Why you need to tell stories in your photography

[@josgeusens4637]

Chasing compliments has its like button these days. I think you're absolutely right to avoid the number next to the thumbs up and the likes. Just like somehow ignoring the "nice picture" comment from people who might ask for a favour in the future. Well, maybe or maybe not, but you get my point, I suppose. Besides that we don't gain progress from such nice words, it's actually a little step backwards in our way to - well - perfection. I guess those people - being good people in all - don't realise that getting better at what we do is important to us. Another thing that comes to my mind, is that these days people want things to happen in a click, is that they go with the promises of the marketing department and start to think that the newest cameras (or gear in general) will deliver those pictures they have in mind. My opinion is that it - also - takes time to get to that point by practising and no machine can really know what the image in my mind really is. Inside my head are dozens of images that I would like to take and while handling a camera, they might cross my mind and I'll try to accomplish that goal. More often it takes multiple instances to eventually get close and seldom I really get the shot I was dreaming of. That might have something to do with reaching out to perfection, but when ageing, I find myself being more able to put things into perspective and that helps me to get to my goals even faster, because what is perfection if it's impossible to reach? Perfect to me is when I am pleased with the result. That also excludes the opinion of others, unless they can provide me with meaningful feedback. Many thanks, Martin, for making the time to create videos like these. It's important that we now and then take the time to think a little deeper about our job or hobby and that's exactly what you accomplish.

[@webvideofan]

8:34 That’s such a great point. 👍🏻

[@RichardBO9]

Merry Christmas. This is such sage advice. As a perfectionist, it’s something I need to hear. I’ve been working to learn this craft for at least a decade. The YT mantra that you just need to watch this video or masterclass and you will magically be a “pro”, is actually rather distracting and destructive. I’ve learned from these videos, but nothing does more for progress than just getting out and shooting. Have a productive and prosperous new year.

[@dimitarpenkov4377]

A big obstacle to many in their way to creativity is the fact that the camera is not a real human eye, it sees and interprets the world differently, therefore, something that is not pleasing to the eye looks great in pictures and vice versa. One should learn to see the world through the eye of their camera and that, as you said, takes practice, practice, practice. For example, if one translates from one language to another it is impossible to just translate the words because most of the time they will bear no meaning or sense. This is exactly what a camera is designed to do to translate reality by using digits. Once a picture is taken it is not a reality anymore it is the camera's version of the real image. So, GET TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA! Thank you for the great videos!

[@warpedmotion]

Christmas greetings from Ireland Martin. Thanks for the effort and advice you have given this year.

[@Twobarpsi]

Feedback is vital for progressing. I am fortunate enough to have a friend that is a professional photographer. He critically reviews my photos, and has made me a better photographer. Merry Christmas Martin!

[@J.G.arspoetica]

Thank You very much for sharing your personal experiences, as well as insights, with me. Your views are not only deeply rooted. They turn out to be time-saving and encouraging for myself. I wish you a merry Christmas!🙏👋

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you!!! Merry Christmas!!!

[@davidsaylors]

This is powerful. I havent done any of this to be honest. I live in a bubble to be honest about it so I have never bothered trying to be critical of my photography and I fear I am not alone in this. Your points are well taken, thank you.

[@aerialfilm1]

A photograph of a Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day? Now that’s a subtle back story if I’ve ever seen one. Mázl tov!

[@guyfromhelsinki]

Merry xmas, Martin! Great insight as always but I think the part that really resonated with me the most was the one about perfectionism and why it's not necessarily all that good.

[@gregmartin1615]

I love this video Martin. Your whole manner and attitude is so very encouraging and real-world. Thank you for what you do and post

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks so much

[@leeharveydarke]

Merry Christmas Chief! So grateful for everything you do for this little community - here's to 2024 being filled with hard work and incredible opportunities.

[@MartinCastein]

Same to you thank you, sorry missed the comment before Lee!

[@FOTO_EXPERT]

Merry Christmas! Thank you for what you do.

[@MartinCastein]

Merry Christmas, thank you!!!

