For those who want less of me talking and more photos, I made a gallery here. www.askmottbyjustinmott.com/blog/a-hrefblognewyorktimes-travel-section-photography-24hxeny-times-travel-vietnam-coffee-cultuer-photographer-selectsa
Actual photographer. Who can actually shoot. Talks about actual assignment. Most excellent YouTubing. I find it interesting where some of your choices were the same as mine would have been. Some were different. Personally, I would have thought "coffee shop.... Gestures.... Expressions.... Stuff in corners of the frame...". And used the rangefinders a lot. Of course, close ups suggest the SLR. 2024 Carl would think about using just one body. 20th century Carl would never have had such a thought.
Thanks Carl, yeah, when I can slow down a little bit I love using my rangefinder but this shot list was a bit hectic for the time I had to shoot it. My compromise is kinda not using a zoom and slowing down with manual focus lenses but still using my SL2-S to check the shots :). Have a great day Carl and thanks for watching.
@@AskMOTT Ah! Your M10 is a D variant. Understood. I have to admit to chimping more than I'd like to admit to, mostly to make sure I'm not blowing a highlight.
I really enjoyed this video. Getting to go along side an actual shoot/project, while posting pictures you shot for the project, was very educational. I liked being able to ride along with an actual shoot. Great job! I do find the coffee culture in Vietnam interesting - i did do a morning coffee class in Hoi Anh
Loved the last one, thru the mirror. One reason I personally prefer film to digital - going thru 2500 shots to cull down to 100 would kill me… kudos to you Justin!
Thanks Bernard, I shoot a lot for sure but I've also got much better as streamlining the process using Photo Mechanic so I can edit everything relatively quickly, captioning is what eats up the most time for me.
Love an egg coffee and Hanoi is the home to the best egg coffees. My wife and I filmed a whole episode about it here. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-d9F268HGNzk.html
@ I wish I knew the name…it was upstairs a very narrow, no handrail-equipped stairway above and near a donut shop and the water puppet theater. I have a selection of pictures of our coffees from there which are some of my favorite shots from our entire trip to VN.
Your video appeared in my "New To You". Very glad I watched it. 1) Your working is outstanding. You are a great photographer. 2) My 3 favorites: the last 3 in the video. The women at the sink, the coffee in that beautiful strip of light and the barista through the glass. 3) Your line from 9min to 10:16 hit hard. It's wonderful to hear those words spoken aloud, it's as if a giant weight was lifted off me. Looking forward to following your adventures.
Thank Charles , that was one of the few times I had some decent light to work with that barista shot . Yeah, I sort of go through the highs and lows on every assignment .
Justin, great video! Educational, Professional, and: Great Story and Pictures. You also have a marvelous way of telling that story. Thank you! Please continue that work. And yes, for me it is a trigger to reach out to you for coaching!
Very interesting video Justin for someone like me who doesn't have an idea of the assignment process. Like you my favourite is the guy sitting with his coffee beside his bike. Great content, thanks.
Great video - read the article today and saw you had been the photographer - great stuff and makes me want to get back to Vietnam real soon - you shots were fantastic my favourite is the one of the scooter rider in the red helmet in the foreground - cheers Craig
Right on, well, in fact I'm drinking Vietnamese pour over coffee as I type this, well not as I actually type this as that wouldn't be efficient but it's next to me :).
Another inspiring video. Thank you so much. I enjoy these videos more than gear reviews because I can't afford expensive gears. Joke aside great insight into the professional assignments and 2,500 images for one assignment ? That's impressive from amateurs' perspective.
Thanks, Mike, I like doing these as well and then sprinkling in gear reviews is a nice balance for me. As far as 2500 shots well, i aim to shoot less to be more efficient but often i have to shoot out the bad shots to get to the good shots :).
Wow man. You're a natural - that actually makes you `a great'. You got a brief and bang, it's done in 2 days! I get the feeling you must be very a very good `people person'. Kudos; it's a gift I don't have. This was good. More power to you brother.
Thanks Tony, I think I like people for small amounts of time ha ha so this is the perfect job for me :). I also think bartending for many years helped me as a photographer.
Thanks Justin Extremely interesting and insightful, and Your photos are nothing short of STUNNING ! You are without a doubt the quintessential photographer, and the fact that you doubt yourself "which I can't understand" really makes you a true artist.
Coffee …! Over my morning coffee I watched your video and enjoyed the comment …. Great job Justin, two days shooting and drinking coffee way to go …. As you know Malaysia has similar coffee culture so this topic resonated well with me …. Coffee in a bag to go always makes me smile ….. Thanks for sharing …
Hi Justin, great insight mate, thankyou. I like the 1st and last the best. The moto is terrific - fortunately not a newer Honda Wave or something similar. Lost passport - I'd be having kittens!! I got a Wotancraft 3.5 L bag last week. Used your link but it was'nt available on their site. Contacted them & they told me to go to a dealer. Not financial enough perhaps. But it won't be my last, they are brilliant!
