The 10 things I thought I knew about photography, but I was wrong

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Over the course of my career I have often been certain about things, only to discover that I was on the wrong path. Whatever you do, keep an open mind, investigate everything, and keep learning!
I thought I knew what f-stop I should always use in the studio. I thought I would never use a c-stand. I thought I was great at color grading. I thought lighting should always be dramatic. I thought I could scale back my effort based on the client. But at the end of the day I was wrong, and I learned from my lesson. So I hope you will be able to take a different path after watching this video.
Music: Evolution & Small Guitar by Bensound bensound.com/

[@JDenim88]

This is the most grown up conversation on photography I’ve ever had.

[@JohnGress]

Wow! Thanks!

[@bobsykes]

I love this. Nothing like reminding ourselves that we should assume nothing, test everything, and keep an open mind to keep learning.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Bob! It’s so true.

[@rickjbradbury]

Anything more than 4mp was overkill. Could not imagine shooting 4mp now. Loved the 21mp from the 5D Mark II files and now the 50mp from the 5DsR. I will take the detail thanks. That said 20mp will get a lot of work done still today.

[@JohnGress]

Right! I think I hit 20mp with the 1Ds3 in 2008? something like that.

[@QuantzPhoto]

Some real relatable gems in here John!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks James! I hope you’re well and 2021 is about to be 🔥

[@DennisTemituro]

This is lovely... As a junior photographer learning from my seniors

[@JohnGress]

Glad you liked it!

[@philswann]

Came to your channel by way of James Quantz Jr. Really appreciate the way both of you share what you know to help all the rest of us. Exploring your academy next.

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! You'll be seeing up together soon too! =)

[@vitorguimaraes6443]

Photography is a strange art, after more than 40 years as a photographer I am still surprised by the amount of things that I don't know and that I continue to learn, the new photographers who think they master this art should really fall into person who knows everything does not exist. Congratulations on the video

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! I think you just defined being 25 and male! LOL

[@vitorguimaraes6443]

@@JohnGress Little more

[@arthur3038]

Only 10 things in photography you were wrong about. That's a very good report card John! For every point on your shirt I got wrong at least ones in photography. You chose a super nice shirt for the video. I tend to buy a device, a stand, a tool for every problem i create/encounter, instead of solving it. (creates 5 new problems). John your video its a great reminder to fix things at the right time and the right way.

[@JohnGress]

LOL You forgot #10! Thanks Arthur. I do often buy things to solve "problems." But to your point, I probably shouldn't.

[@anttimoilanen]

Great video again John! I’m glad I asked you about this and I can’t believe you made a whole video about the subject.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Antti! I’m glad you asked! 🙌🏼

[@Leo9ine]

I think you probably *did* need to own the Leica. Because it taught you why you don't need one. Sometimes that itch just won't go away until you scratch. It can actually be worthwhile to buy that piece of gear you're fixated on, see for yourself that it doesn't improve your work or solve your problem, and then sell it on. The space which gear-lust occupies in our minds can be more of a detriment than just wasting a bit of time and money to indulge it temporarily and get it out of your system. Afterwards, getting back to basics feels refreshing and confidence inspiring.

[@JohnGress]

Great points Lee! I’ve done that with light modifiers too oh well. Gotta try it all and stick to what’s best.

[@alexanderpons9246]

Great video and topic! Yes, many times Photographers want to deliver the image they know the editors love or want, but at the same time by pushing the creative concept we create what the editor will later say "that is exactly what I wanted" when they didn't even were aware of it. Thanks for talking about this crucial part of the journey of all creative individuals.

[@JohnGress]

No problem. Thank you so much Alexander!

[@blaknin]

Thanks! I just learned more from your honesty and experience than with hours of how to’s. I think you just saved us years!!

[@JohnGress]

Oh that is so great to hear! Thank you!

[@JasonLauPhotography]

This is a great video shared from what looks like years of honest experience. Thank-you

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!!

[@jakobjohannsson1045]

Thank you John for keeping it honest! When you think you know it all you're in trouble! I love testing and learning new stuff from you and and other great photographers. Thank you for sharing your experience! Priceless!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you Jakob! Everyday is another opportunity to learn something new.

[@RawloftheDead]

Totally made sense. Thank you John. I really love your videos and I will call my mom too.

