Be Careful Who You Take Photography Advice From

Be Careful Who You Take Photography Advice From (Especially on YouTube)

In this video I explain the different type of photographers you might encounter and how to best select who you listen and follow.

PRESETS, BOOKS, PRINTS, WORKSHOPS & MORE:

FIND ME ON:

WHAT CAMERA GEAR I USE:
**Affiliate links - doesn’t cost you any extra & I get a small % to support me**

WHERE I GET MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS:
**Epidemic Sound affiliate link - you get a free trial & I get a small % to support me**

BLOG (street photography, travel, gear & more):

NEWSLETTER (behind the scenes, crap jokes, cool locations & useful tips):

CONTACT ME ON:

00:00 - Intro
00:55 - The 3 Types Of Photographers
06:08 - Be Careful Who You Take Photography Advice From
07:40 - How I Chose Who To Follow
10:14 - A Few Final Words

[MikeChudley]

“The fun of photography above all else” that’s it, that’s all that matters for me.

[WhoIsSerafin]

Yes! Meeting interesting people on my street photography journey is what keeps me going out . I’ve started taking a instax instant photo printer with me to give out to the most interesting people

[foreignparticle]

I photograph because I like walking around. It adds an extra layer of enjoyment and purpose to my alone time. That's why I follow people like you and Gareth Danks... there's no fluff, just practical advice about taking better photos (especially street). You sell the photo-taking process as enjoyable, rather than a cumbersome all-consuming thing.

[svetlanagrobman]

I am a much older person who is not even a street photographer, but still, I enjoy watching your videos, Roman., I always thought that that is because I miss my family and seeing you walking around London makes me feel better (my daughter and grandchildren live in London, while I live in the US). But after this video, I ealized that there's another reason for that. As am a person who feels at her happiest while taking photos, and so despite many differences, we belong to the same "tribe." And it is not just London, it is also your your enthusiasm that makes me enjoy your videos 😊.

[Nenebwana]

Refreshing approach, Roman. Advice can make or break a photographer, so choosing the right fit is super important. That’s the beauty of this craft, a wide variety of opinions.

[thomfal]

Definitely true. There is no one way to practice and love photography, and no one should be condescending or disrespectful of practices that are different from their interests. We should all share instead of making judgements.

[marklumpkin]

It’s all about the passion for the art of photography, if it’s street, landscape or whatever. Watching videos like this not only confirms what’s inside by also brings out that passion in not wanting to, but needing to go out and try new ideas, locations etc etc
I’ve been out twice recently and both times I put my camera in different modes, 1st time I was in aperture priority, 2nd I left it in shutter priority, testing myself on how to try and get the photos I wanted in different ways

[jjd]

Your comment about doing what makes you happy is the key. I am not a professional, just an enthusiast. So for me, I would rather have a photo with some grain (noise), then no photo at all. I have no one to please but myself. I find my favorites, have them printed and either hang them on a wall at home or put them in an album so I can admire my own work. No one else’s opinion matters.

[mikepearce]

You make a really valid point here. I've been pretty much binge watching all kinds of videos & interviews featuring many well known street photographers as my interest in the subject has grown.

I've heard quite a bit of conflicting advice in terms of the equipment you need, like I have to have a 35 or a 50 prime, kit lenses aren't up to street photography, you shouldn't use zooms, you should only shoot manual, Ap priority, Shut priority etc etc.
On the other hand, I've seen some whose work I really admire say the opposite, like they use a kit 18-55 lens on AP mode or use zooms.

It has at times left me doubting whether I could give street photography a serious go because I was left not knowing which way to go.
What I can say I've learned from it all is that it's the shot that counts; the settings or equipment used are secondary. There are many whose work I really enjoy, including yours yet everyone appears to have their own way of doing things.

In my opinion, enjoyment is the biggest factor. I love disappearing off for hours on my own with my camera, it's the only thing that lets me shut everything else out.

[HandballMr]

You nailed it with this video. I find it especially important to not be too concerned about the „tech guy“ who tells you that your equipment is not capable enough. On the other hand, listening to the „creative“ and the „experience-oriented“ never hurts, in my honest opinion. They don’t make you feel „not good enough“. Same goes for you btw, one of the reasons your channels is one of my favorites!

[VIPER]

hey Roman, I just want to let you know that you are the one that who makes me feel that I need to go to street and take photos using my old GH4 😂

[David_]

Great video man. I agree wholeheartedly with your comment about not being able to separate the art from the artists. Some people lack character, and it's not worth the time following whatever they do.

As someone who recently purchased a camera and got into this hobby, I'm really looking forward to your stuff. For the meanwhile, I've been catching up on your backlog of videos.

[timbiddle]

Being a person approaching 50 and getting back into photography for purely self enjoyment and doing something creative, your video hit a note. I am glad to hear others have the same outlook on their photography as me. Looking forward to watching more of your content. Tim

[kenmcdougall]

I am a bit of a careless youtube browser and I don't avidly follow many people but the common factor tends to be something about the person themselves, so that comment about not being able to separate the person from the art really resonated with me. I follow you and Thomas Heaton, and although you're very different photographers I do get the feeling that if I bumped into you in the real world, you'd be just as genuine and enthusiastic as you are in your videos.

So I haven't watched every single one of your videos, but I do remember every single one I've watched, and I do remember what I learnt you, whether it's the best settings for an X-T4, how to photograph people without drawing attention to yourself, or this. Quite a lot of what I learnt from you really sticks, and helped me to push my own boundaries. You come across as having a great deal of personal integrity and that thing of following your own star makes your videos pretty unique. You've always got something interesting to say, and usually, nobody else is saying it. Thanks for that!

[stephenward]

I must be one of those oddities. I love to listen to all 3 types of these approaches. Good video. Been enjoying a number of these since I found your channel.

[qbnscholar]

Dude, you are deeper than you think. Great insight. Loved the 3 types of photographers categories and your explanations of each type. I am a mix of the artsy/introspective and experience photographer, with some tech influence on the side. Enjoyed this immensely.

Thank you.

[Mowikan]

I totally agree with you. And I like to add: when it comes to gear the most gear you see and youtube is fuji, sony and canon.

[keithspillett]

Very interesting, and nicely presented. I was a full time professional for over 45 years, and now I'm 'officially retired', I'm able to subscribe to your 'photographic philosophy', and produce images that I have fun taking. I'm delighted that gearcentric photographers who always must have the latest 'flavour of the month' kit are around, because they support/enable a very buoyant second hand market for the rest of us to be able to purchase more than adequate equipment without breaking the bank!

[RichMaciverPhoto]

Great insight. The way you broke down the "three types of photographers", I really enjoyed that, you could see your passion come through when describing the type of photographer you are.

[fabienb]

Based on what you say at 8:01, I'm grateful and honoured that you are following me.
Sometimes I suppose you do it literally, as there are weeks when we meet waaaay too frequently! LOL 😂
I feel the same about you and I actually just mentioned you in an online workshop I did at the beginning of this week.
Cheers mate