It's time to say goodbye. 

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Good video! I’m a 65 year old retired graphic designer who is also a semi-professional photographer. But I have always found pro-photography to be a rather expensive hustle that I never came around to embracing fully. Given that, my photography has mostly been a hobby. I shoot digital mirrorless but about a year and I half ago I found my passion for 35mm film photography. I collect vintage film SLRs and shoot with them in rotation or two at a time (one loaded with color film and the other loaded with black and white). I agree with what you say, Tony, because it’s true. People, today, don’t seem to create photography, the computer in the smart phone does it all for them. For me, however, I couldn’t care less what photography is “evolving” into as I am in my own little bubble world and I do what makes me gratified and happy. After shooting 20+ years digitally, I can now say that I, like my predecessors of yesterday, CREATE photography with my Nikon F, my Canon FTb, my Minolta SRT-303, my Canon AE-1, my Olympus OM2SP, my Nikon FA. All of these cameras, are 30+ years old and some as old as 50 years old and refurbished. I have a lab develop my film and give me 4”x 6” prints and I scan my negatives at home on my Epson V600 film scanner so I can post them online. For me, I don’t care who’s doing what or what the current trends are or if most people are using smart phones. Like I said, I couldn’t care less. Whatever floats your boat. I do what I want and in photography, I do what makes me happy. And I am quite thrilled to be creating photography with my vintage, ancient film SLRs.

As an old, retired Architect, I've needed to adapt from T-square to arm machine to CADD. But just as in photography, you can't teach that most important component which is the 'Art.' That intangible yet most critical aspect which separates the everyday from the 'Wow!' The two of you have given me stimulus to further explore my photography and for that I am eternally grateful. Your enthusiasm is contagious. I consider you two of my best friends which I've never met. Thanks for all you do.

Don't despair, Tony. It's not the industry; it's you. It happens to the best of us...we get a little older, a little wiser and, dare I say it, a little grumpier. Thank goodness you have beautiful and wise Chelsea to level your keel.

No matter what happens in the industry, I will always love photography. Sure, making money doing something you love is important. However, if you enjoy it, do it anyway! Composition and design never get old. Do Cartier-Bresson's photos seem dated? Do moments ever stop happening? Does personal vision ever become obsolete? For those who can appreciate such things, I think there will always be a market and group to belong to. Sure, there is a lot of noise and a flood of flashy imagery out there. Those types of images are getting easier and easier to make without the struggles of editing for long hours in Photoshop or even using an action. However, that's when one has to become epicurean about their own approach and get off the treadmill of trying to please others. Photograph what you love, create the images you would enjoy making for yourself and ignore the static. :)

Bring back live critiques. Give people a reason to shoot and edit and show some photos. Instagram is becoming a place of fake reality. It's no longer a place for photographers to show their work.

Camera sales are down 93%? Oy Vey... However, my schedule is still full and I could employ three of me full time. True, smartphones are everywhere... also true, studio demand is waaaay down. There are still photographers charging per pose and per shot as if using film. Most of them are struggling. I'm always looking ahead and enjoying the versatility that new gear offers. I do love the new Z9, just covered a wedding and could shoot silent through prayers and every moment was not ruined by a shutter click. I keep thinking I need a photographic plan-B, yet people continue to call and schedule sessions without slowing down. Interacting with, and directing people, remain the most important aspect of successful portrait photography, it's assumed we know the gear. I call them organic non-gmo portraits :) keep it natural looking while exploiting the amazing capabilities of new gear :) This was a great coffee break session. THANK YOU BOTH!

A heart felt interview and Tony’s feelings are very similar to mine . I am a professional photographer of 35 years experience. I’ve gone from working with 10”x8” plate cameras to top end Canon DSlRs . I still love photography and feel very privileged to have been able to make a living from it . BUT I can’t see how anyone would be able to make a good living from photography now . Everything is to open to everyone. The craft has gone and therefore the demand has gone . It saddens me greatly , but that’s just the way it is:) to quote Grayson Perry “We live in an age where photography rains on us like sewage from above.” I’m sad to say it’s true :(((

I still thank you for the F16 etc enabling me to enjoy this awesome hobby! I love video and telling a story and do so at age 80 ♥️.

Meanwhile, my 27 year old daughter and her friends are now shooting film with 70s SLRs because they got sick of phone photos, and because they want to learn how it all works and because it feels more like art. It's funny and also touching to hear them complain about exposure, focus, and shutter speed going wrong, and the various camera problems they are having. They are enjoying the same struggles we did. I've explained the exposure triangle more than a couple times, and I've realized I just need to give her my old Joy of Photography book.

Photography has been a big part of my life in over 40 years. I still love it as much today as when I started. And the technical development is fantastic.

