A Week of Portraits and Landscapes on 4x5 Film

[@jacqueshervieux5112]

Lately I've been listening to a lot of your video Bryan and I must say am really enjoying and ''digging'' your general vide. Love the candor with which you are telling us your story, it's very refreshing. Our photography is miles apart, myself am much more an artist with a camera and have no inclination to go analogue, and yet you inspire me very much. This afternoon, as I was putting together a lens for an upcoming project, I had you in the background , it made for a very enjoyable and thought-provoking moment. Thank you for your gift Jaq

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks for the kind words and support, Jacques.

[@timothy-holt]

The way you captured the audio and overlaid it with the portraits of Luis was really well done. Seems like a great way to tell a story without sticking a camera in someones face. It feels so authentic. Really enjoy your work Bryan. Cheers, Tim.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks Tim. I think the audio is definitely less intrusive and allows for authentic conversation to happen. Glad you enjoyed!

[@georgehands_]

I didn't think I could like your videos even more than I already did, but you saying "NFTs suck" warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face

[@BryanBirks]

Haha the pleasure is all mine.

[@sdunn9007]

Another great video. The start was quite brilliant. Layering the image and the sound worked really well. Clearly now you are relaxing in to speaking to people as you engaged nicely with the owner of the building. Great work, again!

[@BryanBirks]

Definitely getting much easier. Thank you sir 🖤

[@brntgudn]

I enjoyed the audio overlay while showing the portrait, it provided good insight into your process! I also thought the Waterloo images were great. Both B&W and Colour. Mark Mahaney is one of my faves, I hope I can grab a copy of the book you mentioned!

[@BryanBirks]

Book is still available. Would definitely try to snatch a copy if you’re interested ✌🏻

[@pushingfilm]

Great work as usual, lol nice ending!

[@bryanpolitte]

That fog image is very Silent Hill. Great shot!

[@stuartbaines2843]

Liked the blue shop owner photo (colour) Should add nicely to your Portrait folio 👍

[@aaronthecameraguy]

Really stunning work Bryan. The photo of the man holding the photo is some David Lowery Ghost Story tier storytelling, thank you for making my day better!

[@BryanBirks]

A Ghost Story is wonderfully made. Love that movie.

[@john_murch]

I can see why you find Mark's work inspiring, thanks for the link, Bryan. Cheers!

[@BryanBirks]

🍻

[@kisslevente1975]

Just finished studying for an exam… perfect relaxation after it

[@BryanBirks]

🖤

[@tycjantrzpiola]

Mark is a such good photographer. I like this book about Polar Night. It is amazing what work he did in 12 days. I am going to Svalbart in two months so let's see how it goes.

[@BryanBirks]

Good luck and safe travels 🙏🏻

[@BraeHunziker]

The end of the narration celebration… I feel you deeply on that one brother.

[@BryanBirks]

I filmed the whole talking part yesterday and hated every single part of it. Filmed this in one go. I think I blacked out for most of it.

[@BraeHunziker]

@@BryanBirks Dude I fully blackout every time too

[@komagome03]

Really enjoy your videos, vey well put together and your photography is getting better and better. Mark Mahaney is definitely one of my favorites new and upcoming photographers out there. Keep up the good work and respect for ditching the sponsor.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks for the kind words Luca. Really appreciate it!

[@brandonsaulphoto]

Wow man, your transitions from location to location and between topics is on point. Really think that your style of narration with photo/video/audio is something (at least I personally) have not seen done this well in the photography world on KZbin. Well done man.

[@BryanBirks]

I am glad it shows at least a little bit because I fret about those parts of the videos too much. Haha thank you sir

[@willysheepskin]

Dude so rad that madman Mark got the time cover just as we were chatting about him this week ahah! Super cool insight into his process on the large format then moving to digital front too, had no idea about that! Love the detail of the photo Louis is holding in that portrait too

[@BryanBirks]

You can look at all of Mark’s archived work on his site. It’s a stark difference in posing and setups but you can definitely tell it’s the same photographer. Worth looking into!

[@azertyuiop6666666]

great work great editing

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you Erick!

[@iain9887]

Absolutely stunning work, Bryan. The picture at 4:00 is too, too good! Loving the work, man.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you chief ✌🏻

[@aristoioannidis7490]

Keep rolling with the punches Bryan. Compliments of the Season to you and your wonderful family.

[@BryanBirks]

You as well!

[@tellmyfortunes4762]

Bryan, I have a feeling, that if you keep doing what your are doing...you will capture THE PHOTO that will catapult you to the next level. Stay strong, you are doing good and you will do great.

[@BryanBirks]

I have faith as well. Thank you for the kind words.

[@tom.allez2134]

Amazing work love it 🤜🏼

[@levipatrickdiaz]

Dude I'm so impressed by your work. Your channel is so different from the other film photography channels - love the storytelling aspects! Keep it up.

[@BryanBirks]

Glad you enjoyed! And happy that it is indeed a bit different. That's what I strive for

[@levipatrickdiaz]

@@BryanBirks Yeah, man - you've got me itching to try out 4x5!

[@SmallerLives]

I'm new to your channel, I have a massive interest in both photography and film, and I watch - and analyze - a HELL of a lot about both. I have to say that I really love your photography, but also that your videos look AMAZING as well. I've watched five or six videos so far. You have a fantastic style and I can't wait to watch the rest of your content.

[@BryanBirks]

That’s a really nice comment to hear. Especially since I was doubting myself at the exact moment I read it. Thank you very much. 🖤

[@SmallerLives]

@@BryanBirks I'm glad to hear that my comment came at a good time. If I could give one piece of advice to anyone that does anything artistic / creative, it would be: do not ever doubt yourself. You are the only person on the planet who knows what you are going for with an image, so nobody else can ever know how close you got. I do a lot of artistic stuff between photography, CGI / 3D and Photoshop / 2D, and I tend to listen to the comments I agree with and completely discard any criticism. I know that sounds ridiculous, but if I have done what I wanted to with one of my creations, it doesn't matter to me if someone dislikes it or has any negative comments. I don't mean that to sound as arrogant as it does :-) I was talking to a friend about your channel this morning, and I told him that the moment I saw the thumbnail (which was to this video), I thought to myself 'This is going to be something special' - and it was. I have no idea how 'successful' you consider any of your images to be, but I think your photography is fantastic. You can talk yourself up or you can talk yourself down in this life, so you might as well choose the former.

[@louismellini9390]

Seriously great work, Bryan. Always come here for a little inspiration.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you kindly Louis. Means a lot.

[@NordicLab]

Oh, my friend, this is amazing. Really like your attitude and how you make videos.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you kindly. Glad you enjoyed!

[@norbertsteinkamp9380]

Crossing gates and train horn sounds crescendoing in the off: for me this is small-town US-atmosphere in a nutshell. Love it! 😍 It nicely enhances your Tom-Boy-portraits.

[@Luudite]

“NFTs suck.” -Bryan out. I feel you on that one.

[@ShawnPBruce]

I have family in Waterloo! I always meant to spend more time photographing the town but never did. Maybe I’ll make it back to St. Louis and swing through Illinois for some photos.

[@BryanBirks]

Definitely! Full of good spots.

[@iamdesertpaul]

I approve of all of the utility poles in your photos this time around.

[@BryanBirks]

Hell yeah.

[@inkaststudio]

It’s so nice to hear the convo leading up to the photo. Adds an extra layer to the image. You should add those audio clips to each photo when you have your gallery show 😉

[@BryanBirks]

I am still debating if I want to at least include writings when I make the book. I've seen a lot with no words and a lot with many words. We shall see!

[@marcelohm123]

The way the interaction of you and Louis happened and then unfolded into such a great portrait of him infront of his building, and the fact that he had this picture of the previous owner posing infront of it lying around just goes to show that you can't plan for great pictures. You just gotta get out there with some sort of the plan and things will happen eventually.

[@BryanBirks]

Soth says that all the time. It’s one thing I always try to remember. Every time I get a good photo it seems sort of unbelievable in a way. The photos are not going to take themselves…yet. 😅

[@heathbrowning34]

Always love your videos Brian and this one was no different, such a wonderful story teller. Oh yeah, fantastic images too 😀 Keep up the great work!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you Heath. That means a lot!

[@heathbrowning34]

You’re very welcome 😊

[@jeremyrowlettmedia]

Just shot my 3rd roll of tmax 400 ever and I have to say I'm loving the results. The last roll I processed, I pushed 1 stop for some extra contrast and it handled that great!

[@BryanBirks]

Very versatile. Pushed it to 1600 once and no problems.

[@jeremyrowlettmedia]

@@BryanBirks I'll have to try that out!

[@xaviegarcia2657]

Great stuff as always. Especially love that color portrait, that cheap paint really holds up, lol!

[@BryanBirks]

Next time I will send my film into the lab and it'll be even better!

[@clarhettcoalfield3616]

Just a note Bryan the one photo you didn't like is the one photo I thought was amazing because of the light - at 9:16 in the video, lastly Mark Mahaney's portrait of Elon Musk just made the cover of Time Magazine, where Elon Musk was named person of the year for 2021. As always I enjoyed this. Cheers.

[@BryanBirks]

Oh I for sure keep up with Mark's work. Glad he got the cover. Excited to see what else he makes!

[@micheleastolfi6708]

❤️

[@alisinclair8529]

Feeling bullish on New Haven

[@BryanBirks]

gm Ali. New Haven is indeed GMI.

[@alisinclair8529]

@@BryanBirks 😂😂

[@mp3remix171]

Amazing as always aaaand Fuck NFTs

[@BryanBirks]

Amen 🙏🏻

[@johnsobenne]

Fuckin love this video

[@BryanBirks]

Fucking awesome. 🖤

[@marcdeckard7064]

Large format rules! Please don't do the high contrast, zero shadow detail, Photoshop vinyet BS that is popular with today's youth. I think pingponging between digital and large format might be the best way to explore the benefits of both.

[@christianhodin7263]

Ll

[@ikaros4203]

yes beautiful layers on the landscapes :)

[@BryanBirks]

🖤