This Photographer Accepts Failure - Can You?

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for everyone's patience. Had a cold recently which turned up the very day I was going to record this video. Hope you all enjoy it. If you like discovering slightly unknown documentary photographers give David Goldblatt a try: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4jUaaiaiK51oqc

[@phoozchic]

Thank you, glad you are well enough to post another video for us. Every one of your videos leads me to research photographers, look for books, and read more biographies. Thank you. I truly appreciate your excellent videos.

[@jonesnax]

You are one of the very few photo youtubers that make me think: "Wow, I've learnt something!" Thank you

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Happy to hear that!

[@alvinmorris5404]

Yes indeed this young man makes me believe that I have learned something every time I watch a video an most often I do learn something with a dash of inspiration sprinkled on top!🙂

[@s.z.x.01]

He and Art of Photography is by far my go to channels for learning photography

[@scottfreckle237]

You are so right, 45 years a photographer and I feel like I've just discovered it again

[@daemon1143]

“Something genuine”and "something just sensed out of the corner of our eye", hits the nail. Webb’s vision of street photography and ability to make me want to look at the seemingly banal through his vision is brilliant. I enjoy the fact that he allows shadows to be black and highlights to blow out, rather than reduce the world to unnaturally detailed minutia. His ability to shoot a frame full of partial subjects, all with bits obscured or cropped off willy-nilly, yet present a cohesive captivating image is frankly amazing. Thanks.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you ever so much Daemon. Yes, that out of the corner of my eye vibe is so strong with his photography. Oh and bonus points for using one of my favourite phrases - 'willy nilly'!

[@daemon1143]

@@ThePhotographicEye English is just topped full of phrases and words languishing uncared for under the weight of neologisms and the stultifying fug of the modern education system. Blowing some life into them now and then is almost a duty :)

[@ThePhotographicEye]

@@daemon1143 I'm sitting here with a grin on my face remembering a true story for around 2003. Living in Edinburgh an d woke up early one morning to the sound of a ruckus in the street outside. Someone shouted out a line that has stayed with me all these years - 'it's my prerogative as a gentleman to smash crockery willy nilly.'

[@daemon1143]

@@ThePhotographicEye I'll have to remember that line. There has been the odd occasion where I've felt that urge.

[@enriquer.aguilar8491]

This photographer blows my mind! Thanks for this video man

[@pbziegler]

When I first saw Webb's images I thought they were way too cluttered and confusing. Over time looking at his work I came to see how brilliant and creative he is. Now think he's one of the greats.

[@bruce-le-smith]

love the Wes Anderson reference, he does make excellent use of layers in a z-axis! that feeling of physical set pieces in a theatre production

[@davemenard5089]

The best thing about videos like this..... all photography is done with old tech. Great stuff

[@emgee44]

“I’ll know it when I see it”…and I thought it was just me that thought that. His photographs have an almost collage look about them, what an great eye. I wasn’t familiar with Alex Web until now so thank you. Subscribed.

[@nyker999]

Alex Webb is most certainly, in my opinion, one of the greats, that has completely mastered layering. He definitely is an inspiration for me. Thanks for covering such an underrated photographer

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Couldn't agree more! Glad you enjoyed it

[@jonathanreid30]

Another photographer I haven't encountered before... Some interesting viewpoints/scenes, although personally I find that with almost every picture, my eyes don't know where to settle. There is so much going on in each frame that there is never really a single point to focus on, which after seeing a few shots can be a little mentally tiring. Another interesting video. Thanks Alex.

[@virginiainla8085]

Layering lol When I first got a Contax645 with the beautiful Zeiss 80/2 lens, I was excited to shoot at f2, most concerned about careful focus because of the extremely narrow depth of field. I was soon hired by a couple who were artistic, creative, celebrities and was a bit nervous but excited. They liked my previous work but when we got to the location, they asked for me to shoot creatively with LAYERS. I was dumbfounded, had no idea what they meant, but had a hunch that F2 bokeh wasn't what they had in mind. I did my best and pretty much reverted to "f8 and be there" mode, with my own preference of F2 snuck in. It turned out to be a good shoot but that freaked me out. I've been trying to figure out what layering meant since, so thank you for the explanation! Lol

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

You pointed out Alex Webb in your latest video. This makes a very interesting companion piece.

[@Notso_Wild_Bill]

Cerro de la Silla, or Saddleback Mountain. Born and raised near it. I guess he was in Monterrey, Mexico. Beautiful place, once they shut the steel plants done. (Though they still might be blowing up the). mountain sides, for cement.). Thanks for the memories, and the lesson.

