If you think your photos aren’t good…

[@TheCamG]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="314">5:14</a> “Art is never universally liked.. . If it is universally tolerated, it probably means it’s quite vanilla.” What an impactful encouragement. I really needed this.

[@LouisLuzuka]

Thank you 🙏🫶🏼😭

[@snapsbyfox]

Still in Vietnam. Still have toes.

[@erin.v.z]

😂

[@ChrisBrogan]

But do you VALUE them? ;)

[@spiersey1]

Do we have to come to you for footage Roman?

[@azmje80]

Keep checking to see if you’ve posted a new video. No dice. Hope you’re enjoying your trip.

[@robmcd]

Are you engineering the new Jaguar rebrand?

[@neglectedloves]

Brillant photography and one thing always strikes me when watching your videos is, that compared to other KZbinrs your footage is very close to what you actually photograph. So often in videos of other YTs I hear myself saying "oh, that could have been a beautiful shot" and they're not even considering taking a picture... thanks for constantly inspiring me 🙌🏻

[@mikafoxx2717]

So much this. It's so absolutely jarring when their camera video settings for exposure and saturation and contrast are worlds apart from their photo style as well, it's like - what the hell happened here. His flows naturally and the videography is also.. kinda beautiful.

[@DavidSenteno]

To be honest I don’t like all of your photos, but I don’t like all of mine as well. I have posted what I thought were fantastic photos and gotten very little response. Then I posted what I would consider a “meh” photo and people rave about them. Go figure. The autonomy of art reigns supreme.

[@strangetube82]

I know what you mean I've had likes on photos I wasn't that fussed about. Then hardly any of some I've been really proud of. 🤷 I take photos for me anyway, if people like it then great, if not, then nevermind.

[@ch_boki]

Great Art opens questions, Great Designs answer questions. You can mix them and create art that shows clearly what it is, but there are still things that makes you question it. This requires talent and empathic abilities. This, this is art.

[@billb8262]

James, long time subscriber but seldom comment. I love your photos. You have a special skill of not just capturing a scene, but making it something to stare at and think about. That's exactly what we all strive to be able to do, but it's a personal growth thing I have not yet achieved. I look up to photographers like you and I try to study your and others' work to improve my own abilities to tell that story instead of just snapshotting things. Your "photos about something and not just of something" saying repeats in my head often. Please keep doing what you do and sharing your outstanding work with us. I've learned so much from the perspectives of photographers like you and truly appreciate the work you put into this channel. Your images are off the chart great, often reaching the level of stunning.

[@justinbaker8238]

Would absolutely love an editing video from you! You got my vote!

[@nathanlind4509]

Brilliant insight James! Thanks for the boost in confidence.

[@cmphoto_]

James I’ve been following for a long time, you’re always, ALWAYS the first name I say when talking about photographers and my favourite bodies of work. Could easily tell your work in a blind test. Stands out for all the right reasons. Got a trip to Thailand coming up and have 3/4 days to myself. Hoping to get out and get some 1/10th as good as you. Cheers for the inspiration.

[@timo3192]

That's awesome man, you're gonna have a blast over there. Where can I see your work?

[@retirewithjames6745]

Absolutely perfect statement, "You're not aiming for everyone to like your stuff, you're just aiming to finding the people who do". I have really enjoyed your book that I recently received. It sits next to my chair in my family room. So I can just reach down to pick it up and take a look at it again. Great job!

[@davidmill7289]

Fantastic images James and thanks for the insight. Your human nature shots really tell a story.

[@kevinjorgensen1046]

Have lived in Vietnam for 22 years and have taken over 200'000 photos. Just a hobby. I enjoy it.

[@_NoDrinkTheBleach]

It took me a few years, but I stopped seeking validation in others' opinions. I started to recognize patterns in the way other people saw my work. I know that some people are always going to be negative and some will always be positive. I'm not aiming for the middle, or one of the extremes. I'm just doing what I want.

[@petrub27]

sound like exactly what a teenager will say, lol . that's not how you run a business

[@Jude_Beattie]

I love that this what your video is about this week. I started reading camera lucida this week, and this is a major theme in the first parts of the book. It's been really refreshing to think that what someone thinks of a photo is a reflection of how they feel about it, not a reflection of the quality of the photo

[@nicolasguillenc]

Great advice and great photos! Thanks James

[@thebeautifuleyephoto]

Thank you for putting into words something I’ve been feeling too: I put photos out here hoping that they will find someone who likes the photos I like enough to put out there. Thank you!

