Pursuing a Personal Photography Project

[@thedarkslide]

Willem, you need to look up Arthur Tress. He photographed Morro Rock from 2009 to 2015 with a 6x6 Hasselblad and made some 25,000 exposures. His work is currently also included in a show at Seattle Art Museum. For all the images I have seen he made, he tilted the camera 45% sideways to get diamond shaped frames around his subject. Very interested work.

[@peterlally7078]

They're on his website. Incredible pictures

[@Superrul1]

super inspiring recommandation as well

[@alhOOO2O]

Great recommendation; his diamond image with the gull in front of the rock is awesome

[@coolforcats1]

Amazing photographer recommendation, thank you for sharing!

[@justinjalsevac]

The abrupt head turn at 8:05 is hilariously relatable

[@sommelierofstench]

lmaoooo he stopped right in his tracks. mans always in the prowl for a great shot

[@callumkirk5210]

The basketball one is next levelll, i hope this becomes a photo book I'd love to look through this project properly

[@erwandbe]

That’s such a beautifull project man ! It’s inspiring me a lot. Can’t wait to see it printed on a book ;) My favorite photo is probably at 25:00

[@tihngs]

They look like the same person. Agreed, killer shot Will!

[@daniellesmit5985]

Obsessed with this shot too

[@inkaststudio]

Love how the basketballs are midair and one is centred between the two nets and the other is between the two fences in the background...The cherry on top is the doppelgänger effect and the almost unnoticeable Morro Rock👌🏾

[@metalfingersfilm]

the pioneers used to ride these babies for miles!

[@savorybagel]

This is such an interesting exercise, I feel like there are few places with such an omnipresent feature (at least where I am) that doing something like this would be a really great creative challenge. Photos look killer as always!

[@jakevits9937]

Classic video of Willem out playing himself yet again with some really really beautiful photos!

[@EmoryWishon-yg9oh]

Hey Willem, As a photographer born and raised in the next town over, its so cool to see something that I see every day and take so for granted shot from someone else's perspective! great project.

[@reidh]

This has really captured my imagination! The basketball scene had me verbally react. Incredible scale and depth wow

[@mattbray_studio]

25:03 what a shot!

[@moment]

Morro Bay is one of my favorite little towns ever. Was also just here yesterday! So so pretty

[@TheSpinfisherHD]

Projects like this are too dope, they just show the unique style of a photographer so well. Hiroshi Masuko did a similar project on Mount Fuji, which is also super inspiring. Thank you for sharing your process, Willem!

[@WillemVerb]

I’ve shared the book in a video on the channel before I believe! That project is a reference to 36 views of Mount Fuji by Hokusai! Love both :)

[@hank7838]

I love your reaction at 8:05 I do that sometimes and people think somethings wrong. A good photo excites the obsessed photographer

[@stevenb2292]

@Willem Whenever you get around to printing these in some sort of coffee table book let me know. The stills you've captured here are simply breathtaking. After watching any of your videos you always inspire me to grab my camera, go out and shoot. Keep it up! Next time I'm out West we should set up a shoot.

[@benzuckerphotos]

As someone that grew up in this area and practiced a lot of photography in morro bay and photographing morro rock, it’s very cool to see your interpretation of something I’ve seen photos of forever

[@SamuelElkinsPhoto]

Great video man - love that slice of California

[@shaunsanders5401]

An inspiring video. Thank you.

[@OgTitouan]

Picture at 25mn is my favorite by far

[@somephotovideos]

Unreal how many captivating photos you can get with a prominent landmark snuck in somewhere. Love the sneaky ones where you have to do a double-take to spot the rock 🪨

[@whilliamhaskins]

Love this project. Immediately makes me think of “36 view of Mount Fuji” by Hokusai

[@ATF_CA]

I love MB! I've been to that House of Jerky many times -- weird stuff there (kangaroo, bison, shark, etc.). I'm just a hobbyist photographer but I'm hoping to run into you someday at Morro Bay. I take day trips there from Fresno about once a month-ish

[@hannahmitchell6704]

Just watched all 27 mins with my two young daughters and every time they spotted the rock in the pictures they would giggle. I love your videos, I love your adventures. You inspired me back in 2020 to pick up film photography and I love it!! So glad I stumbled upon your channel.

[@socalproductions7551]

been loving the progression of this project

[@Necroblob]

Such a cool project. This is the kind of photography I love.