What a great discussion! I so needed to hear this, I’ve been feeling like a old man lately, thank you guys for all you’ve taught me over the years, I’m a full-time professional photographer with so much work I can hardly keep up, I appreciate you both a ton

My father recalled the biggest lesson he learned near the end of getting his master's degree in music (and went on to be a professional musician his entire life). On the last day of a post-grad music theory class, after years of studying the intricacies of music technicality, the professor said, as his final lesson, "but ultimately, does it sound good?" For anyone behind a camera: Ultimately, does it look good?

16x9 isn't going anywhere. humans have eyes that are horizontally spaced, and our field of vision is widescreen. biology will eventually course-correct tech trends. xoxo

"I miss feeling special." i started photographing professionally in 1977 and built my skills for 35+ years. I totally get both sides of this. Really glad that I don't need to build a business in this market though.

After I discovered your channel last year, you guys inspired me to go out and explore more with my camera, I'm at the point right now where I'm ready to drop an installation in the local library. Keep it up. :)

Unfortunately I agree with Tony. So much has already been lost in the industry. Sad ...

I agree wholeheartedly with Tony! I for one value his tutorial videos and the shooting skills.

I am with Tony on this one. I am struggling with a similar thing in IT. I spent many years analyzing business work flows and turning them into data designs that would support the businesses long term. We had a simple language called SQL to access this rationally defined information. Now there is an idea that raw data can just be thrown into big data junk piles and Google, Microsoft or Amazon will make sense out of it. However, sloppily defined and captured data has a very low usability level. People throw together pretty charts and Power Points but when the underlying data is examined it tells businesses nothing. It is much easier to make junk look good. Privately, I struggle with Light Room trying to make metadata true and useful as I scan 100 years of family history. The good is that the metadata is very flexible but the bad is that it is difficult to make data consistent and persistent. I want metadata my great-great grandchildren will see, when they want to know about earlier generations. In quality photography its all about composition and capture, if you want to tell a true story. One result of the modern trend toward irrationality is people see so many happy pictures of acquaintances in Facebook and compare against there own lives. They become depressed and self-harming. Wouldn't we rather be Ansel Adams than Jo Snap-chat? At the end of my 40 year career of rationality and quality design, I now see a new, overwhelming pile of useless stuff that will only benefit the current fiscal quarter. We can only insist on quality in our own work and hope that someone will be willing to pay us for it. (I am sorry about the rant.)

Great video! I am an old school amateur photographer so I needed to “learn” the skills you two speak of to shoot film. Now everything is done in post production. I was resentful when the digital world moved in but now love it. Smart phones can, and do , kick butt. The mind needs to stay open on so many levels. Thanks for reminding me of that!

This was the most helpful perspective changing interview… and it helped me refocus my mind. Thanks.

Love the show I am 78 years old. I have seen all the changes that you talked about.I am still learning about photography and the new techniques. Photography has always been my love and will continue to explore it with what ever new changes come. Your books and lectures have help me move from film to digital I thank both of you for that

What struck me was each time Tony and Chelsea start talking about Square Space, and how easy it is to drag and drop photos to create a website, it got me thinking how other folks who earned a living from building websites from scratch would feel. They would be feeling frustrated too! Technology will keep evolving and everyone has to evolve as well! Great conversation though!

This addresses my thoughts and feelings exactly. So glad I watched it as I have been lamenting the loss of craft and study in our business. Tony sounds just like me. Although things do evolve and change it seems that the old way of "paying your dues" is missing in a lot of younger photographers. I LOVE the art and craft of photography and I hope that new photographers can appreciate the giants whose shoulders we have stood on to learn about this wonderful business. You've made me think and have a better outlook on the future of photography. I still miss the "good old days though". Thanks so much for posting this video. I'm encouraged. All the best to both of you!!

I just watched a photographer on youtube embracing the notion that we should all reinvent ourselves every two years. And it doesn't just apply to photographers. The world is changing. Always changing. You either adapt, or you fall by the wayside.

This s legitimately every conversation I ever had with you guys at a press event.

I think Instagram is killing conventional 35mm photography as an art. 70% of posters on Instagram don't know what an f-stop is. I think Flickr was the last best alternative that I personally used.

OMG, I SAW IT'S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE. I was thinking, "Oh no, no more video's".We need you both! Your video's are amazing! 1.56 M subscibers and 2,375 comments on just this video. That shows the value that that you both are!

Tony, your skill set will never become obsolete, your compassion for photography is evident. No matter how well technology for photography evolves, the composition and story of the image is driven by the photographer. It can only be well driven when the photographer understands the art of photography and post production editing. As an advanced practice nurse, I am seeing the profession change so much in the delivery of health care pre Covid, it concerns me that the new generation seems to want to rely on monitoring tools more than on patients . There are so so many ways to enjoy photography, I have a lot of images on my smart phone that are transferred via Wi-Fi from the camera. Tony, you must follow the trends with AI tech and help us. My background is science, the Academy of Arts University photography program has given me the tools and confidence in photography. I hope you will continue and embrace social media outlets, how are we going to appreciate the nuances of various tools without your input?

