The Life of a Photograph | National Geographic

Veteran National Geographic photographer Sam Abell offers a look inside the heart and mind of a master photographer.
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The Life of a Photograph | National Geographic
• The Life of a Photogra...
National Geographic
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[@nickfanzo]

Sam is the best. His talent for composing a picture and waiting, is unparalleled. He doesn’t care about buttons or photoshop. He doesn’t shoot RAW, the jpeg is enough. He uses program mode on the camera, it’s all about what’s in the frame and the light, the essentials.

[@davidsimmons5467]

A true master not hung up on high tech, but rather patience, composition and capturing part of life. I admire him and his work.

[@dreamcatcher3622]

'This photograph has outlived the people in it'' - I got goosebumps.

[@chigby08]

After reading the comments below, that make fun of the way Sam speaks (slow and deliberate) I realize I actually like his delivery, because it's well thought out as a good story should be. Great speakers take a little bit of time to tell a good story. Most photographers, probably the one's below who will never work for National Geographic, want everything served up like fast food, not me. I prefer to linger over a gourmet meal, a great photo, and interesting people...I prefer to sit and discuss the moment, extending it if possible. Really good things, like Sam Abell should be savored not munched up and spit out. So, sit down, chill out, take it in, and learn from one of the greats.

[@Free7ZipDownload]

Sam Abell is an incredible photographer, thanks for the presentation.

[@annadelf]

The photos themselves are works of art, but I am more moved by Abell's generosity in sharing with us his creative process. What his father transmitted to him, he gives to us.

[@woolybugger1962]

I grew up reading National Geographic and remember so many of these photos. A true Master Photographer.

[@cjoe6908]

He created some marvelous pictures that I would love to see again and again. A true artist.

[@taraferro]

I have had the honor of meeting Sam Abell. He is a phenomenal speaker and photographer. His photographs and his passion are so inspiring. I really hope to have the opportunity to meet with him again.

[@LaurieCawthorn]

captivating,amazing, :step back:pnt of view..perfection!

[@williamsnyder3419]

It's clear that many folks who comment here don't know the first thing about photography. Dull delivery?!?! Measured and thoughtful. Not one "unn", ummm or "like". It's not a music video with quick cuts and flashy "stuff" - it's a master artist trying to explain his process and his art. A lack of pretension. Sorry you don't like or understand.

[@bx7785]

75% of his "master" pictures are average at best but ok sure lol

[@wyvern938]

@@bx7785 why don't you try to do better lol and we'll see if you can get hired at national geographic

[@ChristinaRedd]

This is incredibly inspiring! This means so much more to my photography than any gear video I could watch.

[@scw1217]

Wonderful video. It's a tribute to the power of parents as much as a view into the thinking of a professional photographer. Well worth my time watching it.

[@adamantibody]

Wow. Incredibly beautiful and insightful.

[@phononify]

Yes, this is what distinguishes an artist from a normal person: the art authentically is your life

[@zenoc3460]

Just Awesome..................Congrats

[@tanyamattson7325]

I had the joy of seeing Sam Abell's presentation. Monotone? Maybe. Riveting, interesting, relevant - absolutely.

[@TheWaveSon]

Amazing, Thanks.

[@lightworksphotograph]

Just a fantastic video, really inspiring and crammed full of photographic goodness!

[@Sikhislove]

Very to the point speaker beautiful document

[@00hmath00]

I would like to encourage Nat-Geo to do post more videos like this on KZbin... really informative and heart warming i just loved it!!!... Thanks Much Nat Geo you guys just made my day.

[@vicky197805]

i dont know why there are some dislike. this video is great any body who likes to take picture would like to click for national geography!!

[@Willheyweddingphotography]

A fantastic watch, thanks so much for taking the time to make and share this.

[@slimnics]

Amazing

[@ALLTHESAVED]

I love these, I aspire to be as good a photographer.

[@MichaelMasaki]

Really enjoyed listening and learning from this great. Truly worth a listen. It may have very well changed my entire view of photography tbh

[@lamberth77]

Nice piece!!!

[@Irenerz]

this is incredibly inspiring

[@jchengimpact]

"Above all, compose and wait. Wait for the train to pull out of the station."

