The Art of Photography

There was some incredible photography submitted this week for the latest photo assignment! Photo Assignment #8 is to interpret still life. I’m particularly excited that a few people used street photography as an approach to their work with still life. I’m particularly excited to see you incorporating cross-genre approaches to your photography! Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

The Artist Series, Season 2 – 5 photographers. Keith Carter, Graciela Iturbide, David Brookover, Lourdes Grobet and Pedro Meyer. Starts June 28 and new videos every Wednesday. I’m extremely proud of these and I hope you enjoy them. Thank you to the photography community that made this possible. These videos are for you. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Today’s vlog is about my last week teaching YouTube camp! I got suckered into spending 5 days with 11 middle school students and had one of the best times of my life. These kids were brilliant. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Here is photo assignment #8 – this time we will be looking at various examples and context for Still Life as it applies to photography. If you would like to submit your photography for the viewer work video, please see how to do it here: Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Fujifilm has designed a photography gem with the Fujifilm X-T2. The feature I’m most impressed by is the way they have considered the user experience of photographers in the design. The Fujifilm X-t2 is one of the most intuitive mirrorless cameras I’ve used and I think its an example for all camera manufacturers to learn from. This video is sponsored by Squarespace for a free trial and 10% off your order visit http://squarespace.com/aop and use offer code AOP on checkout Make your next move with Squarespace Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Last week B&H sent over a Fujifilm X-T2 for me to check out. This camera is seriously amazing… Get yours at B&H: https://goo.gl/XSmydW Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

In this edition of photo assignments – I’ll show your photography for Photo Assignment #7 :: Motion. There is some incredible work submitted this week – thank you all for participating! Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

I’ve got some news with the Artist Series – I’m in the middle of finishing the next 5 videos. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes of what’s going on. The next round of videos will feature some fabulous photographers – Keith Carter, David Brookover, Graciela Iturbide, Lourdes Grobet and Pedro Meyer. I’m really excited and there is some fantastic photography and interviews.

This is the definitive guide on how to participate in Photo Assignments. We do these every Monday so subscribe to keep up to date! Remember on social to use the hashtag #photoassignments - you can at reply me as @tedforbes Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr For 25% your first 6 months, use offer code tedforbes25

Photo Assignment #7 :: How To Use Motion in Photography Understanding how to use motion in photography can give your images more energy and dimension. Here are 5 examples of various ways you can use various techniques to show motion in photography. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr For 25% your first 6 months, use offer code tedforbes25

I’ve been using the Nikon P900 to photograph the moon a lot lately. Its not a great camera by any stretch, but it does have a 2000mm equivalent focal length on the lens which makes it a very capable special use camera. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr For 25% your first 6 months, use offer code tedforbes25

At long last, YOUR work from Photo Assignments #6 :: Photo Sequences. This is one of the things I love most about photography and making these videos. This work is outstanding!!! Thumbnail image by Andrew Miller Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr For 25% your first 6 months, use offer code tedforbes25

Get the cinematic film look by using a stabilizer on your camera. I’ve had the ikan beholder ms-1 for a few months now and I’ve found some ways to incorporate it into using it for vlogging. Check out my friend Chris Prouse – she’s an excellent film maker and has a great channel. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr For 25% your first 6 months, use offer code tedforbes25

I’ve been asked about grading stills using DaVinci Resolve. You’re not going to be replacing Lightroom or Photoshop for everyday editing, but you can do a lot with stills in Resolve. This video is sponsored by Squarespace For a free trail and 10% off your subscription, visit http://squarespace.com/aop and use offer code AOP on checkout.

Well, its been a month that we’ve had to work on the latest photo assignment so a friendly reminder to get the submitted. Let’s also talk about perfection in photography. Does it even exist? At what point is it time to turn something in?

There is one thing in photography that has declined to the brink of extinction in recent years – photography books. The economy has changed, they are expensive to print, photographers tend to live online now. But other than sparse museum catalogs, if it weren’t for Steidl and a few other publishers, books wouldn’t be currently produced. Support art and support photography – on both the local and global levels. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Fear is probably the biggest roadblock in photography or any other creative medium. Fear is what keeps us from pursuing our goals and our dreams. We all have fears but creative fears usually relate to our own self confidence and at the core our own egos.

I’ve been using the Sony RX100 V as my vlogging camera since it came out last year. It has quickly become my go to for its ability to record 4k video and its extremely small and portable.

