Great advice. Just starting your book and it’s making me think differently about my photography. Oh, and just bought a 50mm f1.4 prime.😉

Superb commentary. I love comments that go to the heart of why we take photos, what is a good aesthetic, how an image affects us. Especially honest and modest in expressing your point of view. Good analysis of the relation between planning and instinctive reactions to a photographic moment. Gave me some new things to think about that makes this a rare video in its depth.

The lens could be even smaller and lighter without autofocus. I know many people are not used to using manual lenses, which is a shame as modern cameras have a lot of aids in focusing with manual focus lenses. Just give us a high quality manual focus macro lens. Don't require these mod cons.

Excellent analysis … exactly why I quit my camera club after 1 year. I would rather share my work with a few trusted others than with unknown strangers who are afraid to be different .

A well expressed viewpoint about the lack of value in most camera club competitions. I have dabbled in judging club comps and it is a process that I do not enjoy because it is so superficial. I was advised, by a long standing judge, when I first foolishly thought about judging, to always say three things about an image, two of which had to be 'nice'and the other could be negative. There must be a better way.

Hi there Ewen, a very thought provoking discussion and presentation. Interesting to read a few of the other comments, and I agree with some and some I do not. Camera clubs are attracting younger members and as some people have a change in their lifestyle they look for new things to participate in. The biggest problem I see with many clubs is that they are stuck in a kind of time warp. They are afraid to change! But I see this in the professional world as well... and they are setting a bad example totally! Many many pro's in Australia and internationally, are totally obsessed with competitions, and it gives the wrong impression. They fill facebook with their trophy shots and congratulate each other, and it's just so much tripe! No wonder the beginners and mainly enthusiasts that make up the majority of the club memberships think competitions are the way to go, they see it glaringly promoted in the professional field. I travel to many clubs and societies in Victoria, and am heartened to see some changes coming in, albiet very slowly. Some clubs now only hold 2 or 3 comps a year, with the remaining time spent in educational pursuits and other club outings. A lot of clubs no longer score or have a point system, rather, it's just a night of critiquing and encouraging improvement in the craft. Clubs are doing themselves a real disfavour having too many competitions in a given year, as there is a lack of good qualified Judges, that can give and honest and unbiased critique anyway! The APJA is doing a fine job of running educational courses on Judging, having mentors, and a system of proficiency, but is struggling to get numbers who are interested in advancing, and enough people to be on the Judges list once qualified. It's becoming a real problem. You handled this so well Ewen, with a great degree of diplomacy! Unfortunately, some will see this a negative viewpoint. I hope not, because your presentation was so refreshingly honest, and you hit the real crux of why we take photographs even at all. There are 75 clubs and societies in Victoria alone, totalling nearly 3800 members, and what we really need is for this KZbin to be shown and discussed in all of them! Without exception. Thank-you Ewen, it was a real honest and inspirational look at this very polarised subject.

I didnt even realise there was a proper name for this technique hahah i just found a guy doing it online and copied My ICM technique is 0.5s-1s shutter using usually 100 speed colour negative film and my movement is simply shaking the camera intentionally and vigorously. I find that fine detail is completely lost but the light and form remains as though they were rough memories or something. They look kind of impressionistic to me as well. I love it and will keep exploring it. It's great for pictures of people especially.

Excellent insight Ewen, I also came to photography as a career in my 30s, I wanted to be an artist, it didn't take long to realize that wasn't going to be a sustainable path for me so I went into journalism and became a staff photographer for newspapers to pay the bills, fortunately I was pretty good at photojournalism, spent 25 years getting paid to document the world around me, no a bad gig. Now I want to be an artist again Lol

Well said Ewen Bell

Hi Ewen, this is an interesting conversation, especially as I'm looking at joining our local photography club (UK), I have been warned off joining in the past for the very reason you talk about, however, I'm hoping my local club has a good balance of competition vs learning experiences. Their programme appears to be that way inclined compared to other clubs in the local towns. Time will tell! The potential for competitions judged on technical ability and having my work marked subjectively by someone based on that alone and also their personal taste, fills me with dread!. I'm still on my journey and have yet to find that one genre that truly inspires me and I can say... yes! that's what speaks to me, that's my voice.... I'm getting there slowly. Maybe what I should be doing is taking workshops in different techniques and genres as opposed to joining a club. Don't worry, I'm not looking for answers as there is no right answer. I think sometimes though, it would be great to have someone to arrange a day of photography with a like minded friend and go off for the day.... Maybe that's what's missing from my journey, someone to bounce ideas off....someone who isn't biased towards my images (Family) and I agree with you, we can't succeed in photography alone.

Hi , Ewen. Nice to see you on this platform. You won't remember me, it was a few years ago my wife and I went on one of your workshops with Ian Rolf to Flinders Ranges. I am stil loving photography as well as a Camera Club judge ... Oh dear, I hear you say. 😂.I continually tell club members to take photos for them, what they like, what gives them joy, not for other people. if you can learn something to help you or not from the judge, that is purely up to you. Nice to see you are working on a workshop with Ian again. so good to see he s doing well. I am enjoying your words of wisdom (again).

Excellent video Ewen, informative and well done! I will be recommending your channel to fellow photographers.

This is a great video and really highlights what I see as the problem with social camera clubs. After being in many camera clubs over the years, I have now had to walk away from then as they are so focused on gathering points for the end of year awards nights. Also, I've listened to members conversations slamming judges decisions as "they just don't get it". I've also sat through nights of "needs to be cropped" "should have tried a different lens" taken in the wrong light" and no-one being asked, "can you tell me a little of what motivated you to create this image?". In my experience, camera clubs are now the domain of the older generation and do not attract younger members due to the lack of creative freedom (note that I'm 65+). I agree that CC do often have a good social element but in most cases, they are held during work hours (Thursday coffee meet up, Wednesday walk the city etc.). Even then, they are often timed and located to provide opportunities for images that suit the upcoming monthly competition ! Thank you again for making this video.

Photography, art, and wine competitions are the most senseless and useless events that people practice in this day and age, as they don't adhere to the fundamentals of measurements: standardisation, reliability, or validity. (Needless to say, the subjective vs objective argument or consistency.) That said, you made a valid point at 7:10, a photograph != digital art... If someone is editing to find an expression that reflects a lack of competency.

direct and honest.. and true. thank you!

This is an outstanding dissertation on the chronic limitations of traditional photography competitions or critiques. I nodded so much through this video, my head hurts. I hope some competition creators, curators and judges see this and take heed.

Thank you Ewen, really good content. I am a hobby photographer, with 2 years experience. I am halfway through a 9 week trip in Greece. My main camera is an OM-5, which I love dearly. For the trip, I bought an Olympus E-M1. My main thought was that many on the ancient sites are dusty and windy, and I did not want to be changing lenses. I got the E-M1 for $AUD400 with a 1 year warranty. 😊. I bought $30 sling bag on Amazon, which carries both cameras, each with a lens. I usually carry 1 camera with a wide prime and one with a longer prime. I am 62 and the weight is not a problem, and I use Olympus f1.2 lenses. The good part of this set up is that the bottoms and dials are 95% the same. The bad part about this setup is that the bottoms and dials are 95% the same. I plan to buy a used OM-1 next. After seeing your video, I will build towards 2 of these. Many thanks for your video🎉🎉🎉

If someone steals my photo. I take it as a sign that it was a good shot. I know the journey I took to take it and to me that’s all that matters.

Great video, thank you!

There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to judging art is there. I think you handled it well and glad they got value out of your visit to the club too.

I really appreciated much of what you were saying about judging and competitions. I also liked your comments about intention and hard work making you luckier.

I agree with your conclusion that ICM is different from digitally composited photographic images and may be considered separately, but perhaps with overlapping features. I do find it disappointing that you don’t seem to appreciate your own words “The act and photography meet is the act of expression” with alternative approaches to the photographic arts” with expansion beyond pure “in-camera” as another way of expression through photography. I’m not speaking of mimicing ICM with convenient digital programs, but creating a piece of art that expresses a vision. Your appreciation and love of ICM as an art is evident. Your dislike of the use digital (not AI) is also evident. Consider opening up to look at the intent of artists who skillfully create art with expanded artistic tools.

Such a great amount of wisdom to impart on those looking to enter the world of photography as a career. The only thing I think I would add is it requires a certain degree of crazy. At least for me anyway hahaha

In Light Of All The Lumix S9 Hype & Vitriol, I Stumbled Upon Your Vids'! THIS Video Affirms, That'll I'll Be Stickin' Around. Thank You S9🤪..... & YOU Mr. Bell, From A Fujifilm Hobbyist!🤝🏿🤭

Loved this one Ewen - so much great advice as usual (and even an unexpected a glimpse of myself in there haha).

Gone for years never feeling the need to comment on KZbin. Just made an account to say great video! I think I might link this to any potential clients to watch before taking them on. Well said!

Everyone who is considering a freelance career should watch this clip. You’ve done an exceptional job of giving people key insights about the pitfalls and benefits of being self employed. Great stuff. Thank you!

I have that 10-25mm beauty. I realized it would be a great lens for my early morning landscape photography. What you are doing with that lens is extraordinary. Gave me inspiration to level up my skill. Thank you for the video, I can say I admired every single one of those pictures.

big point about this camera is pairing compact lenses but why Panasonic doesn’t have the option

I'll share some of my video. I'm shooting an entire wedding with this camera today. Standby. So far, this is camera is incredible.

Great video Ewen, love the way you look at life and how that translates through your images :)

We need this quality for x mount

I used to travel with there GM5 bodies. One body had the PL 12-60, another had the PL 25mm f/1.4 and the third was a floater. It would either have the PL 35-100, PL 8-18 or Laowa 7.5mm f/2. Man, sometimes I really miss those bodies. I wish Panasonic would give us a successor.

I’m dealing with the same situation at the moment. Luckily for me, it did not come down to affecting my money since I am generally a hobbyist. But it definitely gives unsettling thoughts about future work. So, I can brush it off with the saying ‘imitation is the best kind of flattery,’ but like you showed in the video, it can lead to a tricky place. Let’s just say I’m always trying to document it when it happens, just for future-proofing and protecting my image if it becomes necessary. One thing working for me as that the copycat cant nail down my edits.

Such a good message, Ewen!

My neighbor has painted 8 of my pictures. I’m happy to give her my prints. One of her paintings hangs in a country club restaurant. I always smile when I see the painting on the wall. I see the paintings as truly her work and not mine.

*cries in crop sensor DoF control*

I love this video because it very clearly explains why my 85mm lens always ends up gathering dust, not matter how optically excellent it is. The 85mm or *shudders* 135mm come out when environment is boring or so crowded that you need to melt everyone out of the frame. However, even an insanely crowded place like the La Rambla in Barcelona or Venice can be fun with some tone control or monochrome.

Need more pancakes or a compact zoom for the S9 to make sense. I respect why Panasonic primes are all the size they are, but I find they didn't sit with the body well.

An interesting vlog and some truly beautiful images, the soundtrack was very nice too and complemented rather than shouted over top of your content.

This was a fascinating discussion, Ewen. I like the distinction between ‘original’ vs ‘unique’. Some of the earliest advice I received from my first real mentor (an art director who helped me get my break with Syme Magazines) was this: “Study the old greats. Learn what made their images so special. Emulate them; copy them on occasion if you need to; because out of that will emerge your own style. And one day you’ll realise your images, while inspired by those who came before, are now truly your own.”

Thanks! The same is happening to music. Spotify and their likes hijacked artists' creativity. The net allowed everyone to present their work worldwide. The time has come to print your image in one copy and present it in a local gallery.

I remember having a copycat years ago, right down to the fork placement!

For birds I set the two front function buttons. The upper one to focus near and the lower one to focus far. It works brilliantly!

Excelente. Muchas gracias

Those photographies looks so crisp, so colourful and so creamy. Beautiful work, thanks for sharing!

Awesome video! A few months ago, I got a G9II and I’m looking for a telephoto lens, would you recommend the 100-300 , I know that the 100-400 is a great lens but a bit expensive. Im not a pro , just a enthusiastic photographer 😁 Thank you for your help🙏

Hello, very nice video! I have two questions about your camera, the Sony ZV-E1: What about overheating at 4K 120 fps? What is the risk of only having one SD card slot? Could the video be lost if there is a card error and you don't have a copy? Do you recommend this camera for professional Videography? I would be grateful for your answers as an experienced person with this camera.

15 minute limited video recording is actually a major factor that now I plan my video making strategy a lot more organized and the result is a lot of time saved. The image quality is so superb that I simply love this camera after the third week.

I domt care about bokee. I shoot everything at 2.8 which is 5.6 in full frame terms. I want BOTH of my models eyes in focus. When i do boudoir photography i have to stop down even more as it looks stupid if not the whole body is in focus.