The Art of Photography

The Q&A session got a little personal today but I did enjoy it. Rarely do I talk about my own work or my influences, but you ask I answer. Lets get to it!

Catching up on viewer mail - there is some amazing stuff to share with you today! Big thanks to those who have shared their photography on the channel. David Sumner :: With Liberty and Justice For All http://www.bigcrow.com/ Chris Smith :: Print Emiliano Rodriguez :: Scattered Black and White https://www.instagram.com/hiddendo_/ Wim Winters :: Authentic Sound The Beethoven Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hQzG-CATQM Order his CD here: https://www.authenticsound.be/yourselection/ Travis Dewitz :: Blaze Orange http://www.dewitzphotography.com/

Okay I'm half serious here - this is the Stork Mach 1 - sister to the smaller Sparrow M1. While joking around with a friend I set out to build the ultimate selfie stick! Whether you're making photographs, video, live-streaming, light or dark, no matter what the climate. This thing has you covered. Parts List: Generic Tripod Mount for iPhone http://amzn.to/2igstBS MeFoto SideKick360 (small) http://amzn.to/2j36cZn MeFoto SideKick360 Plus (for larger phones) http://amzn.to/2iaQMD4 Friction Arm http://amzn.to/2jsgMWM K-Edge Camera Mount Adapter http://amzn.to/2jghmHM Aputure LED light http://amzn.to/2iaPFDf Tascam DR-10SG mic with internal recorder http://amzn.to/2jsj48l

Photo Assignment #2 will explore variations on low-angle point-of-view photography. The subject matter is open to your own choice, but everything must be shot at ground level. Use the concepts we worked on in the first assignment. Use your journal, print your work, comment and remember to shoot variations.

Here's a tutorial on syncing audio with video in post production. I'll cover Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere CC and iMovie. If you want to build a Sparrow Mach 1 for yourself, here's the complete parts list on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2j2ock8

Rumors are circulating about a Hasselblad acquisition from DJI, Ektachrome is brought back from the dead and I'll answer some questions about creativity…

Canon announces the new Powershot G9 X Mark II What is new? Not that much… Preorder at B&H Silver - https://goo.gl/Ac10nI Black - https://goo.gl/mdKwxb

CES is going on in Las Vegas this week as we see Panasonic finally deliver their flagship camera that we've been waiting for. After the quick tease at Photokina, the Panasonic Lumix GH5 is finally here. Pre-Order now at B&H :: https://goo.gl/QWQG2f

Happy New Year! I haven’t done mail time in a while so that’s what we are doing in this video – thanks to everyone who sent something in! If you want to send me something – the address is below. Thanks to Lukas Hüsgen, Quentin Cherrier, Jon Wilkening, Emil Handke and Fabaine/Erick!

Answering your photography questions… by far the most popular of them relate to getting your work into galleries or seen by museum curators. Lets talk about that. Leading a creative life means being creative in other areas as well. I think this is vital to photography or any of the arts for that matter. Photographers tend to chase careers that are decades behind us. The answer is KAWS. KAWS is the moniker of contemporary artist and designer Brian Donnelly who works out of Brooklyn. If a graffiti artist can have a career like this, what are the possibilities for photographers? This video is sponsored by Squarespace For a free trail and 10% off your subscription, visit http://squarespace.com and use offer code AOP on checkout.

Responses to some questions from Facebook Here are the recommended books on creative thinking: Edward de Bono :: Six Thinking Hats http://amzn.to/2hJRuU1 Edward de Bono :: Lateral Thinking http://amzn.to/2gMkfxp

As we close out the year and get ready for the new, I thought I'd say a few words about goals in your photography. Gary Vaynerchuk https://www.youtube.com/user/GaryVaynerchuk

This has been an amazing year! I thought it would be fun in the spirit of YouTube Rewind to take a look back at all the amazing things that have happened in the last year. Including outtakes… Thank you all for an amazing year. I’m humbled and excited to ramp up for the next. You haven’t seen anything yet!

The first photograph ever is a heliograph made by Nicéphor Niépce in 1825 of a rooftop in France. Its an extremely early example and the oldest surviving object in the history of photography. Despite my close relationship with this photograph, I have never actually seen it in person – until now. Come along to Austin Texas and see the earliest surviving photograph in history.

The Lumix LX10 is the latest point and shoot camera from Panasonic. This camera packs a ton of premium features and is designed to compete in the higher end compact market with cameras like the Sony RX100 V. Panasonic Lumix LX10 at B&H: https://goo.gl/mBvmKK at Amazon: http://amzn.to/2gswYc3

Working on my journal for photo assignments. I’m going to share with you how I am putting mine together and what I’m already learning from my own work. Sponsored by Squarespace For a free trial and 10% off your subscription, visit http://squarespace.com and use offer code AOP on checkout.

Casey Neistat is probably the most successful vlogger of our time. Starting in 2015 he decided to make a video every day for… well until he got bored. Over the next 18 months he exploded to over 5.8 million subscribers and over 1.2 billion views. Casey has been an enormous influence on the work that I do, but more importantly he completely changed the entire scope of inline video. This is just a quick thank you.

I've recently started using the Manfrotto BeFree Live as part of my travel vlogging camera setup. I've used Manfrotto tripods for years but I've never had one that travelled well - until now. The BeFree Live folds down extremely well - you can fit it easily as a carry-on for airlines, but it still has the height and durability to use in standard photography applications. If you want one of the best tripod options available for travel and vlogging, this is it. Manfrotto BeFree Live at B&H https://goo.gl/2P7jYI Manfrotto BeFree Live at Amazon http://amzn.to/2gpe3wH Sponsored by Manfrotto

The most asked questions that I've had - "are you using the mic's on the RX100 V" or "does the RX100 V have a built in mic input". The answer to both is no, but I will share a little secret. I present to you, the Sparrow Mach I… a run-and-gun shooting rig that I have built for the RX100 V. Parts: RODE Videomicro http://amzn.to/2fXH6pO ZOOM H1 Recorder http://amzn.to/2fYYb6n Vello Flash Bracket http://amzn.to/2fXCC2I SmallRig Male to Male 1/4" adapter

I’ve been very lucky to work with some of the very best photographers living today. There is one thing I’ve noticed they all have in common.

I went and shot the biggest Supermoon in the last 68 years. This is how I did it.

Some questions from Photo Assignment #1 and a little motivation.

Some questions from Photo Assignment #1 and a little motivation.

The first in our series on photo assignments deals with the concept of variation in photography. Objective: it expand your capacity for creative thinking. Edward De Bono suggested that often we develop habits based on our minds ability to store equations to solve problems. If we want to do X – our brain selects a way we know how to do it. So how do we change this and force new “equations”? This is what we will discover in this assignment. Edward De Bono :: Lateral Thinking http://amzn.to/2fk1Dp6

The Sony RX100 V is the latest compact camera in the sony lineup. Building on the success of the RX100 IV, Sony has added a redesigned stacked sensor and DRAM chip. The camera now features 315 phase-detection autofocus points and supports continuous high speed shooting at up to 24 frames per second. The RX100 series has been one of the industry standard cameras for vlogging and on the go shooting. Sony RX100 V at B&H: https://goo.gl/J3dksK Sony RX100 V at Amazon: http://amzn.to/2enb3BQ

So its that time of the year – time for a special Halloween edition of the Art of Photography. In this video I have a special guest and we’ll be talking about the “skotographs” of Madge Donohoe (made between 1921 and 1939). Her vintage photographs of the occult personified the darker side of the roaring 20’s and paved the way for experimental “thought photographers” of the 1960’s. This video is sponsored by Squarespace. For a free trial, visit http://squarespace.com/aop and for 10% off, use offer code AOP on checkout.

