In this video I talk a bit about how we photographers are constantly comparing ourselves to others.. for better or worse You can find all things Daniel here: linktr.ee/dani...
The reality is you are only ever in competition with yourself. If you are always learning, always pushing forward, always trying to create something better you are doing the right thing. A level of technical proficiency is a minimum requirement but artistry comes from within yourself. That struggle and that quest produces the results that stand out especially in the long run. Everything will come in and out of fashion but chasing trends is a path that leads nowhere. Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.
I once had a "pro" look at one of my landscape photos I was pleased with, he tore it up. Should have focus stacked, needed a better foreground interest, couldn't tell what the subject was... blah, blah blah. So I listened to the pro tried looking for "key" elements the way he said I should and guess what? I stopped shooting. I never could find that perfect shot to meet his standard, and he was a pro. I shoot because I want people to be able to see places they may never get to, or because I think it's a great view, or a brilliant sky. I may never sell a photo or become a pro but now I shoot because I like it and if no one else does then that's there loss. I would like to shoot models but there aren't many around where I live but there are lots of trees, mountains and the ocean so I shoot what is available, enjoy being outside and create images that I find pleasing. Love your encouraging talks
I need to get into this mindset. I watch too many RU-vidrs (Daniel, Seth and the Adorama crew excluded) that make it out like you need the “perfect shot” to make it worth even hitting the shutter. My goal for the weekend is to cull my RU-vid list and take more photos!
Pro only means that you do what you do for a living, it does not say anything if you are good or not. Amature means to do something you love, it also don't say anything about the quality. Somewhere along the way pro suddenly meant good and amateur meant bad. I like the original meanings more. Also, if you take pictures to try to please or copy others, you never will improve. :-)
Another great video that contributes waaaaaay more than a generic chat about gear. Love these monologues from experience and insight - thanks for putting them out
A great honest run down of how it is, absolutely love it. And it applies to just about any profession there is, and life itself. As always, refreshing good quality Daniel. Thanks!
Fantastic no nonsense advice from a pro. Would love to see more advice like this from you! Some of the best advice I got from my mentor was to stop shooting to impress other photographers. Another photographer is never going to pay you to shoot photos. Shoot what YOU love. Shoot what inspires YOU. If you enjoy what you do you will be more encouraged to put in the work necessary to be successful. There are no shortcuts. Put in the work.
Everything in this is spot on truth. Being technically proficient does not make a photographer - it just makes the job easier. Any time I watch one of your how to videos, I take it upon myself to try it, and put my own spin on things. I taught a technology class to 8th graders for several years. I taught them all the same skills, then turned them loose to create their own presentations, videos, and projects. The fun for me was seeing how they applied the skills I taught, along with their vision of what they wanted to create. And guess what - the projects were all different! This is what should be the result of using the techniques learned in your videos, or anyone else’s.
Thanks Daniel. One thing that's been bugging me lately is that there are styles that seem to do really well on social media that I just can't stand. I figure that this means that I'm just not the target audience for that style of image, and I'm going to create my own audience for the styles) that I like to create.
And everything is cyclical. Most styles come and go and come back around again. I hate the extreme skin softening and even though it's popular I just won't do it. Have I done it? yes but I'm certainly not a fan of it at this point and it seems most if not all models want it done....
"Do your thing and do it well. Be yourself and embrace it ". The most truly inspirational words I heard today, which by the way, I needed so much. Thank you, Daniel.
Great advice as others have said . I’m in japan and the personality of this culture is rather shy , really difficult to get work or even a person to model.
Tell it like it is brother! My take away; "to thine own self be true". I absolutely do that, and while I love a little pat on the back or show of appreciation from the client from time to time I ultimately aim to always please myself with my work above all. If that sells, all the better.
I personally felt that way many times, why some people that actually don’t have any creativity or quality and was copying my work was getting way more credit than me? I’m not a Pro photographer, actually I consider my self an student and I follow your videos and tutorials all the time. I just want to thank you for everything I have learned from you Daniel, You’re an amazing individual buddy.
Ahhh, thanks so much for this... I came to this same conclusion recently about a couple of local photographers. We (photographers trying to break into their market) just need to hear this. Keep Calm and Carry On, as they say. Thanks again. I love that you do these videos.