[@NevinThompson]

These are fantastic images, James

[@Raykenn1]

I may not always appreciate an image but I always appreciate your insight. Thanks for posting 👍

[@MarcoBlanke]

That shot of the farmer is such a great display of human nature

[@TheAdventurey]

I am glad you released a video on this topic. Your words apply to you too. I watch many of your videos and I look at your photos and I feel peace. Thank you for all that you do and I hope you continue for a long time.

[@mattlau]

Agreed. The biggest obstacle for an Artist is to become comfortable with everything they put out regardless of what people think. I've played music for 20+ years, taught music, played in live shows, played for weddings, and there are still people who don't like my playing. And for me? I no longer care. I already know what I am capable of and already have people who appreciate my work. The goal is not to get the world to love you. That's silly and will never happen. The goal is to make art you are happy with whether you have 1 fan or 1,000,000 fans. As I embark on a new journey in photography, that's my goal as well.

[@hansgiersberg4138]

Editing question: Your images have a distinctive look - light blue, low drama skies; overall slightly high key look; etc. I believe you’ve touched on that before, but I’d love for you to address the look again. Also, I’ve just received my copy of “Human Nature” and I absolutely love it. Nicely done! Finally, beautiful images of Vietnam. Thanks.

[@kalledimming6298]

Beautiful photos as always James👍

[@pascalthiebaud]

When I make an image that I like, my work is done. I have no impact on the viewer, because that's their job, not mine. The woman pushing back the water is a superb subject. I don't see that every day.. Thanks, James.

[@alunrees3056]

Thanks James, some much needed encouragement.

[@alanwainwright79]

A great point James. Sometimes it takes anothers’ perspective to be enlightened. The photos of the farmer and his cattle along with the structure in the background is pure gold. Cheers.

[@MrDunk66]

I genuinely love your images James. They give me great inspiration to photograph the everyday in an artistic way. Thanks

[@PhotoswithArt]

Thanks for the video. I have no fear of sharing my photos online because I'm just a (enthusiastic) hobbyist and know that I still have a lot to learn from pros and skillful people on YT here. 👍

[@newenglandlight8724]

I've just recently started following you and I absolutely love your work. You have one of the most unique styles of photography I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[@chrisbrown6432]

Thanks for sharing all your photographs. I agree with you on all those thoughts.

[@youphototube]

As an aside all you need to aim for is to be engaging and entertaining and you have a true talent for both. Those are the reasons why I have followed you for years.

[@artiedoc]

James , I have been so looking forward to these shots 😍 I must say that I actually universally love your photos …even the crap ones ! But part of that probably comes from knowing you and where you get your inspiration from . Photography in many ways is very personal and knowing the why and how you go about deciding when to hit the shutter makes each capture ever more special and interesting! Well done my friend ! Best Art …

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks as always Art ❤️❤️

[@AlFirous]

Art is indeed subjective, it's always funny to see people debating about this art is good, this art is bad. Anyway, I am thankful for the algorithm so I can find your channel which I feel resonates. Hope you are doing well!

[@alexanderbellander4234]

Thank you James, this helped me in my thinking of posting!

[@nathandickin8795]

Your photos are just so unique I've never seen anything like them. I don''t really know how to describe it.

[@davidlitherland360]

Editing question: when do you stop? Editing question 2: I make changes with aspects of the photos (luminescence, contrast, clarity, etc) and don’t always see differences. Are there good resources where I can discover what I should be looking for? Love your channel. Thank you for helping to keep me inspired and motivated.

[@gregdarroch1946]

I really enjoy watching your videos, but not because I love the images. Same applies to other KZbinrs I follow. I watch each of them because they are interesting, entertaining and humorous. Some of the most gifted photographers I can’t watch because they are not gifted communicators. So, bottom line, your photos don’t always appeal to my taste, but that is just fine because I always enjoy your way of presenting your ideas and I can certainly appreciate what you offer.

[@jebbytunnelcoats1182]

The light in vietnam looks spectacular. Great theme recently with Roman's pics as well. Loved the shore pics.

