You all need to watch this

Caught that a few days ago, fantastic.
 
Played fine for me too. It was very deep and very inspiring, thanks for bringing it to our attention Pete.

Sean
 
Watched it last night, not what I was expecting at all but definately worth watching.
 
It was a very well made video with a very relaxing voice, and was generally brilliant.

I think that the meaning behind it, what he's trying to say to people, was, again, generally very helpful to a lot of people.

I can't help feel that it was just... slightly... condescending?
Is anyone with me?

I finished up with the short film and was just like, "uh.."
Yeah, I know it was done with good intentions but it just sort of.
Ah, I dunno, I think I'm just picking for picking's sake.

It was undeniably good and thought provoking.
 
I think it's because I felt as if I was a small person being sat down on a chair by a self-righteous man who was saying, "There there, it's okay, you'll be better at photography one day."

As I said, I'm probably being over-critical.
 
You don't feel exactly like he does though? I know I do a lot of the time. I've only been doing this for 6 years and its only in the past 2 that I feel I've actually made any real progress. I've got another 30 left to play with so I know I've barely started.
 
Zacks a big name in professional photography, his one-light workshop is acclaimed as one of the best around. I would guess that the video is mainly aimed at professional photographers although I would imagine that most of us have hit the I'm-not-getting-any-better wall at some point. I didn't find it condescending at all, all he's saying is what a lot of people feel.

I was at a workshop recently and spent the first evening shooting at a skate park. One of my mentors asked how I was getting on. 'They probably all suck' I said. He said 'why do you say that ?' 'Because everything I shoot sucks' I said. That's how I feel about 99% of my photography. But hey, it pays the bills ...
 
petemc said:
You don't feel exactly like he does though? I know I do a lot of the time. I've only been doing this for 6 years and its only in the past 2 that I feel I've actually made any real progress. I've got another 30 left to play with so I know I've barely started.
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I really enjoy the hobby of photography, but that is what I see it as.
I have many hobbies - skiing, cinema, (I used to ride my bike a lot but I don't have the time anymore :(), and photography.
I know I have the potential to become a professional photographer, with persistance, determination and discipline, but it's not what I want to do.
I enjoy photography, but that is where it ends for me I think. It is however, a very useful skill to have with my desired line of work (advertising).

I think that's why we were affected differently by the video. I think it's more aimed at professional photographers who have hit that slump where they believe truthfully that they suck.

I can honestly say that I do not. I know I can improve - no one is perfect. But I don't think my photography sucks whatsoever. I am content with my photography, myphotographs, my kit, my self and most importantly my ideas.
I think it's probably because I'm quite a confident (and admittedly sometimes arrogant) person. If I felt down about my work, then it's likely this would have affected me in a very different way but I just feel as if he's forcing it down my neck.
 
WeddingHack said:
Zacks a big name in professional photography, his one-light workshop is acclaimed as one of the best around. I would guess that the video is mainly aimed at professional photographers although I would imagine that most of us have hit the I'm-not-getting-any-better wall at some point. I didn't find it condescending at all, all he's saying is what a lot of people feel.

I was at a workshop recently and spent the first evening shooting at a skate park. One of my mentors asked how I was getting on. 'They probably all suck' I said. He said 'why do you say that ?' 'Because everything I shoot sucks' I said. That's how I feel about 99% of my photography. But hey, it pays the bills ...
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I think you've hit the nail on the head with those bits i've highlighted bold. You didn't find it condescending at all, followed by evidence of why in your second paragraph.
Would I be right in thinking that you found his video reassuring?

I personally think it's because he wasn't talking to the audience as a collective, he was making it personal, making it about me. It might be what a lot of people feel, but he was implying that's how I felt.
 
No, not reassuring, just a recognition of the, err, mental struggle that some photographers face.

Pro photographers fall into two camps :

i) In the business of photography - making money is more important than making amazing photos ... although the photos are still important.
ii) Photographers in business - making amazing photos is more important than making money ... although the money is obviously still important.

I think his video is aimed at the second camp. I'm in that one. I know my photos don't suck, my clients love them, but I also am never personally happy with them, there's always something that can be improved. The neverending battle to improve is what the video addresses I think.
 
Exactly. That is something I'm sure most photographers feel, not just the ones making a bit of money.
 
WeddingHack said:
No, not reassuring, just a recognition of the, err, mental struggle that some photographers face.

Pro photographers fall into two camps :

i) In the business of photography - making money is more important than making amazing photos ... although the photos are still important.
ii) Photographers in business - making amazing photos is more important than making money ... although the money is obviously still important.

