Creative vs Technical - Find your creative path with the camera

[@EwenBell]

It was fascinating for me to dig down through my images in Myanmar captured over a decade ago. In many ways I was a better photographer back then. Not as technically skilled perhaps, but I was fully utilising my skills and so totally engaged with being in Myanmar. I wonder how I would feel were I to go back now, to see a different Myanmar. The emotional state of the photographer is such a powerful part of the capture.

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Fabulous photos from this location 😊 love your sentiments on creativity.

[@mikecoleridge8982]

What a refreshing video. Thank you Ewen. Mike

[@EwenBell]

Thankyou so much Mike :)

[@IronChefShellie]

A great video with some beautiful images. If I had to know everything technical about the camera I would have never bothered learning.

[@EwenBell]

Sometime a bunch of technical stuff just gums up the works for otherwise very creative people :)

[@ianrolfesouthernlightscapes]

Absolutely wonderful to sit back and listen to this Ewen. I initially thought 20 mins might be a tad too long...but no, just right! The presentation was thorough and clear and heartfelt, and that's something we don't see enough of on these kinds of presentations.You definitely got to the heart of it, we all need creativity in our images, and many people spend a lifetime of shooting and still don't get it. I particularly loved the rendition of all the images to that warm Monochromatic feel, which lent itself so beautifully to what you were trying to get across to your audience. Wonderfully explained... and so well done buddy! Thank-you.

[@EwenBell]

Thanks so much for dropping a note Ian and thanks for the kind words :) The beautiful thing about the art of photography is there is so much room for different ways of expressing our creativity. You and I are such different photographers, and yet we both enjoy the same moments with the light :)

[@DanielPetukhin]

Love videos like these, wheb the talk about the essence rather than technique. Thank you! That WAS inspiring :)

[@EwenBell]

Thank you so much for saying so Daniel :)

[@ZakariKha]

Some great advice to break that creative blockage

[@EwenBell]

Could have done an entire video on "take a walk in the bush" towards the same end :)

[@Nishimachi_Photography]

Ewen, you've reminded me I need to spend more time on the curation of photo sets. (It's something I did 20 years ago when printed folios were the norm)... I offer capture details of cars which on their own don't mean much, especially when compared to the hero shots of the cars. I'm going to put more effort into presenting the images as a set. Thanks.

[@EwenBell]

I love the idea of a photo series from one day on the track, following the crew and everything that happens behind the scenes. I know the hero moments take place on the track itself, but maybe there are also a few intimate stories to tell. Looking forward to seeing more of your curation :)

[@Democratiser]

Thanks for your sharing. In terms of what I personally would find beneficial, it would be a series of theme based projects or assignments, maybe one per month, each with a separate theme such as macro, portraits indoors, portraits outdoors, inanimate objects, food, flowers, sport, mountains, Astro, etc. I have never undertaken or even searched for a photography course so maybe this is exactly what is covered in those sources but as you asked, just thought I’d mention what popped into my head. Thank you again. 🙏

[@jerryhughes4720]

Thanks for the video Ewen. Among many points, it is a useful reminder about curation for me (I'm still not selective enough). Maybe I was that client who didn't have a story, it could have been, even if it wasn't me I know I developed ideas for a story in images from your advice (not that I'm always adherent to that inner antipodean voice). I do, however, still consider that Myanmar trip to be the best I've ever been on and I have been on lots since then (the China 2010 trip is not far behind that).

[@EwenBell]

Awwwww it's so lovely to hear from you Jerry! You definitely were not the mystery man with lack of focus. Have enjoyed your whole-hearted commitment to photography over the years and your adoration for nature and the craft is evident in every image you share. Come join us again soon!

[@NoSuRReNDeR001]

after 30 years I let the technical go... my friend yesterday who shoots RAZOR sharp images of models/products all strobes all the times... I mean PERFECT images - ... told me He was more technical of shooter and I am was more about the art and it felt good to hear. His images may sell magazines and be better technically for example...but my images in my op are more visceral and come from the emotion of the moment or person first... the eye knows what to shoot the heart knows better. Learn the tool then loose the perfection and feel the images you capture.

[@NoSuRReNDeR001]

subbed thank you for this great video

[@EwenBell]

Thanks so much for sharing this story! There's a lot of different ways to embrace photography, and finding what works for you, or what doesn't, is so important :)

[@martyjwalker]

Ironically I find doing commissions and paid work puts me outside of my comfort zone - which is why I stopped doing it. On photographing people, outside of a typical street scene, I find it nearly impossible to do so unless I've had some sort of connection with that person. I noticed the 20mm in there too. One of my favourites.

[@EwenBell]

I'm all for pushing back the boundaries, to an extent, but also in recognising what you love and what you do not :)