One thing that photographers need to bear in mind, when they are looking at photos from well known photographers, they are only seeing those photographers best work. They aren't seeing all the hundreds (thousands?) of images they took whilst learning their craft or any from any point in their career not considered good enough.
This a million times. I could curate my own work to look incredible. Granted, it would be a few dozen photos at best but anyone seeing them would think I was really good. Realistically they’re the very best out of many thousands ranging from really good to “why? Why did you think that was worth a photo?”. Editing your own work (editing as in only showing what’s worth showing) is one of the hardest things to do.
Just to touch on this with photo style as a context. You can’t force a style. Nor should you really focus on having a style. Looking at the photography greats I bet you any money you want that they were focusing on taking photos in their “style” they simply took photos that were meaningful to them. Their style would develop over time as they start just taking images the way that appeals to them. As you touched on, that’s also disregarding the thousands that they took that wouldn’t represent their style as well. You don’t force your style, it’s a reflection of you. Just go out take images and your style will develop over time. I didn’t even know I had a certain style until someone pointed it out to me and I can to realise that I did have a particular way of shooting with common focal lengths. I never planned to do that, it just happened as I took photos that appeal to me.
I just want to say Faizal, you're such an inspiration. Your cinematography and storytelling has improved tremendously over the past two years and honestly you seem like such a genuine, kind, and lovely dude from following you and everything you have grown from over the years. You inspired me to start street photography and even start sharing my passion for photography on my own youtube channel. onwards and upwards
I appreciate how much you make photography feel like an open playing field for everyone (as it should be!). There are so many people that feel intimidated by photography, especially street photography, and can watch your videos as a safe space. Your calm, easy-going, "no rules" style of photography is definitely something I am trying to emulate in both my photo and video work!
One thing I notice...things we take for granted now are the things that will be completely different in the future. No one now cares about a tesla parked next to a hotel. However in 30 years it will be a unique photo and perhaps that hotel will even be gone. I like to remind myself it's not always about what you see now
Thank you for these man. Helps me relax with less worry and get focused on growing/ learning without being all worried about the end goal so much. 🙏🏻 Great videos.
After watching this video, I realized I was being too hard on myself, feeling frustrated by not being able to figure out my own style. And by knowing Westcott had gone through similar situation, I'm feeling relieved now that it's actually part of the process and reminded me to remain calm and trust it.
@@MarkGlennEstrera that’s awesome though! I can definitely relate, but I’m in the beginner stages so it’s easier for me to accept not knowing my style yet, but I’m still hard on myself about learning to use all my gear correctly. I can now tell I have the vision though it’s exciting to see the story in other peoples photography. I wish you luck on your projects trust the process!
You’ve described exactly how my approach to photography has changed over time. At first I was looking for special places to photograph, only to realize that there’s so much close to see in my environment. And funny that I too see thing, which make me regret I don’t have my camera with me. It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one 😉. Thank you for this video!
If I didn't do my research before and watch photography content like you make, I would have definitely get lost in the mindset of achieving the same style as a top photographer or copycat and failing. But I learned early and realised that doing what I want instead of following someone else is what brings your style out, or at least that's what I think. Other then that, great work as always! Looking forward for new episodes!
Exactly. This focus on style is ridiculous. I bet you all the money in the world the top photographers were never, or at the least rarely ever focused on a “style” they just took images meaningful to themselves. Their style would develop over time as they make decisions only they could make. Same as you. This focus on a “style” is ridiculous and limiting to one’s growth as a photographer
I very much have similar scenarios happen to me..i try to bring my camera with me whenever i go hiking but it seems the best chances/when i see something id love to photograph happen when i dont have my camera on me. Sometimes its frustrating but i end up enjoying the moment alot more.
Spot on Faizal! I for sure can relate to no 3. I often enjoy and feel good about my ”missed photos” long time after notice a rare moment of opportunity.
Great video! I struggle with everything you spoke about and this gives me a new perspective on the way I do photography. You should really make a podcast about street photography.
