15 Years of Photography Lessons in 18 Minutes.

Summary

In this video, James shares his personal insights on photography, gear, and style, drawing from years of experience. He discusses the importance of using your camera without being overly precious about it, the evolution of photography careers, and the value of simplicity in capturing compelling images. James reflects on how personal style in photography develops naturally over time, and offers advice on focusing on the process rather than just the result. He also touches on photography as a career and the benefits of having a project to guide your work.

Takeaways

• 😀 James discusses how having a newborn, Arthur, has reminded him of the challenges of parenthood and how it affects his photography work.
• 😀 He emphasizes the importance of using your camera without worrying too much about expensive gear, suggesting that you should not buy a camera you’d be afraid to use.
• 😀 When purchasing gear, James suggests a rule from a past conversation: ask yourself if you’d be willing to pay double for it to ensure you truly want it and will use it.
• 😀 James highlights that photography is all about compromises, especially when considering sensor sizes, lens costs, and storage requirements.
• 😀 He encourages budding photographers to let their style develop organically over time instead of copying others or buying presets.
• 😀 Photography style is not a fixed destination but a journey, constantly evolving as influences from various sources (blogs, movies, etc.) shape it.
• 😀 James aims to simplify his photos, focusing on eliminating distractions to create a cleaner, more impactful scene.
• 😀 A good photograph should provoke questions in the viewer’s mind, not just be visually pleasing.
• 😀 Photography as a career has many more opportunities now than before, but James advises aspiring photographers to focus on being different rather than just better.
• 😀 He advises always carrying your camera with you, as spontaneous moments often result in the most memorable shots.
• 😀 James stresses the importance of enjoying the photography process itself, rather than only focusing on the end result or perfect conditions.
• 😀 He also advocates for thinking about the visibility of your camera during shoots to ensure it aligns with the artistic vision of the scene.
• 😀 James wraps up with advice on how having a clear project or goal can make photography easier and more meaningful, as it gives you a direction to follow.

Q & A

Why does the speaker talk about feeling like a 'lion mother' when discussing his newborn?

The speaker uses the metaphor of a 'lion mother' to express his strong protective instinct and deep affection for his newborn, Arthur. He compares it to the desire to care for and nurture his child in a way that feels almost instinctive, like licking him clean, despite it sounding a bit strange.

What advice does the speaker give regarding buying camera gear?

The speaker advises a principle from a past conversation: don't buy anything unless you're willing to spend double on it. This approach ensures that you’re making thoughtful purchases and not being overly precious about expensive gear, which could prevent you from using it effectively.

Why does the speaker emphasize not being too precious about expensive cameras?

He highlights that cameras are useless unless they're being used to capture photos or videos. Being overly careful about damaging an expensive camera can prevent you from learning, practicing, and capturing the shots you're meant to take.

What is the main concept of the speaker's advice on photography style?

The speaker believes photography style should evolve naturally over time and be a reflection of one's own experiences. Rather than copying another photographer’s style, it’s better to let your style develop organically, influenced by countless, subtle inspirations.

What does the speaker say about the importance of context in photography?

The speaker stresses the idea that photography should focus on simplifying scenes and creating context without distractions. He prefers to remove elements from a scene to make it clearer and more meaningful, rather than adding extra components.

How does the speaker view photography as a career?

He acknowledges that the photography industry has evolved and that there are now more ways to earn a living from photography than ever before. While he feels lucky to not rely on clients, he suggests aiming for 'different' rather than 'better' to stand out in a competitive field.

What is the speaker's opinion on taking a camera everywhere?

The speaker admits he’s not great at this, but encourages taking your camera everywhere to capture unexpected photo opportunities. Many of his best photos happened because he had his camera with him at the right moment, even if he didn’t plan to take a photo.

Why does the speaker suggest learning to enjoy the process of photography?

He believes that photography, like life, is about embracing the process rather than being fixated on results. Since the outcome is often out of your control, focusing on enjoying the act of capturing moments makes the experience more fulfilling.

What does the speaker mean when he says 'simplify the scene'?

When simplifying a scene, the speaker advises removing unnecessary elements to make the main subject clearer and more impactful. This approach is about focusing on what truly matters in the shot, rather than cluttering the image with distractions.

How does the speaker suggest handling gear-related worries in photography?

The speaker recommends worrying less about the technical aspects of your gear (like exposure settings or perfect lenses) and focusing more on the scene and moment unfolding in front of you. Too much focus on gear can cause you to miss the perfect shot.