Photography On Location: The Lawnmower Shop

[@MarioVastola]

It's friday and I've spent the day editing photos for some clients. I'm living alone as I've left my girlfriend. I poured myself two Moscow mules already. And a new nick carver video??? What are you telling me universe, are things finally turning my way?

[@billpickle2875]

Good on you.

[@pmartinez358]

Homie….we got you

[@nathonruehl]

Amen

[@davidellinsworth22]

Wow dude.... you needed that shit off your chest didn't you?

[@ConstantinSPurcea]

I stopped caring if my work is sell-able or meaningful (to others) and I just photograph things because I love them. I go on treks to places I'd love to see and capture them in the process. If anyone's out there to appreciate the photos, then good. Otherwise, I'm happy I've been through that experience and it has built me into what I am. That's kinda my thought process for creating "meaningful" work.

[@hostynphoto]

To me your work is not about the single image. It's about the body of work your making of a particular kind of building. As a European, the selection of buildings you make are interesting in itself. We don't have those types of structures here. And your choice of compositions and light help to define your style. As long as it inspires you, don't doubt it. Just go for it.

[@filmpjesman1]

Absolutely agree, that's why I still hope that someday he releases a monolith of his work, it's so captivating

[@stevenbudd3725]

You Tube is drowning in photography channels. A small handful are gold. Just a handful. Yours is one of them and you're the real deal.

[@michaelhunter5000]

My hero. Love your work, behind and in front of the camera. Makes me smile.

[@zeballos5757]

I was feeling the same about my thousands of pictures. Digital. I recently went on a road trip to some heritage and old towns, took about 500, got home, and can’t get into them. So weird, because some of them are exactly what I was going for. Best thing to do in these cases is just to step back and focus on something else in my world, until I start to miss my photography again.

[@lrrowley]

@Tanner that has happened to me so many times. However, I often find that if I look at them maybe 6 months or a year later that I rediscover why I took those shots in the first place.

[@karolaneuer5506]

@@lrrowley Absolutely. Also going through really old stuff sometimes helps finding the overlooked gems.

[@zeballos5757]

@@lrrowley yeah, good idea, it’s good to step back I think. Good thing I don’t make a living from my photography 😆

[@iKeto_gal]

Perhaps one day you may take us with you on a Seascape on Location with you down by the water? I know there's a video with you on top of the beach on an overlook, is it possible to take one down on the rocks for the waves/rocks type picture?

[@TCizauskas]

22:27 "If you're thinking, 'Why not just switch the sky out in Photoshop?', get the hell out of my office."

[@DMDBSJD]

"Get the hell out of my office!" . . . priceless! 👍

[@kishascape]

I love the kind of dramatic pop that "burn off" lighting as you call it gets. Out in the desert during monsoon I see this repeatedly multiple times a day, sometimes even for prolonged periods. It's especially nice after a rain when it makes the warm tan-reddish tones of the soil and buildings more vibrant as well.

[@bobsykes]

I love these field videos. Your sense of how things could look before actually seeing them is unique. Also, your completed backyard studio looks terrific!

[@BurningPandama]

Nick Carver is like a cool beer on a hot day. Also I though that the saying you would put on the inside of your hat was "When you're feeling down, take photos of old buildings straight on"

[@davidlogsdon7767]

I think that artists, as all humans, are continually evolving. As a result, the "meaningful body of work" that we strive for is based on our definition of "meaning" at the moment of creation. The challenge is finding meaning in that creation later on when we may longer hold the beliefs and convictions that motivated the work originally.

[@coastalartistlivingonislan8395]

We all go through a creative rut. Take a vacation!

[@AldermanFredCDavis]

I watch A LOT of KZbin. A LOT however, I have only typed this about ONE other KZbinr, "You (Nick Carver) come across as an extremely likeable person. I am subscribed to the channel, and automatically "like" each video. I happen to be 'into' photography, but I would also watch your videos if you just sat on a sofa and talked about your day." ALWAYS look forward to seeing your videos.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

I don’t think I’ll ever shoot large format or the subjects you take. However, I am fascinated watching you work.

[@vincentlamoureux422]

Your story here will be familiar to most creative folks out there but you got the antidote with this new body of work! Thank you for sharing your thought process with us like no one else on YT!

[@analog_astronaut]

I know producing videos of this length and quality is not an easy task. Thanks for putting in that effort for our enjoyment.

[@piezu.]

Always glad to see you post videos here. 👍 Best of luck with your work. Don't let the doubt get to you.

