Photographing Strangers

[@AaronAnalog1]

Wait, what!? Photography isn’t easy and you make mistakes and get (nicely) rejected?! Thanks for showing the REAL process. Some days I drive and get no photos. All part of the process, you gotta get your reps in. Nice work approaching these people. I personally offer them a print and/or digital. People seem to like to receive the image of them in their element. Keep it up!

[@barneyarthur4615]

suuuuper nice to see the authenticity of the process and well worth the rejections for those great results. Appreciate you being so transparent and honest about your interactions - great vid as always.

[@BryanBirks]

Appreciate my man!

[@IvoIvanov-imagefactorystudio]

It is really bizarre how all of my (imaginary) obstacles and challenges are solved in this single piece of brilliantly filmed tutorial. Much obliged, young man!

[@FANTAZ3RO]

Man the side shot of the corvette with the flags is just beautiful

[@pillowislands]

I am so glad you included all of the rejection. It really shows the honest process to taking these portraits. Wonderful vid man

[@DMorrissey1313]

That was some secondhand discomfort haha but I really liked it. It was cool to see how you can start a conversation with these people who do let you take their portrait in the end. It gives the pictures more meaning and a better story. On top of that, they were some awesome shots too.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you man! It definitely is something when it all comes together nicely.

[@loganguybaker]

Damn this is good. Knocking on doors is next level commitment. There's such an endearing feeling to the photos once you hear Steve's voice.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you! Wanted the different music to set the tone for Steve. He was just so welcoming and asked so many questions about film too. Super good dude.

[@TomKaszuba]

The entire video from start to finish is not only important but incredibly helpful.

[@nealjohnston954]

This is s very brave, soulful and solitary approach to storytelling. You are very likely to grow into much more in depth and collaborative projects in the future. There's a lot to be said for slowing things down. I wish I could do that more. 🍀

[@rumblerodz13]

Love this .. to actually give the viewers how it is to confront strangers for a photo with their cars.. I’ve done this a handful of times and , yeah I have to build up the courage to get a conversation started.. finally I can see somebody else doing what I do haha 😂.. good stuff Bryan!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you. Dude it’s literally so nerve racking. Geez. The first rejection was nice because it ripped the band aid off. Haha

[@jhenning87]

Its great to see the process of working up the courage to take these photos. Thanks for sharing and being vulnerable.

[@doubleexposed3830]

Asking folks to take their photos is always nerve wracking but worth it in the end. The rejections don’t hurt as much as you expect and more say yes than no. Great shots mate. Love this cars.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks for watching 🤘🏻

[@nickdeak]

Mad props really man. To literally go knocking on doors 🤯 inspiring seriously.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks man! It’s tough at first but gets easier. By the time the last house came around I didn’t care what happened. Haha

[@bobselektor]

Love this photo project! When you said you took the wrong turn I immediately thought about Bob Ross quote "we don't make mistakes, we have happy accidents". Keep it going!

[@BryanBirks]

A very happy accident. Thanks for watching!

[@ribsy]

Fantastic video. Love the persistence and honesty. Also you are brave - I would never try this in the burbs 😐

[@BryanBirks]

I guess the good old Midwest just has some nice folks. Haha thanks!

[@anthonytang5198]

Can’t beat the look of large format! Great shots btw

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks Anthony!

[@SandpiperBookCafe]

Hi Bryan, I love not only your photos but also this whole project. Each story that you share is like a poem. Became your huge fan!!

[@daveyclarke4624]

Really great advice i was given, was to take out a small portfolio of 5-6 prints. That way you have something to show people and gain their trust pretty quickly. Otherwise some people don't understand why you want to take their photograph and how they will be represented. If you took that print of the guy back to the ones that said no, i reckon most will change their mind plus anyone else you approach in the future.

[@BryanBirks]

True. I have them on my phone anyway so if they are curious I can always bust that out and show them some samples.

[@Glazehikes]

This is absolutely fantastic. I really want to get into this type of work too. Thanks so much

[@berndvandecruys]

This is a refreshing video, honest and inspiring. I really like the full body portrait with the flag on the left (10:15). Awesome stuff!

[@BryanBirks]

Glad you enjoyed it! That was my favorite as well!

[@vintagephotographer]

Great to watch "the process" in action (or inaction for the first attempts). I think I'm happy to just watch you knocking on strangers' doors. I'll do this vicariously!