[@nickfanzo]

Rules to live by

[@Sikhislove]

Beautiful work

[@MrK30674]

I really enjoyed this. And his deadpan humor really cracked me up.

[@zolluuu]

The pears on the windowsill may not be the most exciting photographs out there in terms of content, but they're elegantly composed and there's value in that alone. People go to extreme lengths these days to make every photo grab your attention. Sometimes it's nice to consider the less obtrusive virtues of a more subtle work.

[@soonerboy9831]

i met Sam Able in 1985, at a very inspiring National Geographic Workshop in Steamboat Springs Colorado.

[@MrGeten]

Excellent!

[@JohnSokko]

Inspiring video. I am drawn to Sam's style of and approach to photography. I bought the book while watching the video.

[@Kranhu]

Me, too!

[@dbphotoart]

I love this I enjoyed the whole video. It has inspired me to shoot more.

[@misztsz]

Some grate composing skills he has. Looks that I got a lot to learn...

[@DANVIIL]

HIs delivery is excellent, because he doesn't begin each sentence with, "So" and sprinkle the phony interrogative, "right" throughout, but never waits for the acknowledgment, right?

[@quezquez3084]

Sam Abell - The best os photographers.

[@bryronify]

finally a really long video that is allowed to be viewed in my country... and what's good is that I'm a photographer too (hobbyist)

[@redmacs21]

wowwwwwwwwwwwwww loving this!

[@MyJuuaan]

Really good

[@00hmath00]

@NationalGeoLive AWESOME!!!!

[@kyiakosnspatra]

Sam Abell is my favorite photographer!

[@stockhuman]

I found it so fitting that upon finishing this (beautiful) video it turned out to be my 100th favorite. If only everyone I knew had the time to watch this. :-)

[@wrobe00011]

Awesome. this video inspired me :)

[@drzoomo]

last thirty seconds is the best advice ever

[@TetsuyaIT]

Thank you Sir for this great video, I learned a lot from it. I'm leaving all those "pixel peeper" forum. Heart and sould are not numbers.

[@ypac360]

this was inspiring

[@robyoung125]

Totally agree, describing your own photos as 'poetry' when it's only vaguely interesting to anyone else is not becoming. Pretentious people like this spoil such wonderful creative arts for everyone. Attempting to alienate other with their super human ability to micro compose and not even mention a single time the element of luck makes me call bullshit on this

[@robertwpotts]

Really. Cool. Story.

[@angelwithblackwingsL]

I learn a lot from you, thank you! you inspired me to go out and take a shot...

[@jerrinmathewphilip3447]

wonderful!! i love documenting photographs. :) as soon as the video end and when the audience claps, here it started rain with the same sound of the claps.. seems like nature loves u. one day i need to contribute something for National Geographic as a photographer.

[@annandahappy]

Jerrin Mathew Philip Very nice presentation! You can also search for "Elumpa fantastic photo alchemist" to understand more regarding "photograph of a photograph".

[@fingerBG3]

I fancy the way he looks on things; just might buy that book!

[@dotsinsneakers]

They laughed because they saw the full picture right away (the bird looking at a bird like itself in the album) :)

[@tomjwu]

Never learn enough from a master.

[@brentdrafts2290]

National Geographic, Mutual Of Omaha's Wild Kingdom...PBS..Random House encyclopedia. Things of facination we grew up with.

[@TheWaveSon]

WOW

[@WIlliamCHowes]

I have learned more about what it means to take a photograph in those short fourty minutes than I have in all of my past, yet still limited, experiance.

[@radekp9851]

I wish that yellow rectangle could be bigger... it is wayyyyy tooo smalll...

[@BMelendez23]

🙌🏼

[@tw9535]

Awesome... what an inspiration! How does anyone vote "thumbs down" on this? That makes no sense, especially from people who will only ever have their pictures featured on their mothers' refrigerators. If that.

[@herbprattle5054]

LOL! in 2020 🤣

[@SOADm8]

I want to be like him when i'm older :)

[@corneliusofdark]

We have the same style in photography. :-) I don't like photos with no story or definition. I like my photos with meaning.

