Knowing your strengths as a photographer with Niall McDiarmid

Josh chats to photographer Niall McDiarmid about his experience photographing people on the street, taking portraits, his relationship to social media and how he stays motivated
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[@Muchtoobizy]

I'm always fascinated by interviews with talented photographers. Niall has an incredible body of work and comes across as a genuinely down-to-earth guy. This was an inspiring episode; I shall pick up my camera straight away and go out to shoot. Thank you.

[@Nayson]

I doubt he’ll remember it but Niall saw me mucking about with a camera on the Underground once about five years ago, for some reason he decided to strike up a conversation and twenty minutes later left me feeling ten feet tall. I’ll never forget that. Thanks Niall.

[@frame-lines]

So great to hear. I felt the same after recording this - Josh

[@DenisMark1]

From reading the comments, it's clear that you've been able to capture something special in this video. Niall's general positivity and generosity shine through, partly because this was so beautifully edited. When it's this well done people don't always realize that someone made the choice of WHERE to cut away to show one of his masterful photos, and when to let us enjoy him speaking. Too many photos and it becomes distracting...too few, and we get frustrated. Thanks so much from Brooklyn to introduce those of us who didn't know his work to such a great artist and (seemingly) lovely man.

[@frame-lines]

Probably my favourite KZbin comment in 4 years of doing this. Thank you, it means a lot

[@DenisMark1]

@@frame-lines Oh my goodness. How nice! Well, turnabout is fair play. I was out of photography for a few years when I came across your video about the GX85 as a budget street camera. Got one based on your enthusiasm and love it still. Also got a Canon 6D. I'm not usually this suggestible (no Fujis for me!) - but your attitude and general goodwill are infectious! One more note on the video: I think Niall kind of glossed over a point that's SO important for all of us to remember when he said he's had whole days where nothing good came out of it. I hope I wasn't the only one who needed to hear that (yet again)!

[@davidnieuwenhuis2590]

Hi DenisMark, I wanted to write a comment to the video but its now needless after reading yours 😂 Very well formulated comment. And nothing but the truth. I also got so inspired!

[@guidonagle5075]

This is my first encounter with Niall. What strikes me is his tremendous feeling for color and simplicity, and ability to strip away anything unnecessary from the shot.

[@EdJimenezPhoto]

Beauty in the mundane. Very underrated approach to street photography and perhaps the most difficult one to get right. Great interview, keep them coming!

[@frame-lines]

Much appreciated Ed - thank you

[@firmanfirdaus6754]

Such a nice person.

[@frame-lines]

Love Niall

[@christinepadmore7518]

Niall is new to me but very pleased I stumbled on this video!

[@frame-lines]

Love to hear it thanks for watching !

[@TyRonKitzeRow]

Very good chat.

[@BGTuyau]

Thanks to the producer of this video for making me aware of McDiarmid's work.

[@frame-lines]

Glad to hear that!

[@weisskm]

Just discovered Niall - amazing guy! Great images.

[@WillemVerb]

Been following Niall's work for so many years. Thanks for making this!

[@evertking1]

My boy Willem..

[@frame-lines]

Yes! Thanks for watching Willem ❤️

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Outstanding Interview complimented by stunning photography throughout. In my life I've done one book I was chuffed to bits with it thought I'd make my fortune, in reality it was a hard sell, barely broke even but a great experience. These days I'm in a rush to shoot everything I possibly can, the older I get the less time I have so I shoot everyday for newspapers and my own work. Really enjoyed this episode cheers team.

[@taterandy3958]

Love his portraits

[@bobcunningham5288]

I love the richness of colour in Niall's work.

[@frame-lines]

Really beautiful use of colour

[@evertking1]

Is that film or what?

[@alexgreenway21]

Brilliant video, Josh! And thanks for asking Niall my question. It was a very valuable answer. Top video as always!

