Sorry for the ridiculous waffle at the start, I honestly try to be concise... 👉 Instagram: instagram.com/jamespopsys 👉 Twitter: twitter.com/jamespopsys 👉 Presets, Prints & Books: www.jamespopsys.com/store 👉 Newsletter: www.jamespopsys.com/newsletter 👉My Gear inc 5% off Kase Filters: www.jamespopsys.com/gear

Your advice of taking photos about things rather than of things has helped my photography for a long time James. I never knew why my photos felt so "boring" until I started actively trying to apply this. Thanks a lot mate

At around 3:13 you suggest that photographs can't afford to be complex or confusing, and that it should be clearly obvious what the photograph is conveying to the viewer. Actually, the opposite can be true. If you don't see the meaning of the photograph at first glance, then you realise there is a surprise somewhere in the image, you feel a connection to the photographer. Some photographs show more than some people think.

You waffle all you like James, there’s little photography gems in there for all of us to pick up on. Thanks for sharing.

Love the fact that you actually have b-roll of you smelling a photo ☠️😂

I'm very keen on using shallow DOF in my landscape photos, a lot of the time (not always but often) a photograph with everything in focus feels a bit directionless. I keep thinking to myself "a photograph of everything isn't a photograph of something".

There's a saying I come back to repeatedly: "A confused mind always says 'no'." It's resonate with the message you share here, James. And I also appreciate the idea that *adding* something to the frame can simplify by way of providing a focus point. I admit to often thinking, "now, if that person would just move...," or wishing whatever I saw as "distracting" would get out of the way. I knew on some level that those a possible points of interest, but I would neglect to use them as part of the story if I saw my subject as something else. Thank you for the reframe! And to your final point, I'm laughing a bit because your friend Nigel (it was through him I found your channel) just posted about how he's moving away from Aperture Priority and towards Manual... I'm thinking you two could have a good little debate about the pros/cons!

I used to think that only “real” photographers use manual mode but I’m about to go out on a street session in aperture priority and am really excited to be able to experience the moment and capture on the fly instead of being buried in my settings.

All the images you illustrated this video with are beautiful, but I have to say that the portrait of the Husky in the snow is an absolute masterpiece. The subtle colours, the position of the dog and the gorgeous white of the snow are incredibly beautiful. It is totally captivating.

James, that bird was clearly eating some bruschetta 😂 Another thought provoking video and very helpful, thank you and fabulous example photos to explain your rationale 👍👍

Great video! I agree with everything you say - with one caveat. I think what you're referring to as "simplicity" is better expressed as "clarity". The examples you give serve to disambiguate the story in the image making it easier for the viewer to understand.

Waffle on, James. Always enjoyable. 😄

I paused this video 11:05 to write this comment because I feel like I am one of those who felt a little asharted that after many years of taking photos, I am still using apparture priority most of the time. I do use manual or Blub but not as often. Your comment made me feel that I am not doing anything wrong or feel small about it. Other than that the topic of the vide is on point. I don't know I haven't heard anyone talking about adding things to make a photograph better but always "less-is-more". Thank you for another exceptional tutorial.

Hi James, yes you have managed to simplify my confusion quite well.

I like the way you explained it and used your pictures to explain your thoughts, definetley interesting and food for thought. Thank you

Thanks a lot for this advice! Although I already incorporated it partly with varying success, I mostly did it by feel. I never thought about the difference between minimal and simple. This gives me something new to think about when composing or watching photos! Thanks for the inspiration!

It does make sense to add details and make the picture more simple. To a viewer that is. It reminds me to put myself in a viewers pov more. Thanks for your video!

This is a brilliant point, valid regardless of camera equipment being used. Thank you for sharing

I enjoy your waffling! 😁 Thanks for sharing!

Some good examples to qualify your point, enjoyable waffle and made me smile when you completely undermined Nigel’s video this week with your comment on aperture priority… 😄👍🏻

THANK YOU! this is the kind of video i was searching for a very long time, i know this kind of video can improve my photography a lot! please if u have time, make other like this!!!!

What a great video, on such an important aspect of photography, so well put across, brilliant 👍

Have not watched your videos in a long time. I return and suddenly you sound like you should be narrating a School Of Life video 😆 . Fantastic.

