The Life of a Photograph with Sam Abell

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 hands on, step-by-step demonstration of how--through simplified technique and critical vision--lasting photographs are made.
Sam Abell Photography
www.samabellphotography.com

[@andrewfrost8866]

To me, this is the most meaningful, intelligent and emotionally moving talk on what photography truly is.

[@avemarcus]

kind of poetry

[@deonvnzl]

I agree. I am totally in awe.

[@kenwinokur5937]

Sam was an instructor of mine at the University of Missouri photojournalism workshop way back in 1989. Watching this video all of his lesson, comments and withering criticism of my work come flooding back. I've internalized so many of his lessons that I have forgotten how much his words had influenced my work everyday. Thank you Sam

[@ms-gu9if]

When I see all the hyper-realistic, overly edited images of our instagram inspired world...I think about an era when cultivated talent and hard earned knowledge were both respected and sought after. Perhaps software is used to smother the truth that many of us simply don't know how to create an amazing photograph anymore. Watching videos like this is a great first step. Thank you B&H for introducing me to an amazing photographer and a new way entirely of understanding this art form. This mans career happened decades before I was even born and I hope other people of my generation will start to see photography this way, too.

[@jordanlaboucane3215]

This talk gives me life again. In Rome this past fall we were robbed. As we took our seats on the train to Florence, a thief walked off with my bag, the entirety of my camera kit, laptop, hard drives... and wedding rings ($25,000 value) I have pretty much given up on photography since then. Until hearing Sam's story of Ireland.

[@tharangachaminda]

I will not be using Photoshop again. :) Seriously... now I feel like using software is not the photography. It's being cheated ourselves. :) Thanks Mr Sam Abell for the inspirational lecture and for B&H for sharing it for us who cannot attend live on those great seminars.

[@glennjohnson262]

That was one of the greatest photographic tutorials i have ever seen. B & H Thank You and Sam, i don't know what to say , but Thank You very much.

[@canturgan]

Compose and wait, take a low angle, keep the sun behind you, head and shoulders above the horizon, slow down time, nothing touches, back to front photography. Setting, expression, gesture. Wait. Wait for what? A blue umbrella?, a dog catching a frisbee? I am Sam, I am from Ohio and I am awesome.

[@amosk24]

👍

[@cjoe6908]

Thanks for the notes. Great. Thanks from China

[@davidsimmons5467]

An absolutely wonderful tutorial which I've watched before, and will watch again. Thank You Sam Abell for the inspiration.

[@jackmatthews9390]

Maybe the greatest training and most significant teacher I’ve ever heard. Oh Lord let me be the student.

[@MadisonVD]

Certainly one of my favorite photography talks!

[@Micantropo78]

Wow. Just wow. One of the most amazing photographer ever show us all the secrets behind his most famous photos. Truly a gem!

[@sioux1066]

"You see you don't know...you don't know about life or what gift life is going to give you. That's another reason to compose and wait because that is what you are waiting for....a miracle." Sam oh Sam, your are my gift and miracle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@Borjazz]

The best lecture I’ve seen about photography. Sam Abell is not only a master of photography, but a lecture master. A pleasure and very useful to have found this video. Thanks B & H

[@cjoe6908]

I have come back to this and watch it yet again. Wisdom in photography here presented by a thoughtful and compassionate photographer. "Compose and wait". I just love that piece of advice by Sam's father.

[@itsmahdisadeghi]

I've seen many videos about photography, but by watching this I truly understood what it stands for

[@DedoFALATKZN]

One of the best lectures on B and H! Thanks for sharing.

[@davidcottam7431]

Excellent lecture. I've seen so many on KZbin, from top photographers, where there is a single camera pointed at the speaker and the photo is barely visible. Then the photographer rattles through their work with a "This is on 5th Avenue, this is here, this is there", with no mention of how, why when etc (Bruce Gilden being the worst) This focuses on the photo, shown fullscreen and each is dissected and explained. Thank you.

[@ro3843]

This is an incredibly brilliant lecutre that I found full of gems. Well worth the time to watch through

[@RogerKeith74]

This is a great presentation. Well worth the almost two hours. I loved it!!

[@ablanco5]

Brilliant--saw it 3x!! The best video on B&H thus far.

[@zakariyeawnur2558]

Never been this inspired. This has been the most educational thing Ive watched on photography.

[@sumanth5875]

Extraordinary lecture. Each random click in this channel has successively exceeded all expectations. Thank you B&H and thank you Sam.

