But Beautiful - The photographs of Robert Adams

[@rosem7606]

I come back again and again, and each time I am touched I am feeling very grateful.

[@mdjsalter]

I've always loved the work of Robert Adams and never been completely certain as to why. There is some nostalgia in his work which he never intended ( much like many photographers ) but there is always the light. As he has often stated - the light shines without judgement on the world - it illuminates everything with a democratic shimmer. Your insights in this video and your clear love of his ambiguity and contrariness to photographic cliche was a great 10 minutes of time well spent. Thanks.

[@jeffrey3498]

I enjoyed that immensely. Thank you!

[@toke7560]

I'm so glad to know its not just me uanable to like full colour pictures. They almost turn my stomach. The black and white shown here are so calming and beautiful.

[@fauxit55]

I saw a book of Robert Adams photographs years ago in book store and have regretted not buying it ever since. I forgot his name bur never his photography. By some weird miracle I found him here. Thank you so much for putting this out.

[@totoff929]

Great video, great understanding of what matters in photography. Thank you.

[@thomassaxo]

Thank you!! I am currently studying jazz and are fortunate to be able to bring in photography as a means for slowing down time. Especially after starting with analog photo five years ago, everythings slow down. When I bring that into my musical practice, it really makes interesting things happen! My professor introduced me to "New Topograhics" and it blew my mind!!!! In these days its getting paramount to stop and look at the layers behind the first layer....

[@Danman4u2]

Beautiful introduction to Adams, and much food for thought on the where and why. Thank you for this, it resonates with me very much.

[@grahammcarthur1794]

You are a breath of fresh air on youtube. Thank you. I have just discovered your channel in the last couple of days and still have a few to look at. Must say I have not found a single word that I disagree with, nor a presentation that has not been of high standard and a joy to absorb.

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

Many thanks Graham for these encouraging words. From a production point of view I am limited by my equipment, not being a videographer I lack the proper cameras and microphones, but I hope the subject matter makes up for this. Most of the photography channels on YT are very gear oriented, which for me is the least interesting aspect of the field.

[@grahammcarthur1794]

I must agree. I read John Berger's 'Ways of seeing', around 1972 or 73 (?) just after art school and it changed my life. I still think it is one of the best books on art ever written. So glad a you tuber is getting into the important stuff. Keep it going. Content beats production every time.

[@swedesrus25]

Unique and well done! I am glad I came across your videos.

[@shaun_rambaran]

Excellent work! His composition skills were phenomenal; So clean and such an eye for design. It's clear that contrast is something he was very aware of and taking advantage of that square-shape of his frame.

[@jeremoe1]

Great video! I've watched it several times and will do so some more. Talking about a troubled world, even more so today. It's at an all-time low, in my opinion. I'm glad to be addicted to photography - helps keep me sane in an insane world. Thanks for posting.

[@criddyla696]

Now 3 years on from your comment and the peak of human insanity led by truly evil Billionaires has us on the brink of humanity failure. We will come through it and see the light prevail, hope you are still getting enjoyment and positivity from this excellent video of a wonderful man’s vision of our wonderful World that shall not be taken from us, too many are awake to these false overlords. Peace

[@borisdunand]

thank you for this parenthese, your regard on adams work I found calming and inspiring, a promenade in between images balancing like trees in the wind

[@nikvandergiesen7152]

Inspiring and insightful! Thank you for making this!

[@davidrothschild8913]

This is a touching, inspiring and beautifully written video on the life and art of Robert Adams, and so much more. Thanks for making.

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

Many thanks David!

[@robertplautz9722]

your voice is soft and mellow, clear and lovely. what it is saying is essential. thank you so much

[@zheyabgav]

Interesting how complex compositions, like one at 4:46, look more clear and understandable than more ‘simple’ examples of the master

[@danielemilazzo432]

I absolutely loved this, someone explaining or observing and narrating further what is the art of seeing. more of it please.

[@zantigar]

Superb essay and meditation on Adams' work - stirs up the assumptions of what photography can be.

[@matttovey5327]

Love this.. very peaceful & relaxing. I’ve liked & subscribed looking forward to watching some more videos when time allows.

[@branislavboba1699]

What a fantastic video!!!

[@s2zvidz]

Wonderful stuff. Thanks for making this. Especially in the era of social media and short attention spans.

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

Thank you.

[@criddyla696]

Reading your comment in 2024 and how very right you are, especially 4 years on where the young and some old are being brainwashed of their own choosing with goldfish levels of awareness, tic toc how ironic the name of the time stealing monstrosity along with many other that aren’t much better. Hopefully it will all vanish when enough wake from this nonsense and see it for what it is.