You are my new favorite vlogger. You shoot hand held in aperture priority. A kindred spirit !

This is amazing James, your work and your advices are so inspiring! 🤩

Even though I don’t do landscape photography, I love your videos and all your insight. It’s definitely made me a better photographer. I especially loved your thoughts about “do photographers take or make photos?” I would love if you did more of this analysis type vid 🔥

This concept and the way you've explained it is genius

I agree simplicity is the best! I heard that before from you and always keep it in mind, take photos about and not of things! Cheers!

This is an amazingly simple yet profound way of putting it. Loved the video. I'm just now learning...

Very insightful and useful advice! Thank you. I’ve been following you for a while, and you try to pass yourself off as a goof, but you really are quite brilliant.

You’re a great teacher! Thanks. I’ve been photographing for a while, and I recently started shooting 35mm. Anyway, I’ve always wanted to be able to take simple photos, or simplistic or minimalistic, and you explained it so clearly and it was easy to understand. And, a good teacher repeats a lot - so no worries about that ;)

Excellent tip on adding interest by keeping it simple. Thanks!

One of the best and most thought provoking photography tips in a long time

Enlightening, appreciate the use of your photos to demonstrate your points. Thanks

Love the steel bezel black bay!

Great video. Very good advice and I especially liked the examples you used. Thank you for the work you do to make and post these!

Well done James. Best photography vid I've seen for a long time.

Def one of your most thought-provoking videos...I think what you showed here is a more concrete and useful way of illustrating the need to tell a story with a photo. When we simplify a photo to the point where there is no story, it's "That's nice...next."

Waffle or not, it was interesting. I'm still at the start of landscape photography as a hobby and hoovering up as many tips and techniques as I can to give me a head start. Your point regarding a focal point within a photo really helps. The idea of giving perspective by adding a question, and something that isn't part of the permanent view giving that question (my garbled interpretation of your "waffle" as you call it) was informative and useful. Thank you.

I could listen to you all day, thanks 🍻

The most philosophical photography video I've seen in a l-o-n-g time. Loved it... Thanks James!

Your advice is always spot on mate,always inspiring!

I loved all these simple photos which are also nicely edited

Very interesting ideas that definitely don't get discussed as much as lens sharpness and other techie stuff. But way more useful and to the point.

Very good video demonstrating what is often a common but not very well explained concept covered in videos. Thanks!

Just came across this video I will subscribe to you when you said do you like the photo that's all that matters and then try to make it better that really got me I'm a beginner photographer and that just spoke to me because my family doesn't understand how I enjoy photography so much a lot of people don't have the vision that I have just wanted to say thank you

Your work is stunning!

An excellent vid and very philosophical. Thank you.

Great video! It helps to think the pictures are about something rather than of something

Great video James! Thanks!

Have to admit that you almost lost my focus when you got to the Brushetta (which I love btw...) but once you got through that, it started getting super SUPER interesting very quickly. Very glad I stuck with it and watched the whole video. Bravo me! What an effort.... 😜 Thanks James!!

Loved your video as always!

Nicely argued. Thanks for these thoughts, they are helpful. I was quite often thinking about this simplicity by adding, but I never managed to come to a conclusion. Many thanks.

Stunning photos

Hi James! Love this weeks video from you as it has inspired me to be more cognizant of the simple things in my images thus making them more interesting. Oddly, a push-pull scenario is going on as I watched Nigel's video before yours in regards to using aperture priority vs. manual mode. In the end, I guess it just comes down to what you're most comfortable with and the end result you want to achieve just as long as you understand (the key) why you're in a particular mode.

The one at 3.50 is stunning! By the way all images are great!

I like the waffled the info. Keep 'em coming.

Well said !! It makes good sense! Thanks!

Like it, makes sense, lots of info I hadn't thought about, thanks James

I use manual, shutter speed and aperture mode depending on what iam doing. Landscape: aperture, concerts: manual and wildlife: shutter speed. Its good to know your modes and what you can use them for.

Very helpful. Thank you James.