Faizal, looking forward to your first POV video from Istanbul after just watching Roman's just now. Great y'all are doing this while you're young and single and unencumbered. Will be following you and Roman's travels. Stay safe. Cheers from Louisiana.
Před 2 lety+2
Awesome video! This has become one of my favourite channels on CZcams! Btw are you going to hang out with Roman in Istanbul?
Location matters in my own opinion, some cities have more of a story to tell with more going on to capture the story. Some cities have a grander scale or better backdrop to the image. Some places the people arent as concerned by someone taking photos where other places people either aren't use to it or just flat out dislike it.
@@FaizalWestcott This comment only makes it sound like you need a target rich environment to be successful. Success is what you can find wherever you may be. Is walking down a street in the middle of the desert not street photography?
@@ebreevephoto I don’t think he’s saying you have to be in a certain location to make good street photography. I think he talked about the same thing in this very video? Anyways I took it as something more like..the location shapes(or limits) what you can make out of a photo. After all, street photogtaphy captures daily lives and it is just inseparable from the cultures they share. I’m not sure if I’m putting it the right way, sorry for bad English!
I feel like the location matter/doesn't matter debate comes down mainly to the type of photography you want to do, how you define street photography and how your taste for street photography has developed/been influenced by consuming a specific type of work. The default for many seems to be photographing people and "documenting" their interactions in the style of the great Magnum photographers. If that's your reference for street photography and the style you want to pursue, then location might be important.
Well said Faizal. I particularly agree with your comments regarding location. Of course, photographers can make interesting photographs no matter where they live. My friend John has made an incredible body of work photographing the small city of Adelaide in Australia. But if you're documenting life on the street and the city you live in does't have a lot of it, your hit rate is going to be leaner. Keep up the good work Faizal.
I just started uploading my film photography vlogs this year and I often find myself trying too hard to take pictures what I think other people will like. While that in itself may not be the worst, I definitely want to organically find a style that I feel comfortable. Thank you so much for this video which has helped definitely ease my mind. 👌🏼
Isn't style something that just happens...I am beginning to see one developing in my photos but it is not conscience. I tend to shoot what attracts my attention and that is what is developing into a common thread which I guess, at least at the moment is becoming my style. I look at the work of the great street photographers of the past to get ideas, but I don't try to emulate. Not giving you a hard time here :) just my thoughts...
I definitely have been feeling burnt out and uninspired by my hometown of Sacramento. I feel that I've walked through it all and have seen it all. I should take a similar approach as you. Although I want to move at some point to a place I love more. San Francisco.
Location can matter. Where I live the town centre is one street of which the majority is boarded up. Luckily enough I live 30 mins from two big cities so I just go there.
Hey man, just here to let you know that I know it’s yours when I see one of your photos in my feed. (I’m a graphic designer so that maybe doesn’t count as much bc my eye is trained, but still) big up to you, your work is very good and I can assure you that one day your photos are going to be in big beautiful photography books and if the destiny is funny, I’ll be able to work on some of them one day who knows haha
Yes. For example, the city I live in does not inspire me at all. Or rather, it's not my style. I don't like Bucharest and probably Europe in general. Many times I went out on the street and actually felt that I had nothing to shoot because I have a different style than what this city can offer me.
Honestly you gave some great advise, i dont believe in my opinion that location matters ive lived in small towns and big citys throught out my life theres always a story to tell but most people have just have there blinders on and its really difficult to take them off sometimes.
Amazing talk and really good tips …. Well if you go to Turkey Istanbul go to these tow places (( Galta And Taksim Street )) Istanbul is great for street photography and I am sure you will enjoy it so much ….
Frustration for not finding a style, I think I know very well, I've been with a camera in my hand for 20 years and I feel, I feel like I'm finding my way now. I'm very happy. Jajajaja. 🖤
Hi Faizal, big fan of your videos. I realise it's subjective and personal opinion, but I'm not a big fan of the video moving between the wide aspect and the 3/4 box aspect - I find it really jarring to view. Perhaps setting the box more in the centre of the frame so there is border all around it may look 'better'? Please feel free to ignore my comment if you like the look!
