practical advice for photographers | aperture books

If you’re looking for ways to grow as a photographer, challenge yourself and your thoughts, or break out of a creative rut, these two books are sure to help with that. To get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain, go to squarespace.co...
(the Amazon link below is an affiliate link 🤝)
The Photographer’s Playbook: amzn.to/36BqLqV
Photo No-Nos: baltimorephoto...
WEBSITE: www.mattdayphot...
INSTAGRAM: / mattdayphoto
TWITTER: / mattdayphoto
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[@luischavezphoto]

I don't shoot film or have much interest to but your channel is one of my favorite channels. Not only is your work beautiful, but after all this time on KZbin, the way you talk about photography, is the most inspirational part of the way your work speaks to me. Great video man.

[@Rowland446]

Visiting this almost two years later, I think I needed this.

[@mariafdrews]

Thanks Matt! Your videos lately have been 10/10

[@pushingfilm]

This was fantastic Matt, great way to start my morning and get the thought motor running 😁

[@mattdayphoto]

Appreciate you, Hashem! ❤️ every time I watch a video of yours, I think about how we need to hop on a call and just shoot the shit.

[@pushingfilm]

@@mattdayphoto thanks man! Yeah for sure, I remember we tried to organise it a while back before things got real busy... But let me know when things settle a bit and we'll make it happen 😁👍🏼

[@jeffreydietz3876]

Old video but doing the deep dive on your channel... Nelson was probably one of the most influential photographer in my life as a professor when he was in grad school and afterwards! I love his entry in this book. He definitely called me out more than once in critiques, good to know we all go through that phase where we catch ourselves copying what works for our heroes.

[@davidrothschild8913]

Photographers playbook is legit. Thanks for reminding me how much I love that book.

[@franknelissen8041]

Thank you for all your wonderful contemplative videos!

[@glidej]

I tried out a couple exercises from Photographer’s Playbook and having a strong direction was incredible. One exercise had me out at a particular time with a predetermined subject. “Hunting” for a specific thing was liberating, I could tune out everything else and just search. I’ve never burned through film so fast!

[@jayadams511]

Thanks for recommending these two books. Based on your suggestion, I ordered both of them directly from Aperture. Subscribers to the Aperture Magazine (an excellent quarterly publication) get 20% off on all books. Since Aperture's business for decades has been publishing photo books, they have many great ones in addition to the ones you've featured.

[@DanteNostalgicFiction]

I just wanna say, i don’t know you and i’m about to watch the video but what an amazing voice (and editing)

[@21jlxi]

Hi Matt, my inner policeman is from the 90s and won't let me take too many photos as he thinks I might run out of film. I've always been so conscious of the number of shots I take, which is a throwback from my days of film, which was also when I had little money, so I was always very tight with my shooting. You've motivated me to go out and 'shoot first, ask later'. Great video, all the best, Jeremy.

[@antnguyen]

i subscribe to a bunch of the youtube film community channels and i have to say, comparatively, this particular video was extremely refreshing to watch. always stoked to see that matt day notification, keep doing what you’re doing man.

[@Al_Bx]

Great content ! Thanks for this food for thoughts. It is important. In my opinion photographers do not reflect enough on their work as long as it is nice/clean/pretty/well executed. Meaning is paramount. And meaning takes pause and reflection.

[@mylesinthesky]

I really needed this right now. Morning coffee and motivation from Matt for the day. Thank you.

[@liveinaweorg]

Ditto! A cinnamon bun would have completed the trifecta but hey, life isn't perfect every day :)

[@shillwaffer2105]

I would like to see what you talked about at 3:30

[@mattdayphoto]

Thanks Will! Gonna try to make that one happen. ❤️

[@johnbarben]

@@mattdayphoto really want to do that myself too - have a week away and this will be my project!!

[@thomasjayprince]

Great video Matt! Sometimes it is really hard to get out of our heads, out of our way, and just shoot. I’ve been looking for exercises and ways to grow and this video was very helpful! I’ll be picking up both of these books! Do you have plans on doing anymore podcasts? I really enjoy your perspectives and your grounded conversations. Either way, it’s nice to see you back. Keep up the great work.

[@triw5662]

Thank you Matt, your comment regarding the last essay really meant a lot to me. Its something i struggle with pretty hard from time to time as well, thinking why i would even attempt to exist in this photography world, and what i would add to it. It calms me down a lot knowing im not alone with these intrusive thoughts, and i want to thank you for that.

[@mattdayphoto]

I appreciate you sharing that! It sucks, but it’s part of it for most of us, if not all. Keep working on it, change up your perspective on the hurdle itself, figure out a way to work with it rather than overcome it. 🙏🏻 hope that helps!

[@thephotoroad]

Matt - very thoughtful and sincere video. I’m going to look into getting these books. Really appreciate you taking out the time to share your thoughts and favorite ideas.

[@AngeloHinojosa]

Another cool assignment style book is “52 assignments: street photography” by Brian Lloyd Duckett. He also has similar books but for different photo genres.

[@setlam2]

Hello Matt. I don't know what it is, but every video you've posted lately has helped me with my struggles with photography. I love food for thought, and at the moment I'm struggling to share my photos because it seems like the only places I can do it are not aligned with my values and I don't want to use them (like Instagram for example). I'll be buying these books, I'm sure I'll find them very interesting. Thanks for recommending them!

[@mattdayphoto]

Man, that means a lot to hear. I don’t have photos to share right now anyway, but I’m with you. Haha. Unless it’s a print, in a book or zine, on my own website site or in one of my own videos, I don’t really have any “need” to post my pictures anywhere right now. It’s also good to acknowledge that I started my IG account in 2013 and KZbin channel in 2014, so if I were starting a channel or account today, obviously I’d be looking for somewhere to post. I did that for years, I’m enjoying this nice change of pace and break. 💫❤️

[@bradwaller1991]

Can't begin to explain how much I needed to see/listen to this video at this moment in time, thank you very much Matt. P.s would love to see your approach to one of the assignments from the book.