I agree with both of you. It's much easier to take photos these days. But, I feel I take better photos now than when I did not know anything about photography. Also, some photography fields are still better done with cameras than with a cell phone, such as wildlife, sports, astro...

Fascinating & uplifting presentation! Evolution & adaptation to social media trends & algorithms is key. Loved the interplay between Chelsea's motivational insights & Tony's expertise.

As a retired art director I felt the same devaluation of skills but thanks to my creativity and fine arts background was able to move past it and always be open to new ways to workflow ease. Thanks guys

I taught High School Photography for 36 years, now retired - Did both with the students, Film with Darkroom, Photoshop & Yearbook. I have also lived with all these changes. Gary from Michigan 😎

It's mind blowing how Chelsea evolved from the "model" to a photography specialist who now soothes Tony in his mid-pro life crisis. Good job, Tony! You're a beautiful couple, with a beautiful family.

Thanks for this honest conversation. I have felt a bit discouraged and hearing Chelsea's perspective "reframed" my thinking. I now see more - Thanks!

Thank you both for education and experience. As an enthusiast, I am still passionate about traditional photography and new era.

Another salient and necessary perspective video from you guys. Y’all are my FAVORITE photography channel, and a true voice for the community that is lacking in the influencer realm of this new era of photography. I think that is part of the feeling of loss, that the “community of specialists” has now lost its raison d’être, since the specialization has given way to a democratization of skill and entry costs. However, the new generation has its own challenges and own barrier- not one of entry, but of expertise. In a world where everyone can become a pro in record speed, the need to stand out, to differentiate, and reinvent/progress the medium, is even MORE dire now. The existential anxiety of being lost in the noise, is forever present and getting worse. Old masters such as your generation are our guides and role models. Outdated in some senses by the extreme pace of change, but honored and respected FOR that mastery and fundamental understanding that is lacking in most of the quick-entry generation. Nothing really replaces years of experience, incremental progress, and creative drive to make onesself better. To me, those are the true hallmarks and core competencies of the pro photographers. And they’re not easily learned either. Thank you for your light in guiding and shaping the community.

In the 1920's, it was declared that the camera, which came into widespread use, had ruined painting. The influence of the camera pushed painting into the impressionist era. Cell phones are amazing, but cannot match the artistry and skill of a photographer with a camera.

Thanks to both of you! Now enjoy editing with Topaz Studio 2. Still shoot with my iPhone 13 Pro, not often with my mirror less Sony camera.

I empathize with Tony on many points. I just turned 50 and photography has gone through many changes in the last 40 years that I've been involved. I remember as a kid saving money for film and developing and learning photography on my fully manual Pentax K1000 (still works btw!). The conversion to digital, Photoshop, Lightroom, the birth of the internet and social media - what an amazing time of rapid and dramatic change to get to experience! I honestly feel blessed to have been able to experience it all. I wonder will the next generation be so lucky? I hope so.

Just watched this video and I agree that there are strong arguments on both sides . What I think that has been lacking since the strong push of mirrorless cameras , best and newest lenses and comparisons of camera manufacturers has been what is still needed no matter what gear you have . What is missing is a back to basics of lighting , composition, and the other numerous factors to still get that stunning image we all desire. I would love to see you and Chelsea create some new back to basics videos on lighting, composition etc and equipment needed to achieve those shots . Would love to see your thoughts and uses with umbrellas, I hear the translucent umbrella gives both advantages of a soft box and diffuser . Thoroughly enjoy all your content and videos you bring to us . If anyone is in agreement with me on this let’s hear about your thoughts. Thank you. Sorry so lengthy

Chelsea, you are so right! I have had the same angsts as Tony, but I feel better now. That was a good therapy session...how much did you charge Tony an hour for this?

Your view of things are on the mark and I have also been force to change.. Your UT channel has helped me make that change - THANK YOU.

I got my first DSLR as a Christmas gift in 2017. I found your tutorial on my camera & loved your style & have been following you & got your book & most of what I know I learned from you guys. I really do agree with Tony, even though I know Chelsea is also correct. But I am not ready to give up my DSLR & learning about photography. And I hope to be following you guys as I do. I still love reviewing your older videos to keep learning or touch up on a subject.

Love this conversation! Thank you guys!

I feel the same as Tony in relation to drawing and painting. Learning manual skills seems to have lost it’s relevance as digitally it’s easier to create an image. I’m not against technology and use it almost exclusively myself to illustrate, but people believe it’s just button pushing.

