The Life of a Photograph with Sam Abell 

To me, this is the most meaningful, intelligent and emotionally moving talk on what photography truly is.

Sam was an instructor of mine at the University of Missouri photojournalism workshop way back in 1989. Watching this video all of his lesson, comments and withering criticism of my work come flooding back. I've internalized so many of his lessons that I have forgotten how much his words had influenced my work everyday. Thank you Sam

When I see all the hyper-realistic, overly edited images of our instagram inspired world...I think about an era when cultivated talent and hard earned knowledge were both respected and sought after. Perhaps software is used to smother the truth that many of us simply don't know how to create an amazing photograph anymore. Watching videos like this is a great first step. Thank you B&H for introducing me to an amazing photographer and a new way entirely of understanding this art form. This mans career happened decades before I was even born and I hope other people of my generation will start to see photography this way, too.

I will not be using Photoshop again. :) Seriously... now I feel like using software is not the photography. It's being cheated ourselves. :) Thanks Mr Sam Abell for the inspirational lecture and for B&H for sharing it for us who cannot attend live on those great seminars.

That was one of the greatest photographic tutorials i have ever seen. B & H Thank You and Sam, i don't know what to say , but Thank You very much.

This talk gives me life again. In Rome this past fall we were robbed. As we took our seats on the train to Florence, a thief walked off with my bag, the entirety of my camera kit, laptop, hard drives... and wedding rings ($25,000 value) I have pretty much given up on photography since then. Until hearing Sam's story of Ireland.

I've seen many videos about photography, but by watching this I truly understood what it stands for

Maybe the greatest training and most significant teacher I’ve ever heard. Oh Lord let me be the student.

Certainly one of my favorite photography talks!

An absolutely wonderful tutorial which I've watched before, and will watch again. Thank You Sam Abell for the inspiration.

This is an incredibly brilliant lecutre that I found full of gems. Well worth the time to watch through

The best lecture I’ve seen about photography. Sam Abell is not only a master of photography, but a lecture master. A pleasure and very useful to have found this video. Thanks B & H

Wow. Just wow. One of the most amazing photographer ever show us all the secrets behind his most famous photos. Truly a gem!

I have come back to this and watch it yet again. Wisdom in photography here presented by a thoughtful and compassionate photographer. "Compose and wait". I just love that piece of advice by Sam's father.

One of the best lectures on B and H! Thanks for sharing.

Never been this inspired. This has been the most educational thing Ive watched on photography.

"You see you don't know...you don't know about life or what gift life is going to give you. That's another reason to compose and wait because that is what you are waiting for....a miracle." Sam oh Sam, your are my gift and miracle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Extraordinary lecture. Each random click in this channel has successively exceeded all expectations. Thank you B&H and thank you Sam.

This is a great presentation. Well worth the almost two hours. I loved it!!

Excellent lecture. I've seen so many on RU-vid, from top photographers, where there is a single camera pointed at the speaker and the photo is barely visible. Then the photographer rattles through their work with a "This is on 5th Avenue, this is here, this is there", with no mention of how, why when etc (Bruce Gilden being the worst) This focuses on the photo, shown fullscreen and each is dissected and explained. Thank you.

Compose and wait, take a low angle, keep the sun behind you, head and shoulders above the horizon, slow down time, nothing touches, back to front photography. Setting, expression, gesture. Wait. Wait for what? A blue umbrella?, a dog catching a frisbee? I am Sam, I am from Ohio and I am awesome.

Brilliant--saw it 3x!! The best video on B&H thus far.

An absolute privilege to "experience" ALL the dimensions of photography through your BRILLIANT mind... Deeply grateful to your enormous GENEROSITY, Mr. Abell!!!!!! What does a brillliant mind think, see, feel, decide when composing a "life" photograph... such a great great honor. Thank you so much!!!!!!

Got no words to describe the feelings and emotions which I went through by watching this video and listening to this guy ! Thank you Sam Abell for sharing your love for photography and life!

Sam's work is outstanding. He is an awesome photographer and teacher. He is an all around great person.

I’m going to watch this once a month. So inspired this lecture, Sam loves photography as it should be.

Sam Abell completely fills in all the unknown questions I had as well as the questions I didn't even know to ask. He makes such sense in his vision to making a photo. Such humble experience, strength and heart. Thanks to my friend Jim JJ Keener for knowing me so well to excited call me and turn me on to Sam and his photographic understanding and teaching skills. I am beyond excited to practice patience, thoughtfulness and structure as often as I remember. Thank you Sam Abell for taking the time and having the interest to share what your father and all your years of experience have taught you with us.

Probably the best photography class I ever had. And the best B&H video.

A fantastic talk all aspiring photographers should listen to, and REALLY listen.

this should be the new standard for B&H event space.