[@JohnGress]

Ha! Thanks! I really appreciate it!

[@zecchinon]

Thanks for putting this together and sharing with us! There is nothing like your channel in YT! Cheers John!

[@JohnGress]

Glad you enjoy it! Thank you!

[@photos-fera7392]

Amaong video John. Truly a humble human being and an amazing photographer. Best advice I’ve received about the art in a while.

[@JohnGress]

Wow, thank you Julian!

[@ThePhocalPoint]

Epic! I love your work, and your perspective is just as amazing! KZbin photography needs more of this instead of incessant gear commercials. Keep it up, fam!

[@JohnGress]

Wow, thank you! I personally hate that my most popular videos are about gear, meanwhile people seem to be missing the bigger picture =)

[@SurferKroky]

Such great tips that all came from years and years of experience. Thank you for being so honest and helpful. You have such a composed , calm way of delivering advice. It really sinks in

[@JohnGress]

Thanks🙏🏼 it hope it was helpful! 😊

[@SurferKroky]

@@JohnGress I’m starting my portrait photography journey as soon as my lights arrive. You are what I aspire to be as good as.

[@JohnGress]

The most important things you can do is have fun and practice!

[@Will-qz5jw]

Real nice content. Humility & knowledge. Keep on learning. Thanks for sharing.

[@JohnGress]

My pleasure! Thanks Will

[@karstenbursak8083]

Again you make some very interesting points, John 4. resolution overkill i personally think that cameras serve a purpose ... some are made for speed, others are for high resolution. It always depends for what purpose you are shooting, while sports/wildlife photographers need speed, advertising photographers need the high resolution for large scale prints. but if you only shoot for social media and add filthy filters, 24MP are already an unnecessary overkill... 5. desperation for likes you are right, some are so desperate about likes, models and photographers alike several times, within one hour after the shoot I got messages from the models like "where are my pictures ? I need them asap !" Another time I took a friend, an enthusiast hobbyphotographer with me to a shoot, and also let him take a few frames, so he could learn something. but I told him, not to post these pictures, as the shoot was planned for a magazine publication. Guess what ... he put these pics up on Instagram the same evening, as soon as he was home from the shoot, making the whole shoot basically worthless for any publication. Interesting that you mention "Model Mayhem" in this context. MM and similar websites are a pain in the a.. greetz from Berlin

[@JohnGress]

Ugh. I bet he’ll never be invited back! That is infuriating. I was using model mayhem from 2007-2012 give or take.

[@robertbirnbach2312]

this is a great video and I agree with all the points. One bit of advice someone gave me when I opened my studio if over the course of a year the cost of renting a piece of gear when you need it will be less than purchasing don't buy it. That said when after 30 years of studio shooting it was no longer my main source of income, I bought a used leica q for my travel camera and I love it :) then again 6 months after I bought it travel shut down

[@JohnGress]

Ha! I bought a vacation camera in Nov 2019 =P Thanks!

[@felipepattofotografia]

John, thank you so much for your words and for your great generosity in sharing your experiences throughout your career. I've been a photographer for a few years, I worked with musicians and shows for a while and only recently, due to the pandemic, I started to consider the studio and portrait as paths for my photography. It's been a journey of many experiences, attempts, learnings and every day I've been realizing how much I fulfill myself in working with lights and people in studio. Today in your video, I heard words I really needed to hear. You have been quite an inspiration to me. Thank you for helping me to look for my best. Warm hugs from Brazil!

[@JohnGress]

Muito obrigado Felipe! You can learn to do great thinngs in the studio. All it takes is practice to learn any skill.

[@richtodd467]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@JohnGress]

You are so welcome!

[@EdwardKilner]

Interesting and well done. I’m not a pro, and surprised your clients did not help you progress more quickly. I had it in my mind they were very critical and demanding. You obviously had a lot of talent in any case.

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much. Client's normally hire you to produce a level of work they have already seen in your portfolio.

[@manilamartin1001]

Love hearing about your journey

[@JohnGress]

Thank! I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@milliemolnun]

Those advices are gold !!!! Thank you !!!!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you and good luck with your journey!

[@PortraitMasterclass]

Great channel John!

[@JohnGress]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks!

[@shervinmedia351]

Love all ur videos. Thanks for share ur experiences.🙌

[@JohnGress]

Glad you like them! That is so nice of you to say.

