Are You Expressing Your Creativity or Just Pressing Buttons? | Adam Marelli

Do you feel like there is creativity hiding inside of you, but are not sure where to find it? There are endless tutorials on taking pictures, but how do you figure out what to shoot in the first place? In order to develop a unique point of view, we have to understand how creativity works.
To answer to these questions and many others surrounding the creative process Adam Marelli takes you through his findings which are the subject of his new book, “Picture This: A roadmap for photographers and their creativity.”
Adam also reveals a twenty three point process he uses for all of his work and lay out a map so you can successfully navigate the uncharted waters of your own imagination.
Adam's Previous Video at B&H:
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[@coolvid]

Bill Burr knows photography

[@danielmcallister]

I almost posted the same thing! Sounds so much like him.

[@TheAdamRichter]

This is a very well put together list. Thank you, Adam and B&H, for putting this session out there. Here is his list in text form for those who want to copy and paste it into some kind of notepad. (B) = Beginner (A) = Advanced Point of View 1. What do you want to see? (B) 2. Where is it hiding? (B) 3. Why does it matter? (A) 4. What are you missing? 5. What is your point of view? Form 6. What is the subject? (B) 7. Is it a good expression? (A) 8. What is the background? (B) 9. Is there light on the subject? (B) 10. Do you have strong figure to ground? (B) 11. What is the notional space? (A) 12. What is the minimum shutter speed? (B) 13. What is the dominant direction? (A) 14. Are there any bad overlaps? (A) 15. Are there any lights that violate the subject? (A) 16. Are there alternating rhythms? 17. Do you have a good view? Content 18. Where are the details that reveal the location? (B) 19. What is the missing element? (A) 20. How are you looking at the scene? (A) 21. Is the picture a stand alone story, a description, or a moment? (A) 22. What does the picture mean to you? 23. What might it mean for someone else?

[@AdamMarelli]

Thank you for posting this Adam...hope that both groups find this useful.

[@THISISBRENTINOKINAWA]

Thanks man!

[@raoct5999]

Thank you!

[@nb7524]

Thank you 🙂

[@KokeBeast23]

Thanks!

[@NegativeCompensation]

Excellent presentation. Hardly any of my photographers friends spends more than a passing second discussing creativity and the art of capturing an image. But as you can imagine, gear talk dominates every conversation. Sad state of affairs, but one driven by the many pundits out there who are obsessed with invitations by the camera companies to their shinny, new offerings every other year. They all push gear and specs in exchange for camera company perks while hardly ever, if at all, talking about the subjects of this video. Glad to see that Adam is helping to keep the art alive.

[@WaleAriztos]

i thought this was going to be a boring session on being creative. an hour and 30 mins later...2 pages of notes later...i'm super motivated to get out there and shoot. great lessons in the video. thanks!!

[@rewris]

You took notes on "being creative"?

[@AdamMarelli]

Thank you Wale...I'm happy to hear that the talk exceeded your expectations and was not another boring session on being creative. Best-AM

[@Jaxplode]

I attended a workshop with Adam. He is classical trained in Art and Drawing. There are not much of his kind out in the photography world. Most courses are bla bla bla or technical stuff. He really can add something in your mind that helps you directly in what you are doing.

[@johnvalk]

Very inspiring , sharpening my mind , view on my photographic activities

[@rioosodog]

Adam is NEVER boring if you are serious about your art. He is just a stellar instructor! ALWAYS engaging, and never disappointments!

[@crackerjack8665]

That was one of the best mentoring videos I've watched and has definitely given me food for thought regarding the way I approach taking an image, thank you.

[@Needacreate]

Admittedly, when Marelli started off, I thought this might be of the inconsequential-casual-waffle variety, but, boy, how was I wrong. This may in fact be one of the deepest and most worthwhile presentations about creativity and composition on this channel. Well backed-up with images and engagingly presented too. Took away a lot from watching it.

[@AndyMullane]

Come for the tutorial, stay for the jokes. Adam is absolutely hilarious! And then try absorb the life-changing content. I learned so much from this presentation. Absolutely brilliant.

[@AGavrilov82]

It's something unreal. I can't understand how it possible to describe so easy so hard staff. Thx a lot

[@zyfull1]

Awesome presentation! I learned a lot. I'm glad I did not shot it down early on when I thought it was long and boring. Thanks Adam Marelli! I will check his other sites and looking forward for his book early 2018

[@nickhyatt5870]

Fantastic seminar. Great to hear him not recommend capturing thousands of shots and sifting through them afterwards to find the one good image. As someone who began with film, every frame is precious and I can't bring myself to waste them!

[@GusDaCosta]

best work shop i have heard, so much value in these lessons. thank you!!!

[@jasonsemp]

This talk is fantastic! I learned so much from this. I'm definitely inspired to get out and take photos.

