Are we losing our creativity?
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- čas přidán 20. 04. 2023
- Have megapixels become more important than the Rule of Thirds? Does owning one camera brand make you a better photographer than another? In other words, do we talk about about cameras a bit TOO much?!
I'm Craig Roberts and e6 vlogs is my channel. For more videos and content check out e6, the the subscription service I run from my website. e6 offers videos, eGuides, eBooks, podcasts and more.
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My friend is a die hard audiophile and has spent 10's of thousands on his set up, and it's amazing. I listen to the sound and it's truly amazing, the quality outstanding. The strange thing is, he isn't really listening to the sound, he's nit-picking his equipment. Hard to describe but when we are listening to some music, he cannot sit still, always turning a knob, flicking a switch, moving a wire away from another as they are touching, or closing an open door, because that affects the sound. Apparently.
THIS is what i want in a photography CZcams video. Ideally even. more on how the image was chosen when walking down the street or in the countryside. I realised some time ago that for the photography I mostly do (landscape and details) I mostly use F8-16, which is where even cheap senses perform at their best. More videos about creativity and the process, please :) To anyone reading this comment, I cannot recommend spending a day with Craig highly enough, I learnt so much on an urban walk around!!!
Completely agree Craig. Too many CZcamsrs and photographers will have you believe that it is your equipment and technical perfection that is holding you back when in fact it is your creativity. In terms of gear, my main requirement is I have a camera that I want to take out and shoot and this doesn't get in the way of my creativity. I tend to avoid CZcams channels that focus on photography gear as this is unlikely to improve my photography. It is so much more interesting when someone talks about the creative process rather than the gear.
Before i watched this video i had just watched the night time in london - shooting street lights (5 yrs ago) and that was about being creative. using the lights available (street ones) when they were turned on !
It didn't matter what camera or lens you used, it was the creative thoughts, composure and then setting the camera to record your vision. high ISO, Low shutter etc. and then using these to also enhance you images with a bit of noise/grain.
You are absolutely right! It is all about the picture and not about the camera or the lens or the post processing- or the film you use. It’s all about the image. No amount of money spent on equipment will improve anyone’s pictures. I know this because I have been there and done all of that. Sadly, I am still a rotten photographer! Some things can’t be taught but come from within. Art is about vision and talent.
Have you looked at many photobooks by the great photographers, or visited Art galleries. For me over the years I am sure I have built up a card index system in my mind which helps me see things. Hope that makes some sense. But do keep going.
@@iaincphotography6051 Morning, your comment makes perfect sense and is a good one. In the early days of my hobby i got obsessed with the gear that 'i needed', that in order to take a good picture the camera had to be super expensive and the lens even more. Except i don't have the money! So i started buying photography books from ebay, charity shops, etc, i also brought a box full of photography magazines (monthly's), about 120 in total, for £10. And started reading and looking at the images and the penny started to drop. I have my own style, my own look, i like to call it 'urban grit' photography, and works perfect for me. Cheers.
@@tilerman Nothing like a bit of urban grit.
"If you cant 'see' a picture, then it does'nt matter what gear you have! brand new; or seventy year old stuff! What would the pioneer photographers of a 100 years ago make of todays photographic gear! They would probably want the latest cameras they could lay their hands on.(maybe) the marketing strategy for the photographic industry keeps us all wanting more! at the cost of creativity! thoughtful vid Craig👍
Spot on. Picture Post cameraman Bert Hardy said " It's the cameraman not the camera that wins the prize" He took that now iconic image of two girls on the seafront at Blackpool with a box camera....
That's why I stay with my trusty OM-D E-M1 Mark 1 for nearly 10 years now. It does what I want the way I want. No need for more.
Great video, and I’m totally in agreement of the message. It’s refreshing to hear people talk about creativity over pixel peeping & gear fetishism!
Watched 3 of your videos in the last 24hr, and they’ve made me feel more creative, wanting to look out for interesting & characterful scenes, rather than just the pretty ones! Great stuff!
I guess some people can't help themselves they are just hard wired for the tech . But that's not me it bores me to tears. I prefer to have limitations , with the gear I have. It's always what keeps me coming back to your chanel the creative side of photography
It''s a pity that we have to talk about gear at all. The best picture is usually the one not taken, or the one shot on your phone because you did not have your camera with you. I've used many camera's, from analog in the '90, polaroid, dslr and now I've ended up with Fuji. In the end it does not matter which camera you use, so you're spot on.