[@sebastianfichtner1876]

Can't wait to see this published as a book!

[@KoenRH2803]

Taking vehicle photography to the next level!

[@dottoolshed]

beautiful project and truly inspiring

[@donnamhopkins]

Willem, You make the whole photography process look effortless (and, of course, it's actually very hard work). Seeing this beautiful area through your eyes is one of the best ways to train my own way of seeing. Thank you! Can't wait to see the completed project - please let us know so we can pre-order the book!

[@FilmFallon]

Really lovely project. Well considered and executed.

[@newhillroad]

some really good ones in here

[@kevinscotton]

It is so inspiring to see how consistent your images and coloring are within all of your work. And the willingness to find new ways to photograph the same subject is such an impressive mindset. A pleasure to see this project unfold in real time.

[@UltraFlynn]

Rather inspirational. Thank you

[@matthewbrand6580]

Absolutely unbelievable photos Will, the long exposures did it for me. Excited for this project!!

[@Maegondo]

Only Willem can have a video title like this and still make me click the video...

[@jorsetti]

Great images and looking forward to your culled images on it Willem!

[@leenkestens45]

Incredible ❤

[@HennessyPatrick]

The basketball shot is HEAT

[@kevnieves]

This is an exercise in constraint, much like Matt Madden’s 99 Exercises in Style. Amazing, excited for the book that will come out of this. 😊

[@palindromoelale]

18:13 i want it as my wallpaper and as a print, absolutely gorgeous shot!

[@george_edward_]

also want to emphasize that not only is this exercise extremely helpful from a story telling perspective when building a body of work. But i feel like this is such good practice physically. Waking up early, going to bed late, walking around all day. staying on all day for a few days straight. I should try a solo trip soon

[@olbuddydownthere]

Store front photo is so sick. Love

[@curtypachec6055]

amazing photos man

[@KelsomaticPDX]

Babe wake up, Willem’s shooting rocks again 🗣️

[@MonsieurZine]

I love the subject and how you work on it with your camera. Walking’ finding some cool spots and points of view, it’s really cool. Ths place looks very nice and peacefull.

[@matthewpoburyny5147]

Love the Becheresque quality of this project with the typology, but pushing past it being extremely rigid by find various ways of representing the rock without actually looking directly at it as you are doing through signage, books, reflections and so on. I'm hoping that it becomes a reality for you to make some aerial photographs of the rock as well as some from the water. Very interesting to follow along with this particular project, limitations can often be the best thing for creativity! The "lightbow" was pretty amazing to see and I love the subtly of that image.

[@NJ1810]

Looking forward to seeing these pictures in a book some time in the future

[@davidmb2587]

A very cool project. You're nailing it.

[@howiequ1]

The exercise reminds me of the 36 views of Mt Fuji, nice photos

[@schoolbaasq4487]

What a project, this is very nice. Your pic at 18:12 is insane ! You must be printing it for sure !

[@jarikkkk]

such a vibe… wow. love that!

[@MasonZenji]

Really great video… i appreciate it. Morro Bay really is such a fantastic city and the rock is a fantastic subject. On your next trip up, stop off at Sylvester’s burgers in Los Osos.

[@CamMead]

Incredible, just shows how diverse you can be with one subject given the restriction as you say. So many unique ways you can capture it if you really think outside the square.

[@damons6759]

Hope I run into you one day radonmy out there. You might be aware but over 1 million tons of the rock was blasted away to build the breakwall. The Army Corp wanted to keep continuing to quarry the rock for projects in the area to save money.

[@funkmasterandre]

Willem, I’ve been a subscriber since the early days, 2018 I think. Just catching up on a few of your videos and have to say that these Morro Bay videos are special, every time I watch one it brings me great joy, and I yearn to get back to California. Thanks for the continued inspiration man, cheers from Sydney 🇦🇺

[@GilmerCreative]

I freaking love this project and am a little jealous of it. I will buy the book when it drops.

[@URBONED]

You're getting a damn helicopter and photographing this rock. I'm too invested now. 🚁

[@spencersanderson4590]

Love the storefront text with the rock reflection

[@fiveburos]

You are too good men ! Peace ✌️

[@timschaefer86]

That basketball photo with the balls in the air and Morro in the background. SUPERB. Such an enjoyable, relaxing and inspiring video. Well done mate!

