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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@jeromec3725]

The "bubbles" one is really striking 👍

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you! :)

[@Slewis71119]

You are an amazing Landscape Photographer

[@MichaelShainblum]

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

[@simon_dentremont]

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

[@Atrain5ss]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@lieslwalshphotography]

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

[@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.

[@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 👌

[@melissam731]

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

[@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.

[@saurabhkaul89]

wow ..blissed out

[@MichaelShainblum]

😎

[@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

[@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.

[@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…

[@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.

[@AnthonyCrouchPhotography]

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

[@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.

[@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! :)

[@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.

[@danconstantinescu]

Amazing photos! The texture is simply wow!

[@shawndonnelly5317]

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

[@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!!

[@janroos7518]

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

[@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! :)

[@marilynhoon1031]

Definitely the pulled back shot…love this vlog

[@vamsipatchigolla]

Always an inspiration sir ❤️

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you so much! :)

[@melissahall7009]

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

[@heathermtaylor7683]

Thoroughly enjoying your abstractions. Really beautiful ❤️

[@jamesmcleod4335]

Every bit of this resonated with me to my core.

[@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!

[@SgtNarrow]

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

[@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!

[@johndoe-nh9sh]

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

[@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!

[@DarrenJSpoonley]

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

[@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.

[@richardpesce5325]

really wonderfully beautiful presentation. Thanks for the lesson!

[@showReell]

12:09 wow this is stunning

[@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.

[@KimSol90]

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

[@randyschwager2515]

Fun stuff! Thanks for taking me along!

[@jesse113553]

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

[@AliasJimWirth]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@barbarachamberlain6918]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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. 👍👏👏👏

[@carmenjgarciap8153]

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

[@michaelhegemeyer2827]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@JJ-ef7lb]

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

[@williamzaca6280]

Michael great video and amazing photos

[@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.

[@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.

[@mariankulin3182]

so peacefull ! like always

[@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!

[@AnthonyJGianotti]

I like the slightly zoomed out shot

[@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. 👍

[@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.

[@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.

[@amanvora242]

I liked the more zoomed out shot and the extra texture in the bluish rocks. The abstract pictures were so good. Makes you really appreciate how many things there are to see apart from just the wide angle sunset shots.

[@YevgenyKheifets]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@_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!

[@Mrfoug]

Love this kind of relaxing video! Good work :)

[@WaseemAsmar]

thank you Michael..

[@federicovalmassoni3827]

Always an inspiration 👍🏻 If you will come again among Dolomites and you want to drink a pair of beers for free, let me know I'll be honoured to meet you 😊

[@DA-yd2ny]

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

[@ryankyte6914]

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

[@BruceMcGrath1954]

Michael, this was awesome, you have given me a new prospective on photographing my “local” beach (an hour away) it’s called the Ninety mile beach, nothing but sand and surf and sand dunes. But I think I have been looking at too big a picture and not the smaller parts that make a whole. Thank you. Cheers from Gippsland, Australia ❤🇦🇺🍷

[@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.

[@samwilson4012]

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

[@frankmartinez5114]

Hey Michael, absolutely awesome video.

[@MichaelShainblum]

thank you so much!

[@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.

[@cameragirl5554]

Thank you for bringing us along!

[@alexgimagery]

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

[@andreasrot9558]

Very very good Idea!😊

[@treyfoerster6468]

Closeup. Thanks again for a great vlog!

[@nealschneider6554]

This was another great vlog, Michael. Asking us to pick which of the “lava” photos we like best is a really difficult question. Both are fabulous (understatement) pictures! But, if I must choose one, I would say that I like the tighter view a little better. I really like the calm approach you take to your photography and vlogs, at least outwardly calm.

[@rafal_krakow]

Perfect episode. You inspire so much. Thanks Michael!

[@raymondludlow5970]

Well said, thank you

[@sherrioster7012]

Thank you, Michael. Outstanding, as always!

[@goanheat]

Some of my fav shots Michael.

[@waldemars.6817]

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