Honestly, the points you make about gear worship vs creativity are the reason I find myself gravitating to many of the YT film photography channels, where images and process often take priority over chasing gear or technology.
And lately I hardly use my AF lenses with my Nikon mirrorless cameras as I rather enjoy fast manual focus primes either for zone focus, closeup or otherwise.
Well said. Far too much “focus” on the kit and not enough “light” on the creation of an image, it’s story, it’s emotion and reason.
Thank you Craig. Great content and message.
Good video …. Totally agree. I would love to see some videos related to using lack of focus for creative effect, beyond ICM - I have enjoyed some of these, but keen to see a wider range … in particular understanding the creative thinking involved. Let’s have more on photography and less on photography gear.
I tune in for all latest tech. Then I go out and shoot with my Canon 7D.
Great video again Craig. I would much prefer to hear what prompted a photographer to take an image and their process in capturing it rather than talking about their gear.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. It's taken me a long time to see that a photo doesn't mean any more to my interest if i discover that it was made by a more expensive or newer piece of gear. Your CZcams videos have gone a long way too help me understand my own work and its meaning to me.
Interesting topic. Some time ago I switched from a "pro" full frame camera and lenses to an 'entry level' APS-C set up and I believe my creativity has improved as I tend to be more agile and responsive to scenes and more prepared to try new and different approaches, all for an insignificant and unimportant (IMO) drop in overall 'image quality'. Having said that... motivation and creativity are very personal and I know that some people get something extra from the technical aspects and, indeed, from the type of camera and lenses that they are using.
On social media few care about the story of an image. Charlie Waite used to go in to great detail about the image and reason for its existence, these platforms don’t lend themselves to reading of text, it’s just about the image, with camera settings
Those asking about technical details or the cameras spec’s are usually just starting their journey into photography, it makes understanding how the image was created easier to grasp.
Is this rational behind the dissatisfaction some photographers find frustrating
What a refreshing video! And yes, here's to more people regarding their camera and lenses as tools to capture their creative ideas.
Couldn't agree more! Thank you for another interesting video
I think people depend to much on having the newest gear, thinking it will make them a better more creative photographer.. get the gear you need to create and leave it.. Great video Craig..
I've had a friend start with photography recently. That made me realize how hard it is to learn from youtube nowadays - all the photography related channels are focusing SOLELY on gear. There are seemingly no topics other that ultra-low-light, shallow depth of field, and AF systems that will do everything for you, including your laundry.
I really regret not bookmarking the videos I've learnt composition and exposure basics from 10 years ago. With the way trends lean into consoomerism instead of learning your craft + the utterly broken youtube search, it seems impossible to find quality content.
Lots of sense spoken by you, as always Craig, 👍
Really great post, as usual, Craig. You're spot on in that the work is never about the gear or technical capabilities. Capabilities give us more reach and latitude-should our work need it, but it never ups ourselves.
I shot with the RX1 for 12 years, so the constraints I operated under defines the body of my work during that era. Recently, I picked up an XT5 with the XF27mm. Great kit. Far more latitude due to the tech, but have found the results to be fine, but my work made with it misses that something from when I shot with RX1.
I'm now exploring the reasons why that might be because I expected my photography to not change substantially since I've been shooting for so many decades now, but the shift in kit that expanded reach and latitude, shifted my work.
"learning" creativity is much harder earned than learning how to use a camera and knowing what settings to use. A creative photographer (which I am not) takes interesting pictures with anything from a Holga to a Hasselblad. I'd love to hear more about the creative process, what it was about a particular scene that inspired a particular picture and how to create an image from a scene that would normally be ignored.
Adam Ant... Love it Craig! It just made me smile,
Could not agree more Craig.👍👍
Hi Craig, All the Camera brands that you used on your Channel have all been great pictures. My photography has improved since watching your Channel. You are spot on when you said, you don't want the Camera to influence the end result, I make the decisions. And when you said let's talk about our images, instead of our Cameras, Well said. Love Adam and the Ants. Thanks for this video.
Very good thoughts again - you really focus on the essence of photography.
And a tool is a tool and needs to befit for purpose - just nobody minds if it’s a bit of fun too 😂
I'm off on a couple of photo opportunities tomorrow........I think you have convinced me to be a little more creative in my expectations. Thank you.
Excellent video as per your usual standards Craig ; only; something has just occurred to me! Exactly what has happened in regards to the quality album music. Sod the camera info, the music feeds our inspiration 🤘🏻
Well said, I agree completely.
