Photography Inspiration in 2023

[@laurencedyson]

Never stop doing what you're doing Bryan, your channel is a rare corner of KZbin that actually talks about the creative process, the struggles and the reality of photography. While so many channels follow the same path of doing gear related videos for maximum views, your channel actually makes me think and reflect on my own photography.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you very much. That is wonderful to hear and just reestablishes my true feelings towards this platform 🖤

[@willysheepskin]

What a marvelous video matey, and I say that not just because of your kind words sent in my direction, but because I think it's immensely valuable that someone such as yourself, who is killing it on the photo-assignment front at the highest level these days, can still take the time to sit and reflect on things that impact your understanding of the world. I find a video like this infinitely more valuable than anything one might find out there claiming to offer suggestions and insights into what one can do to further their photographic career. Not because you're spilling trade secrets or anything like that but because being able to sit and listen to the way you interpret and reflect on things you observe in the world offers immense insight, especially taking into account where you find yourself in your career currently. Thanks again for the kind words man, and for sharing the wisdom so beautifully as always!

[@BryanBirks]

Really appreciate you, son. Just happy we can talk about how Mahaney is god.

[@1984nacho]

And I’m gonna say something else After a long long day of work , I get home, take a shower, sit in the couch trying to relax and forget about the working hours , put KZbin , your video pop up first , and man , really puts me in a so much better place ! Sorry my English

[@BryanBirks]

English is fine. Appreciate the thoughtful comment!

[@garymorrow9324]

Bryan is soi good. Always worth the time to watch.

[@MikkelKoser]

Talking about inspiration. Well, you inspire many of us. So thank you.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks for the support!

[@andymcgarty3099]

Great way to end 2023. So very looking forward to what you do in 2024.

[@Kdog940]

Herbie Yamaguchi's portrait of Joe Strummer and what Joe told to him in relation to creating is so good. Love the work you're doing. Makes me want to explore 4x5 too.

[@paullesliehutson5818]

I’ve recently discovered your channel. As a 66 year Englishman who writes and makes digital photographs, you might not expect me to gel with your videos. Nothing could be further from the truth! I love your work, your approach and your manner in your videos. For me right now, you’re the most inspiring photographer on KZbin. My days of shooting 5x4 are probably over, but I still love talking to people I encounter and making portraits of them. After watching you’ I’ll be doing a lot more of that! Please keep doing what you’re doing just the way it is.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks so much for the kind words, Paul. Really means a lot!

[@ThePhotoDept]

I love Bryan Birks, hes the best.

[@BryanBirks]

I love Christopher Sturm. He’s the best.

[@harshavardhansalgaokar]

I see a Bryan Birks video uploaded, I press play

[@BryanBirks]

SHIT YEAH

[@xjamesramos]

WOW I really needed to hear the Andrew Huberman segment. Don't get me wrong! Love William and paulie B. I guess I felt like the last year or so I've been chasing my tail. Hearing Andrew was refreshing to hear.

[@BryanBirks]

I would highly recommend picking a topic or two of his podcast and just giving it a listen. Incredibly insightful ideas that will translate to the creative side of things.

[@xjamesramos]

@@BryanBirks Thanks for the direction Bryan.

[@Tokrm]

Big up willy sheepskin!! Great photographer/channel/guy. And don’t forget yourself, you’re also on the list for this year

[@BryanBirks]

Willy is my hero.

[@gearoidjefferson263]

Bro 32 is not old! Your amazing! I find your accent and voice very calming.

[@dustinroderick]

Ayyyyyye! I got a little cameo. 🙃

[@BryanBirks]

Did that on purpose. Almost did Sean as well. Probably should have. Next time!

[@patler5423]

these are the kind of videos I can watch all night! thanks for this one Bryan....

[@BryanBirks]

More to come with some lesser known names!

[@garymorrow9324]

I can so relate to your discussion on Andrew Huberman's remarks. Hit me where it should. Thanks Bryan for this vid

[@BryanBirks]

He’s one of the best doing it right now.

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

If your just having fun with photography just go out and take photos, you will soon see what takes your interest the most! If it’s your job just do the work!

[@duprebushnell2488]

NEEDED this today...especially the "editorial mind" portion...new subscriber cant wait to binge your channel over the next few weeks!

[@BryanBirks]

Hope the rest of the channel doesn’t disappoint 😂

[@jeremygarretson5482]

Tool is on another level. Seeing them in concert changed my my interpretation of music and art for that matter

[@BryanBirks]

The wife got me tickets to see them in January. I’m pumped.

[@robgutkowski7141]

Great video, thanks for introducing me to some new photographers, and to Andrew Huberman. I found a lot to relate to and agree to in both his and your thoughts on creativity and connection. The Musician Mary Spender talks about having 1,000 connected and supportive fans has been more rewarding for her than she imagined. Great points made about creating and presenting one's thoughts or art in a unique and genuine way, rather than a formulaic way to garner likes and clicks.

[@drewcigna8197]

great video! loved the sequencing and overall flow

[@clairescheepers]

I really Love William's attitude and genuine internal locus of control - thank you for the shoutout !. He really cares about people deeply -yet is not affected by what they think of him . An absolutely amazing young man. - Thanks also for the dopamine clip - very useful to everyone. You should definitely put yourself on your list too!

[@BryanBirks]

Happy to hear that you enjoyed. I think putting myself on my own list would be quite the psychotic move! Haha 💀

[@clairescheepers]

@@BryanBirks nothing wrong with being 'good' psychotic from time to time 😛

[@1984nacho]

One of the best videos I saw , thank youu , make my day ❤

[@BryanBirks]

Happy to hear. 🍻

[@tedphillips2951]

You have moved your videos into an even more interesting realm. Hard to do when your existing content is so good! Thanks. Always motivating when I know I am sitting on the couch too much.

[@BryanBirks]

Glad to hear it! Trying not to do the same thing over and over again. Something about insanity…

[@photo3338]

I think the opposite of getting the next hit of attention from social media is when you haven't gotten any attention from your work in photography. So you basically give up on producing work for others and just take photos that mean something to you. I share photos with others sometimes. But it's more like, this is what I've been doing.

[@chriscard6544]

film photography forever !

[@BryanBirks]

HELL YES

[@film.fiasco]

somehow the algo recommended me this video and it was spot on. Really nice points you made, and i think you were brave enough to explicitly show how some kinds of engagement (i.e., Q&A, reposting famous photos, etc) are just go easy on inmediate gratification. Just suscribed and here for the ride! Cheers :)

[@BryanBirks]

Glad the algorithm was on my side for once. Happy to have you aboard and glad you enjoyed!

[@garymorrow9324]

I've followed Bryan a long time. Go back and watch some of his previous videos. Always done with great thought and you will learn so much.

[@potkop12345]

TOOL yes. Massive inspiration.

[@BryanBirks]

Constantly think of the song “Eulogy” and remind myself that I don’t want to be the person that “had a lot to say, had a lot of nothing to say.”

[@keithfox2995]

hey dude you seem to be killin it , chin up and keep it up!!

[@BryanBirks]

Appreciate it!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Wonderful list. Love videos like this full of inspo and research.

[@BryanBirks]

Happy you enjoyed it!

[@PhilKnall]

I'll have to watch this another 2-3 times to make sure I properly absorb it. Great picks and insight. (Also stop calling yourself old at 32 lol, especially in a photography space!)

[@BryanBirks]

I’m basically at death’s doorstep 💀

[@PhilKnall]

@@BryanBirks Hello from the afterlife

[@royalslowwy5974]

I honestly expected something very different from what i just saw. it really made me think and how i felt the same way about those people and individuals without realising it. love that you take inspiration from different sources because that shows real commitment to your creative pursuit.

[@BryanBirks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mezayrapetyan131]

Going to my first tool concert in January, super pumped. Maynard is an interesting dude.

[@BryanBirks]

I missed them in St. Louis a while back. Will never forgive myself.

[@jacobogden2688]

great list.. Mark is a legend.

[@BryanBirks]

Doing my best to get names like his out into the casual photography KZbin viewers world.

[@hmuz8388]

as an old 32 YO I resonate with this video specially the last part (also a fan of Huberman). Recently been digging Andre D Wagner's work, photography aside (which is so good) I just like his commitment and work ethic...that's one cool dude! Also Sebastiao Salgado's GENESIS, as someone who does street mainly and birding on the side, just the way he shoots opened my eyes to a whole plethora of ways I can approach my own photography. (sorry, that was a lengthy comment 😅)

[@BryanBirks]

I hear a lot about Salgado but never properly looked into his work. I know what I’ll be doing soon!

[@hmuz8388]

@@BryanBirks have fun!

[@andymcgarty3099]

Thanks for sharing. I'm excited to see what 2024 is going to bring you and what you are going to create. Love your work and always great videos.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks, Andy. Excited to see what 2024 holds as well!

[@contouraerials]

Good video, Bryan.

[@images7]

Very inspiring. I got many ideas while watching the video. Some of them that got lost in my mind as time went since my childhood. Thank you.

[@BryanBirks]

Wonderful. Glad you enjoyed!

[@Johnny_shade]

Great vid man, thank you 🙏🏼 👍🏼

[@BryanBirks]

Thank YOU, Ian 🍻

[@texomatic]

Good cross-section of people to draw from. Nicely done!

[@BryanBirks]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@rpavl]

Hope you are doing well Bryan

[@BryanBirks]

I am indeed. The same to you!

[@zfrancisdumas]

Good video Brian, I really like William and PaullieB too, all you 3 create videos that shows authenticity and I'm really great full for that. One thing though, IMO you don't have to be rough on yourself for making a Q&A or posting about an historical figure in photography instead of going out and do the hard work. You are entitled to those "candy monument" too, because you can back it up time after time. That gives your creative mind a break and this way we get to know some of Bryan's brain and see some of Bryan's work. That's show bizz.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks! I know, I know. I am tough on myself sometimes. What I meant was: I want to share those things out of pure joy or curiosity and not share them out of need for attention.

[@VictorAffaro]

Great Video Bryan

[@BryanBirks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertvonthaden]

this is such a solid list man. jaw dropped seeing Erin Springer's work. Would love a link to Huberman's podcast or that show he was on that you clipped, need to hear more from him. As always, appreciate your videos bro!

[@BryanBirks]

Just updated the description with the link!

[@robertvonthaden]

@@BryanBirks Thanks so much man. I always find that you're talking about the things I'm thinking about. It's a relief honestly, to know I'm not the only one scared as hell by what social media has done to me. Wishin you all the best

[@kenrhem]

It's funny (to me anyway). I think it's because I have a deep dislike for your approach to image making (I grew up on a steady diet of Dan Winters & Miles Aldridge) that I am able to really hear what's going on in your videos. The substance of what you're saying is solid. I'm excited to hear more.

[@BryanBirks]

What about my approach to image making makes you have a deep dislike? I don’t think I have a dislike for anyone’s process for making work.

[@kenrhem]

@BryanBirks it's a bunch of "art school mean girl" bs... I'm sure you get just as itchy when someone busts out a tether station & a bag of lights. I just don't like pictoralism 3.0. Keep doing your thing. The PEs at NYT like it & eventually it'll make its way back into the commercial world the same way it did in the early 2ks with Mcginley & Webber. You're not doing anything wrong. You're just doing it different & that's good.

[@fredrikbankler3773]

Great video!

[@Elassyahmed]

If you enjoy reading great lyrics to some great rock/metal music, I highly recommend Dio. Phenomenal lyricist, whether with his band Dio, Rainbow, or Black Sabbath. Also Randy Blythe from Lamb of God (way heavier), Andrew Latimer from Camel, and of course, Roger Waters from his own solo work or Pink Floyd

[@BryanBirks]

Lamb of God is an old favorite. I’ll have to dig into the others. Not super familiar with them but have listened before!

[@dylanmaranda2466]

Great video Bryan- where was that Erinn interview from?

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks, Dylan. It's from The Study with David Gurzhiev.

[@alaeifR]

Wisdom

[@Vertacos]

"No one is out there taking pictures for your project" Alec Soth

[@BryanBirks]

Truth.

[@tomsharman]

Bryan, what was the podcast you mentioned at 5:26 please?

[@BryanBirks]

It’s called The Study with David Gurzhiev.

[@timothyplatt6053]

You read the book about MJK? It's worth your time.

[@BryanBirks]

I have not but I’ll definitely look into it.

[@timothyplatt6053]

@@BryanBirks A Perfect Union of Contrary Things.

[@ЕвгенийМалышкин-з6к]

👍

[@ziggy149]

“As a 32 yr old …” Bro stop. Your life has barely started.

[@BryanBirks]

Totally. Off the cuff comment. Moreso talking about being aware of your own health.

[@YOUAREMYKIN]

🤌✨

[@endah08]

Excise the cringe (Huberman) and this you're flying.