When You're Stuck With Your Photography, Try This.

[@kerc]

Regarding vision: The day I stopped photographing "what I should photograph", and started to simply take pictures of what I found attractive, that released my creativity. Basically, stop taking photos for others, and take them for yourself.

[@sarahthomson8183]

yup.

[@collectionofsensations]

I agree, for me personally I would say its about changing the order, to start with “why” to photograph, and then ask how to do it and what to put in the frame. Instead of starting with what. If we start with why I believe we limit ourselves less with constraints in the following two steps.

[@kerc]

@@collectionofsensations Excellent point.

[@ratgirl13]

I work personal projects, and have never felt stuck-it’s like juggling balls-you add a ball or subtract one as the need arises-different seasons, different balls-I also work projects to death-when I’m done with a theme it’s because I’ve milked it dry-put it away for a few years and work on new themes. Example: I have 5,000 photos of 12 different graveyards in New York City and New Jersey-one year’s worth, and going back to those files and choosing the best one will take some time, in the meantime I’m working another project-the gold is there to be mined, and we have the gear-we just need to get motivated and stay that way for the long haul. I enjoy your videos, and your fresh take on photography; thought provoking and food for my ancient photographic soul, thank you. 🙂🌺

[@Kim_Miller]

Hey, I just got myself a check shirt and waistcoat last week. Now I've got to get me a sweater that matches my curtains. This 'improve your photography' thing isn't what I expected. :)

[@WolfQuantum]

Regarding gear. It would be great if more photographers would really explore and push their camera and lens(es) to their limits. Really learn and use your gear to the point that you finally and truly outgrow that gear. I'm guilty of not doing that. I think most of us are. No matter how long you have been a serious photographer. Great points on really taking the moment to understand the emotional and the personal of what or who you are photographing. The image is what communicates emotion and mood. The gear is the tools you use to do that. If you aren't you connected to what you are photographing you are just making a photographic recording, not a photograph in the artistic sense.

[@hotjazzbaby]

Thank you. Your photos are great. I like how you carefully color matched your sweater with the color of other elements in the room like the curtains ☺️

[@monrea10]

I love that, too!

[@saxmangeoff]

I love the emphasis on vision as the important (and more challenging) part of the formula. So much of “photography education” focuses on the gear and technique, as if those are what matter, when in reality they are just the givens you bring to a scene. Increase them, sure. But if that’s all you do, you get what Ansel Adams so perfectly described as “sharp images of fuzzy concepts.”

[@derekwillson2538]

Thanks Alex that was a very helpful video, you put everything clearly and it reminded me to slow down and think about what it is that I want to show, see you again soon.

[@RS-Amsterdam]

More important is, how can I take the shot that I want, with the gear I brought, and get it right although it would not be the first choice. Nooo you can't take a portrait with a 28mm, that is what the big store photographers want you to believe, well they are wrong !!. Travel light and get creative with the gear you brought, that's my motto.

[@FlatWaterFilms]

Your skills improve during the off season, when you take a long break. It takes a minimum of 7 years to master a craft. Coming back from an injury, you're either better or worse, never the same. This is what I learned from the pro's years ago. I'm new to photography, on year 4, started at age 64. Having the time of my life, the body does not always cooperate. lol

[@barbararice1459]

So helpful. I'm 80 and just now getting into wanting my casual photography to become more meaningful. I think I have a pretty good eye for things, but very short on moving on from there. it's helpful to think about the long time it takes to improve, and the taking breaks idea. Thank you.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Alex, I love your emphasizing "vision" as a crucial part of a successful photo. The best compliment you can give me is to say, "How did you see that? I'd have walked right past it." You had no linked end screen in the video. Could you add a link for the video you mentioned to the description? Thanks.

[@KM-qd4kf]

Thanks for the video. Interesting. Yes it’s about getting in the zone. Some days batsmen see the cricket ball like a ballon, other days they don’t see it so they have a short time at the crease. I find that It’s easy to lose the creative juices when in familiar places, yet a visitor will take remarkable images so I need to get out and about. A new environment generally gets me back in the zone & if it doesn’t maybe its a good day to leave the camera alone & just chill or go for a walk minus camera. If I find something worth shooting tomorrow is usually the time to do it.

[@stevensimmons8107]

Great sweater, and video as usual!💚🌲

[@alexanderpons9246]

Great video and topic! You tapped on a very important fact that is repetition, for the formula you shared to work effortlessly we have to constantly be doing it as it then will become second nature. Thank you for loving Photography and making great content for your channel to inspire us!

[@kobiefloris5079]

Good day Alex. I am from South Africa. For the first time some one has explained this word "VISION" in a simple straight forward way, thank you so much,I love your chanel been listening and learning from you. I love the way you explain these things. Regards Kobie

[@silvestersze9968]

Thank you, Alex. This’s the best one for me so far! And I need it. 🥳🥳

[@ArcanePath360]

Creativity can't be taught. At the end of the day, it's about fun. You have to find your inner child and free yourself from the shackles of convention. Be like the child who doesn't play with the expensive fire truck, but the box that it came in. EG: I bought myself an accessory kit for a Godox V1 flash recently, and while I played around with the filters, I noticed my 50mm lens was around the same size and I asked myself "What if I put the honeycomb filter over my lens instead of the flash head"? and I got some unique shots with the light from the window making patterns off it as it was out of focus. It was fun, and reminded me of how having fun means learning is no longer a chore and becoming good at something happens naturally just by playing around. There comes a time when you have to free yourself from being a pupil and discover things on your own. Otherwise you aren't being creative, you are just mimicking what others have already done.