You are so right, but it does not sell advertising space. It amazing how many people who just follow the crowd. I asked some one recently if they created images or collected camera gear. Thank you for reminding people
I've gone backwards nowadays and use an 'old' Sony A7RII with 1960/70s vintage prime lenses, I've found although at times frustrating I'm enjoying photography more and feel more involved than using the latest all singing and dancing kit with AF etc, I have some vintage 35mm film cameras that I'm going to start using this year.
Can recommend anyone to go down this route and buy a cheap mirrorless camera as these have more features on board to help with focusing.
Nice videos👍
Regards
Kestrel4000 (igram)
100% agree with all of that!
Totally agree
Absolutely.
When I started to get into photography "properly", I dug around youtube and found The Art of Photography. I ignored it for ages, and then found a load of the older videos, on specific phototgraphers, and on techniques. It was mind blowing, and Ted's exuberance was infectious, I binge watched it, but the slide, and eventual total transformation, into gear reviews, really did make me sad. The first 6 years of videos are some of the best content on youtube, and the last.... not so much. Bring back angry Ted Forbes! (or, bring on more e6!)
yes, I will still be photographing in 2023 with the Olympus PEN E-P2 camera.
Great video. Thought provoking as always! By the way, what camera did you use to make the video?😂
Thanks a lot, for the video, Craig. I can't help the feeling that you set up the thesis of this video intentionally confrontational, if not wrong... As always, there are two elements to a product: the creative concept - and the quality execution. You make it sound as if photographers have to chose one over the other because you can't have both. It's like telling a car buyer they can either have a splendidly designed car that will fall apart after four weeks, or a crappy-looking technical masterpiece. I think we all know that an expensive camera/lens has no impact on your creativity and your composition (except for eg the weight benefit you mentioned, or on the flip side some specific functionality that can be used creatively) - but it can make a huge difference on the quality execution. In that sense, gear may or may not improve your photography creatively, but it can make you a better photographer as long as a certain quality level is part of the concept...
I doubt there are any cameras made in the last few years that fail to make the grade of being good enough to ensure good execution. There are minor differences but you can *almost* consider all cameras as reasonably interchangeable.
I agree with all you had to say and after carrying a brace of cameras around in the film days , I relished the EM 10 Mkii because it did all I needed and a bit more . If ever it dies then I could look to a used body in good condition or better . I doubt whether I would be willing to spend to get the latest model as that seems like over kill .
The Fuji is a great camera and with the right lens would my Billingham digital bag perfectly . In other words , I would be looking to emulate my Olympus set up and travel as light as possible . After all , I am not getting any younger ha ha . If Olympus was good enough for Jane Brown , it is good enough for me lol .
I really enjoyed the video and it’s message . Thank you .
We should realize that there is almost NOTHING that has not been done. Everything I take a picture of has been photographed many times... and likely done better than my best efforts. So, I just do what I want to do because nobody will see my pictures.
At 1:36 is that the original building and path from 1937 that Bill Brandt photographed? If it is it's amazing that it survived all this time. 🙂
Completely get where you’re coming from, I use the XT3 but actually preferred my entry level Canon DSLR I had before, the ergonomics especially, but that got ruined in an accident including all but one of my lenses and to be honest I had outgrown it. I do love the Fuji so called “ kit lens”, the 18-55 f/2.8-4 but wish it was 2.8 all through the focal range, I bought the 35mm f/2 wr for my street photography but it rarely comes out of my bag and I can’t afford to have money tied up in something I don’t use. So I’m going to, first off, start using it and see once and for all whether I think I need it, if I don’t I’ll sell it as there’s other things I really do need, a new laptop for a start.
I once had a self professed "photography expert" declare that one of my images that I had had printed on a 1200mm x 800mm canvas had obviously been taken on a medium format camera, in actual fact it was taken on a 24mp APS-C camera (Canon M5) I took great pleasure in telling him 🤣........................ I've just massively upgraded my camera and at the same time gone from FF30mp to FF24mp................... Technical perfection is fine but it is not necessary for a pleasing image
In other words what you are saying is 'Stand and Deliver' ..... 🙂👍👍
You bought the Fuji because you could afford it! now here is a question, could we be creative without a computer? up to a point yes I suppose......cameras are for taking pictures with and not talking about...Thank you Craig for this weeks blog I found it most interesting!