[@nilsheck9245]

Hey Matt, I like the two new videos after your moving break. I have Photo No Nos myself and I really love it. I think it would be super fun to see you try some of the exercises from the Playbook. But in the end I'm just happy you and your loved ones are doing well and the house looks great. Take care and see you next time.

[@mattdayphoto]

Appreciate you, Nils! Thanks for catching up and being here! ❤️

[@sarahstellino1954]

Hadn’t heard of the Photographers Playbook! Definitely a lot of food for thought in that. Have you heard of Photo Work: 40 photographers on process and practice? Also printed by Aperture. The editor Sasha Wolf also has a podcast based on the book. Really great stuff in both!

[@tylerhuttosmith]

I saw it on Amazon and the reviews are interesting haha. I think a lot of the people leaving reviews thought it was an intro to photography book

[@sarahstellino1954]

@@tylerhuttosmith oh no lol. It’s definitely not that kind of book

[@Alina.s.sakhalina]

Thanks so much for the inspiration

[@owainshaw]

Thanks for sharing these books, Matt. As someone else with an aggressive self-police force, I'm definitely keen to pick up Photo No-Nos. I'd definitely be up for watching you respond to some of the Plays in the Playbook. All the best to you all in the new (new old) house.

[@mattdayphoto]

Thank you! The playfulness of Photo No-Nos is one thing I love about it. Helped me loosen up a bit where needed. Hope you enjoy it! 💫

[@PiotrPavlov]

Thank you for this video!

[@andreasstein421]

I already had the first one on my amazon wishlist, I'll add second to it. Thanks! :)

[@Photochoker]

Good lord that last bit about Self Policing was so poignant. Thanks for this Matt, I’m so happy you’re back on here making things!

[@ryununes7563]

Some really nice advices Matt! Thanks a lot. Totally checking those books later

[@mattdayphoto]

Hope you enjoy ‘em, thanks for watching! ❤️

[@asaporange6263]

So good!!! Thanks for the recommendation Matt

[@mattdayphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! 💫

[@Mike_Wazowski_z]

Thank you so much with sharing your knowledge! I've had a rough start to this year, on top of everything else that's been going on, and have been directing that back into my photography. Specifically a project on my personal mental health and I've been grappling with whether or not I want to share that work. Also I'm sure most people know about Show your work and Steal your work by Austin Kleon, but those are also great references for art in general.

[@mattdayphoto]

I wish I had all of the answers (or any for that matter) but I’m glad the conversation is helpful. ❤️ I do have Steal Your Work. It’s a small world, Austin is from Circleville, about 15 minutes north of home.

[@Mike_Wazowski_z]

@@mattdayphoto whether you have answers or not I appreciate all the advice you give to the photography community ♥️ and oh wow small world for sure!

[@Jean-Poule_II]

I cannot give you an answer on wether or not you should share your work, but have some food for thought that might be interesting. I remember watching an interview with Mark Laita, the photographer and man behind the Soft White Underbelly YT channel, where he talks about creativity, his projects and his work philosophy : he never talks about what he's currently doing because if he does, then all the pleasure, the excitement, the motivation and the energy is gone. I believe this can very much vary from one person to the other, but personally I do get his feeling. I don't quite know or understand why or how it works, but from personal experience, it feels like the instantaneous feedback on work in progress can easily be discouraging and making you feel like you're idea isn't all that great after all, which you fundamentally cannot know until the whole body of work is finished. I'm currently working on a project and I feel so much more inspired, focused and relieved since I'm not constantly worrying on wether or not the photos I'm taking are gonna be worth a share on social media. Just some food for thought! ✌

[@Mike_Wazowski_z]

​@@Jean-Poule_II Do you by chance have a link to watch that interview?

[@Jean-Poule_II]

@@Mike_Wazowski_zFound it! Here's the link to the video : kzbin.info/www/bejne/roCrgWeaZ7OHnJo. The subject comes up at 7:10, but I find the whole segment pretty interesting.

[@erikljonsson]

Would love to see you do that exercise! :)

[@yearswithoutsleep]

Who’s ready for story time with Matt Day BAY-BAY!!

[@mattdayphoto]

This made my morning, brother. ❤️ PS it’s Friday, you know what that means.

[@SAMESAMBUTDIFFERENT]

YAAAS please do a video of storytelling

[@mattdayphoto]

Gonna have to try that one!

[@jenohogan9254]

I've been super curious about those books for some time. I really glad you talked about them. The reviews I read weren't great. Nay sayers be damned. lol

[@saradsilv305]

These books will probably be good for my imposter syndrome 😃

[@venividdivici0]

very nice 👏🏼

[@chriswalters6434]

Every time you post a photo book video my wallet takes a hit. Damn you Matt! 😛

[@geoffmphotography9444]

I would love to see you work out the Jane Evelyn Atwood project to put some flesh on the bones. Interesting video, thanks.

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

Is the first book good for a complete noob?

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

I’ve always wanted to get better at film photography beyond just taking random photos. I read a book and I kinda understand the basics but idk I feel no growth. This vid helps

[@bakaroo23]

I’m surprised no one has started basing POV street shooting videos around picking different assignments in the playbook. Easy content ideas right.

[@idreaminsurfgreen5327]

Neat.

[@Notmy00000]

🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍👍👍

[@FlosBlog]

Why are American books so huge though? Not with a big page count but just wierdly high and wide

[@owen4388]

🅿🆁🅾🅼🅾🆂🅼 💔