The Type of Photography That Makes You Great 

I had a feeling it was gonna be street photography :D No but joking aside, great video mate. Your ability to condense down a subject and teach concepts in every video is such a strength of this channel.

You found the perfect words James! Thanks for sharing! Yesterday I went out and did a bit of street photos myself + POV recording. And although some people comment on my POV videos my shots are mid or not impressive, I don't care. I just want to put in the reps as good as possible to learn next to my job and family life. Fun fact - I realised shooting with my M9 while pushing the stroller of my daughter is not so ideal, due to switching between pushing and manual focusing :D

This is an excellent essay, well considered and argued. And very true, I think. Although I tend to believe that the more epic and diverse the region you live in, the more interesting your work will be. London or Istanbul, for example, will provide a more enduring variety of locations and characters than say, Peoria. With that being said, learning to "see" is the most important skill one can develop in photography. And much of this comes through practice. "One percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration" and all that.

It's all good fun and much more to photograph than people first think. I just love peoples expressions, human behaviour is fun to watch and can be amusing and sometimes sad. But for sure there is a rich tapestry out there to pick from.

Thank you James! :)

Very interesting video, and cracking images 👍

Agreed and I teach this to my students when they're considering getting into photography or adding another genre to what they already do.

This is the content we need going into spring and summer. Get out in the streets people!

What you say is true. Be prepared to enter a niche acceptance, as in the vast majority of the people in this world do not see what is before them. They tend to look at the shiny and colorful, or simple comforts, such as pets, children smiling, birds, sunsets, flowers and such, and never take the time to delve into a photo. In a world of very short attention span, having to take in the feel, texture, meaning, vibration, and story is something actually few people will stop to do. People choose to flip on through photos or use cell phones to view their images. It seems a once shocking photo of a child burnt from napalm in the headlines during the Vietnam war would be less noticed today, as though something unpleasant can be dismissed. The simple photos of people enjoying life, I find impressive, while many don't care if the person is not famous, or somehow odd to them. For skills tuning, the street is great. Just be prepared to be shocked when, like artwork, people look at your works as something in need of explanation, or easily passed by. Like art however, the good news is that those viewing it will take the time and enjoy the effort in doing so. It is like the one in twenty with a curiosity of life, now and back in time, ever so thankful someone snaped the moment for all time. If it resonates with one in a hundred, it is more than worth it. Thanks for this video, Loren Schwiderski

I like that statement "following our curiosity" . Great video

Really well put together, pacing and shot-choices / location changes was great. Love to see it.

Great to see you back James , loved the video and great sound advice ,this is why i love being a street photographer being your own boss, having a purpose to be out in all weathers and the walking is so good for body and soul ,

This is great! Love how you put this together, really nice points and shots 👌

Good to see you back. Can't wait for the book

Great seeing you post a video again James!

Loved every aspect of your video!

Anyway I always find 'street photography' in touristy/travel locations easier because people think you are taking photos of the location rather then them. I try to combine abit of both together in my style so as to not be invasive.

Great to see this suggested in the feed today!

I was waiting this video, actually I was hoping you told us you have the new Fuji already! hope one day do street photography in London with you. Such an inspiration, really mean it. If you around Madrid some day let me know would be nice to meet you.

Work photography (civil engineering and geology failures) dumbs me down. "Streetish" hobby photography picks me up again. Just cannot get the balance right!

I enjoyed your pespective

How about documentary photography?

Agree and disagree. Agree that anyone can build and hone skill in the streets, and the ease of access brings a high volume of photographers so the pressure of numbers will create some true greats. But the really great, the absolute best are those who turn random street encounters into story telling documentary, getting to know those they shoot, weaving a deeper narrative. Anyone can practice random shots of strangers but the greatest tell their story so they become more than just strangers to the viewer. And that can be done easiest in the photographer’s local community.

Hi James what camera are using now? Nice to see you again. Always loved your work / I especially loved the one with the policeman. I wish I could get out more / but I still here. Carry on your interesting photography. Mike have a coffee on me.

4th LIGHT ....

What genre of photography are you going to choose then James to get good? ... .... 😆