Why You Can't Get Better At Photography

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

If you want a bit of help with your work, head here tinhouse-studio.com/product-category/workshop/

[@omadlom]

@@TinHouseStudioUK fantastic video. Thank you so much you give such a great advice.

[@xcx8646]

One tip that stuck with me, as a hobbyist, and has done more to improve my photos than anything else is this: stop taking photos of pretty things. Start taking photos of everyday things in an interesting way. This simple change in mindset completely changed how I saw the world almost immediately. My photography radically improved. And, during the times I do take photos of pretty things - sunsets, architecture, portraits and so on - I now am more able to photograph them in an interesting way. The comments I now get on my stuff back this up. Great video. Yes please - more content like this. Photography is art. Let those who still think it's about cameras and lenses continue to watch the review videos - there are enough of them out there, no need to add to that cacophony.

[@andysheridan340]

Great video, home truths, to the point, and blunt all under 5 minutes!

[@ralphberrett8485]

There are two mindsets when it comes to cameras. The first set is the group that views cameras as sports cars the second group views them as work trucks. I am in the work truck group.

[@mikafoxx2717]

Yep. Though sometimes for racing birds you need a faster car or get pretty lucky. For most everything else, yeah. Some old 50D would do the job.

[@msmith2016]

My god Scott, you tore the whole thing down in less than 5 minutes. This is the best video you've ever put out and maybe the best video in youtube photography.

[@Twobarpsi]

Definitely a great video!

[@LarryManiccia]

Short, sweet, and to the point. Couldn't agree more.

[@alancornes8916]

This is a good video. As I’ve read: another photographer put it even more succinctly, “ If you want to take interesting photos, stand in front of something interesting”.

[@poetcurious]

Definitely up for more of these type of videos. Personally I don’t ride with the idea that photography is just a less skilled way to record than drawing and painting. I’m a painter and photographer. I get the point but I think it does a disservice to photography; it’s not a lower order skill.

[@ohnoflicks]

Well, this video sort of went in a different direction than I expected, but yes, continue in this vein. My own personal photos improved vastly when I started seeking great light instead of haphazardly snapping a shutter just because I thought the subject might be interesting. That, along with absolutely ruthless editing, pushes me along these days. Thanks Scott!

[@mikafoxx2717]

Always good to not skip photos and ask yourself why you thought it was interesting, but learning when the best times are for photographing is also amazing. Cameras matter somewhat - 3 fps versus 12 makes a difference in results from wildlife photography even when you're there in the right place. Also the weight, ease of use, and such means you probably have the camera and get it right in time. But you need to know how to use it. A 40D from yesteryear (decade) will do that plenty well for most photos, durable, weatherproof, enough pixels, quick.. maybe not the lightest, though. But yeah. Gotta be in the right place to take the photos to begin with. Find them, and make them. Doesn't matter what camera you have, you'll get something.

[@ohnoflicks]

@@mikafoxx2717 After 30 yrs of product shooting I’ve made the best strides in my personal stuff by chasing the good light. Now working on fine art portraits, but I doubt if I will make it a commercial venture. Tired of the business part and I don’t really need the cash.

[@VynZography]

More videos blunt and to the point? Yes please!

[@Jerry10939]

Ironically I can draw and paint and don’t need to take photographs, but my eye for drawing and painting, which I developed since I was a child, makes me a better photographer. I wasn’t a school trained photographer but I worked Army Public Affairs as one. I got awards for my work. I agree it’s more than just the camera and lens. It’s the photographer’s ability to see the image and compose as well a selecting the subject. Yes, there are some really bad subjects to photograph, but if you can’t take a person and do something with them other than posing them and positioning the lights and get a good picture of them regardless of how ugly they are. Then there’s something wrong. A good photographer can make a decent picture with what the have, but a great photographer can use that bad subject to make art. Does camera gear matter. Yes it does in that case, because not everything can be done well with a camera and just a nifty fifty. You use the right tool for the subject. Funny an artist who can paint can do photography and take pictures but a photographer can’t always paint.

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

Sorry the first upload wouldn't play once it went live, hopefully this works.

[@thewhiteroom2032]

Its good, thanks.

[@anta40]

I wonder if doing some photo projects can help you get better. We usually take single images: a street photography scene at city X, beatuiful landscape scene at mountain Y, etc. Sure some single images are striking on their own, but mosf of them are most likely be skipped. Perhaps time to work on photo projects. It doesn't have to be social-documentary/photojournalism style. Perhaps you want to tell something about yourself, like good coffees you have for breakfast (inspired by Stephen Shore's Uncommon Places), or the nightmares haunting you in the night. That way, you'll be forced to think more before pressing the shutter.

[@kennethjonesphotography]

Of all the videos you’ve made that I’ve watched - which are in the dozens - this one is the most has provided me the greatest value. And, yes. I would very much enjoy seeing more like it. Thank you.

[@pauls1ngh]

Absolutely love these types of videos. Carty says the same, make photos vs taking.

[@melrosemediaonline]

So true, I often say without a good eye for subject and composition you can't make interesting images. The subject matters far more than the perfect technical photo or the gear!. Refreshing to hear you say how it is.

[@davidward1224]

This is getting to the heart of making any personally expressive work. Visual, audio, performance or whatever. Great stuff. Do lots more like this please.

[@juliansmith4153]

we fantasize about art but point that energy at specs rather than the creative process. best photography video I've ever seen.

[@jrarsenault1937]

With a half century of my pro photo stuff, glad to hear these plain talk, uncommon sense vids in the KZbin echo chamber of one upmanship pixel peeping. Your content is so unique and refreshingly frank, please continue. With what you bill vs. this piddly income, remarkable so that your impressive advice is posted so much. Glad to always see a new post, kudos for excellence that repeats.

[@vinylarchaeologist]

Probably one of the most important and razor-sharp videos you've made 💜

[@pierrematthieu166]

Yes, we as a photographers need to hear this. It gets us from the hamster wheel that is in the review camera world. So if you don’t mind this kind of content is very much appreciated

[@krixark]

Do lots more of these. Not enough emphasis on how important the theme/plan/concept is. Almost any related conversation skips this part or just barely mentions it. Yet it is the quintessential thing in your work. I came from technical side of thing and our root question always is "What do you want?". An there is bearly an straiht answer. Always just woffiling around tech or detailed design things and not the important questions. So deffinetly do more like this.

[@robmcd]

Yes I’d love a video on understanding art!

[@kenthall4207]

Yes, I would ABSOLUTELY like to hear more about pointing the camera at the 'right' subject. Please continue this thread.

[@Lahndon]

Great video, this is why personal projects are so important!

[@CGadney]

Nailed it! There isn’t anyone else out there who can say it better… I am one of those people who is guilty of not putting the time in, not thinking about what I am pointing my camera at. I know it, but….. house, kids, mortgage, bills…. Excuses or just recognising my limitations. Excuses! Please keep being you, it’s the best motivation on You tube, so much so the gear I keep thinking about buying just gets older not newer.

[@JustAGuyRichie]

Your videos and real talk are worth so much more than I would say 90% of all the content of any other photography channel here on KZbin. Please go on. Even though it’s almost said enough about this topic, as everybody has to think about the subject by themselves. Greetz from Hamburg.

[@gregor1498]

Yes, that's the content photographers should watch. Watch again. And again. Me included. Can't wait for more. Thanks so much

[@kalaharistuart]

Buying a new camera is much easier than getting great subject or understanding visual language, and pretty pictures always win the likes game.. so for me the inspiration must come from within. Have a great day everyone

[@callumrankine2170]

Definitely more of this type of video please Scott.

[@angelamaloney4871]

I love your “it’s not about the gear” videos and this may just be the best of them. Here’s a question I wish you’d address. You mentioned the importance of understanding art. How do you get that understanding and why is it important? I find that photographers get mad at me when I suggest learning about art. Maybe you’ll have better luck than I have. :-)

[@blubravery]

Folks really don't understand this. As a fashion photographer, casting is huge. And people don't want to accept this, but I can't just put anybody in front of my camera for a project and say it'll work. My mentor told the story of a director that was on set fiddling with the editing. My mentor was like, "What is he doing?" He looked and saw a muddy mess. He asked him what he was doing. He was saying he was trying to make the picture look like the inspo. My mentor asked could he see the inspo. The inspo was of a darker skin model. The director cast a pale model and thought he could darken her up in post. My mentor was like, why didn't you cast a darker skin model if that was what you were trying to accomplish?

[@reusedisland1904]

Doh! 4:51

[@stewsview5164]

Totally make more like this. It is this type of information that I come here for. I am bored with all the repetitive stuff all the other photo channels say. You are giving good conversation about topics that matter and are interesting yet not flashy. But it is the "Interesting" aspect and the matter of fact way you deliver it that I love and keeps me watching.

[@mrbenn456]

Absolutely spot on Scott. I’ve always thought that ideas in photography (or any subject) are fundamental to maintaining the viewer’s attention. Spending time on the idea and the subject are the cornerstone and the execution then uses technical and creativity to bring the idea to life. Great to see your new direction in your videos Scott. I’m sure they will gain much traction and interest.

[@peterncox1963]

Yes please, as someone who is almost devoid of artistic ability, I would really appreciate more videos on the subject matter!

[@darthcornelius6017]

More of this kind of content please! Watching this in 2019 could of saved me 5 years of bumbling 😂

[@Geoferrari2023]

Yes please, more like this!

[@WAPhoto]

First lesson I was taught. If your photographs aren’t interesting then put something more interesting in front of your lens.

[@JedCordwell]

One of your best videos of all time. Very true.

[@dominicwroblewski5832]

My best work is done on a 16 year old Nikon D300 and a 14 year old Pentax K5. New is not always better. The way a photographer uses his tools is all that matters. To be an outstanding photographer you have be able to make a mundane subject interesting and eye catching.

[@SeanLuc_Photo]

Thank you Scott, please continue in this direction. I have noticed a shift in Photography content, everyone is talking about ‘How to do business’ as a photogenic no one is talking enough about subject matter in front of the camera, especially on the commercial side of things. Art is subjective but how do you start on the correct path for good subject matter.

[@Sonybo100]

As an ex art student and painter ,photography is a much more calm and clean medium 😂😂😂😂

[@typeone2]

Yes, definitely make more videos on this exact subject!

[@ChrisBrogan]

Definitely want videos in this vein. Very much need them.

[@ClintSilverhorn]

Well said! I’d love to see more videos like this. These short-form videos are really helpful for me. I truly appreciate your down-to-earth approach to photography and the clear, concise way you explain things. Thank you for sharing!

[@liveinaweorg]

Yes! Yes! Yes! Many more like these please, Scott

[@patburgan]

Love that you're sharing this advice for photographers, keep it coming!

[@TheCaptainWalter]

More of this please. Very important (for me anyway) to hear these types of messages and be reminded of my own photography goal - make interesting images.

[@jasam123]

More content like this , yes!

[@baxevoandrsvrifiglio8433]

Great point, and yes, we want more on this.

[@markpimlott6056]

Discovered you recently and love the angle you come from both commercially but also how you view photography. Completely agree with this video, too much emphasis is put on the “tool” and soo refreshing to watch and listen to you and your guests discuss the important aspect of photography

[@fredwilsenack8634]

I’d love to see / hear more on these topics.

[@LucivoryPhotography]

You hit it on the nose. I’ve had thousands of conversation about this.

[@SilverVoxMusic]

Spot on. A revelation indeed.

[@KarltonKemerait]

This was especially great. As an old fart, learning photography and trying to make a go of it .. THIS is the type of video I need to see more of. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks !

[@playingvideojames]

100% true. I've been thinking this for a while, especially regarding my own work. The challenge for me is working yo get access to the right worthwhile subject matter.

[@noniengstrom8098]

Spot on! Keep them coming ❣

[@jackcastro7487]

Definitely would like more of this content. It's important to have your focus brought back to the things that matter. We all tend to stray from time to time

[@eclecticcreator]

Yes more videos likes these please!

[@tonymonaghan5993]

Once again...great advice. You never see a camera or lens review where you look at the shot they've taken and think wow! that's a great shot! The people taking those kinds of shots aren't interested in the camera. Keep up the good work!

[@JakeHGuy]

You're talking about the difference between an artist and a craftsman. Most artists are also craftsman. Many craftsman don't take on the greater challenge of being an artist.

[@Popa_Bogdan_Light_Drawing]

wow!!! very nice one!!! good point!!!

[@mathiaserichsen8177]

Great video and topic 👍🏻 Please do more of this ❤️

[@andreaspostler7519]

Exelent! Thank you so mutch. Definitily more like this!

[@autumntalkies]

Yes please. Make more content on these types of reality check subject matters.

[@gordonwoods1087]

A good summation of your point, I think, was something cinematographer Roger Deakins said about his primary considerations when setting up a shot ...and it didn't involve equipment. "What's in the frame, and how am I going to light it," he said.

[@ivorylabs2107]

I needed to hear this. I am currently in my final year of uni looking to get into the advertising industry, and this piece of advise is something that I will take with me throughout my career. Forget about the gear and focus on the message. This makes so much sense, cause one thing I've learnt about advertising is that at its core it is all about the message and how to convey it with emotion. Please make more content like this.

[@Twobarpsi]

What a great *subject* , to talk about! I never tought of photography this way before!

[@markwalsh4mtr]

Yes, I personally would love to see more videos from you on these kinds of subjects.

[@blacksmith723]

I did enjoy this subject and your straight forward style. Keep being real, great day to you.

[@teemax1809]

...i really love this guy. and yes. more on this.