I like to take out an older body with a cheap or old/vintage lens and challenge the creativity and the ability to improve image quality by using correct techniques and parms.
Regarding popular videos about creativity, which I liked
- Jared (I Shoot Raw) has a video about using the first digital pro Canon in todays time and the results he got in a garage or bike shop: stunning
- Kai did some sessions with well known photographers and very/very low budget cameras/toys: the results show why these were pro’s …
(If needed, I can search for some links)
Cheap Camera Challenge, example: czcams.com/video/jDAnNjRJxOQ/video.html
I agree with you.Creativity is Not about the gear.
I think another obstacle to creativity is the social media induced obsession with views and likes. If you like photograph A more than photograph B, but Instagram viewers like B better, odds are many photographers today will start trying to take more photos like B than like A, I suspect. (Fortunately for me, I'm purely a hobbyist, and views/likes are only an ego boost: they have no financial impact on me.)
Likes are irrelevant, a rubbish picture taken by a celebrity or of a celebrity will get thousands of likes. A great picture by a complete unknown maybe 10 or 20 likes. It's sad that photography has become so watered down nowadays that I really believe that most people don't even know what constitutes a good photograph.
Ha ha I used to love that old Adam and the ants LP too
did i turn the gas off XD thanks for your content
👏
Why the fuss about cameras? I am happy with my cameras, and what other people use is their business. Most are happy with their cameras, and it is nice to see happy people, esp. in these times.
If William Shakespeare had used a Parker fountain pen with an 18carat gold nib imagine how good his stories could have been.
Well it's a popular topic with me... ;-))
Adam Ant and I agree.
Hello ! Would you buy new football boots on the promise they will make you more clever and more creative?
I've been tempted to put stickers on all my cameras that just say camera. If I'm asked "What did camera you take that photo with?" My 'camera' would then be a valid answer 😂
Who is on that album cover in the background (assuming that is an album cover in the background)?
Adam Aant is the album cover
Adam Ant (Adam and the Ants)
Only photographers, or those obsessed with gear, care about what a picture was taken with, for everyone else all that matters is does the content of the photo appeal to them personally and that’s where subjectivity comes in. Not everything appeals to everyone all the time.
Perfect! Please make a video about new AI generation and photography.
I was just listening to Adam Ant this morning. Overlooked.
got the stranglers on the turntable now.
@@mikegraham2477 "Big girl in the red dress, She's just trying to impress us,
And she's got the barley fever,
But she doesn't make a sound.....
She's just hanging around..... 🤘
I’ve yet to meet a single person who can identify which exact camera was used when looking at a photo.
Fee fi fo fum..... I smell a Leica coming on :-)
Photography died when techies started getting interested with the arrival of digital camera’s. It’s all about the gear now. Where is the art ? Where is the eye ?
Sharpness is overrated. Many of the 20th Century's most iconic images were not sharp.
Adam and the Ants...Ant Rap...hmm.
C’mon Craig, Adam and the Ants? You’re better than that
You’re blocked!!
Unfortunately, camera gear reviews get more likes than reviews of photographs on this platform. It’s all about monetisation, which is understandable if your main income is from CZcams. I expect to see very few ‘real’ people on CZcams this time next year, but mostly Ai generated images of the youtuber posing and presenting with a voice simulation and with the characteristics and personality of he original. Creativity is dying in front of our eyes and the human element is being replaced by an action bot and a simulation which has learned how to draw better, paint better and take better photos than you. The times they are a changin and we ain’t seen nothing yet.
Next time someone shows you their creative masterpiece, ask them what prompts they entered into Mid Journey. 😢
Aren't you the one that always touts the camera and features? If the camera doesn't matter, why is it that you always mention it?
AI is around the corner, no one will need a camera soon...
Disagree. Where do you think AI gets the components of their composition? Something that will become a copyright nightmare in the near future. Plus, the thing that AI is incapable of, in the foreseeable future, is creativity. Cue to improve your photography.
@@johndwilliams I said it with a touch of sarcasm, I don't think it will replace all photography but it will certainly challenge certain genre of photography.
As for copyright, that's already been thrown out by the US courts, there is no way to prove what or how many images AI generates and where from.
At the moment not just with photography AI has the potential to change all art forms, even in education there are debates going on regarding the potential for deep faking.
AI will need to be managed and regulated, but if it goes unchecked then who knows where it might lead.
Amen !! Thanks and cheers from DownUnder 🦘
Bla bla bla but you still get the latest and gratest 😂😂😂😂😂