Tony, In my fifty’s now, been enjoying landscape photography for years…still appreciate the beauty of those large prints. I agree you could possibly make more money doing many things on RU-vid nowadays. It takes a long time to master what you’ve achieved. Top of that, you’re a very passionate technical photographer. I completely empathize your nostalgic feelings for the ‘golden era of photography’. The personal satisfaction would not be the same taking photos via phones and such. I guess things have changed, and we are adapting. Much appreciate to you and Chelsea for sharing your expertise online. I’ve learnt a lot from you. Wishing you much joy and success!!!🙂

Thanks! I feel like this video was for me! Getting my start in film, I needed to hear the point and counterpoint.

Remember that most people take snapshots where you take photographic art, depending of course on what you are taking a photo of. To me, that’s a big difference. Most people get lucky if they shoot an artistic photo, you have the capability to actually plan, devise, create and edit a shot to make it beautiful art. To me that’s the main difference.

In my business I provide drone photography / videography as well as real estate photography. My drone business is seriously undercut by the hobbyists with a Mavic etc. and I've seen GBP £1M houses listed by a realtor with awful iPhone images. There is a definite dumbing-down of standards and people seem willing to accept this.

its really heartwarming to see a father sharing such special time with his daughter. It so nice you share a common interest. ❤️

just as I was feeling Tony, Chelsea, thx 4 great words of wisdom there to see forward in our beautiful world of photography

One of your greatest videos Tony & Chelsea, even though it’s not technical! I come from a photographers family but I wasn’t invested into it when I was younger. My father was a film photographer all his life, and I saw him feeling exactly the same when digital came around. My brother studied photography too, and he was starting right before the transition from film to digital, but he was very skilled in all sorts of technical things. Growing up with him, these technical skills were what I appreciated, and I ended up becoming an electrical & computer engineer. I also loved astronomy, so about a decade ago I was looking for a DSLR to attach to my telescope, and your videos were the ones that influenced me to buy a Canon T5i DSLR with the two kit lenses. At that time, all my cameras (after the very old film ones) were simple point and shoot. I had a Canon SX50HS which at the time naively I was thinking about it as being a DSLR replacement. When I saw the first photos coming out of that old T5i and I compared them side by side to that SX50, I couldn’t believe my eyes! I never left my camera home and I started shooting anything that would catch my eye! I started watching all your videos, trying to learn lighting and composition, I bought some of your books, along with many many other photography books for inspiration, and I kept practicing! Although the technical part was the thing that originally drew me to photography, the creative part was the thing that kept me always wanting to improve! I remember waiting every week to share my new photos in your videos, waiting for the next subject you’d put out for next week. It was all a challenge! I’m writing this as a thank you for all your effort all these years. Never stop evolving.

I quit being a pro photographer a few years ago and now that I am back I feel like the entire industry has moved on, so yeah I do feel the same way Tony. I came from a time when shooting areal footage was me on helicopter with an F4, but you know I felt like this when I switched from film to digital too. I think we'll be all fine as long as we always keep learning and evolving as artists. Technology might move on and our skills may get outdated, but our artistic capacity and tastes will stay. At the end of the day it's not our stuff or what we know that they paid for, but our artwork.

I enjoeyed how you set up this video with Tonys concerns and thoughts resonating with many photographers and then Chelsea seeing the upside of the way technology is helping people to be creative without necessarily needing to understand and study the usual photographic theory and science , similar I think in music production which I have seen change since my days in th 1980s owning thousands of dollars of hardware taking up my bedroom space, now more sonic power and artistic freedom is available just on a laptop to compose music using a massive arsenal of freely available virtual instruments. I easily identified with Tonys thoughts and feeling sand my observations about the photography playing field being leveled and how your own daughter sees studio photography as being a bit of a relic in some ways, not spontateous and real life compared to smart phone captures and creativity around this approach - I noticed that the actors, models, musicians, performers that I do shoots with all of them are having a wealth of smartfone shots on their profiles and social media and formal photography is a secondary thing. For this reason I see my portrait, headshot, fashion and concept work currently as just one of the creative services I offer though I would like to grow much more. Meanwhile I also am providing product photography, video, motion even 3D and all of it, combines harmoniously in multiple offerings - if I was more business savvy and clever I would find a way to package , promote and market myself to be able to open a business/go freelance one day. And I have to add that in the past it was seen as a bad thing to be multidisciplinary, and that one should specialise - well I see it differently I always enjoy being invlved in different areas of creative work and as you mentioned also, a photographer doesnt just click a button, its about concieving ideas, concepts, planning, selecting equipment , backdrops, lighting, creating a scene, mood and looks - on top of this post production and often video, prints, the list goes on and learning is never finished!

I came to photography through the back door. I was a "camera operator" photolithographer which was a fancy term for saying I worked pre-press in the printing industry. I worked with cameras and photosensitive surfaces and my root knowledge in this let me be the occasional pinch hitter in the photography department. I was also a color separationist using laser technology or filters, films, and angled screen. Back then being an actual photographer was a different sort of commitment to the technology because it required a personal investment in learning its aesthetics of it. I had a b&w darkroom for my own work and a 4X5 as well as an 8 x 10 for ad work. I was an early adopter of the digital camera because it replaced the polaroid. Basically, I was a photosynthesis geek that never called herself a photographer until my first dslr. I remember all the hubbubs in the printing industry saying digital would never replace the whatever (eye roll). I felt differently than most and to prove it I shot an image with a Kodak 1.6 megapixel all in one and piped it through Adobe something or other and printed it out at 14 x 18 within a 18X24 poster. No one knew what kind of camera I used and the print was beautiful. That's what made me a believer. My geekiness made the basics of digital technology easy to understand and the digital camera untethered me to create with it. I can do now in one room what it used to take a building to accomplish. Basically, I see it all as working untethered by tons of equipment and chemicals. Also, I love my D850 because it blows me away and at my age, it will be the last camera I buy. It's amazing! What a great way to finish the adventure.

I feel the pain as well - so many of the photos I see on social media just look over saturated, over processed, and even photos I really enjoy, it was 90% lightroom work versus capturing a great shot

I feel like the old photographer who learn and went to school to learn the technical aspects of photography will NEVER accept the smartphone shooter.

This is very insightful and very inspirational. I have been a bit behind on the technology, and up to now, I have had to work within the limits of my equipment. I was finally compelled to dive into the new era, but as with my childhood upbringing, I don’t regret that things weren’t always easy sailing-the past has made me who I am (person and photographer), and I feel that like you, my comprehension of the fundamentals is greatly enhanced over someone just diving in with all the work already done for them. I am excited for my gear to arrive so I can turn the pages into this next chapter. I have preemptively been learning from your educational videos on how I might program my new gear to get through some of the more unfamiliar aspects of the mirrorless stuff. Keep doing what you’re doing for the photography world-it is much appreciated!

Great video guys!! I'm just trying to evolve my real estate business and needed to hear these things. Great job!

After almost 45 years in Photography, I agree with you Tony 100%. It’s like a feeling of frustration because after so much hard work to learn the trade. I agree the reasons Chelsea gave, but I already took the desition to retire. I still watch your videos and learn a lot from them. That gives a sense of belonging, even though I out of the field for good. Keep up the good work. Blessings to you and your family.

“The final resting place of photos have changed”. That statement is key. Well said Chelsea.

You are both correct; Chelsea from the standpoint of logic, Tony from the viewpoint of aesthetics. Tony knows and understands that the knowledge and art of photography got him where he is today, and he is reflecting on the thought that he would not have had a chance with Chelsea if it were not for the magic he could do with light waves...........and now there is an app. for that ??? The journey is important too.

You guys need to create a ‘photographers anonymous’ because I feel the same way as Tony but I also feel what Chelsea talks about that many people use their phone/photography to express themselves.

Art, craft, and appeal have been impacted by technology in making photography more accessible to everyone. A good thing when we see the impact of images reporting conflict or never before seen topics. Nevertheless, when everyone has access to these tools, the factors that differentiate professionals from auteurs or amateurs are very subjective. Hopefully people continue to appreciate professional photography, or high quality art. Just like we continue to appreciate good poetry and writing just as almost everyone has access to pen and paper, yet the talent and difference is there.

Hi Tony. I can totally relate to your feelings that the old skill set that you developed and mastered feels like it's no longer valued. But, we do learn and continue to learn. Like Chelsea said you would need to adapt with your skill set with the current trend of cell phones which you already have with drones. I would love to get a drone and learn. But, I loved the "Airwolf" reference and I loved the show just like you did. Thank you as usual!

Please don't think that people aren't interested in learning all about photography. I bought your books years ago and progressed so fast with my first digital camera. I'm just a novice but I love learning how to take amazing photos. I don't want to take short cuts, it would feel like cheating to me. Looking at my wildlife and landscape photos gives me so much pleasure and enjoyment, nothing else can compare in my opinion. My photos make me very happy and that's all that matters. I am so grateful for your books and videos because without them I wouldn't have known where to start. It's been a masterclass for me and I still watch and learn from you both. I rarely comment on anything but I felt I had to let you know how important you both are especially with Tony looking so worried! Well done Chelsea for helping him out - you're both amazing and I'm hugely grateful to you both 🙏

Smartphone photography and urban exploration is what drove me to buying my first “real” camera (an a7Riii), but the portability, ease-of-entry, and weatherproof iPhone I already had in my pocket is what opened my eyes to the appreciation of the world around me in a different way. However, its limitations as a cellphone first and foremost held me to a standard, and a shot, that I wanted move beyond, which I recognized could only be done by growing to the next level. It was this channel and y’all’s content that lessened my intimidation of such a vast knowledge base and financial commitment. For those of us that truly love the artistry of photography, the desire for betterment will always move us beyond satisfactory. Thanks for that you’ve done for this community, and take pride in being ambassadors to such a timeless and ever changing craft!

