My Photography Epiphany.

[@bradleygossett2620]

I’m only taking the time to type this because I genuinely believe it: I think you’re one of the best photographers on KZbin. Your work reminds me why art is more than just a hobby. Your work amazes and inspires me to shoot more

[@terryfletcher4717]

What you just said!

[@kellyvohs]

^^^

[@benwalker3519]

Well said!

[@sasa_savic_ss]

A photographer friend once told me: when conditions are perfect (like with northern lights), even an amateur can get a great shot - maybe just 10% worse than a pro's. It's actually the challenging, imperfect moments that truly draw professional photographers in. Keep up the good work, James.

[@lukemerrill1272]

When talking about the northern lights, you put into words something I have been contemplating but haven't been able to put into words. I also find myself drawn to photographing things that would make people say, "oh I didn't notice that" or "I would have never seen that". Kind of like street photography where someones keen eye anticipates an moment and somehow captures it before it's gone again. Thanks James! Beautiful photography too :)

[@sagetheowlfatfeathery2083]

Don’t forget that loads of people may never have seen the Northern Lights before, hence the excitement around that particular day/ evening. In addition, where we are in Norfolk, they looked totally different to my experience of them in Iceland.

[@michgreeno1]

Too right, we can’t always get it in Norfolk (unless you go to the North coast) so when I can get it from down near Swaffham I’m over the moon.

[@trishf29]

As a former historian, I can see this place has enormous potential for a photographer, and not just as a documentary image. The snow alone made for a more creative image, than if it was taken on a normal summer’s day, although that too would depend upon the conditions at the time. It shows too what workers endured when it was a working quarry. I enjoyed all your images, James - and I’m still enjoying your book too! Again, a great video! Cooled me down!🇦🇺

[@Jake-vt4ow]

Beautiful images, James. You are so talented. Your images are uniquely you. Thank you!

[@HisMadness_]

Every artist faces the challenge of finding their own voice. This artist’s work speaks to me.

[@matsfotografi]

Making common images of pretty things vs Making pretty images of common things... I'll keep that thought in my mind as I dig in to your brilliant newly arrived book. I'm in kind of a transitional period in my photography and your approach gives me a nice starting point😊

[@JimMakosCom]

A good practice of that thought is if you're documenting your everyday life. I have been doing that on video, and it makes me come up with all sorts of different angles, shots and ideas to capture mundane stuff.

[@antonoat]

You absolutely are a great photographer James, your ability to make intriguing, pleasing and interesting images from what are unremarkable scenes and subjects is your greatest asset as a photographer! I’ve been a photographer for forty years and I’ve studied photography quite extensively, yet I’ve learnt a considerable amount from your work and videos! Have a great Xmas and a fantastic 2025, cheers! 👏😀👍

[@josephschimmer302]

I‘ve seen this quarry before in Kyle McDougall‘s videos. It’s so interesting to see how different your approach is. Some stunning pictures indeed!

[@TheUrbandilema]

Thought it was me alone..his project slate city I think

[@tarekith]

I feel the same way about sunrise and sunset photos. All my friends are always shocked I don’t feel the urge to go out and capture a particularly colorful sunset. But personally, I’d rather just experience it and enjoy the moment. Also, sometimes it almost feels too easy to get a good photo in those moments.

[@itsbikenerd]

I find that sunsets themselves are not interesting subjects, but that an attractive subject, lit by or backdropped by a sunset, can become even more attractive.

[@conorcook4061]

I started investigating photography because I wasn't capturing what I saw with my phone camera. Thank you for sharing your realization about photographing the good stuff vs. the seemingly boring. I will worry less about capturing what I find beautiful and more on finding photos I take that might convey the same feeling I get from something I'd rather just look at.

[@thelostvisuals]

The only photography channel I can reliably come back to, to just unwind and learn. Legend.

[@CWReace]

Just want to say a general thanks for mostly posting content about photography, and not falling into the KZbin temptation to mostly post gear videos. 🙂

[@desgardner7169]

Its been a long time since I saw pictures of the quarry with snow falling you done a great job on that one! The arch picture is a wow picture for me! Thank you for the tips they are always noted....

[@tim9821]

Unusually, you've made your photos look hand-drawn to my eye. The odd, ethereal glow of the snow and the saturated red of the rusty beams in the long house. Very nice, but very different

[@johnlocke7097]

One of your best videos

[@Archonsx]

this place is perfect, what do you mean its not photogenic? it doesn’t get more perfect than that, the snow, the hills, the house, its so beautiful

[@shyamalganguly3598]

Merry Christmas to you James and everyone else in your family friends and acquaintances ❤❤

[@andrewwheeler348]

"The Photo Deficit" very well put. Many times i have pressed the shutter and been a little disappointed in how my camera captures a scene. Yes we can edit the image but the eye simply sees more. I enjoy your channel, keep the good work.