[@Damfotografia]

The first thing to consider is... wait, what? hahaha just kiding. Thanks for another great video Alex :) To master our craft, first we need to master the tools, and then apply it the way we see it fit.

[@Mattiaskrantz]

Love that thumbnail👌

[@kjellandersson3949]

Great video as always and the portrait of the lady at 2:50 is amazing :-)

[@davehandelman2832]

How's it how's it!! LOVE YOU, Alex!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks Dave!

[@iaincphotography6051]

You learn how to get the correct exposure, to get your focus spot on, then comes the time when you shoot two stops under or a stop over, to manual focus to blur images, etc because you are doing it by design, to create your own work.

[@tehmasipkhan9229]

Your videos are really helpful. Love from Pakistan.

[@jwashington]

Love the deliberation and intention in your process here. I've also found that like in love, creativity can smell desperation.

[@arcanics1971]

Colour coordinated Alex! Also good advice. I think I already take it. But still good to hear it.

[@TheDavidws10]

Thanks, Alex! Great information. The follow on video is awesome as well.

[@kalaharistuart]

Nice video, I like the gear and technic being constants and like in any problem solving situation up pops the variation, yes the vision will take time and improves over time (please tell my clients) years in some cases and be prepared for a constant change in vision as you evolve creatively. A lovely journey indeed, thanks again for the video

[@L.Spencer]

It's a great point, I can imagine pictures but sometimes I don't know how to create them.

[@AlbertoAcero]

Great video… as usual. Thanks 😊

[@redsphotos1856]

good timing, i have a shoot today!

[@ChrisHunt4497]

Thank you Alex and thank you for the linked video which was so helpful. 👍👍👍👍

[@broken12367]

I think your images are superb. That’s the style I’d love to be able to pull off.

[@akisoga2345]

Color coordinated.

[@davidoliver2161]

Excellent as always but where is the vest and checked shirt?

[@grayjappe562]

I am hard of hearing and found it difficult to understand some of this video when the music was playing. I don’t understand why people play music when they are narrating

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you 👍📷😎

[@dholahansr]

Thanks!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you Daniel

[@JonWombat]

Thank you. That was really helpful.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad to hear it Jon

[@tillist1]

Great video. I use the same process when I write more or less. I have a process and it is definitely changing often but I have something to with.

[@iamaktewari]

Vision(V) = ¶feelings + ¶silent whispers of a ∆subject's ¶story * (life force, ie light). In our Vision the subject must stand out, his story seen n felt through the symphony of light.

[@eddystreet]

Ah yes! The development of awareness.

[@joserenatoleitepereiradasi6457]

The creative short is that you don' t can explain everthing. Is something strange to you and the other. Image to cause strangeness. It is in the other side of the curve.

[@itsGINA11]

Thank you!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure, thanks for watching

[@moilami1]

Makes great sense, this is why so many photographers long for new gear, it inspires them to use it. I just need to find a way get inspiration without new gear. My current gear perfect enough in a way.

[@iaincphotography6051]

You could add a bad workman always blames his tools, learn to milk every last ounce out of your camera. We are all using cameras that are better than anything the great Mr Adams used.

[@moilami1]

@@iaincphotography6051 Yeah, but this was good thing to think. People inspire me. That is how it is. I just need to find people to photograph, and I am all set.

[@iaincphotography6051]

@@moilami1 That is the hard bit, finding the people who are willing. Paying models through an agency can get expensive. You could go around the local shopkeepers photographing them as a project and it would help you get known.

[@moilami1]

@@iaincphotography6051 Yeah, well, I think I will just have to accept models as an expense belonging to photography like camera gear. I don't have interest to "get known", even if without it means hard time getting models. Thank you very much of your comments, helped me to think and accept things.

[@luxleather2616]

@The Photographic Eye hey how u doing?

[@ThePhotographicEye]

All good, had a little break to recharge

[@luxleather2616]

@@ThePhotographicEye it's always good to take a break & recharge....I'm finally getting back out there & taking pictures the next few weeks after a year long break myself

[@silvestersze9968]

Wish I could buy you a cup of coffee ☕️ at least. 😇

[@davidwoods80]

Bwahaha... that thumbnail.

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

Volumes not too loud, but turn down the hands.

[@expectationlost]

problem is finding the 'thing that moves you'

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

We don't need a formula for creating photographs we like. Just go out and shoot, or go into the studio and shoot. If you respond to what you're seeing in the viewfinder it's worth capturing. How 'good' a photograph is is a purely subjective response. Overthinking is a creativity killer.

[@sara505sings]

I love you but yellow is not your color.