[@BryanBirks]

Haha most people would rather do it vicariously I think

[@ZainRiza]

Bryan, you got balls man! Awesome video. Those photos were beautiful.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you! I cut out the parts where I’m having small anxiety attacks 😬😂

[@ZainRiza]

Bryan Birks 😂

[@SathyaPeacock]

Hey man, really liked the video. Thank you for showing the rejections and the missed focus shot here too. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@shellb887]

Actually loved just the audio paired with the photos. So sweet, great photos

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you! Yeah that turned out pretty decent for not having video. 🤙🏻

[@juliancantillo97]

wow, such a great video! really cool to see how you interact and deal with rejection, keep up this great content man

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks Julian! It's all a learning experience.

[@bc9942]

This is so inspiring! Great photos too!

[@Thomasbrownphoto]

Appreciate the honesty and your process. Its real. Really enjoy your videos mate.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks Thomas 🤙🏻

[@hughsydney2620]

Love love this kind of video. Keep it and thank you to do so.

You had so much courage to take all those "no" and kept going, it's really impressive. It was well worth it because the images you got are great :)

[@tijmenbrouwers]

Super cool video, the intro definitely helped paint a clear picture of what the process is actually like.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you! 🤘🏻

[@gltzddonut]

These are so beautiful. I love the honesty in your videos and quite honestly, I'm very jealous of all that access to so much nice gear. You made some really nice images!!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you so much!

[@Limud613]

This was great, you have patience and guts!!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you! and not that many guts. I was anxious the whole time. Haha

[@stephaneg]

What a crazy inspiring video man! You totally made my day!!

[@Limud613]

This was calming and it was inspiring. Been a little uninspired but this was bold and gave me a desire to shoot. Thank you.

[@BryanBirks]

I’m glad it could inspire!

[@J.ortegadesign]

Love it man. This is one of my favorite things to do!

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks dude. I appreciate it!

[@Tom-Humble]

Great watch. Really enjoyed this one.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks Tom!

[@dankspangle]

Hunting for specific photos is hard. I have an idea for a book. I went out at the weekend looking for a specific type of photo, and got nothing. When I came back I realised I'd seen lots of other interesting stuff, but hadn't photographed it because I was so focussed on my quest. Usually I photograph anything that catches my eye, then find themes and make books later. I need to learn to do both. Photograph everything and look for specific photos. I've got to be able to handle that, right? Also, love your videos. Like your photos, they have their own great style.

[@Photobombin]

Really cool stuff. I've been watching your channel for awhile been wanting to dip my toe into large/medium format film photography. I've spent the last 5 years doing media in automotive working mostly in classic restoration shop. My wife and I were wanting to start doing something similar telling stories of owners and there cars. We travel all over the US and have connections in a lot of places so depending where your at I might be able to find you people I've met along the way that have cool cars, although I enjoy watching your organic approach. Anyways man I always appreciate the content.

[@BryanBirks]

Definitely do that. So many interesting people to meet!

[@Photobombin]

@@BryanBirks I agree. I just need to pull the trigger on a film camera. The idea would be to use film for portraits and my other mirrorless cameras for video like what you have going on. We like to go to random car shows and cruises and just meet people. Covid kinda put a dent in that this year so I've enjoyed watching others and yourself make the most of it. I'll keep watching and let you know when I get the ball rolling haha.

[@spencersanderson4590]

Love the one with the guy and the car and the flag

[@steinsvideos3997]

Wow, my man! beautiful pictures!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you, sir!

[@alexanderstertz4378]

Love the idea of the project! Love the Video! Love the pictures! 💙

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks for watching 🤘🏻

[@artsmodelstation9396]

Come out to Pasadena. I went out last weekend and everyone wanted their photos taken. Such hams 😂

[@wilborha]

Love the behind the scenes content. Nice work

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@PassportNotFound]

Omg that car 😱😱 soo beautiful!

[@Ry_Gordon]

Solid work man! Inspired me to go out and shoot today!

[@BryanBirks]

That’s what I like to hear 👊🏻

[@sebvz89]

Great video as always

[@emmanuelalvarez3926]

Love your work man!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you!