[@ronboe6325]

Regarding your opening statements; you have a particular skill in shooting something I never would consider and making a very good photograph. Teaches me to adjust my eye. Don't be so quick to walk by something. Now the quarry. My reaction would be to shoot it (or process it) in black & white. However; I don't recall you doing much in B&W (just had my first cup of coffee so it may be just me). That said, for some reason snow storms like you experienced brings me so much joy - it was a huge mood lifter experiencing that so thank you for including it.

[@mgnmpl]

Thanks a lot for all you do on YT and the inspiration. I love your easygoing approach. I’m just starting myself, like a month ago a bought my first camera. Now, I have to stay at home for the next 4 weeks because I had a surgery and I have to lay in bed. That made me watch all your videos from last 3 years and after a week… I’m out of content. 😢 you better get back to work 😅

[@julianpaxton5750]

Thanks. One of your best videos i think. Great location and your musings are thought provoking. That's why your channel is one of the best.

[@jakegreenwoodphotography]

I’m 3 mins in and I so relate! Even to the specifics of dinorwig being photogenic or not depending on the light. The buildings not standing out was hard and the slate was reflecting so much flare even with a polariser!

[@kqschwarz]

Thanks for the tip about shutter speed and snow. I also love the Mads Peter Iversen-like self-portrait of you in the stone tunnel. The fact that the buildings are made of the same material as the surrounding is just so cool, and the one photo with the rock pile behind the building gives the impression they are organizing themselves into the structure. Nice.

[@Retset]

The (drone?) photo at 1.34 is a really epic human nature shot. I love the contrast between the untouched landscape in the top 2/3 of the photo, contrasting with the man-made mountain destruction of the bottom 1/3, plus the snow, autumnal colours and patchy light.

[@paulcrawley7321]

Excellent video James and I was thinking turn around at 5:30 and you did. Great photo's.

[@ruthwilson9449]

Yes, when you showed that cloud, I was thinking I’d be out of there!

[@laurelb8372]

Love your work James. Here in southern Australia was overjoyed to photograph the southern lights at a great location earlier this year, loved my images but now happy to just watch & enjoy if/when they happen again.

[@thatstevegeezer]

I have spent a lot of time in Norway, but never attempted to photograph the Aurora. Why would I? There are a million images and films out there. I simply stand beneath them, be with them, in awe. That's enough for me.

[@DavidSenteno]

I always enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing. I could hang out in that quarry all day and just absorb the vibe.

[@anotherjaunt2492]

I agree with your northern lights sentiment, similarly, photographing sunsets. Using the light is one thing, but photographing the sunset is generally boring. Also, I just received your book, absolutely stunning and cant wait to dive into it more! great work!

[@nzjamie]

Great advice, there's a lot less of that type of architecture across the globe in New Zealand but definitely worth keeping in the back of my head for when I find them. Love your videos

[@danielhenzphotography]

What a great place! Love these images. Also hadn't heard the 3-click-bracket in a while. Light does makes things easier. But I find it very funny if people just point their phone at a glowing sky with no subject or thought.

[@seanteague2522]

Yes same reason I stopped photographing fireworks, I just took some photos and missed the firework display !

[@VincentGirod]

Hi James, Thank you for this new video. That place seems very interesting. Wales seems to be a wonderful place for photography.

[@he4vym3t4l]

I would love some tips on how you edit snowy scenes specifically. I really like your bright style and I see it in some of the shots you took at the quarry. I find it very refreshing. I have been struggling editing some snowy photos of my own lately and would really appreciate seeing how you go about it. Also I enjoy your musings on photography I always find them quite relatable!

[@andyhelmboldt2339]

Anyone else from the US click on James’s videos just to hear him pronounce “purchase” in the sponsorship intro? I mean, the content is always top notch too, inspiring in fact. But still 😅

[@julesc5571]

I’m English and I enjoy it too 😂

[@doptimist]

Completely agree on the Northern lights... some other factors that influence that feeling. NL pics tend towards the over saturated, over sharpened bombast that has plagued landscape photos forever. They are also just hard to photograph: very dark features on the ground, and very feint features in the sky. The results do very little for me! But, if you like shooting them then great! Have at it : )

[@ME2K23]

0:59 That is literally between a rock and a hard place! 😉

[@lordofdumpling]

I agree - i like to take photos of "everyday stuff" and share the beauty hidden in everyday life

[@R.1.c.h.i]

You inspired me so much. I watched a lot of your videos without having a camera. Finally Bought a sony a7iv, 24-50 g and a 40mm g lens after a couple years without a camera. Just because of you I guess

[@davidcrighton3431]

I found your comments about the Northern Lights strange. I can appreciate absorbing the moment instead of looking through a lens (no problem with that) but what my camera (and even phone) captured far exceeded what I saw with my naked eyes.