I would not advice to try to emulate other photographers. Contrarily, I think it's better to start taking pictures without having studied the work of other photographers. Do it your way from the beginning, you will end up doing your street photography that way anyways earlier or later. You may find out later, that your innate style is very similar to the style of some other, more famous, photographer. That's ok, you now can try to improve on what this other photographer did.
8:41 Hey Faizal generally love your videos, but it's bothering me quite a lot that your default to a man when talking about a photographer (when there's literally a gender-neutral pronoun you could be using!) - that's some internalised misogyny and transphobia - you know, there are different genders out there, right? As a non-binary person myself that's quite hurtful. Maybe do some unlearning 🧡
One thing that photographers need to bear in mind, when they are looking at photos from well known photographers, they are only seeing those photographers best work. They aren't seeing all the hundreds (thousands?) of images they took whilst learning their craft or any from any point in their career not considered good enough.
That's a fantastic point Joe!
This should be pinned
This a million times. I could curate my own work to look incredible. Granted, it would be a few dozen photos at best but anyone seeing them would think I was really good. Realistically they’re the very best out of many thousands ranging from really good to “why? Why did you think that was worth a photo?”. Editing your own work (editing as in only showing what’s worth showing) is one of the hardest things to do.
Omg thanks for sharing:(
Just to touch on this with photo style as a context. You can’t force a style. Nor should you really focus on having a style. Looking at the photography greats I bet you any money you want that they were focusing on taking photos in their “style” they simply took photos that were meaningful to them. Their style would develop over time as they start just taking images the way that appeals to them. As you touched on, that’s also disregarding the thousands that they took that wouldn’t represent their style as well.
You don’t force your style, it’s a reflection of you. Just go out take images and your style will develop over time. I didn’t even know I had a certain style until someone pointed it out to me and I can to realise that I did have a particular way of shooting with common focal lengths. I never planned to do that, it just happened as I took photos that appeal to me.
I just want to say Faizal, you're such an inspiration. Your cinematography and storytelling has improved tremendously over the past two years and honestly you seem like such a genuine, kind, and lovely dude from following you and everything you have grown from over the years. You inspired me to start street photography and even start sharing my passion for photography on my own youtube channel.
onwards and upwards
I appreciate how much you make photography feel like an open playing field for everyone (as it should be!). There are so many people that feel intimidated by photography, especially street photography, and can watch your videos as a safe space.
Your calm, easy-going, "no rules" style of photography is definitely something I am trying to emulate in both my photo and video work!
One thing I notice...things we take for granted now are the things that will be completely different in the future. No one now cares about a tesla parked next to a hotel. However in 30 years it will be a unique photo and perhaps that hotel will even be gone. I like to remind myself it's not always about what you see now
It's a beautiful gift to begin seeing the world as a photographer, seeing photos in real time, even when your camera is out of reach.
Your cinematography and image work has consistently evolved. Always a pleasure watching your videos
You were the reason I got into photography and bought my first Fujifilm camera! I love your style 🥰
Thank you Faizal. You're probably one of (if not the) most humble photographer on CZcams.
Thank you for these man. Helps me relax with less worry and get focused on growing/ learning without being all worried about the end goal so much. 🙏🏻 Great videos.
Same.
After watching this video, I realized I was being too hard on myself, feeling frustrated by not being able to figure out my own style. And by knowing Westcott had gone through similar situation, I'm feeling relieved now that it's actually part of the process and reminded me to remain calm and trust it.
@@MarkGlennEstrera that’s awesome though! I can definitely relate, but I’m in the beginner stages so it’s easier for me to accept not knowing my style yet, but I’m still hard on myself about learning to use all my gear correctly. I can now tell I have the vision though it’s exciting to see the story in other peoples photography. I wish you luck on your projects trust the process!
i feel the same way!
@@MarkGlennEstrera i feel you bro! What a relief to find this video! The internet can really be awesome place!
You’ve described exactly how my approach to photography has changed over time. At first I was looking for special places to photograph, only to realize that there’s so much close to see in my environment. And funny that I too see thing, which make me regret I don’t have my camera with me. It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one 😉. Thank you for this video!