[@frame-lines]

Very much appreciated Alex - thank you for getting involved

[@RS-Amsterdam]

🅴🆇🅲🅴🅻🅻🅴🅽🆃 To make it more clearly I had to add some fancy letters to the expression. I so love these saturated but matt colors. Gives a vintage look and makes me think of Wes Anderson of which I am a great fan. Very very good photos, great art. Thanks so much people from Framelines for this interesting interview, so glad I found your channel, your videos are always very interesting.

[@frame-lines]

haha the fancy letters and emojis are much appreciated - as is your continued support

[@wylie_photo]

Niall is a great photographer, who has done such good work over the years. Every time his images pop up on IG, I always look forward to seeing them. I'm glad you mentioned the travel part, it's always intrigued me just how much he gets around the UK.

[@frame-lines]

Love to hear this Mark, and yes nialls motivation to travel like this is massively inspiring

[@wylie_photo]

@@frame-lines Definitely. I liked his stack of train tickets!

[@jordanblossom4873]

Niall gave such a great answer to my question - been in a rut recently but I think it was the spark I needed to get out of it. Thanks guys!

[@frame-lines]

Love it - sorry for also forgetting how to read 😅

[@jordanblossom4873]

@@frame-lines ha - you get points for authenticity!

[@robertjones7844]

Very cool interview. I've been following Niall for years, and have even spoken with him a few times. He is one of my absolute favorite contemporary photographers.

[@frame-lines]

You and me both! Cheers Robert

[@weezintrumpeteer]

Niall is one of my favorite current photographers. I have a few of his books and love them all. Looking forward to more! Great interview.

[@AdrianRankin]

Thanks for sharing Niall’s work and showcasing his story. His approach was refreshing - much appreciated.

[@TheLiamGordon]

This was tremendous! I’ve always enjoyed Niall’s work but have never really heard much of him talking about it. 🙌

[@frame-lines]

Massively appreciated Liam - thanks for watching and the support t

[@williambolton5679]

When I was going to university at Reading in the early 70s, I bought my first camera, an Exakta with two lenses, a 50 and a 35-70. I always felt the light was very special there and looking at your photos, Josh, and Niall's and those of Martin Parr and other British photographers, I suspect the light contributes to a special warm and pastel look.

[@frame-lines]

So nice to hear thank you William, means a lot

[@kristoffergo6294]

The colors on his photos is just extraordinary,

[@frame-lines]

Absolutely!

[@Agnivolok1]

Are they from a Leica?

[@sierragold]

@@Agnivolok1 I've read that he uses a medium format film camera; however, @14:08 on the bench-- looks like a Leica M camera.

[@JeevesTCW]

Really enjoyed this video .. and what a lovely down to earth guy as well as a great photographer ... just what I needed atm thank you

[@frame-lines]

Love to hear it - thanks for watching, glad it resonated ❤️

[@BrianBoycePhotography]

Love Nialls work and the openness of this interview, talking about nurturing his desire to photograph even when you don't have the urge or time at that moment is something that resonated with me. Thanks for making and sharing this video

[@frame-lines]

Couldn't agree more! Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for watching

[@VickyAllum]

Such a great video Josh with Niall ,i am a street photographer and was on the verge of giving it up today ,but now after watching this video Niall has inspired me again to keep going and enjoy taking street shots again .

[@frame-lines]

Wow incredible to hear Vicky! Don’t give it up!

[@user-ot9mn1ji6l]

This was lovely, guys. Refreshing and relatable. Big thanks to both of you for the constant inspiration!

[@frame-lines]

Love to hear it - thanks for watching !! It means a lot

[@tonydesarzec907]

Fabulous! I love Niall's work.

[@frame-lines]

Me too!

[@christinekemp6020]

This was fantastic! Thank you for sharing Niall’s work.

