How to shoot more exciting photographs? Don't plan -- just shoot!

Well-planned photo sessions sound like a good idea. And they often are. If you plan them carefully, you probably get the most out of them. But, sometimes, too much planning may kill your mojo.
Here are some videos that I mentioned:
Graflex Speed Graphic and an enlarger condenser lens: • I fabricated a cheap l...
Building my own camera: • How to build a film ca...
My camera bag: • I found an ideal camer...
And actually, I have made this same video before: • Let's keep photography...

[@Dahrenhorst]

To me, this is the major difference between a professional photographer who takes commissions and fulfills an order (which can also have been assigned by oneself) and the photographic artist or aficionado, who of course can also do this with goal to enable oneself to eventually pay the bills by doing this. The professional photographer plans the shots, more or less always. The photographic act is all about the final picture(s) as the result of the activity as demanded by a client or by the own project. The artists or aficionados usually don't plan this result, picture taking is more about the journey or the activity itself, and the result is more or less something happening by accident. Examples: Portrait photographer Martin Schoeller is a good example of the first group. When he get's up in the morning he has a very good idea what the pictures will look like, he will have produced by the end of the day. On the other hand, when street photographer Cartier-Bresson got up in the morning, he had no idea at all what the pictures he will have taken over the day will look like. I have done both, planned industry and portrait photography as an apprentice, and just walking around with a camera on me and the wish to take pictures that day without any idea what I will run into to take pictures of during the day. I very much prefer this second way.

[@ShootOnFilm]

An extremely interesting and important comment. Comments like these motivate me to shoot these videos. I need to think about this more, but what you just summarised resonates so well with me. I believe I'm 95% in the second group. And understanding this difference actually clarifies my own personal thinking a lot. It may also be a key to understanding why I disagree with some photographers about their approach, etc. They may have a totally different starting point for their work!!

[@lupindeweir]

Hello! Sometimes you can plan a dinner date with the Muses, sometimes it's a chance meeting between old friends. You illustrate them well my friend. Thanks. mike

[@ShootOnFilm]

So true!! Thanks for watching!

[@danncorbit3623]

Well you are the piano man, after all. I liked the pinhole image best. Loved the outdoor shots too. Sometimes, it's not the equipment so much as the artist. I am not very good at drawing, but my mother and older sister were both extremely talented. I could sit and measure and carefully execute and then my mother or sister could sit down and whip out something one hundred times better in a few seconds. I think a good eye with a brownie camera beats a ten thousand dollar outfit with an average eye most of the time just because of the vision that lives in the head.

[@ShootOnFilm]

You are probably right -- the equipment and planning cannot save bad execution. However, I believe in practicing: just keep on photographing, drawing, playing ... an you will get better :-)

[@garybatch4102]

Very nice - great to contrast the planned shoot vs. the spontaneous outing. Both have their place and merits. Totally agree with the 'quantity is needed for quality' statement (at least for me). You took some beautiful images as always. I liked the bridge over troubled waters too...

[@liveinaweorg]

Yes! You go far too far. LOL LOL - be yourself, we love you as you as you are. Come to Manchester. UK; let me buy you a beer, Ari. Even offer you a bed!

[@ScHnIk1202]

Your videos have the perfect length for developing film. :)) ❤ Your approach does resonate with me a lot. Sometimes I try and see whether I’m able to visualize the result beforehand. But that must is not that satisfying for some reason. I love getting lost in the moment without the pressure of needing to deliver a certain outcome. I just want to discover what pictures I can get out of a situation, a scene, a person.

[@michaelsherck5099]

Our favorite photographic philosopher, thanks for another great video! And really nice pictures.

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thanks, thanks -- and thanks for watching!

[@myk1200s]

Ari nice video...... Maybe you can tell us how you calculate for LONGGGGGG EXPOSURE LIKE that with the pinhole 40 min ❓

[@ShootOnFilm]

Most of the time I'm lazy and use an app called Pinhole Assist. Here's more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j53ChXWrfsSshdEsi=-WbEN_7PCtYvP_ov

[@jimphilpott902]

Are you trained as an engineer? If so, all is forgiven.😁

[@ShootOnFilm]

Yes. Thanks.

