Fully Unlock Your Authentic Creative Self (A Guide)
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 4. 07. 2024
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Having 'your own voice' is advice that's dished out a lot in art.
But how do you actually go about having your own voice, to let it sing out.
This video will help you unlock your unique vision and start to nurture it in your photography and art
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:41 Stop Comparing
03:16 Be Authentic
05:32 Be Brave
07:06 Don't Put Yourself Down
09:02 Remember Why You Do This
11:30 Have The Right Mindset
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You sir need a podcast! I can definitely listen to you for hours. It would be awesome to hear talk with other photographers. Keep up the good work Sir
You missed Alex's live chat with Alister Benn (@Expressive Photography) a few weeks ago. Go back and check it out. It's two hours of gold content.
@@JohnDrummondPhoto Hi John. Can you please tell me where and - most important, how - can I find the recording you wrote about? Thank you!
Hear, hear.
Agreed lol
I am disabled and I have walking problems, I also have a arthritic back. I can go out and I have more bad photos than good, but that is because of my problems, but I still enjoy taking photos and I am always pleased if I get 2 good shots I will be pleased but I do get the shakes but I dont let it spoil my enjoyment of being out in the fresh air and not stuck at home. I count myself lucky as I do know of people worse off than me, and I make the most of what little time I get to go out. Great video subject and I always watch them and I appreciate the time you put in to bring these to us all. Thank you Alex.
Bob, you don't know me and maybe what I have to share isn't new to you, but I'd like you to consider it, if you haven't already. Consider that your photographic quest isn't for images that you might judge according to what you think is some universal standard (like TPE says), but that your images, earnestly captured reveal something that no one else, without your soul and affliction, could ever capture like you do. Perhaps there's something of value about your circumstance that you have not discovered or acknowledged that would actually enable you to see your images through a "different lens". I would submit that there is something about the human soul that not only transcends affliction but is refined by it. Only the host's perception hinders its appreciation. Happy shooting! By the way, I can climb rocks, do somersaults, stand incredibly still, take over a hundred shots and I still delete 90% of the photos I take :-)
@@rembeadgc Thank you for your kind words I will defantly look out for those odd photos. Stay safe.
@@careypridgeon Thank you its nice to hear of other people that have very limited shooting time. Stay safe
@@careypridgeon I had that aswell from the DWP medical unit. Stay safe
I wouldnât say you only got â2 good shotsâ. The âbadâ photos you took can be an expression of your condition. Remember that Daido Moriyama saw art and value from âbad negativesâ that were just thrown away on the floor. Iâd be more interested in your âbad photosâ than your goods ones. Tons of people take good pictures and the world is always looking for something different.
I was flattered and humbled recently when a fellow photographer said to me on a forum, "John, I can recognise your work even without looking to see who took the picture." That comment in itself made me feel that after 40 odd years, I had indeed got a style that I was comfortable with and was done with chasing magic bullets. As Oscar Wilde said, "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken."
The quote is great. I don't know much about the man.
And do not discard anything ... I spent the day combing through archives for photos that I might use in an upcoming amateur co-op photo gallery show. I found five that lent truth to 1, Remember the joy of creating. I knew of these photos but had passed them by too many times. Today was different . . . thankfully. 2. Don't be too hard on yourself - with some work, these five turned into images I will be proud to display, 3. I took them, I worked with them, I made them mine and I shall accept other's opinions at face value. I have, and I treasure my own opinion of them. 4. I recall many photos similar to mine; but mine are different, they are uniquely mine. I will stand proud with them; I will not fall for anything/everything. Thank you Alex for affirming my far too fragile inner voice. Thank you thank you,
Off topic but I really want to share this :)
So a couple of months ago I started doing portrait photo shoots. The first one was unexpected but Ioved it and decided to go with the flow. After 4 very nice sessions I did one that was absolutely terrible in every aspect(both me and the model). I was so down I didn't even want to do portraits again, but then I thought what our mentor here would say. And I belive he would say "learn from that mistake, now you know what can go wrong and you are more experienced". So I did and now I'm even more hyped up about more sessions to overcome the issues and try to create something beautiful!
Yes another example why we love him.
Since finding your channel I have change positively my path in Photography. I really am doing my best to be me and take photos of what I like and how I want to take them. I have to remember that I am only 18 months or so into taking photography and learning every day, more importantly now, thanks to you, enjoying what I am doing. I am proud of being me and thank you for making me appreciate that. I wish you well.