I think his video is aimed at the second camp. I'm in that one. I know my photos don't suck, my clients love them, but I also am never personally happy with them, there's always something that can be improved. The neverending battle to improve is what the video addresses I think.
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I just watched it again with a different frame of mind and I have to totally agree. There were still certain parts to it that I found condescending, but they were minimal.

I place myself in that, too. I also am constantly looking at ways to improve.
 
"You all need to watch this"

I disagree. It was well made and quite an interesting video but it'll make diddly squat difference to the way I take photos. I think he has more mental demons to fight than I do.
 
It hasn't changed the way I take pictures either. Its just nice to hear someone be so open. Its someone that I can identify with.
 
petemc said:
It hasn't changed the way I take pictures either. Its just nice to hear someone be so open. Its someone that I can identify with.
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That's good, and I know you suffer from depression and can almost certainly relate to it more than I can. It was a rather assertive introduction you made though.
 
Thats because I felt strongly about it and I was moved by it. I felt that everyone would benefit from seeing this. We're all photographers and there are darker times. Its nice to take a minute and think about it and know its just the way of things.
 
Fair enough. And apologies as reading back that was probably unnecessarily argumentative by me. Thanks for posting, it was interesting to me but as more of a mental than a photographic insight.
 
at this time of the morning i was more awake after watching this than i have ever been. I feel like this video has given so much prespective on my photography and that no matter how i may feel about the pictures i take all i can do is keep improving and strive to make sure i never forget why i have this hobby...
 
thanks for the link - very well made - i think some will end the video after the first 60 seconds - those that let it play will enjoy - some more then others.
 
Dom_Cabarete said:
at this time of the morning i was more awake after watching this than i have ever been. I feel like this video has given so much prespective on my photography and that no matter how i may feel about the pictures i take all i can do is keep improving and strive to make sure i never forget why i have this hobby...
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You've taken the words right out of mouth.
Needless to say I agree with you.
 
To those who think this video is only applicable to 'Pros' let me make this suggestion.

Open your mind to what is being said and re-watch the video.

How many times have people posted on this site "my pictures are not good enough" and have had replies like " you have some very good picture on fliker'

Is anyone so conceited that every picture they take is a masterpiece?

I think this vid has a lot to say about life not just photography, it is easy to become critical of self and others, we moan about our pictures, we moan about our partners, we moan about our kids, we moan about our jobs we moan about everything.

What this vid is saying (not just about Photography) is sit back and take a look at what you do have, what is good!!!!!! not to focus on what is sh!t.
 
I thought it was an inspiring video.

Like a lot of people I have not been photographing as much as I would like these last two years and what I have shot has been mediocre. Things have changed these last few months and I am beginning to feel inspired again. The video has helped to put some perspective into my thoughts and self critisism. Also like him my wife is always encouraging me to go further with my photography.

Thanks for the link

Steve
 
True to form - you just can't help yourself.
 
petemc said:
Seems everyone in the thread seems to imply that things happen. Some liked it others didn't. If you're just going to be an ass I'd say goto Blackpool beach.
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Bleeding hell Pete........:lol:


Just because you may think it, you don`t have to post it..........:D
 
Sounds like seasonally affective disorder to me, almost like a video suicide note, guys got some problems to sort out.
Can't see how thats supposed to inspire anybodys photography. Wayne
 
That's a very brave man.

I can identify with a lot of what he said.

There's the winter blues....weren't we meant to hibernate, really? Then the crazy summer when you just don't have time to think.

And plenty of food for thought for those who believe that life as a pro is all a bed of roses.

Thanks for the link, pete.....
 
fracster said:
Bleeding hell Pete........:lol:


Just because you may think it, you don`t have to post it..........:D
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Same can be said of awp. Here's an inspirational video of a photographer putting his heart on the web. He's showing who he really is to the world in the hope that others find comfort in it.

swanseamale47 said:
Sounds like seasonally affective disorder to me, almost like a video suicide note, guys got some problems to sort out.
Can't see how thats supposed to inspire anybodys photography. Wayne
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A suicide note? O_o I feel a lot like the guy. I can work to a professional level and do my job but I still don't feel like I've found my real voice. I can do anything with a camera. I have to find it in myself to explore what I can really do.

I don't think its meant to inspire your photography. Its meant to inspire you. Photography isn't just about photos and gear. Its about the person behind the camera. Its reassuring to hear another photographer going through similar things. For amateurs I guess its nice to know that pro's aren't perfect photography machines. For me its nice to feel less alone. Annie Leibowitz has a book out which is less about the technical issues around a shot and more about her as a person. Its a great read for that reason.
 
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