[@blindsquirrelmedia]

100% agree that when you're taking pictures, you're not really taking in the event or whatever you're photographing.

[@michaelfarrugia7550]

I love the way you just go out and find amazing shots. Where is the slate quarry? Love the old industrial shot fab thank you 🙏

[@julianheritage6436]

You are bonkers, I’ve been to Dinorwic a couple of times, it’s fantastic and your images were very nice too

[@danevarkevisser4670]

James, I came to more or less the same conclusion a few years ago that what is seemingly obvious and looks great to the eye doesn't necessarily make a great photograph. In part I think it is because we see so many photographs of the obvious that this in itself makes it ordinary. But when we photograph what is seemingly ordinary or something that most of us would walk past without a second glance, it becomes interesting. I think the other point is we can get carried with the beauty of what we see in front of us, say a spectacular sunset, that we forget to find a composition that works in that setting, so we generally end up with a photograph of beautiful colour but otherwise nothing special.

[@artu10alonso]

Love your videos James!!!

[@thebitterfig9903]

I’m with you on the location being more challenging to photograph than it looks. The buildings and the stone are interesting, but they blend in together. Each is less distinct than it could be. A gorgeous place to be, but finding compositions which really work to show off the buildings and quarry seems non-trivial. Nicely done to make it work.

[@albinliungman1093]

Gorgeous location. Looks like a movie set.

[@Webpromotions]

I've just spent the last 10 minutes fascinated and learning how to photograph snow. That's going to be really useful when it's 43C here on Monday 😂😂😂

[@flowkes2707]

Astonishing first shot in the video! A true "Bingo!", as you said!

[@greybill]

I saw northern lights in Iceland. And I tried to take pictures of them for a bit... but my old Lumix DMC-G6 with the 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 travel zoom showed it's limitations there. The 10 year younger phone did a better job. After a bit of trying I just lay down and looked up, enjoying the fascination of extra terrestrial particles making our protective layer of gas glow in such beauty. You can't quite capture that mesmerizing movement in a still, I think. And even the best video I have seen doesn't come close enough to just witnessing it. The photos I have of it are mediocre from a photography perspective. But they are a great help in remembering the awe and fascination the northern lights made me feel.

[@markhampshirephotography]

I think this is a cool location James, if/ when I return to the UK to live I'm adding Wales to my potential locations. I'd definitely want to return to a place that's good for photography. You should be ambassador for Wales 😂

[@nikkia9506]

People photographed the Northern Lights because the overwhelming amount of Brits have never seen them before, and most of those may never see them again. It was a memory moment. You've been very lucky, and now you can just sit back and relish them.

[@JamesKerwin]

Exactly 💯

[@TheOlandex]

Funny, I had the same experience during the solar storm, and also during the eclipse back in April. I was happy to experience them but didn't feel compelled to shoot them. Partly just because it's not the kind of photography I do, so I would have needed to do a bit of homework in preparation that I didn't really have time or energy for. But also because sometimes you just want to experience a thing.

[@blue_ranger]

That deficit is like people who phone-film at concerts. Diluting the whole experience happening in front of them, by watching it on a small screen.

[@parsias5381]

Good tip on bracketing for SS!

[@grahambush3226]

I recently was witness to a spectacular sunset in our small city of Frederick, Maryland. I was attending a gallery opening of a gallery of which I am a member and one of only two photographers. I had my camera. When the sunset slowly turned to a brilliant orangey fellow artist all expected me to go out and shoot a spectacular photo of this incredible sunset. I resisted because what I wanted to do was enjoy the sunset with everyone else. I eventually did go out and grab some shots but I had missed the crescendo of the moment. I really did not mind missing the "shot". But like you I was more interested in experiencing the moment.

[@mpearce888]

Beautiful photos!!

[@martyspurlock6458]

Enjoy watching your videos every entertaining and educational. We had the opportunity see/photograph the Northern Lights here in southeast Kansas this past summer and early fall. A VERY rare occurrence. Would love to get to Iceland someday to chase the lights.

[@photom3]

I don’t think it could be considered an epiphany but your location of Wales, being somewhat spare makes subjects stand out a bit more. I would consider that a good thing.

[@LooseEnds]

You should photograph Chaco Canyon pueblo ruins here in New Mexico. For some reason this video made me think of it.

[@moradosangre]

their are amazing!

[@nicolasguillenc]

Really good insight! I wasn't able to put it into words either but I understand the feeling.

