The Life of a Photograph - Sam Abell | OPTIC 2017

Each day a billion new images are made. Few survive. Why? In this lecture renowned photographer Sam Abell answers the question, 'What makes a lasting photograph?' In compelling slide-by-slide sequences Sam shows how many of his world famous photographs were made.
This is not a 'greatest hits' slide show but a step-by-step demonstration of how to achieve lasting images through simplified technique and critical vision. This presentation will change how you see the world.
Sponsored by Canon USA
Sam Abell Photography
samabell.com/
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[@shrosa814]

It is the wee hours of the morning and I've been moved to tears. Such excellence! What an amazing teacher and human being.

[@rodrigopelissier]

Sam's work and his way to take pictures is incredible, marvelous. To compose and wait, I like that way to take pictures. Thanks.

[@rosieokelly]

Hands down the best presenter in the series so far....gets right to it..great info..modest, too..

[@Stewz66]

So, here I am, crying... as this video comes to an end... and BAM! it ends... no fade to black... no end credits... just BAM... it's over. It felt like falling off a cliff!... what an amazing video. I bet I've watched 30 of B&H's videos of 1 hour or longer... but this one I just downloaded on my phone so I can carry it with me and return to. This was profound for me. Thank you. And thank you Mr Abell. I will compose. And wait.

[@cjoe6908]

I will download it to my phone too. Thanks for the tip. I've watched his talks a few times and he's a master. A moving master, and a convincing one.

[@tmossdesigner]

Touching. Most touching. Artful. Most artful.

[@zoltanpuskas4722]

Even if you had no interest in photography, or had no knowledge of Sam Abell, everyone should see this presentation. Thank you Sam Abell & B&H.

[@johnhoey4605]

I simply can’t get enough of Sam’s work and lectures. The impact of his work and inspirational lectures on my own work has been amazing.

[@benji1025]

This is so great. You can learn so much when a brilliant photographer walks you through what happened in their mind. IMO it is the best way to learn.

[@brucerofL]

One of the best talks/presentations on photography ever.

[@GaryTischer]

One of the best talks on image composition ... ever!

[@georgenobechi4924]

An amazing talk--Sam's presentations get better with time. I'm honored and humbled to be mentioned by Sam in this video, and to have been in attendance in the audience. I wanted to update fans of Sam's work that he and I are returning to Hagi this November, where Sam will have a solo exhibition of 70 pieces, half of which have never been published in: "Hagi, 1980." We have worked on making this happen for the last year and with the city's support, the exhibition will run November 3rd~19th, 2017. We are conducting a photo tour of Kyushu for a week, followed by a 5-day photo workshop surrounding Sam's exhibition, by offering free invitations to local Hagi photographers. The whole community will turn out for Sam's talk on November 11th, which will coincide with the kick-off of the fall festival there. Some of the other people that Sam photographed 37 years ago are going to be showing up and surprising Sam, who has no idea these people are coming (or which people, even if he reads this). Sam also gave me the tremendous honor, and responsibility of printing his show; I have done my very best to honor his incredible work, in what is a unique, 1 of 1 set of 70+ prints. This project is Sam's idea for thanking the people of that city. We've also arranged for a second exhibition of his iconic work in Kobe November 16~26 and he will have a talk there on November 16 at 7pm as well. If anyone happens to be in Japan and is interested in attending any of these events, which are open to the public please feel free to let me know. Thank you.

[@cjoe6908]

Thank you George for taking Sam Abell back to the corner. Hi from China.

[@alanhaenni]

The best photography talk I've ever seen.

[@jackbrinn4656]

Just extraordinary! Mr. Abell weaves art and emotion into the fabric of photography without techie stuff. Watching and listening to him is a worthwhile experience for photographers of any level. Thanks Mr. Abell and B&H for a classic!

[@dalejrfanfreak]

Incredible presentation. Thank you Sam, Canon, and B&H for sharing.

[@cjoe6908]

A year later, I watched this again, and was moved to tears towards the end of the presentation. Life is full of surprises.

[@michaelgannon2358]

This incredible talk has changed my approach to my work, forever. Thank you Sam.

[@BandH]

Thanks for watching!

[@danielrao3120]

I was captivated by this video. It deserves to be viewed by every photographer with a view to honing his/her trade. Superb.

[@miguelgarrido7189]

A masterpiece of composition and visual poetry coming from an amazing photographer and wonderful human being. Thanks, Sam.

[@richardtetreault3767]

This is, by far, the best presentation I've seen on how to think about composition. Thank you M. Abell and B&H.

