Why I don't shoot RAW or 4K with digital cameras for Youtube 

Do not misunderstand the message of this video. This is not about "old vs new" or "film vs digital". Technology is great. Bring it on. But just don't DEPEND on it to make you a great filmmaker. Again- this is not a comparison between film and digital. Listen to the message closely. I love new stuff, I shoot all digital now- I just don't need to use all the latest bells and whistles- especially for RU-vid. Sure Netflix requires 4K, but in the RU-vid world- creativity, story and message are king- not flashy shots and dynamic resolution. The reason celluloid filmmaking was brought up was because until 30 years ago, Hollywood did not have digital cameras or RAW files or computers to save the shot. They had to get it right in the camera- and they did so for a hundred years. Funny how people nowadays get so defensive over RAW to save their butts. I've been all over the world in situations that could never be repeated, and I never once ever shot anything in RAW. And everything turned out just fine. Why? Because everything was exposed and lit properly. It's something a photography "soldier" learns in the field. It becomes instinctive and fast, knowing what F stop, shutter speed, ISO and lens to use in any situation.

I know a lot of people that need to hear this

All of this applies to the music world as well.

Your observations are not just limited to photography. They really apply to all aspects of life. I'm sharing this with young people struggling to find their way - it applies to whatever passion they embrace.

I am 70 yrs old and started working in a TV station, shooting 16mm, processing, so great to hear the great stories I CAN RELATE. You are a relief to all the young people. Its all about composition, lighting, audio and Camera.

99% of content YT creators need to hear this. Bravo.

Markus, as a former pro-photographer and currently a film/cinema professor I completely agree with you 100%. It’s always about the story, the message and how you move people in which ever media you work with to reach your audience. Your message is true and needs to be heard by so many. I plan to share this video with my film students this semester. Peace and Love to You and Yours Markus. 🤓❤️

I'm not a photographer or videographer, but a programmer. However, this video still has given me a great deal of wisdom . May the algorithm bless you and spread your insights with the world.

I first started in 1962. The old guys in the press room had a saying: “F8 and don’t be late.” The f8 referred to just a standard lens and standard aperture, but everything depended on being there for the right moment to tell the story. It was normal to go out with a Speed Graphic and a dark slide with 2 sheets of 4x5 loaded and a change bag in case a third shot might be necessary, but it was usual to get the money shot in just one or two shots. I knew a guy who had a darkroom in the back seat of his car. He could get the shot, get the film into developer and drive while it was developing back to base. He would have the negative in the editor’s hands before anyone else, and ready for an early edition. Those old time news photographers could sum up the right moment in an instant. They could smell the story, and the moment that encapsulated that story. For them photographs weren’t shot in the camera, they were shot between the ears, and the camera was merely the period at the end of the sentence. I still have my old Speed Graphic, but more importantly, I still have my memory of the lessons learned in black and white and a Weston Master Meter.

Markus, Thanks for the video. I needed a refresher in common sense. I was getting wrapped around the gear and your lighting and common good advice helped me refocus.

This needs about 10 million more views. Well preached

Nothing can replace Creativity...story is king, Awesome video!. There is an exception as in my case for instance where the content, the story and the information is the details, the more details the deeper the story... But as for movie making and story telling I 100% agree with you.

Every photographer needs to watch this video at least once a year.

So much truth in this video! THANK YOU. Subscribed.

Markus, I know you will not see this comment, but I wanted to thank you for this video! I started shooting with a Brownie camera as a kid and read everything I could on photography! Thank you for talking to the artist in everybody and telling them to take chances!

This man deserves an Oscar!

