!
It was your photograph of the orange pylon legs that completely won me over. It's part of the scaffolding in my shonky little heart, that one.
I really relate to your technique and have been hand held for a number of years and as i get older more often at standing height, but not always and recently brought a prime . Very light set up and love it.
Your approach to photography is much the same as mine. It’s an approach that is in short supply on YT, so I found this quite refreshing. The one area where I change things up a bit is when photographing people or animals or plants whose plane of existence is lower than mine…e.g. children. For those photos I take a knee. I do that an awful lot when photographing at our church. I guess it’s a similar approach to stand-up photography, in that I’m seeking to photograph subjects squarely up front.
Your photos are amazing, and honestly speaking you have taught me so many valuable skills over the years.
I think your mantra of taking pictures between 50 and 40mm an interesting approach. I think you make interesting photos. Your approach is inspiring to me at times.
I would not take pictures like you do … but that's what a mantra is all about … it's personal. Keep on making images your style and keep on sharing them.
I’m mixed on this. I really like your photos. But, I also really liked the photos you were taking 5-6 years ago up until the point where you started shooting more 35-50mm exclusively. You’ve definitely identified what you like though and that’s not an easy thing to do. I’m hoping to get your new book to go along with your others as a Christmas present from my much better half. Love the channel, it’s been great seeing your journey. I do miss the old guy who used to leave a comment on every video with a 🐑
I love your channel and photography, really thought provoking images and beautifully composed. Love your presentation style dry humour, fun and informative.
Oh that book looks nice (green hard cover?!), I'm excited to get one in the mail!!!! And as a dedicated nifty fifty user, thanks for the validation!
Great vid-as usual James. Love your thoughtfulness about your art, and your art. Looking forward to getting my copy of Human Nature.
I see certain misconceptions portrayed in the video. First of all, the human eye is not a (still) photographic device, it's more of a video device: it permanently auto focuses while looking at various distances, it permanently adjusts its aperture (pupil) to adapt to lighting conditions. So looking at your finger tip and deciding that the unsharp background is "natural" only holds for that single facet of multiple viewing options. And comparing the dynamic range of a camera to the human eye is a fallacy.
Anyway, developing one's unique style is fine. And liking or not liking someone's style is ok too. There's more than one way to do it, especially with photography.
I also became very fearful of heights when I became a parent. Taking my family to visit canyons and mountains was terrifying. The good news is that the children have left home and my ability to appreciate and negotiate heights has returned. Something to look forward to. I truly enjoy your images because of the perspectives you bring to them, otherwise I would not keep watching your channel.
I respect and understand your goals and explanation about your photography, but I feel like by sticking to this way of working you commit yourself to being a documentarian, and omit the most important tools from photography as an artform. There is nothing wrong with this, but this only works if you can constantly visit places that are very special and that people can't really visit themselves, otherwise it can get boring very quickly. Compression, larger-than-life bokeh, interesting point-of-view, exciting colours in editing, filtration, motion blur are very important, and when a photo shows me something that I've never seen before that's way more exciting than normal photos of places and things. Harder to create, but when you get it right, absolutely more rewarding for the photographer as well. Love that we can talk about these things, great channel and great community you've built here!
You might be saying the same, but I would argue that shooting in a "normal way" is harder to create, in the sense that it's harder to create compelling images. Huge bokeh, interesting points-of-views, and exciting colors can be used to distract from bad composition or lack of taste. When you remove those, you have fewer dimensions to add up when considering whether a photo is great.
@@BenjaminLeeds No, this is not what I'm saying. Of course a bad photo is just bad even if you use the creative tools available to you, similar to how you can't save a bad story with CGI, but you can create amazing work if you use them right. If you are shooting documentary style, that IS lack of taste, you basically remove yourself, your personality and taste from the equation, you just show the same thing that I would see if I was standing there. I'm not interested in head hight 43mm photos of my home city, because I've seen it before this way a million times with my own eyes. Take a look at Becki and Chris' coffee table book "Mauzy" they created, it would be way more boring from head height only with 43mm.
@@volkom91 To me, that's the best part of James' work. He makes compelling images out of things that I would have walked past without noticing. He's highlighting beauty in the world that is often ignored. It serves as a reminder to enjoy where you are.
For the record… I love your photos!
11:14 - what ever photographer you are, you are inspiration for all of us in all type of photography, James!! Love your work!
Love your work, James! Such a great video here. Thank you for sharing your mantras with us! I got a kick out of the 'Snapshot Photographer' comment. "...say all the smartphone users," I thought.