[@alexlford]

Great video - perfect analysis

[@kapildas3431]

Lovely narration! Thanks

[@TheLukeosite]

Many thanks for this. I've recently been exploring the 'New Topographic's' and simultaneously reading a bit of Geoff Dyer; he shares your view of the importance , above all else, of where the camera is pointing. This video is a nice culmination of the two and food for thought.

[@gregscott2330]

A good minimalist black and white image will always stand the test of time!

[@johnconn982]

His images go far beyond the philosophical , his spacing and object “placement” are impeccable, hence the reason these images work so well. They convey a subtlety that demand a lingering look because they are more than visual, they are visceral.

[@tyxx3668]

love it.

[@simonkeslake2782]

Great stuff, very inspiring to get out and shoot the hidden beauty all around us..thanks for sharing.

[@stevekelly5470]

Really enjoyed this mini-education, thanks so much, Justin.

[@BJEPhoto]

I'm really happy that you have created these videos!

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

I'm happy to share the work of RA, remarkably little info around on youtube.

[@rafael55]

This really inspires me. I will try my best , but I know I can do this because it resonates with my ideas. Thanks for the upload. I will get my camera ready.

[@DavidSpell]

Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video. Insightful and invigorating.

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

Thank you!

[@BehindThePhoto]

Nice work. I really enjoyed this.

[@geoffmphotography9444]

I don't know if you will see this, five years on. I found your commentary very accurate, saying in words how I feel about photography. In short, I couldn't put it better myself. I've only just found your channel so I have some catching up to do. I hope you make more. Geoff

[@backseatprods]

Really well done. Thank you.

[@trifin5772]

Lovely video, thanks.

[@philzpayzdabillz]

Wow, this is fantastic. It's exactly what I've been looking for in a youtube channel. You gave a great overview of his work, exposed me to some new bodies of work I hadn't seen, and made some very insightful points about what makes his photographs special. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos. One small correction though, Adams didn't typically use a 4x5 camera, at least not during his most famous period (Denver, What We Bought...). They were shot on 6x6 and 6x7 cameras (I believe a Hasselblad and Pentax 67). I think the use of a handheld camera and roll film comes across in a lot of his work, as you can tell the importance of walking and of working a scene. Tod Papageorge goes in depth into Adams' technique (all, of course, with an eye towards better understanding his work) in an essay called "The Missing Criticism - What We Bought" if you or anyone else is interested in a very good in-depth analysis.

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

Many thanks philip_q for your kind words. I'm not quite sure why I said Adams used a 4x5 camera, because I know he didn't usually, it must have been a slip of the tongue. And many thanks for directing me to the Papageorge essay, I will check it out.

[@CaptTerrific]

Thanks for the essay recommendation, Phillip!!

[@suehodnett6911]

Interesting channel, looking forward to more, thanks

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

Thanks Sue, I'm not hugely prolific, I only post a video when I have nothing better to do, but I am working on something at the moment.

[@suehodnett6911]

@@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494 I can see you're not your average youtuber, and all the better for it.

[@LenKowitzTV]

Very nice.

[@toke7560]

Fantastic. 9.46, so true.

[@genehilmu8189]

Nice work!

[@fruhbisspattv5259]

Fragile and dangerous but beautiful. Yes it is.

[@martijnvanmierlo3116]

just discovered your channel (and subscribed). Wonderful videos (lectures) this one gives a great insight into the wonderful works of Adams (and new topographics). And a truly interesting and great perspective on what makes a 'good' image. The viewer has to do a little work in order to graphs and understand then it has more to offer then only aesthetics and will last longer, that makes a good photograph. Anyhow very inspiring video especially now I just recently started a new project (Woodland). You will start seeing me here more often in the future. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@skolrelaterat4113]

Very interesting, important and inspiring.

[@stanislavrico]

this is a great video! thank you!

[@alexzelaya4509]

Great video

[@jeremybrake6718]

amazing video

[@danielemilazzo432]

Thank you dos much.

[@NoahScott-McDonald]

Epic

[@CleetusBoHoustBruhther]

I am in a small town and I feel like a lot of my work is like this

[@PaulGJohnsonphotography]

I agree with so much in this video :)

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

Glad you appreciate it, thanks Paul

[@Yardstyle1979]

In a nutshell. Great work.

[@fado605]

Marvelous. I love the work of Robert Adams.

[@timwatley4793]

Good shit bro

[@brianorakpohit]

This video never plays on my phone when everything else does fine.

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

Can't help you there, sorry. I just post the vids in the normal way.

[@Gonzster1]

Boorriinnggg!!!

[@BubbleGendut]

His work is basically boring IMO mainly snapshots.