[@luigiheewan]

An editing question i've got is: how do you make the greens and the yellows in your shots pop? i often make them too saturated and they end up looking fake, but then i turn the saturation down the greenery just looks dead... it's been quite a tricky thing for me to figure out and i'd love to know how you do it! Thanks in advance!!

[@hjones451]

Never even considered going to Vietnam, but its certainly looking extremely photogenic in your vlog. Thanks for your effort in posting so regularly.

[@graesonphoto]

Some excellent points here, as well as some gorgeous shots. You're so right though, it's not a risk, it's inevitable. Gonna take that forward with me. Thanks James

[@Paul9]

It’s also important to remember that just because someone doesn’t like a photo you share, it doesn’t mean they don’t like you.

[@benbrice7680]

Long term fan, first time commenter. I would love to learn a bit more about how you use luminance masks in your editing, and how you refine the colour palette of your photos (for the editing episode). Apologies if you’ve covered this in earlier videos.

[@olo101olo]

I would be interested to see you edit with Affinity Photo, rather than Lightroom/Photoshop - it would be good to see how you go about getting used to it and find it. P.s. Noah has good taste in that digger

[@ntienthanh.181]

Love to see you visit my hometown, a small province in Nam Dinh, Vietnam. I'm excited to see more videos from you

[@Chris1LFC]

Recently visited Vetnam with my camera. Absolutely loved it.

[@DanYosua]

The sooner and the faster you run to that fear of feedback, the better! Excellent shots as always. You make composition seem so effortless. I never thought about the stills/video ratio before... but that's super telling indeed.

[@MacnTeensVisuals]

Now that is indeed some very soft light 👌 Lovely shots man!

[@felixgaensicke]

great video. thank you. those are great surfable waves in the background!

[@HanzsKlopek]

After years of taking photos and showing them only to my family, I decide a couple weeks back to share some of them on Instagram. It feels good. 😊

[@__eugenelee]

The photos are beautiful!! Loving the airy feel!

[@patriciorodriguez3772]

I think my editing related question would be how did you learned editing initially? Would love to hear about that. Thanks for making these videos, I genuinely love them! Cheers

[@NathanielRolland]

Wow - great vid and set of pictures, James.

[@SpudUna]

Looks like the place to visit if your chosen genre of photography is litter 👍🏻

[@Dan-kb2oz]

Editing question for upcoming vid: Do you personally tend to use sharpening or just rely on good glass? Addendum to this... When do you choose to sharpen or soften an image.

[@unlockyoursoulmemory4199]

your pictures are always so aethetically pleasing, wonderful work of art!

[@ChasingBarrels]

Amazing photos. Love the one with the farmer and spaceship in the background. I would take amazing photos over video footage any day. And great advice. You have inspired me to show my work more.

[@krisweyers6248]

Fabulous photos. While I do love you vlogging I really loved seeing more photos of Vietnam.

[@CluelessYoutuber]

This indeed, in fact, brightened up my day.

[@davidligon6088]

I love your style. Both the nature-human compositions and the pastel color editing. I believe that woman with a broom was collecting sea salt.

[@Mike-vd2qt]

Thank you for the great images. First thing I thought of was how they looked like old school film prints. I used to be a photo hobbyist way back, shooting Tri-X and printing. Now I'm guilty of the iPhone, and 4"x6" prints from Smug Mug, refrigerator art. Excellent thoughts on people appreciating your work.

[@peerawichkorkiatcharoon]

It's been around 3 years since I'd started my photography journey. At first, I thought it was going to be my future career. And that thought has been around for the last 3 years. Now I'm currently studying in the secondary school, which is great, but not at all... I'd realised that this, would not take me to the place I want. It's more likely going to be the things that I love, but can't control some of the scenario, So I thought 'you know what, I'll just take it as a hobby' And started focus more on studying. Less on the photography and crafting. But that has came with a bad outcome. I've lost some of my fire, it's still burning, but not as strong as it used to be. I've lost MOST of my photo editing skills, my photography addiction, and even some of my creativity. I don't really believe in any sort of coincidences, but this video may have saved my whole heart of photography. I'd just realised for the second time that good time management = everything. And you have poured the petrol fuel right onto my fire. And I can now do the things I like, and the things that I need to. Both without losing any of its margin. Thank you so much James. One of the greatest photographer ever!