[@frame-lines]

Our pleasure! Thank you for watching Christine

[@szelingchang5284]

Thank you for making this film. Love Niall work and admire his dedication. Inspiring. ❤

[@frame-lines]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidmcintoshmedia1071]

Great interview - entertaining, inspirational and informative. With your’s, Shane’s and Niall’s energy, you lads need to go on tour - or start up an Edinburgh Fringe Photo Festival!

[@frame-lines]

Haha one day maybe 😅😅

[@lukewatsonphoto]

Great message for younger photographers Niall! Appreciate hearing that even if you're not working in photography to nurture the belief that you'll be able to dedicate more time to it at some point. Can't believe I've only just stumbled across this channel - great work all!

[@johnwaine56]

Great genuine insight into the frailties, frustrations and successes of a top photographer that sound very familiar!

[@michaelplaice6926]

Really enjoyed that. Thanks.

[@frame-lines]

Thank YOU

[@RainmakerAnton]

Thank you for offering a glimpse into the thought process of an inspirational photographer.

[@frame-lines]

Thank you for watching! Much appreciated

[@bnwaneampeh]

Such an inspiring chat with Niall. Love it 👍🏾

[@frame-lines]

Thanks for watching !

[@itsahoax]

great conversation! thank you both for your time and efforts

[@frame-lines]

Thank you for watching!

[@TheUrbandilema]

Today is an awesome day yes framlines upload .Awesome interview josh..kudos I love this man passion and advice love how he says you don't need to rush it just take your time...

[@frame-lines]

Glad it resonated ! Thank you watching

[@riswanc]

Love this video, and thanks now i know niall! Love his works too

[@frame-lines]

Big thank you for watching

[@janeoram2460]

This was really an excellent video by about a photographer I have long admired!

[@frame-lines]

So great to hear

[@owenharvey2611]

Great interview. Niall is one of those photographers who seems to consistently produce great images, without overthinking the process. His work ethic is very inspiring.

[@frame-lines]

Thanks for watching Owen - massively appreciated

[@chrisstewart6208]

That was a great interview. Niall is a very humble man. He quietly plies his trade. He is inspirational. Keep pushing that rock up the hill

[@frame-lines]

Absolutely - thanks for watching Chris ❤️

[@lsimpson50]

Great conversation. Thought provoking.

[@frame-lines]

Glad to hear it! Cheers!

[@johnbarben]

One of the most helpful videos I’ve seen for a long time. Thanks

[@frame-lines]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching John

[@scott.photos]

Fantastic interview - a really insightful and joyous conversation. Thanks for sharing!

[@frame-lines]

Thank you Scott ❤️

[@dan-le-brun]

Used to live in Colliers Wood and there's definitely an added familiarity and comfort felt as I flick through Southwestern. It's the book that helped me discover Niall's work. Sense of place adds just as much as a nostalgic sense of time. Great interview, thanks Niall, and of course Josh.

[@frame-lines]

Absolutely love that book - it was the first one of Nialls that I picked up. Love to hear that Dan, sorry to miss you on Saturday also

[@JacobChristiansen1]

so good. Both the interview and the photography

[@frame-lines]

Means a lot - thank you Jacob ❤️

[@jenniferdacreativeexplorer]

Great interview! Thanks for sharing another artist I can follow and be inspired from!

[@frame-lines]

Love to hear it! Thanks for watching

[@berzerkrobot]

His "East Street Market" photo especially stood out to me. Great interview!

[@frame-lines]

Absolutely ! Thanks for watching

[@VictorReynolds]

Thank you for such a positive and inspiring interview! All the best!

[@frame-lines]

Thank you for watching !

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Well, that was fantastic! 👏🏻

[@frame-lines]

Massively appreciated James ❤️

[@tomhampshire3353]

That was great. Such a broad range of beautiful work. But mainly what a lovely bloke.

[@frame-lines]

Absolutely , cheers Tom

[@gisele6961]

Well done, guys. I love Niall's work!

[@frame-lines]

Us too! Thanks Gisele ❤️

[@Yves216]

Absolutely loved the interview. This is so refreshing between all kind of gear review videos. Really talking about photography. The color palette used by Niall do remind me of Ernst Haas. Anyhow, thanks for sharing this nice interview.

[@frame-lines]

Thank you for watching!

[@majdtaby4560]

This was brilliant Josh. Thanks so much for sharing. Really enjoyed the conversation

[@frame-lines]

Massively appreciated Majd - thank you. Also long time no speak hope you’re well , Josh

[@winslow_j]

Great video Josh! My first time seeing Niall. The idea of playing to your strengths is an interesting one...I've always enjoyed observing the scene as a whole in my street work without being seen by the subject, for kind of a fly on the wall effect being a shyer person. I moved to new york a few months ago, and I'm finding myself struggling with whether I want to be a more run and gun style shooter being up close like a lot of the work here, or sticking to my roots with a long lens. Constant battle of finding our style which makes it fun. Lot's of great tips in here to think about!

[@frame-lines]

So many great tips right! Cheers! Enjoy New York! Very jealous

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Ohhh, this is going to be good! *grabbing popcorn*

[@frame-lines]

Haha yes!! 🍿

[@mathewjschwartz4984]

Wonderful interview with and (excuse the pun) focus on Niall!

[@thephilsharp]

Lovely film, great work.

[@frame-lines]

Thanks Phil!

[@lloydhunt8343]

I really enjoyed this, thankyou

[@frame-lines]

You’re welcome 😊 Thank you for watching Lloyd

[@alandargie9358]

What a great video, thanks to you both. I'm ashamed to say that I wasn't familiar with Niall's work, that will change! Excellent photography, love it.

[@frame-lines]

Love to hear it - thanks for watching

[@eltinjones4542]

It's difficult to shoot the mundane well but most rewarding to shoot it at all 📷👍

[@marcdeckard7064]

Inspirational guy.

[@geoffmphotography9444]

Great work. Very interesting.

[@frame-lines]

Glad you enjoyed it Geoff

[@julianheritage6436]

Great video ❤

[@frame-lines]

Glad you liked it!!

[@jonatascd_]

good video! it is interesting to see someone with a good attitude or good words about social media these days

[@frame-lines]

Yea! Really flipped my current feelings towards it

[@teemax1809]

i'm only 16 seconds in and i already love this. Lol!

[@frame-lines]

aha love it

[@my2004rt]

Awesome video! Such amazing work. Is his work mostly shot on film?

[@p_aulwhite]

I like videos like this, a kind of British version of 'Walkie talkie'. Nothing wrong with that as always interesting to see how photographers work.

[@frame-lines]

Ha we were going to sit indoors but the weather was too nice

[@SaxonSuccess]

It all looks pretty effortless, but we all know it's far from that. Entrancing photography and some philosophy too. Great stuff.

[@milesmonroe65]

Nice. Perambulate/Articulate.❤️

[@frame-lines]

Haha nicely put

[@altully7006]

Great stuff Josh. What camera did Niall have with him in the video ?

[@frame-lines]

Cheers! Leica m10

[@altully7006]

The colours in his images are amazing. Particularly love the Edward Hopper type night scenes of London from about a year ago..

[@IanKnight40]

What camera and lens does, Niall use?

[@drwatsonismine]

I am not supposed to ask, but what camera and lens does he use? Is he using film or digital? The work is amazing..

[@evertking1]

Mamiya 7 it looks like. I'm could have sworn that broll it showed him loading slide film...

[@frame-lines]

Best reach out to Niall for the scoop

[@cityproofdad]

thats Richhond next door from me

[@frame-lines]

👀

[@AbieWriter]

Niall's Facebook page is out of date when you click in from his web page.

[@frame-lines]

Seriously

[@ryanmacnamara5919]

I've seen this format somewhere Paulie B.fore

[@frame-lines]

Oh dear