Shifter: Q&A 004

[@mattdayphoto]

Always looking forward to these.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Gracias, amigo. I answer one and two more come in. Good questions, however, so worth the effort. I had to fail a thousand times to learn most of these things so it's nice to pass it along so others don't suffer the same fate.

[@loneshootr]

Man you're a breath of fresh air here on the youtubes.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

It will wear off, trust me.

[@mwales2112]

I'm a 70's teen and so happy I grew up before the internet and cell phones... Thanks Dan

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Ha, me too! I was so in love with the pace.

[@RecluseHolster]

How needs a cell phone when you have a bicycle with a banana seat? Just be home when the street lights come on.

[@wmkout]

"You have to stop talking because I have no idea what you're talking about." I feel this everyday lol.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

The depths of darkroom knowledge. Terrifying.

[@SL-jo4om]

You may be just "one guy", but I like how you set the creative bar so high for yourself and others. Most of us have to stop taking ourselves seriously, work much harder (or quit) and get over our gear obsession.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I try to take my work seriously, kinda, but never myself. I just read about people crossing the Simpson desert for the first time. On foot. Me, I haven't done s^%$.

[@yeahnothx-e9l]

I love your blunt honesty and directness.

[@StuartHerrington]

Great talk Dan. Always love your no BS approach.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I save all my BS for my wife and family.....

[@VonBromPhoto]

Hello Daniel, thanks etc You have inspired me to buy and read the first photography book in about 20 years, Daido Moritama “How I Take Photographs.” I’m sitting in cafe in Sydney Australia enjoying a coffee in a real cup, relatively unaffected by the virus. The first chapter is titled “A brief guide to snapshot photography” and his first advice is “Get outside.” I am liking this already.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I am going to do a film about his "Memories of a Dog," book. He's incredible. One of my favs. Who would have known, "get outside." Yes, and I'll add something. Leave your phone behind.

[@davidraaum6277]

Appreciate your take on things and how much content you can pack into 20 minutes.

[@reginaldgooden2445]

Thanks Dan! These are awesome!!!

[@zerlionngo395]

Dan you inspired me alots. Before you the photography world I know is so BORING, ppl taking pics for exposure, recognition, selling 'presets'. I'm starting to understand what yal saying and has more curious to the world. Thank youu 👌

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

All that stuff is just online photography world stuff. There is an actual world of imagery and that is where you want to live.

[@juanQuedo]

Thanks for answering my question. I come back to watch your videos because I see my own thoughts reflected. I have never called myself photographer, not even when I was working as such. And kills me every time I see or meet people that they call themselves photographers after doing a course and doing a couple of sesions for the newborns of the family or things like that. Among other issues, that generated on my an emptyness of identity.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I don’t call myself a photographer any longer. Haven’t for a decade. Once I stopped working full time. That title, for me, comes with a level of proficiency and knowledge that is sacred.

[@juanQuedo]

I agree. For me it is like if I start calling myself plumber because I fixed a leak the other day. Or chef because I cook dinner...and so on.

[@suehodnett6911]

Thanks Dan, looking forward to hearing more of your philosophy.

[@67Geeza]

I think your philosophy makes more sense than any other photographers I see on KZbin

[@lightloving683]

Best. Looking forward to 005

[@TyeMorrisVlog]

I'm really enjoying your feedback and advice in these videos! Thanks man, and keep it up!

[@cropcircle5693]

"I don't know what I'm doing, but I do it all the time" One of the all time great Daniel Milnor quotes.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Flying with blinders on most of the time.

[@sbhopper8511]

Best blog/video on the web.

[@dhaug]

Great energy, Daniel. Wish I had explored more of the film scene when I was younger... Sounds fascinating!

[@csrobles74]

Thanks for answering my question. I quit my job in 2004 to pursue photography. I had the technical part of photography down but I socked at business. 2004 was the middle of digital revolution and anyone with a camera and charisma became a photographer. Having technique is not a requirement anymore.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Cesar, totally different game today. The key is to make YOUR work, whatever that is, even when working for clients. Not always possible but it's a good goal.

[@JCarlos.unknown]

Another great video. Bring it on, Milnor.

[@suzannelopez9896]

What a wonderful insight on all these thoughtful questions! I look forward to hearing more from you! This is just what I'm looking for!!!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Thanks Suzanne.

[@iNerdier]

As someone about to do a masters and with an idea of doing a large format series involving portraits you've just shattered my dreams man.