[@straatmoment]

The unexpected, the unknown..... difficult to catch for me but he did, so beautiful !

[@digipak07]

Greetings from 🇵🇰 Pakistan. Every episode is wonderful to watch , but man this one on Alex Webb is brilliant. First I got introduced to a lesser known master of light. Secondly what a title for the collection of work”The suffering of light” , Thirdly, I love your tag line “No gear , only ideas” . Keep up the good work sir. I am a big fan.

[@magnusa.5599]

possibly my favorite color photographer. but especially his layering and spacing within each frame are so perfect. reminds me of nicos economopoulos who's also one of my favorites.

[@THSimagery]

I often get hung up with street photography and release forms! lol different times for sure!

[@ridermedusa4289]

How I wish photography is treated as an art more than just pixel peeping. Nowadays, photographs are often misjudged and are not seen as how the photographer saw it. More concerned that the images are not as sharp or as acceptably exposed rather than appreciating the art of it itself.

[@lawcch]

Wow. Your story of photography inspired my photography creativity.

[@michaelconchscooter8940]

I have to watch these videos two or three times to suck them dry. So thoughtful, so dense. Thank you.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

That's great to hear Michael!

[@boxlock2009]

Interesting critique of one of my favorite modern photographers.

[@jimshaw5450]

Every time I watch your video i get a driving passion to go out and take pictures. Jim

[@martinlawrence8427]

Another banger…best photography channel onKZbin! 🙌📸📸📸

[@pedrobartolomei7707]

I have been watching Webb's reviews for a while and yours was great, tips from the author's style, a decent showcase and all the information without an excessive or boring duration. Still love the motto "not gear..."

[@mikskinner6431]

Another great video. Another great photographer. And another great lesson. Thanks Alex.

[@MortAllachie]

I love theese videos. No gear, just photography. I couldn´t find Walker Evans The hyngry eye (after watching your video). Luckily they had it in the library. Now I need to look for Alex Webb 😊

[@paganhoneyproductions]

I have taken pictures over the years but I haven't put much effort into it. I am now learning photography and videography and I have been watching videos for months, absorbing information. I have been struggling to find more people talking about the art of photography and not just the technical. You videos have a level of art appreciation which is very helpful in trying to understand an photographers eye. I am a nerd and I do like the technical aspect of photography/videography but the art is where the energy all seems to come from. Thanks again, back to learning. 😁

[@tomdivittis2688]

Thank you for helping me see that what is missing most in my photography is me. I’m finding your content quite valuable.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Happy to help!

[@FlyFishingProf]

As usual Alex you’ve presented another excellent presentation. I look forward to your next video. Chuck.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks again Chuck. I've sent you an email BTW

[@TheErajat]

Hands down the best video on photography I have ever seen on KZbin. I learnt and got inspired. Thank you for taking the time to introduce us to a whole new prospective of talking pictures. Thank you !

[@cindysmith6842]

Always enjoy your content. Some women for future episodes?- Oldies- Imogen Cunningham, Margaret Bourke-White. Newer- war photographers, Lyndsey Addario, Stacey Pearsall... just to name a few. Sadly, I don’t know many photographers of color. Any ideas would be great. Your scripts and critiques are excellent.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Hi Cindy. I am thinking about Cindy Sherman also in addition to those you mentioned. As for the other suggestions - the next video will be Gordon Parks. Glad you enjoy them and thanks for the comment.

[@alandargie9358]

Lee Miller

[@bowemarch8239]

Excellent video as usual. I’ve never heard of Alex Webb but his photos are striking.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

It's great to be able to introduce you both!

[@dougson56]

Visually stunning, I must confess I haven’t heard of him before now . Thanks for the introduction.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

I'm glad I could introduce you to him and his photography

[@Luis-wx2jn]

Thank you very much for speaking and sharing your opinions and knowledge about photography. You are a breath of fresh air in a world dominated by videos about gadgets and devices. A pleasure to have discovered your channel. Greetings from Lugo-Galicia.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Wow, thank you!

[@Luis-wx2jn]

@@ThePhotographicEye You're welcome, thanks to you.

[@Loki_Highlock]

Ordered “The suffering of light” after watching your video. Thanks so much, Alex!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

I'm sure you'll enjoy it Loki!

