How To Photograph Homes At Night Like Todd Hido

[@pavinder]

I very much appreciate you discussing the influence of Carver, something I had no idea about Hido's work. As far as your imitations go, your images were lovely and atmospheric, although I think two things were missing from yours that Hido has in his work: firstly, your images are mainly in 1-point perspective rather than 2-point. And secondly Hido usually has a lot more ambient light on his subjects than you did here - although you might be able to bring more of that out in post-processing.

[@ImitativePhotography]

2-point perspective! That's the term I was missing. Now that you mention it you're absolutely right. Looks just like those vanishing point diagrams from art class...

[@pavinder]

@@ImitativePhotography Yeah, I loved those art classes. Put in the vanishing points and suddenly everything you draw looks so real!

[@TheCreativeContentHub]

13 years ago our art teacher took us to see his work…I never forgot the uniqueness of his work, but I unfortunately lost his name to the landscape of memory. And and here now, through watching a video about Wes Anderson I rediscovered one of the sparks that lit my journey into photography. From the deepest in my heart I thank you for this video!

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thank you for this heartwarming comment! It really keeps me motivated.

[@-WhizzBang-]

What uniqueness? He is taking photos of peoples houses at night!!! Seems kind of CREEPY to me! Peeping Tom Hido!

[@TheOn3LeftBehind]

8:14 that shot looks awesome!

[@alyssamicha6060]

Todd Hido is one of my favorites, and an inspiration to me. Photographing on foggy nights into the early morning is my absolute favorite time. There is a calmness, a quiet stillness at that time. The right fog is hard to get though, sometimes not enough, and sometimes too much... but every once in a while, you get the perfect amount of fog and it is the most magical experience. I tend to not photograph homes because this makes me uncomfortable, but I like to photograph small businesses and parking lots. Many of them leave lights on all night long, or just the signs, and I feel much better about hanging our for a while, taking my time with composition and exposure, without worrying that someone is watching me, haha.

[@ianssight2785]

Gave me the feel of Gregory Crewdson minus the people. Insightful

[@ImitativePhotography]

Definitely, a lot of similarities in mood and setting with Crewdson's work.

[@giulyanoviniciussanssilva2947]

He is the artist that most refers to the current culture of images on the internet that bring the feelings of these images of Hido, I love it how he brings this focus on light and environments.

[@ralphvandergeest]

First of all massive compliments for your channel which I just recently discovered. It stands out from many other photography channels on social media in that your way of analyzing (famous) photographers' work is highly original, professional and accurate. Really a pleasure to watch and listen. As for Todd Hido, I am a huge fan of his work as his images remind me always because of their somewhat gloomy atmosphere and sense of loss of the paintings by Edward Hopper. As having experienced the Soviet Union first hand, I am also delighted by the work of Alexey Titarenko about whom you did a great episode as well. Thanks a lot for what you contribute to photography with your channel, wishing you all the best from the Netherlands.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@dan-le-brun]

Bonus points for Metal Gear Solid "you've been spotted" sound clip! Great episode and love Hido's work.

[@danem2215]

There's something magical about window light spilling onto snow, and that glow in the sky. I only managed to capture it once behind my own home by pure happenstance.

[@ArmTheCreative]

Always love a foggy night or morning.

[@tristan_viney]

I've only recently discovered your channel and I'm really, really enjoying your insights, how you disect a photographer's style, and being exposed to so many new sources of photgraphic inspiration. I also couldn't help but laugh when you were almost run over at the crossing. I'm new to Toronto and this happens almost daily to me!

[@ImitativePhotography]

Haha gotta be careful.

[@emilianoa4]

I love these video analysing photographers work and technical details much more than those hype videos like "here is another new 50mm after the one released last year". Subscribed this morning and I already watched 3, all of them fitting my taste and likes them! Good job! 👍🏻

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thanks!

[@Giles29]

You did a good job recreating Todd Hido's style, and its good to see you don't necessarily have to use someone's home to do this

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thanks!

[@PeterGallagher1]

I feel that you did a great job analyzing and the implementing the parameters. I Love the way that the fog disperses the light at night.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Me too! I wish Toronto had more foggy days, but we only get a couple a year.

[@Dan-jg7zl]

You could actually use a bloom filter for atmposheric glow on street and house lights if you don't have the drama of the fog.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Definitely.

[@nwiegman]

You are to be complimented. Your work is well done. It is inspirational. I find it interesting to compare your work to classical art education . It is a.wll known exercise if not a requirement to do Master Studies. In walking a mile in another moccasins in arts case with their pallet you gain further insight as to how to create their secret sauce. So it goes with what you are. doing. I am surprised we have not seen more of this. Great stuff and thank you. So much of the other "stuff" on KZbin is gear centric. I appreciate taking a refreshing dip in the artistic pool.

