Finding a path in photography that you don’t hate

[@bencompson]

Enjoyed the video, but not sure I identify with it. I love photography, so I am so glad I don't have to do it for a living. That means I don't have time carved out just to do photography as much as I want to (and probably need to) in order to get better at it. So finding time to do it and do it thoughtfully is a much bigger problem than boredom for me. I wish I could do it enough to get bored with it! "Boredom is a sign that you're ready for something new". This could be the motto for a generation. Or it could mean that you have attention deficit disorder. Nothing wrong with trying new things and expanding horizons but I honestly don't think boredom is the best indicator. It could just indicate that you're not willing to put the work in. As far as the social media treadmill, I agree. I think it would be exhausting. I wonder if we just shot for ourselves, if we just shot for fun, if we just shot for growth as an artist if that wouldn't relieve some of that pressure?

[@RetiredSubmariner.and.VanLifer]

@EwenBell - Thank you for your perspective. I do not make my living from photography, but have always enjoyed it as just a hobby, up until recently when I have just become, “Bored and Burned Out” with it. I am, at present, “Bored and Burned Out” with every aspect of my life, and in the past, photography always given me solace , even through overwhelming burnout with life in general. This is not the case now, as I just cannot even find joy in photography. After listening to this video, you have given me something to think about, something to look forward to, something to bring joy back into my life from something that has always been in my life, and that is photography, both film and digital. I am thinking about simplicity at this point and just having fun in the moment. Maybe just a simple half frame film camera and my Sony RX100 1. Nothing fancy, just small and inconspicuous, just enjoy capturing smiles, displays of affection between couples, nature, trees, birds and the simplicity of humanity. I will be looking forward to seeing more of your perspective on photography from your channel, and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject and helping to save many of us from “Boredom and Burnout”. Michael

[@EwenBell]

Awww man, a lot of feels here and thankyou so much for sharing this. Before all the chaos of 2020, I had already reached a stage where I felt like I wanted the world to stop for a few months so I could catch up. Turns out the in the absence of deadlines, I don't get much work done! Sometimes that's also a perfectly fine way to live your life :)

[@RetiredSubmariner.and.VanLifer]

@@EwenBellYou’re welcome. Your channel can also be philosophical on other “less mentioned” topics as the one you discussed in this video. Photography is in its purest form, “Time Travel”, a portal into humanity’s past, because in essence, all we have is this present moment. Photography is an art form, forever capturing past moments in our lives and humanity in general. Without these captured images, I don’t know where humanity would be right now. I guess what I am trying to say is, “enjoy photography, but don’t worry about technique or what anyone else thinks or says about your photographs, just capture those moments, because, in the blink of an eye, they are forever gone. As I stated earlier, a half frame film camera will give you 72 frames of memories from one roll of film. Capturing these moments on film, is great because you don’t know what you have until you develop this roll of film. I don’t want to worry about technical details or anything else, just want to capture moments and help to re-create the past joys of photography. Michael

[@alexlford]

Perfectly executed! Great work

[@EwenBell]

Thanks so much Alex :)

[@WithCielo]

Great quote "Boredom is a sign that you're ready for something new". It's so true. I am guilty or resorting to buying new gear. But maybe it's just about picking up a new project.

[@EwenBell]

There's such an entanglement between new projects and new gear isn't there. Not sure how much of that is conditioned from decades of being a good consumer!

[@wearetrackclub]

Great perspective, Ewen! Really well said 👏

[@EwenBell]

Thankyou!

[@sauzefilms]

1:20 is so me, after every trip i would take a "second vacation" away from my camera too lol but i digress. this video resonated with me, especially the "boredom is a sign" part. i tried shooting with only my phones for a few years, tried small+medium format film, explored small P&S cameras and large medium format "tanks", tried to learn how to shoot street and abstract, even tried to learn videography and cinematography. maybe i would venture into the profession side of things this year, seeing that i always shoot for myself and not for others.

[@EwenBell]

Nothing brings focus quite like having a project and a completion date! For what it's worth, I have reviewed a LOT of camera gear for magazines over the past decade and was lucky enough to try out some great medium format gear, and realise that 35mm was much more my happy place. Sometimes we need to try every other option before we can settle on the obvious option :)

[@ryankwan1934]

Second vacation describes every vacation with my wife. She grew up in a repressive country and couldn't travel. Now, she really wants to make up for lost time on every holiday. It's like...Golden Route x4 every year. I usually need a few days just sitting in a garden with a book to recharge after the vacation.

[@IronChefShellie]

Cool b-roll ❤️

[@EwenBell]

Had some excellent help with that :)

[@peterfritzphoto]

This is extremely well done, and profound in scope. I absolutely love this video, and have subscribed. Thanks, mate.

[@EwenBell]

Cheers Peter :) Was the first time my wife helped me shoot a video and maybe I need to get her help more often!

[@peterfritzphoto]

@@EwenBell Ditto! My wife and son shot a bit of me in Queenstown last week with their phones, and it was sooo helpful. I really enjoyed this video, Ewen, and shall browse through some of your earlier work, too.

[@LeeAllen337]

I'm almost 40 and I wish I would have gotten into Photography when I was in my 20's. I've only been doing it for a couple years now. I absolutely love using my camera, editing all my photos and posting them to the world. I haven't gotten to the point where I'm bored yet. I hope it never happens and I find a good flow for many years to come.

[@EwenBell]

I hope you continue to enjoy your photography too :)

[@ianrolfesouthernlightscapes]

Refreshingly good Ewen... lovely to see you outside in our great city on a beautiful day too! Very interesting comments about how we constantly need to refresh our viewpoint and re-invent how we shoot and what we chase as photographers. A very nice easy going style of presenting this to us as well...loved it Buddy!

[@EwenBell]

Ever noticed how Shellie makes everything better :) Would like to use this format and Shellie's help a little more often. Docklands was super noisy and distracting and maybe not the best location for recording, but we got it done!

[@Dan_photo]

This was a great perspective! Thanks for sharing.

[@EwenBell]

Thankyou Daniel :)

[@EwenBell]

I never see the worst typos until after the video goes live. But I see it now.

[@miklosnemeth8566]

If you are not financially dependent on your photos videos. You’d need multiple free time hobbies: urban sketching, painting, playing music, each challenging enough to capture your attention.

[@rogerbrooksfilms]

Ah yep, couldn't agree more. Well articulated mate.

[@EwenBell]

Thankyou!

[@SpudUna]

Yep I’m bored stiff. Of sold all my gear and bought a couple of action cameras. Why ? Because they’re fun

[@xaosgeist]

I get that 35mm is also a good lens for portraits, but you say @ 4:22 that 85mm is not the right lens for portraits, and we should stop using it. Please explain why.

[@EwenBell]

I'm doing an entire video on that :) Will be out in a few weeks.

[@EwenBell]

Here's that video I promised, comparing 85mm to wider lenses for portraits :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJfFZKKnp8l9Zq8

[@lensman5762]

We as photographers, all have a level. A ceiling, and every once in a while we hit that ceiling. Then we know it is time to raise it, if the talent was there in the first place.

[@EwenBell]

Still finding new ways to do my photography better. Not sure how much of that is talent or opportunity?