How To Get Ahead Of 99% Of Photographers

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For the top 1% of photographers, what makes THEM different? How do they stand out? Which paths and skills do they follow and how did they come to find them? In making this video, I reflected on the thousands of photographers I've seen, met, or talked to, and condense 3 traits that I feel contribute to how photographers become really world class at what they do, and if you start these traits too, you may just transform your photography.
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0:00 Intro
2:10 Trait 1
3:55 Trait 2
6:54 Trait 3
8:58 Putting it together

[@jsanabria]

I love these types of videos. However, I'd love to see more examples of each trait. Most of the time I'm not sure if I'm actually picturing what I should or have a hard time visualizing something at all. Photography is a visual medium, please include more visual examples!

[@patkay]

For some ideas, it's easier than others, but for the things I talk about, I've made many many videos on them with a lot of examples! Especially the Visual Pattern series. Check it out!

[@theshuttergrind]

Though you're not wrong, asking for "more free stuff" is not the way to go about this. Buy or borrow some photography books and see what these artists are about, applying the concepts you've seen in this video and others. It's out there. Go find it yourself. In other words, if other photographers already understand this and apply it without asking for anything else, then neither Pat nor the rest of us would take time to give you the visual examples that you need, simply because we went out to find what we were looking for... we still are by the way. Cheers.

[@peterhdge]

@@patkaycraft changing series ❤

[@flightographist]

T Hopper presents what you are asking for and does so very well. Go check out what she does. The Photographic eye also does this very well. In each, they don't get into technique or technical details though, they are all about developing vision and developing your own photographic voice.

[@peterhdge]

Pat you have the most value packed photography centric content on KZbin. Hands down. I appreciate you and what you’ve dedicated your heart and time to and look forward to learning something every time I watch one of your videos. You’re an amazing human, please keep going!

[@abduljalilattahir4764]

I agreee

[@blainemarcano]

Same.

[@kevinrushton6462]

Thank you Pat, you have provided a very clear perspective as well as a better understanding of what to focus on

[@boristahmasian9604]

Thank you for the video Pat. I learned about these lessons by trial and error! And it has taken a loooooong time. Had your video been around years ago, I could have saved a lot of time.

[@iaincphotography6051]

A good listen indeed and I hope that people who listen and watch on KZbin actually go to your website to view your work.

[@miniatureface]

great video and great advice! i'd like to add that I think a lot of beginner photographers do have a clear subject, but lack interesting non-subject elements to balance out the photograph or add to the story. Personally, especially when I first started out, but still now, I took a lot of photos of just a subject and nothing else. Very little story to tell. A good photo needs more, such as location/context, framing, thoughtful background, foreground elements, thoughtful use of color, shapes, symmetry, complimentary secondary subjects, etc.

[@thecolorofdye]

this is a good thought

[@milind-bt3vk]

This is something out of box, Great help as started thinking differently. Thanks a lot!

[@MosaicArtizt]

This is great Pat, I love to hear your perspective. I’m wonder if you could speak about developing a portfolio and potentially submitting to a gallery or developing an exhibition as a photography artist.

[@patkay]

A big, chunky topic that one. Perhaps one day!

[@AmericanPatriot447]

All very excellent points I agree with…..thanks for emphasizing these particular three…..I can visualize making some changes when I do shoot now with this in mind…..

[@ahmedamin8849]

Wow this video has so much packed into it. So much to process and all meaningful.

[@patkay]

Glad you got some value out of it!

[@JourneyDude]

i just came across your channel thank you! finally someone who is on point

[@MarcEllie31]

Thank you for making this video and sharing your expertise. It helps me a lot! I appreciate you and always listening to you.

[@patkay]

My pleasure!

[@hurleygreen927]

THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO...the information is relevant and timely: I appreciate it!

[@AdventuresofCarlienne]

so much great advice and tips in this video! thanks for sharing Pat.

[@LuckyPiano]

Great video as always Pat! Your content is always such high quality and I think you have a real strength in your communication style; it's always structured, clear to the point, yet doesn't lose out on bringing out your soul and passion for the topic. We're very lucky to have you! On another note, I bought your LR editing masterclass and it's been phenomenal. Just a thought, maybe offer a discount code to your presets or a preset 'trial package' for those who bought the masterclass? I can imagine heaps of people who have gone through your LR masterclass would also be interested in your presets! But regardless, the message remains, I'm very grateful for all the work you've done for us. Thank you :)

[@NFMohr_Productions]

Amen!🙌Couldn't agree more about his communication style!

[@jasoncrosby4052]

Fan ho is amazing. And so was this video. Thanks for the useful insights.

[@louhautdavid6451]

Great video. You probably identified crucial points. I would add another one. If you love photography, get a good culture about your passion. Look at images as much as you can. You'll see the possibilities and you'll know better what you like and dislike.

[@GoGetItPeriod]

Great video man, and some awesome shots👏 John is a straight G with that brazen shot 😂

[@si.sivish]

Thank you what you share with us Pat. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@patkay]

My pleasure =)

[@_ballistic]

What an amazing video. Great tips that help amatuer photographers keep their feet on the ground. Develope your own voice!

[@ArdcoreGaming]

You have earned yourself another subscriber. I love your content. Im actually in the process of starting up my photography business, and this video definitely helped.

[@tkellyimages5686]

ArdcoreGaming… Saw your comment about starting a photography business. I am in the same boat. I hope your making progress, good luck

[@ArdcoreGaming]

@tkellyimages5686 Thank you very much. I was hired and photographed my first Quinceanera about a week ago. I was so nervous but everything turned out amazing. I hope things go amazing for you as well. 🙏🙏

[@ve55]

That was surprisingly impressive - thank you for sharing those thoughts.

[@patkay]

Thanks for watching!

[@NeonShores]

Finding my visual language is what I'm struggling with most right now. Half of me is drawn to minimalism; clean lines, symmetry, almost pastel like colors. The other half is drawn to a warmer, vintage aesthetic, abstract and artful (think Saul Leiter) When i try to find a common ground I feel like I'm aping Wes Anderson or something similar which is not my aim.

[@davigtlahuel]

I don't if this is helpful but from personal experience, I've been taking photos for like a good two years now (don't know how long you've been doing it). But, during all this time of taking photos, and more photos, I look back at my previous work, and while I say many of them could have been much better, I can see some traits of those primitive photos that I kept on doing again and again to this date. Then that's when I realize, what type of styles I'm drawn into. Because during those moments, I'm exploring other themes but at the end of the day, when I look back, I am able to see what I like doing. Yeah some styles change, but there is this innate liking that we are drawn to and that took time for me to realize. Hope this helps. If not, I tried lol. Cheers!

[@patkay]

Keep in mind that having different aesthetics is TOTALLY fine as well, and that's completely part of your style. No one ever said you needed to stick to one thing! Keep trying at different things until you find your path :)

[@pauls1ngh]

Amazing advice. Great reminder & bang on the money 🔥🔥🔥

[@patkay]

Thanks for watching :)

[@thewanderdex]

Hi Pat! This is my first time to watch your video. And I like it. I’m a beginner in photography. I just recently bought a canon r8. If I buy your presets, is it lifetime to use it?

[@lpark8]

Inspirational video - thanks! 🙏😎

[@patkay]

Thanks for watching!

[@jaygibbs1305]

So helpful thank you

[@patkay]

My pleasure!

[@ChuihcguRydughx]

I take my videos with ZV-E10 and whole set of Kase filters. It's quite helpful.

[@BackpackingVideos]

Great insights! This is a side question, but which camera are you using to shoot these videos?

[@keithandrew1798]

Hello Pat, Just found your videos for the first time today. On the subject of getting more time for photography. How does one get from after work and weekends, to getting photography to be your job? I like portrait photography, and I can see a path to making that a paying hobby by offering services to friends and acquaintances. Then developing a style, and getting referrals from there. However, my passion is Landscape photography and I can't think of how to start developing this into a paying job. How have the photographer's you know managed the transition? Keith

[@photobizmethod]

I license my work to other companies.