[@Loki_Highlock]

@@ThePhotographicEye received my copy in the mail today. Took my time with each photo, and got thru about half the book in one sitting. Blew my mind. His composition, layers, the stories! I was in awe. Multiple story lines in a single image. Amazing. Thank you again, Alex. Now to figure out what the next book should be.

[@aes53]

Very nice. I was familiar with a number of those images but hadn’t really focused on who did them...now I know. In the realm of under appreciated photographers is Constantine Manos. In about 1972 I picked up his book “A Greek Portfolio” on remainders at a book store. It is filled with wonderful images and has been with me ever since.

[@JaredTremper]

Another wonderful perspective on a photographer I need to learn from. Very helpful!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Great to hear!

[@velenux]

Alex Webb work is so inspiring. The color rendition is particularly exquisite, I'm thinking of those photographs where warm light from streetlamps mixes with cold blue or purple light from the environment. A true master!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Yep, his work is fantastic

[@richardrizzo_photography]

I've only come to know and appreciate Alex Webb's work about a decade ago, I never quite understood how it pulled me in but after watching this video presentation you really opened my eyes and deepened my mind of why. Very well done!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks Rich. It's great when someone points out a technique or process and it changes the way you look at the image

[@richardrizzo_photography]

@@ThePhotographicEye most definitely, thank you.

[@louui]

really love the way you break down photographers work 🔥🔥✅

[@zfrancisdumas]

In the picture of the 9 layered figures, I feel, one of the key factor dictating the composition was to get the head of the center background figure in the opening of the tree, framing it and getting high contrast with the sky. The second factor was to have tree figures in each fore, middle, and back ground creating a complex rule of odds. Such a GREAT picture.

[@jasonandrews7355]

Thank you for favouring quality education over the 'junk food entertainment' that dominates KZbin. I'm a gear nerd myself, but at the end of the day, my time is simply much better spent watching a video like this, compared to a review for a lens I don't need and will never buy.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you Jason. Yep, I love a nice lump of glass as much as the next person, but have never understood the fascination of spending hours listen to other people talk about it...

[@ronmasters751]

Like Van Gogh, who discovered color by moving south. Fascinating work! Have thought about frames within frames for years, haven’t been able to pull it off. Maybe by standing on shoulders of giants ...

[@ThePhotographicEye]

As do we all try to do :D Glad you liked it.

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

Brilliant precis on a photographer I need to explore further. Stunning stuff

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure

[@AndySnap]

So glad I clicked on this, I didn't really know Webb's work, but now know its wonderful! Thanks for this short introduction to him, I feel a book buy coming... Update, bought the book 10 mins after watching this video. Absolutely breathtaking photos, thank you for piquing my interest in Webb!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

You're very welcome!

[@jemzlb]

Thank you very much for another inspiring video. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for watching!

[@ManyDoors777]

Beautiful photography, beautiful video, beautiful commentary. Absolutely inspired...

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brianhigginsphoto]

Yet another enlightening journey....

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad it was enjoyable :D

[@CarmineGroe]

One of my very favourite photographers is Alex Webb. His patience and knowing what he wants is what’s key here. He lingered around that barber shop window in Istanbul for an hour or more. How many photographers do you know willing to do that to get a single frame that works, and possibly not get anything you like? Thanks for sharing!

[@bastianpeter]

Thank you for introducing me to this photographer. Looking forward to watch older videos and the ones to come. Best regards from Switzerland.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

More to come!

[@mithrastemplar]

seems quite a number of people haven't heard of him. he has been one of my favorite color photographs for a long time.

[@rolandwilhelmre]

I believe that I learn more from your videos than all others. Thank you!

[@albertsmith9315]

I have Alex's "Suffering of the light", and it is definitely a good start. One great thing for me was to see a couple of pictures in the book from my home town. You think that you have to travel to get good photos, and then you see a couple of places that you've been to many times in a book by a person that has been around the world. Enjoyed your video.

[@joeltunnah]

He did a whole book with his wife about Rochester, NY. So yeah, no need for exotic locales.

[@AllBlacksNZ]

I love how you analyze the photos - I learn so much when you do this. I hope you do more of it. Cheers!

[@bordersofelmet]

Nice! I bought my first camera last year and have been taking pictures in a mad rush ever since, but I admittedly have next to no knowledge of photographers, so this series of videos has been very helpful for me. I'm particularly drawn to these images as I have been experimenting recently with pictures composed of saturated colours with deeper shadows. What I'm picking up from Webb's work is how to add more complexity and layers within in the frame whilst using colour as a way to harmonise that complexity. I look forward to trying this in my own photography!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Excellent to hear! Colour when placed against darker elements always makes it more bold.