Photography is more of an Inner Journey Outward...The more you understand yourself the more your Voice is prominent in your Images...and it goes on evolving as you evolve...Great Explanation to the point and very important message...Thanks a lot for sharing...
Never look at beauty magazines; they will make you feel ugly. Also, watermelon is the best as long as you wash your hands afterward and aren't wearing a favorite shirt during. When I find that I think my current photos are total crap, I get the most excited and happy. I always do the best I can; however, if that standard is way too low, then I must have grown somewhere along the way and I'm now ready to progress. I've spent the last few months working out the final details of my techniques for a project - no more test photos or light adjustments - I finally am able to step off the neck of my creativity and enjoy the maiden-head of my composition.
Thanks for being there âš
You are such a great youtubeur. The platform lack ppl like you
If only many people today could listen to the message you have just given. So many live their lives by constantly checking if others 'Like' them or what they do.
I can totally agree with you. I may have missed it in the video but reaching this "comfort zone" takes effort and can be, at times, uncomfortable. My regret is that, for me, it took a long time but as MS Piaf sang "Je Ne Regrette Rien."
Really appreciate your insights and encouragement for people as they engage the creative activity of photography. I resonate with so much of what youâve shared. Love that you talk about the underneath, behind the scenes thinking around photography.
I felt in so many of these mistakes that I was about stop shooting. I'm very pleased I still doing what became my main way of expression.
I love this, thanks. The last bit reminds me of advice Professor Hinds gives. He says, â1) Do whatâs most comfortable/natural for you. 2) Do whatâs most comfortable/natural for you. And 3) DO WHATâS MOST COMFORTABLE/NATURAL FOR YOU.â
You're so right, Alex. I am way too self critic, when it comes to my own work. So do i, i always think, -talk about whats wrong into a specific picture. Into contrast - i've seen many so called photographers, but sadly, it was all about self esteem, being superficial, thinking they're so good...while it was into fact, it was not. They've been like posers, something, i'd never do, It's not my kind of nature. I think about Photography, as some kind of Zen...it heals your mind, your soul....and keeps you going, todo whatever you've into your mind...to create a photograph. Only for yourself, not for the others. Not for being rated, good or bad.
Only when I pick up the camera will I have the pure joy of childhood. Cameras make everything more interesting
At last someone who speak important things in photography. Thanks so much for sharing đ
A really perfect monday boost! đđđ Thanks a lot Alex!
YNWA
It's worth remembering too that the failure rates of even the most respected photographers were huge. They'd discard nine out of ten images they'd created, so you're only seeing the very best of what they had to offer. Cartier-Bresson was born into wealth at a time when photography was massively expensive. He didn't develop or print his own images, and a large number of what he was famous for were crops of larger photographs. Not for a moment am I denying his talent ('decisive moment', Magnum photog, war experiences) but a little perspective is sometimes helpful.
One out of ten ? 1 decent picture per roll (36 pictures for the young folks) was considered a good shoot.
@@Rob2000 The 'failure rate' varied depending on the situation but 10% was about the best anyone ever got in the film days. And I would submit the 'failure rate' is possibly higher because many are willing to take more photos as filling up a large digital card can take thousands of photos.
Dead Can Dance? That's spooky- I was just listening to Spleen and Ideal the other day while waiting for the birthday livestream!
I love your channel. Itâs thoughtful, helpful, and practical! Thank you!
Youâre a treasure Alex, Iâm an old timer and have been doing photography for eons, just about-but I enjoy your wisdom. Thank you.đđș
"When you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything!" Alex, I like that! I mean, personally I've never tried to emulate anyone in my photographic journey. It's MY photography and if you don't like it , well then don't look at it. But that very much carries through the rest of my life. That's pretty much what I'm like.. If you don't like me, that's fine, you don't have to spend time with me!
I don't fit into any particular category or genre of photography except perhaps Nature. I don't tend to take make images of anything not found in nature, because I'm not really interested in that. But that is surely the point. Taking photos of whatever we find interesting, or moving, or funny, or whatever!
Thank you for your post. Just be yourself. Don't worry. Thank well.
The speech I needed now. Thank you Alex.
Thank you for this , very timely for me right now. Also agree strongly with not comparing yourself to other photogs, after all, it was other people who either agreed they were good or conferred on them a status of greatness (Viv Maier comes to mind), I canât imagine any of the âgreatsâ saying âyeah Iâm one of the best ever please mimic my work!â. Thanks Alex as ever for great content
When looking to improve, I do not see harm
I liked this video. Iâm still trying to develop my own photographic style. In looking to improve, comparing my photographs to similar professional ones helps me, but itâs not good to put myself down because Iâm different.