[@Jwitherow1964]

I like your style. I am a Greer hound too. Always buying the latest and greatest. With good intentions of course

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! Always in search of a solution. 😁

[@JamesBoyer-plus]

Thank you for another insightful video, John. Your emphasis on empiricism and experimentation to get to a place of real understanding speaks to me. Taking the time to experiment with different modifiers, comparing results, and making creative choices based on fact rather than assumption makes so much sense. And, you may have saved me from the ongoing internal dialog I've been having about wanting to make the "investment" in a Leica. ;-)

[@JohnGress]

Ha! Glad I could save you from making that purchase! Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@_trismegistus]

Thanks for sharing your experience and insights. Really nice to see!

[@TomaxSF]

That intro!!! So good🔥🔥

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@FQ8]

Thank you for your honesty.

[@JohnGress]

My pleasure! Thank you!

[@laxmanp8147]

Thanks brother, it's really helpful...

[@JohnGress]

Great to hear!

[@patryk2700]

Excellent advice, thanks for sharing!

[@JohnGress]

My pleasure!

[@Studio-37]

Thanks you so much, for this wonderful video. Again your video made me realize how much there is still to learn for me

[@JohnGress]

It never ends 😁 thank you!

[@marcjones7486]

Hi, just found your channel after your video with Manny. This was a great video as someone that tried to use a boom with a regular light stand (fail). Also right on about Model Mayhem, too many photographers seem to be all wrapped up in likes and comments.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Marc! Welcome! This makes me wonder what the next 10 things will be =)

[@otavioleitefotografia]

Great video!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks!

[@salahsalem9448]

everything you said is very very important and useful, thank you so much. great video

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! You are too kind.

[@pennsylvaniaphotographer7774]

Great Video John! Fantastic information and thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@JohnGress]

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it

[@pierrebernier4949]

;-) ... It seems we are all experiencing the sames believes and pitfalls .. Nice review of one's carreer !

[@JohnGress]

Yes! Thank you Pierre!

[@israrshah]

The light in the background on your left (blue gel) really struggled haha. Thank you for sharing all of your experience. Its worth listening.

[@JohnGress]

You are so welcome! The modeling lamp overheated =)

[@mmknipser]

Thank you, John, another great video again. Love your channel!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!!

[@domannicette]

Thanks for sharing this. It reminds us that even experienced photographers continue to learn and grow as artists. Really appreciate what you bring to us. :-)

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much Dominique!

[@terryjstudios]

Great information! Thank you!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@Pezinokrm]

I agree 100% testing testing testing... is the way to hone your skill, good talk John. 👏

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@Northern_Visions]

Love 💕 your shirt !

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@lindakuo88]

Such a great post!!!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks!

[@richardlangonne2964]

Great tips ! Thanks for sharing.

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@MileyonDisney]

I thought this was going to be just another clickbait video. But your tips were ALL good! Thanks! My first digital camera was a 1MP (yes, one megapixel) Kodak camera in 1996 that cost $1,500! Those were 1996 dollars, too, so it would probably at least be $2,000 in 2021 dollars. No one I knew was aware of digital cameras then, and it was quite the novelty. I still have the photos it took, and man are they bad! But it was loads of fun.

[@JohnGress]

Glad it helped! My first one was a Canon DCS-3, based on the EOS-1. 1.3mp, $5k used and no LCD! =)

[@reynaldomercado]

Thanks!

[@JohnGress]

No problem!

[@nilofido411]

Nicely said and all true, just my 2pence on editing non destructively on PS is to save the files as PSD, PSB, whilst working on layers, this way is like having an xmp but using far more powerful program; also you can take advantage of using ACR as a filter at any stage of postproduction.

[@JohnGress]

Good points Nilo. I forgot about that as an option. Now if ACR only worked natively and correctly with the R5.

[@nilofido411]

@@JohnGress give Adobe a bit more time and it will work fine, unfortunately this is one of the drawbacks of being an early adopter of the latest and greatest: maybe tip No11 should be forget about the latest and greatest, at the end of the day if you can’t nail it with last year gear, chances are that you won’t anyway.....

[@JohnGress]

The R5 is 9 months old. The last time I checked, they didn't have profiles for the 1DXIII and that camera was 18-months old at that point. 3- months would be forgivable, 6 months is criminal negligence.

