Photographing Strangers on 4x5 Ektachrome

[@scottonnob]

Regarding the importance of your work, as far as the outside world is concerned, it's really out of your hands anyway. Generating a gallery presence or some sort of professional revenue stream has become more and more difficult over the last few decades, for a variety or reasons. The importance of your work is that the entire process brings you pleasure. And that pleasure is multiplied many times whenever someone tells you the work brought them pleasure as well. Undertaking the sort of journey you've chosen, for any reason other than joy, is to court constant disappointment. The greatest enjoyment of any passion you follow will come from whatever community you are able to develop. The emergence of KZbin is a wonderful way to invite the conversations that will inspire you the most. Your videos are as much a part of your work as the photographs.The photo-monkey has been on my back for more than 40 years now; and I genuinely wish KZbin had been around all that time. Your videos bring me enjoyment. Also, George Orwell once said, "The biggest mistake I ever made was to turn a passion into a profession," - creative writing vs. journalism. You've already won the prize. The trick is to learn how to enjoy it.

[@BryanBirks]

Loved that whole comment. Thanks Scott. ✌🏻

[@GGBridge]

Great to watch, Bryan. I enjoy the pacing and "being there" nature of your vids - the photography spirit is so familiar. When I lived In Iowa, my photography friends and I made a lot of photo runs into small towns, so I connect with this vid especially. Your subjects were great, too! I'm in total agreement with Scott Palmer's comments. And, as others have said, forget about tutorials (unless requested maybe) - there are tons of those already. Main thing: just keep shooting!

[@petertaranscorsese2900]

I think A3 size at least - your images & the large format quality deserve that….bigger would be great, but I guess too expensive to sell in sufficient volume for it to be viable - Peter

[@AI-Hallucination]

This is most real photography channel at moment its got real feeling i am photography student I fucking hate photography sometimes like I think its over its dead but then you bump into something like this we got to keep it alive even if its just to show your future family your kids its a document of your life and photography ages well so make loads now attack the world in 10 years

[@vtavares00]

i for one wouldn’t want you wasting your time making tutorial or gear vids. There are tons of those already. Your stories and your approach to getting interesting photos and showing the good but especially the mistakes lets us all learn with you. that’s what I keep coming back for .

[@BryanBirks]

Appreciate that Victor. Nothing wrong with those videos and I definitely watch them. Just not my cup of tea to make.

[@andrewharvey9320]

I really appreciate your vulnerability. I love your approach and your images.

[@BryanBirks]

I appreciate that!

[@doloresrohn4699]

The Ford pickup guy….what a doll. Great video!

[@BryanBirks]

He was the best. So kind.

[@ChrisMarxen]

Perfect timeing! Just opened my Saturday evening beer. Thanks for the video!

[@BryanBirks]

Cheers! A little early in Missouri but I'll grab it later on you.

[@james.00]

Al's smile is contagious

[@OneCouldArgue]

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Great work!

[@Stevenvs]

Don’t worry too much about if your work is important or if it’s been done already or not. The most important thing is that it should make you happy. It’s easier said than done I know ;)

[@waynesimon7096]

" Sometime it hits, sometimes it misses" Just like life Bryan. Personally I don't think I have the balls to ask strangers to pose for a photo, so kudos to you guy. Love the channel and the images. Slide film; what's not to love seeing those images on a light table? As always, thanks for taking the time to make these videos for us to enjoy and follow your journey.

[@BryanBirks]

For every time that I did have the balls to do it there’s probably two or three times I didn’t. But when you know you need the photo you know.

[@VictorBezrukov]

I really love the results you got here. Under or over doesn't matter. Film photography is always about some imperfection. And perfection is just boring :-)

[@dmitrybelyakov]

Loved this one man and appreciate you putting it out and just the channel direction in general.

[@adventureStaley]

Always love the vibe man

[@BryanBirks]

🖤🖤🖤

[@brannee.]

I think a lot of photographers experience the doubt that you spoke of and wonder about the importance of their work. I've tried to get to the point that if my photography makes me happy and I still love the process of shooting, then my photography is at least important to me. From an outsider observing your photography through your KZbin channel, it has been very easy to see the importance of your work. I think the interactions between you and the people that you photography are extremely important; both for you and for them. You can see and hear the excite from your subjects as they talk about their automobiles. To me though, the most important thing that you are doing with your work is giving prints to the people that you photograph. In a time where photographs are not printed the way the used to be, these photos are not only important and meaningful to the people you photograph but to their families. These will be photos that will be kept for many years to come (in most cases, well after those that were photographed are no longer with us). Whenever the doubt about the importance of your work creeps in, go watch the reaction of Charlie when you give him his print (kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKbdmo2Dq7CSisk). That reaction alone should dispel any of the doubt. Keep up the great work.

[@thebrouhaha1]

you deserve props for pushing yourself to do a project like this, and nothing else. a few more under your belt and you'll feel like an expert. always love your videos!

[@oswin5565]

Don't be too hard on yourself. From a technical point, you missed focus with the inside shot with Al, but it's still a great photo that I'm sure he and his family will always cherish. You're doing great and the experiences you show in your videos give me a little more faith in humanity. Keep up the great work and let us know when we can buy your book.

[@podhoncisty]

It's important Bryan, that is beautiful thing that you doo, I love it 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@aram4854]

Your work inspires me. Thanks.

[@BryanBirks]

Happy it can do that for you as always! ✌🏻

[@cocochelback56]

cool photos Bryan especially the second truck the guy Al gave me so much energy just with his smile !

[@BryanBirks]

He literally could not smile. Even when I said “straight face.” The guy was gold.

[@ammartaibi2623]

use changes in aperture to get the equivalent of 1/320, most large format shutters have makings in 1/3Ev on the f/stop. To get the same exposure for 1/320 use 1/250 and close the shutter by 1/3ev or 1/400 and open up by 1/3

[@fischerdom]

I love this style, the movie let me feel kind of the emotions of the trip you made. :)

[@danieljarman1313]

Provia and E100/ love hate relationship for me. When its on, its beautiful.

[@whosyourbrad]

Dope video brother!!🔥

[@mimi2kri]

Man I love your videos. In between all the noise that's out there in the youtube photography world, you always remind me of the essence: a passion and love for picture making and a curiosity for human interaction. By the way, I love the picture of Al in his car. Despite the missed focus, somehow it looks so genuine. Thank you for sharing your process.

[@michaelh.gerloff3659]

Completely agree. When I saw the picture it just made me smile. And I think the framing is nice. Sure, the eyes off focus are not perfect :) But this photo as a whole has a lot of positive energy to ignore that. And how good to hear "Of course!" when asking someone to take his portrait.

[@juliecumming826]

Your videos are so easy to watch, yet so inspiring. Love your empathy towards everyone that you make a portrait of too. Fantastic!

[@healthid]

I hear you on the back-and-forth between the technical and the human. If I flub, it's usually the technical because I'm too busy talking, hoping they aren't bored.

[@BryanBirks]

Yeah I feel that. At some point you just have to focus on what you’re doing and disregard normal banter that you would usually have. Haha

[@Poncedrew]

Hey BryBir- Dude … You’re rocking it. Love your channel!! I would love to see perhaps a video and sound as you approach your subjects perhaps a side angle with a Go-Pro on a clamp from the side as you talk and engage the people you’re about to photograph. As added commentaries scenes to your videos at the end. Other than that, thanks for what you do, your humor adds to the originality of your videos as well ! Big shoutout from… PONCE - Monterey Park, California!!

[@eoghanhennessy15]

The way the intro audio clips are cut with the stills is really nice, almost like a live exhibition. Great work Bryan

[@marcelohm123]

Hey Bryan, first of all: Cheers from Germany. As a german subscriber I like to see you going around Hermann, which was founded by germans. Second of all: The main reason I watch your videos are your photos. Photography is huge on KZbin and film photography is getting bigger by the day on here. Over the last months and years a few creators have risen to the top of youtube film photography, we all know who they are. And while I don‘t want to discredit their work at all, I feel like most of them fell into the youtube loophole at some point that is not shooting videos about you taking photos, but taking photos so you can do a video about it. And that (at least for me) usally leads to pictures that might be pretty and well done from a technical standpoint, but they lack real value. Your series about the classic cars and their owners is probably the best bunch of photos i‘ve ever seen on KZbin, since there are rarely people that make decent videos about actual work. Let alone many good videos about an ongoing project. And I also very much appreciate that you are critical about the photos you take and point out why you might missed focus or did not pay as much attention to composition. So, that‘s just my 2 cents on your work. :)

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you Marcel. That means a lot. Appreciate it greatly 👊🏻

[@LewisCooley]

Beautiful work.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you Lewis ✌🏻

[@SergejKarssen]

"Give me a stoic look" "OK" 😀 That guy's got it all figured out.

