I found this video at a time in my life when I have many arguments with people about photography not being able to pay the bills unless someone gives you a major brake, and your really good and prepared.. I’ve jumped in financially at a time when I may have been better to think a bit more… before going to B&H and a Canon R5 and 70-200 MM lens.. I wanted to create Beaty from my eye through a medium the way I saw it, and get paid to do it.. the reality… my girlfriend left me, took our daughter and scolded my audacity to think I could circumvent the capitalist ideology of working a 9-5… 😂 this is where I’ll stop good night

Thanks for the video.

i feel like the city is a different atmosphere from the rest of the bay

My standard operating procedure is to check out postcards from the venue that I’m going to be attending. At least it gives me a good starting point. It does not bother me at all that it’s been photographed before.

In this case I move the switch to a multiple exposure position and rotate film winder to put the mirror down

A very relevant subject. Thank you for discussing it. FWIW I agree people should be able to celebrate whatever subjects they enjoy. And hang it on your wall. But it gets more complicated when you also expect discerning eyes to celebrate a cliche photograph or even discern it from hundreds or thousands of similar looking images. Having interest in your photos for others is challenging when it’s say, another light house at sunrise or sunset (I’m from Maine). Iconic locations have a siren song but there IS a thin line between iconic and cliche. One of the best pieces of feedback I have ever received and I still carry it as a filter was “ I’ve seen that a hundred times”. Being different just to be different isn’t the path forward either. My thought is just do what you like and have something to say and contribute to others looking at your images.

Great job!! Love your work 👏

The more you study the early days of photography (and of course, any serious artist should study the history of all artforms*), the more you realize that it's nearly impossible to be truly "original." If you look long and hard enough, you'll be able to find images similar to those that have followed. You're totally right about bringing your own vision to creating any image. I always try to find alternative approaches rather than the "obvious" ones. *When i was a naïve art student (well, true artists never stop being students, so let's just say much younger), I didn't want to study the work of others, as I wanted to be "original"--now that's naïve! The book "Steal Like an Artist" really drives home that point. Obviously, don't try to make your work look like someone else's (unless it's learning exercise), but certainly allow yourself to be inspired. Your true self will come out in the end if you let it.

Bravo...

I found the information really interesting - thank you!

100% agree with everything you said 😊

In my opinion, the best video of yours that I have ever seen. Thank you very much!

Good advice, good video! One thing I really like about popular and photogenic places such as Kuala Lumpur, where I was lucky enough to live for a couple of years, is that you can wander around all day with a proper camera and no one bats an eyelid when you are taking photos! Bliss!

That was outstanding advice. Thanks for another excellent video.

I travel on a yearly basis to Venice in Italy. I do this every carnival to photograph masks and costumes. So you can imagine how I try to leave with images that are original to me. This place is over photographed and flashed to death. Originality can only be achieved by making a vision come true that you have in your own mind. So my mindset will create originality.

Thanks, another inspiring video!

People these days buy the sharpest clinical lenses and then slap a mist filter on it and decrease clarity by 20. Because oversharp images look artificial.

I wonder if this comes from the concern that what you’re doing may be perceived as copying another’s work? Personally I like visiting iconic locations and I find that when I’m at such a location, I’m in such awe that any other photographers photographs from the location just don’t even enter my mind!

I have the RX100VII and use it for videoing at gigs. I have both those SmallRig cages, and depending what venue I go to I set the camera up differently with the various accessories. I have 2 different external mics I use. The Sony XYST1M works great for being discrete at larger gigs. For smaller gigs whereby the Sony mic may get saturated I use the powered Saramonic Vmic Stereo Mark II. I also use the Sony gpvpt2bt Bluetooth grip / mini tripod. So my compact camera isn't as compact as it used to be....unless I go to a large gig or festival, then it's just the camera with maybe the L shaped SmallRig cage.

I partially agree with you, Adrian. I have no issue capturing the same subjects with the same exposure, but I approach them with my unique perspective and creative criteria. However, I prefer to avoid being in a crowded spot where many other photographers are shooting at the same time.

Hi Adrian, thanks for showing the Masking editing from that Tree. I like the Black and White look, i don't take many Black and White photos but i think i might give it another go. Thanks Adrian 😊.

I would just like to advise that you be careful in San Francisco with your gear. There are thieves so brazen they will follow you and rob you while you are stopped at a stop light sitting in your car. I was shooting the bridge from the Marin county side a few years ago and these guys followed me into the city and at a light they broke the window out of my SUV and took off with my Lowpro camera bag loaded with gear and my Gitzo tripod strapped to it.. lost about 8 grand that day. I stopped for coffee and I was like that car looks familiar ... then I got back on the road and started feeling a feeling in my gut.. I pulled over for a minute and the car passed... then about 2 minutes later there was this huge crash sound ... at first I thought someone rear ended me and when I looked back there was a guy with a hoodie scrunched all the way around his face so only his nose any eyes were visible and he was leaning halfway in the car stealing anything he could get in his arms. I was blown way they robbed me while I was in the car ... it could have been worse probably but my dog was in the back seat and the dude freaked when he saw my dog. they were gone so fast... I tried to give chase to see if I could get close enough to get a license plate but they drove the wrong way up one of the one way streets so thats where I just said enough is enough. I filed a police report and basically nothing was done. I had renters insurance so that saved my ass and I was able to replace the gear but some photos and a few hard drives were in my bag so a bunch of work was lost. I was working on a project while visiting family and had master copies with me and those got stolen. I learned my lesson on making backups. That day really soured my feeling about that city.