[@PiotrPavlov]

The picture at 2:59 killed me

[@sonderbass]

Same. Insanely good capture

[@MacnTeensVisuals]

Love these shots, that light along with the snowy conditions look pretty amazing👌

[@Dan-kb2oz]

Awesome opening shot! Looks like 3D concept art.

[@RealBesty]

My experience with the Northern Lights was very different to yours. Down here in Kent, I couldn’t see the colours with the naked eye but *could* see them on my camera’s screen. It’ll have been the first time I’ve ever photographed something I couldn’t actually see :)

[@cmflyer]

I had the same experience where I am in Montana. Sometimes I wonder if the reds and violets in the photos are real!

[@charliethebubbles]

Another excellent video, just keep taking images like this.

[@sonyavandegeer6618]

Have to enjoy the moment. One that really gets me as wasting an experience is people taking shots of the Tour de France going by on their phones

[@LauraF4848]

Loved the snow photos, James! Great location, according to this Midwesterner 😊

[@developingtank]

You are good.

[@JasonRoof]

Really enjoy your photography and videos, James. In a previous video on post-production, you talked about negative clarity. With these photos, it seems like you're really leaning into the negative clarity beyond your normal processing....perhaps getting on too much :)

[@DanaPushie]

Smart. Not all great views make great photos. But, I've noticed you seem to find a way. Congrats on another great video. Cheers.

[@JackieDElia]

Absolutely lovely photos. Always enjoy your inspiring videos.

[@martinhommel9967]

Great shots. Thanks for sharing. Poignant

[@RussandLoz]

Thanks for being inspirational in this winter grey gloom. Enthralling video, I'd like to see how you got up there and where it is too. But sure, instagram vs reality is a feeling I often get when editing my photos, I know they'd be more popular if I used a heavy preset, but I often don't to be true to how I experienced it.

[@peterfritzphoto]

I love your quiet analysis of scenes, and the opportunities they present. And as always, the results speak for themselves. 👍🦘

[@saxmangeoff]

Bryce Canyon fits the intro for me. It is a gorgeous place and no photograph comes remotely close to the experience of being there.

[@desmtb]

100% agree, some things are best experienced without the intrusion of a camera.

[@vin424242]

I have never had an inclination to photograph the northern lights as other earthly moments, just enjoy the memory

[@JoshStreetVideo]

Great stuff! This setting reminds me a lot of the work of Nicholas JR Whites work - a Devon based photographer.

[@gashead2]

That was lucky someone leaving a camera to video you walking through the arch! 😂😂😂

[@KillerTacos54]

Love your channel

[@lukebravin]

where in Wales is this?

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Great video 👍🙂

[@OneHourPhotos]

Taking photographs is like catching Pokémon. Everyone can catch a Pidgey just outside of Pallet Town; but we need to go further afield or be willing to walk in the grass again and again for something like a Moltres or Zapdos.

[@Ozy_x]

5:11 the first thing that came to mind when i saw this scene is me in full iron armour suite battling the final boss!

[@_NoDrinkTheBleach]

I haven't experienced that deficit yet. The one time that I actually got to see the northern lights, they were not visible to the naked eye. I was able to see them through my viewfinder and on my phone. I hope to someday experience them without electronic assistance.

[@juliansykes960]

It is difficult to get good photos in Dinorwic Quarry for sure. It’s either too bright and harsh or too dull with little contrast. You weren’t too far away from the grotto, but that little adventure would have been a bit treacherous in those conditions. Great photos though 👍

[@ronmasters751]

One can see what one can’t capture, and shoot what one can’t see. One can even take photos about things that don’t exist.

[@matthiasice]

I always say that "Not every good view makes for a good photo"

[@j.n.990]

All I can say is that I wish I was there!

[@PlaybackMansion]

It's feels less fun to photograph something that everyone else is photographing. That quarry might look cool in grainy black and white. I personally like the look of snow frozen in air

[@tjsinva]

When you run out of topics, a deeper dive on bracketing would be welcome. Carry on. 👍🥂

[@rjbiii]

I think I've seen this exactly spot on Kyle Mcdougall's videos lol.

[@saulm6386]

Could this be an upcoming theme for a book - the flip side of beautiful locations :p

[@maxwelledwards8774]

What gloves are those at 2:27 !? They seem very useful

[@JimMakosCom]

This type of gloves are known as Flip gloves or Flip top mittens. They're a lifesaver when I'm trying to use my phone or my camera's touchscreen in winter. Amazon has many brands of these.

[@dukes_downhill4731]

People interested in the concept of an experience vs a photo should really check out the film, the secret life of Walter Mitty. A fictional photographer in this film, Sean o’connel gives a really interesting perspective on this.

[@kevinbrown945]

Great video. Which quarry was it? Was it Dinorwic?