[@johnhoey4605]

I was fortunate to have picked up a signed copy of Seeing Gardens. Sam Abell is simply a cut above most-as a human being, a man, and as a photographer. No doubt the former have defined and shaped the latter.

[@brycewade7745]

What an amazing presentation. I wish it was longer. Thank you to Mr Abell and B&H.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Wonderful. I've seen the previous B&H video, and it was great to hear Sam speak about these things again. Thank you so much!

[@Erodriguezs86]

He made me drop some tears. Thank you. A very teacher talk.

[@KenCannon]

Wow, amazing presentation. Thanks Sam, you inspired me years ago with photographs in a Geographic book about the Pacific Crest Trail. You are "Head and shoulders above the horizon."

[@AndrewMarjoram]

Can only echo so many of the previous comments. Wonderful, so informative & inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@didierpetre4490]

So interesting... a real masterclass full of advices and experiences.

[@nour-eddineennmouri357]

Thank you Sam Abell, simply and painfully.

[@sosama76]

Wow! I am so in love with his presentation and all the story behind the photograph. Thank you.

[@tirakhan7931]

Thank you for explaining what makes a good photograph and what doesn't. Loved seeing your photos of the same shoot approaching the subject in different ways. And I loved that you showed your failures too! A very generous presentation. Thank you.

[@ghalibkhan80]

among the best of the best.

[@MarkNewsome]

Thanks Sam Abell and B&H. Couldn't have paid for a better class on composition!

[@EvulDali]

Aaaaaand now i have to watch it again! :) Thank you very much!

[@AaronMahlon]

An awesome presentation. Thanks Sam Abell, and thanks B&H

[@mawavoy]

A truly wonderful life changing presentation!!

[@Deep-Travel]

Wow, wow, wow! What an amazing and inspirational presentation. It reminded me why I became a photographer in the first place. Thanks!

[@lindaavitt763]

Thank you, Sammy and Sammy's dad! Wonderful teaching!

[@MyHumanWreckage]

A definite must watch video for a lesson in composition.

[@af4od02]

Thanks to both Mr. Abel and B&H

[@adavalle]

Simply wonderful!

[@VaughnFelixMusic]

Beautiful! Just beautiful work and work.

[@cjoe6908]

Great talk on composition, and on photograph in general. Inspiring and no nonsense. Thanks

[@XperiaVideosCR]

So far this is the best presentation. Sam put me to think.

[@TonyC0101]

POWERFUL presentation!

[@tjmanou6422]

Compose and wait !!!!! Love it.

[@nazaharin]

Owh ... wow ... what an inspirational talk by someone with loads of experience..

[@inesf04]

Excellent video on composition. Very inspiring. Thank you.

[@atlbike]

This is a wonderful series.

[@mrskarshsphotos]

So inspirational! Thank you.

[@gilshua4143]

one of the most inspiring and moving Photography talks i've heard. thank you so much ! when I come to think about it , this demonstrated art of carefull observation combined with masterful skills emphasize for me how "instant" nowadays trend tend to be (....well wasn't it always like that ? )

[@smurfrock]

I love the presentation. Good work.

[@jlperez67]

Extraordinary!!!

[@cyrathbun]

FANTASTIC INFORMATION AND DIRECTION.. THANK YOU!

[@Gee-I-Joe]

Thank you! Wonderful.

[@TheSunCityAnthem]

This is priceless!

[@zwitscherelfe]

enjoyed this a lot. thanks!

[@songzuqian]

Most amazing photographer

[@GaleriaPuntoCiego]

THANK YOU, SAM: A TRUE MASTERCLASS.AND THANKS TO BH TEAM AS WELL.ALL THE BEST.NANO.

[@winteryoung5889]

Touching

[@peteberkery9652]

Talk about awesome !

[@mvia236]

Conviction.Thank you.

[@ravibindra565]

This video has changed the way I make photos.

[@milesmonroe65]

Perfect.

[@lauramiller4866]

No one like Sam Abell to inspire

[@suebasler1917]

Beautiful humble man.

[@cynic252]

brilliant

[@vartkespeltekoglu7159]

A rare masterclass in composition... no! ... on how to think about composition. Thank you for this treasure Sam and B&H.

[@Epigrafe-od6dc]

"Wait Sammy, and COMPOSE... " Thank you so much for these briilliant TAC_TIC's from a living LEGEND of photography, Sam Abell!!!! Such a HONOUR for all of us who feels "intrigued" by photography.

[@nickfanzo]

He and Bill Allard move me when they speak and tell their tales.

[@giuseppecapilli4914]

Good talk, average images.

[@c.augustin]

An eye-opener to me. Great presentation!