If I didn't do my research before and watch photography content like you make, I would have definitely get lost in the mindset of achieving the same style as a top photographer or copycat and failing. But I learned early and realised that doing what I want instead of following someone else is what brings your style out, or at least that's what I think. Other then that, great work as always! Looking forward for new episodes!
Exactly. This focus on style is ridiculous. I bet you all the money in the world the top photographers were never, or at the least rarely ever focused on a “style” they just took images meaningful to themselves. Their style would develop over time as they make decisions only they could make. Same as you.
This focus on a “style” is ridiculous and limiting to one’s growth as a photographer
I very much have similar scenarios happen to me..i try to bring my camera with me whenever i go hiking but it seems the best chances/when i see something id love to photograph happen when i dont have my camera on me. Sometimes its frustrating but i end up enjoying the moment alot more.
Spot on Faizal!
I for sure can relate to no 3. I often enjoy and feel good about my ”missed photos” long time after notice a rare moment of opportunity.
Great video! I struggle with everything you spoke about and this gives me a new perspective on the way I do photography. You should really make a podcast about street photography.
Faizal, looking forward to your first POV video from Istanbul after just watching Roman's just now. Great y'all are doing this while you're young and single and unencumbered. Will be following you and Roman's travels. Stay safe. Cheers from Louisiana.
Awesome video! This has become one of my favourite channels on CZcams! Btw are you going to hang out with Roman in Istanbul?
Thanks for watching! And yeah, I'll be hanging with Roman for sure!
Great video as always
Location matters in my own opinion, some cities have more of a story to tell with more going on to capture the story. Some cities have a grander scale or better backdrop to the image. Some places the people arent as concerned by someone taking photos where other places people either aren't use to it or just flat out dislike it.
Agreed. Street photography has everything to do with location!
@@FaizalWestcott This comment only makes it sound like you need a target rich environment to be successful. Success is what you can find wherever you may be. Is walking down a street in the middle of the desert not street photography?
Don't need a "target rich" environment to be successful most definitely not. But it does help.
@@ebreevephoto I don’t think he’s saying you have to be in a certain location to make good street photography. I think he talked about the same thing in this very video? Anyways I took it as something more like..the location shapes(or limits) what you can make out of a photo. After all, street photogtaphy captures daily lives and it is just inseparable from the cultures they share.
I’m not sure if I’m putting it the right way, sorry for bad English!
I feel like the location matter/doesn't matter debate comes down mainly to the type of photography you want to do, how you define street photography and how your taste for street photography has developed/been influenced by consuming a specific type of work. The default for many seems to be photographing people and "documenting" their interactions in the style of the great Magnum photographers. If that's your reference for street photography and the style you want to pursue, then location might be important.
Great points
I ll keep these words in mind whenever I need to go out. Thanks Faizal ❤️
Great tips dude, regards from Argentina!
Well said Faizal. I particularly agree with your comments regarding location. Of course, photographers can make interesting photographs no matter where they live. My friend John has made an incredible body of work photographing the small city of Adelaide in Australia. But if you're documenting life on the street and the city you live in does't have a lot of it, your hit rate is going to be leaner. Keep up the good work Faizal.
I just started uploading my film photography vlogs this year and I often find myself trying too hard to take pictures what I think other people will like. While that in itself may not be the worst, I definitely want to organically find a style that I feel comfortable. Thank you so much for this video which has helped definitely ease my mind. 👌🏼
Just checked your channel love the film photography vlogs keep up the good work!! :))
@@thienthien8676 Hey, thanks so much! 🙏🙏 glad to hear you enjoyed them :)
Thanks for these thoughts. Really made me think. Have fun on your trip.
Great video Faizal, loving the channel so far. What is the book you are flicking through at 1min? Looks really nice
black and white💥💥💫
Respect to you Faizal
love these videos & the advice you give, thank you !
Thank you very much for this ❤️
Location doesnt matter👌🏼🔥
Great video man 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
ayo im early as hell lezgoooo, dope video Faizal!
Isn't style something that just happens...I am beginning to see one developing in my photos but it is not conscience. I tend to shoot what attracts my attention and that is what is developing into a common thread which I guess, at least at the moment is becoming my style. I look at the work of the great street photographers of the past to get ideas, but I don't try to emulate. Not giving you a hard time here :) just my thoughts...
Thank you for your words of wisdom
#3 is the biggest one for me 👏
Thoughtful video and well done. Thanks
Great video 👏 What is the book you are browsing in the style section please?
I definitely have been feeling burnt out and uninspired by my hometown of Sacramento. I feel that I've walked through it all and have seen it all. I should take a similar approach as you. Although I want to move at some point to a place I love more. San Francisco.
Great video and photos man😇
Location can matter. Where I live the town centre is one street of which the majority is boarded up. Luckily enough I live 30 mins from two big cities so I just go there.
Hey man, just here to let you know that I know it’s yours when I see one of your photos in my feed. (I’m a graphic designer so that maybe doesn’t count as much bc my eye is trained, but still) big up to you, your work is very good and I can assure you that one day your photos are going to be in big beautiful photography books and if the destiny is funny, I’ll be able to work on some of them one day who knows haha
thanks for the video..
Yes. For example, the city I live in does not inspire me at all. Or rather, it's not my style. I don't like Bucharest and probably Europe in general. Many times I went out on the street and actually felt that I had nothing to shoot because I have a different style than what this city can offer me.
Honestly you gave some great advise, i dont believe in my opinion that location matters ive lived in small towns and big citys throught out my life theres always a story to tell but most people have just have there blinders on and its really difficult to take them off sometimes.
Amazing talk and really good tips ….
Well if you go to Turkey Istanbul go to these tow places (( Galta And Taksim Street ))
Istanbul is great for street photography and I am sure you will enjoy it so much ….
Killer video Faizal, what cam/lens did you use to shoot the BW sequences? Could you also spill on the BW treatment you made to the footage?
I love your work. May I ask you which camera and which black and white profile you have used for the video. Amazing!
Frustration for not finding a style, I think I know very well, I've been with a camera in my hand for 20 years and I feel, I feel like I'm finding my way now. I'm very happy. Jajajaja. 🖤
Thanks a lot. Indeed helpful.
Nice video once again! What are those books shown in the video?
Hey Faizal and everyone else, what books are you looking at during the 'Finding your Style' part?
Never clicked on a video so fast!
With which camera did you shoot the first footage Of the video ?
Hi Faizal, big fan of your videos. I realise it's subjective and personal opinion, but I'm not a big fan of the video moving between the wide aspect and the 3/4 box aspect - I find it really jarring to view. Perhaps setting the box more in the centre of the frame so there is border all around it may look 'better'? Please feel free to ignore my comment if you like the look!
Dude in the thumbnail is a cool guy
Daido Moriyama is still photographing the same city for over 50 years so yeah, location is important.
What camera were you using at 0:17secs
vivian maier for me 👌🏼
cool video, absolutely there are no rules!!
Great content. However, what's up with the tree branch hanging from his head?
I would not advice to try to emulate other photographers. Contrarily, I think it's better to start taking pictures without having studied the work of other photographers. Do it your way from the beginning, you will end up doing your street photography that way anyways earlier or later. You may find out later, that your innate style is very similar to the style of some other, more famous, photographer. That's ok, you now can try to improve on what this other photographer did.
The shot @ 3:52 was insane
earlleeeeeyyy
👍👍👍
you sound like nickisnotgreen but much calmer
How much does Leica charge for this “no camera” techique? Im iterested ❤️
I take pictures of what I like. I refuse to censor pictures I would want to have.
yo
Photography without a camera... I feel like i made my best work this way :)
I don’t understand what street photography is.
8:41 Hey Faizal generally love your videos, but it's bothering me quite a lot that your default to a man when talking about a photographer (when there's literally a gender-neutral pronoun you could be using!) - that's some internalised misogyny and transphobia - you know, there are different genders out there, right? As a non-binary person myself that's quite hurtful. Maybe do some unlearning 🧡
Styles don’t enter my mind when shooting or in post processing, too limiting/boring. Each of my captures call their own shots.