[@VedutaV]

Hokusai with his 36 views of Mount Fuji inspires artists for centuries.

[@DavidPricco]

Love this. Good inspiration to really go for the deep dive.

[@RM.TokyoPhotographer]

That hotel was epic...I really need to find a project that I can focus on...

[@_MKSN]

i practically discovered u right now with my girlfriend and loved so much your work (photography and the vlogging part of it) and, well, thank you for it !

[@tg1600]

Love the car trail shot. I have been to Morro Bay three times and had tons of images

[@SzymonMigaj]

That shot at the basketball court...

[@mattbray_studio]

I'm so buying this book when it happens!

[@BernardGarceau]

Absolutely love this... this is a trip worth taking and a subject worthy of exploration. Can't wait to see the final collection!

[@CollectedLight1]

Thank you for the inspiring video.

[@michaelbennettphoto]

Amazing images and video Willem! I’m excited to see this project in a physical form!

[@srad.]

very inspiring! spending so much time photographing a single subject really forces one to be creative with different shots and viewpoints

[@TommyGrisselFilms]

thank u for putting your work out into the world

[@diegobravonilo1815]

Amazing❤ much love willem!

[@trippwilsonphoto]

Can't wait to see the obx photos. When I graduate I'm gonna spend two weeks there and try to get some landscape images for my portfolio.

[@developingtank]

I love your dedication to this project. Cannot wait to see how you sequence all of these photos when it's complete.

[@alanholzmanphoto]

Great video. Great project idea. Try contacting local small airport for sightseeing flight in single engine plane or helicopter. Shouldn't be too crazy.

[@jessicaamickk]

jeeze, these all came out so beautiful. MWAH.

[@adrianaheglewicz]

I literally can’t wait for the whole Book with this project! All the pictures are so incredible😫❤️🙏🏻

[@max-mkl]

Interesting project ! Love the challenge

[@stevemaloney7305]

I live nearby and have casually been on this same mission for a couple of years. A good spot to shoot from is Montana de oro state park. You can access the lower parking lit and then the beach. It’s a great location to shoot from

[@remainhungry]

Love this one!

[@TedBorel]

By exploring just the rock from as many angles as possible and times of day and night, you’ve also explored the host city, some of its people and its charm. Pretty cool how that worked out.

[@harrisonlye7913]

love this so much !!

[@benjstory]

Willem, look at chilpaco by Nathan hirschler. Very similar project photographing a prominent paper mill in the town he lives. Every frame has the chimneys of the mill, some obvious and some obscure

[@Jovanni_Ruiz]

One of my favorite series by you, amazing video!

[@strongislanduk]

Beautiful locations and the set of images are wonderful, inspired me to dig out my cable release for long exposures with 35mm, thanks!

[@tomkondrat]

'Oh wow! I see a nice window' :) 8:06

[@Lloyddddddddddddddddd]

This book is going to be incredible

[@tomdivasion7724]

Loving the longer format videos

[@angelksaxena]

INSPIRING. BEAUTiful shots man.

[@robertvonthaden]

Me when Willem posts a new vid 8:05

[@HANDYMENDY1234]

already know this is gonna be good

[@ivannomames5471]

For me I can’t really bring myself to photograph the rock so much because of how generic I find it to be, but you made me reconsider that.

[@davidlowcher]

Awesome shots!

[@mrmet5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thank you!

[@emberseye3059]

I used to live out near Morro Bay and I am ashamed that I never did something like this. So cool! I hope you make this into a little photo book or something. I’d buy a copy. 🤙🏼

[@brownliketheearth]

This was such a wonderful study on MB!! Your night shots really showed another world! I've been photographing the central coast for some time. Next time you're down, if you'd like a guide on some unique perspectives, reach out, and I'd love to show some spots. Safe travels!

[@NikkiBigger]

Can't wait for the book! Loving this series so much :)

[@phvrvohxo]

loved this

[@余顯樺-l7k]

amazing eyes to exploring these scenes! (maybe using the drone to carry camera and remote it shoot the other side of the rock? haha im just daydreaming though😂 good content as always! mind food! thank you willem❤

[@Jsoberon]

The weirdest bit of knowledge I have is that Morro Bay is the setting of Night City in the Cyberpunk games. Morro Rock has been leveled and turned into a spaceport, but still retains the name "Morro Rock."