[@kiewif2]

I'd love to meet this guy. does he still do lectures?

[@SanFranciscoGunner]

Inspiring content, and a great discussion about the craft of photography. But... his delivery did nothing to convey the passion he clearly has for his work. This is the worst kind of lecture, but still worth watching because of his genius.

[@ILikeWeatherGuy]

yay first long video!

[@robmitchell7355]

He composed the monologue with the same deliberate care and poetry of his photography. This is not Instagram.

[@mantisboy9090]

Nice video. I'm planning on working with National Geographic as a Wildlife Photographer. Hope to see you there.

[@NationalGeoLive]

@00hmath00 Glad you enjoy these. We are posting a new video from National Geographic Live every week.

[@Anciaux30]

Pour moi,a photographie est une passion qui vous dévore, comme une déformation votre main est toujours armée de son appareil, c'est mon cas, et je vois que vous vous êtes dans la même situation, merci de nous faire partager vos photos, vos coups de coeurs

[@TheLeadFootRacer]

I feel like he just described me from an early age.

[@MisRomixx]

hace falta la traducción al español! por favor!!!

[@DucVietNguyenPhD]

I do appreciate and great thanks for your valuable lecture that has supported me in changes my behavior at my aging time. As a political refugee, boat person who left VN after 4/1975 all photos above make my heart broken. Thank God for Blessing me landing on USA as a homeless refugee for first few months. My Warm Best Regards to You with Great, Grateful Thanks & Appreciation. Duc Viet Nguyen.

[@Theokondak]

I almost got depression out of this video...

[@DemianPhotos]

Compose... nice

[@researchragain]

i wanted to be that Doha architect so I would be in his photography class so I could say "I want to be a photographer".

[@jim0266]

The frame is flipped at 1:43. Makes him look like he is holding the camera like an amateur. This really does need to be in HD.

[@gregdawe2786]

Well lots of dirt in Newfoundland haha. nice photographs

[@v_stands_for_value124]

I’d like to do stuff like this

[@markmeyer767]

It's an outstanding presentation, but the use of the Ken Burns effect on the photos is very distracting making it difficult to see the composition as described by Abell. I wish they would simply show the photos in their entirety.

[@Calvinkoolz]

His voice is soooo boring! But what he has to say is simply fascinating

[@00hmath00]

@NationalGeoLive Maybe in the next decade or so i'll be on one of them :)

[@Nerudah]

does it stop at 40:37 with anyone else? great upload anyway! it's a shame so many childish remarks take place here tho'..

[@g00171227]

was suprised thought his photos would be stronger still maybe its an old fashioned style! still not my cup of tea nice guy! good vid dough

[@ladiesman1118]

He didn't choose the photography thug life, it chose him..

[@millionsteve]

@IMCOOL18 I love you too.

[@DanDELFE]

It is a bit frustrated to not see the photos entirely.

[@zebunker]

Nobody: This Guy: Poorly lit and exposed photos gunna make me rich

[@ryanh206]

it'd be better without the yellow square blocking the compositions! i'd love to see 1:47 without it

[@theeggtimertictic1136]

Why do I feel like I'm a 10 year old in Church!

[@MikeManeswork]

Old school

[@bubblyanusha]

[@baselb80]

the guy is opening his heart for the audience and they are laughing for no reason when was it a photo of a bird so funny?I can not understand these people as if they were laughing at him

[@sauravbasu8805]

baselb80 You didn't catch his deadpan humour there.

[@rhiwderinraytube]

Beautiful photographs and a great photographer. BUT, he is not a bundle of fun.

[@trailkrum6750]

"It was a portrait of grass"... If not for the wonderful photographs, watching grass grow would have been more enjoyable. And what about the atrocious delivery: cross-armed, monotoned, and pretentious to the point of being snotty. Nat Geo pros like Medford and Petersen are so much more engaging and pleasant.

[@Daffy711]

:D

[@FMECCTV]

hahahaha

[@tonywalton1052]

he takes himself very seriously. doesn't even try to Humbrag..

[@pathfinder_strider]

i wanna be like you =3