Alex. Just THANKYOU.
Said by a thai buddhist monk about the europeans coming there to find peace: What's the common factor these people share? His answer: Opinions.
For me the camera is my number one tool to loose the opinions and live more in an accepting state. Seeing beauty and seeing more overall, by just being present without opinions and judgement.
Great channel, love your passion.
Love points 4 and 5.
Sage advice from someone who obviously understands the essence of creating is not trying to reproduce someone else's work in your own way but finding a way of speaking through your work and capturing that voice in your images if that is what you're trying to achieve. Some may just want to show how they see the world without saying anything in the image. As stated, creating is just that, from within and for your own reasons. It should be you that you are trying to please. I don't sell or display my images because in my case photography is a therapy but I do give them to friends. Many thanks for the most interesting photography videos on CZcams!
Hi Alex, talking of voices. I can thoroughly recommend the Salgado Amazonia exhibition at the Science Museum in London! If that doesn't inspire you nothing will!
Another great video, thanks, Alex!
You are just fantastic, thank you đ
#4 Okay, this is me! I built a fish tank stand. Everyone says "oh that's nice" and I go, yeah but the door hinges are wonky. I show them a photograph "oh that's nice" and I go, "yeah but the background is too busy" or "the light is too harsh". It's hard to accept the complement when I know it could be so much better - although it wasn't possible to make it better at the moment. I can't change create clouds to soften the sun for example. I think the key is "yes, this image is nice. Mental note for next time: look for a smoother background or bring a shade filter"
I ride my bike to the place that I do my photography and I find that this changes my prospective. With the exertion and the rhythm of a bike ride I have often been able to see things in a new way from when I left home.
No one has 30 years of experience. That photograph you took is a fraction of a second. You always have room for improvement. One of the greatest masters around said that.
Jerry Ghionis
Anyone who speaks freedom to a creative person is okay in my mind
Yes, I am used to not being liked by everyone. It is the same for my art.
I almost never photograph people and I'm usually well in the 'creative flow' while capturing the image. It's somewhere in the processing or just prior to posting that the SNIOP (Susceptibility to the Negative Influence of Other People) takes hold. đ Well as they say 'recognizing you have a problem is the first step...'
Thank you, Alex!
This goes both ways. Within a couple of months of buying a camera, "experienced photographers" were criticising my photos. Be nice to newbies.
I agree with this. Don't criticise for criticism sake. Only make critique when asked for it, and make sure what you write is critique. If the only thing you can think of saying is "it's not very good" (or similar), that's not critique, it's just criticism.
Keep your thoughts to yourself unless people ask for them.
I think that you hit the points squarely. When I was young and thought I wanted to be a professional photographer, I felt that being liked was important because you had to get people to buy your services. I then became disenchanted with photography although I was successful. I gave it up for years. Now I'm ancient and just like photography for art and process. It gives me joy to undertake the process and to try to express myself. It is now for me and my aims not for what others think. I have looked at the works of many photographers and some I like and many I don't. However, I've learned something and grasped something for all of them. I am not a big fan of Sally Mann (in spite of her being an icon). However, the photo you showed of her two daughters (one with sunglasses) really hit me and appealed to me. I thought it captured a emotional dynamic so well in spite of being staged. So, it probably is always risky to say absolutely I like or don't like a photographer's work. At one point you will see an image from that photographer that you don't like that still speaks to you. I think your episodes help illuminate the sense of photography and the journey that is made for you rather than for someone else. Thanks again for doing these.
I needed this !! thank you
Thank you. This episode was insightful and very helpful (at least to me).
This is about so much more than photography - Important life lessons here!!
Man, I really appreciate your insight, I really do. Whether I ever become a great photographer or simply stay right where I am now, I can easily say that you keep me enjoying what I do and enjoying the work of others. I just want to thank you for what you do.
Thank you đđ·đ
@The Photographic Eye. I realy like your take on photography. Not the technical side (how to use a screwdriver), but makeing photographs (build a chair).
The tip to look at the child who had a Kodak Clack realy hit me and set me on a new path in my photography. I donlt think so much about the pictures I take anymore.
I was looking at you're pictures on flickr and found the website it is refering to is dead. You might have a look at that.
