Dissecting a Photo: American Dystopia

[@saxmangeoff]

Came for the photo conversation. Stayed for the LED lighting rant.

[@BurningPandama]

A 43 minute video about just one picture? CAN'T WAIT! [Bunkers down]

[@menocorde]

I know, only 43 minutes of Nick's brain is like going to dairy queen, getting the extra large blizzard, and still wanting more at the end.

[@sauravmazumder6762]

You are a creator, thoughful, Photographer, educator, entertainer, philosopher all packed into one awesome guy! This is one of the best videos I have ever seen. Period. Thanks Nick.

[@ericlamont4130]

Urban landscape photographer. That’s what I’d call ya, Nick. Love the photo and discussion!

[@UncleDansVintageVinyl]

"We've got iPhones and eye syphilis!" Great line. Great video. Great, great, great photo.

[@Mr_Quimper]

I really respect the fact that you prioritised taking the picture. Rather than inanely blathering to camera for B-roll and missing the shot. I've seen other KZbinrs do the latter and it's really frustrating.

[@ryanmccutcheon4298]

Awesome photo! I'm with you on the LED hate. I shoot architecture as well, and agree that modern LEDs can be way too bright! Thanks for the videos. Very inspiring!

[@apuldram]

Is pink or orange better?

[@I_dont_need_another_lens]

Thank you. Do not underestimate the way you influence other (aspiring) photograhers, including myself. Thank you.

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

Not over explained. Just the right amount.

[@grahamhobbs3501]

Pretty much my favourite Nick Carver pic to date - great image!

[@scottedwards5191]

Thanks brother! First-timer here... awesome image and video. Thank you for your thorough explanations and conversation. One comment... the fabulous dystopian image you captured here (and apparently capture a lot of... sorry I haven't yet looked at some of your work) is very real and it's growing. I was shooting yesterday evening and this past weekend in Houston, which is growing and sort of thriving from an economic perspective. And falling apart... more than 40,000 crimes in past 10 yrs not even reported due to lack of police staffing... crime from cartels is way up... so many real estate properties are collapsing or struggling... and homelessness and filth have spread like a cancer. It's sad and interesting... and it encapsulates and reflects the political leadership that people (citizens) have selected over the last 10-50 years in what are easily dubbed "blue" cities. A key contributor to this is our news media. I follow a lot of news sources and what I'm aware of versus what many "average" Americans understand is incredible. Reason: our media has a narrative range that is similar to that window of light in which you prefer to shoot. I was in Chicago for 12 years and still follow things... I note that people are starting to wake up to the false promises and scans, particularly it appears that Chicago's black community is waking up as they see benefits dolled upon one group of individuals to their and everyone else's expense. Well... anyway, thanks and peace!

[@opticalradiation]

Yay, he's back with another great video!

[@smokingxgunx]

It’s always a great day when Nick drops a video. I love hearing your thought process on making an image. That you share the details the way you do is very interesting and informative. Thank you! Keith.

[@timryan894]

Nick, I’m a lighting designer and my main job is photographing night time lighting scenes. 2 things, yes I have to bracket shots to lift shadows and dial back the highlights before I manually exposure blend, it’s a pain but it works great. 2nd, LEDs have become far to bright and it’s the fault of city maintenance teams and manufacturers cutting the designer out of the equation. I am researching and working with a team of other lighting designers to educate local municipalities about responsible lighting practices. We are beginning to see a shift in the mindset of city officials, but we won’t start seeing changes until the current tech needs replacing due to capital costs.

[@rodmund83]

Ah Nick!! I was so excited to see another DAP finally apear on the chanel! Since I came across the first one I've been hungry for more and you did not disappoint. I don't think this went on for a moment longer than it needed to - these DAP videos cram info that I find so useful as an intermediate photohrapher that I have once again come away inspired to go take photographs, apply what I've learned, experiment with things thanks to the food for thought you provide in explaining the science and tip my hat once more to the care, effort and talent you put into the photos you take. Thank you very much friend for once again educating and inspiring me 🙂

[@Black_Jesus3005]

Nick you’ve got a wealth of knowledge and I really love your presentations. You don’t have that annoying influencer voice, you know the one. I’ve learned a ton from your videos and courses.

[@vincentlamoureux422]

Again, this was so good! You are the most purposeful photographer on KZbin and you bring us all a lot of joy when we hear you explain your creative process.

[@erichstocker8358]

Great to see a video from you again. I loved the dissection of the photo. I agree the red/green added style. Thanks!!!

