"Your photos suck!"

[@TheCamG]

5:14 “Art is never universally liked.. . If it is universally tolerated, it probably means it’s quite vanilla.” What an impactful encouragement. I really needed this.

[@LouisLuzuka]

Thank you 🙏🫶🏼😭

[@snapsbyfox]

Still in Vietnam. Still have toes.

[@erin.v.z]

😂

[@ChrisBrogan]

But do you VALUE them? ;)

[@spiersey1]

Do we have to come to you for footage Roman?

[@MarcoBlanke]

That shot of the farmer is such a great display of human nature

[@neglectedloves]

Brillant photography and one thing always strikes me when watching your videos is, that compared to other KZbinrs your footage is very close to what you actually photograph. So often in videos of other YTs I hear myself saying "oh, that could have been a beautiful shot" and they're not even considering taking a picture... thanks for constantly inspiring me 🙌🏻

[@justinbaker8238]

Would absolutely love an editing video from you! You got my vote!

[@DavidSenteno]

To be honest I don’t like all of your photos, but I don’t like all of mine as well. I have posted what I thought were fantastic photos and gotten very little response. Then I posted what I would consider a “meh” photo and people rave about them. Go figure. The autonomy of art reigns supreme.

[@strangetube82]

I know what you mean I've had likes on photos I wasn't that fussed about. Then hardly any of some I've been really proud of. 🤷 I take photos for me anyway, if people like it then great, if not, then nevermind.

[@retirewithjames6745]

Absolutely perfect statement, "You're not aiming for everyone to like your stuff, you're just aiming to finding the people who do". I have really enjoyed your book that I recently received. It sits next to my chair in my family room. So I can just reach down to pick it up and take a look at it again. Great job!

[@nathanlind4509]

Brilliant insight James! Thanks for the boost in confidence.

[@ch_boki]

Great Art opens questions, Great Designs answer questions. You can mix them and create art that shows clearly what it is, but there are still things that makes you question it. This requires talent and empathic abilities. This, this is art.

[@TheAdventurey]

I am glad you released a video on this topic. Your words apply to you too. I watch many of your videos and I look at your photos and I feel peace. Thank you for all that you do and I hope you continue for a long time.

[@davidmill7289]

Fantastic images James and thanks for the insight. Your human nature shots really tell a story.

[@Raykenn1]

I may not always appreciate an image but I always appreciate your insight. Thanks for posting 👍

[@cmphoto_]

James I’ve been following for a long time, you’re always, ALWAYS the first name I say when talking about photographers and my favourite bodies of work. Could easily tell your work in a blind test. Stands out for all the right reasons. Got a trip to Thailand coming up and have 3/4 days to myself. Hoping to get out and get some 1/10th as good as you. Cheers for the inspiration.

[@timo3192]

That's awesome man, you're gonna have a blast over there. Where can I see your work?

[@Jude_Beattie]

I love that this what your video is about this week. I started reading camera lucida this week, and this is a major theme in the first parts of the book. It's been really refreshing to think that what someone thinks of a photo is a reflection of how they feel about it, not a reflection of the quality of the photo

[@alanwainwright79]

A great point James. Sometimes it takes anothers’ perspective to be enlightened. The photos of the farmer and his cattle along with the structure in the background is pure gold. Cheers.

[@nicolasguillenc]

Great advice and great photos! Thanks James

[@hansgiersberg4138]

Editing question: Your images have a distinctive look - light blue, low drama skies; overall slightly high key look; etc. I believe you’ve touched on that before, but I’d love for you to address the look again. Also, I’ve just received my copy of “Human Nature” and I absolutely love it. Nicely done! Finally, beautiful images of Vietnam. Thanks.

[@newenglandlight8724]

I've just recently started following you and I absolutely love your work. You have one of the most unique styles of photography I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[@NevinThompson]

These are fantastic images, James

[@kalledimming6298]

Beautiful photos as always James👍

[@billb8262]

James, long time subscriber but seldom comment. I love your photos. You have a special skill of not just capturing a scene, but making it something to stare at and think about. That's exactly what we all strive to be able to do, but it's a personal growth thing I have not yet achieved. I look up to photographers like you and I try to study your and others' work to improve my own abilities to tell that story instead of just snapshotting things. Your "photos about something and not just of something" saying repeats in my head often. Please keep doing what you do and sharing your outstanding work with us. I've learned so much from the perspectives of photographers like you and truly appreciate the work you put into this channel. Your images are off the chart great, often reaching the level of stunning.

