Photography critique and more

[John R]

Just want to share three youtube channels that I have discovered and that I think will be of interest to those who follow this subject, like Rob, Russ and others. Hope this is the right venue for this.

First is "Still Life - Art and the photographic image" at - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRukp-JEsY1KBfG07AB2UmQ
The author does critiques and showcases various photographers. Many less well known. He tells us why he thinks the work is worth considering. The commentary is centred around the art and aesthetics of photography.

Second is Al Green - "Light Through Glass" at - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC63D4nksKZdHpKVKFGCSeKg
The author does simple vignettes through slide shows with music showcasing various vintage cameras and lenses. All film cameras. Short (about 1-3 minutes per show), sweet and entertaining.

Third is "Analog Insights" at - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEsIPHfiX6UpomrXTrdq67Q
It is mainly one guy assisted by two others that review film cameras in a very entertaining way, and includes some fashion related episodes. Not simple gear reviews. They combine reviews with actual photographs that were taken in their walks. You get to see the results. The format is different and more entertaining than most Youtube photography channels. And some episodes are about the art of photography.

JR

[Rob C]

Thanks for the links, John; lots to look at there!

Rob

[RSL]

+1

[John R]

Thanks for the links, John; lots to look at there!

Rob

Rob, just watched this episode "The Story behind the Shoot: A Lonely Night Out" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QZ8d0WsQ8U One episode in the Analog Insights channel.

It was a staged photo shoot using a Mamiya RZ67 with 110mm f/2.8 Sekor lens. I thought you might really enjoy this episode because it is sort of fashion combined with a story and mood and how and why the photographer approached the subject the way he did. And all using an older film camera!

JR

[Rob C]

Rob, just watched this episode "The Story behind the Shoot: A Lonely Night Out" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QZ8d0WsQ8U One episode in the Analog Insights channel.

It was a staged photo shoot using a Mamiya RZ67 with 110mm f/2.8 Sekor lens. I thought you might really enjoy this episode because it is sort of fashion combined with a story and mood and how and why the photographer approached the subject the way he did. And all using an older film camera!

JR

Thank you John.

This instantly brought two things to mind:

a. Marianne Faithfull in a London pub. It was quite a series, of which I seem to recall his website once showing many more images;

https://flashbak.com/never-apologize-never-explain-pictures-of-marianne-faithfull-396864/gered-mankowitz-marianne-faithfull-the-salisbury-pub-saint-martins-lane-london-1964/

b. the fact that as with the late Peter Lindbergh's making-of videos (as I have commented here before), the light in the motion shoot is often far better than the result shown in the stills. I think the model, a very photogenic kid, suffers from the printing technique. Also, in a still shot where she is in profile, sitting on a stool at the bar, the guy has cut her off far too close at the right border, thus destroying the beauty of a very straight back culminating at a perfect set of gluteal muscles. What was he thinking? Maybe processing marks along the edge of the film... bubbles could do that with 120, try as you might to dislodge them, yet another advantage of the olde 6x6! The video deals with that composition far better!

Rob

[John R]

Rob I am going to revisit the part you where you said, "thus destroying the beauty of a very straight back culminating at a perfect set of gluteal muscles." I want to see what you are getting at.

But here is another video along the lines of what we here at LuLa have discussed many times: What is good composition? What makes a good image. Who and how do we decide what is a good photo? It is really eye opening to see how the author juxtaposes the paintings of Bob Ross of TV art painting fame and the thousands of Landscape photos we see every day on the net. He describes most Landscape photos on the net as "Disneyfied." This should be enough to whet your appetite. I am so glad I found this channel. Much to learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGWIVzki3ts

[Rob C]

Rob I am going to revisit the part you where you said, "thus destroying the beauty of a very straight back culminating at a perfect set of gluteal muscles." I want to see what you are getting at.

But here is another video along the lines of what we here at LuLa have discussed many times: What is good composition? What makes a good image. Who and how do we decide what is a good photo? It is really eye opening to see how the author juxtaposes the paintings of Bob Ross of TV art painting fame and the thousands of Landscape photos we see every day on the net. He describes most Landscape photos on the net as "Disneyfied." This should be enough to whet your appetite. I am so glad I found this channel. Much to learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGWIVzki3ts

Thank you, John. Apart from his thinking, he also has a good voice to which to listen. I agree with pretty much all he has to say in your link.

I post another one below:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bdaxV2ieZgY

and though I generally go with his flow, I have to draw the line at his take on Kenna. I think Kenna's problem is that he has been cloned so often as to beome victim of his own style's popularity. I have no way of knowing how original or otherwise his style is, but I can't think of others doing it before him, which could well be my lack of depth here.

Enjoy the gluteal muscles when you almost find them!

:-)