One of the best presentations I've been fortunate enough to see. Thanks to all who enabled this.

Live performances. I did a week workshop with him and he changed my way of shooting forever. This was after a BFA and 10 years as a professional. He is a deeply compelling and dedicated photographer.

Honestly one of the most enlightening talks I've ever seen, so many nuggets of knowledge delivered straight to the point. 👌📸

this video had an enormous influence on me. what a fantastic photographer.

This lecture started so slow that I nearly skipped it... i let it play in the background anyway... boy am I happy I didn't skip it! I learned SOOOOO MUCH!!!!! I love his teaching style! he tells you what to avoid and he talks you through his train of thought! I love it! ... and his pictures are amazing!!!

One of the best talks in the channel. One of the most inspiring and teaching.

I listened to this over and over again and still learn more new things each time. Thank you, Sam. :)

A very beautiful talk. Thank you!

Wonderful presentation. Sam Abell is the best. Best presentation at B&H in a long time.

The best video I've seen so far on B and H. Thanks

Absolutely one of the best photography lectures I ever seen. Thanks B&H and Sam Abell!

Thank you Sam Abell! I am energized and inspired by the wisdom, experience and love of photography in this presentation. I am grateful that B&H has this video in their library.

Traveling across country when you're just a kid with your family it's priceless.

"My photography is not about perfection it is about goodness", and it is his goodness intent make it perfect...

I've just received my early Christmas present. Thank you

This man is what the word Photographer is personified!

this is such an inspirational insight into the life of a man who loves photography. I will never forget this video and these words of wisdom from such a true gent.

Outstanding - watch to learn about how to take great photographs; very meaningful.

just WOW. Absolutly heartfelt and breathtacking. So deep

This is absolutely amazing

Both inspiring and humbling, this talk shows you how to make good photographs and, perhaps, create a body of work, as Sam Abell has done, that points to greatness.

This is the most helpful photography I have watched, and it was a true joy to absorb. Thank you!

Truly inspirational!

love this Video. That man is experienced and you can hear through him the voice of his father I guess

Thanks you, I couldn't come with words to describe it. A piece of art on its own.

A man with something to say.........Thanks.

One of the best videos about taking photos... great!

Awesome very inspiring and learned alot thanks

Started off a bit slow and I almost stopped watching. So glad I didn’t! So many great lessons! Once they began there is no way I could stop watching.

Wow 🥺 this was so beautiful, it made me want to think twice about every picture I take from now on.

This is by far the best lecture from Mr. Abell. I'm wondering if this is how Mr. Abell speaks on his days off?

Wonderful talk.Thanks a lot. What a great photographer!

great video !

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thank you.

Great lecture! I learned quite a bit of new info.

one of the finest B&H talk

I love B&H Event Space Videos. I feel like I learn so much from them. This one is one of the best ones I have seen.

love the dog & dolphin relationship captured on camera

Absolutely fantastic presentation, thank you very much.

Sam’s color slides are beautiful

great talk and lessons learned

Breathtaking stuff...

Fantastic!!

Very good! I enjoyed the video!

Reading the comments, I'm looking forward to hearing this. 😀

Very nice presentation.

This is so cool!

this guy is my kinda photographer, its how i try to be, before i even knew of him.

Thank you so much.

Thanks Sam, Thanks B+H..

Beautiful, in so many ways.

wow ! great insight! Mahalo

Thank you for saying what you did about photoshop. If you love editing, no problem, its just one way to do this. But all these people preaching that you HAVE to edit and know photoshop, and work it in order for your pics to be finished photography is garbage.

Oh my.

Masterclass. The American HCB.

fascinating

Amazing. Are these photos in the book (The Life of a Photograph)?

wonderful lecture! I am wondering why pares would need to be bought on the black market in Moscow, pares weren't exactly scarce in the soviet union lol

WOW

please add english subtitles!

Photography without all the bull s--t. A true photographer that teaches photography not "How to make my photos look better with Photoshop."

Cartier-Bresson’s most famous image was cropped. Your most famous image was cropped. Why limit your vision to the aspect ratio of your available camera? Pre-visualize your image, then crop to your pre-visualization. It’s really okay.

I can't

22 thumbs down? says a lot about our sorry ass species.

"Which of his", Art Wolf's, "photographs are genuine?"

That introduction about canon would have been great if it wasn't for the recent stunt they pulled, restrictring 3rd party lenses on their RF system. I lost so much respect for them and have increasingly been looking at a Sony platform.

You can see that Canon pay him after his love to them at the start.

Really good! But what an ego... Damn!

Nikon / Sony / Pentax don't make junk ...

Really great photography, storytelling, and teaching. Thank you.