[@pascalthiebaud]

When I make an image that I like, my work is done. I have no impact on the viewer, because that's their job, not mine. The woman pushing back the water is a superb subject. I don't see that every day.. Thanks, James.

[@thebeautifuleyephoto]

Thank you for putting into words something I’ve been feeling too: I put photos out here hoping that they will find someone who likes the photos I like enough to put out there. Thank you!

[@kevinjorgensen1046]

Have lived in Vietnam for 22 years and have taken over 200'000 photos. Just a hobby. I enjoy it.

[@alunrees3056]

Thanks James, some much needed encouragement.

[@_NoDrinkTheBleach]

It took me a few years, but I stopped seeking validation in others' opinions. I started to recognize patterns in the way other people saw my work. I know that some people are always going to be negative and some will always be positive. I'm not aiming for the middle, or one of the extremes. I'm just doing what I want.

[@petrub27]

sound like exactly what a teenager will say, lol . that's not how you run a business

[@jebbytunnelcoats1182]

The light in vietnam looks spectacular. Great theme recently with Roman's pics as well. Loved the shore pics.

[@benbrice7680]

Long term fan, first time commenter. I would love to learn a bit more about how you use luminance masks in your editing, and how you refine the colour palette of your photos (for the editing episode). Apologies if you’ve covered this in earlier videos.

[@RobertHogan-zg1rm]

Excellent message regarding people “liking” your photos…. Yes, it’s definitely inevitable…. Perhaps it boils down to a need to develop “thick skin”…? Very enjoyable and good message James!

[@gregdarroch1946]

I really enjoy watching your videos, but not because I love the images. Same applies to other KZbinrs I follow. I watch each of them because they are interesting, entertaining and humorous. Some of the most gifted photographers I can’t watch because they are not gifted communicators. So, bottom line, your photos don’t always appeal to my taste, but that is just fine because I always enjoy your way of presenting your ideas and I can certainly appreciate what you offer.

[@MacnTeensVisuals]

Now that is indeed some very soft light 👌 Lovely shots man!

[@NathanielRolland]

Wow - great vid and set of pictures, James.

[@SpudUna]

Looks like the place to visit if your chosen genre of photography is litter 👍🏻

[@Chris1LFC]

Recently visited Vetnam with my camera. Absolutely loved it.

[@wiedo]

Often when I make a set of photos I have one favorite. That’s often the one which my friends like the least. Then I doubt of my whole selection a little, but end up just make peace with that I’m making for myself and that I have to enjoy the end result first and foremost.

[@ChasingBarrels]

Amazing photos. Love the one with the farmer and spaceship in the background. I would take amazing photos over video footage any day. And great advice. You have inspired me to show my work more.

[@davidligon6088]

I love your style. Both the nature-human compositions and the pastel color editing. I believe that woman with a broom was collecting sea salt.

[@AlFirous]

Art is indeed subjective, it's always funny to see people debating about this art is good, this art is bad. Anyway, I am thankful for the algorithm so I can find your channel which I feel resonates. Hope you are doing well!

[@__eugenelee]

The photos are beautiful!! Loving the airy feel!

[@nigelwest3430]

There is a large print (1200x800) of one of my favourite shots hanging on the wall of my local pub, It's rather nice to sit there sipping a pint or 3 whilst listening to nice comments from people who have no idea who took it, I also have another pic in the same pub, just a shot of a derelict church door partly open so you just get a hit of what's beyond, I was in the pub on a very quiet day and someone I know was talking on the phone and standing looking at my pic, when he finished his call he looked at me and said " that's a great picture isn't it" I told him I had to agree with him because I'd taken and processed it, he had no idea that it was mine 😁

[@MortAllachie]

Well. I like most of your work and I’ve got 4 books to prove it 😜 Wish you a great weekend 😊

[@Gary-LX58UDV]

Great video and images. I have received your book and enjoying it👍

[@nathandickin8795]

Your photos are just so unique I've never seen anything like them. I don''t really know how to describe it.