[@MegaSoundscapes]

Merry Christmas Martin ! 🌲 Some good points here, not only for photography, Thankx for your videos in 2023, looking forward to 2024. 🌲

[@chrissmith7069]

Thx for sharing Martin, hope you had a good Christmas and a good new year! 🎉🎉😊

[@damagedave]

Happy holidays to you sir. Thanks for all that you do

[@bondgabebond4907]

Merry Christmas. You are talking Photojournalism. Did that years ago. All photographers should take a short course in PJ to learn exactly what you are talking about. A picture should tell a story.

[@mondohand71]

Merry Christmas Martin!

[@AlanWatson]

Merry Christmas Martin.

[@pauldarville3843]

Merry Christmas and a safe New Year!

[@donsoley746]

Merry Christmas Martin..!!!!

[@w.jonesveraza]

Happy Christmas and best wishes to you, Martin. Thank you for your most helpful, honest, and inspiring videos.

[@christophejournoud2773]

Merry Christmas Martin

[@charlesfisher2134]

Once again a great video

[@jackbeltane]

Merry Christmas

[@onemanband3579]

Yepp, Merry Christmas Martin.🌲

[@hywel3143]

Merry Christmas, Martin! I particularly like the point you made about being reluctant to show your work to obtain constructive feedback, since I've struggled with this myself. Also, if I don't photograph much for a few months I am back on a surprisingly steep learning curve when I start shooting regularly again.

[@33antonius]

Merry Christmas Martin! I thought the story was about delivery courier.

[@nickwithers4964]

Sound advice as usual. Thanks Martin, i'm learning loads from you. Merry Christmas

[@MJohnson-qp9he]

You are a good friend, I really enjoy your videos. Happy Holidays

[@emilbahiaxe]

Obrigado pela mensagem e carisma Martín!

[@malcolmtice175]

Bravo. Thanks for all the good things in your Channel in 2023. Happy and prosperous New Year.

[@MartinCastein]

Same to you!

[@LeandroBighetti]

I just love your videos! Thank you ❤

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you!

[@longrider9551]

❄❄🎄🎄🎅🎅Merry Christmas Martin

[@nickjuno8338]

Merry Christmas Martin! Thanks for all you do and here's to a happy New Year

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you Nick Merry Christmas!!🎄

[@edc5338]

Merry Christmas, Martin.

[@louiebodenstaff6772]

Great insights Martin, thanks for sharing your knowledge. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year!

[@joopruck924]

Merry Christmas Martin. I absolutely agree with you. For honest feedback and inspiration I joined a photography club a long time ago. And it worked for me.

[@MartinCastein]

Merry Christmas Joop, wishing you all the best

[@justinselvera3538]

I really love your photography approach and philosophy (photography-centric not gear-centric) are you going to be releasing a wedding photography master class, thank you for the great content

[@MartinCastein]

Eventually yes I’m working on an e book for it right now but hope to do a proper workshop at some point

[@jayse1195]

Happy new year sir, best regards.

[@MartinCastein]

Happy new year!

[@guyfromhelsinki]

Hi! Just a quick question about the 5D Mark III, which I don’t recall you talking about much on this channel. I was looking for deals on MPB for a secondary camera (mainly 5D2) to my 6D but quickly realized that the 5D3 has dropped in price so much that price difference between that and the 6D is now extremely negligible. So I was wondering that do you have personal experience of the 5D3 and whether you’d recommend it over the 5D2 or buying another 6D?

[@MartinCastein]

Go for a 5d iii especially if you feel like you want one they are great as well

[@guyfromhelsinki]

@@MartinCastein thank you, Martin. The superior AF is particularly of interest to me as the AF on the 6D isn’t that good so I’m sure the pairing of 5D3 & 6D would complement each other very well

[@lxhk3595]

My mother frequently dislikes my pictures because they are not entirely sharp.😂

[@johnlocke7097]

1 minute 49 seconds about Storytelling, all the rest was good advice, but not about storytelling unless I missed the point.

[@chrissmith7069]

Well done, I think you missed the point.

[@johnlocke7097]

So what was the point?@@chrissmith7069

[@maciejpietowski3050]

Merry Christmas Martin.