[@draughonc]

You got the right attitude about sky replacement. Loved the way you put it.

[@branpod]

The whole side tangent about the hat is what I love about this channel. Your philosophy and way of thinking is just super interesting to listen to

[@billybolang7052]

the Master is back! 🔥🔥

[@OccultDemonCassette]

I love photographing old structures. One thing I do is always make sure I write down the address and county where I took the photo. Much later in life I plan on giving a lot of those photos to the local libraries in the counties where those structures exist for historical archival purposes.

[@andrewcanton3539]

You have no idea what this video means to me at this exact moment. I've been going through not just a creative rut, but an almost philosophical tear-my-hair-out type of struggle in regards to my identity as an artist. It all started about a month ago when I was going to submit a photo for a local State Fair fine art competition and there was a section in the submission for an "Artist's Statement" and I couldn't for the life of me put into words what my artist statement could be. I didn't think writing "I just like taking pictures of things I find interesting" to be very good. And I didn't want to write some phony pretentious bullshit that I often see artists make. But down the rabbit hole I went inside my own head. And so for the last month I've been questioning the quality and purpose of my work. It's truly been an awful experience. By the way, I took your online manual metering course and I can't say enough good things about it. It's a truly wonderful and enlightening course. I learned a lot and I can't thank you enough.

[@tompoynton]

Jeff Wall said it best for me: “I think I’m the kind of person who’s happy to participate in things but not unhappy to find a point of view where I can see things happening rather than jumping into the middle of them myself, even though I do that too, sometimes. I think that one of the main qualities is ‘observance’, and I guess that’s also a photographer’s nature, to be observant. Or any artist who has to deal with the world as it appears, and trying to deal with its appearance (is observant). And I feel also that picture-making of any kind... expresses something of an acceptance of the way things are. Not for everyone and not (in) the same way, but I’ve a feeling I’m sort of an accepting person in that I’m glad all these things have existed and have allowed me to see them, or (have) shown themselves to me. So you know, I think there are other elements that come into play, in terms of the activity of making, that also bring out other aspects of a person’s character, but those come behind, in a way, the sense of observing and liking the appearance of things. I love the appearance of a tree or a face or a sidewalk, I just like the way they look. I get enjoyment just from seeing them and seeing them maybe in this light and then in that light. (So) I think that’s pretty basic for me.”

[@martinswift6777]

Seems a lot of those who suffer for their photographic art need a dose of therapy from time to time; thanks for providing it! More power to you Nick.

[@Philip_Klein]

The hat suits insanely well, been working in fashion for quite some time and i can tell you it definitely adds to your personality

[@tadeusz11000]

Don’t beat yourself up so much, Nick. Yes, we all want a 10 out of 10 each time, but life’s not like that. Always aim for a 10, but don’t expect it every time. Be happy with a 7 or 8, and occasionally you will get a 10, but sometimes it will be a zero. Not so much a mental breakdown, but more a reset, rethink and rebirth. It’s a long journey friend and the road is often bumpy!

[@stuartbaines2843]

You answered your questions .... Perhaps your Best photograph yet 👌

[@billysauerlandphotography8936]

DUDE!!! (I don't normally say that, UGH) I hear you, feel you and all the other phrases. I am right there with you, just keep on keeping on.

[@CollectedLight1]

And the subtle but real addition to the composition by the several trees included. Nice!

[@wanderingambience799]

Your work is not crap! I love the photographs of stores and gas stations. In fact I get my Nick Carver on and embrace being that person standing outside a store waiting for that moment to get the shot. It is simple but it is so beautiful to me. Keep it up!

[@Light_Camera_Story]

Thank you. Most refreshing thing I have watched since my father's departure.

[@davidmullinphotography]

Every time I see a new Nick Carver video available, I feel like a kid about to open a Christmas present.

[@accidentaljester]

This was great, Nick. Thanks for taking us along on another shoot. I think it absolutely contributes to a larger body of work. And your right, when you feel in restive just go out and take that next photo, but don’t forget to bring us along

[@arttyree4504]

The life of an artist (and photographers are artists), there ought to be a balanced tension between anxiety/dissatisfaction vs. pleasure and delight with one's own work. Both keep us moving forward.

[@coreyhodgson1238]

Thanks for being open about this Nick. I know I struggle with stuff that's similar and it's been fueling my depression. Just appreciate it, hope things get better soon for you.