[@matthadenmusic]

This is great work. Different to previous works of yours while maintaining the Human Nature thing. Very inspriring!

[@Gary-LX58UDV]

Great video and images. I have received your book and enjoying it👍

[@wiedo]

Often when I make a set of photos I have one favorite. That’s often the one which my friends like the least. Then I doubt of my whole selection a little, but end up just make peace with that I’m making for myself and that I have to enjoy the end result first and foremost.

[@ChrisBrogan]

Wow. Never thought I'd hear you reference Kevin Kelly. That's worlds colliding for me. How fun! Great post, James. I really love the topic. It's nice to cover this one. I also liked that aside about photos-to-footage considerations. It's tricky thinking like both a videographer and a photographer at the same time. Similar tools, VERY different needs. "Coverage" versus "getting the shot." Quite thought provoking. Thank you!

[@tomphillips5513]

Editing question: the vast majority of your photos (which I think are beautiful and inspirational) have this dream like haze where the sky almost blends in or forms a canvas for the subject, you make it look dreamlike and soft… how do you achieve this? Also, do you often reduce the contrast or soften the blacks in your photos, because they have a lovely, almost desaturated fluffy look that is really appealing to me. Keep sharing your work, I love it!

[@RobertHogan-zg1rm]

Excellent message regarding people “liking” your photos…. Yes, it’s definitely inevitable…. Perhaps it boils down to a need to develop “thick skin”…? Very enjoyable and good message James!

[@zacbinns]

i’m ways baffled at how well you edit your greens in photos, i’m sure you’ve covered it before but would be great to get some insight!

[@nathanlind4509]

If you are looking for a monthly photo to sell, my vote would be still #9 or #13 of the fisherman in the boat with the orange and blue flags pointing left and right. I like the composition and visual interest but mostly these shots made me wonder what exactly he is doing.

[@jordantaylorreed]

Your photos from Vietnam are sooooooooooooooooooooooo good, James. Here's hoping you ate well, too!

[@vicknight847]

editing... yes please.

[@StephenCotterell]

This is so helpful. 🙏 I’ll share the on The Photographer’s Help Desk

[@RussandLoz]

it’s about pleasing yourself rather than others for a website or social media. I’ve mostly been doing the opposite for most my life. The self doubt debate is an artists shadow right

[@danielhenzphotography]

Editing question: how do you make sure, that your photos look good on most screens. Laptop-, smartphone- and other screens can look very different depending on the device? I got a Asus ProArt Display to help with that.

[@ronmasters751]

Took a walk in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, way out on the Aleutian Peninsula. Mostly a fishing port, full of junk along dirt roads. Epiphany: It takes surplus wealth to make a nice place. Had a driver along the NW coast of Borneo (in Brunei) a decade later. 2 lane blacktop, completely lined with trash-paper and cans. They missed the ad blitz in the US against littering. I’m horrified by the trash in these photos.

[@kaipbowe]

lovingggg the Vietnam images man

[@ashzhu3085]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="463">7:43</a> “I don’t really know what she is doing” - maybe go and find out what you’re photographing/collecting. She’s a subject in the photo but a person making a living at the same time. It’d make the story more intriguing Anyway. Enjoyed the vid as usual

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

We did! Slight language barrier 🙂

[@petrub27]

just had a look at your website. does not seem updated, some blogs from 2022 same for twitter page link. are really using SS? is that useful? do you get any traffic? does your website help you somehow with your business?

[@cotswoldphotographers]

I’d love to go there because the light and interesting scenery and surroundings are a match made in heaven 😍😍 stunning images as always btw 👍👍

[@brianmckeever5280]

Good advice. Those images are terrific! I don't know how you did it, but my favorites are @ <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="87">1:27</a> and @ <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="441">7:21</a>, what are the odds? The round boats are great. I don't think I've ever seen them quite as large. Safe travels!

[@just_eirik]

I have an editing question, kinda: Do you own a HDR monitor or a relatively new iPad Pro that supports HDR or any other type of HDR ready device that has Lightroom installed? If yes, what do you think of HDR? I have it on my iPad and I think in a lot of my photos it makes them look really nice. It brings out depth that is impossible in normal editing. Its just so frustrating to not have anywhere to share HDR photos. I wish more people talked about it.