Tony, I totally feel you on this. I went through a similar process of mourning and realization, in the late 90s, when digital started taking over from film. I started out in film myself. Photography. In 1988, with D76, darkrooms, enlargers, etc. Then, 10 years later, I enrolled at NYU film & TV. It was actually between 98 - 2000, in school, that I felt the wave changing over to digital in earnest. I wrestled with it. Overwhelming romantic attachment to film, the process, the artifacts, the grain-plus let's remember, digital video sucked 22 years ago. but the writing was on the wall. FCP was released, unshackling us from AVID editing suites, opening the door for independent filmmakers. I knew back then that it wasn't going to pay to cling to the old ways. One of my habits is when I intuit this kind of thing, I jump. I jump into the new and I adapt. Better to do it early. But I think what you were expressing feeling here is very real. And while I appreciate Chelsea’s perspective, she also made your case for you. Photography is not enough anymore. You have to be a one-stop shop for Media. Yes there was additional work you had to do as a photographer in the old world, but it's not equivalent. Yes, everything changes, but that doesn't mean it isn't sad to watch an industry die. And let's be real, film photography is dying. That's why we went from SLR to DSLR, to mirrorless… And there ain't no more negative involved. Yes there will always be a niche market for it. But digital media has reshaped the entire landscape. There is a very real and hard to describe feeling of frustration and loss and anxiety when an entire body of technical knowledge you wrestled with and mastered suddenly appears obsolete. It's easy to feel like you wasted 10, 20, 30 years of your life. I went through that very same process and I would never diminish it or try to explain it away. There really is no pat answer. Yes you can adopt in your case and you are adapting and you are doing well, so that's good. It's not all doom and gloom. But some people *are* pushed out of their livelihood. The world is always changing, we are always having to adapt, and some people will be able to adapt. But for some people it will be too late. Some people don't have the means to reinvent or branch out. So while I think it's important to stay optimistic, there's no question that it's difficult and hard making a living in fields where technological change is guaranteed, and can overturn careers. On the other hand, I spent 10 years working labor jobs after I quit high school at 16, and before I went back, to enroll in photography. So there're worse things to do for money.

I came from a generation that learned the "analog" way: Kodachrome, Ektachrome (which I learned to process in Vietnam), black and white photography (D-76, Dektol, 6-roll film development canisters I was a whiz at spooling and loading in complete darkness), Beseler enlarger, darkroom. I was proud of my old SLRs and the collection of lenses I had built up. Finally, a few years ago, I digitized my slides from decades earlier, and donated my Kodak Carousel project and carousels. I had long ago said goodbye to my 35mm roll-film cameras and lenses. All virtually useless skills and tools in the 21st Century. No more "analog" chemistry or skills; it's a digital world for better or worse! Now, billions of digital photos -- trillions, actually! -- and 99.999% not worthy of a print. I have a nice Sony DSLR camera... but feel guilty about using my smartphone and leaving the Sony on the shelf. Oh well.... Great video! 😍

Awesome video and perspective. I was into photography many years ago when my Canon A1 was the latest and greatest thing out there. I recently retired and needed a hobby. I decided photography was something I always loved and found fascinating so why not dive back into it. My camera gear was really outdated. I updated to a Canon EOS R full frame and a couple of new lenses. fortunately, with the adapter I can still use most of my old lenses. I completely agree with Tony about changes in the way pictures and videos are taken, thought put into framing, etc. is just not seen as being important by the younger generations. Almost every parent has a photo album or two (I've got 27) that shows the life of them and their family. What will the younger generations have to show moments of their life? At 67, I do appreciate some of the camera automations. Having worked in the high-tech industry most of my life I found adapting to change was a constant challenge. The photo industry is no different. The key to dealing with evolving tech is to learn how to incorporate your existing expertise to use it to create photo's that emote and emotion, capture a subject that leaves to viewer wanting to know more about it and video's that not only tell a story but do so while compelling the viewer to have an emotional response.

Excellent presentation!!! Thank you! I am about two decades older than Tony. His sharing of the emotional impact of his technical skills being easily available to every “smart phone” owner was very endearing. Many of us struggle with similar changes across our modern economy. Then the understanding, compassionate, unrelenting, uncompromising, but HOPEFUL response given by Chelsea made this video universal and timeless. I repeat, “THANK YOU!”

Tony, most people do not know how to ride a horse nowadays, and most people from 100 years ago did not know how to drive a car. My original thesis for my MFA was "technology deskills people", and I abondoned that topic later. Don't get me wrong. There are still people riding horses, shooting films, making funiture with hand tools only. People truly love a subject will keep perfecting it.

Thats one of your best video ever. I’m just an amateur and enjoy all of what you do. I’m not your generation but not your kids either. Late 30s I feel for you. But she is so right. And even if the photo you’ve learn over the last 25 years changed so much it will never be dead as long as you and other people like me are alive. There will still be people enjoying the old school way of doing things.