[@nilofido411]

@@JohnGress Ok, now I get you... you are talking about specific cameras profiles, you are absolutely right ACR and Lightroom don’t have a profile for the R5 and a few others, I believe that there are legal issues between the companies, however ACR can read and open CR3 files and that’s the important thing, personally I haven’t used an Adobe profile of any sort, standards or dedicated to a camera model in more than a decade, as a box standard I have a dual image profile created with an Xrite passport checker and for anything important I create a profile with the Xrite passport dedicated for the shoot, let’s be honest, whenever colour accuracy is important adobe camera profiles are useless, as a matter of fact so it’s Canon’s DDP, Nikon’s NX and whatever Sony is using, there isn’t a program or a camera that can judge the lighting conditions, even if you do a custom WB on the spot.

[@modinxpression9513]

Thank you 🍻

[@JohnGress]

No problem 👍

[@brettida3936]

always like your real world knowledge and candor!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Brett! I really appreciate it!

[@photonomist6345]

What a great video and perfect sense. 100%. Thanks!!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@case9515]

Thank you for your video..love it.

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!!

[@michaelkyle1704]

Nice one John, we're all works in progress !

[@JohnGress]

Yes indeed! Thanks!

[@spectrexfpv]

1. the "f/11" - use f/5.6-8 or the lens' optimal sharpness 2. use a C stand even on location shoots 3. use non-destructive editing techniques 4. be subtle with accent lights 5. anything more than 4mp is overkill, lenses will hold the most value 6. dont chase after trends/likes 7. test and experiment more with lighting and ideas 8. dont cheat or take an easy way out with your work 9. think twice before purchasing camera 10. assume nothing and keep learning

[@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003]

Great upload!… ✊🏿

[@JohnGress]

Thanks 💯

[@fitrock9845]

very wise bro i love it!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@simonabergerphotography]

Awesome tips, thank you! About #4, I would say that, when people ask why so many lights, there are only two available answers: 1. I have them, so I use them. 2. None of your business! Personally, I am a huge fan of answer #2! lol

[@JohnGress]

🤣🤣🤣🤗

[@no1slisteninganyway]

Thank you, John. Another very interesting video. I have a very noobish question though. How does one get started shooting with models? It's something I've never done.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Christopher! I have an article about this one my website. There is a three day free trial of you want to check out out. johngress.com/book-free-models-for-test-photoshoots-in-3-easy-steps/

[@Mowikan]

As you get older, you get wiser 👍🏻 thx!

[@JohnGress]

True! Thank you so much!

[@TheFragranceGuy]

Can you recommend a few books? Especially on lighting but also other stuff. Do you hold classes for people in Sweden?

[@JohnGress]

I am working on a lighting recipe cookbook at the moment. I hope I will be able to do workshops in London and Paris next year.

[@eddyla00]

I guess as a photographer, no matter how long, we will always be a student....and will always prone to making the same ol mistake. Good to once in a while, sit back and remind ourselves that theres always room for learning, practice and improvement.

[@KarenVaisman1]

I’d love to hear you talk about these same ideas within the limitations of Covid. How do you stay creative and push past safety issues?

[@JohnGress]

Oh I have been making it work, while following my local rules. But I think that is all about to change rapidly here in the US as our vaccination rate goes over 50%.

[@evocati6523]

Once you realize masks don't stop anything and the risk was always low, you just go back to using common sense like you did before all of this. Also helps if you live somewhere that isn't run by masochists who love torturing their citizens over nothing

[@luisarellanes9898]

Hey John! Love your videos! Do you happen to know what the name of the podcast that made the point about the scientific method was??

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stay-tuned-with-preet/id1265845136?i=1000514337169

[@luisarellanes9898]

@@JohnGress thank you so much!

[@JB-nx3oh]

Rolled under goes over and rolled over goes under. Got it!

[@chrisrogers1081]

Thank you! My ass hurts, but it needed the kick,

[@JohnGress]

Ha! Glad I could help.

[@peterthart531]

My Leica M6 was the most important camera I ever bought. I got it at the time people were ditching film cameras so it wasn't crazy expensive. Why did it make me better-I had to ditch telephoto lenses-stepping back. Get into the crowd-meet your subject. At this point I don't use film at all-you cannot and operate as a modern photographer with the time demands.