This is a great topic and one that I find myself doing sometimes. I know that I'm not nearly as good as a multitude of photographers out there. I do try to find inspiration from them but I also look and sometimes feel like I'll never get to that level. I should seek my own level through learning and shooting more and creating my own look and feel. Thanks. Also, you don't like watermelon? Why, that's unAmerican.......oh, wait.
We are learning and modifying ideas and options all the time. Fluidity in thought and action is the most valuable quality we have. As much as we value our own opinion we must also consider arguments on the other side. To hold an opinion also means we are capable of arguing against ourselves better than others. đ Thanks for your wonderful channel
You Sir are a photographer whisperer! this video really spoke to me. thanks for the effort it takes to make these videos. Great Job!!
Thank you for this brilliant, very important and helpful advice.
Than you for that video, its great, as most of your channel
By the way - I think DCD is the best music :)
You are so very encouraging!!!
Thanks!
This really speaks to me Alex. Thank you. I am my own worst critic
Wise words!
Good tips thanks, especially getting our heads into the photo space and being ourselves. This sort of content does help esp. when life isn't what we might perhaps like it. Not sure about the disco section though. What you do at the weekends is entirely your own business.
Self-awareness and self-respect are keys to becoming true to oneself.
Yesterday, I explored a river bluff/ valley. Very windy, fall colors pretty much gone, walked in handheld/ 24-105mm lens only. Wasn't sure to just go with very fast shutter (500) or stay in AP with a shutter between 80-200. I choice the later. Bright sunny day, used a polarizing filter. Some of the photographs look like paintings. Processing the RAW, I wasn't so sure how things would turn out. I'm satisfied. It would be a long trek in with the backpack, another day. Old back and knees, can't do what I used to. BTY: It was Sunday, the location is not remote, had the entire place to myself.
What seems to be a common thread is to follow one's own creative instincts and interests. Learn from others useful techniques. Look at other people's work for inspiration and ideas. Do not worry about those who dislike your work, this is natural. Learn how to critique your own work correctly. Have fun. Do not worry if someone's work leaves you flat, particularly if the work is trendy right now.
I was at an event recently and was talking to another amatuer photographer at the event. He commented that many of the shots he took would be bad for some reason. His comments were exactly what my experience was, many of my shots were bad. It was not equipment or behind the camera but the nature of the event made bad photos a reality for any photographer.
Early on, shooting film, I'd have great expectations as I waited for the pictures to get back from processing. I enjoyed that anticipation. I always had a variety of pictures on a roll. Generally, if I was unhappy with four or five frames it surprised me. Not that they were "mindblowingly "great, I just expected them to be worthwhile pictures. If you looked at them, if I looked at them today, we wouldn't feel like that.
Like how many people dislike a video before watching its contents đ
When you say âjust make photos for you/yourselfâ âŠI am having a hard time accepting this because thereâs always going to be a part of me who wants to do it for others to elevate their habits from something that isnât serving them well but they donât know it yet to a more positive habit that will serve them better long term. That might be part of the yoga teacher in me coming out but so far I see me doing that with writing and not photography- Idk how Iâd do that with photos yet.
Because I donât think shooting for other people in the traditional commercial sense is sustainable for anyone⊠Why? Simple - can you do it without giving yourself a rounded shoulder which I see as kind of the hidden culprit of a lot of our stress, anxiety, aches, or dwindling mobility as we age.
Iâll stop there but I hope this helps someone wake up and realize maybe thereâs life outside of stiffness that Iâve fallen into from years of desk/computer work in school and/or at another job. â€ïž
When I hear "make photos for yourself" I understand it to be more like "Take pictures as if I wanted to fill MY home with them".
@@PhotoMeLarry Thank you! This makes a lot more sense. đ â€ïž
Bravo! Also stop obsessing about gear and tech and focus on creating and developing a vision
Alex
The person who never makes mistakes is the person who never does anything . If you do something your going to make mistakes it's part of the process of learning .
Great video although I tend to disagree a bit on topic 4. I am very critical towards my own shooting (although I don't talk myself down) . From the shots I take I only show less than 10%, and somebody else would probably be fine with at least 50% of the shots but I need that self criticism to get better.
Example: A friend of mine is pro Photographer and sometimes we have a coffee an hour before he has to go to a shoot and we discuss the upcoming shoot. I option some choices about lighting, not too fancy, but then he answers, nah , they don't see the difference anyway. Now this is NOT the way I want to be CAUSE I SEE THE DIFFERENCE. And this is something I always have done my whole life, no matter if it is Photography or during my work or whatever I am doing. There is so much shit around us, at least let me be on my best.
