ONE thing that will STOP you from GROWING as a Photographer & HOW to fix it

[@ZacharyDoehler]

This is why you're one of my favorite photographers Michael. Not just because your images are incredible, but your humble and relaxed approach to your photography is refreshing. A great example for all of us!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you so much man, I really appreciate it!

[@jeromec3725]

The "bubbles" one is really striking 👍

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you! :)

[@kerrygrim7934]

Refreshing to see your videos that are strictly NOT vistas. No one does abstracts as well as you do. Thanks for sharing your talent and videos.

[@simon_dentremont]

Love the cinematic touches to this video Michael. As a new KZbinr, I’m always looking for inspiration! Thanks!

[@nancymatheson8602]

You've inspired me to spend time looking more closely. AND, the reminder to calm down a bit after the initial excitement, to really search for your composition.

[@DarrenJSpoonley]

4:45 looked liked and incoming wave by drone :-) those orange lava shots were stunning too

[@Slewis71119]

You are an amazing Landscape Photographer

[@MichaelShainblum]

That's a really kind thing to say, thanks so much Scott!

[@andrewfuller62]

I love the image at 4:37.....it has three elements which make it sort of look like a drone shot. Blue at the bottom being the ocean, the orange being the was of the surf and the earthy colour at the top being that of the shore.

[@katemaxwell6061]

Oh wow such beautiful images. Favourites are the one at 4.41 and the sand tree sitting on the wave hill….but all are great and you’ve inspired me to look more closely at what’s under my feet.

[@woflgangdurst6752]

Wow! Beautiful Images. Love them all. Your pictures are truly unique and hauntingly Beautiful. Wolfgang

[@weegreenblobbie]

At 6:50, I prefer the right composition, with the orange zigzag. Love these gray rocks! Love the sand patterns at 11:12 also, the subtle light across it makes really makes it.

[@davebryer6133]

I preferred the non lava lava shoot that was zoomed out a bit, and the added gray rock pattern added to the image. When the image with the white line was shown my first thought was looks like the horizon and some tornados, so you were not the only one who thought that.

[@carmenjgarciap8153]

I love all the photos, but out of the two photos I like the one on the right side the most.

[@showReell]

12:09 wow this is stunning

[@jesse113553]

7:03. I like the broader chaotic composition as it reminds me of an autumnal scenes with golden leaves in the forest

[@lieslwalshphotography]

I like how your abstract images have wonderful color, texture and emotion. Your videos have a nice calming mood, very nice, thanks!

[@garrydelday5816]

Beautiful images Micheal, if there is one thing I have learnt over the last few years, it is to look closer. The natural world produces stunning patterns and textures everywhere, capturing them can be fun and often rewarding 👌

[@jvalenta47]

Michael, this was one of the best photography vlog I have ever seen. And I have watched lots of them. It was very educational and personal at the same time. Well, maybe it hit me just in my low point of photography time and gave me some inspiration. Thanks.

[@Atrain5ss]

Truly amazing work... your the king of textures & small details! Absolutely love the collection of shots at the end.

[@badger67]

Thank you for the vlog. Very inspirational for me. Outstanding pics. As regards to the 2 images, I'm going to choose the up close and basic one as my favourite.

[@melissahall7009]

Enjoyed this. Thank you!! ❤ I probably like the one on the left of screen best.

[@AnthonyCrouchPhotography]

I like the 3rd after the two you ask to compare, shaped like a phoenix rising out of fire

[@melissam731]

I liked both and can see them in a group display. Very nice.

[@HeyItsFlames]

Love it man. Shows what’s so special about photography for me. Plenty of people could go to these spots, but it’s usually photographers that will sit by a rock and stare at it for hours, amazed by the textures and colors. The appreciation for nature is something so awesome to me

[@joanhuggett5164]

You sure do know how to broaden this girls appreciation of photography. I liked the 'bigger' version of the image you asked for comment. You and Will Patino are something else. Thanks Michael.

[@saurabhkaul89]

wow ..blissed out

[@MichaelShainblum]

😎

[@danmckee4988]

As you said, others don’t see what was closest to your heart when you captured those photos, only you do. As I say, the best photo is the one you take, it special because you where there remembering the “awe” of that moment…

[@marilynhoon1031]

Definitely the pulled back shot…love this vlog

[@SgtNarrow]

Man, you could shoot literally anything and make it work. Brilliant!

[@vamsipatchigolla]

Always an inspiration sir ❤️

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you so much! :)

[@billpanuska5775]

Outstanding! One of my favorites from your channel. This was well-written, rich with helpful, wise advice … and great photos. As for the choice, I go with the tighter image on the left. But, immediately following the two choices, a third frame of the same subject made me go crazy with happiness! Finally, my teenage grandson shows promise with his creative work. I emphatically recommended your channel as the only one he needs to watch. Thanks for all the talent you share.

[@heathermtaylor7683]

Thoroughly enjoying your abstractions. Really beautiful ❤️

[@heathhooper8126]

Thought the brown/yellow sand shots near the beginning looked like a giraffe’s hide, and the parterns in some of them reminded me of diego rivera paintings. Love your work and videos!