Hi Markus, I'm a high-functioning autistic -- I don't have the ability to use non-verbal communication, such as tone-of-voice and facial micro-expressions. When I speak to a group, I always make sure I have valuable content (I'm a retired software engineer, so most presentation were related to business processes and data.) During the usual feedback review, reactions of members of the audience were often polar: 1) They were either fascinated and appreciate what I did; or 2) They were outright bored and somewhat irritated. Those who were truly interested in the subject saw through the characteristics of my autism, while those who were disinterested were stopped entirely by my difference in communication. I've realized the audience makes a huge difference, so depending on the goal and the group, visual and audio tricks are needed. And, sometimes you simply need to focus and a sub-group of the available audience. That said, your presentation is spot on. At 65 year-old, I'm falling back on my time using a Graflex 4x5 press camera and chemical developing I learned back in the late 70's. Back then, my best pictures were those where I quickly assessed available light, adjusted my settings, positioned myself, then took the pic -- I developed a sort of dynamic intuition that worked best in real time. I've added you to my subscription list. - Rob Behr

You're the best! I'm a musician, not a filmmaker. But I have to know enough to get my message across decently. I came to your channel looking for gear, but now I come for the dose of upbeat inspiration! Thank you brother!

Sir, u literally made me cry here... U gave me inspiration to continue my journey in Photography and Videography that I already given up because of my cheap tools and gadgets... I have tried to be like other youtubers, trying to be like them but I failed... I can't get good shots, good videos and good stories because I am like comparing myself to most youtubers that having good techs and pity myself of having a low tech gadgets... Now u make me realize that I can be like them or much better than them when I focus on what my Heart wants and Feels.. U gave me the Courage to continue and move Forward... Thank You sir... U made me Cry, Honestly.... THANK YOU...

I needed this, man. I have been binge-ing and buying tons of lenses and stuff thinking it would make me better, but I just need to go out and shoot more with what I have.

My favorite saying in photography is: "The best camera in the world is the one you have in your hands"

Thank you for this video brother. Your words of wisdom are much appreciated :)

I love this guy, he’s so down to earth.

Well, I have to say I have a lot more respect for you after this video. I thought you were the techie camera guy I could watch to get a good idea of what equipment is available today. Turns out you are a much more creative person then I realized. And this is coming from a guy who (among many other things) made his first claymation in 1970, shot Paris France in 1978 with a 1918 Eastman camera which used 120 film and a frame size no enlarger could handle without modification, shot the early 1980's L.A. music scene with infrared film, infrared filter and a infrared gel taped over the flash unit, shot in dark night clubs with ASA 64 transparency and film with long exposures stopped down only to push the button on the flash unit to fire the thing so to get long sweeping ghosted highlights of the moving performers and freezing their actions at the same time. Anyway I could go on about on location improvisation to "get the shot" but you get it. I can now see that you got it a long time ago. Thank you for trying to explain it to the kids and get them to think about creativity!.

I'm an audio engineer. Reminds me of gear heads with no creativity and limited experience who lecture you on how the big guys record and mix, uggh. You're so right!

If words had pixels🔥

This is why I stopped watching Peter McCanon and all of the other self-proclaimed "professional filmmakers" on RU-vid for about 2 years now. They mostly only care about 4k, RAW, Slow-motion, Bokeh, B-roll, latest gears, LUTS, Presets, Crop bar and their overpriced courses. Some of these can help you create a good image and video but depending on it is obviously way of looking Filmmaking only on its technicalities rather than its true form- art. A true filmmaker doesn't care much about what gear he's using but he mostly cares about finding a solution to make the best of what he already have instead of buying the so-called "essentials" that mainly consists of overpriced gear that you don't really need if you actually know what you're doing. Let creativity and story rule rather than a camera's specs.

This man knows what it is all about. Listen and learn.

The camera industry, disapproves this message!

Markus: I don’t shoot raw. Jared Polin: Them’s fightin words.

I can't say how much I happy I am to hear that stuff! Nova days everybody wants exactly what you told us now - 10bit camera with all of the "magic" crap. This is why I still use "older" cameras and techniques. Few times I was speaking with my other fellows photographer how I do it, and they've laught at me and giving me the arguments, but the main thing is that what you said - to give your soul ❤️

I shot my best video on a point & shoot camera at 720p. I shot it without thinking, without planning, I just shot it. It's the only work I'm actually proud of. The two RU-vid creators that I idolize the most were profoundly impressed with it and complimented me on it. It's the best story telling I've ever done in under 90 seconds. And I've been doing my best to get back to that organic place. Thanks for this message. I'm inspired again.