[@MilesThorne]

Another great episode. Alex Webb creates interesting and beautiful images. This layering and added dimension to an image is what I need more of in my images. You present these videos in just the right way, a mixture of insight and example. I'm glad your channel is taking off and wish you all the best as it moves forward.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks again! Pleased to hear you're enjoying the videos Miles.

[@davidbrighten2572]

Thank you. I really appreciate your doing this video.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad it was helpful and that you enjoyed it David.

[@runninblue9415]

Ashamed to say I'd never heard of him. Wow. Thanks for this. Aspirational 👌

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure!

[@baladino]

The suffering of light was the first photobook I purchased as a new photographer in my first year. It's phenomenal images are as you mentioned surreal and other worldly. There seems to have been careful thought in composition to the extent all the subjects in the foreground and background have their moment. Although I'm new to film just barely a few months in, these images seem to have been made using Kodachrome. Thank you Alex.

[@joeltunnah]

Yes he shot kodachrome. Ektar will get you part of the way there. I’ve not been thrilled with the Ektachrome reissue.

[@aboutphotography]

Great video! Thank you!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks ever so much. How are things going on your channel?

[@KeithPaynePhotography]

Well done!! Thank for explaining his work!!!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you too!

[@Paul020]

@The Photographic Eye when one looks at work such as Alex Webb's, then considers the various compositional features. I suspect that the photographer isn't necessarily thinking about those things. I believe it is instinct, it might be described as feeling, but personally I think it is deeper than that. It is inborn, a natural ability, developed by experience.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Yes, I fully agree that it's not something I believe Alex (or any of the greats) are fully aware of when they create images. Driven by instinct.

[@emmanuelokpeh4941]

Pls can u teach about colors

[@seoulrydr]

he makes amazing images. thanks for the introduction to his work.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure - glad you enjoyed them

[@pellier08]

Great photos and very interesting explanations.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Many thanks!

[@gem7774]

Thank you for such a great review. Please review more books...it's very inspiring

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you! Will do!

[@ZOly62]

Great quote: "It's not about the rule or quantifying system, It's about feeling, its a gut reaction or it's a vibe! Quite often answer is: I don't know what I am looking to photograph until I see it!"

[@pmccrthy2010]

Really enjoyed this, thanks I'll be looking for more of Alex Webb's work. When you were talking about layering (6:48) I also noticed triangles. Firstly the group of three at the front making a small triangle. Then the other two groups of three at the top and left making up a larger implied triangle across the entire image. Probably serendipity but I can't unsee it now!

[@nocommentnoname1111]

Thank you - hope you're well. Webb is the modern, updated version of the Leiter with a layered and surrealistic twist.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you for watching. Glad you liked it

[@firefighterps2]

Shades of HCB in some of his images. Very interesting, quality work.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Many thanks! I think if you look hard enough you'll see HCB everywhere :D

[@suhaib2789]

Although he started out as a photographer, that’s not what he’s most famous for, but can you cover Emanuel lubezki’s photographs? Id like to hear your thoughts

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll see what I can do.

[@sequentialsights4633]

Love your channel

[@jamiej.tilleyphotographyar5177]

Thank you for another wonderful introduction to a photographer with whom I was unfamiliar!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure Jamie :D

[@michaelobrien8219]

excellent talk - many thanks

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad you enjoyed it Michael

[@washingtonradio]

Nature and wildlife photography is often very similar to street photographer. You often do not know what you will see until you stumble across it. Also, the scene is often fluid so getting the best shot available is often a matter of feeling rather than pure skill.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

It's certainly more about feeling and vibe than pure technical skill.

[@blackdallion1]

Excellent video and I really enjoy the content on your channel. Great job!!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you very much!

[@pierrerequillart4929]

Amazing Thank you

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you too!

[@juanmora8438]

best channel about real photography ever!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Awww, thanks so much, that's great to hear!

[@whakabuti]

Wow what a channel. Nice to hear videos without a mention of gear.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Welcome aboard!

[@Boatzerama]

Alex Webb is brilliant 👍🏻📷

[@Ed.Focuss]

Would be interesting what you would say about my photography.

[@varonosnet]

Great photographer... I realy like the way he uses layers in his work.. I think it is harder than it looks....