[@DanYosua]

The sooner and the faster you run to that fear of feedback, the better! Excellent shots as always. You make composition seem so effortless. I never thought about the stills/video ratio before... but that's super telling indeed.

[@ChrisBrogan]

Wow. Never thought I'd hear you reference Kevin Kelly. That's worlds colliding for me. How fun! Great post, James. I really love the topic. It's nice to cover this one. I also liked that aside about photos-to-footage considerations. It's tricky thinking like both a videographer and a photographer at the same time. Similar tools, VERY different needs. "Coverage" versus "getting the shot." Quite thought provoking. Thank you!

[@matthadenmusic]

This is great work. Different to previous works of yours while maintaining the Human Nature thing. Very inspriring!

[@hjones451]

Never even considered going to Vietnam, but its certainly looking extremely photogenic in your vlog. Thanks for your effort in posting so regularly.

[@robj1366]

would be great to see you edit your Vietnam images they look fantastic, soft muted then some colour thats popping .

[@StephenCotterell]

This is so helpful. 🙏 I’ll share the on The Photographer’s Help Desk

[@tomphillips5513]

Editing question: the vast majority of your photos (which I think are beautiful and inspirational) have this dream like haze where the sky almost blends in or forms a canvas for the subject, you make it look dreamlike and soft… how do you achieve this? Also, do you often reduce the contrast or soften the blacks in your photos, because they have a lovely, almost desaturated fluffy look that is really appealing to me. Keep sharing your work, I love it!

[@olo101olo]

I would be interested to see you edit with Affinity Photo, rather than Lightroom/Photoshop - it would be good to see how you go about getting used to it and find it. P.s. Noah has good taste in that digger

[@billkossmann9246]

Well said! Along the same track as your video is @Andyhutchinson 's video, "I Take Sh*tty Photographs." The language is a bit coarse in spots but the message is spot on. FWIW I do enjoy most of your images and videos, so please keep it up.

[@ronmasters751]

Took a walk in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, way out on the Aleutian Peninsula. Mostly a fishing port, full of junk along dirt roads. Epiphany: It takes surplus wealth to make a nice place. Had a driver along the NW coast of Borneo (in Brunei) a decade later. 2 lane blacktop, completely lined with trash-paper and cans. They missed the ad blitz in the US against littering. I’m horrified by the trash in these photos.

[@unlockyoursoulmemory4199]

your pictures are always so aethetically pleasing, wonderful work of art!

[@luigiheewan]

An editing question i've got is: how do you make the greens and the yellows in your shots pop? i often make them too saturated and they end up looking fake, but then i turn the saturation down the greenery just looks dead... it's been quite a tricky thing for me to figure out and i'd love to know how you do it! Thanks in advance!!

[@cotswoldphotographers]

I’d love to go there because the light and interesting scenery and surroundings are a match made in heaven 😍😍 stunning images as always btw 👍👍

[@StewartFotheringham08]

I was wondering how you edit the colours in your photos, as they are always on point

[@CluelessYoutuber]

This indeed, in fact, brightened up my day.

[@jordantaylorreed]

Your photos from Vietnam are sooooooooooooooooooooooo good, James. Here's hoping you ate well, too!

[@Impuls3css]

Editing kinda questions, would you be willing to try the most popular free lightroom like solution to compare them to ? Love your content you are awesome!

[@HanzsKlopek]

After years of taking photos and showing them only to my family, I decide a couple weeks back to share some of them on Instagram. It feels good. 😊

[@tititatiti]

Thanks for yet another great video! Quick question: would you rather have more people who like your stills or your videos?

[@kaipbowe]

lovingggg the Vietnam images man

[@JoacoCarnero]

What’s your curve editing process? Great vid like always 🙌🏻

[@MaiElizabeth]

I was hoping you are posting something because I just bought a new lens and need a fresh inspiration

[@Stef-Kuipers]

James again, stunning! Really appreciate your photography and the way you share your ideas and philosophy. Absolute inspirational! Edit idea: white balance, do you use auto white balance? How is your edit process in this?