Thanks Mike, yeah I freaked out for the 10 minutes it took them to find it, that would've sucked. Yeah, I loved that it was an older bike, maybe they used that image in print but it was my 1st or second favorite.
Well done! Perfect start for my day, of course with a coffee... Can you please explain to me why you shot your favorite picture at ISO 1600 and 1/8000th. Was is on purpose to raise the ISO that so it has a more "grainy" look? I am a beginner and would have thought that shooting this at 1/500th-2000th would be enough and then I could lower the ISO.
Just read the NYT article, Justin; it was a fun read. You've definitely captured a lot of the vibe of those coffee shops! I lived in HCMC for 3+ years to the end of 2017, and the coffee culture definitely runs deep. One of my favourite hang-outs was the Workshop on Dong Khoi Street, which was featured in the article and is a must-see. Sadly, SB, seemed to be taking over in the more popular malls, though a lot of the traditional local spots still prevail. On the photography, I do like the effect of the prime lenses, thinking you shot these fairly open and have created some nice bokeh on several shots - finding focus on the key subject where needed. Wondering if this was the new 50mm f/1.4, a superb lens. Lots of good visuals of how have tackled this project, capturing the overall vibe and atmosphere - well done!
Thanks Andy, no writing for me as there is a reason I chose photography :). I do of course right the captions for each images but often they change them or shorten them.
Gorgeous shots. I've been to some of these locations. Your pics really captures the atmosphere. I love how you fill the frame with off focus sunlight at 6:20. That's how I feel before I have my cup.
This was a really informative video, I love getting a look at how working pros manage a project/job. One question though, what sort of post processing do you do when working on a job like this? Or are you sending raws to the editor?
Well done Justin! I also can't understand why your favorite image has not been selected by the editor. Concerning gear I can't see a rational reason to shoot with such expensive stuff from Leica. It would have been possible with much cheaper equipment, for example with my beloved Canon R6 Mk 2, equipped with the RF 35/1.8 and the RF 85/2.0, all together for about 3'000 Dollars!!. Kind regards from Switzerland.
@@AskMOTT That is fine - in the film-era I also worked exclusively with Leica R and Leica M cameras and lenses. But when I entered into digital it became too expensive. And the Leica SL2(s) with lenses is heavier than it could and should be for a DSLM system. I know the reasons, it's made of metal all together, but I prefer lighter gear. So I am very comfortable with my Canon system.
@@AskMOTT By the way Justin: Another reason for Canon in my personal view is their color management. Canon cameras deliver very natural resp. neutral colors as painted in watercolors, somehow pastel-colored, not as punchy as Nikon and Leica. Maybe you would say that Leica glass produces more contrast, what you may prefer perhaps, but this is a question of personal taste.
Hi Justin, I liked the photo looking through the shelves into the coffee cafe where the customers are in focus best. Though all the photos you shared are cool. I shoot with the 35mm Summilux most. I was trying to figure out which shots were 35mm and which were 50mm. I shoot almost exclusively with natural light too. I really liked your exposures and composition. Do you ever use any of the Summicrons ? Slightly different look. More old school Leica. Just curious. Really enjoyed your video. And I am a subscriber.
I use mostly Summilux for my M lenses but i also have shot with a variety of lens types. I typically shoot with a 35mm as well but recently I'm trying to mix it up and shoot more with my newly aquired 50 1.4 and I love it. I think at the end of the video I showed a few images and showed you which lenses I shot with.
Cool story, nicely explained, great images, congratulations. I just was wondering if you have any brand or model names of the coffee machines at the beginning of your video, around 1:06. Thank you so much, and also for sharing this story.
@@AskMOTT damn 🤣, makes me look like an idiot 😅, but I truly wished this were real machines, as I am addicted to such vintage stuff. I would buy such machines without any hesitation. Thank you so much, anyways, do you have some more closeup images of these ?
I like that you showed your favourites at the end of the video but the links blocked the shot info and part of the images. Is there a way to clear those that I am overlooking? Thanks!
Totally my fault guys sorry, I always forget that. I made a gallery here for people to check with more images, sorry and thanks for letting me know. www.askmottbyjustinmott.com/blog/a-hrefblognewyorktimes-travel-section-photography-24hxeny-times-travel-vietnam-coffee-cultuer-photographer-selectsa
Great video. Vietnamese iced coffee is rocket fuel. I am curious. Why is the SL better when you have less time? Especially since you seem to the shooting with M lenses in manual? Also, is that a Leitz Wetzlar 135mm? I love that lens.