It's not the tool, it's the creativity, simple as that.

Markus just sent me on a journey to find my soul

This is by far one of the most brilliant and important videos I've seen regarding gear for those just getting into filmmaking.

Hi Markus. This video is pure gold, it should be compulsory viewing for everyone who ever wanted to create ANYTHING! Many thanks to you and Cara for the huge amount of work you have put out over the years, always enjoy the vids and always take something usable from them each time.

You made my eyes water at the end. I have never done this watching anyone vlog about cameras. The deep passion you have for telling the story instead of worrying about camera specs was so inspiring. Thank you for keeping us focused on what really matters, the human spirit!

This is what I’ve been pursuing. This is real information and professional level experience and why I pay to sit in a movie theater and not pirate a movie. I’ve worked on pain staking no breaks video shoots that literally made you want to quit, just to get the shot right. This is info people pay thousands for. Subscribed 🙏

Dude! You have inspired me to go with my dream. I'm shooting my research and this will be my video to return to when I'm discouraged. This video hit my soul. Whew. Thanks!

My favourite photography video on RU-vid. Nothing else comes close.

I’m having trouble both making my RU-vid videos interesting and getting traction for my traditional art. I find myself obsessing over trying to get better tech to solve this problem. This was brilliant- thank you!

Markus I’m only 3 minutes into the video but you have opened my eyes. I thought I needed all this gear but you are so right. All those amazing movies and pictures were not in raw. It’s all about the lighting and composition and your eyes. Thank you so much!

Truly inspiring! I've been trying to get it in gear to seriously work on my channel for ages. As both a nerd & an artist, it's been really easy to get lured away from prioritizing creativity because the tech is so interesting. But, this pep talk really set me straight. It doesn't matter how expensive the camera is - garbage in, garbage out. Thanks so much!

this guy got it all figured out. Markus, thank you very much for this video! content is more important than over-the-top tools. I've always wondered why photographs of old are so beautiful when in fact they were shot with old SLR cameras that didn't have the advanced resolution of modern-day digital cameras.

Reality check . Everytime I see a camera review, they zoom in on some dark corner to find the 2 dots of grain

This is one of those videos which you watch and remember it for lifetime.❤️💯

Ran across your channel today and man, you are amazing,,,VERY inspirational. I am 57 years old and have learned a lot and came across a LOT of people who seem to talk to just hear themselves talk. Some say so many words with so little substance. You my friend speak fewer words but say so much. I wish there were more people who were blessed with your abilities in communication. Thank you for you being you and being so inspirational.

Thank you very much, Markus! Yours are words of wisdom for any artist out there!

I was art directing back in the early 90's when post production started to become more and more important. We used an ad agency and also a local photographer. The ad agency did a shoot for us. When they sent the pictures there were coffee cups in the shots dust on the products creases in the backdrop. they told me it wasn't a problem now as it could all be removed in Photoshop. Our local guy moved to digital backs on his Hasselblad's but every shot was still perfect. He didn't create himself extra work he just did it right first time. I love technology but I love creativity and skill more :)

You said it! The most dynamic range that modern film has is 13 stops, and all the great movies of the 70's and 80's like The Godfather, Klute, Rocky, Jaws, Annie Hall, ET, were shot on film stock with 8 stops of dynamic range, Kodak 5247. And who cares, they lit them. And one other thing that people go nuts about is chromatic aberration. Look at The Godfather and there are tons of shots with purple fringing. Look a Jaws and you'll see red and green chromatic aberration in many shots. The guys that are the pickiest about dynamic range and CR, are usually the least talented. Just like the guys that hit thumbs down on this video. A bunch of hacks.

I dont think the “above” average guy out there understand where you are coming from. Its just too wise AND the truth. Lovit when you get back to basics. You are a true inspiration Marcus.

What a beautiful message. Thank you Markus.

"Sh*t" - First curse bomb I ever heard Markus drop. Haha.

A lot of people need to hear this, myself included. Thank you Markus!

This hits deep. Thank for pouring your heart out and your brutal honesty. I needed this.