[@erichamburg1197]

Live performances. I did a week workshop with him and he changed my way of shooting forever. This was after a BFA and 10 years as a professional. He is a deeply compelling and dedicated photographer.

[@TheStoicManVlog]

This lecture started so slow that I nearly skipped it... i let it play in the background anyway... boy am I happy I didn't skip it! I learned SOOOOO MUCH!!!!! I love his teaching style! he tells you what to avoid and he talks you through his train of thought! I love it! ... and his pictures are amazing!!!

[@robinberner122]

Got no words to describe the feelings and emotions which I went through by watching this video and listening to this guy ! Thank you Sam Abell for sharing your love for photography and life!

[@Epigrafe-od6dc]

An absolute privilege to "experience" ALL the dimensions of photography through your BRILLIANT mind... Deeply grateful to your enormous GENEROSITY, Mr. Abell!!!!!! What does a brillliant mind think, see, feel, decide when composing a "life" photograph... such a great great honor. Thank you so much!!!!!!

[@mkilu476]

Sam's work is outstanding. He is an awesome photographer and teacher. He is an all around great person.

[@ghalibkhan80]

this should be the new standard for B&H event space.

[@gottagolinda]

Sam Abell completely fills in all the unknown questions I had as well as the questions I didn't even know to ask. He makes such sense in his vision to making a photo. Such humble experience, strength and heart. Thanks to my friend Jim JJ Keener for knowing me so well to excited call me and turn me on to Sam and his photographic understanding and teaching skills. I am beyond excited to practice patience, thoughtfulness and structure as often as I remember. Thank you Sam Abell for taking the time and having the interest to share what your father and all your years of experience have taught you with us.

[@franciscohestnes]

Probably the best photography class I ever had. And the best B&H video.

[@davidsimmons5467]

A fantastic talk all aspiring photographers should listen to, and REALLY listen.

[@senior_ranger]

One of the best presentations I've been fortunate enough to see. Thanks to all who enabled this.

[@adyshih]

"My photography is not about perfection it is about goodness", and it is his goodness intent make it perfect...

[@robertleidner9703]

I’m going to watch this once a month. So inspired this lecture, Sam loves photography as it should be.

[@AlanMorrisSF]

Wonderful presentation. Sam Abell is the best. Best presentation at B&H in a long time.

[@printarte2175]

Absolutely one of the best photography lectures I ever seen. Thanks B&H and Sam Abell!

[@rockywaters9592]

Honestly one of the most enlightening talks I've ever seen, so many nuggets of knowledge delivered straight to the point. 👌📸

[@jerryrichards8172]

Traveling across country when you're just a kid with your family it's priceless.

[@tyranasazi7951]

A very beautiful talk. Thank you!

[@officalNAT]

The best video I've seen so far on B and H. Thanks

I listened to this over and over again and still learn more new things each time. Thank you, Sam. :)

[@rezarashidiani5162]

this video had an enormous influence on me. what a fantastic photographer.

[@kevinlancedaniels9398]

Thank you Sam Abell! I am energized and inspired by the wisdom, experience and love of photography in this presentation. I am grateful that B&H has this video in their library.

[@_alexangelov]

One of the best talks in the channel. One of the most inspiring and teaching.

[@ZoBadr]

Thanks you, I couldn't come with words to describe it. A piece of art on its own.

[@1972myc]

This man is what the word Photographer is personified!

[@xaccix]

One of the best videos about taking photos... great!

[@norfolkimages1751]

this is such an inspirational insight into the life of a man who loves photography. I will never forget this video and these words of wisdom from such a true gent.

[@theanglingtimes]

Outstanding - watch to learn about how to take great photographs; very meaningful.

[@Rob-es9qc]

This is the most helpful photography I have watched, and it was a true joy to absorb. Thank you!

[@radovanmatusinec6032]

I've just received my early Christmas present. Thank you

[@tomfoord8860]

Both inspiring and humbling, this talk shows you how to make good photographs and, perhaps, create a body of work, as Sam Abell has done, that points to greatness.

[@gerryinngerry1894]

love this Video. That man is experienced and you can hear through him the voice of his father I guess

[@dmitriygulyayev8832]

just WOW. Absolutly heartfelt and breathtacking. So deep

[@MrGoldBallz]

This is absolutely amazing

[@ashishdeshmukh29]

Truly inspirational!

[@chopster01]

Started off a bit slow and I almost stopped watching. So glad I didn’t! So many great lessons! Once they began there is no way I could stop watching.