[@shawndonnelly5317]

Great video and advice. I believe that in photography there are no failures, but many opportunities to learn and grow.

[@janroos7518]

Beautiful video and beautiful photo's. Also shows that one can make great abstract "seascapes" without having great vistas around.

[@abacab1701]

Wow. Thanks Michael. You've got me wanting to pick my camera up and get out. Thanks Man.

[@davidpeters.photography]

Thank you Michael for another great episode of your nice calming voice. I Enjoy your way of presenting your shots. Almost like a father telling a bedtime story.

[@MichaelShainblum]

haha thanks so much David!

[@ryankyte6914]

All these images are wonderful. I most enjoyed the sand images and the one at 11:45 reminded me of the ancients!

[@KellyPettit]

I've said this before but your eye is incredible. It's also very inspiring. Thank you. Love the way you do you vlogs. Actually, a real compliment is that my wife and daughter do too! Thanks for this.

[@johndoe-nh9sh]

'Create a different story than the subject is showing'. I like that advice, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@MarkFloyd7451]

I like the pulled back shot that shows more pattern and more texture on the right at about 6:56 mark. Really nice video with creative shots and great info.

[@danconstantinescu]

Amazing photos! The texture is simply wow!

[@Clickrbee]

wow...these are stunning... I live in a boring area, but perhaps looking at smaller details is the way to go... I'm excited to try something things differently!

[@jamesmcleod4335]

Every bit of this resonated with me to my core.

[@santiagojakas472]

I love the philosophy you have behind photography. Regarding your question, I prefer the zoomed in photograph. I think is the first one.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks Santiago, glad you enjoyed that one! :)

[@rcen20]

Beautiful! I recently subscribed, and I have to say, this particular video really speaks to me. I'm going through a real photography slump right now, for various reasons. And this just gives me that little bit of inspiration to try something different.

[@thomastuorto9929]

Since you asked, at 6:34, I like the pulled back/wider photo better & the 1 you showed after those 2 even better. This abstract type photography is more what I would call Fine Art Photography over the smooth water long exposure photos of old pier pilings. (not knocking them) I believe these would probably sell well in a gallery. But me, not being in the business could be just my personal taste & completely wrong. Nice vid.

[@KimSol90]

wow stunning photos! now this just gave me a boost of motivation to take abstract photos!

[@johncharlton]

6:40 I like the image on the right best.Just a better composition for me. I like that the orange is clearly shown as the bottom layer here. I can imagine that I'm looking at a small portion of a giant sphere with the top layer of blue rocks crumbling away to reveal the core.

[@richardpesce5325]

really wonderfully beautiful presentation. Thanks for the lesson!

[@JasonTeale]

I really like the thought that you put into this video. I struggle with growing and learning new things a lot as a photographer. This has helped give me some new perspective. thank you.

[@mpaulphoto]

A really great incentive for me: getting out of my comfort zone, try something new, challenge myself, be more creative... All things I didn't do for a very long time. Thanks Michael for this video!!

[@AliasJimWirth]

Excellent Video, Michael. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I like the advice as well. Thank you.

[@fubband]

Wonderful work, Michael 🙌🏻 I really love the orange and grey rock images, I could see them working really well as a set of six in a grid on the wall of a funky, contemporary apartment 👍🏻 My favourite is at 7:05, the orange part looks like a top down view of a bird in flight to me, with the head and beak at the top and wings to the right and left

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much, if I flipped that image its almost like the batman symbol.

[@markledbury3666]

Hi Michael, this was an absolutely awesome vlog! It was great to see how you approached ‘diving deeper into the landscape’ with your photography. I, too, enjoy searching for patterns and colors in the closer up landscape. You’ve inspired me to do even more of this. Thank you!😎

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you so much Mark, happy shooting, I hope you get some awesome stuff! :)

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

As a fan of Abstract Expressionism and a former painter. I really enjoyed your series of intimate geological studies. The science geek in me is also interested in the unique geology of the Bay area. There's a great story of tectonic metamorphosis within those cracks and layered colors.

[@keithnisbet]

Just spectacular. Incredible collection of colours & patterns. It pays to slow down and pay close attention to detail, especially those little things that others ignore. Thanks

[@richardpesce5325]

Like the close up shot!

[@bossofthemoss450]

Your diagonal compositions excited me most (after the initial shots). Great work. They all let the viewer create/imagine their own story/dialogue. 👍👏👏👏

[@YevgenyKheifets]

Great abstracts, I liked the second image because it has more contrast between orange and blacks ⚫️

[@michaelhegemeyer2827]

This vlog was great! I really like the image on the right as it reminds me of two continents shot from space.

[@andrewsimpson5436]

A great set and example of looking for the smaller things, Oh and I prefer the tighter shot, I like the flow out of the bottom right.

[@JJ-ef7lb]

Great shots! Really great. Definitely inspired me to try something different. Thank you 👍

[@DA-yd2ny]

My favourites are at 11:00-end. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@williamzaca6280]

Michael great video and amazing photos

[@randyschwager2515]

Fun stuff! Thanks for taking me along!