[@peerawichkorkiatcharoon]

It's been around 3 years since I'd started my photography journey. At first, I thought it was going to be my future career. And that thought has been around for the last 3 years. Now I'm currently studying in the secondary school, which is great, but not at all... I'd realised that this, would not take me to the place I want. It's more likely going to be the things that I love, but can't control some of the scenario, So I thought 'you know what, I'll just take it as a hobby' And started focus more on studying. Less on the photography and crafting. But that has came with a bad outcome. I've lost some of my fire, it's still burning, but not as strong as it used to be. I've lost MOST of my photo editing skills, my photography addiction, and even some of my creativity. I don't really believe in any sort of coincidences, but this video may have saved my whole heart of photography. I'd just realised for the second time that good time management = everything. And you have poured the petrol fuel right onto my fire. And I can now do the things I like, and the things that I need to. Both without losing any of its margin. Thank you so much James. One of the greatest photographer ever!

[@nathanlind4509]

If you are looking for a monthly photo to sell, my vote would be still #9 or #13 of the fisherman in the boat with the orange and blue flags pointing left and right. I like the composition and visual interest but mostly these shots made me wonder what exactly he is doing.

[@loiklll]

Question about editing: how do you find a direction as to where to edit "hard" photos? What I mean by "hard" is: not great light, not so much detail/contrast etc Thanks, love your vids as always :)

[@vicknight847]

editing... yes please.

[@blakedenning485]

Editing question, how do you get your photos to glow like they do? Love your videos!

[@neilcousineau4956]

I subscribed and usually watch you for the entertainment and I like your photography. This time surprisingly your message about posting photos was helpful. I use to post but a few bad remarks on FB and I stopped. I’m not a fan of Instagram or Flickr. So any other suggestions?

[@kwatson1378]

Been watching your stuff for a few months now and you are genuinely up there with the best 🙌🏼 Would love to explore selling my own work, getting some kind of income from it and just getting my work out there some more. Would enjoy some kind of breakdown of what you do and maybe how you go about it all (other than your KZbin ofc 😂). I might be a minority asking this question but any kind of advice passed on would be great!

[@kenjonesstudio]

Personally for me it's not a fear of showing work. It's a fear that no one is seeing it.

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Thats art though isnt it - in the eye of the beholder 😊 yes thats a famous blog post and I often think about it. Loving those Vietnam photos by the way 😊

[@greybill]

Vanilla - now that's a word I haven't heard in a long time. But fitting. For a potential editing video: Do you adjust Whitebalance in post? I sometimes find myself fiddling with it attempting to push the mood of an image in a certain direction.

[@just_eirik]

I have an editing question, kinda: Do you own a HDR monitor or a relatively new iPad Pro that supports HDR or any other type of HDR ready device that has Lightroom installed? If yes, what do you think of HDR? I have it on my iPad and I think in a lot of my photos it makes them look really nice. It brings out depth that is impossible in normal editing. Its just so frustrating to not have anywhere to share HDR photos. I wish more people talked about it.

[@alvarodr7619]

Beautiful images, James. I do have some editing questions as an intermediate-level photographer but beginner-level editor. Is it worth spending the money and paying for lightroom? Are there some decent free options out there you've used over the years to edit raw images?

[@tjsinva]

Focused on photos. That's a good thing, but we do appreciate your commentary. Carry on. 👍🥂

[@RussandLoz]

it’s about pleasing yourself rather than others for a website or social media. I’ve mostly been doing the opposite for most my life. The self doubt debate is an artists shadow right

[@Paul9]

It’s also important to remember that just because someone doesn’t like a photo you share, it doesn’t mean they don’t like you.

[@washingtonradio]

Great art is the interaction of the artist with the medium and subject. It makes you think as the viewer/listener. But not everyone will like an artist's work, though "art critics" will call you heathen if you don't swoon over artists like Picasso, Ansel Adams, Monet, etc.

[@ataraxia4526]

I don't know, I think you have strong compositions.

[@deanescott3331]

Not a lot of rubbish bins in Vietnam apparently.

[@davidpowell5437]

Notification: Your photos suck. Initial reaction: Well you really won't like the language I'm about to use... 😁

[@IkerZamora]

Editing question: when creating an editing preset, how do you make sure it is versatile enough and works for a wide range of scenarios?