Love it. Something I wish photographers will get into their heads - it is capturing how you see it, with your emotions and your camera settings. You are not making the image because thousands have taken a picture there or won prizes for their images made there. To sum up and as you said, best advise actually is 'when you see a bunch of photographers together aiming at the same scene/view/object .. .. .. .. RUN !! Good one.

Hear hear. I went to the beautiful (and much photographed) Francisco de Asia Church in Ranchos de Taos, had the place to myself for an hour, and spent many electrons with many views of it, front and iconic back. I found Paul Strand's tripod holes, Ansel Adams's tripod holes, and Georgia O'Keeffe's easel holes, along with a few of my own. I like what they did, but I also like what I did. And just seeing this lovely structure, both with and without the camera, was a peak experience. Who are these images for? I share them, but they're for me. Same for a lot of over-photographed places. I don't mind.

Fair enough, in some respects... but i disagree on some of your points and generalizations. First - sure, if you're there, do photography. But also consider 'why', of the virtual infinity of places and views you might have chosen from, you felt you just had to be 'in this specific ('iconic') place', and not digging deep in your own locale or exploring in somewhere unfamiliar. Second - originality stems from when we are thrown on our own resources somewhere for which we have no reference points - you want to 'grow', that's the pressure you really need. Third, 'iconic'. What is that, anyway? Where i live there is an 'iconic' volcano - not Fuji, but every bit as good. I meet a neverending stream of tourists who come here and walk the same trails and take the same shots... ad nauseam. Sometimes i manage to hi-jack one or two and i take them to local places they've never imagined - places they can take photographs that they truly feel they own and are not going to be compared with tens of thousands of look-alikes. Finally (but not exhaustively), photography is communication. Do we, as photographers, want to communicate some homogenous representation of a limited selection of what the World has to offer - a million pics of The Bridge, instantly and generally uninterestingly recognizable - or do we want to communicate the World's diversity on all scales - the overwhelmingly unfamiliar that can educate and enrich? Sure... I take the odd photo with the volcano (in some way) in it, but it nearly always feels like a bit of a soft option for when my eyes aren't working well. Anyway - an interesting debate - cheers.

You gave me a new thought ,Thank you

Hi Adrian, there's nothing like being original and you are original. Thanks Adrian 😊.

Wonderful shots. Reminded me of your Lake District visit.

There must be hundreds of photography you tube channels. Only you provide such sound, thoughtful, useful and rich advice. You are so generous with sharing your experiences, successes and failures. Through watching you I have tried to be more creative and inventive when photographing an attractive location or subject, varying camera settings, focal lengths, compositions etc. It all adds up to a more rich experience. Thank you.

This seems like good advice, even though as you pointed out, we almost always hear the opposite. "for a photo to be good it has to be unique".

Dont agree on this one, i hate saturated angles ( happens a lot on touristy locations) , always want to see a refreshing different one.

Muy de acuerdo con la reflexión. Hay mucha gente que desdeña un lugar porque ya lo ha fotografiado medio planeta. Pero yo no me resisto a tener mi propia versión.

What’s that filter you use? I see your other gear linked, but not the filter. Thanks.

Imagination is the key to finding novelty in familiar locations, also visiting at times or weather conditions when most others stay away. But there is no shame in taking the 'classic shot' if it looks good. Your advice rings true Adrian, as usual.

There's nothing wrong with photographing the iconic locations. If the photo's been done a million times and you've never taken it, the do it. In the end you have to ask, who are we photographing for?

You are so right .

Cole Thompson is practicing Photographic Celibacy, and wants to create, not just original work, but honest work. Come up with ideas on your own. And there is some value in that.

I agree totally, those locations are iconic for a reason. I would also add that even at one of those locations a good image doesn't take itself , you still try to go at the right time , in the right weather and know how to take a good photo with intent. Plus my friends and family usually have no idea that an image is popular, to them its new and exciting.

Gracias por el video Adrian, yo es que casi nunca voy a lugares iconicos por eso, pero tienes razon, hay q dar nuestro punto de vista de los lugares que visitamos. Que decirte? Pues q me has invitado a ir a esos lugares iconicos de mi ciudad, que es en valencia, (españa ) y fotografiar desde mi punto de vista esos lugares q estan tan trillados en las redes sociales, gracias, y un saludo

I really sometimes don't take pictures of often photographed scenes, thinking that my image is useless, because so many people made better images of that scene. I don't want to be the only guy that isn't capable of making a good image of that scene. But I normally avoid crowded places, so I doesn't occur very often.

Thanks a lot!

Originality helps photographers stand out among hundreds and thousands competitors. That's for sure. But, of course, it should not become the only purpose of this art. Pleasant experiences and the personal vision are more significant. As for me, the main aim in shooting is to achieve a particular look for the photograph I want to capture

Well said...and so true, every word!

I collection Eiffel tower photographs, none is the same

It's nice to have a photogenic place close by but the place can only be photographed so many times. Think the important thing is to shoot a variety of subjects otherwise it kinda becomes mundane

I've been to the sea so many times before, and for someone it may be water again and still the same, but for me the sea is never the same. I've taken pictures at the sea probably at any time of the day already, but I've never been there in winter and it probably looks different than in summer. Also I agree it is worth experimenting in general in places that are close to us. Today I just happened to go out to take pictures in the morning, and I must admit that I photographed birds that I have never managed to do so far. Some animals are more active in the morning than at night. :)

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Earth: The Earth has a diameter of about 12,742 kilometers. Galaxy: Our Milky Way galaxy spans about 100,000 light-years across. Universe: The observable universe is estimated to be around 93 billion light-years in diameter. why do you think that your photographs matter to anyone, lol

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