Another great discussion. Thank you both!🙏👍

AMEN, Tony, same thing with me in Australia, and the demise of the Royal show tool sellers, and the old department stores, it is the feeling that the presenters gave you, their 'craft', doing a presentation, showing how a tool worked, and adding this "production value" to the sell, not just a spec sheet and a price list, it is the quality of these added features that is what we miss, the effort that went into the process.

I had a client who wanted me to just take pictures of her and her family with HER IPHONE. She didn’t even care about my camera. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ got paid tho.

Excellent couched conversation on this subject. You played this out well with yin to yang and Tony's emotions were palpable and relatable as many of us are greying gracefully too. Ironically my 25 year old daughter appreciates when I have my Leica M5 with me vs my XPro3 as she loves the "nostalgia" my film captures give her of us captured in candids as a family. Scanning and saving film frames in web quality then sharing to her, to see her then post on her social media and the quality gets bashed again, the resulting images to my eye are atrocious...but she loves it as do her friends as it;s clearly NOT iPhone footage. Lovely job here ~ Cheers Peter

Thank you both for this brilliant and thoughtful video. I understand your point of a view and I love it. x x

Tony..it’s like I am seeing and hearing myself when you are talking about cameras and how they have have evolved from the early SLR’s to the digital era!. But now it is the Smart Phone. I have experienced the learning curve of the basics and theory of photography as you have. I am glad I had to “learn” photography be it in high school in the 60’s, seminars in the 80’s…Denis Reggie, Monte Zucker and the likes. Nikon’s to Hasselblad it’s been a great ride. Still doing “Live” concert imagery, weddings, studio (yes music artist of the newer age…love studio photography and I had to bring out the Old Masters Canvas) and some real estate. Still Love it…besides it keeps me bust at 72! Thank you Chelsea and Tony!

" You love learning". Strong statement, we all need to embrace.

Chelsea being Tony's rock for 2 minutes straight. beyyer yet for 20+ years!

Great video…tremendous honesty and you guys are right on! Be safe…Cheers..

The art of composition isn't dead. I created cheat sheet cards from your videos especially crop factor conversions for my canon APS-C. Years ago, I taught myself photoshop after using the watered down Jasc PaintShop Pro for scanned prints and negatives. Nerds never stop learning and love challenges. Hey wasn't Murphy and optimist? I went to the rebranded Photo Plus in 2019 and I was very disappointed with the lack of vendors I usually see every year. I purchased two DSLR's in January, an APS-C and a full frame. I bought the full frame because of you Tony. I originally shot with canon SLR film camera and relied heavily on the light meter for exposure accuracy. One of my major projects involved shooting and processing pre-existing bad print images for websites. There's always a market for photography through creative means. "Necessity is the mother of invention".

She left you, I knew it. It was that goatee wasn't it. What? Ok, I'll watch the video.

I’ve been self employed for 45 years in the graphic, reproduction, photo, video, web, youtube, digital everything business, and I can tell you that I have seen a ship load of change. And I have had to take every one of those challenges on with enthusiasm and yes, throw out the old gear and upgrade at a great expense, but that’s life in this medium. I’m 67 (as of 2 days ago) and I just returned to my home base here in Canada after taking on a Canadian video project in Sedona AZ. There is still plenty of work out there, and yes, you still need to learn and reinvent yourself all the time. And you need to love doing that. I’m excited because I have so much to learn. I’m stepping into more Log footage and colour grading. I just bought the remote controlled Tilta Mirage VND matte box to control exposure better… Wow! Is that not an awesome tool?? That exposure control in the sun drenched Arizona State was so cool. I’m not getting old, nor am I giving up the art of learning. There has never been more opportunities to grow and create a business than there are right now. The secret? Show up ready! Read, learn, watch videos, practise, try stuff, figure out what others are doing, recognize material that amazes you and learn how to do it. There is no going back, change is the one thing you can always depend on. Now, we “Learn a Living” not ‘Earn a Living’. And yes, there is going to be a “Smart Camera’!! It’s going to happen and it will take us into yet another world of possibilities. Get excited!

Great discussion. Chelsea was very open minded and inspirational while Tony was fundamental and frank.

