Take Pictures About Something, Not Of Something - Mike Browne 

James Popsys, a photographer in Wales, says the same thing. "Shoot a picture about something, and not of something". I've had a lot of help from that over the years. It does bear repeating.

I have to say that I really liked that first photo of the man with the bowls in the booth. I understand that the subsequent shots put him in the context of his work and environment. They were good and they did tell a story. However, the first shot is sort of universal. You captured him with this wonderful contemplative, far off look in his eyes. It is clear that he is thinking about something. We don't know but it is appealing and we wonder what he might be contemplating. He helps that you have it exposed so the light adds to that as well as the composition. That is a photo that one can look at for a long time and get ever more out of it.

Well put Mike. This is why traditional photography is art, it's in our hearts and minds not just our hands

I watched this video a couple of days ago when it was first posted up. I have found 'Take pictures about something, not of something' quite profound. My shutter count has just nose dived but the number of keeper shots over the last few days has risen dramatically. This video couldn't have come at a better time, thanks Mike, great work.

My favorite image of Lady making tea is the one showing the entire room, standing far back. Outstanding!

Well said Mike, totally agree 👍

I was once told "Do what you fear and you control fear" Lived by that ever since.

As usual, a very educating video that I totally agree with. These kind of pictures are an endangered species though; they get published and printed and exhibited but they will not gain popularity on social media.

Yes when you are on holiday with your family and friends you don't have enough time to think much about the photos you take.

Love your way of explaining things in such a nice way.

Enjoyed that Mike About something or of something brilliant. i take too many "of something" but now and again i've got a shot that's says "about something" and feel great. And it always is because i move about.

Fascinating episode, Mike.

Having studied the great essayist W. Eugene Smith over the years can only agree with the sentiments expressed here. Obviously the real shame is that the format of expression available via the magazines of the past are no longer available. Being able to take the time and to study the environment is key.

Some truly stunning locations Mike, and fantastic images, I take from this that patience is a virtue.

Thanks Mike, excellent tutorial as ever, great insight into Moroccan life and a little taster of that workshop !

A lot to learn from it ! thank you 🙏

Another fantastic video and compelling images. I’ve been a follower since I started photography 12 years ago.

Thanks Mike, vey informative.

Thought-provoking stuff.

Oh I love this! I’m going to Tuscany in September, as my family is from there I know the region well but this video is giving me a lot to think about. Thank you Mike. Roll on September! 🇮🇹

Excellent work Mike, it's really amazing BUT smoky room shots are classic, great idea and super great explanation on it. Thanks a million ❤

As usual a brilliant video ! Beautifully put together - Thank you !

Excellent teaching Mike. Thank you. Very much. 😊😊😊😊😊

Thanks for this great video, Mike. As you said near the end, getting photos like this is not an easy thing to do, but seeing what you did, and how, at least opens up more possibilities. I can't go to Morocco, but, probably like many of your subscribers, I'm a town dweller. Could I ask you to do this topic again but to do it in a town, so we can see your creativity in situations more familiar? Yes, we all have the chance to get "out of town", but your way of seeing and explaining is worth seeing more of! Bruce

Thanks Mike great subject matter in this vid

Brilliant!

Thank you Mike, thought jogger, will remind myself of this often. I prefer the image of the laughing girl, makes me smile. The other images were all awesome and storytelling. I do like your style ❣

Hey! “Photos about something” is my mantra! No fair stealing it! :-)

Thanks Mike. Such a simple concept, so difficult to achieve.

Hi Mike, I did find this video very useful especially when you took two photos, and it was the second one that was ABOUT SOMETHING. It was easy to follow and some really great examples, like the sand dunes. The second one of the sand dunes with the Camels was the ABOUT SOMETHING picture, great examples, which i will try in my photography. I liked the wooden railings and those Mountains. The picture of that young lady, i liked the first one. I really enjoyed this video and learnt something from it, thank you.

The one with the smoke and the sunlight would be great for your light challenge!

Thanks

On one of your videos, you had a photo of a sunset on a train station or rail road. It was so awesome you could feel the heat and humidity just looking at it. I have never forgotten it. While I am no photographer, I use your channel for interpretive ideas for my music compositions. It’s a great tool. I even have a post it note on the wall of my cubicle at work. It says,” about something. Not of something”. Maybe I will take up photography someday.

Great video and very enlightening. I don't take many portraits but will bear this in mind if ever the opportunity arises.

Thanks, Mike, very informative as always. I take mainly bird & wildlife photos but I'm going to Alaska in a couple of weeks and will look for opportunities to put your ideas into action then.

Hi Mike, great video but, as you said, people interpret things differently - as I do from you, in this video. To save time, I'll simply comment on the wood-turner. Now, all your pix are fab (not patronising; I mean it). But which tells a better story? Which has that depth? You opt for the two longer-shots, showing the man actually turning his lathe and a good-view of his workshop. I would argue that is not the case: for me, the close-up is deeper and tells us far more. I think your rationale was that seeing his work-place enabled us to appreciate what he does for a living and why he is in the environment of which we only have a glimpse in the first (head-shot) image. But I would argue that, sure that tells us more about his wok but less about his character. Your head-shot of him oozes that character; from it, I fail to see him specifically as a wood-turner but I do see him more as a man. Yes, it generates more questions than answers, perhaps, but it is far-more engaging. And what questions! How old is he? What are his life-experiences, etched into those craggy facial-lines? What is he watching? What is he thinking about? Why that combination of clothing? Why the spectacles-on-a-string? What secrets has he and what could he discuss - for example, to me, he looks quite intellectual but that may not be so. Thus, yes, your second-two images do answer the narrow question about his trade but they fail to consider any of the wider - and deeper - character questions which the first image shows are important. Again, I love all three pictures but, for me, I would always prefer trying to understand someone's soul rather than just their job. As ever, great video, Mike - thank you. Take care. Cheers!

Very inspirational Mike, as always. :)

Very helpful video. Thank you. I do have a question: When you were taking pictures of people, what do you tell them about what you are going to do with them. Don't they ask? The hard part for me to take picture of strangers is that I feel that I am "using" them for my own purposes/benefit and they don't necessary get anything. How do you deal with this? Thank you so much!

Thank you for a wonderful useful video!

Thank you Mike.great advice.i can not remember how to send you some of my pictures

Thanks sir, i learned alot today.

I prefer the "serious" face of the girl it makes you THINK more about her and her circumstances in my opinion !!

Very nice 👌 A big like 👍 sir

Hi Mike great photos , But did you not find the people there wanted money for you to take photos of them? How did you get around this and still make it natural ?

👍

But when you compare two photos you come to know larger perpactive about the subject in the picture tells you a complete story.

Looking healthier Mike.

Karsh’s Winston Churchill is not just a mugshot. It is a portrait about the man …the history.