[@norskradiofabrikk]

Yesss! This is spot on! Says someone who has 30.000 exposures and has made very few photographs. MAKING photographs instead of "taking (or worse: grabbing!) pictures is one small linguistic step in the right direction! Rant: One reason why art students love analogue photography is perhaps the reduced efficiency and speed of the whole process, perhaps (one might wish) fostering more thought and more MAKING in their photography. As a photographer with a degree in psychology, I also have thoughts on the choice of what to put in front of my lens for there to be anything worthwhile coming out at the other end - and what I've found is that there must be an element of daring, or un-comfort, of self-discovery, of revelation, of - well edge. If it's boring taking it, it'll propbably be boring to watch as well. So yeah, I'm up for more on this subject. It's at the core of improving both yourself and your photographs. Kudos to you for being one of the few who points this out!

[@jongoodface9753]

Thank you love these quick bits! You had another one maybe longer a bit ago about "good enough" being genius. That sooo helped me get into a proper mindset for a recent test shoot i had little time to prep for, and the outcome surpassed good enough👍🏽

[@KevinRusso]

My new saying. The camera is to photography what the pen is to the novel.

[@GPadugan]

lol, and writing forums are filled with posts titled "what pen are you using". ...

[@ActualCounterfactual]

Hard truth again, hitting me in the solar plexus this time... my weak spot and has always been...and yes... I want more on this subject... thanks for your time and energy

[@noahilles5416]

YES, keep going with these

[@ranaeleid8755]

Very good point !! Pls share more insights 😊

[@michaelwade3074]

This is exactly what I (and I am sure many others) need to hear and think about. When I’m in the rights frame of mind I find my best photography equipment is in my workshop (wood, fabric, paper, paint, hot glue, saws and hammers), under the stairs or the hard rubbish in my area. When I use those things I make photos which are different to everyone else. Great advice.

[@dwailes11042]

Love this. More more and more please!

[@Mettyunuabona_]

What I am point at has been one of my Main focuses for a while now; it’s also why I stop being a street photographer and became a photojournalist. I don’t want to be aimless, I want to be accurate, have purpose, tell something during a smaller and bigger moment.

[@BjornVeno]

On this I very much agree. For me the image has always been number one. This is why for me, work that prioritises process and technique always feels lacking.

[@TheBigBlueMarble]

If you're not careful, buying gear can be a trap that delays or completely stops your ability to improve yourself. Say you're just a mediocre photographer trying to make it in the big world. And a camera manufacturer says we can make you a better photographer, and some part of you wants to believe that. So you buy that new piece of gear and then you rely on it to make you better instead of actually improving your craft through practice and training. Of course you don't really get any better, but the next time the camera manufacturer tells you the same thing about the newest piece of gear, you still want to believe it. And around and around you go in a circle never actually doing anything to make your photography better.

[@tonyslattery9243]

Yes please more like this.

[@benharris3949]

More of this content please!!

[@Ublad8304]

Best video of the channel

[@pier_lucdemontigny4635]

Hell yeah i want that kind of video ! It’s really lacking on youtube

[@johnkenny9832]

Really well articulated point as usual Scott! A Photographic Life Podcast episode 326 is worth a listen if any viewers are interested in what is meant by narrative. Your Colour, Composition and Story Course was also very helpful. Unfortunately, the problem with documentary stuff is time and access which are often tricky (if only people would stop saying no).

[@soundlyadam]

Would love more videos on these sorts of subjects :)

[@janesprules3846]

Your reason for taking up photography is the same as mine. I do not have the skill of drawing or painting, although not for want of trying. Yes what the subject is matters enormously. Thank you.

[@zvitkovits]

Yes, please continue to reflect on photography. Topics e.g. could be: How does one unleash creativity, the own style, etc?

[@josephschimmer302]

This was my first YT video for today and immediately it became clear, that it also has to be the last one! Great stuff, please do more of it!

[@scottsoutter7271]

Great message. More please.

[@MrPSt86]

Thanks🙏🏻 I would love to see a video on how you start your projects. How much time you put into pre production etc.

[@jimskowyra7879]

This was so good to hear. I focus on product and still life. I'm finding the fun in building a story and then creating the setting.

[@AndrewWheelerVisuals]

Thanks for the video ! Well said Scott. More videos on this type of subject matter would be appreciated .

[@PauloOtago]

Great commentary on what we should be focusing on (and most are not). I’m really interesting in what you said about understanding art. I predominantly do sport photography, but am interested in that intersection between sport and art.

[@joshualance5535]

Love this content keep it up 👍🏼

[@fakhourikakeesh5527]

That's some good advice, looking back at some old photos from my first dslr the subject was the primary part until i got carried away with all the creative ways i could use it and it shifted my attention away from the subject matter, I am now realising i took some real beauties just in auto when i didn't know what i was doing.

[@bulkhead126]

Bravo....just, bravo

[@EagleEye789]

Pls MORE!