There are basic techniques that work. Everyone knows them. You’ll get a portrait photographer that will use the same lighting all the time. Never changes. Years later, still the same. Never anything new, so never challenged themselves. You discussed a certain person who eventually didn’t do so well because he/she copied other people. That person was lying to themselves and others. It’s ok to try to copy or emulate people to try things to see if you can get the same results so you understand how that photographer did their work. It’s a learning thing. I do what I can to be different. I try to have people see things they never saw before. I want people to say, “oh. I never saw that subject that way.” I ice up gear from time to time. This adds to my basic knowledge of photography, and lets me try new things. It raises my creativity and allows me to improve. I like to have a challenge, and ask myself “ how am I going to approach that subject, and what am I going to use to get those results?” Evolution. The people who try competitions for awards aren’t shooting for themselves. They are being manipulated to shoot a certain way to get that award. It’s like Instagram likes. Shooting to be popular and having others choose your direction. These people are manipulating you and controlling what your shoot and how you do it. One popular RU-vidr once said that he realized that all the content he was putting out was about him and his family. The viewers wanted to see that. It had nothing to do with him as an artist or his creativity
Hi Daniel, what a fantastic down to earth talk. I'm nearly 65 and a keen amateur photographer, but if I were a lot younger and starting out in this business, your guidance would surely help me focus on myself and take away a lot of the fear, thank you for being so down to earth
Thanks Daniel. I'm really grateful for the videos you and Seth produce, because you inspire and motivate me to PRACTICE, and I've been doing this for 45 years. They once asked Pablo Casals (sp?) why, in his late 80s, he still practiced the cello every day, and he replied, "Because I think I'm starting to make some progress." Knowledge is necessary, but experience is transformational.
Truer words were never spoken. Who gets hired is so much more about personal relationships and good rapport than it is technical skill. Lots of people can take a technically sound photo.
I’m so glad I saw this video today…exactly what I needed. I doubt and negatively criticize myself, and others, far too often. But, hey, at least I’m aware of it! :) Thanks Daniel
I love that you've started doing these little vids at your house. These are really great and have that "I'm giving advice to a friend" type feel to them. Huge fan of you and your channel. Keep doing what you do, bud.
Thank you so much for creating this video. My lack of confidence continuously cripples my success as a photographer... I needed to hear every word you said.
Great video Dan My wife a long time ago had this talk with me about "knowing my own value". It's taken a long while to understand my photography voice, I don't even always like it, but I'm at piece with it and enjoy creating images and learning. I enjoy watching your frank talks. Very humbling and educational. Please keep doing things like this, there's too many showboating videos that distract from the real message
I guess being able to flash an award at people helps when you are dealing with Joe Public. But industry people know what you do & stand for long before they offer a job.
This is one of your best videos. Thank you for sage advice. Im really feeling better about my work these days. I occasionally look at wonderful work and think wow Im still not at this level but I put that away and I know what my goals are...I ,have my own taste , Im working on a book. When I put all that other stuff aside and just focus on my own ideas and voice I have an absolute blast. I find photography fulfilling once more. Thanks again for the pep talk. We all need that from time to time.
Daniel, I respect and admire your talent, but the reason I subscribed and stick around is because of monologues such as this. I'm more interested and better educated by the way you think. I can easily copy your photos but I would wrather learn about your artistic process, its inspiring to get it from the source of the inspiration. If I haven't made it evident enough.... your philosophy videos are my favorite.
I'm new to this channel, but certainly not to RU-vid videos about photography. This video shared some honest, down to earth advise about a topic that deep down, most of us already know, but have shoved to the side in order to keep up with with the latest fad or the newest 'Hot-Shot' photographer on the block. Thanks for the friendly reminder to keep our heads grounded and goals set where they need to be - on building our own unique style and be willing to deal with the setbacks along the way. Thanks!
I’m loving these videos Daniel. I am so disappointed I missed yours and Seth’s Q&A this morning! Tell Seth to get it up on his channel so I can at least watch it 😜
This is one of the best videos I've seen in a long time. It's not that I didn't already know everything you said. But it's always good to hear someone else say it instead of the voice in my head. I doubt him sometimes. ;-) I'm terrible about comparing myself to others. Good and bad. I know of a person whose photos are.. less than compelling. But they're all over the place because they get out and put themselves to be in that position. Ironically, it's not even really work I'd like to do. I covet the access, I suppose. On the other hand, I know people who take photos with their phones and make me wonder who I think I'm kidding. I imagine it's my inexperience (and more than a little insecurity). It's a terrible and non-productive place to be. But when you ignore all that and look at the larger picture, you tell yourself that your journey, your art and your skill is your own. The goal isn't to be "better than..". The goal is to be a better "you". From a photographic standpoint, I think that means learning and practice.. like those scenes from the movies where the hero is prepping for whatever challenge. A shutter Ninja in the making. ROFL! I have _so_ far to go. :-)
I can not agree more, and to be honest, this is one of the most honest photography videos I have seen. Most youtubers end up creating videos because they have to, its now their primary income. And sadly, their videos lose some weight to them. But let me give examples of some of the on point items so you can here from a working commercial photographer. First, I have won a ton of awards, and sadly, that was the weakest point in my career, that was my goal, to win awards. - These awards have impressed no one, that is no one who is a client. Second, understand you goals, my first was to be a known photographer, heck, 3 years ago, every single new art|sports lens from sigma featured one of my images. They were used in their marketing as well, I thought this brings me credibility, maybe, but it brought me no clients. -- my goal was to be known, instead of making money and doing good work. I moved on... I thought, let me try runway, I worked my way up to head photographer for Los Angeles Fashion Week, thought I was on the right track. Sadly, this became the year I sold one of my cars to pay the bills. Today, I concentrate on creating great photos that stand out and aimed to impress my client base, rather than trying to impress other photographers or people who are not, nor ever will be my clients. I dont try to create a style, I try to understand my clients goals and deliver a photo that achieves that. On the point of quotes and invoicing, document, document, document.... When I quote, I pretty much spell out exactly what the deliverables will be. If I plan to give 8 to 10 images, I dont say "images from the shoot" I say "8 to 10 images, full resolution in psd, tiff, or jpg" - I dont say I will retouch, I say "photos color corrected and balanced" - retouched is another story... - point being, document so well and specific that there is no room for miscommunication. for me, 1 look (outfit) = 1 photo, but my assistant shot for someone and the model wanted 3 to 4 retouched images of each look and said it was industry standard. My assistant had to do it to save face because she failed to document. sorry for going on too much of a tangent.