[@BryanBirks]

Haha truly!

[@jimwlouavl]

Ive never heard of Hermann. There are so many small, unique towns. I really liked the portrait of Ben through the open window of his truck. Great framing. And Al’s smile was awesome.

[@DMorrissey1313]

Missing focus or not, that gentleman's smile in the first two photos are lovely. So genuine and he was so excited. It's just cool to see!

[@kchhunphoto]

These came out awesome. I'm taking a 4x5 Large format class this semseter and fell on this video. Awesome stuff.

[@BryanBirks]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@MichaWha]

Cool stuff as always! And you're right: that feeling when you discover your developped slide film! I remember my first roll of Provia on 120 and my first 4x5 sheet, I was sooo happy to see this!

[@BryanBirks]

4x5 just hits different. I’ve yet to see 8x10 and not sure if I ever will.

[@MichaWha]

@@BryanBirks I'd love to see an 8x10 slide film sheet with my own eyes!

[@lukehunt4111]

Great video man!

[@BryanBirks]

Appreciate it Luke 👊🏻

[@jstnhpkns]

I love the look and that initial reaction to seeing slide film, especially in large negatives. But man on man it’s usually a hit or miss with my exposures! Love the videos.

[@BryanBirks]

It definitely keeps you on your toes. Bracketing would be ideal but I’m not made of money 😅But you’re right, you don’t ever get tired of seeing slides in your hands.

[@camerachica73]

I actually think having the door frame in shot and out of focus adds to the composition.

[@ThePhotofit]

I agree. I absolutely thought it was deliberately shot like that!

[@BryanBirks]

The beauty of photography. One person’s negative is another person’s positive.

[@detectivejonesw]

@@BryanBirks the extent to which that is true never ceases to surprise me

[@davidrothschild8913]

Really courageous putting yourself out there. Well done

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you sir! Saw your work on Robbie Maynard’s channel. Great stuff.

[@davidrothschild8913]

@@BryanBirks thanks man

[@JHurrenPhotography]

You do have a certain tone to your movie which y really relaxing yet interesting. I like it.

[@BryanBirks]

I’m glad you enjoy. Thanks James 🙌🏻

[@petertaranscorsese2900]

Hey Bryan, just another thought on the coffee table Photobook idea……how about on some of the images (in the hard copy book) you include a discreet QR code, allowing readers to use their mobile devices to access additional content e.g. some of it could be audio only….you making the first approach and / or the guy talking about himself / the car. Video of you actually taking the shot. Video of you creating the print etc. You’ve already got all the material, so to link portions of it through a QR code into the book would be very easy (and cheap) to do……and give the owner of the book some engaging and contextual content ….. the best of both worlds in my opinion :- ) - Peter.

[@respooledcofi]

great work. keep it up. from Philippines

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you Lorenz 🖤

[@sdunn9007]

The tone and content as always on the mark. Love the way you ended it as well by going back to the subject.

[@jacksonmcdonald1673]

One of your best videos yet. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Already looking forward to the next one.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you Jackson 🙏🏻

[@leonkrug4841]

Love the photos of Al!!

[@BryanBirks]

He was a blast!

[@TomKaszuba]

These films are absolutely brilliant.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks Tom 🖤

[@billyspocketlife]

I love having these videos play on my tv in the morning

[@BryanBirks]

The big screen is by far the better experience. I agree!

[@billyspocketlife]

@@BryanBirks it's so refreshing from a phone or another device

[@petertaranscorsese2900]

Another great video Bryan, I know you sell prints, but do you have any plans to produce a LARGE coffee table book - your prints deserve that and I’d buy it - Cheers - Peter.

[@BryanBirks]

Book is in the process…how big? I’m not sure what the options are but I definitely want it to be somewhat large.

