Reignite Your Passion: How to Save Your Photography Soul

Feeling uninspired with your photography? In this video, we'll share tips on how to reignite your passion and save your photography soul. Get ready to be inspired again and capture those stunning shots you've been dreaming of!

Inspiration

The list is endless, I highly recommend starting a photography book collection.

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[ricklaney]

One of your best videos ever! Probably one of the best photography videos I've ever watched on YouTube - seriously. In addition to checking out master photographers (you provide an awesome list in this video) I would also suggest checking out great painters for photography inspiration. Having a large YouTube following (or any large social media following) simply means you know how to build a following - nothing more.

[jenniferromonoyske]

I completely agree. My world opened up when I learned about Henri Cartier Bresson in college and magnum. He said if he has 1 or 2 images a year that are good he’s happy or lucky.. something like that. Anyways yes it’s about what’s going on the story. You can hyper focus or intensely be driven to create imapactful images. I just came home from Paris I was documenting the set- up. It was personal project stuff. I was there 2 weeks and I realized a week in, I had not seen the Eiffel Tower yet. I staying on the river in the 4 (an ile) so it’s not like it was far. I just forgot about it. I was in and around different neighborhoods capturing stuff. Yes with a a M 11. lol I forgot my Q2 in home in NY too so that all I had. I then go and buy a m6 film camera inspired by all the people shooting film in Paris and a 35. So I swapped the lens too. That the stuff you think about not getting posed shots. I actually thought I was Vivian Maier. Taking photos of my reflection in windows and mirrors lol

[donjagoe]

Amen brother. I am so sick of empty, pastel, Wes Anderson-like gas stations, random street shots with nothing underneath the actual blurry image of normal people on a street and yet another shot of some vista in Iceland. There ARE some terrific photographers that I have found via YouTube—Alan Schaller and Paul Reid being a couple of examples.

[JespersenPhoto]

Exactly! This video is actually the only video we need to see in 2024! Thank you 🤗

[paulbegg.photography]

Kudos, Justin. I developed my skills by reading magazines and books, paid for courses, and gradually developed my skills. In this age of social media, so much has been given over to the likes of YouTube, FB and IG for instant gratification and 'success. It all lacks soul. Like dry January, I have decided to give up on SM for a few months and possibly hit the reset for some ideas I have. Best.

[raystonestudio]

I totally agree with you Justin !
Love this content 👍🏼

I think photography isn’t about chasing trends or following someone else’s story. Each photo I take is driven by a personal experience and an emotional connection. I strive to keep my work simple, truthful, and deeply felt. I may not always have the words to describe the moment, but the emotion is in the photograph itself, and that’s what matters.

[washingtonradio]

I think the basic problem is too often people equate large likes/large following as meaning the person is good. What I try to do is photograph what interests me try to capture a solid photo of the scene. Some of my favorite channels actually discuss the work of other photographers.

[michaelacedeno]

This man is just spitting fact after fact.

[LukeTaylorPhotography]

I think you made a good point when you said... Popular YouTubers are good at telling their own story, but not necessarily the stories of others.

[RhondaTipton]

I have just recently found your channel. Your material and subject matter is truly inspiring and definitely makes me think. Thank you.

[orjos]

Ralph Gibson was a revelation to me when I began many, many years ago. I’d been taking photographs, trying out many different genres, until his work clicked with me.

[Jazodog]

Word!! Im glad that latelly, trend is changing a bit. Few of you guys that really lives from serious photography stood up and point out the difference. I consume gear reviews ofc. I came to your channel first time 3 years ago on Leica wildlife gear review haha. Thank you for quality content, keep going with video camera on location when you doing a project. It is great to see workflow and decission making on spot. Thank you!

[mikeabcable]

This is what I was waiting for. Thank you so much
I heard Vivian Maier a few days ago, a photographer who never shared the work with the world. I thought she's also inspiring.

[johndwilliams]

Well done for taking about this subject. As my own skills have improved I've noticed the same. There are some of my favourites who are great for learning techniques or reviewing gear but when they show their own work its not always that great. Present company excepted, of course!
Now I just take out of it what I need and move on.

[jeffreypackard]

Heya Justin, I really appreciated this video. I can see how some might jump to calling it elitist, however I don't feel that at all. What seems clear to me is that you are really using this as a platform to (re)introduce us to "the greats"; not giving us something to emulate, or saying "how to be like them." It seems you're really asking us to derive our own inspiration from these great bodies of work, and then step forth into creating imagery in the best way we know how. So thank you for this.

I now have a page full of tabs to dive into with some awesome looking photographers (some new to me, some not).

Thanks for the great videos! I'm really enjoying your channel.

[grantrobertdavies]

Great Video man… I’ve got a photography based channel, however I have made it clear on a few occasions to my audience, that photography is a side hustle for myself - My Career is in Graphic Design & Although I do, DO a stack of photography with-in design and for clients AND I am confident with my photography skills - I can’t actually call myself a “full time working photographer” that would be misleading my audience… Having that mindset has really freed up my approach on my channel and how I run it :)

[zoltankaparthy]

Agreed. I find that there are a lot of good photographers out there but not a lot of inspirational photographers. There are a few, but there are way more posting vids. You are right. So, yes, I try to follow my own muse. Most of what I shoot is not good but I do get a few good ones and that is what keeps me going. And the more I shoot the more I have and the better I will, hopefully, get.

[guillaumebouqueau]

I do look at a lot of photo books but haven’t yet found the one that really resonated with me. I guess I’m more influenced by film noir. The work of Gregg Toland is amazing. On the more recent side, I could spend all day watching every frame of a Lav Diaz movie.

[mikedodd]

Hi Justin, I'm based in Thailand and went to BKK a month back to see an exhibition of James N's work. Amazing. Far from easy watching but brilliant stuff. Some of it reminded me of W Eugene Smith's work. Love your channel, it's really helping me be a better amateur!

[LeslieABronxBebeFalu]

Can I have your books and dogs?😁
I really like this video because it speaks a lot of truth about YouTube photographers.
I'd be watching some videos and I'm like 😴.
They talk too much and not showing their work.
Others do talk about their work and im not bored.
Some, I follow for education about my gear.
The legendary photographers you've mentioned are some of my faves.
Thanks for this video, I enjoyed it.👍🏾