[@theunisreynolds1697]

Same here!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That's what I'm here for. But remember, a film I did a few weeks ago, or maybe it was my podcast. The people who will make it are those who listen to me and say "I don't care, I'm going to do it anyway." So if that is your goal do it. Go all in. Be smart, be as efficient as possible. Humor and honesty are a must.

[@popcorny11]

Daniel, really enjoying the channel so far. Its almost like a reset button for my interest in “photography” every time I hear your opinions. It actually helps prevent me from getting sick of it from all the noise in the industry. You should check out the Radavist (life website surrounding the cycling culture) and John Watson (aka John Prolly) who runs it (he’s mostly an image creator like yourself).. He recently moved to Santa Fe too and I think yall might find some similar strong interests.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I think you are right. And someone else mentioned he moved here. What are the odds. Thank you!

[@popcorny11]

Daniel Milnor Yeah! for sure you gotta check it out. I think it would really take your adventure/lifestyle to a whole new level. Also, you’re the second person whom “I’ve met” to completely turn my views on yoga around. I’m looking to try it out as soon as I can. Thanks for the heads up on that topic too.

[@PaulVanCaesbroeck]

For me, film vs digital = grand piano vs electric keyboard = classic guitar vs electric guitar. It's a matter of taste.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Both great, and both make music!

[@markshirley01]

Thanks really enjoyed this Q&A.

[@boozelala]

Getting people into biking has not been so hard. Getting gouvernments into biking is a different story. Because of that I feel extremely gratefull for being born in the Netherlands. Maybe some day other gouvernments will realize how powerfull bikes can be. If people think biking is lame, they should look up the unstoppable Jean Biermans. Amzing human, insanely talanted biker and all round good guy. That being said, riding mountainbikes is not the smartest thing to do during this pandemic, so thank god for photography to stay sane!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Much of our government and social structure is designed to break the will of anyone wanting to bring change. Just insurance alone through local, state and federal, to cover something like a bike lane is designed to crush any attempt for progress. It's going to be a very, very long haul here where most people, even the smart ones, just give up.

[@Loop1Photography]

Hey Dan, I love your channel. Do you know of any hands-on workshops that would teach some of the advanced b&w processing & printing techniques you mention?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Good question. I'm sure they are out there. Probably not now with C19 but in the future. David Michael Kennedy, here in New Mexico teaches one on one classes. A friend took one and loved it.

[@lorgar87]

'Butts on Bikes' a documentary by Dan Milnor ;) Jokes aside, awesome content as usual

[@oneharry_og]

Hi Dan. You spoke about master printers during this conversation where would you suggest someone wanting to better their printing at home start?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That is a good question. Not entirely sure these days. There are darkroom classes but not during C19 and we have made sure this will be a huge problem for forseeable future. I’m going to have to ask around.

[@Vincent780320]

Hello.Love your channel. Could you tell me the brand and model of your glasses?Thank you.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

All my glasses are Oakley's. Racing Jackets and Turbines.

[@Fleet42]

I love your work! I have a degree from Nevada and I shot film in 86-87 then I stopped shooting but I’m consumed now with photography! Back shooting film now Nikon FE2 and a Fuji X100V. Any recommendations on a great lens for that? My Sony gear is wasting away🥶

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Lens for the Nikon? How about the manual focus Zeiss 50mm.

[@dayooch]

Hey Dan, for your next q&a, do you think the concept or lure of film is lost when people scan their negatives and “alter” the look of whatever film they’re using by editing in Lightroom? What’s the point of film then when you introduce tech to editing film negatives. Thanks

[@lagazettedesfrancais8155]

Good point made on the boring series of portraits, qui plus est there is often something unhealthy about them

[@BobFitz64]

This resonated hard. I trained as an Illustrator in the 80's. I wish they'd taught us the business of the industry and its different facets.....also life experience......also books.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Rob. Same. ZERO business or marketing classes. Getting out of school was like being dropped off in the middle of the freeway.

[@gd3945]

Would I be correct to assume your advice to not share your photos in real time on social media is directed to those hoping to be professional photographers? I get that and it makes sense to me. But in my case, I’m not on that path. Other than perhaps printing a few zines someday to share with family, I have no other access, beyond online, to show any of my work to people I don’t know. Do you also think hobbyists/amateurs should avoid sharing photos online? Thanks for sharing your experience-based knowledge (something in short supply on KZbin).