[@ShogunX65]

I've been enjoying your videos for 4 years now as well as your images. Though it's not the type of photography that I typically like, I appreciate the images and your take on things in your videos. You have a global appeal in the sense that I'm in the states (Washington) and have purchased both of your recent books. In fact, I received the latest one just the other day. It's a new book on the coffee table for others to enjoy. As for a question, one of the things that always stands out is the vibrant colors in your images. Multi-part question. Do you enhance just the 'object' colors or do you enhance the entire image? Also, you've shown how to change colors of objects in previous videos. Do you alter the color of some of the objects in your images to help them stand out or just enhance the original color?

[@Matt7R]

I haven't seen all your work but what I have seen I don't find all that inspiring or interesting. To me they just feel like you're going to nice or interesting places and just taking pictures of things rather than working hard to find a great or unique composition, an angle that people probably wouldn't normally see or even consider in that same place, almost like visual secrets or easter eggs across the globe. I also find them a bit overexposed for my tastes. I think that's all it comes down to, personal taste. I like street photography, interesting compositions, harsh light and shadow, candid shots of people, reflections, fun stuff that makes you go oooh that's interesting, or stuff that makes you think. However, I think it's extremely important that we all take pictures the way that we want to take pictures, not how other people tell us to. There's no point in art if everyone just paints their pictures the same way. So in that respect, I appreciate and value your work and hope you continue to do what you're doing.

[@danielhenzphotography]

Editing question: how do you make sure, that your photos look good on most screens. Laptop-, smartphone- and other screens can look very different depending on the device? I got a Asus ProArt Display to help with that.

[@kidmohair8151]

getting over the hump of being criticized...alley-oop.

[@petrub27]

just had a look at your website. does not seem updated, some blogs from 2022 same for twitter page link. are really using SS? is that useful? do you get any traffic? does your website help you somehow with your business?

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

As a working news documentary and landscape photographer I have the client and editor to please first I believe In my abilities with a camera always have its just been the one thing in my life I can do yet my views on KZbin are abysmal haha so what the feck do I know.

[@apothum]

I’ve been trying to learn how to edit and been trying to unsuccessfully copy your style! What of your presets are you starting with more these days? What would you say the top adjustments you make are for that muted/washed look that has such rich colors (terrible job describing). Great video as always.

[@timshields8720]

... this old chestnut ...

[@themattiemisfit]

What would you say is the ratio of time you spend taking photos vs rating & editing photos? Do you ever go back and 're-edit' old photos, say with some new technique you learned in editing software since the time that photo was originally edited?

[@kore996]

Editing question: when you’re editing your highlights and whites how do you keep them from looking grey when it’s a very bright photo? This may come down to my settings when taking the photo but even if I under expose my photo and get into editing sometimes I can get to a place where I need to bring down my highlights and then they look washed out or grey.

[@mikebartow9415]

That was interesting. I really haven’t seen much of Vietnam. I do have a question about editing. I use Lightroom Classic. On some people’s photos their teeth are yellow. I use masking > people > and a separate mask for teeth. I increase exposure by 0,15-0.25, increase whites by about 3-4 and color I move to the left to about -3. I have not seen any videos or heard any instruction on this manner of whitening. This seems to work. The teeth I change are not horribly yellow, just tinted. I can’t tell you on who this person is because I don’t want to create any discord within the family, and it is not me. Do you have any workflow for doing this? Thanks!

[@jacktingle215]

Interesting post. I like your commentary & views. I dislike your photos. I find them too bright. Which is unusual nowadays. The style until recently was too dark for my taste. Your point applies on several levels at once.

[@motorvelo]

I am amazed that you say you shot thousands of images that morning. I am assuming that you don’t bracket. Assuming that you were out looking for images for 6hrs and that shooting thousands is about 3000 shots that would mean you pressed the shutter every 72seconds. Can that really be true? Then take out the time to change batteries, shoot video, have drink or a pee that shot/second rate just climbs and climbs. This kind of blows my mind as where is the time to consider and compose?

[@AliasJimWirth]

Ah...they tell a story.