[@marioperez-rn6yv]

If Walker Evans thought he wasn't doing important work, where would we be. Love your passion.

[@dougsmalley2072]

Thanks for another great video Bryan, your approach and work continues to inspire me. I believe there is value in acknowledging ordinary people and recognizing some of what makes each of them unique whether it's a car, a skill or a craft - or some other thing. It goes both ways, of course, as you are sharing your craft with them as you work on your passion project - together you create a piece of artistic expression. Part of shooting film is dealing with disappointment. It can be an unforgiving medium, especially transparencies. I've been shooting since the early 70's and for the first 20 years when I shot colour, it was 35mm slides. Interestingly my slides have maintained their colour fidelity and saturation much better than many of the colour neg stocks I eventually switched to... so there's that. Please keep up the great work, as always, I look forward to your next video.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks Doug! I am definitely interested in seeing how these slides hold up over time. Especially since I do everything at home. Here’s hoping they don’t disintegrate into ash ✌🏻

[@jasonlamarking]

Consider bracket testing your slide film with your light meter. Once you do that you will know without a doubt where to place your exposure. Great work as always.

[@HumanClouds]

A joy to watch, thanks.

[@BryanBirks]

Appreciate you!

[@BillyVerden]

Great Video! And especially Thanks for the style of your videos! Love the fact that you're just taking us along and not trying to teach us.. so tiring watching other KZbinrs telling me "how to" all the time.. I'll definitely be looking into your Patreon! Thanks Again!

[@BryanBirks]

Appreciate it Billy! Plenty of tutorials out there. I’m just trying to make my own stuff.

[@SteveKleinheider]

Another good video! Hermann s a cool location for photography...I always seem to find something to photograph there. I’m originally from Washington, MO...so I try to hit Hermann whenever I’m back in Missouri.

[@BryanBirks]

I’ve been to Washington a couple times and drove through on the way to Hermann. Cool town as well that I’ll need to go back to sometime.

[@AntMcLean]

Great video Bryan, interesting info about slide film. I havnt shot any myself yet but will in the future for sure

[@BryanBirks]

You will love seeing those slides the first time 👀

[@micheleastolfi6708]

sublime content as always

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@proudy015]

Really enjoyed it. great work

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you! Your username is next level.

[@joseelement7695]

I'd say that's $3 a month well spent. another great film, man....not only the shots, but I really enjoy your sound design with these too.

[@BryanBirks]

Editing sound is time consuming but one of my favorite parts. Glad someone notices 👍🏻

[@ambattistella]

Thanks for another great video. Just curious if you could talk about what you offer your subjects. Im sure they ask you where they can see their photo, etc. Do you send them prints or digital files, or when you tell them it’s for a book, do you get a release? ✌🏼🙏🏼

[@alexstojanovic6960]

G’day Bryan. Nice video. If I could recommend one thing, invest in a collapsible circular reflector or a reflector of some type eg white cardboard even a low powered torch with a diffuser works also. This produces a ‘Catchlight’ that causes a specular highlight in the subjects eyes. When I used to shoot weddings these were invaluable. The eyes tend to ‘block up’ and need light to show definition. Knowing how much light to reflect onto the subject is also critical. You need to be at the camera position to watch the effect of the reflector. The amount of light from the reflector will be determined by the type of surface, it’s colour and the angle at which it it is set in relation to the sun or light source. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to the next video. Cheers Alex.

[@BryanBirks]

I will look into that. Haven’t heard many things about that specific tool!

[@alexstojanovic6960]

@@BryanBirks G’day Bryan. They are definitely worth the investment. Make sure you test it out first so you become familiar with how they work before using it on your first subject. Good luck. Keep up the great work. 👍

[@Levoiar]

Just started following you, you were recommended by William Sheepskin. You seem like a good guy, I spend most of my photography career watching people rather than doing it myself. I've seen them all and It never felt good about myself, I have bad confidence issues. Recently, I picked up a film camera. I changed the people I watched and looked up to, I couldn't be happier. A lot of the people I followed are all into gear, making orange and teal photos and getting millions of views. They're people who use the gear I can't afford, take photos I don't like but they're recognized and successful, which i sort of want because I would be lying if I said that I dont do this for the people, I take photos to show people what I've seen or what I imagine, I want to to feel understood in a way.. The point is, I keep restarting my PC by mistake instead of shutdown and I won't stand for it.