[@djabudda99]

That video was a massive help! Truly well done, cheers.

[@andreserra5004]

Amazing! Loved this video!

[@stevehageman6785]

You did really good! Thanks for sharing!

[@marklambert7734]

very interesting context, analysis and workflow- thanks

[@mgplaneta]

Great job, I really appreciate it!

[@vijayaraj.s]

Thanks for introducing Todd hido. Loved your explanation and your hands on experience. Keep creating..

[@theblackmanarmedwithacamera]

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS AND YOUR CHANNEL MAN! I'M SO HAPPY THAT I STUMBLED UPON IT!!!💯🤘🏾🤘🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mystoller]

Great work, really happy I found your channel.

[@lpark8]

Another great video. I just discovered Todd Hido. Your background research and efforts to imitate the style really deep an appreciation of the work. I didn’t know about the Raymond Carver connection which is really cool. Great images on your part as well 🙏😎

[@karinjohnstone6690]

This was so interesting. Amazing photos of Hido - and yours not so bad either. I love the context of Raymond Carver. Very inspirational Thanks

[@AlaskaB83]

Really glad I discovered your channel. Todd Hido is yet another hero of mine. I really like how you break down their style in way that helps us learn how to improve and apply some of their techniques to our own style. I would love to see you do a video like this on Sebastio Salagado. He seems like a photographer whose style would lend itself well to your style of analysis as it is original and super emotion-inducing. Anyway, I'm sure you have plenty of heroes of your own you want to make videos about. Thanks for what you do

[@craigianmenzies]

Just discovered the channel, really educational. Love these photos and this style. Inspiring.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thanks and welcome to the channel!

Gracias, siempre hay una sorpresa agradable cuando aparecen tus videos en los recomendados.

[@mrdanyel73]

I really enjoy your videos, I am always looking for way's to learn new things in my photography and these videos do just that Thanks have a great day and keep them coming Daniel

[@marekward6202]

I like what you do. Thanks man.

[@Der_Marc]

I feel the atmosphere! Beautifull images, i have to search for a book from him.

[@pittan86]

Excellent mate

[@elcomemango11]

Great video!

[@Iesous27]

Can't believe you had the balls to walk around in the dark in an isolated field in Toronto lol. Amazing shots tho! I loved that one with the COVID sign. Really speaks to the isolation of the people inside - potentially

[@ImitativePhotography]

That's my favourite one too.

[@Dazz1806]

Thank you so much for this video. I only discovered Todd Hido recently and instantly fell in love. I’m new to photography and couldn’t comprehend how he created his images. You broke it down beautifully and I’m busting to get out and try it now. Thanks again

[@ImitativePhotography]

Best of luck!

[@tanishkaprasad8657]

i love your videos!!! would appreciate it so much if you start showing us tutorials on editing images on darktable/light room!

[@ImitativePhotography]

I have a backlog of planned videos to release but I will see what I can do!

[@mike_lambert]

I think you did a great job of the simulation and the background explanation, thank you.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thanks for watching!

[@RandomiValotus]

very nice photos

[@martylevenson7062]

Glad you brought in the Carver connection....nice video! Thank you.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thanks!

[@nellyfine4956]

Thank you. 👍🏻

[@enriqueacosta2250]

Awesome

[@chrisdunnink]

great stuff mate

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thanks!

[@Roho_irianto]

Great video...!!!...👏👏

[@marianodemiguel3442]

I get it ! great video.

[@ML-rm3vk]

Sir thank you brilliant video sir a fan here keep doing what you are doing.

[@olireid7577]

Thanks allot bro this really helped with my level 2 photography assessment

[@ImitativePhotography]

Nice!

[@TheAntoineDivine]

love

[@don7117]

I just discovered Hido's work and really like it. I think your recreations were spot on. My only, picky Comme t is that the middle photo perhaps showed a bit too much detail inside the house. But that's just me being waaaay too picky. Your shots were excellent. Thanks for the breakdown and examples.

[@RyanTeo]

Thanks for the introduction and explanation. Why am I reminded of the painting Nighthawks by Edward Hopper? Hmm..

[@Standbackforscience]

this channel is amazing, even if it's just to discover photographers.

[@remihuber]

Interesting.

[@geoffmphotography9444]

Good one. Also introduced me to Raymond Carver, which is a bonus.

[@gsus3918]

This: If Silent Hill or MGS Ground Zeros was a photography standard. Great work!