[@BluW13]

This is by far the best lecture from Mr. Abell. I'm wondering if this is how Mr. Abell speaks on his days off?

[@verycoolgirl91]

Awesome very inspiring and learned alot thanks

[@dbl1db]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@alliceson6464]

Wow 🥺 this was so beautiful, it made me want to think twice about every picture I take from now on.

[@cjoe6908]

Wonderful talk.Thanks a lot. What a great photographer!

[@thelmocordones4767]

Great lecture! I learned quite a bit of new info.

[@michaelgilligan7567]

A man with something to say.........Thanks.

[@GiannhsDaskalakhsLASER]

great video !

[@rydaug79]

I love B&H Event Space Videos. I feel like I learn so much from them. This one is one of the best ones I have seen.

[@TheJohnLyons]

Fantastic!!

[@johnkraemer5505]

Very good! I enjoyed the video!

[@jonathanraven5939]

Absolutely fantastic presentation, thank you very much.

[@BandH]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonmiller9408]

great talk and lessons learned

[@AntonisKorakakis]

Breathtaking stuff...

[@faahimrafi8720]

one of the finest B&H talk

[@rrrrrrtt1]

Very nice presentation.

[@nickfanzo]

Sam’s color slides are beautiful

[@peacerebelgirl]

love the dog & dolphin relationship captured on camera

[@Gee-I-Joe]

Thank you so much.

[@nunoteixeiradesign]

This is so cool!

[@rocketrollsvlogs7625]

Reading the comments, I'm looking forward to hearing this. 😀

[@Arthur_Fleck19]

this guy is my kinda photographer, its how i try to be, before i even knew of him.

[@ComeOnLets]

Thanks Sam, Thanks B+H..

[@coconutcoconut3450]

wow ! great insight! Mahalo

[@marklong691]

fascinating

[@prilljazzatlanta5070]

Thank you for saying what you did about photoshop. If you love editing, no problem, its just one way to do this. But all these people preaching that you HAVE to edit and know photoshop, and work it in order for your pics to be finished photography is garbage.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Beautiful, in so many ways.

[@jennygw1883]

Oh my.

[@nocommentnoname1111]

Masterclass. The American HCB.

[@rodrigorbrasil]

Amazing. Are these photos in the book (The Life of a Photograph)?

[@ValentineRomanGuitars]

wonderful lecture! I am wondering why pares would need to be bought on the black market in Moscow, pares weren't exactly scarce in the soviet union lol

[@TheWaveSon]

WOW

[@d.k.1394]

Nice

[@yoeltape]

please add english subtitles!

[@woolybugger1962]

Photography without all the bull s--t. A true photographer that teaches photography not "How to make my photos look better with Photoshop."

[@juliettehotel]

Cartier-Bresson’s most famous image was cropped. Your most famous image was cropped. Why limit your vision to the aspect ratio of your available camera? Pre-visualize your image, then crop to your pre-visualization. It’s really okay.

[@amosk24]

"Which of his", Art Wolf's, "photographs are genuine?"

[@BandH]

+amosk24 - I don’t remember this being something directly touched upon in Sam Abell’s presentation. And while I’m not entirely certain of what you mean by ‘genuine’, this would likely be a question best suited for the photographer in question. *Christina* [e-mail]

[@amosk24]

+B and H Sam did. He said there was a notable photographer using Photoshop to clone Zebras, etc in his photographs. Sam said he doesn't know which ones are genuine anymore. Here's an article highlighting photographers beef with Art Wolfe www.washington.edu/alumni/columns/dec98/wolfe4.html

[@911TruthFighter]

22 thumbs down? says a lot about our sorry ass species.

[@amosk24]

I can't

[@Boatzerama]

You can see that Canon pay him after his love to them at the start.

[@garymerken3837]

Canon likely sponsored the lecture, paying his travel expenses and his fee. Otherwise, B&H would not have been able to afford him.

[@danielbustillos8573]

"You shall not covet your master photographer's income". Just watch and learn!

[@ro3843]

That introduction about canon would have been great if it wasn't for the recent stunt they pulled, restrictring 3rd party lenses on their RF system. I lost so much respect for them and have increasingly been looking at a Sony platform.

[@stephaneg]

Really good! But what an ego... Damn!

[@Obeijin]

Nikon / Sony / Pentax don't make junk ...

[@garymerken3837]

No one said they did. Canon likely sponsored the lecture though.