[@jaytolbert7538]

Boy do we need a new Nick Carver now! Everything is right with the world again.

[@RobbieMaynardCreates]

My brother, this is a truly disturbing photo. Eye syphilis? Who knew they needed billboards for it.

[@RandyPollock]

Only in CA, in TN we have billboards about Jack Daniels and See Rock City

[@stevenwilson7460]

That's nothin'. You should see the size of the pill!

[@ianlaker9161]

I've been a photographer for well over 40 years, starting as an art student. This has been both illuminating (see what I did there?) and hilarious in equal measure. Great image and great video Nick.

[@greggorter]

Absolutely awesome and accurate description of “The times we live in”. We all need to face some truths about ourselves and what’s around us. 👍👍👍

[@jeffstephens5266]

In defence of LED’s the problem isn’t the light source it’s the idiots who have no idea how to use them. There is no need for them to be to bright, no need to be some insipid colour temperature, no need to be uncontrolled. Correctly used it’s an incredible light source with economic benefits

[@GoldenThreads1]

Very impressive I must say. Especially the ending. Mastered every single component to the making process.

[@johnkosterimages]

Best video yet, priceless. Your deep dive at the end of the video was very poignant, and all of us shooting on the street know exactly of what you speak. Thanks Nick!

[@digbyhp]

Your rant on LEDs was gold. Could not agree more.

[@theVAULT909]

Two things: I experience physical pain by public LEDs, too. Especially from cars. And perceive them more and more as a safety hazard. Second thing: I see you as a documentary photographer. Who documents the beauty of the urbane. That's out there every day, yet only for a short period of time. And: Thank you for sharing your creative insights and processes with us!

[@TheConfusedPangolin]

I love this sort of content Nick. Thank you for diving so deep for us, and thank you for the tone you use

[@carbonejack]

Bright lights of all sorts are a pain. But my biggest commercial gripe is having some dumb ass video ads blasting at you from a gas pump. You can't get away from the intrusion. This was a great video. Nice to hear a master explain and share his process. And make it entertaining.

[@ryanadrift]

Loved this! I think this image has become one of my favorites from you. Fantastic work Nick

[@gdawgphotography]

Thanks for another awesome video and lesson in light! I am also a big Gregory Crewdson fan (well who isn’t!) and was lucky to see his exhibit recently in Vienna. Yellow traffic lights and all!

[@worldofrandometry6912]

If you think LED lights are bad now, wait until you get old enough to have cataracts and see every light as a starburst. Night driving becomes a pain. All fixed now thank goodness. Also, I never knew eye syphilis was a thing, thanks for that! I'll take extra care😁. Great presentation as usual.

[@Cocc0nuttt0]

Don't uh... you know... with your eyes. Save yourself the trouble.

[@johna5624]

Sincerely; one of the most entertaining and informative videos I have ever watched.

[@wimscheenen3535]

Great composition; great explanation. As always, a pleasure to watch your videos.

[@colinmenniss]

What an absolute bloody joy this video is. What a discovery! Subscribed. 🙏😊

[@closerto30]

21:24 Prrrrreeeeeeeeach! I will be your choir. Another great episode. Thanks!!

[@whafrog]

Love these deep dives, keep them coming! Your ability to articulate and embrace every aspect of photographic creation is unparalleled. I feel like I'm going through a similar evolution...landscapes and nature were my mainstays, but now I'm more intrigued by the juxtaposition of nature with rural and "shambling urban"...I found some long unused train tracks near my house, overgrown with boxes and discarded tires and bricks and machine parts, nestled between two busy streets, and it was a moment of joy to see a fox proudly carting a rabbit to its den among a tiny stand of bulrushes that had found a life in some pit. It's beautifully ugly, in the right light... 😄

[@LauraF4848]

Thank you for the easy to understand explanation of lighting at dusk/dawn, with examples. It finally makes sense as to why some photos look good, and others are just "off" and you just can't put your finger on why. Also, the rant on LED's--completely agree! I'm glad I live in the sticks. Driving through a big city at night can be downright painful! I miss the soft orange glow, like the city is asleep, and I'm the last one up.

[@kirstymcleod6647]

I was sad when you said you weren’t going to do any more “on location” videos, but these DAP’s (almost) more than make up for it! Cheers Nick 😊

[@StevenLawson]

I saw the length of this video and thought "42 minutes on one photo? Nah" but then I watched it and really enjoyed it, especially the section about the magic hour and balancing artificial and ambient light. Plus, it's a cracking photo. Good work sir.