Great question and yes that is the Leica 135 f4. My other camera is an M10D so I can't confirm i got the shot exactly how I want it it takes me a bit more time than the SL where I can confirm with the screen, hope that makes sense. I sitll love the M10D for long form documentary.
Hey, enjoyed as always, not sure how I missed this one, but glad found. Looking forward to one day joining you on a workshop. Quick question if you don't mind, looking at the bags and would like to order but not exactly sure of where to get (dealer search gives no location on website). Am in Vietnam with you, currently living in Quy Nhon. Thanks for you time and look forward to meeting one day.
Curious, if you put a manual focus lens on the SL2s how does that speed up your work process? I have the visoflex for my M11 and allows me more confidence in hitting the focus when it is critical so I'm wondering what other advantages there are in the SL camera? To me it feels very heavy and I'd rather use my M, or Q3 if I need autofocus. Side note, my wife and I will be in Vietnam in September for our 30th and very much looking forward to the photography opps as well as immersing ourselves in with the people and the culture. BTW - this makes me want to get some coffee - now all you need is Seinfeld.
We are kindred spirits Gerry, Leica and Seinfeld :). I love the crisp EVF of the SL2s and sometimes for video or commercial work i'll use the SL lenses for autofocus so it works well for for the different types of work I shoot. I still love my M as well but not for everything. I made a free Hanoi travel guide with my wife for photography, coffee, and food( food part is coming soon). here. www.askmottbyjustinmott.com/blog/hanoi-vietnam-travel-guide-food-photography-and-more. I'm also doing a workshop in December if you want to stay a really long time :).
@@AskMOTT Would love to stay much longer, but then I'd lose the job that allows me to buy Leica and watch Seinfeld. But thanks for the link on Hanoi. That will be our last stop and very much looking forward to the entire trip.
Question. When doing assignments like this. Do you discuss with NYT that you will be vlogging about it? Is it in your contract? I’m asking because as someone who does some commercial work. I’m not sure how to approach the convo about posting bts for some projects.
It's a great question, Ike, the short answer is no because I don't film myself or vlog while I"'m actually shooting my assignment as I don't think that is fair to them. I only talk about the assignment after it's shot and published and since I own the rights to my images no issues with talking about them.Hope that makes sense.
Love the images. Do you lightly edit them in Lightroom before you send them to the editor or just send them as they were taken? I'm curious how it works with photojournalism. Thanks.
It appears that you used "M" lenses on your SL2, not auto-focusing SL2 lenses! Why don't you just put an EVF on your M camera? It would be a lighter - i.e. less heavy - setup at least.
I like the M for long form documentary and I like using it as is and I prefer my SL2S for assignments and I don’t mind the extra weight for that type of work.
Hi ,I want to leave in asia ,iam in Los Angeles now I like photography as a hobby ,I want to eat side money ,question how did you become popular for newspapers to pay you for pictures ?
I don't encourage you to eat any sort of money Franklin, not good for you. To be short and honest I never want to discourage anyone for trying to get in with larger newspapers but if it's just a side thing for you it's quite competitive to get in with editors as the list is long of talented people that do it full time and editors are all about trust and reputation. Not impossible, but not easy.
"Usually interior light is quite gross." You actually say that in your video, but you didn't mean it, right? I can imagine a NY Times editor saying something like that, but NOT a professional photographer.
Not sure what you mean exactly but yes I do mean that normally overhead fluorescent light sources like w have here in Vietnam are pretty gross and hard to shoot in.
@@AskMOTT , can't you sit near a "street-side" window and use the available sunlight? My photos aren't NY Times-worthy for sure, but I've taken many, many "coffee shop" photos from inside the shops. For you, the lighting has to be perfect?
@@Gravitys-NOT-a-force I most certainly do use window light as much as possible however often times the action like a barista making a coffee or in once situation the lady crewing her coffee in a dark backroom is ok and I made it work but ideally I want as much beautiful natural light as possible is what I'm trying to convey. Thanks for your question.
@@AskMOTT Your failure to respond directly suggests you are delusional. My day is fantastic yesterday and tomorrow. because I know I don't need a label on my camera to make photos excellent.
I've stated clearly dozens of times on my channel it's not the camera it's the photographer but if you're not familiar with how SEO works here you go. When you mention keywords that you're audience is interested in you're more likely to get more views which is a good thing, except sometimes when you get aggressive people who call people delusional and tools, but normally the good outweighs the bad. . @@JJ-gm4ck