[@carlstoveland]

We all do brother. I appreciate your honesty. I’m lucky when the photo meltdown hits I paint and vice versa. I’ve been doing 4x5 all summer in South Florida. Adding some 6x17 in the swamps. Tough to get out and work in this heat, but I do it anyway. Keep plugging away.

[@tshingtenglim965]

Don’t think, just do! It’s a very popular saying lately 😄

[@AmpedGaming404]

It's a sunny and cool Friday. I get to leave the office early. A Nick Carver video awaits when I get home. Pure Bliss

[@suzannedesperey3130]

Love what you do, it's nice to see you back. I think that anybody who truly feels this way about their process, will experience what you're going through, it's all part of it, and it is why you're a great living artist. Hey, there's not too many of those.

[@SprocketHoles]

I'm away from the Internet for one day and Nick uploads.... get to it watch now tho.

[@CornishMotorcycleDiaries]

Hurrah! A Nick Carver Video on a Friday Night Marvellous. Haven't watched it yet, but it will be my late night treat with a glass of Single Malt.

[@CornishMotorcycleDiaries]

watched last night with (ahem) a couple of glasses and it was excellent. I thi k we all resonate with that feeling of impotence creatively and inability to do the thing we love. I suffer from that a lot. On the converse side, it does sometimes work the other way.

[@philipculbertson55]

Groovy Nick. I stumbled across the wabi-sabi concept six or seven years ago and embraced it completely. Made me a lot happier.

[@patrickvingo1268]

I totally get this creative dilemma. Have it too many times myself. Thank you for sharing the fear zone with us. Takes guts and generosity.

[@lawrencedgriffin]

54 seconds in and you are me. Sad it happens to others but glad I am not alone. Your work is great. That feeling it will pass, then it will happen again and again ahhhhhh.

[@ReimannPembroke]

This was a really cool scene to photograph! That lawnmower shop has so much character and tells a cool story! Glad you took this photo even if you had to drag yourself over there to do it

[@larrylindell1027]

Thanks for the video. Appreciated your thoughts and showing me your process

[@richardazar22]

Creative ruts are the pits, Nick. There are photos all around us, but sometimes we just can't see them. I think a lot of that stems from the fact that after awhile we feel we have photographed everything around us and can't find anything new. Take a breath, get a map, find the car keys and go scouting on a nice day to someplace you haven't been to. If you do this every now and then you should stay relatively busy with your photography.

[@Luigi13]

Hello Nick after the rehearsal of how you feel about your work the best thing I heard is the stand up and go to create the next image regardless. No overthinking too much, it feels a lot better isn't it?

[@PhotoBug3042]

Good thought on creativity. Good thoughts on lighting. Nice hat. Another great post, friend.

[@RB-yx6bc]

Nick have you ever thought about shooting in broad daylight, harsh sunlight, very contrasty, infrared film??? I think the results would be amazing. I have no idea if thy make such film in medium format, but you can do it with a converted DLSR.

[@tompetersphotography]

A nice little insight into your mind Nick, fairplay for setting up on that road!

[@GG-yc3sp]

I realized that was a little misleading. It could be understood negatively, but I meant it as a compliment, I like the photo very much!

[@joeyammar2723]

Great video with a great message that i desperately needed to hear 👏

[@jaytolbert7538]

Yes! Always worth the wait for another NC episode. Your frustration and commentary gives us all very useful information as we pursue this photography thing. Especially like the 'replace sky' in Photoshop position. You document the actual, as-it-is world, not the 'created' one.

[@thomasstanley5227]

As always I enjoyed your video. I know I have experienced some of the thought patterns you expressed. Very encouraging. Have you considered taking a photo of the building down the street with the cool looking Taco sign. Looks interesting from where you were filming.

[@droy0521]

Crushed it.

[@KellyB33333]

Thank You so much for posting this video. I have also struggled with similar thoughts and really appreciate that you are sharing your methods of perseverance with everyone. It will benefit many.

[@greatpix]

I used to use a B+W 81B filter on hazy or cloudy days. The B+W 81B was the perfect warming filter for me and good for bringing out warmer colors and prevents cooler colors like foliage from turning too cool. I tried other manufacturer filters but for Circ Pol and the 81 series of filters I like B+W.

[@Simon-tc1nh]

Nick , I am a British travel photographer and have won a fair amount of international travel photography awards , yeah I know so what. But man I like your channel, shit I even bought a large format camera set up on the strength of your videos. But please stop beating yourself up and overthinking things! Your work is unique and beautiful. Simon UK.