[@NealeSmith76]

Another wonderful video and image Nick, resonates and inspires in equal measure.

[@JLSTibu]

Your work is really cool. You're perfecting your craft and that's very inspiring to watch. I've been following you for years now and really appreciate your content.

[@karrasch-feler]

In every respect a hilariously insightful and complex as well as humorously entertaining video featuring enviably artful photos! In other words: erm, wow!

[@calvinmora3639]

Nick, no doubt about it you are the premier photography educator online. Not to shabby as a photographer either thank you for all you do.

[@ColinRobertson_LLAP]

And yet I still learned something... Thanks Nick!

[@ArnoldWatson]

I am never disappointed whenever I tune in for another "Nick Carver Special!" excellent episode, Nick. Getting into the philosophy behind this photograph was a pleasure indeed. Thank you.

[@curtisgoodnight]

I love these deep dives, Nick. Keep them up!

[@philhasacamera]

Great video Nick thank you! And yes those LEDs are too bloody bright! We don't need the nighttime to be that bright! I had to get black out curtains for my room because the street lamps are so fricking bright!

[@kapurar]

Thanks for a great video! There is so much useful info in it that I am watching it for the second time around.

[@charlesk323]

Outstanding. Sure, it was long, and I watched this over two days, but it was well worth it. The technique and discussion of light is a wonderful refresher tutorial, but I also love your discussion of humanity and "the draw," the need to capture the moment of our society. You are equal parts philosopher, social historian, and talented artist. The world needs that. Thanks!

[@guywright7388]

Quality content is worth waiting for. Love your work.

[@L1sardo]

Thank you, Nick, for yet another amazing video. You are an excellent educator.

[@simonbnyc]

Thank you for the Magic Hour advice. Most helpful. I also have an issue with LED lighting so you're not alone!

[@geoffmphotography9444]

Brilliant. Well worth the wait and boy, have we waited. Happy to wait some more for the next one too. Also, we love your 'crumbling world' analogy which is right on. Keep on creating.

[@mrdasboot45]

You might over explained, but you will never overexpose . You will expose just right. Great photo by the way.

[@johnbarben]

Thanks Nick - the section on artificial light was really helpful - and the whole thing was entertaining!

[@pnasium]

Great work as always Nick. Congrats!

[@gizmophoto3577]

Looking forward to the new course!

[@stevenwilson7460]

Thank you Nick for another wonderful video. Truly a stunning image! I loved the way you connected all the dots and juxtapositions. Very subliminal. What tickled me was the light source just out of frame on the left casting just enough light to expose the texture on that side of the building.

[@watchingnik]

This video is pure photography from start to end! Congrats from Austria!

[@partypie1977]

Who else here isn’t interested in photography ? But just loves watching this dude talk. You could talk about the inner workings of 1980’s dot matrix printer. I’d love it !

[@robinstone564]

Back in the day when I'd shoot real-estate on 4x5 transparency we'd do what's called a "split" where we'd do multiple exposures to capture as much detail both inside and out. Very similar approach to this technique. Today you'd take 3 or 4 images about an hour apart and then blend them in PS.

[@ChrisHunt4497]

I would describe you as a photographer of the Cultural Landscape. Thanks for explaining the Blue Hour magnificently. I took a blue hour shot recently and I kinda did it by instinct. Now I know what to look for. Thanks so much Nick. ❤I love your shot and the longer videos. No need to apologise.

[@AndreasLarzon]

First and foremost. Fantastic picture! Like many others, I subscribe to tons of different photo channels on youtube, but when something comes up from you, I always want to sit down and watch it from beginning to end. Why? Well, your personality and way of producing a video that conveys good message and informative learning content is exceptionally good. You are calm and methodical in your explanations, but at the same time have that twinkle in your eye. What you choose to talk about and show in your videos is predominantly informative and interesting. It's a good balance between subtle comedy, self-reflection and raw information that gives me as a viewer both insights into the subject but also into you and your photos. It screams passion for what you do, and it spreads like wildfire to us who watch.

[@alex_newlife]

It's really really beautiful, look at the details!!! Hope I could own one piece someday.