[@MowMent]

I love how you are so formal but on personal side, you curse. This made me decide to subscribe but I love all your videos!!

[@ThePhotographyRebuttal]

Great channel, my fellow Torontonian! Just subscribed. I hope you keep this up and celebrate the craft instead of the gear and trends.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thank you for subscribing! And don't worry there's more on the way, currently wrapping up a street fashion photography video.

[@VideoSolutionsbyCalebThomas]

Very hido 👍

[@trulex]

In addition to this great video, your narrative sounds like Pedro Pascal voice ✌🏼

[@bardofhighrenown]

I do a lot of night photography. I am very careful about being in residential areas and I don't take photos despite seeing some nice potential images -as I can easily imagine uncomfortable I would be if a stranger rocked up in the middle of the night and started snapping photos of my apartment and I don't want to confront someone in that state. Even though there is nothing illegal about it, I avoid it. I have promised myself though that I would do it if there were a image that demanded I take it, that I felt was worth the risk of the confrontation.

[@SpinStar1956]

Had to laugh when I saw the image at 3:00. The owner of the home is a ham radio operator. The antenna upon the tower is a TH7-DX from Hy-Gain corporation--it is the same one I have! And, he did not tighten properly the elements to the boom because you can see they are out of alignment. This is very common because even though you think you tightened them, strong winds hitting the long elements have incredible leverage. Ask me how I know! Lastly, there is another mini-tower and antenna that looks to be attached to the house; it is a very deluxe antenna for both VHF, UHF TV and FM radio. Question: Do you know when (year etc.) this photo was shot? Thanks for posting this image in your video--it certainly tells me a story about the person, his interests and work industriness...

[@ImitativePhotography]

Good eye! It's fascinating to hear about all these little details. Are you also a radio operator? Can't say for sure when it was taken, but it was published in 2001 in Hido's "Outskirts" book.

[@SpinStar1956]

@@ImitativePhotography Thank you for replying. I think most all good photos have stories, some obvious, some more detailed because that person knows a particular aspect others might not. I’ve been into photography seriously since 1977 when a friend of mine got his uncle’s custom made press type bellows camera with a Leica lens that took 120 sheet film. So, I learned about composition very early because with precious few magazines, it certainly wasn’t a snap shot camera! After I had to give it back, I bought a Minolta XD-5 with a f1.7 and then would by Panatomic-X ASA-32 in 100 foot rolls for $20! The XD-5 had both aperture and shutter preferred modes. I had a bunch of adventurous friends and we go hiking and I shot many memorable photos. Those were the days for sure…

[@CleetusBoHoustBruhther]

8:45 literally me when ever doing night photography outdoors I cant see shit LOL

[@blackcameraphoto]

As much as I love, respect and admire the finished product I know I would be shook to see someone lurking in front of my home in the late hours pointing a camera at my house.

[@ImitativePhotography]

For sure, many of us would!

[@georgeclayton7466]

Love the video and the channel! Has anybody told you before you sound a little like Pedro Pascal haha

[@ImitativePhotography]

Only on the internet 😂

[@uniktbrukernavn]

Yes, no more sunrise, sunset, golden hour, blue hour. Just you in the AM with your camera. Alone. And if you want the glow from the TV don't worry, there's always people awake at 3AM (all cities & towns have a part dedicated to the AM people).

[@kylehagie1647]

On the secrecy/voyeurism aspect, I thought it was silly that Hido says he does it all publicly but then explains how he changes his body language to seem like he's doing something else. I think a lot of the homeowners would be happy to know someone's photographing their house. Especially as someone who heavily appreciates the vague, liminal nature of this style of photography, I would be rather sad if Hido captured my house and didn't show me!

[@ImitativePhotography]

Unfortunately not everyone would be as flattered... He's had the police called on him several times while shooting houses and I think he probably just got tired of having to explain himself.

[@glennmiles5365]

I think this expresses a limitation rather than a strength.

[@moky99]

Great job. Do you fix ISO and aperture then use priority speed and let the camera choose speed ?

[@ImitativePhotography]

Yes, essentially.

[@shortattentionspangarage1312]

I liked them. Liminal spaces draw me in. The only criticism I've got is maybe there's a bit too much light in yours, but light pollution wasn't as much of a thing back 30 years ago either.

[@ImitativePhotography]

I agree. It was hard to find isolated houses as they tend to build very close within the city. It would probably be easier to find better shots further out in the countryside.

[@MrSongib]

7:29 Bro dont go alone.

[@misreviews95]

Todo muy cool pero la verdad que hay muchos lugares....como el trópico dónde la niebla natural es casi imposible. No hay otra opción para simularla así natuural?