Your simple photography paradigm must be very liberating for your creativity. The choice of background music reminds me of being in an slow elevator in a very tall building. Eventually you forget what you are doing there in the first place. Great channel.
Super interesting video brother. Always a pleasure to get a deeper glimpse into the way you see the world!
James, you are class act! Love your style and beautifully simple images. Thanks for posting.
I've been using a zoom recently, just to change things up. You'd be amazed how many shots I have between 40mm and 60mm - Not sure if it's because I'm an old dog who grew up shooting a 50mm but I found it interesting. I'm giving serious thought to selling everything and buying the Olympus 25mm f/1.2 and just being happy for the rest of my life
I think James is the grand master of them all in relation to composition and framing every shot is like mm perfect ! Unreal standard ❤
After I saw this video, I looked at my metadata in Lightroom and my favorite focal length is around 45 mm. Even though I do a lot of landscape photography and street shooting. My favorite lens is a 24 - 90 and I tend to keep it around 40 to 45 mm. I do like my telephoto lenses, especially for trips to Iceland and Greenland when you can get compression and angles against an iceberg that presents a beautiful pattern to the viewer, but you’re right. I also had an opportunity to pick up the new Q3 with a 43 mm lens and I’m using that a lot more than I use the Q3 with 28 mm. In fact, I just sold mine to MPB your sponsor. But the most important lesson is something that I have often thought about is “take a picture about something not of something”. Great advice.
One of the cool things about any artform is that there are unlimited ways to approach it. Although there re certain FLs I tend to favor, I expect to always have a wide range of lenses available, as I never know what I may want to photograph or what approach I'll use. I also shoot by experience-based feel and don't spend much time consciously considering things, plus I have no hesitation doing whatever I feel best addresses what I'm seeing/feeling, and that may involve low or high (or skewed) shooting angles and anywhere from 122° down to 3° AoV (12-800mm). Not all images have to look "natural" (in fact some of the more interesting ones don't). Thankfully, we all have our niches...
I really love your photos James! The whole process you go through to get those shots is what I identify with the most. And also the way you edit them, to me, it seems the most correct and natural. I like the idea of shooting at any time of day and in any weather conditions, that resonates with me as well. But selling the telephoto lenses... hum... big mistake! 🤔
2 weeks ago I took all my lenses to Scotland for a holiday. I usually use the 24-70mm for landscapes, but I didn't use it at all, instead I used my new Canon RF 35mm. Tack sharp. May sell the 24-70mm at some point.........I haven't used MPB in a couple of years now. I drove 1 hour away to WEX. Hassle free with no waiting around for money to be put in my bank or WEX account.
I love the take on thin glass. I can see where you're coming from with trying to get that natural documentary look as a style choice. Style is more than a preset or colour grade. ✨
For me, my issue is with flat compositions. I find it's easier to end up shooting flat with longer lenses. It's possible to get some dynamism with any lens of course, I just find I'm less likely to get weird and work the scene as much with a mega lens. 50+ makes me a bit lazy.
The focal length that really forces me out of that comfortable flat composition style is 28mm. Due to it being a bit annoyingly wide that it feels unnatural to my personal perspective, I end up looking for a more ideal director's perspective than my eyeline. Means I'm using the LCD more than the EVF, but so it goes. That's my personal style anyway. 😂
As usual, great video and the pictures are absolutely stunning.
To start my comment about this video, I love your photography. And in a couple of weeks I will receive your book. I can see you moving to focal length 40 to 50mm. That seems to be most of your photography. And I love how you incorporate the human element. Recently a photographer who I well respect, and still do, commented on a shot I was trying to get. I was waiting for the weather to change. I found an Adirondack chair to sit in and wait. The moment I said Adirondack he was no longer impressed. One has to be in wilderness and far away from civilization I guess to make a great shot worth it. Not true! As you, I love golden hour, but I also love 10 am, 12 noon, 2 PM, and everything else. Life as one sees it all day. Keep it coming!
Love your content and your images James, thank you.
Love your work! Thanks for sharing.
I justlove your style of photography, man.
Just ordered my copy!!! Can’t wait! ❤️
What I think is most interesting for me, is the fact that in the beginning I thought your photos were much too bright especially the sky. But the more photos I saw, the more it grew on me. It doesn't matter that you can't see structures in the clouds. It is the subject that you take the picture of that matters. And a blown out sky can contribute to that. I like it and I think I will try out something new. Although I will not sell my telephoto lens. ;)