[@edtobin4657]

I consider your work to be urban landscapes

[@timschaefer86]

So well explained. You break it down so simply, even to my little brain. This was a treat. Thanks Nick, as always. Also, your zine finally arrived in my mailbox all the way over here in Australia. A very enjoyable read, and a nice addition to my photo book collection. Looking forward to the next one. ❤

[@marknachmias423]

I didn't contribute in order to win a print. Rather, I did so because you provide excellent content which I have been enjoying for a long long time. Thanks Nick.

[@MCplicki]

Make ‘em as looong as possible! I am loving every minute of it!

[@davidhollenback3345]

Great video! Very interesting to understanding your thought processes on location, light, the message and tools you use. Oh and on the LED lights! Wow I hat those for street lights. I really miss the warm tones from the older lighting. Now it's the blue, blown out, cold look. Very dystopian perhaps? Thanks for sharing!

[@pjmverbruggen]

Again a beautiful composition Nick. With the backstory it even becomes awesome

[@CrnaInBela]

Love this format of video!

[@benpearsephotography]

Really great episode, definately agree with LED's being horrificly bright not only on streelights, but also in cars.

[@Mojave511]

Love that picture! LEDs are horrible for everybody but especially photographers. Scrolling LED message signs another photographic challenge in a scene.

[@karolaschmidt3864]

Great video, thanks for it. And be assured: You are not the only one who dislikes this super bright lights.

[@ToddHiggins]

I Loved this. I eagerly await yout course about color management and printing.

[@kevinscotton]

It’s so interesting that you do these extended lighting tests to find the best at a scene once you’ve found your composition. That extra attention goes such a long way for the work, and is inspiring for me in the future.

[@SteveMillerhuntingforfood]

Besides that awesome photo, there are some very good "Nick'isms" in this video. iPhones and Eye Syphilis"; Monsanto and the healthcare building. So good. And a excellent explanation of your photographic style. Got me laughing many times in that last 5 minutes. So glad your wife was driving; or you might not have seen this.

[@neilphillips4092]

Great image Nick.! Your explanation of your photographic process, and your thoughts on the picture’s meaning for you, make this one of the best photography videos I have seen on KZbin for a very long time. Take your time making the next one as it takes a lot of effort to create something this good. 😎

[@tofulosophy]

Loved every minute of this

[@curiouslizard]

Another brilliant photograph and lovely video. I had thought of your style as documentary in the tradition of the new topographic school of photography. Fantastic work.

[@saxmangeoff]

Agreed. It's New Topographics. As a bonus, that sounds more pretentious than "lousy street photographer." 🙂

[@sunny16portraits]

Interesting how so many thoughts and topics discussed on just one picture, can agree with them.

[@StephenWhitakerImages]

god, I love this series

[@davidmoore720]

I'm with you 100% on the LED rant. And because I also walk my dog in the evening, I have also come to hate the LEDs people put in the ground, pointed up at my eyes!

[@MWSCologne]

These LEDs give me Eye Syphilis ! 🤘📷🤘

[@markusklein6309]

What a great video! Thank you!

[@davidottman9501]

Thanks Nick! Your educational style is great. Take a commonly misunderstood topic, and start with "Let's take a look at what's actually going on..." And then it makes sense. Great new image, and it was nice to see cameos of previous work too.

[@kghareeb]

Thank you, very inspiring.

[@travellma8562]

If you dont know how much you rock Nick, you are at Uluru Level!

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Love that photo , ambient time stood still , time stamp for 2024, I do that a fair bit now, as you get older I feel compelled to do it, I see what your doing there.

[@beachbum6911]

IMHO, one of your best videos ever. Brilliant sir…

[@apassageoftime]

Well presented. Great examples. 👏

[@chrisjmiller6]

Crazy coincidence, before clicking on this video I watched Paulie B with LA photographer Daniel Gutierrez. In their "Walkie talkie" Daniel photographed a version of that billboard. Not sure if it was the same one or not

[@kstrohmeier]

All of us adequate photographers thank you for a phenomenal video.

[@Aliaspictures]

Love your comments on how the US is turning into a dystopian show, feels like watching "They live" in front of our eyes.

[@mproyuclan]

Hi Nick Gorgeous photo I think you are an Americana photographer, be it post war buildings, desert scenes … You capture an atmosphere of the great American experience 👏👏👏 Agree the LEDs such a shame and it would be so good if they could control the light fall much more

[@dlarge4616]

Great video. Love your work.

[@eddyyoung2104]

Great video. Great photo. And great analysis.

[@bofhberlin]

Great, as always!

[@davidpalermo4695]

Nice image Nick! I'm also a Crewdson fan.