[@DelOfTheShire]

This is great. Thank you Adam. It's all good but I love the explanation of the last point - it's not skill, or capability, or what you can do versus what someone else can do, but instead it's that moment when someone else starts to see themselves, their story, in your work. This can apply to any art and to me is what so many people miss, or as Adam says, they've never asked themselves if their work does this, or could do this. Brilliant. Worth the price of admission itself.

[@MiLaKreativ]

This is the best lecture about serious photography I've heard so far!

[@georgeferguson9779]

What is a good photo to one person may not be a good photo to another. For example, a photographer may produce a photo that he knows is good, and has value, for another person; but to himself, he doesn't actually think the photo is good or care about it. If a photo is taken for profit then it needs to be taken in such a way that it appeals to the majority of people, or at least the paying individuals. Some photos, like old Polaroid pictures of a newborn child, may be worth more to that child and parent than anything else they own. I try to think about how photographs I take will be used later by myself or others and compose for it accordingly.

[@nikhilchandra9258]

This was well worth the time. He used all the big words and taught some serious things without sounding pretentious or getting in to Tech side of things. This is what makes up the photography. The art, the expression, everything that constitutes it. There is so much to explore. Thanks again for this beautiful lecture.

[@thatdiyguyraymondmonk1225]

I thought as well that I would begin to watch this and move on, but after many years of trying to improve my work. I feel I have learned something that I can actually use to improve my perspective of not just my work, but what I am trying to accomplish... Thank you.

[@82mccord]

Adam Marelli is so full of information. I absolutely love his Event Space's. Also, he's a natural teacher. I learn so much from each one of his talks. Mainly how much I have to learn. lol

[@mightymuffinful]

I enjoyed your unique perspective on photography- thanks for sharing

[@bhartwigutube]

I watched two of Adam's videos this weekend - they are truly the best I have seen on B&H, if not of all on KZbin. I appreciate his interest in connecting art and form with photography and the philosophical perspectives. Thanks!

[@robertskoye3179]

adam has many unique ideas in his approach to creativity through the art of photography that i know will benefit my photography. i liked his departure from the conventional thoughts on composition and use of a map to explore our own creativity through both things we can be taught plus what we need to learn about ourselves. thank you, adam! i'll be watching more of your videos. - robert skoye, canada

[@imtiazkalburgi6799]

Wow.. Amazing!! Adam Marelli... you are an institution. Thank you so much for keeping me glued till the end. There is so much to learn you made me realise.. and there is much you taught that i thought never existed. Absolute brilliance. Any one with any serious interest in photography... you will miss this session at your own peril.

[@thegoblin3629]

Phenomenal Lecture! I learned so much. This video is being saved for another watch after I put the concepts I learned today into practice. Hopefully more gems of knowledge can be gleaned from this talk then. Thank you

[@PeteMiller]

My work seems to ebb & flow; over the last few months, my work has moments of good and moments of "huh?" The time spent watching Adam's presentation (thank you B&H!) was VERY well spent! Now it is time to reflect on the content of the video and do some writing, so as to etch the thoughts evoked from this presentation into something I can digest as needed!

[@RonDonson]

Outstanding!!! Well worth the time commitment!!! Well done, Adam!

[@thothheartmaat2833]

you cant blame the camera but in low light the high iso still looks like crap.. i know you even mentioned this but what is there to do? i find people are too eager to blame a photographer now. im not god.. im not making the things im taking pictures of happen.. i dont control what is happening in front of the camera.. im just taking the picture.. if some editor says they dont like something its like well thats what happened so why dont you go back in time and change history then.. or edit the picture.. and thats what they all do.. editing history.. also all the lenses that dont work are expensive but the lenses that actually work are absurdly expensive.. so is photography just another way of discriminating against the lower class?

[@srennielsen9141]

Hey Adam. Grandma's hair looked purple because it was purple :) Always enjoy your talks.

[@jameskelly4196]

Adam great job! I've got a 30+ history with photography and I still learned a lot. Your framework for picture making is extensive and you've been very thorough laying it out…great job.

[@supranomicon]

Excellent, thanks so much for making this available, learned loads and lots to consider now...

[@LuigiBarbano]

Marelli is always a great speaker with interesting content.

[@dissidentjaws]

Adam has been a fantastic resource over the years. I highly suggest you watch his other presentations on B&H.

[@beantownum]

This was incredible! I’m at a loss for words. Captivating and thought provoking lecture.

[@did4h2k]

im not gonna mccurry the picture... ouch, that was mean ;)

[@matrixtherapists]

Very informative, inspirational and useful, thank you Adam

[@AdamMarelli]

Thank you Edi Guzy!

[@RedMooseHunting]

Great value, can't wait to next presentation. Thanks, Tobias

[@square_jane]

If Bill Burr was a photographer. Seriously though this was excellent. It's rare to hear a presentation on THE ART of photography.

[@whafrog]

I rarely get through a whole B&H video, but this one is excellent!

[@ComfortTechNJ]

This is a fantastic presentation. I've watched it several times from beginning to end. Thank you

[@Siftedheart]

Thank you Adam! So glad I found this video, what a gift you are🎁 🙌🏽

[@ForevermoreVibe]

Truly excellent

[@BenjaminMooreinJapan]

Is this book available yet? Another great talk by Adam, and I'd like to hear more.

[@AdamMarelli]

Benjamin Moore Hi Ben, the book will be out at the beginning of next year. We will add the link above when it is available. Thank you!

[@sunilsrinivasan3933]

Despite having have watched several B & H videos, this is my very first comment. Adam forced me to do this just by the sheer power of his artistry and presentation! Adam is unique. He is an artist and his images are like paintings......real art as opposed to something commercial. He is supremely talented and passionate about his craft. His excellent on stage presence and communication skills add to his allure. And, he resists the temptation to use his "bully pulpit" to promote himself as a business. Adam is a real artist and his unique skill set will make him extremely successful (if that has not happened already) on professional and monetary terms. I look forward to hearing more from him. Cheers!

[@7zinz]

this, I so needed this. Wow. So pedagogic. I normally have to re-listen to lectures and seminars over and over again, left still with questions but this feels super clear. Made some notes, had some self-reflection, re-found myself. All good. best 100minutes spent in a while. Thank you so much BH Photo video and Adam Marelli!

[@vitaminalm]

One of their better presentations. Well worth the watch.

[@georgemundell6958]

Adam is a very intelligent and informative instructor. To me this is video that can be for anyone interested in photography.

[@richardowen4558]

I never had a formal photo critique done even though I did work for a decade as a newspaper shooter. Does that count?

[@laurag9306]

Who took the photo of that 900 lbs. camera? Was there two of them at that time? Just wondering......

[@freddiecarpio1445]

Thank you so much for sharing this presentation.

[@BRUNO-cj9wd]

The 80s was the greatest decade, for hair, for make up don’t make fun of the 80s lol

[@3unee]

Great talk. Very engaging and enlightening, Adam.

[@clickmaniac1]

this is a WOW even after 40 some years of shooting

[@mitchellhw2006]

Well worth the time invested to watch this. Terrific job Adam! - Look forward to your book in 2018

[@qualo99]

One of the best educational videos I have seen, will re-watch these valuable lessons again and again. Thank you.

[@craigskoney1627]

This is a wonderful seminar! Likely, the best I've watched from B&H, so far. Adam did a great job!

[@ivanosrin2126]

Great insights - ignores hi tech stuff - really thoughtful lecture to reflect on

[@THINKULATE]

One of the best lecture in this series. Thanks!

[@AtulPatel-zk8pp]

Absolutely enjoyed the session.! I have watched his first session on B&H too . Thank you !!!

[@guillermoperezsantos]

One of the best videos from Band H and one of the worst titles for the video

[@D700Replacement]

Adam Marelli never fails to inspire and educate me no mater where he speaks. He opens eyes.

[@209lapko]

Adam Marelli: you are absolutely Brilliant! Thank you for your prospective/knowledge well done Mate...

[@jocliff7387]

Great presentation, really interesting, food for thought..Many thanks.

[@rockywaters9592]

This guy sounds just like Bill Burr if he was a photographer.

[@khalidhassani6173]

I love you Adam, really i learned several things from you. Bug hello from Morocco

[@dianabusby420]

If only you didn’t say “right” every other word. Ugh!

[@jimmylee7422]

one of the better presentations i have seen for a long time on B&H certainly one i will come back to many times

[@MunirRahool]

And I watched it in one go. I don't watch a 10-minute video in one go. So interesting, helpful, entertaining as well in its own way, educating. Eye-opening.

[@sivabala5232]

Great presentation although those pleated trousers were a bit off putting.

[@machobell1202]

Very inspiring session..thank you Adam and B&H for a quality presentation!

[@adamjian7501]

Excellent in many ways.

[@joshatyt]

This is a very helpful, well done presentation!

[@thothheartmaat2833]

when you got the critique from that guy but he gave you a suggestion to do something that even he wasnt doing it makes me think he was either projecting himself onto you critiquing himself or he was trying to get you to do things he wasnt doing so he didnt have competition.. ive discovered it seems like photographers are all liars trying to throw people off the trail and eliminate their competition. even if you all work at the same company and are all responsible for giving the company great pictures, everyone tells eachother to do everything wrong.. especially if theyre in a lead or management role.. they will abuse their authority and tell the new photographers to do everything wrong to make them look bad to make themselves look better.. its messed up.. anyone giving you a critique is doing this exact same thing.. everyone wants someone else to tell them what to do and how to do it because they need to get paid by someone else to survive so the person with authority abuses that authority and tells everyone else to do everything wrong to eliminate competition. its so messed up..