As we move into Photo Assignments I want to suggest getting creative with old cameras. Modern cameras offer most photographers more options than they will ever use. A GREAT photographer should be able to create GREAT images on any camera. This is where creative thinking comes into play. The limitations of dated equipment force you to change your approach. It often spawns creativity. The Amateur Photographer's Handbook :: http://amzn.to/2eaMrv2

PHOTOGRAPHER SKETCHBOOKS In the last video I introduced the idea of Photo Assignments. I want to talk about the sketchbook or journal concept a little more. Josef Koudelka :: Nationality Doubtful http://amzn.to/2e62JsW Photographer Sketchbooks http://amzn.to/2efWqzH Keri Smith :: Wreck This Journal http://amzn.to/2e61V7n Subscribe for more videos! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=theartofphotography

Photo Assignments is a thing. Photo Assignments is a monthly opportunity to challenge your creative thinking and approach to the photographs you make. Photo Assignments are a free photography course.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS :: ARE THEY WORTH IT? I got an email with a frequently asked question about photography competitions. Are they worth the time and money? I’ve got some thoughts to share with everyone on this. Black and White Magazine: http://www.bandwmag.com/ Communication Arts: http://www.commarts.com/

Sony announced the new RX100 V compact camera last week. I have been a huge fan of the series having owned the Mark III and the Mark IV and have been using them for the last few years. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V :: https://goo.gl/73y9r0 Major improvements are announced with the autofocus speed and tracking as well as other improvements to 4k video and HFR slow motion shooting.

Jacques Henri Lartigue is one of the great photographers of the 20th century – known for his whimsical, action based black and white work. Many people are not as familiar with his color photography. Beautiful and engaging, it is very different than the Lartigue we’re familiar with. Book: Lartigue, Life In Color – http://amzn.to/2d4yFej Lartigue’s color photography was done during 2 different periods. The first was his use of Autochrome plates from 1911-1926. Autochrome had a specific look used by photographers such as Heinrich Kuen. Lartigue went back to color a second time in the mid 1950’s with film as by this time he was shooting 35mm with his Leica’s and 120 format with his Rolleiflex. The work from this period is absolutely wonderful and rivals many of his contemporaries doing color work at the mid-century such as Saul Leiter.

Yeah, I ate it riding Sara Dietschy's Boosted Board. But otherwise it was a great trip to NYC! In fact, the Boosted Board was sheer fun all the way to the pavement. Check out: Eric Rossi https://www.youtube.com/user/EricRossi25 Sara Dietschy https://www.youtube.com/c/saradietschy K&M Camera http://kmcamera.com/

Sponsored by Canon :: Canon invited me to the Canon 5D Mark IV Launch Event at the Whitney Museum of American Art! Canon worked with 4 photographers who were given the 5D Mark IV and 24 hours to make something. The resulting photographs and video were released at the event as the first images made on the Canon 5D Mk IV. I also had an opportunity to talk to Technical Specialist Drew MacCallum about some of his favorite aspects of the 5D Mark IV including touch screen focus, burst rates, 4K video recording, why the chose to do a cropped 4k and the Motion JPEG codec. Featured Photographers: Roberto Valenzuela Jendra Jarnagin Sue Bryce Alex Strohl Also special guest appearances by Tony and Chelsea Northrup https://www.youtube.com/user/VistaClues

The Canon 5D Mark IV was announced today. This has certainly been a much anticipated release. So now that we have the specs how does the 5D Mk IV stack up? Lets talk about that. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV available September 8, 2016 Find it at B&H: http://goo.gl/bT2ilZ

Well, I'm back - sorry about the delay… its been busy around here trying to finish a few projects. I have some things to share with you as we get back into the normal schedule! Book: The Radical Camera: http://amzn.to/2bjgT7q Sony RX10 Mark III: http://goo.gl/DFsMyh Panasonic Lumix GX8: http://goo.gl/hrBebH

I am considering adding the idea of regular photography assignments as part of the videos that I make here. This would give you the chance as a photographer to react to the ideas that we talk about on the show. But I need your feedback first – is this something you would find useful or fun to do? Let me know in the comments!