[@scottonnob]

I'm probably missing something here, but why not adjust your exposure with the f-stop you choose? Set your shutter at 400 and just open the lens up by half a stop - or vice versa. What am I missing? You adjust exposure either by f-stop or shutter speed. You should be able to dial in every exposure with precision.

[@BryanBirks]

It’s 100 speed film. Lens was already wipe open. I could have stopped the lens down to f4 but I didn’t want to. Chose to shoot at f3.5 instead because I’m hard headed.

[@scottonnob]

@@BryanBirks I understand. We're all like that occasionally.

[@TomRaneyMaker]

This window into soulful Americana is wonderful. You're striding into the photo journalism space or even a variation on Robert Frank's "The Americans" but even that's not an accurate take. There is an unscripted character, which I think is the true spark here. And, you appear open minded enough to allow the image to speak for itself and just be. I'd hate to see you take the "gear tutorial" approach to making a living with this if it means compromising your creative work. Maybe use one to pay for the other? Choices!

[@AdamWilkoszarski]

Lots of supportive comments there. As for your imposter syndrome I would say you're just being realistic. Your work is not important the same as most of other peoples work. Work hard and maybe in a decade or two if you're lucky, hardworking and talented you will be somewhere. For now just enjoy the process and maybe avoid overthinking it :)

[@ThaSaw]

What a dope project! Subbing for more, would be so down to buy a photobook or whatever you make of it down the line!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you! Definitely will be a book at some point. Key phrase : at some point. Haha

[@bngr_bngr]

Why didn't you choose a different aperture instead of compromising on exposure?

[@BryanBirks]

I was already wide open but if I had to close down I probably wouldn’t due to stubbornness and wanting to shoot wide open. 😂

[@bngr_bngr]

Bryan Birks I thought you would of pushed processed the film. Unless you already had it at ISO 400. I would of popped some flash in the interior shot.

[@Juno-Doran]

Just watched this and it made me think about Rembrandt’s self portraits. I’m just thinking that with slide we could actually achieve proper shadows where the details start to get lost in the dark. I once photographed my family and the bright sun lit their bodies but their heads were in the shadow due to being near a tunnel. I used film and was really disappointed that it showed too much detail on their faces. This is when negatives’ dynamic range can work against the idea. If I had used slide film I think it would have been better. Hence thinking about Rembrandt and realising that slide film has a place if we’re not trying to capture every detail in the composition, merely part of it. Sorry, confusing, hope you got it.

[@TrailerHomeVideo]

I am curious what your 'strangers' think of the results. Did you get feedback?

[@BryanBirks]

Usually nothing more than a “thank you.” Actually it’s never anything more than that. They’re usually just pleased to have someone interested in taking their photo.

[@JohnnyMcMillan]

Perfect Saturday evening viewing!!! Also question, are you uploading the Q&A you did again? I didn't get to watch it first time around

[@BryanBirks]

It is deleted and gone forever. Sorry! I’ll probably do one in the future and I’m toying with the idea of doing some live Q and A’s as well. Most of them just turn into me ranting about shit and I’m not sure I want that vibe on my channel anymore 😂

[@JohnnyMcMillan]

@@BryanBirks no worries, cheers for the reply!

[@neildewestelinck6639]

Hi Bryan, I send you a friends request on FB a while back...

[@ionluv]

what lens was used for these shots?

[@BryanBirks]

Xenotar 135mm

[@Tjludecke]

beautiful portraits as always! interested to know how you elevate imposter syndrome?

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks TJ. Overall I’m limiting my intake of online photography in general. Still looking but being more selective. For instance I’m doing my best to stay off Twitter because there is a cornucopia of mediocre work that gets pushed to the top. I try to log on, do my stuff, and log off. I know where I want to find inspiration and I’ll keep looking there.

[@Tjludecke]

@@BryanBirks makes perfect sense! I’ve been doing the same recently. Socials are a double edged sword!

[@Dan-jg7zl]

Dude I get the feelings of questioning myself about the relevance on my own work. Just ask yourself this....does shooting make you happy? If it does, your work is relevant.