I received 3 amazing books from Dutch photographer Bastiaan Woud and some other amazing photography in the mail today. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr For 25% off use offer code tedforbes25 Bastiaan Woudt http://www.bastiaanwoudt.com/ Pablo Contreras http://www.fotoviajante.net/ David Arnavat https://500px.com/davidarnavat Jake Horn http://jakehornphotography.com/

With the announcement of the new Sony A9 comes a serious camera but with a very high price tag. Will I be getting a Sony Alpha 9? Well, its complicated. I’ve had a LOT of Sony cameras over the years. Bought every one of them with my own, hard earned money. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr For 25% your first 6 months, use offer code tedforbes25 LED lights I am using in the studio http://amzn.to/2oYvWab

Today Sony announced the newest addition to the Sony Alpha line up – the Sony A9. Targeted at professional sports photographers and photojournalists, this camera offers high performance aimed at the Nikon and Canon dominated DSLR market. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

What if Ansel Adams or Henri Cartier-Bresson we’re on Instagram? How many likes would they have? Would Ansel have a drone? Would Henri Cartier-Bresson have followers? Is the golden age of photography over? Are there too many photographers today? Everyone has a camera on their cell phone – does that make everyone a photographer? The answer is right in front of our eyes, but we have to look at what they did.

Is being associated with a place important in photography? Photographer Keith Carter once told me he heard the author Horton Foote say that it is part of being an artist to embrace your surroundings. So today, as a YouTuber and photographer I will take you along to explore my home town. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Lets talk about creative work. Creativity is not something you are born with or without. We all have it and its up to us to decide how we want to use it. We live in a consumer based society and creative work is more important now than ever. Looks like we’re going to hit 300,000 subscribers today. Thank YOU!!! Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

What is conceptual photography? How do we come up with ideas? These are important questions for this month’s photo assignment which deals with creating photo sequences. Enjoy a step by step walk through of my process. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Found a way to fix the pesky auto-focus drift issue in the Panasonic GH5. Bit of a vlog on this, since its Friday we have to talk about creativity and answer a few questions. Check out Rory Marion/Cinematography Today https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSndXNbLgyeSXVTa9Unlxg Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

I just got my new Panasonic GH5 in the mail today. I’ve been completely amped about this camera since its announcement. So what’s the verdict? I just got it but lets do some test footage today and see how it all looks. This video is sponsored by Squarespace.com For a free trial and 10% off your order, visit http://squarespace.com and use offer code AOP on checkout Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Today was career day and I got asked to speak with some 6th graders on being a photographer with a YouTube channel. AND I have some more amazing zines and other photography from the mail to share with you! Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Back in this video with another photo assignment for you. This time we're working with Photo Sequences. Photography has yielded serious works from photographers such as Eadweard Muybridge and later Duane Michals as an entire medium. In this video we'll look at their work as a starting point for our own Photo Sequences. If you are new to Photo Assignments - start here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB0rtvtmdF8&list=PLGEE7pGLuppRkSVEpl7Qt57aYrQy2uH8r&index=15

Mail time once again! Haven’t done one in a while and there are some wonderful photo projects to share with you. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr ========= Tom Barr :: Shetland OO http://www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk/Shetland-Oo-b Lee Johnson https://leejo.github.io/ Ed Ruttledge http://eruttledge.zenfolio.com/ KOSS https://www.koss.com/

This week’s photo assignment is simply called RED – there are some amazing photos here. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

I often address topics related to creativity and inspiration in photography. I also firmly believe that one of the strongest ways to stay inspired and create new things is to have influences outside the photography world. Chef's Table on Netflix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKqj85oo2wI&list=PLGEE7pGLuppT9IthLu41d5vpgfF9HhQiL&index=8 Brewmasters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y75GzfxClOg&list=PLGEE7pGLuppT9IthLu41d5vpgfF9HhQiL&index=7

Richard Avedon began his most seminal body of work called In The American West in the late 70’s. Commissioned by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art it hasn’t been displayed in the museum since the opening. Currently there is a small show of selections from the work. I have a plan of doing a deep dive with these photographs.

Understanding color and using a color palette approach to composition can give more power to your photos, particularly when you want to use accent colors. Limiting these palettes can draw the viewer in to your photo and make a bold statement.