The term “storytelling” gets applied to a lot of things. As it used to be commonly associated with literature now seems applicable to a wider range of tasks. In this video I want to open the conversation with a question. Is photography storytelling? Featuring Ansel Adams, W Eugene Smith, Richard Avedon and Duane Michals

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit the Arlington Museum of Art to see their exhibition Vivian Maier :: Lost And Found, Street Photography 1950-1970. Vivian Maier at the Arlington Museum of Art DVD: Finding Vivian Maier http://amzn.to/29p6bbN Books: Vivian Maier: A Photographer Found http://amzn.to/29ocTzR Vivian Maier: Street Photographer http://amzn.to/29p5Upk

LUT is an acronym for “Look Up Table” – these are used frequently in color grading. These are files you can load in to your editor and apply to your footage to achieve certain looks to your footage – commonly these emulate various film stocks. Links: Some free LUTS to start with https://www.groundcontrolcolor.com/free-luts.html http://juanmelara.com.au/print-film-emulation-luts-for-download/ ImpulZ Luts from Ground Control http://www.colorgradingcentral.com/impulz/ DaVinci Resolve from BlackMagic Design https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve

This last week saw the passing of another major figure in the photography world. Dave Heath passed away on his birthday, June 27 at the age of 85. Book: Multitude, Solitude http://amzn.to/29c3Hvd

Don’t hate the game! Social Media is essential if you want to get your work out. These are some thoughts on how to get it to work for you. Check out Gary Vaynerchuk – https://www.youtube.com/user/GaryVaynerchuk Tyler Sharp – https://www.instagram.com/tylersharpphoto/?hl=en

Catherine Balet :: Looking For the Masters In Ricardo’s Golden Shoes Special thanks to my friend Thierry for sending me this wonderful book. Check out his Paris gallery! Galerie Thierry Bigaignon http://www.thierrybigaignon.com/ Catherine Balet http://www.catherinebalet.com/ Looking For the Masters in Ricardo’s Golden Shoes Amazon – http://amzn.to/29d2pCe

Just a few quick thoughts about cameras that are being produced today. I’ve got 2 Panasonic cameras I’m working on reviews for. Both are great but essential features are inconsistent camera to camera. This happens with Sony and many others as well… let me know your thoughts. Am I the only one who gets annoyed with this? Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 http://goo.gl/Tsxdvx Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 http://goo.gl/GuHrSq

Open for discussion. Creative thinking is probably more valuable to commercial work than in the art world, but it can be harder to execute. Disclaimer – I’m NOT a commercial photographer. I have friends that are and that’s the extent of my experience. I make videos about photography for YouTube. If that makes you mad then get over it.

Photography and sushi you say? Its about craft and dedication. Ralph Gibson http://www.ralphgibson.com/ Jiro Dreams of Sushi on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/search/jiro%20dreams%20of%20sushi

Sorry for the delay - the feed will be updated over the next few days.

Nobody cares about your photography. The world doesn't need any more photographers. It doesn't need anymore musicians, writers, filmmakers, artists or actors either. We have enough. Its over-saturated. BUT The world's survival is completely dependent on work that matters.

Another sad loss today as we remember The New York Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham. Bill is best known for his regular NYT features, On The Street and Evening Hours. Bill's editorial styles featured fashion curation, writing and of course his trademark street photography style. Bill Cunningham New York (film) http://zeitgeistfilms.com/billcunninghamnewyork/ On The Street http://www.nytimes.com/video/on-the-street

If you use Lightroom, you probably use lens-presets to even out distortions and chromatic aberrations. But what if you use old manual focus lenses? There's a method for creating custom lens presets in Lightroom just as development presets. In this video I will show you how.