[@kmcsmart]

@@ShootOnFilmmaybe that’s why I enjoy your channel so much. There’s something magical about applying the logical mind of an engineer to a free flowing artistic pursuit. When the combination is at its best it creates a sort of precise reckless abandon. At least that’s how it feels for me. Great photos and the ending made me laugh.

[@letmebereal]

Love the holga and homemade camera. Did I miss the video on the making of your beautiful plywood camera??

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thanks! There is a link in the description --- or, let's make it simple. Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnaqiYKIjM5lorcsi=UIXlQlGmXvt9KKcA

[@alanjones8579]

Thank you for the effort that you put into your videos...I loved all of your photos today. Bags of moody atmosphere... excellent ❤

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thanks for watching!

[@heinzhagenbucher4714]

I'm 102% with you. 😊 Enjoy your images, and your thoughts. Have a happy Easter

[@ShootOnFilm]

You too! Happy Easter!!

[@fredrickhardyway]

Wonderful video and pictures! I always appreciate your experimentation and dreamy landscapes. I am in full agreement with you about the quality/quantity conundrum.

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thanks, thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@aantonic]

Man, i ve watched many film photography channels but seriously, your is the best one, i keep coming back fpr a good lesson, Regards from Austria

[@ShootOnFilm]

Awesome. So happy to hear. I thought there were so many of these gear-focused channels that I just talked about things that interest me in photography. :-)

[@WhoIsSerafin]

I wish I had your patience for your kind of photography. But I do enjoy watching your process with film even though I'm a digital guy except for my instant fuji wide camera.

[@ShootOnFilm]

Nothing wrong with that! As long as you enjoy what you're doing. :-)

[@jhasi7974]

very nice video and amazing pictures. i enjoyed every second of the video..as always :)

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thank you, thank you -- and thank you for watching!!!

[@jean-lucbarmaverain8519]

Beautiful at 6:11 with a rendition of Prince's song "Purple rain" on the piano ! I adore it ! Happy Easter and warm greetings from Switzerland Ari !

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thanks thanks!! And you, too. Happy Easter!

[@proctormacbelle4904]

cool! and cool (video, i think) artifact at 7:55, from the branches in the previous image! i think it adds something too.

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thanks!! Holga also makes everything a bit more dreamy!

[@flyingo]

I find myself thinking way too much about “wasting” film when I’m just out to see what happens without a specific plan, so I typically take fewer photos. If it were back in the days of $2 rolls of 35mm film I wouldn’t have money on my mind, and I’d surely take more shots with that relaxed, enjoyable experience, which usually results in better photographs. Another great video about your process sir!

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thanks thanks. I understand what you mean. My approach is to think about this in advance. Like 2 rolls of Fomapan 100 for 4.90€ a piece ==> that's less than 10€/$10. And I think I can afford that for a session. .....

[@wotajared]

I was so adamant about planning, but mind you as a young millenial -- cash strapped in school and uni, every frame had quite a proportional cost even if it was 4€ a roll then. But gosh, it was catastrophic when I lugged all the equipment and just not take a single frame. An ironical thing is that I have selfconsciousness with the large medium format cameras. Much much easier with the phone and compacts. Years later I matured and it is not as much, but there is still a barrier when pulling out a Fuji 6x9 🤓 and a "wtf" factor with some people subjects. My current limiter is that I shoot to print, so want the highest amount of keepers and that somehow keeps me shooting moderate amounts; finding medium format a great balance for this. 7:10 got me just having developed Foma in Rodinal. Enjoyed shooting some textured buildings under the sun a couple days ago, in a quite a loose manner. My only rebuttal against the cheap film is that sometimes the very different look of a E6, C41 or T grain film does make a difference. So many fun expensive branches of this hobby 😄 And sometimes the amount of shots taken is inversely proportional to the film carried...

[@ShootOnFilm]

:-) I really have no sympathy for teenage money struggles. They all have their latest $1200 iPhones and they go to the islands to shoot spring break selfies. It's all a matter of priorities. Teenagers have never been as rich as they are today :-)

[@jimjanus3710]

I've always found that my best photographs are made when I have no expectations. Just go out and see what you can find.

[@ShootOnFilm]

Exactly. But then again, you gotta go out no matter what :-)

[@gregneymeyer5220]

Anytime I take a 'composed' picture, it feels forced. But, shots off the cuff seem to be the most interesting.

[@ShootOnFilm]

Me too!