Thanks for this Video! Dood, I feel like Making note of your self value is crucial. Everything you said, can apply to anything you wan to do in this world. I am trying to teach this same type idea or thinking to my children. Go after what it is you want to be or do, get good at it, apply your passion to it, and it will become what you never dreamed of before. Wowing yourself is a great addiction. ha! It will put food on you table, it will provide for you and your family, forever. Most people want to work with someone who is all geeked out in their career or reflects their passion for it. No one ever taught me that part as a young person, just my mom, telling me to behave, and my graphics and photo teachers secretly letting me love creating, in the end. Work, and sharing what i love doing. I will share this video for sure.
Daniel you have such great advice, love watching you and learning from you. Thanks for being such a down to earth person who tells it how it is....keep up the good work of educating telling your story!
These are great videos. As someone starting out in business I can't tell you how much it means that you're willing to share everything with us. Thank you so much.
This. I needed to hear this, especially coming to photography later in life and having that initial feeling that I need to rush to grow exponentially b/c of instagram. I’ve lately slowed down and started learning and enjoying more of what I’m doing. Your videos have helped me find that so thank you. ✌🏼
Thank you for making these videos I've been trying so hard to get a job as a assistant to gain some experience in the field but I've had no luck what so ever, ive been feeling really deflated about the whole thing but watching your videos like this one and the previous one is restoring hope in my ability.
How do you not have a million subscribers.. This is fantastic content. I just discovered your channel and I’m binge watching it. Keep up the awesome videos.
Daniel. Thank you so much for making these. I have been learning so much from all you contribute. I still consider myself learning the craft. Today especially as the lighting was not great, I thought I would try some on location strobe light with some warming.. While I may have improved the light I was so focused on that aspect that my composition went to crap. I was pretty upset with myself, then I realized that today was not a complete wash. I did learn that all aspects of exposure and composition define you. I did learn more about lighting today than I knew the other day. Next time I will make sure not to forget the components I do know while trying to improve on the aspects I feel I still need help on. As you say, I'm always competing against myself. if others enjoy what I produce, that is a bonus.
"F That. You do you." Ha ha, thanks Daniel, love your channel and your Adorama shoots. Learned a ton so far watching. Enjoy the vibe on set when I watch those.
Great topic! Really needed to hear that. I'm rebuilding studio from Hurricane Harvey so it will be a good time to decide what direction I want to go and do a redesign of who I am! Enjoy your videos, again great point.
This is the second time this month i've heard this advice, first time was from a gallery curator, who was looking at my work, it's hard to value yourself, she asked me how much i wanted to put on my work, I tild her, she said no,no,no higher much higher, earing to value youself is another skill which you need to learn, assuming your not an egotistical photographer. 8-)
Daniel, Your words are too true. Although the reality is that your words relate to LIFE and anything you wish to pursue. Even busboys or motel maids (no offense) need to appreciate who they are and what they do. If you do your very best, regardless of what that is, and do it every day, you'll never have to apologize or make excuses. True to self first, and focus on the end goal... Thank you! S
Thanks Daniel. Just discovered your channel and the wealth of good info you have available. I am new to this as a profession and have found you to be a breath of fresh air and honesty. Liked and subed!
You just got yourself a new sub mate. Really inspirational video and I thank you very much for the sincere message you impart. I found you on an Adorama tutorial and I look forward to scouring your content! Many thanks from starting out photographer.