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Hey Gary, I can only tell you my view, and only share my thoughts on social where are very contrary to what you will hear from just about anyone else. Social, to me, is destroying our culture and society, not to mention the parent companies do NOT have our best interest at heart. Each week another scandal, another lie, another rights grab another infringement. They sit in front of Congress and lie. So based on that alone I was out a long, long time ago. I also don't like what social does to photographers, more specifically their mindset. I've seen social ruin a lot of good photographers who are now posting nonstop garbage while attempting to play the following game. Last, how can anyone really consider work at any level of depth by viewing in a milisecond on a smart phone? This decision is up to you. Me personally, I'd rather have 1000 names in email database. These tend to be far more important than social followers.

[@samhartfieldlewis5247]

Hello Said before to you but yeah moved to eastern Massachusetts from the uk 8 or so months ago and quite a lot of cyclists here road and mountain bikes good mix up, I like to do both different types just depends you know. Anyway your documentary stuff be interesting to see how you see the beginning, middle and the end how can you wrap it up on big issues as lives and things will keep going. I’m getting my head around mini stories just stuff we do am enjoying doing that, but sometimes I wonder why. I like remembering and seeing that stuff but sometimes think don’t want to take a camera out or phone just enjoy going doing stuff. If that makes sense ?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Oh ya, we all needs breaks from time to time. KZbin in particular, for those who are full time and using it as their base, are famous for burnout. It's relentless. I did two rides very early today. Didn't take anything. Just rode and thought.

[@kalaharistuart]

No views, I’ll watch after supper, promise

[@aidinmb6679]

Hey Daniel, could you clarify the ethics and documentary work? the reason is that I would like to do a project in Sudan maybe , and I have never get paid for any of my previous projects. I am interested in stories and reflect them in my pictures , recently slowly try to print them and see where it goes , but when I came across blurb and made my first test book , I realized there is opportunity to sell them , so the question is that when you are getting to any self project , do you think about the ethical aspect of it or not, I mean its hard to answer at least for me because I like to tell the untold story as much as possible and draw the attention to it but when there is also possibility to sell it , thats where things could go wrong with ethics. Am I selling the story to help the subject and address the issue or I am just selling them to sell it , so more edgy is the project more possibility to earn . I want to know your idea , thank you

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That is a great but tricky question. It's chicken or the egg in some ways. If you sell you might make money to continue to do the actual projects, but then again you are selling images of other people. This is just the nature of working as a professional. You could always donate a portion of sales back.

[@aidinmb6679]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 amazing , thats what I thought before , because ever since I started at the age 28 I realized I dont wanna earn money out of it ,I mean what is to sell if I claim to address the issue or simply tell the story of humans who by the way might not have access to the final product . but to do some certain project I need at least money to keep on , and I thought maybe some portion or even more from I might possibly earn could go as a donation since my job as researcher is far away from what i do as my passion.

[@RecluseHolster]

How about a Santa Fe gravel bike ride that happens to have some photography on the side?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That is totally doable.

[@oscarbodoke]

En una Pagina que sale tu biografía dice que sabes hablar el español perfectamente, si es asi un saludo un abrazo grande, ya eres un referente en la fotografía y en la vida saludes desde Colombia

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yo soy gringo. Mi espanol es, mas or menos, horible. Pero, me gusta Colombia.

[@peter_shadow7559]

Saludos a ambos desde Puerto Rico.

[@rosemanbridge1000]

Hi Dan, AG23 is still showing as shipping within USA only, how do I get one sent to Australia? Thanks.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

We are working on it!

[@LyndonPatrickSmith]

I think you should turn your “butts on bikes” comment into a book - you’d probably sell a ton! 😀

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

How amazing would it be to depoliticize the bike and see streams of Americans ripping around on two wheels. A dream I have on a regular basis. And then I wake up the 100mph SUV six inches off my handlebar.

[@crazyballa43]

What kind of iPad case is that?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

It's the heaviest dam thing you have ever seen. But it works. Zagg is the brand.

[@roykropp155]

I listened to your "reasons" why you would not be a good workshop teacher and find those to be the exact reasons you would be an effective one especially if the workshop was designed toward your strengths rather than general photography dogma.Filling workshops may be a financial goal but think of the effect that you would have on the lucky few who did participate.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Hey Roy, I like your positive attitude. I don't ever remember making any real money on workshops. Heck, now I'd just donate the fee. But, when a program or other business is involved they need a certain number of students, which I can NEVER supply.

[@davidraaum6277]

Appreciate your take on things and how much content you can pack into 20 minutes.