[@JohnGress]

Good point. I bought mine a little before that and then a little later, but like I said it just wasn’t that practical for a photojournalist usually on deadline.

[@GilbertCarosinPhotography]

i dont thing mpx is so much important i am still shooting with 12mpx with my d700 in studio everyday and nobody ever complained about it .... your lighting and your lens are more important ....as your have mention buying at least one very good C-stand is the first thing any serious photographer should invest in after that is the lighting system and modifier then the lenses selection. I could still shoot with 6mpx that wouldnt change the image at all provided i have very good lighting setup and a very good sharp prime lens.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Gilbert. 12p is a lot more than 4mp! LOL But I know where you're coming from. If you're just pointing a camera at aimlessly at available light 48mp wont get you any further than 8.

[@kevinconnery1974]

I've long believed that the color grading of stills is going to be the HDR of this decade; overdone and faddish. It may settle down, as HDR did, but right now, it's quite intrusive in a lot of images.

[@JohnGress]

Ha. Maybe it’ll go the way of the gold leaf mirror. 😁

[@emptyandseephotos7858]

Nice I am sharing in Fb

[@JohnGress]

Awesome thank you!

[@bobdobalina6086]

Here's #11 for this list, and a big one: Photoshop IS a non-destructive editor. You just have to use layers. Enjoy!

[@JohnGress]

Yes I know. It’s just the color rendering in the Adobe apps for the Canon R5 RAW files is seriously lacking.

[@philippemichelphotography]

You do realize that you can work non-destructively inside of Photoshop right, via Smart objects and if you want to be able to go back and change it save the PSD before you collapse all the layers

[@JohnGress]

Yes, but Adobe is missing the camera matching Color profiles for the Canon 1DX3, R5, and R6.

[@philippemichelphotography]

@@JohnGress ah yes, they do tend to run behind when it comes to ACR lol.... I was really happy to see the improvements they made with their last big update what was it about 2 months ago but they really should update their camera list

[@JohnGress]

I’m sure I’m jot the only one that abandoned them for raw processing. By the time they add the 1DX3 it will be obsolete.

[@philippemichelphotography]

@@JohnGress I like using dxo labs for my raw processing they stay current I think better than anybody

[@evocati6523]

He didn't say you couldn't, he just said leave yourself the option of redoing it later on. He didn't tell you how to go about doing that, no need to be insulting

[@JeffBennionPhotography]

I feel bad because I might progress in photography skills, but I will never have that golden voice actor thing you've got going on. lol

[@JohnGress]

Ha! Thanks Jeff. You are too kind!

[@cosmo0080]

hi, usually the sharpest point in a lens is the middle eg canon 14. would be about f4

[@JohnGress]

This 1.2 lens is sharpest from 5.6-8, kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWmQnIaKfdSkask

[@DavidComdico]

Yeah, you are so right. No one has ever done photo-journalism with a Leica....

[@JohnGress]

When did I say that? I wasn't practical for someone on deadline, when processing another roll of film meant running two batches and not one.

[@coelho2825]

1- sharpness is wanted yes. But none of renowned professionals are sharpness freaks. In fact, as a professional retoucher, I can assure you that magazine editors prefer less sharpness on the covers. Also if you're printing, a photo should be seen at least 1meter distance, so sharpness its quite relative. The best fashion and portrait professionals, in studio, shoot at f.11 No one is zooming 200% to see the skin pores.... 3- If your workflow on Ps is destructive, its because you are doing it wrong. There are very established routines in retouching, in order for them to be non destructive. Suggesting Lr ou Acr for that matter is quite limiting. Learn to use Ps in an non-destrutive way.... 11- one thing you probably don't know either: that flash behind you is quite distractive.

[@JohnGress]

I think you missed the point of the video -- things you think are true are not necessarily true. I should have been more clear for my motivations. Adobe does not currently have camera matching color profiles for many current cameras, which makes using it inadequate to process the raw files from my camera.

[@nakwanbrathwaite7320]

Would you shoot me ? I’m down lol

[@JohnGress]

Sure thing! You can book a shoot here: johngress.com/chicago-headshot-and-portrait-rates/

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

OMG science will never turn you in an artist 😊

[@JohnGress]

I think you missed the point