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Yes, I've tried a few times with my wedding photography, but it was like pulling teeth. I guess like everything, you need to practice. What is so simple on paper, is so elusive in real life.

[@Anon54387]

2:56 You heard it here first. Alex Kilbee wants to shoot surfers. 😃

[@bijupaul1972]

I ordered the book :)

[@yukonica4560]

Once again you have produced content that stands above virtually every other creative. It is wonderful to watch you refine your space while taking us along on an amazing journey of learning.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Wow, thank you! That's extremely kind of you to say so and I'm really pleased you're enjoying it.

[@ebe700]

Love the video! I like how you blend your own insights while introducing these photographers to us. I don't mean to downplay anything or anyone's importance, but as I watch your videos a thought keeps running through my mind, 'would these artists make it today? Could Alex Webb make an impact if he posted the on Instagram?' it's just an interesting thought I had and was wondering if you had any insight!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad you enjoyed it! It's an interesting thought and one I've had a few times myself. Will plan an episode around it.

[@belaacs5238]

Thanks again and again. I'm curious how would you present one of the most unique and controversial living photographer Roger Ballen to your viewers. Nobody else does even closer what he does over 50 years.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Hi Bela. I like Roger Ballen, possibly not so much the recent work, not quite to my taste, but Platteland and Dorps are wonderful books. He is on my list.

[@karayiannakis]

Beautiful, thanks

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching

[@daviddye7743]

I continue to question the photographs I'm happy with when shooting on the streets if I'm just LUCKY or did my subconscious "instinct" tell me to capture the image at that moment. leading me to qustion my ability to "pre-visualize the image. on the streets things are happening quickly sometimes and one can see that "something" is going to come together making a strong image and you can set up to capture it. other times I see a possibility "moment" as it's happening, shoot it to afterwards see there was so much more going on than I saw at the time I shot the image. please what are your thoughts on my predicament

[@bruce-le-smith]

a friend of mine did a BFA in photography and summed it up as, 'take a lot of photos and some turn out' haha

[@davidharle8794]

Another gem!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks David :D

[@subhadeepde3289]

Really informative ❤️

[@ThePhotographicEye]

🙏

[@aberobwohl]

Very interesting video although I think we have to overcome this kind of "street photography" wich involves a lot of luck, not a lot of pre-thought-ideas, sometimes even thoughtless kitsch and optical sleight of hand without any meaning but having some random pointe. You can see what kind of nonsense these photographers produce when they try to be thoughtful or methodic and talk about it watching Joel Meyerowitz talking about his erratic still-lives. Your channel is non-mainstream because it's not aobut gear. Please be non-mainstream in the world of photography itself by providing more photographers which have really something to say (Maybe Alec Soth? Maybe Joel Sternfeld? Maybe the Becher-School?)

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Hi, thanks for the comment. TBH, I tend to steer clear of street photography in my own personal tastes. I do like some (like Webb), though I agree that most of it isn't really 'about' anything, which is fine as I don't consume it to 'get' anything. Ideally this channel will introduce people to the wide gamut of photography. Naturally at the start (and this channel is only a few months old) there will be a bias towards both photography that appeals to me personally, but also that I feel is accessible for all. I'm pleased to see that there is an appetite for content about 'lesser known' artists, or people who have used photography to communicate a message. FWIW, @alecsoth gets mentioned a lot in the comments here :D

[@fado605]

Wonderful. Thanks.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you too!

[@eruizmiro]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

You are very welcome

[@roberthaney4106]

The limb and the boys arm i would have never gotten that

[@luisgermansanchez3249]

I believe and respect all photography workers before digital editing. They are the true masters of light, vision and art. From then on there is only computer work and people hacking decent work to turn it into digital image in search of a "like"👍

[@ThePhotographicEye]

I can see your point, though I do believe digital of course has its place. There will always be people who turn to 'hacks' to try and replace dedication and education in improving their photography.

[@JimiHendrix998]

Jeez! I find myself roaring with laughter at my awful ineptitude. Nonetheless, your videos leave me with a sense that Like Pandora's box, there is yet hope. I shall strive endlessly. Bless you for the fact that you appreciate what is important but present it to sad snappers like me with compassion....

[@ThePhotographicEye]

you and me both! I could never get as good as Alex, but yet we can dream :D

[@nancyhood1514]

great content and hope you are feeling better

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks Nancy. Yep, much better now thank you.

[@arnonart]

Amazing!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks!