📷 🐐 TRUE Photography Knowledge is Unlocked by Studying the GOATs

[@developingtank]

I'm currently sorting out which photographers I will cover next on the channel. Which photo books have made a huge impact on you? Which photographers have stories worth sharing that you haven't seen covered extensively on KZbin already, but you think people should know?

[@65WZ]

Your videos are treasures for me, and I'm grateful.. I'm from Saudi Arabia, and photo books are very rare to find at book stores. One might indulge buying photo books from the internet, but this can get vert expensive after a while (shipping $$$), and my pension isn't that glamorous 😊

[@developingtank]

I’m thankful for your continued support of the channel. I’m sure we talked about it before, but from my personal experience living in the Middle East, I know how true this is and feel your pain.

[@wotldpeace]

Keith Carter; Raymond Meeks; Tom Sandberg; Ron Jude.

[@developingtank]

🫡🫡🫡

[@NohStar]

sergio larrain’s london, 1959 is very dear to my heart, being a brit overseas (though not a londoner). it has some incredible images and taught me that the perfectionism of cartier-bresson et al is not the only way

[@illkoncept]

Great video man! Everyone needs to watch this. So many good points in one video - got me pumped up to shoot today.

[@developingtank]

Thanks man! I appreciate it

[@garymc8956]

Well said and interesting as always. Thanks.

[@developingtank]

Thank you 🙏

[@ChrisBrogan]

You know me. I'm here for all of it. I love the pairings you make here. It gives yet another layering. Very much a way for me to think about style, and story, and the technologies I might need to master to get even more intentional. I appreciate you!

[@developingtank]

I appreciate you as always! It would be a fun exercise to intentionally compare and contrast photographers who you think have nothing in common by looking at their photos for the sake of seeing what you could take away from the research.

[@bencompson]

I really enjoyed this video and I've been thinking about it a good bit. I apologize for the long post but its what your video provoked me to think about. There is so much fluff in the current trend in KZbin photography sites with ridiculous click bait titles and more often than not just a bunch of pointless philosophizing or both. They are often couched in the type of terminology you'd expect in self-help books which are usually equally useless. And to be honest, most of the time I find the things even these great artists have to say not particularly useful to me. Maybe that's just me. But their images are a whole different thing. That's why I find this video to be so valuable. For me, studying the work of great artists is the best teacher especially if you take time to analyze what makes an image 'good' or what makes it move you. Thinking about your video has made me resolve to buy any photo book I find in used book stores, flea markets etc even if they don't appeal to me at first. I bet there will be something to learn in most of them......even if its what not to do. I also agree with the idea of shooting for oneself. These days that seems unheard of. There seems to be an unquenchable need for affirmation from faceless strangers. I shoot for me. I rarely post images anywhere. I haven't entered a contest for years. I share my images with people I am close to and whose opinions I respect. I find this to be liberating. It could be argued that this approach is just an excuse for not exposing work that is mediocre. And that's valid. Most of mine probably is. And of course, that doesn't work if you're trying to earn a living with your work. This is not intended as criticism because as an introvert I empathize with your "People are Poison" mug, but I think to shoot non-candid images by getting to know and respect your subjects, the idea that people are poison is going to get in the way. ;-) Finally, what I would love to see from you is not just videos about specific books or artists. Those are fine and I love finding new artists. But there are a good many videos like that out there. I think the more valuable, and probably way harder thing is to take an artist and analyze one or two of his photos. Break down what makes them artistically valid, the composition, the lighting, the timing, the subject, the theme and even the gear used to make the photo. Even more challenging would be to point out what doesn't work or what is lacking in an image, maybe even an iconic one. Also consider similar subjects by different artists. Compare and contrast. Critique and criticize. Find an photo by an iconic artist that you don't like and explain why. I think these sorts of things are what the best artists always did in their small social circles of like-minded artists. And it seemed to help them. Keep up the good work.

[@developingtank]

Thanks for the longer more well thought out comment. I think it's common online to assume these types of comments won't be read, because they will be pointlessly typed out and completely disregarded. To me, this kind of comment is so much more interesting, nuanced, and valuable. I agree that there is too much fluff and have a hard time understanding why people engage with it. Aside from when people are new to photography and trying to get a handle on all of the basics, ins-and-outs, excitement that comes with new gear, and trying to take when they consider high quality shots through replication. Going deeper and getting beyond that is too boring for many to consume and takes a ridiculous amount of time to create. I don't want to come off as egotistical and make it seem like what I am making is breaking the mold, but I am putting in a ton of effort (a huge chunk of my time outside of my job) to try and do what I can to take the conversation to the next level. For those of us trying to take things a step further, your type of comment and this type of engagement is hugely helpful. In regard to the "people are poison" mug (I get your humor here) it's just a mug from a goth band I like that I find both to be on point and ironically over the top. An abbreviated "most" people are poison would be more on point. In terms of critiquing work of others, I would love to do this and I think it is a more interesting way to interact with photography and probably more useful in evolving my own work, but I don't think I am properly equipped with enough knowledge to do a giant service to the photographic community at large in that way at this point in my photography learning journey. Thanks for your comment. It is appreciated. It's hard to regularly find this kind of dialogue and it's exactly what I am looking for more of.

[@ricklaney3139]

This channel is one of a few - very few - photography channels that are thoughtful and inspiring. I always get excited when you drop a new video and appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into this.

[@developingtank]

Support like this will keep me going. Thank you 🙏

[@StarrysLostandFound]

Thank you for shaing from your photobook collection

[@developingtank]

Thanks for watching

[@dougsmalley2072]

This is another outstanding video with many powerful and profound messages - thanks for doing this. Before watching this episode I'd have answered your question with Fred Herzog, his work has really inspired me to do more street photography. I can relate to the themes of evolving and experimentation in your video having transitioned from mostly landscape to mostly urban photography in the last few years.

[@developingtank]

Thanks for watching! I think more than anything constant experimentation and attempts to evolve as photographers should be the collective goal.

[@aaronthecameraguy]

Thank you for adding to the chorus of voices on this platform trying to inspire and educate people instead of sell stuff.

[@developingtank]

Thanks for your continued support. I think so many of us are wanting to move on to deeper thinking about photography. Just trying to add my two cents.

[@colinbradbury2334]

Enjoyed that. I like the idea of looking for a core message from the life and work of each photographer. I don't see that as over-simplifying but more as a way of identifying potential lessons to be learned from each before going deeper into their work over time. And yes, a lot of photographers would benefit from turning their G.A.S into B.A.S (Book Acquisition Syndrome).

[@developingtank]

Might have to take your GAS vs BAS argument for a future video. Since I’ve covered all of these photographers more extensively they all seem to have a central theme in their lives and work, so having that be an entry point to explore their work more seemed sensible. Thanks for watching

[@colinbradbury2334]

@@developingtank Haha! I look forward to the B.A.S video. No charge for the idea! I've usually found that it's been a book rather than a piece of gear that has changed my approach, even in the main area in which I work (sports photography) which is traditionally one or the more gear-intensive fields.

[@developingtank]

@colinbradbury2334 I think the difference is that gear seems like it’ll change your life, but typically photographers have found a workaround for gear they don’t own before they buy something new. The info from studying the lives and work of photographers along with deeper looks into their thought process behind techniques is so much more long lasting and life changing.

[@kevinsolie2208]

I cant stop collecting photo books. I have issues.

[@developingtank]

You and me both! The real goal of this channel is to support my photo book addiction 😅

[@colinbradbury2334]

No. What you have is a library. 😄

[@developingtank]

I’m afraid (hopeful 😅) that I’ll end up with a museum like Parr…

[@theblackmanarmedwithacamera]

HERE I THOUGHT I WAS A HOARDER! AT LEAST, THAT'S WHAT MY WOMAN CALLS ME!!! GOOD TO SEE OTHER LIKE-MINDED FOLKS OUT THERE, WHO SHARE THE SAME DRUG! GREAT VIDEO N MESSAGE!!!🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾

[@developingtank]

🙌🙌🙌

[@stayuntilforever]

I love all the photography books on my shelves. My favorite is Roll by Theo Gosselin. I got my own book in the making aswell.

[@developingtank]

Thanks for commenting. I’ll look that book up!

[@simonbnyc]

There are some terrific books by Robert Adams, Lee Friedlander and Wim Wenders that would be worth taking a look at. I came across "The New West" by Robert Adams in 1977 and it completely changed everything for me. The entire concept of photography and how to see was turned on its head.

[@developingtank]

Wim Wenders films are so beautifully shot that I have considered covering him for some time now. I bought a Friedlander book to cover him and it was just a breakdown of all of his photo books, so I’ve gotta get another one to do that. 😭

[@driftfits]

Richard Avedon has some great books in my opinion. There’s a small photo/camera store near me where I LOVE visiting. She lets visitors sit and read without needing to buy. The same store is also the first store that will have my prints displayed/being sold at.

[@developingtank]

Having access to a place like that sounds incredible

[@driftfits]

@@developingtank if you’re ever in the CNJ or Eastern PA area, it’s a little shop at the Golden Nugget flea market in Lambertville, NJ. Open every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

[@developingtank]

If I ever am back in that area, I’ll try and check it out

[@ermyril]

Dude, such an amazing channel, thanks a lot!

[@developingtank]

I appreciate you! 🫡

[@Samuel-1140]

Great video!

[@developingtank]

Thank you!

[@bdcooper5855]

I earned a BFA in photography in 1969 and have viewed hundreds of photography text books, how to books, famous photographer books etc. since I was about 10 years old. I've been inspired and also depressed by many of the books and exhibitions I've viewed. I've blatantly copied other photographers, totally dismissed many (some highly paid and very famous) that seemed to me to be cliched. Turned up my nose at digital, then jumped into it whole heartedly. What I've figured out is ...live your life with a "photographic" eye every waking hour, just shot what you want, how you want, make pictures that you know are "bad," make as many mistakes as you can, don't rush out to buy every new bit of equipment that pops up, keep everything as simple as possible and keep on doing more photography that you... YOU... YOU like and makes YOU feel fulfilled and happy. Life is Art-Art is Life.

[@developingtank]

What aspect of all of this do you feel most helped YOU become the photographer YOU wanted to be?

[@bdcooper5855]

@@developingtank I didn't become the photographer I wanted to be, I became the photographer that I am. Boils down to one's basic philosophy of life whatever that might be. Take in everything that speaks to you and let go of everything that doesn't. We are but what we perceive.

[@bdcooper5855]

@reginaldthermidor514 Anything with pictures by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Edward Weston, Man Ray. Yeah, "old school" and they are masters (imo). Loads of luck, patience, and experimentation involved.

[@share_london]

Excellent as always

[@developingtank]

I appreciate you!

[@xzzxxxxzzx]

just found your channel, excellent on the photo books, I collect mainly old ones and look outside of the normal, don't mind paperbacks but 1st ed is a must

[@developingtank]

What are some of the more interesting books you’ve picked up?

[@SlavaVeres]

My name is Slava and I’m photobookagolic 📚 I’ve got a real issue because I also CAN’T STOP collecting photo books. In my area I have a few thrift stores where I can get them daily very very cheap. Recently I was able to get books by Gordon Parks, Gregory Crewdson, Yusuf Karsh, Sebastio Salgado, just to name a few. And it’s only I’m naming the photo celebrities. I get tons of just phenomenal books by less known photographers. Photo books are just endless inspiration, escape, time travel, virtual journey to different places… By the way every time I watch your videos I try to look behind your back and figure out what photo books you’ve got in your lovely collection ❤ Great video! THANK YOU!

[@developingtank]

Wow, I am so incredibly jealous of this thrift situation and would do twice as many videos if I had access to that. So cool! Thanks for the support as always!