This is very inspiring and I struggle with the pressure that the camera and tech marketers and other camera guys put on new trends and higher resolutions. I am still using video cameras (3 of them) that were made back in 2012 and they work perfectly and they still make great images. I refuse to drink the 4K kool-aid just because someone else is telling me I should. Constantly upgrading gear only benefits the manufacturers because it sure as hell doesn't benefit me. I've never shot a frame of 4K or a RAW photo and I wouldn't know what to do with either one if I did. And it hasn't affected my business or career in the least. I put TONS of pressure on myself where I believe 'everyone' is telling me to upgrade. I am finally learning to ignore those thoughts. My clients have NEVER asked for 4K and if they did I would talk them out of it unless they were planning to present the final product on a 30 ft screen. Thank you for this video! A million times....Thank you!

Certainly why I never touched and understood the obsession with RAW. Great video!

Great video, Markus. I've been a natural history shooter for 30+ years. When I'm shooting birds...with a camera, that is, I want EVERY detail of those gorgeous creatures to come through. When I now look at nature footage I shot in the 80's and 90's, the content is sometimes good, but the images look mushy...standard def footage. Like you, over the last 3 decades I've learned the skills needed to shoot well right out of my camera. I want the viewers' breath taken away by the bird's behavior and habitat, but also by the incredible beauty of the feathers, those tiny ones that circle the eye, the gorgeous tail feather, the clarity, liquid depth and color of the eye...as well as the macro beauty of the bird as a whole, it's posture, the way it uses it's bill, it's motions and vocalizations. Still I want every bit of excruciating little minute detail to be seen by the audience. Agreed, I'd never ask a viewer to zoom in their vision on the detail or the color, but I still want that to be evident in the final output. It's a bit different from dramatic films with humans and dialogue and human drama. It's a different kind of storytelling in the natural history world. We all know people who will watch dramatic pieces, but fall asleep during a great nature film...and folks who will only watch nature films and documentaries, but never dramatic stuff. Finally, when I'm watching a David Attenborough narrated natural history story, I DO NOT want to watch it on a standard def TV. Yes, the story and David's narrative passion and style are such an essential part of those shows, but would be so less impactful without the stunning, high-tech produced images. So make them glorious in their content, composition, sound, movement, detail and vibrant color! One more finally...from a practical $$$ point of view, if you want to create a new show and have it on Netflix (just one of many available distributors), they insist on certain cameras and NONE OF THEM are less than 4K. Of course you are right about CONTENT IS KING, yet you can create a masterpiece on standard or high-def these days and if it doesn't get bought, distributed and viewed, you get nothing. Also, having 4K or greater resolution future-proofs your contents worth and usability. You may have said that, but I didn't recall you mentioning it during this excellent video.

This is such a “Back in my day” video

I didn't expect one of the best motivational speaches watching a video about cameras! It was just what I needed! Thank you so much!!!! I will watch it again when I need to cheer up and get ready to work on my ideas and goals.

We saw what you did there. This lesson applies to everything in life, doesn't it, and not just to photography.

this is the most inspirational thing i have ever heard. needed to hear it.

I so badly needed to hear this. Thank you so much.

I saw one of your video's a few years ago and it got my attention. Then, I caught one of your recent videos and I said to myself, " Who is this guy and how did he get his money"! I could see your efforts in your shots. But, after watching the video where you told your life story and then this video- I put you up there as a role-model for me. I admire your simplistic approach with high results. I am working at being a film maker and your videos are very helpful. So, thank you.

DUDE YOU DA MAN! Story first, quality second is one of the best promotions to new filmmakers. I followed that advice starting last year and know so many peeps that need to follow suit. Cheers bro! You're doing absolutely amazing work, new fan

That was really inspiring and timely as I am launching a production course this morning with teens. This message will be ringing in my ears. Thank you for your words of wisdom.

Peter: “I am nothing without the suit” Ironman: “If you are nothing without the suit, you shouldn’t have it”

Great message, and so very true. Thank you for sharing all you do with us.