[@dergelenkspreizer5272]

Last one ist most important. The best togs I know don't hang around on social media and also they don't make the most spectacular images. They have a tight business network and plenty of jobs to do. They are reliable and deliver solidly anytime anyplace. The market is highly saturated, true. But not with rocksolid photography businessmen. Many struggle on running a healthy brand.

[@garymc8956]

Great synopsis of what we should all remember.

[@patkay]

Absolutely! And for every level of photographer.

[@thrivephotography8081]

Nice video. Regarding your comments about business. One thing I found owning a studio and being a full time portrait photographer is that I actually have less time for actual photography than when I was an enthusiast. I would estimate that I spend maybe 20% of my time actually shooting and the rest of the time marketing, selling , networking , communication with clients and the 8 million things any business needs to do to prosper. Also I have found that while you do get better at your genre the more you do it it does not necessarily mean you are becoming a better photographer overall . I’m not being negative, I love having a professional studio ….. all I mean is , if you love photography purely for the craft , I honesty think you are better off being an amateur enthusiast. Some of the best photography I see is from photographers who do not get paid . 🙂

[@tamasd8]

Maybe you need an assistant at this point :)

[@thrivephotography8081]

@@tamasd8 I have a studio manager and subcontractors 🙂

[@Blind.t420]

Anyone got any good camera suggestions I’m 16 and looking for one for Christmas and I look to do photography after my gcse

[@user-dg6sg8ju1h]

wow this was so insightful

[@patkay]

Glad you think so!

[@juanroque92]

Thank you. 🙏🏼

[@patkay]

Thank you!

[@andymason4459]

I like you Pat. You are very good.

[@YouNeedMyVoice]

This is the 6th youtube channel that I've saw this week having titles such: " Dew dis to be ahead 99% or 95% of other people" 🤣(I guess the 'ahead 99%' it's smth that gain viewes and likes right now) I think I'm starting to see that youtubers will do anything for content. I mean, don't wanna be rude but..all youtubers are saying that they care about honesty and bla bla, but if a title such as: 'What color should you wear to attract inspiration', all (or most of them) street & art YT channels will follow the trend.

[@CryptoJones]

As soon as I have the money I am buying the photography and lightroom courses. I just need like three lenses first.

[@SellYourArtblog]

I have lots to learn from you about professional presentation :-) but I just wanted to comment on one thing ... for me it goes deeper, "what are you trying to say?" is good, but then, "why are you trying to say that?"

[@ccudjoe89]

always seeking self improvement and not quitting

[@lomi1167]

Hi, I hope this reaches you. What software can I use for free to Edit and convert RAW NEF files to Jpeg? I’m just new on trying photography.

[@oo0RECON0oo]

What changes or progression did you experience the longer you shot? And what do you elements of photography do you find combined will make a great shot?

[@alexandermattke5965]

kinda off topic but since when does the like button flash when creators ask to click it? thought I smoked too much lol

[@amrfawzy]

I am watching it now

[@patkay]

Thanks for watching!

[@Luxury.Famous]

no ty

[@TonyNguyen460]

how much of a master of photography do you have to be, to be able to do it fulltime ?

[@daveforz]

depends on your market. if your work is as good or better than those who are already doing it full time then yeah you can do it full time with some hard work.

[@patkay]

You don't need to be a "master" per se, but you need to have a sufficient level of skill to be able to service a market!

[@slava7359]

I also miss photo examples of your ideas. Regardless they may not be objective.

[@ampmmbe1590]

👍🏿 401

[@Pyrichia]

>turn something you love into a job no

[@NotAgainJHN]

36k views and only 2.8k Likes? Why are people so frking ****. Thanks for the video, helps a lot! 🙌🏽

[@cede30]

I'm not seeing as much value in this video as you might expect.

[@justafanofcoolsht]

Just shoot

[@fintonmainz7845]

Being in the top 1% isn't good enough.

[@Kalama_Llama_King_Kong]

Thank you!

[@patkay]