[@jacobgarcia3877]

Man I live on the south side of San Antonio, TX if I were to do that I’d get shot or poked lol Really great video 🙏🏾

[@BryanBirks]

Haha I have come close to that a couple of times in south St. Louis. I just try to be cordial and they usually understand or just tell me to fuck off 😂

[@TonyWodarck]

This is an epic video. The portraits were amazing.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks Tony! I appreciate it 💪🏻

[@filmneri]

Such a beautiful video!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you Fernando 🤘🏻

[@ducatitastic]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I know you can't mention every youtuber that does photography but I was a little disappointed with the omission of Nick Carver, he does fabulous work with his 6x17 Shen Hao.

[@Pentax67]

Wow that’s awesome!! And what a nice old man you met. Did you emailed him photos or show him? I hope so :)

[@nthnth1815]

Get a film magnifying glass/viewer to place at the ground glass for critically precise focus!!! Hope this recommendation can be of help🙇🏻‍♂️🙇🏻‍♂️

[@leoeyegenartig8473]

This series is 👌🏻

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you!

[@justinwelch82]

Awesome video and great project.

[@robyoung125]

This has inspired me to start a similar project photographing locals around where I live in the UK. Hoping to start next week and see where it goes. Did you feel there were any things you learnt doing this? I imagine keeping up the conversation whilst also trying to get compositions nailed etc can be a bit flustering.

[@BryanBirks]

Awesome! Yeah a little bit. But I tend to tell them that it takes a while to set up the 4x5 so they go back in the house or just chill and watch. That gives me some time to see the layout and pick how I want to compose. I do try to talk and explain everything I’m doing while they’re waiting just to give some banter as well. The main thing is focusing with the 4x5 because it does take time and you don’t want to be rushed with that.

[@dianeschuller]

Question: With Steve, did you offer to give him a photograph? If so, do you pick one (or more) to have printed and then mail or deliver it?

[@BryanBirks]

At this early in the project I wasn’t offering people prints as I wasn’t very confident in my photo ability to share them. Haha

[@dianeschuller]

@@BryanBirks Okay, I'm hoping to get up the nerve to give it a try. Been thinking of doing this for ages; about time I actually act on it. Thank you.

[@mixiepalms8338]

amazing

[@anonymousporcupine23]

was the portrait with the flag (love it) shot wide open or maybe F4? always nice to have a reference for what things might look like in different situations

[@BryanBirks]

All of these were wide open. I’ve only ever stopped down that lens when I was in Colorado doing landscapes. Haha the look is addicting.

[@codyallen3729]

Great video Bryan, do you tell these people where the photo is going? (ex: instagram, YT, etc)? I've got a portrait of an older man before who was pretty off the grid and was very insistent on his photo not being put on the internet. Curious how you handle this as it is a bit of a grey area compared to say asking for permission if you're print publishing a photo of them.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks! I always tell them that it’ll be on Instagram, KZbin, my website etc. I told Steve specifically I was making a KZbin video about this one!

[@dabzvapelord]

steve rocks

[@thebrouhaha1]

Steve's rad!

[@BryanBirks]

Agreed!

[@Zeoklis]

Do you use a loupe? Or tilt the lens in any way?

[@BryanBirks]

I do use a loupe. I think what happened was when I closed the lens and cocked the shutter it may have tilted the lens a little bit because it wasn’t super tight.

[@Zeoklis]

@@BryanBirks yeah the intrepid is kind of hard to use, but it is very light...

[@BryanBirks]

Zeoklis i tightened up my lens board screws after this and I think that will keep it nice and steady next time!

[@whatilovetofilm]

Did you gave Steve his portraits ? How did he felt ?

[@BryanBirks]

I’ll probably end up getting prints to him soon!

[@hughsydney2620]

Super 👍

[@nelsonm.5044]

This is something I will never do, too chicken to k strangers like that

[@BryanBirks]

It’s not that bad! Just got to work up the courage.

[@tonyb2760]

Unfortunately the rejection and comments from the guy about the fear of being sued are all to real due to low life con artist and scammers. It's sad that others are negatively affected by that, but that's just today's reality. I am curious if you offer something tangible as gratitude to the ones that participate like perhaps a print or something? Just curious.

[@BryanBirks]

I’m definitely going to give them the photos and probably will give them prints of wants they like!

[@23codez]

Your approach sucks, its so cold. Warm them up a bit and say something like "You're place looks awesome" or something. You come off like a robot I WANNA TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR PROPERTY.

[@BryanBirks]

Yeah very true. This was the first time asking on video so I didn’t expect it to go smoothly. Do you have any videos you made where I can learn how to do it like the master you are?