[@kenjonesstudio]

Personally for me it's not a fear of showing work. It's a fear that no one is seeing it.

[@Stef-Kuipers]

James again, stunning! Really appreciate your photography and the way you share your ideas and philosophy. Absolute inspirational! Edit idea: white balance, do you use auto white balance? How is your edit process in this?

[@nigelwest3430]

There is a large print (1200x800) of one of my favourite shots hanging on the wall of my local pub, It's rather nice to sit there sipping a pint or 3 whilst listening to nice comments from people who have no idea who took it, I also have another pic in the same pub, just a shot of a derelict church door partly open so you just get a hit of what's beyond, I was in the pub on a very quiet day and someone I know was talking on the phone and standing looking at my pic, when he finished his call he looked at me and said " that's a great picture isn't it" I told him I had to agree with him because I'd taken and processed it, he had no idea that it was mine 😁

[@themattiemisfit]

What would you say is the ratio of time you spend taking photos vs rating & editing photos? Do you ever go back and 're-edit' old photos, say with some new technique you learned in editing software since the time that photo was originally edited?

[@billkossmann9246]

Well said! Along the same track as your video is @Andyhutchinson 's video, "I Take Sh*tty Photographs." The language is a bit coarse in spots but the message is spot on. FWIW I do enjoy most of your images and videos, so please keep it up.

[@ataraxia4526]

I don't know, I think you have strong compositions.

[@tititatiti]

Thanks for yet another great video! Quick question: would you rather have more people who like your stills or your videos?

[@IkerZamora]

Editing question: when creating an editing preset, how do you make sure it is versatile enough and works for a wide range of scenarios?

[@mikebartow9415]

That was interesting. I really haven’t seen much of Vietnam. I do have a question about editing. I use Lightroom Classic. On some people’s photos their teeth are yellow. I use masking > people > and a separate mask for teeth. I increase exposure by 0,15-0.25, increase whites by about 3-4 and color I move to the left to about -3. I have not seen any videos or heard any instruction on this manner of whitening. This seems to work. The teeth I change are not horribly yellow, just tinted. I can’t tell you on who this person is because I don’t want to create any discord within the family, and it is not me. Do you have any workflow for doing this? Thanks!

[@kwatson1378]

Been watching your stuff for a few months now and you are genuinely up there with the best 🙌🏼 Would love to explore selling my own work, getting some kind of income from it and just getting my work out there some more. Would enjoy some kind of breakdown of what you do and maybe how you go about it all (other than your KZbin ofc 😂). I might be a minority asking this question but any kind of advice passed on would be great!

[@MortAllachie]

Well. I like most of your work and I’ve got 4 books to prove it 😜 Wish you a great weekend 😊

[@ShogunX65]

I've been enjoying your videos for 4 years now as well as your images. Though it's not the type of photography that I typically like, I appreciate the images and your take on things in your videos. You have a global appeal in the sense that I'm in the states (Washington) and have purchased both of your recent books. In fact, I received the latest one just the other day. It's a new book on the coffee table for others to enjoy. As for a question, one of the things that always stands out is the vibrant colors in your images. Multi-part question. Do you enhance just the 'object' colors or do you enhance the entire image? Also, you've shown how to change colors of objects in previous videos. Do you alter the color of some of the objects in your images to help them stand out or just enhance the original color?

[@BarryFinlay339]

Editing Question. Do you always start with one of your presets or do you start from the raw and take a new direction?

[@juleswrenches909]

Well. SAID. 👍🏻

[@alvarodr7619]

Beautiful images, James. I do have some editing questions as an intermediate-level photographer but beginner-level editor. Is it worth spending the money and paying for lightroom? Are there some decent free options out there you've used over the years to edit raw images?

[@apothum]

I’ve been trying to learn how to edit and been trying to unsuccessfully copy your style! What of your presets are you starting with more these days? What would you say the top adjustments you make are for that muted/washed look that has such rich colors (terrible job describing). Great video as always.

[@JoacoCarnero]

What’s your curve editing process? Great vid like always 🙌🏻

[@glensumner3425]

Ignore the detractores James I love you long time!