[@ImitativePhotography]

La niebla no es un elemento absolutamente necesario. Él tiene algunas fotos de casas sin niebla. Sin embargo, una opción seria usar otros fenómenos naturales que engendren un sentido de aislamiento y que dispersen la luz. En climas tropicales la llovizna podría producir un efecto similar. Todd Hido también tiene una serie llamada “A Road Divided” en la que saca fotos a través de la ventana de su auto cuando está lloviendo, que también producen una sensación similar a sus fotos de casas.

[@beo2g]

what camera should i buy that is cheap i dont have a lot of money but what i love to photograph are pictures with sunrays what camera do.u recommend

[@ImitativePhotography]

It's hard to recommend a specific camera for that as most will do the job. Just keep your eyes open for used listings and you can save more money.

[@pinkfatcap]

Yes all good, how do I make fog tho. :(

[@skrach37]

Thanks for the video!!! Don't know if someone mentioned it, I didn't read all the comments, but considering that when one uses film there is no white balance like in digital and every film has its own caracter, how did you considered this issue? Or did you use auto? Greetings

[@ImitativePhotography]

I didn't touch the white balance while shooting but I shot in raw format so I could just adjust it in post if I needed to.

[@skrach37]

@@ImitativePhotography ok, thanks for answering. I sometimes try to establish the temperature of the capture to somehow simulate this, and I shoot in raw+jpg.

[@skrach37]

@@ImitativePhotography I wonder if there is information about this, about which temperature has every film.

[@SyncroScales]

8:29 - 8:32 Many people do not care and drive toward pedestrians. Some wait until you walk to try to hit.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Always got to be on the lookout...

[@robbykidman]

Im afraid that if people find me at night taking pics of their house, they might call the police. Lol

[@Hannemanneke]

Great try and I like it 👍 Night photography is fun and challenging 😊 Please don’t get me wrong, I don’t critique your examples here. I noticed a bit of a difference between Hido and your work. The houses in Hido examples you showed often have more color. Yours are more like a silhouette. Or didn’t I see that right? Is it due to the use of film by Hido and your digital camera? Or because how the chosen objects were lit? (Or is it lightened? Sorry, don’t know how to say this right in English, I’m Dutch😊)

[@ImitativePhotography]

Yeah that's a big one. Not sure if it's because of the exposure times (his were several minutes compared to mine just 30 seconds) or just the latitude of film in general. With my shorter times the street lamps are much more overpowering, and if I exposed longer they would've been blown out whereas film has a better tolerance to highlight overexposure compared to digital. Your guess is as good as mine!

[@Hannemanneke]

@@ImitativePhotography thank you very much! Learned from your comment 😊👍 Have a nice day ☀️

[@kammaral1]

@ImitativePhotography please, PLEASE do Christophe Jacrot!

[@ImitativePhotography]

I will look into it!

[@kammaral1]

@@ImitativePhotography just checking back in... patiently waiting :)

[@ImitativePhotography]

@@kammaral1 thank you for your patience. I still have a backlog of videos I'm working through.

[@kammaral1]

@@ImitativePhotography it's ok - love your channel by the way. You do amazing work.

[@PerpetualBlackSec0nds]

If you live in South America, do not try going out alone with your camera at night please xD

[@saopaulosoul8714]

kinda weird but it sounds like the video was narrated by Pedro Pascal. dude you sound very much like him!

[@shadowsfree7398]

No usaste ningún tipo de filtro nd ?

[@ImitativePhotography]

No, no hace falta.

[@Marc-uy7hp]

Get closer to the houses in a residential neighborhood!

[@Caomhin33]

You sound like Pedro Pascal.

[@Multi-Waves_Sketchbook]

How to generate fog?

[@ImitativePhotography]

Just gotta wait for the right weather conditions.

[@Shrek_Has_Covid19]

or buy a really big fog machine

[@cosmiclazuli4050]

"Todd Hido was born and raised in Kent, Ohio." Ah. Checks out then.

[@rafpoetra9099]

bro you sound like pedro pascal

[@lanwyacaere9274]

You shouldn't label your work "imitation". It was a great homage project.

[@fredanissa6047]

you sound like pedro pascual

[@MassiveBenny]

So nothing like Todd Hido then? He shot houses, you shot an industrial estate.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Watch the whole video...

[@-WhizzBang-]

Sorry, but I really don;t see anything special about this dude's photos. Aside from the fact that he seemed to have a creepy obsession with taking photos of people's houses at night! He should have changed his name to "Peeping Tom Hido"!

[@chumleyk]

Way to go undermining the FILM photographer's work by using digital.