[@Selkirkwater]

Interesting, Ari! Exposure timing depends on how good the sniffing is . 😂

[@ShootOnFilm]

Exactly :-)

[@DethronerX]

Badass cameras and beautiful photos. In the beginning, I was like, "Please please show each camera for each photo, instead of their names in text, because I wouldn't know", so was I glad when you showed them all. Also, the car clip, how do you stabilize?

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thanks thanks!!! I've got steady hands. That's why I also don't use tripods :-)

[@mountainsun1]

Saw your zine on AOP, also cool to see a sweatshirt from SLO being worn across the world...👍 PS- nice images of the piano.

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thanks thanks!!! We've got a bunch of these SLO sweatshirts ....

[@ejorbe]

Some times the best plan is no plan and just go and enjoy. You are still spending quality time. But in the words from Hannibal from the television series The A-Team (never saw the movies), “I love it when a plan comes together.” Thanks for another great video and reminding me, to spend some quality time, even if I don’t take any pictures.

[@ShootOnFilm]

Yeah -- I agree with Hannibal. And I also agree with you -- the final photograph is not always the most important thing!

[@paullacotta5645]

Beautiful work there my friend! You reduced your thinking very well. But I actually think far less when shooting 😂

[@ShootOnFilm]

I sometimes think far too much :-)

[@williamshaffer9216]

As always, a great Cideo!

[@ShootOnFilm]

:-) Thanks!

[@pgmisha]

Thanks, Ari! Those Holga panoramic pictures are great!. My favourite, though, is the picture of the piano taken with the pinhole: doesn't look like a piano at all, but more like a dystopian city on another (hopefully) planet.

[@tumaprints]

That home made camera is brilliant!!!

[@ShootOnFilm]

It is pretty primitive, but ... :-)

[@tumaprints]

@@ShootOnFilm Nothing wrong with primitive. I takes some really interesting photos and creates kind of a dreamy feel to them it seems. Nice job my friend!

[@Ortopedija1989]

Nice Ari. I am completly out of idea what to shoot. Help me. 😂

[@ShootOnFilm]

How about a few selfies? ;-)

[@Ortopedija1989]

No way, i can be scared of dark circles...

[@chriscard6544]

I have nothing to say.

[@ShootOnFilm]

:-) All's good!

[@richardlarsen5716]

I love the photos.

[@ShootOnFilm]

Thanks, thanks!!!

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

Delightful images with a fine musical accompaniment … thanks! Lately, on two occasions, I’ve brought my little Fuji X100V to family and friends gatherings. Instead of my usual deliberate manual shooting experience for monochrome landscapes, I set up the camera to be automatic and as foolproof as possible … zone focus with face/eye detection, higher minimum shutter speed and just for fun, a Tiffen black pro mist 1/4 filter with Acros monochrome JPEG’s. I also made it a bit of a fun project by asking everyone to take at least two snaps along with my own. The results were brilliant including probably the best portrait I’ve ever taken! So, agreed, just taking the photos sometimes can yield some fine images! 📷🎹🎼😄

[@ShootOnFilm]

Excellent idea with your Fuji!! So creative!!

[@stephenm103]

It's a great discussion and thoughts you have shared these last two weeks, Ari and you've certainly given me reason to think long and hard about what we do. The creative(s) I've worked with and listen to, all of whom possess skills and knowledge well beyond my own, do seem to agree that the difference between art and hobby - is the artists intent. So, in the absence of intent, maybe we cant be considered artists(?) 😪 As I've shared before, if there IS an intention in my work it is simply to capture. But also, somehow those captured moments put a smile on a few faces over and over and over again (for decades) . .. . which is good enough for me. "To everything, there is a season . . . . " - perhaps a time to plan(?) - a time to think (?) - a time to understand (?) - a time to analyze. But then also, perhaps there's a time to "just dance" and allow my knowledge and expertise to simmer with the serendipity of life.

[@ShootOnFilm]

Interesting -- after thinking about this a bit, i believe I'd agree that "the difference between art and hobby - is the artists intent". And without an intent, there is no art. Even if I managed to create something totally unique and enjoyable, but it was a pure accident, it would not be art. But what is intent - I'd say that just to go out without too much thinking and just shooting some photographs is already an intent. Maybe not the most organized and ambitious -- not an intent nevertheless! :-)

[@stephenm103]

@@ShootOnFilm Someone once said "There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept."