Learning about light with Joel Meyerowitz

[@brucemcclelland904]

I have a small Meyerowitz print of a blue car in a Bulgarian car wash back in the Sixties (during his European trip in 1968). I’ve always liked the print, but after listening to your discussion of JM’’s use of light, I’ve come to see it in a different way, and feel I can now see things in this simple, somewhat amusing, shot that I’d not noticed before, especially with regard to light and color. So thank you for your observations.

[@pfekin]

If I may, I think you bring a narrative quality to your videos. Thank you for your wonderful content.

[@robertlavers1121]

Last year I splashed out on Joel’s course in Masters of Photography, and he is a great teacher and inspirer. His enthusiasm is infectious and where he responds to students’ work it is amazing how quickly he picks up on nuances in the photographs. Definitely worth the money.

[@TatianaHopper]

I actually was promoting the course and had the opportunity to do it, it was very valuable and Joel's energy is contagious for sure! Worth the money indeed!

[@JaredTremper]

I think that’s insightful that Joel took the chance to experiment beyond street photography. In a world of specialists, we can forget that “variety is the spice of life.” Moreover, in photography we can become myopic and stuck in a singular way of seeing. For my own work, I do some street photography not so much as an end to itself, but as a way to sharpen my skills for seeing moments when I do events. But then I will go out in the woods and look for something in a tree or plant to capture its soul. It’s all connected.

[@narelle4868]

Thankyou for your musings. You add a new dimension to viewing art.

[@bsmukler]

Many aspects of photography have drawn me to it over the years, but more than anything it is noticing or feeling the character of light, the soft or harsh play of light and shadow, or the way colors or shapes in a scene are brought out in the light. As a kid, I literally used to sneeze in sudden changes of light, such as when riding in a car through one of those areas where tall, evenly spaced trees created a staccato effect of light and shadow. I think many of the images you shared here, with the very soft play of light and the colors of the landscape, seascape, or objects definitely (for me) qualify as artwork. I’ve never quite understood whether it is true, and if so why, the very character of light seems unusually special in some locations. Here, it was along Cape Cod, but I have also experienced it around the Monterey Peninsula, and have seen it in photos and videos in areas of Namibia (as well as other areas, of course). That special something seems to lend itself to the creation of artistic photographs.

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Absolutely wonderful episode to ease my way into the weekend, thank you. The photography was wonderful.

[@imthisrandomguy]

Easily one of the best photography related channel on youtube. So happy to have found it :)

[@fototryhard]

Danke!

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you so much Mathias!

[@fototryhard]

@@TatianaHopper no its on me, to say THANK YOU, for your awesome work. ☺️

[@Gomezgani__]

Joel shaped my interest in the Streets and shooting Lands as art. Period. Way before I knew about Cartier or anybody else I’ve come to know and admire. ❤🇲🇼

[@JamieMPhoto]

Easily one of my top few photo books ever. Ultra formative to me as a photographer. The interview in it is incredible.

[@TatianaHopper]

Agreed Jamie!

[@numbersix8919]

Very nice! Yes, of course, one can use photography in a "painterly" way. This video is close to the "painting with light" I've been waiting for, so I'll watch it several times. Hoppy 2023 !

[@ChadtheFilipino]

This work is incredibly striking and i just bought a copy immediately. Wouldn't have found it if it were not for your channel, so thanks and keep up these awesome videos!

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you so much Chad! Appreciate it and loved that you got a copy, once you see it in person you'll be even more grateful for Joel's work!

[@jeffglennon]

Liked subscribed and commented so happy I came across this channel. Pure Gold. Thx for all the effort you and thought you put into your videos!!! As a beginner KZbinr myself it makes me proud of where too I can go.

[@AristeidisSfakianos]

I was thinking of doing an analysis on Joel's work this year too. He has inspired me a lot to start pursuing more of photojournalistic projects in the background. Especially his work on 911 and his project photographing people by the beach in Provincetown (if I am not mistaken). Great video once more Tatiana!

[@TheNitebinder]

A terrific mini documentary about a sensational photographer. Only by studying the works of Joel Meyerowitz, Diana Arbus, Eugene Atget, Henri Cartier-Bresson is the best way to improve our photography. Meyerowitz's 'Cape Light' and 'Aftermath World Trade Center Archive' are the highlights of any photo book or photography collection. Sorry to see your film noir cinematography documentary go, but it's KZbin's house so you gotta play by their rules. Best of luck!

[@filmic1]

Thank-you! All I can say is deeply 'immersed.' Joel Meyerowitz's seems to be consistently muted. His images make me think of tempera, conte crayon, or gouache pigment. His composition is always thoughtful and to me subtle, like he's subconsciously aware.

[@kenneth61]

Cape Light, one of my first photobooks in the early eighties. My favorites is photos with natural lights contrast with artificial lights. Thats what I have experimental with.

[@jimwlouavl]

Great selection and your insight is spot on as usual. I would check this book out at my local library over and over. It always inspired me.

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you Jim! Definitely have a good look its worth it :)

[@rexgigout1472]

Thanks for creating this presentation.

[@janeoram2460]

Another fascinating and thoughtful post!

[@ronmccarty3112]

Thanks!

[@ddsdss256]

Good analogy to painting and other visual artforms. My training and experience in painting (primarily non-objective abstract expressionism) definitely influences my photography, and my approach is that of a genre-agnostic, opportunistic omnivore. I'm rarely without a camera, but I rarely think about what I intend to photograph in advance (and I try to avoid thinking too much about an image in situ--I rely on experience-based "instinct" and a quick "print previsualization" process to determine composition, settings, etc.). I do try to go places where I think I may find something interesting, but that's pretty much anywhere (preferably when there's interesting lighting, but any lighting will do--you just need to adjust).

[@ernestthomas9406]

this is one of my favorite photographers too; you also remind me to drink water, which I don't drink enough of !

[@TatianaHopper]

ahah stay hydrated, always!

[@ashekrahaman4524]

This such a great video!

[@goshashaaa]

Awesome work !

[@imac3355]

Another excellent doco Tatiana, I'd love to see you work your magic on a slim Aarons doco 😍

[@TatianaHopper]

Will look him up!

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

Great video. I have taken a number of pictures where the combination of light and subject evokes Hopper or sometimes Turner. I think if you have looked at art your whole life, i t is bound to influence how you see and edit your photos.

[@brunodny4428]

Bravissima, molto preparata.

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you!

[@ivanosrin2126]

I think composition is always - about what we see and how we see it

[@TatianaHopper]

True!

[@jamesmonte9214]

Great video

[@drnicolacolucci]

In the same years the Italian Luigi Ghirri realized similar light project...we speak about giants...thanks ciao, Nicola

[@TatianaHopper]

True Nicola, I need to bring him to the channel!

[@chadroberts44]

I love the concept of this video. I've been a fan of Joel M. for quite some time now but have never come across this book. Do you by chance, know what camera and film he used to shoot the photos for this book?

[@TatianaHopper]

The camera I know it was a 8x10 inch Deardorff view camera as for the film I couldn't point out precisely, my guess would be Kodak's portra range :)

[@theraven6836]

Novices discuss gear; pros discuss business; artists discuss light.

[@TatianaHopper]

Love that! (not that I consider myself an artist or better, I just really love how you put it)

[@theraven6836]

@@TatianaHopper Can't take credit for this quote, although I don't remember where I read it first. Still, I do think it's very accurate.

[@ItsTheBigHorse]

that was great

[@TatianaHopper]

thank you!

[@mid90s75]

👏

[@barrylyons8102]

What camera does he use

[@mauricioalchundiasegovia8355]

Gracias guapa¡¡

[@chrisfowler7669]

It's stating the obvious---and probably what everybody already knows--but "photo-graphy" translates as "drawing (or writing) with light".

[@Screlon]

First :)

[@timshields8720]

Light is great BUT you really do need a half descent subject to tell a half descent story. Light entering a side window in a boring room is simply light in a boring room... you can try and Emperors new Clothes it up all you like, it's still a rubbish image with very little substance to it(IN MY OPINION)