[@rogertripp8131]

Nick, two people came to mind while listening to you express self doubt: the American psychologist, Alfred Adler, and Sergei Rachmaninoff, the Russian composer. I recall Adler stating that, without feelings of inferiority we would never do anything (something like that). It’s the first step toward, well, doing something. It gnaws at us all from time to time. And Rachmaninoff? He’s as famous for being plagued by feelings of inadequacy as for his (more than adequate) musical compositions. Besides, your ability to teach your craft is more than adequate. Story: A physics professor was teaching a post-doctoral class of young physicists some fine point concerning quantum fields (pun intended). The class wasn’t getting it. The professor said, “I taught it to them the first time, and they didn’t understand it. So I taught it a second time, and they still didn’t understand it. Finally, I taught it a third time, and I understood it.” I’m 82. You’ve taught me more about photography than I would have ever learned otherwise. Keep teaching, and you’ll understand it.

[@laurabronson3717]

Perfect way to end the week! Good to see what you’ve been up to.

[@KylerSteele]

Man I was fully invested in this video! Happy to see the results and love the messages throughout the video

[@theVAULT909]

Damn Nick. Was just watching this, having a little identity crisis (re: doing meaningful work). Your opening hit VERY close to home. "It's hard for the thee to kick against the prick." I needed to hear this right now-thank you very much. :* And would like to return the favour. When it comes to creative work: "You can't cheat time." Which, to me means: Only time can tell whether or not a piece of creative work 'transcends', or whatever you want to call it, to art. And that's really beyond the individual creating the actual work. I'm 100% sure that Vincent would fully agree.

[@AndrewMacdonaldPhotography]

Awesome stuff dude. Love the dedication. We all get that creators block and thinking all our past work is crap....but...it's also what makes us keep on improving in the long run.

[@markbray3038]

Worth it Nick.

[@FredMast]

Yeah, I understand totally.

[@sweetdavey]

Self doubt and striving for perfection (which of course is unattainable) is almost a guarantee for any truly creative personality. Knowing that thousands of people find your work inspiring and beautiful, and then trying to detach from your own work and see yourself as only one observer/opinion among the others might help, but yeah, it's not easy. Also, having a mindset that is completely opposite that of self-doubt is probably the best mark of a bad artist, so that should be some consolation:)

[@Spacedude609]

The message of this video put into words something that i have been feeling about a lot of my work lately. gonna keep that saying inside your hat in mind in the future.

[@MichaelCortese1]

God, I love when Nick is feeling saucey

[@teenylank]

I feel the exact same way about my work right now. It reeeeeaaaalllllyyyy put me at ease to know that you also go through bouts of this feeling. Thank you so much for this.

Wonderful Friday. Sunshine, sports and then: a Nick Carver on location video pops up. Perfect Friday 🤘 Thanks so much, Nick 👏👏👏

[@charlesgough3528]

Damn, you nailed it. my Motto is, "Embrace the suck until it doesn't suck" Great upload man.

[@coastalartistlivingonislan8395]

Ah Nick is back on honey! Video just dropped!!

[@BooyaJoe]

Ah....good 'Ole Harbor Blvd! Keep your head up. Really love your work.

[@mxb5346]

Sure miss your videos on a regular basis. Your "Delivery" is outstanding and entertaining and you are in my opinion the Best KZbinr out there.

[@greatpix]

I would get into those kinds of ruts and someone, probably one of my photo instructors at OCC, said that when that happens then switch to doing something else for awhile. If you're taking landscapes start photographing people, or babies, or pets, try macro or astro photography. The idea is similar to when you reach a plateau in exercise, you start working on a different set of muscles. I think what's good about this method is that you have to work on leaning new things and that in turn can lead to changing how you approach all photography. Usually it was when I was reviewing work I'd just done that I thought everything I shot was crap but I'd go back months or years later and surprise myself at how much better they'd gotten by sitting in a box or folder on my computer. In your case I wonder if taking a class on painting would work? I did a long long time ago and got especially interested in color theory and studying the composition techniques of the Masters and those helped me to improve my photography, even if I did paint as well as a 2-year old. I was good at sketching though.

[@simonbarnes7124]

You are a truck magnet. I'm glad it's not just me this happens to.

[@LizRoyable]

Great composition, I like the paint stripe in road on lower right.

[@ageary]

Perfect location , love that tree outside Franks

[@ridealongwithrandy]

I have been in a quandary also, the price of gas has me staying home from my adventures. But I saved up a bunch of cash and am going out tomorrow to I don't know where. Just go out and see what turns up. Tomorrow is 2 films cams with different stock, and 2 different digi cams. Let's see what I get, and on the plus side, I get out of the house and get some hiking and walking out in the great outdoors! And the photos of the lawnmower shop are pretty cool. Cheers!