[@barbarachamberlain6918]

By a slim margin, I preferred the more zoomed out image on the right. An excellent vlog!

[@garyedwards1268]

Great video on abstract photography. I prefer the close up of the red orange rock scene. It is amazing what you can see when you delete deeper into a scene. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@brandonmjohnsonphotography]

WOW! So glad I watched this video. I'm glad one of my photography friends told me about you. I love the closer up abstract of the orange and grey. I loved the tornado example. That's really neat!

[@armstrongphotography21]

Really great video. Thank you for the simple reminder to slow down. And really look at photography from a different perspective. I am glad I watched this video. You photo are great the first 2 I think they compliment each other well. So its not easy picking one over the other. Again great video. 👍

[@denisemann4694]

Absolutely loved this video and all your creative shots. You inspire me to look more closley at shoreline details when I visit the Texas gulf coast.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks Denise! I have never been out there before, would be really cool to see what you capture!

[@stevejarvis186]

Hi I prefer the shot thats not cropped in. Once I had watched this to the end and saw all of your images I thought WOW because when I`m down at the shore I try to look for the incredible shapes nature produces as well. I love the abstracts that nature comes up with and the next day, in the same spot it will all be totally different! Thank you this was a fantastic video.

[@robinmartin1395]

All of the image were really great! I think I enjoyed the images that included a bit more of the different colors. As always beautiful photographs.

[@huishamblee9981]

I love your vedios . Can you share the places name under vedio every time ? I enjoy take photos but don't have time to looking good place. Thank you .

[@noelleenboyers9120]

I can so relate. The photos I like are the ones that others don't like. I guess like all art work, we do it for ourselves first. I love the way you encourage creativity out of us. Thank you

[@adriennedragophotography]

Thanks for this vlog, Michael. I don't do any abstract photography, but you've inspired me to get to the coast at low tide to see what I can capture.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks Adrienne, definitely get out there and shoot some. It's a great thing to do especially on days when the conditions aren't looking amazing.

[@grahamfloyd3451]

Thank you. This video inspired me to appreciate the little things around me and I will try and shoot some abstract shots next time I go out.

[@Mrfoug]

Love this kind of relaxing video! Good work :)

[@_andy_gibb_]

As many others have said, that was a great video with some absolutely terrific images! Really loved the abstracts 👍

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks Andy, glad you enjoyed it!

[@FlareWalk]

it all looks amazing. last time i tried to go out and capture seascape/abstract photography i didnt come away with anything i really felt good about. maybe ill try again soon.

[@goanheat]

Some of my fav shots Michael.

[@danhiggins8733]

This! So helpful, Michael, as always. I just returned from a weekend at the Oregon Coast. And I was struck once again by the incredible opportunities for composition in that every changing environment. Light and water. Weather, seasons. And so many potential compositions. Your videos have been such an inspiration for me trying new compositions, seeing things differently. And it is helping me to learn that less is more. That I don't need to get everything in the frame. Oh, and one huge benefit of the high MP cameras that we have available now is the ability to crop if we see something different or better once we get home. Always looking forward to your next video!

[@mariankulin3182]

so peacefull ! like always

[@AnthonyJGianotti]

I like the slightly zoomed out shot

[@NatanielsArt]

Macro at 7:07 is my favorite, looks like a whales tale and the wave shots 👏

[@c.alcazar2584]

Love the photos,I always live the photos about waves, from the two that you ask the one on the right I like a little more.

[@WaseemAsmar]

thank you Michael..

[@waldemars.6817]

Michael, as always awsome, creative and very motivating, thank you!

[@dougheizenrader2280]

Beautiful work, as usual, Michael!

[@alexgimagery]

These are amazing, Michael. Surely you can make a zine or a book just from this set of photos. Fantastic work!

[@donnakeeley4531]

Awesome photos Michael. I have been doing a similar thing lately, really looking at what's around, not just the obvious and the photos I took in 2022 were really interesting. I look forward to all your videos and once again was not disappointed.

[@PatriciaDavidsonPhotography]

Very inspiring imagery Michael! Another wonderful video.

[@barneysaunders6278]

I like the picture on the Rhys Michael

[@NilanjanGoswami_wildlife]

I am from India, a wildlife photographer but very much fascinated about Landscape... I watch your Vlogs and videos to refresh my idea of photography, thank you for sharing your experience and images with us, I am hoping that someday you will come to INDIA to conduct a Workshop... Will be joining there with you to learn from you in LIVE... Lots of Love and Respect... Have a nice Day

[@sherrioster7012]

Thank you, Michael. Outstanding, as always!

[@josecarlosmora9318]

Me encanto Michael, muy bueno

[@cameragirl5554]

Thank you for bringing us along!

[@samwilson4012]

Absolutely awesome video Michael - beautiful photos as always, but really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and insights along the way. Thank you!

[@judithcooke6979]

Thanks, I found this really interesting and helpful. I actually liked both the photographs!

[@nsfotographi]

Great VLOG...thanks for the tips...I will be looking at the beach differently next time I go out for a shoot