Chasing compliments has its like button these days. I think you're absolutely right to avoid the number next to the thumbs up and the likes. Just like somehow ignoring the "nice picture" comment from people who might ask for a favour in the future. Well, maybe or maybe not, but you get my point, I suppose. Besides that we don't gain progress from such nice words, it's actually a little step backwards in our way to - well - perfection. I guess those people - being good people in all - don't realise that getting better at what we do is important to us. Another thing that comes to my mind, is that these days people want things to happen in a click, is that they go with the promises of the marketing department and start to think that the newest cameras (or gear in general) will deliver those pictures they have in mind. My opinion is that it - also - takes time to get to that point by practising and no machine can really know what the image in my mind really is. Inside my head are dozens of images that I would like to take and while handling a camera, they might cross my mind and I'll try to accomplish that goal. More often it takes multiple instances to eventually get close and seldom I really get the shot I was dreaming of. That might have something to do with reaching out to perfection, but when ageing, I find myself being more able to put things into perspective and that helps me to get to my goals even faster, because what is perfection if it's impossible to reach? Perfect to me is when I am pleased with the result. That also excludes the opinion of others, unless they can provide me with meaningful feedback. Many thanks, Martin, for making the time to create videos like these. It's important that we now and then take the time to think a little deeper about our job or hobby and that's exactly what you accomplish.
Merry Christmas. This is such sage advice. As a perfectionist, it’s something I need to hear. I’ve been working to learn this craft for at least a decade. The YT mantra that you just need to watch this video or masterclass and you will magically be a “pro”, is actually rather distracting and destructive. I’ve learned from these videos, but nothing does more for progress than just getting out and shooting. Have a productive and prosperous new year.
Thank You very much for sharing your personal experiences, as well as insights, with me. Your views are not only deeply rooted. They turn out to be time-saving and encouraging for myself. I wish you a merry Christmas!🙏👋
Feedback is vital for progressing. I am fortunate enough to have a friend that is a professional photographer. He critically reviews my photos, and has made me a better photographer. Merry Christmas Martin!
Merry Christmas Chief! So grateful for everything you do for this little community - here's to 2024 being filled with hard work and incredible opportunities.
Merry Christmas, Martin! I particularly like the point you made about being reluctant to show your work to obtain constructive feedback, since I've struggled with this myself. Also, if I don't photograph much for a few months I am back on a surprisingly steep learning curve when I start shooting regularly again.
Merry Christmas. You are talking Photojournalism. Did that years ago. All photographers should take a short course in PJ to learn exactly what you are talking about. A picture should tell a story.
Merry xmas, Martin! Great insight as always but I think the part that really resonated with me the most was the one about perfectionism and why it's not necessarily all that good.
This is powerful. I havent done any of this to be honest. I live in a bubble to be honest about it so I have never bothered trying to be critical of my photography and I fear I am not alone in this. Your points are well taken, thank you.
A big obstacle to many in their way to creativity is the fact that the camera is not a real human eye, it sees and interprets the world differently, therefore, something that is not pleasing to the eye looks great in pictures and vice versa. One should learn to see the world through the eye of their camera and that, as you said, takes practice, practice, practice. For example, if one translates from one language to another it is impossible to just translate the words because most of the time they will bear no meaning or sense. This is exactly what a camera is designed to do to translate reality by using digits. Once a picture is taken it is not a reality anymore it is the camera's version of the real image. So, GET TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA! Thank you for the great videos!
Hi! Just a quick question about the 5D Mark III, which I don’t recall you talking about much on this channel. I was looking for deals on MPB for a secondary camera (mainly 5D2) to my 6D but quickly realized that the 5D3 has dropped in price so much that price difference between that and the 6D is now extremely negligible. So I was wondering that do you have personal experience of the 5D3 and whether you’d recommend it over the 5D2 or buying another 6D?
@@MartinCastein thank you, Martin. The superior AF is particularly of interest to me as the AF on the 6D isn’t that good so I’m sure the pairing of 5D3 & 6D would complement each other very well
I really love your photography approach and philosophy (photography-centric not gear-centric) are you going to be releasing a wedding photography master class, thank you for the great content
Merry Christmas Martin. I absolutely agree with you. For honest feedback and inspiration I joined a photography club a long time ago. And it worked for me.