[@kevinsolie2208]

@@SlavaVeres Hi Slava

[@SlavaVeres]

I’m almost embarrassed to say it and by no means I’m bragging about this. I guess I’m just incredibly lucky and blessed to have access to so many books here in Canada. Back in my home country of Ukraine 🇺🇦 I would have never had such opportunity to collect so many books. I would have to buy them like anybody else, full price. And we all know how expensive the photobooks are. Despite of my large collection I actually get so much of knowledge and inspiration here on this channel! Your commentary and analysis are very very interesting to listen to.

[@SlavaVeres]

@@kevinsolie2208Hi Kevin, I’m with you, my friend: I also can’t stop collecting 😊

[@williamlasl]

I really appreciate your videos covering these photographers. May I suggest covering Matt Black’s “American Geography” at some point? You’ve done a great job of covering photographers who made their definitive work in the 20th century but I would love your discussion of someone whose work is rooted in the current century.

[@developingtank]

Thanks! Oddly enough I was just considering Matt Black yesterday. His work should be somewhere in the next round of photographers.

[@colinbradbury2334]

I second that. American Geography is a really important book.

[@developingtank]

@colinbradbury2334 started the research on it yesterday. Very awesome stuff

[@Ali-sj5pn]

Great video

[@developingtank]

Thanks for checking it out 🙏

[@northof-62]

The library in my small home town here in Norway subscribed to Alan Porter's CAMERA magazine. Many famous photographers were presented in that periodical, like Bresson , Bill Brandt, Jeanloup Sieff, Robert Capa, Edward Steichen. Very inspirational for a young photographer. Some, maybe 5 or 6 years later I revisited the library and asked to see my source of inspirations again. Unfortunately they had decided to let them go due to a lack of space. -Ok, I said, -what did you do with the magazine collection? - They were thrashed. - What!! Are you aware of the value? I don't remember what the replied to that, but they evidently had no idea. I wish I had been there when they did. Copies are collectors items these days. .. Addendum: There is a book called "Brassai presente images de Camera", published by Hachette in 1964. I was lucky enough to receive this from my brother some years back. Recommended. Brassai or Gyula Halasz was of course a brilliant photographer himself.

[@xzzxxxxzzx]

thats mental !!!! love Brassai and Brandt et al,

[@developingtank]

That is so tragic. 😪

[@PyroPenaloza]

Sebastiao Salgado, Cristina Mittermeier, Paul Nicken. Give nature photography some love.

[@developingtank]

Maybe some time. I honestly don’t care about nature photography.

[@majki3144]

Love this channel

[@developingtank]

Thank you 🙏

[@no_art_history_required]

Keep collecting photobooks, and I’m not even a photographer! But I love a sensitive image, an image that comes out of a deep thinking about the world and human being. And by studying the Japanese photographers’ works, I get closer to my ancestors culture (Brazilian of Japanese ancestry)

[@developingtank]

Very cool. I guess there have to be many non-photographers who collect photo books, but I always assume it to be only photographers buying them up.

[@ManuelRodriguez-wm2gv]

Anything Harry Callahan. Such a monumental photographic force in the 1940s-1990s and now seems to have disappeared.

[@developingtank]

Thanks for the recommendation. I will look him up.

[@ManuelRodriguez-wm2gv]

Thx​@@developingtank

[@chriscard6544]

I ordered Josef Sudek's book: Mionsi Forest

[@developingtank]

I’ve had a few people recommend him to me for a video on the channel. His photos are awesome. I might have to order that book too.

[@ManuelRodriguez-wm2gv]

​@@developingtankUnknown photographer to many involved in the art. Needs to be better known; a true master

[@developingtank]

This is true for so many artists in so many different mediums. The real ones always know what’s up.

[@chriscard6544]

Maybe I already recommanded him, so forgive me but Nobuyuki Kobayashi book is also awesome, we are a bit far away from street photography here. But it's good to share.

[@developingtank]

I’ve moved away from covering exclusively street photographers, so I’ll look them up

[@petermary70]

Not sure I needed another excuse to buy books 🤣

[@developingtank]

😅😅😅