[@sunnyta619]

Your critiquer was not a cool dude. Salgado rules….

[@outsidebadly]

this is one of the best presentations i have seen for creativity and process.

[@Salletto]

I watch this at least ten times and I will watch twenty time more

[@tokyoinpics9346]

For me, this was one of the most important photography videos I've ever watched. My photography isn't bad but on my blog or Instagram have never gained much interest/traction. And now I know (or at least suspect) why. Some of the concept in Adam's video ... I have never given thought. I'll be watching this video again and then I'm going to apply what he spoke about to my next pictures. Background, colour and notional space! I'm excited!

[@rioosodog]

Every time I see one of his vids..... it changes me!

[@eagleerock8899]

looks like jesse pinkman. sounds kinda like him too.

[@dipayanroy7898]

Best lecture I have ever heard about the photography.

[@rbn1528]

Always a joy to listen and learn from you.

[@dennispenton2052]

Terrific presentation Adam. Thank you B&H.

[@BandH]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@discoveryself3282]

Thanks, great photographer and teacher.

[@amosk24]

Adam, your talks are always so informative and accessible. I'm not an art student, but maybe that would be different if I had a teacher like you. Except for the critique part. That sounds terrible. I'll search on Amazon, but do you have a book? Cheers!

[@mitharehna3728]

i feel extremely enlightened

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

Really nice to listen to your talk and watch your presentation Adam. To B&H: can we pls get some more talks of this calibre rather than the usual: these-are-some-nice-shots-I've-taken-and-the-story/gear-around-them several B&H speakers seems to adopt.

[@phillalonde1509]

May I suggest... You take the red pill-you stay in Wonderland, and He will show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: all He's offering is the truth.

[@senyang2260]

One of the few quality and insightful sharing about the Art of Photography on KZbin. Thank you so much Adam and B&H !!!! You guys rock'n'roll !!!!

[@progtom7585]

This video was excellent. Thanks for sharing. I was a little disappointed though that the video didnt break into "expressing creativity" for me, instead seems to stick to processes and techniques for making photos. I was expecting more of a "justification for your photography", "making work that matters" type chat than what it ended up being. However i seem to be largely alone in that regard so... maybe im the problem. Still enjoyed it, cheers

[@phyleneamuso1051]

You’re not alone Patrick but what you’re looking for is pretty subjective territory so it’s more likely to be found in a chat room or blog space conversations with just a few people. When you find it do let me know. I think he also wants you to discover personal meaning which will develop if you start asking the questions he suggests.

[@phyleneamuso1051]

Thomas Kilpatrick if it matters to you then it matters

[@lordoftheflings]

the fact is, learning the basics about photography is easy. shutter speed, aperture, iso, etc. you can learn it in 1 day. But you can't teach someone to be creative and artistic.

[@AlessandroCedrini-Cedrikphotog]

Great lesson Mate & B&H! Interesting suggestion to grow ... grazie from Italy 🇮🇹

[@shootforlove7128]

Adam Marelli is the Bill Burr of photographers! And this is a supreme compliment by the way.

[@dr_davidmd2065]

This was the most valuable information I have ever received on KZbin. Simply wonderful. Thank you B&H and Adam.

[@faahimrafi8720]

one of the finest talk I've ever heard

[@BandH]

Thanks for watching!

[@iainmacdonald7034]

Fantastic structured framework within which we can all create our art. Very watchable too...really well presented. Thank you Adam. And thank you B&H for yet another insightful and inspirational talk.

[@mainmain5303]

Just start watching from the 26th. You will save about half an hour. You're welcome.

[@deela1058]

It's an honor & a privilege to watch your B& H sponsored programs , whatever the topic or whoever the speaker Settle in for an amazing experience. Thank You B& H And in memory of my Uncle Rudy who loved your store back in the day thanks for the photographic life.

[@BandH]

Thank you for watching! Hope you get to visit your uncle's favorite store.

[@danielsullivan4360]

Wonderful talk. Your jokes deserved much more laughter than they received.

[@mehamlett]

Great session! are the 23 points posted?

[@3unee]

Michael Hamlett yes they are. Around minute 26

[@tarjei99]

People who claim that you can't buy happiness are obviusly not photographers.

[@JacekAdamczyk]

Dude is really funny, shame so few people laugh at his jokes. He's good! And super informative lecture, thanks!

[@AdamMarelli]

Haha, thanks buddy! Yeah the audience was a little quiet...glad to hear you got a laugh.

[@edgardomanuel7524]

Thank you for the excellent presentation. This will be an additional knowledge to an aspiring photographer like me.

[@lynnjohnson3669]

Brilliant, thank you Adam and B&H more of this kind of videos please. exceptionally well put together lecture, loved it.