Thanks for sharing.
Yup. It's like.. be yourself in choosing the way by the feeling, but reach out to people to help you see things you just wouldn't consider. Then you can make your own way I think
I think the point is more to not be critical of the shots that came came out how you wanted, the ones that you choose to show, not that you should be happy with every photo you take. For example, in photo classes, I've chosen a couple of my best photos for a project, and as soon as it came time to show my choices to the class I'd start to doubt myself and begin by tearing apart my own work before anyone else had a chance to.
There's a difference between holding oneself to a high standard and being needlessly self-deprecating, the latter of which I think is what Alex was talking about. In terms of the photos you don't show, Alex would counsel you to not toss or delete them. Keep them as lessons to learn from.
You don't have to like everything you shoot. In fact, the better artist you are, the more discriminating you'll be about what you present to others. That is not the same thing as saying "I'm trash, nothing I shoot is any good."
@@JohnDrummondPhoto True, but everyone knows on a certain moment when he underperforms to his own level and on that moment I find it in my benefit to be hard on myself, even calling myself stupid , lazy or the like
The pro you're talking to has to make images the customer will like or they don't make an income.
To succeed in that, he has to use something he knows will work every time, something that allows him some leeway in terms of making mistakes while shooting, but still get saleable images. It's great to try new lighting setups, but get the known-saleable stuff done first.
I'm not sure if you have already, but how about a video on the dreaded mix of introversion, social anxiety and low self esteem? It can be a real problem when trying to pursue photography as a career. Thanks
If I ever have doubts, I just remind myself that I am an animal that makes pictures, and all is well again.
to be able to do this and rethink your artistic vision you need time, to be yourself and have time for yourself in general its a luxury, having 3 jobs, wedding photographer, photo editor to a multinational company and 3d graphics professor and a family to run with two kids. so no time for that
it is human to care what other people think but what hes trying to say is to not worry when people dont like your work
Finally someone who doesnt want watermelon. I knew there were other people with good taste
If you're a fan of Dead Can Dance I hope that you have also heard of This Mortal Coil from the same record label 4AD :)
Yep, though I prefer Dead Can Dance. Have a 4AD catalogue lying around somewhere from the days when my wife used to get a visit from their agent in South Africa.
I have been blocked a few years due to work and bad health. Iâm slowly upgrading my camera system due to low income and only a few years to retirement but I still have difficulties to get out and
Hi!
Sorry for this question, but Iâm not a native English speakerâŠWhat are the first words you say in this video? I hear them in every video you post and I can never get them. Thank you!
"Howzit howzit?"
"Howzit" is slang for "How's it going?"
So, a casual slang greeting. :)
@@BrookeLester thanks!
Failures are good if you take the time to figure out why it became a failure and act on that next time. You learn more from bad experience.
The bottom line: Document the life you see and tell your own story, not someone elseâs.
Yes... Dead can dance!
How can you measure your progress if you don't compare yourself to anyone?
We're the photographers featured in this video ones which you don't like?
How's it, did you get to look at Miksang Photography?
I did, thanks for the suggestion it was very interesting.
A happy bedfellow to 'stop comparing yourself to others' is I think don't glorify other artists - writers, photographers, actors, etc. Learn, be inspired, but don't glorify. Because when we glorify humans the glor becomes ify...apologies to Benny Hill et al. We're all in the same boat: human beings with gifts, limitations and a finite lifespan. :)
Good video but wondering if the photographers you include here were supposed to directly reflect what you are talking about at the moment-that you donât like Nan Goldin and Weegee but you do like Steichen, Leibovitz, and Sally Mann. Donât want to argue your likes, just wondering if this was intentional.
Hi. Yes, they do illustrate the text.
Not a fan of Weegee or Goldin, they just don't do it for me. Though I appreciate others do like them.
Thank for watching
Remember, if it's art it's not for everybody, if it's for everybody it's not art.
I have over forty people I follow so I decided to do some house keeping. I came to this guy and wondered why did I subscribe? I looked at this vid with my finger over the unsubscribe button and found out why I subscribed in the first place. I need/want to watch more.
Are you quoting John Rambo ? Well, I like that. (live for nothing or die for something)
The quote itself came from 'Suckerpunch', but I'm sure it originated somewhere else in another form. :D
YOUtography? ;-)
Thanks!
Thank you Gordon