[@miguelmueller9558]

Hi Nick, Loving your video as always, I am wondering if a multiple exposure would work for your kind of result you are striving for. You could make one with the sky you desire and another one with the lawn mowers outside during daytime. Miggi

[@richardevans8480]

I'm always really appreciative of your videos; I'm sure they require a lot of extra effort to film and edit. I used to love hunting down and taking photos just like you do, but my health is too poor these days to do it anymore, so I enjoy seeing people like yourself get out there and go for it. Thanks for sharing it all with us.

[@calvinchann1996]

Every picture you take forms part of your body of work. Whether it is any good, is another matter.

[@ridealongwithrandy]

BTW, I'm a hat guy, I have many different hats for all occasions, I have an Indy fedora that I have worn for years, and one of those banana republic hats that I wear, get lots of compliments. And out in the desert where I travel a lot, no hat = fried brain! Also, a hat is an umbrella that you wear without holding it up with your hand while it's raining cats AND dogs.

[@andyvan5692]

wow, Nick, nice set of drawers (that you keep the photo stuff in, not your trousers!!); very organised, you should do a video on it, and esp. what size of 'dividers' you use, and do you just keep one set of gear in it, ie LF, or do this for all formats?

[@311djr]

As always, I enjoyed your video. The image was great and enjoyed you talking us through your 'slow' time. I think we all have had it. I'm fairly comfortable with my medium format, but I bought your photo class so you can teach me all about large format (for the 4x5 I'm trying to learn). Keep up the great work.

[@jefferyargentine4453]

You make me so happy I am committed to film. Thanks.

[@trevorcrossley3054]

All your Videos flow like a poetic sentence, well done again.

[@johnmartin8526]

Always great when I see one of your videos released and particularly love the location ones ! Very interesting and though provoking. Thank You

[@danielamorim2909]

This is what I like to come home to on the KZbins. Mhm, yes please.

[@kimmurphy5032]

Yep, I know that feeling. I feel like a hack as a photographer a lot, especially recently.

[@JohnnyMcMillan]

The GOAT is back!

[@RussellMcCollom]

enjoyed it as always Nick. A little "light" lesson to go with it as well.

[@marcdeckard7064]

I like your final image. The colors are alive without being ostentatious and the composition is strong with a lot of variety of scale. The fact that you faced possible failure, produced an entertaining and inspiring video was another triumph. You have also given me license to wear my fedoras in public.

[@peoriavideosltd6822]

Looks like a real neat old neighborhood. That big boomerang sign with the star on it in the background looks cool too!

[@Frantixj]

I've had the biggest crisis a few weeks ago when I started my 3 week vacation. I was so pumped to finally have some time off and shoot and when I got to it, it all hit me like a brick, exactly as you explained it. Felt like shit, didn't even pick up a camera, felt like selling all my gear and apologize to anyone who ever saw my photos lol. And it wasn't lack of ideas or anything like that, just that feeling that it's all irrelevant and bad. And I feel like I'm slowly coming back. I don't think there are fixed ways of overcoming this feeling, everyone feels it differently but what got me (sort of) back was instax. Maybe because the "process" is so much simpler and quicker than LF but one day I went on a walk with the wife and just took it with me, figured what the hell, at least I'll look like a photographer. And I took a few snaps, felt better and so on.... So to anyone feeling down or not creative or shitty about their art (let's not fear this word) - try simpler things. Satisfaction is not guaranteed but at least it's a start.

[@coffeeandboatshoes]

wake up babe, new nick carver dropped

[@MichaelZieschang]

1) I love your honesty. Great video. Very inspiring to me. 2) The thing that distracts me most is the barber shop sign on the right. 3) Another line from a song's lyrics: Motörhead = The chase is better than the catch.

[@enigmo08]

At first I was wondering, “why does this sound like me”? This video came out just when I needed that kick. I’ve set down my camera during most of the pandemic and when I finally used it again to capture a wedding, I got back and wasn’t really happy with my work. Its been discouraging but seeing this video reminded me that it’s just the path to being an artist/photographer. Wabi Sabi is also something I’ve been trying to incorporate in all parts of my life but I think I struggle the most when it comes to being vulnerable about expressing creativity. Hopefully you get the shot you envisioned, and keep your head up. Lastly just wanted to say thank you for your videos! We could all learn something from each others struggles.