Are photos from a DSLR better than photos from an iPhone? Is 35mm better than large format? Does any of this matter? Cameras don’t make pictures, people do. Lets talk about why your gear does NOT matter.

Photo Assignments are a bi-weekly photo challenge designed for all of us to improve our creative thinking, learn and become better photographers. Thumbnail image by Lee Parry

My 9th grade year had to be the low point of my life. This is a story about the remarkable person who changed everything.

Introduced in 1988, the Nikon F4 is one of the classics in the F series of 35mm SLR film cameras. It was the second flagship Nikon camera to incorporate autofocus (after the Nikon F3AF in 1983) and also added Matrix metering to the lineup. I bough mine in the early 2000’s and it was my main camera for several years. One of the best film cameras Nikon made and here are 5 reasons why you should own one. Music by Joey Pecoraro https://fanlink.to/tiredboy

Photo Assignment #4 was to work with shooting from high camera angles. This is probably the best work that has been submitted yet. I’m seeing some really serious improvement in the photos you all are taking! Thumbnail image by Richard Watson Music by Joey Pecoraro http://fanlink.to/tiredboy

Doubt is the necessary evil of creativity. We all doubt our photography, we all doubt the work we are doing. Learning how to manage doubt is the key to success in the creative work that you are trying to achieve as a photographer. 10 YEAR PHOTO ESSAY BY JOHN FREE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65Hd36RS2CM

I’ve been working with the Panasonic 12mm 1.4 Leica Summilux for a few weeks now and wanted to share some images and video footage from this lens. Not only is it incredible, but its making me thing very differently about micro 4/3 in general. This thing is amazing. Get it at B&H: https://goo.gl/d1U4uA This video is sponsored by Squarespace For a free trail and 10% off your initial order, visit http://squarespace.com and use offer code AOP on checkout.

This is the third photo assignment in a series on camera angles. Much like low angle photography, shooting from high angles has a sense of drama but in the opposite way we achieve it from low angles. Be sure to share your work on social media using the hashtag #photoassignments – for Facebook you can post your images on the Art of Photography page directly. https://www.facebook.com/TheArtofPhotography/

There’s something that’s bothering me about the online photography community that I want to get off my chest. I know I can’t control how people behave but I think this is worth opening a discussion about. Don’t feed the trolls.

Color plays a unique role in photography when its used effectively. In the early days of photography, images were rendered in monochrome. Today we have the unique advantage of unlimited possibilities with technology to do almost anything we can imagine, but the challenge of color still remains. Color is most effective when it plays an important roll in the image. Books: Ernst Haas – Color Correction http://amzn.to/2lMOsmw Luigi Ghirri – Kodachrome http://amzn.to/2kNQhjF Saul Leiter – Early Color http://amzn.to/2lHbwmp

I got a letter this week from Erin who is 14 and wants to pursue a career in photography and film making. She asked me what is the most important lesson that I have learned as a photographer.

Photo Assignment #3 was a study in eye-level composition. Eye-level is a pretty open ended concept, but I felt it was worth doing since we were doing low and high angle photography and all three deal with essentially how you would photograph using depth. It was really amazing to see the range of interpretation of the photos people submitted. If you’d like to see all of the submissions – use the hashtag #photoassignments on Twitter and Instagram or visit the Facebook page. Poster image by Michael Mottlau

The Panasonic Lumix GX850 – aka the GF800 or the GF9 depending on where in the world you live, is the latest offering from Panasonic. This camera features a compact design but has a micro 4/3 sensor and the ability to change lenses. There are a few stumbling blocks, but this is an excellent camera for traveling and vlogging and comes in at an amazing price point. Get it at B&H https://goo.gl/1XAE9m This video is sponsored by Squarespace – For a free trial and 10% off your order, visit Squarespace.com and use offer code AOP on checkout.

Got confirmation on a project literally 2 days ago - so here we are back in New York City.

The results are in - here are some viewer submissions for Photo Assignment 1. Honestly I didn't think anyone would do the journal - its a lot of work but I was shocked at the number of people who did them! If you want to see more, Facebook and Twitter seemed to be the most popular for submitting. Here are some links: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheArtofPhotography (I've pinned the post to the top of the page) Twitter - https://twitter.com/search?vertical=default&q=%23photoassignments&src=typd

A few months ago I did a video called NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY. In that video I expressed an importance for photographers to make work that matters. That has quickly become the photography question I get asked the most about.