BnH’s youtube page has content to last you a lifetime! Can’t sit tight for an hour? Listen to 15 minute segments while you edit. Youtube really elevated my photography.
Agree.
Even Adorama’s channel has some great stuff, and their Non-lecture style videos are shorter (esp. the Gavin Hoey ones that get down to it — no ‘lecturing’, and fun, creative projects and set-ups one can try out immediately).
YouTube just exploits my weakness, but I’m the one with weakness
We all shouldn’t forget that most of the photographer content on Youtube is entertainment, not education. We can still enjoy it. I do anyway.
I agree, especially when the info is coming from the same people. The angry photographer use to say Nikon makes the best damn cameras on the planet, now his brand loyalty is to Fuji. Both are excellent systems bit the one thing the more popular photographers on youtube all have that commercialization thing in common. There are some great videos out there for actual education that is great but you almost have to know which ones are good or bad already. The ones that tell you that you need a filter or a particular lens for XYZ are just trying to sell something for the most part.
I think what works for you isn’t universal and vice versa.
You say that there are settings pros don’t know about, but how would someone know about it unless they hear it from someone? I’ve learned about new settings from various youtubers and people on this sub. Similiarly, when I go out and photograph, I’ll come back and think “How could I have done better”, then go to youtube or fellow photographers for improvements on what I want to work on.
It’s weird that you say that YouTubers are ruining photography and then specifically mention Peter McKinnon, a youtuber that’s practically a joke in this and the videography sub for creating a unique but generic style that a lot of beginners try to copy before finding their own style.
Truth.
I must have worded the title better. Youtube is ruining photography for beginners or people who are starting out.
Like… as a pro I can watch a video, and get the info I want, and ignore what I don’t want.
But beginners, as you mentioned try to copy the pros and that usually stops their creativity.
Also I mentioned Peter Mckinnon because he, himself is a good photographer as you mentioned. But again my point was people shouldn’t rely too much on what they say when it comes to photography, if you’re a beginner.
But you still mentioned Peter McKinnon, not as as a good photographer, but as a good Youtube photographer which contradicts your point.
Also, there’s YouTube is the way people learn a skill for free. Not everyone can take a classes. I started photography seriously seven years ago and learn the basics through youtube. When I wanted to take portraits outside, I went to youtube; when I wanted to understand time lapse, youtube. Yes, there will always be beginners that fall into the traps of “Gotta get that sweet bokeh *kiss* goodness” but they’re still learning the basics.
You think YouTube is ruining new photographers, good for you, but your experience isn’t universal and the fact you say that while also praising Peter McKinnon, the BIGGEST and most overhyped photographer on the platform just shows it’s your opinion. If someone wants to learn photography, I’ll be quick to point out a few youtube videos that illustrate lighting and composition.
As I mentioned Peter McKinnon is a good content creator. And I picked him as my example cause as you mentioned he is the biggest. People with no photography experience can watch his videos and enjoy. Which is why he is a content creator. And it’s fine to watch such content creators, enjoy, maybe get inspired by them.
Going a step further and copying them step by step (which most beginners do) is what’s ruining their creativity.
I’m not sure what we’re supposed to talk about. The several thoughts in this post seem disconnected and contradictory.
While yeast-raised pancakes may take a little more prep, a cast-iron skillet, used properly, seems more efficient than a magnifying glass against intruders.
Wait…
🤔
I think social media in general has completely ruined photography and videography for me. I do watch YouTube for tutorials but I’ve really gone off all the photo/video influencers, they’re so fake.
I think some are helpful - but yes, it is important to use your camera. Whenever I get a new lens - for example - I take pics around the house and wherever I go. In turn, I learn the nuances of the lens and how it renders. If it’s a new camera then I learn the menu system, adjust to the shutter lag, etc.
Collectively I may even establish a fondness for a new genre if it’s a result of shooting something available to me.
Totally disagree. I learned a lot from YouTube, then practiced what I learned and discovered even more. It’s been an invaluable and cheap way of learning for me.
Everyone has their way of learning. Just because it doesn’t work for you doesn’t mean it does work for other. When I talk to my kids about something they are working on, I asked them how did they learn that. YouTube is generally their answer.
I wish YouTube was around over 30 years ago when I was using film. Probably would have picked up a lot more tips and tricks when it was expensive to buy/process film and I couldn’t afford a lot of it.
Don’t watch, read. Go and buy a book. Books are not free and are rare. It takes money, time and effort to write and publish a book so (mostly) they are a good source of real information.
You Tube? Not so much. Any ignorant Redditor can have a channel up and running spouting all kinds of information sending you down rabbit holes but mostly trying to get you to Buy More Stuff.
That depends on the Youtube channels you’re watching.
There’s plenty of creators out there posting handy editing tutorials etc. that don’t even try to monetise a LUT or preset or software or kit.
the comment above has value though, there’s a ton of photography knowledge that hasn’t really made it to YouTube, but is in books.
It’s good to build a library of book-centric creative knowledge too.
As a professional photographer I can’t waste time till I stumble upon something someday, I’d rather learn it how to do it when I want it. I can’t spend s money on a lens and shoot it to find out if I like it, I’d rather go on yt and see if I like the photos from this lens before I drop major dough on it. There are lot of things that you will learn by yourself though Experience but there is no harm in learning things from someone else.
There are some amazing photographers on YouTube that do very well in their business. Many of them are also gear reviewers and sometimes the line is blurred.
It’s a matter of picking who works best for you. I think we all get a little annoyed at the fascination with gear but that’s how they make their money.
Funny thing is, there are also a few “not very good photographers” in youtube that post really good content.
I always make a point of reading the manual for my new bodies, etc but it’s almost guaranteed the following week I will be searching for how to use the self timer or use bracketing, or specific settings in a flash and such, because I will already have forgotten.
Youtube it’s a brilliant resource.
YouTube photographers aren’t usually professional photographers who are out getting gigs
Full time photographers usually don’t have time to make YouTube videos
They are mostly ex full time youtubers.
Most started out doing one or two videos and found success so they stopped doing the work part of photography
I would disagree. One of the best channels I’ve found with great videos is BYU photo. Great process videos, how tos, and it’s the active photo team for the school. A number of other “real photographers “ out there too. It’s just another part of the job.
" aren’t usually " "Full time photographers usually don’t "
u/2deep4u was putting forth a statistic, not stating an absolute.
:)
What a stupid advice. You don’t know what you don’t know. Of course there is no shortcut, you have to practice and shoot BUT you need to know what you want and what is possible and yourube is a great source. Sure people like Peter who are doing 95% entertainment and 5% teaching is not a useful source.
Tere are so many things you can only figure out by unlikely accidents…
I think YouTube videos provide a good starting point in the learning journey. You shouldn’t watch the videos and expect to do everything the exact way it’s shown in the video, but many videos give tips and tricks you may not learn while experimenting on your own.
That said, in my area I know many photographers who can learn straight from the video and apply what they learn in its entirety. Being that photography is an art not everyone is, or should, apply every technique the exact same way.