This is a great discussion and you brought up a lot of great points. I started into photography in the late 90s when I was about 9 years old, mostly with point and shoot film cameras and ended up with way more crap blurry photos than useable ones. Then in the 2000s, I moved to digital. It was first with small digital cameras, then Samsung Digimax L85 and moving to Canon DSLRs in 2007. Just by learning on my own by somewhat trial and error, reading photography books, some online resources and understanding what the different camera settings do, I figured out how to take good photos, and when I finally did, it felt so much more rewarding as I spent the time learning how to do that and remembering that is what keeps me interested in photography today. In the past 5 years I moved to using Panasonic M43 cameras...GH4, GH5 and I now use a GH6 as I got into making videos and spend more time doing that than I do taking photos but that doesn't mean I have lost my passion for taking photos. It is actually the opposite and I realised that today when I took photos of a flower in my garden for a project I am working on, to do with wild plants I realised how much I like taking photos. I just take less today and unless I want/need to take a photo in the moment, I will spend the time making sure every photo I take is well composed, with the right camera settings, the right lighting and so on so it looks good. That got me thinking. Sure photography is much more accessible today and its easier to take photos that don't take a lot of effort to make look good, which is a good thing, but does that mean that there are a lot of great photos being taken today that are well composed, have a good subject matter, great lighting and so on? Or are more just being taken because its easier to say pull out a smartphone and without a lot of effort, take a photo that looks good with the right white balance, colors, its sharp and in focus with the right amount of background blur you want etc... I got into photography it as I wanted to make memories and share a passion I have with the subject matters I am interested in and keep memories of my family alive. Sure I didn't grow up in the era of smartphones and I learned the skills I have with traditional cameras, that doesn't make me any less of a photographer just because someone today can come along and take a photo and get great results with a lot less effort. It just means I find it more rewarding to get that great shot with an actual dedicated camera, tripod, lighting and so on and that is what keeps the passion I have for photography alive. I honestly don't care what other people do, if they want to take a photo with a smartphone with minimal effort, fine that will never make any of the photos I take any less meaningful, I could say the opposite since it takes me more effort to get the photos I want. I'll keep doing things my way and I don't mind having to adapt to modern camera technology and what people want either if I have to.

Hey Northrups! Your video looks painfully beautiful. Well done! I envy your knowledge. Colours? Perfect. Light? Perfect.

Knowledge is always power. You two make great content.

There are still things you cant shoot on a phone, even the portrait mode is just fake blurring. So I dont think cameras are going away any time soon

Tony do not fret, @1 am 75 and spent my career in advertising photography....your seeing eye is gained from years of experience and we all still have that. It is always valued and can't be learned overnight...

People need to remember that there is a huge difference between pictures and portraits. Although camera technology on phones have improved, and you can just point and snap... a skilled photographer will always be needed and appreciated. Great video guys, thank you for all of the valuable lessons you have taught us. And that, will always be needed and appreciated as well.

I felt this too. A good hobby I found was film photography. It makes me wait for my photos, and I can't see the results immediately. Which is why its been so refreshing

Tony, you have expressed my sentiments exactly. It has taken me 10+ years to learn photography from scratch thanks to RU-vid and shows like yours. Now I find myself disillusioned with all the changes and feel that it’s all been for nothing. iPhone photos are amazing now and they’re only going to get better. I’m also disillusioned with social media and just recently deactivated my IG and Twitter accounts. Photos get lost and there are too many ads and reels in IG that don’t interest me. I’m hanging in there though and hope that Chelsea is right. Thanks for another great video 🙏🏻😊

I have been making photographs, and making a career of making photographs, for 50+ years. I have been teaching Intro to Photo classes for 15 or 20 years because I like to help folks enjoy the experience of seeing and creating better visual art. Much has changed both technically and in the marketplace. Frankly, it is a challenge to change with the times without losing touch with what is essential about art and visual communication and the pleasure of seeing - which I think is at the heart of good photography. Thanks for your videos. I have shared them with many students through the years and have learned much from you myself. I am going to think about this conversation for a while.

Yep. I'm age 60. I began to ride the tech wave with my Radio Shack trs-80. I was first on with a social community in 1996 when Two-cows and AltaVista were trending. I too feel lost trying to find my new tech North Star. Aging sucks ;)

Hi Tony & Chelsea I have watched this video a couple of times I took a few videos with a video camera. I came from a still photography background. I agree with the things we needed to take a photo ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Then I would head off to the darkroom for hours. But I agree with you both. Now people can pick up the camera and just press the button without thinking about it. Yes Tony I loved when the store I used to work for got new cameras I got invited to the buying office to see the new cameras that we going to carry which was exciting to me back in around the 1977-79 era. I was the camera guy back in highschool I took photos for the newspaper. Yes developed the negatives and make the custom sized prints. That brings back so many memories, my dad was my teacher . Have to say I enjoy your channel a lot.

I’ve learned so much from both of you, thank you. Don’t be sad, if you love what you do, keep doing it. I know I come back to you guys for tips. I’ve been looking to buy the cannon RC5 or RC5 c. The first RU-vidrs I came to is you guys for reviews. Thank you both

I am fully agree with you. People don't even print pictures anymore. Sad day for sure. I have been following you both for years. I let go many of my high end camera gears and keep just a few. My cellphone is my vacation camera. I kept Just the last one Sony A6400 with sigma and Tamron lens. It is because it's somewhat tiny and small. Thank you for everything you both do.