I can think of a number of RU-vidr's who need to see this. All they do is obsess (nerd out) over the specs and dismiss good storytelling using the tools at your disposal.

I love the message. Everything boils down to one thing: artform with a soul. 👍👍👍

7:50 whoa, heavy! Thanks for the reminder, it's so refreshing to hear someone talk about developing the craft instead of obsessing over the gear.

2COOL Markus, the craft of understanding the "Craft". The no-nonsense keeps me returning

I can't lie bro you're the only youtuber who's ever actually inspired me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you for this video! I needed this :-)

Like the phrase that nothing can replace creativity and that gear is not always the most important.

It's true, I have spend all of my money for better equipments and I have all of them. But I still feel something prevent me from doing what I should be doing, it's my soul.

What an amazing story told here. Great video, Markus!

Simply an amazing, heartwarming, heartfelt, veracious, intellectual and intelligent message!!! Thank you!!!

Im so thankful I found this channel. So reaffirming. And inspiring. Thank you for the reminder.

WOW!! This was one of the most inspiring things, I have ever seen. Thank you so much. You spoke directly to my heart!

THIS was THE video I was waiting for and I didn't even know it - thank you sir! :-)

Such a needed content and a celebration of what real photography should be: painting and sculpting with light

I think I love you now :D Thanks for this video. Being resourceful with whatever we get at the moment is a real measure of our creative minds.

I came across with one of your videos. Man, I can't stop watching all of them. Your amazing!

I couldn’t agree more. A lot of people need to hear this.

I used to with a Canon t2i for many years. Then when I finally got my BMPCC4K, my work started getting better. I do agree with you about creativity and being an artist, but I do believe that there is an element of expanding your vision with better gear. In any case, I appreciate your motivation for sure.

Thank you for one of the most inspiring, authentic videos I have ever seen!

Great and powerful message, Markus! Congratulations, and thanks to share this video.

Just what I needed to hear. I've got so many cameras and mounts now that it's crazy. I need to get my ass into gear and make more videos instead. You're talent is beyond amazing. Your advice is the best.

I have been losing all my addictions, including ones I never thought I had, thanks to you and Cara. Freedom takes their places every time. I now want the same for my fellow humans. Thank you.

you make so much sense!!!!!! it is so refreshing to hear your talk. You understand!

This video is so comfy, I always come back to it when I need inspiration.

You were racing cars in the early 80s? How old are you, ya vampire?

The creative world needs to see this video!!! As an amateur, I've realized I've been severely limiting myself by putting too much emphasis on specs. This changed my mindset, thank you so much.

I just bought a new Bmpcc 4K and loads of accessories. I needed to hear this! Thank you!

This is the message I needed to receive, thank you.

Im 50yrs old, been shooting since i was a teenager. Im glad i was introduced to photography back in the film days, first thing you learn is self discipline. I had 24 shots for the week, cause i was broke couldn't afford more than one roll of film per week. So, You had to think before you shot, is the subject 'picture worthy', do i have all my settings correct? but most important thing of all is Composition & the story telling. There is a reason why theres a saying "A picture is worth a thousand words". Nowadays I see people bragging about how sharp and what great quality a camera is, meanwhile i look at their pictures and the next day i have forgotten about them, Its like reading a crappy story on the most expensive paper one can find. I still behave like i did when i first started shooting, i never shoot anything unless its picture worthy & it tells a story. Also, i dont check my photos sometimes for weeks after i have shot them, i like to build up the suspense, It reminds me of the most beautiful part of photography back in the film days, the suspense if you got it right after you developed your film. The self tapping on my shoulder if i got it right, the anger if i got it wrong! Still to this day i carry a note pad, describing the light, when i take photos, Cameras now give you all the info, but they cant describe where the sun, or light source was, at what direction its coming from. Anyways, blah blah blah.. Great vid Markus!

I absolutely agree. HOWEVER, the increased dynamic range in raw is ONE MORE TOOL and that's why I use it. I don't throw out good tools.

So true! Nowadays, we're not relying on creativity but computer and technology.

Thank you for this message. This one meant a lot.