That intro about grass made my day 😂

Great topic. And totally makes sense

Really informative video James! I'd say everyone can take something from this, let alone just beginners. Thank you

Good video James, thank you!

Interesting video James. I think you hit the nail on the head in this. Keeping things simple can often look a lot more interesting. I like to bring some form of structure into my photography so it has a strong focal point. An enjoyable watch. Thanks for sharing.

I totally get the point, really learned from this. Oh and the example images were beautiful

Thank you for this, it really does help. I'm glad that I also use the aperture priority, that means I'm not doing everything wrong 😂 because I don't quite understand shutter speed yet 🤣

killing the game. Implementing everything today!

Complicated simplicity. Hmm. A sort of working class Zen vibe. Like it.

James I agree with everything you pointed out in the video

If I've understood well, the images with an active action (walking, moving the hands, etc.) are more intesresting because we can understand what's going on. Even though a photograph is only a frame (static), a picture with an active action creates movement because we imagine that movement and pay attention to that happening. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

Thoughtful and helpful video. Thank you.

one of the best and straitforward photography tutorials I ever saw. I wish more content on YT would focus on that and not on the sensor size comparisons.

I like the beginning, very relevant and concise. Not at all drawn out lol. I enjoyed it regardless

Mr. James... This is a philosohy youtube channel masquerading as a photography channel, and I absolutely love it. Im here for the ridiculous waffle. Please continue, thanks 😄

Great video James - very informative as usual 👍

dang this video is so helpful thank you!!

Interesting video with some useful examples. Trying in my mind to see how this applies across other genres.

Your distinction between minimalism and simplicity is very interesting - I think I've just l;earnt something about viewing minimalist works! And I agree, adding a centre of interest can paradoxically make the image less interesting. Pretty deep topics, thanks for discussing them.

Yep very true! Which the opsite can be true to if you are going for a wall of wonders like never give the eye and mind a secounds rest.

Good advice, thanks 👍

Off topic sort of: we don't see enough of your son, JP, and of Emily, too! The Kiffness and his wife had a son about the middle of this month (Jan 2022), and as you have the arts in common, and KZfaq as well, it's nice you (photographer/videographer in UK) and TK (musician video mash-up maker, in South Africa) are bringing more artists into the world.

This reminds me of when you were talking about "spice" in photos back in Iceland. Not too much, not too little.

Food for thought 👍🏻 nice 1

Its a different type of photography lesson but I love your perspective on it

Adding a "point of entry".... It's like the first word in a sentence. You've illustrated it brilliantly.

Great advice 👍🏻

Stunning cheers dude

I love the points you made here. Thanks. Where are the sheepies? Have a good week.

I participate to help in beginner photography forums and one of the most common misconceptions is that you have to use manual mode. Leading to many frustrated and discouraged newbies. By the by, the simplicity of composition is something I’ve already gleaned from you. But also that the image has to tell a story.

You may be promoting simplicity, but it's something a lot of advanced photographers may have forgotten. This was a great reminder.

I also often use aperture priority but with exposure compensation, which is essentially the same thing as using manual mode, as I set the aperture with the front wheel either way, and use the top rear wheel to adjust either the exposure compensation or the shutter speed. Either method results in the same f-stop and therefore exposure, except using manual makes you more aware of the SS (easy to overlook if you're in a hurry to get the shot before the light changes). Auto ISO can help as well, if your SS gets lower than desired. the main thing is to not rely 100% on any light meter--experience-based judgement is essential as no camera is "smarter" than you (probably)...

Another topic for the photography book I'm hoping you're going to write at some point 😀 I do own the other three books of yours but a tips one could be fun too.

James, very interesting thoughts! One observation about "adding things to make clear what to look at": Several of the examples that you showed IMHO were about adding sth "different" to the rest of the scene that *stands out* compared to the rest, but still naturally fits the environment. Say, the seagull standing out against the water+rocks or the swans in the fog. Would you say that this is a good discriminator of what to look for when considering to add a thing?

Excellent point. Well Made. Thank you. FYI, re the Cornish seabird shot, that's not a crab or mussel, it's probably a chip. Chips are the staple diet of gulls in Cornwall.

Your child getting nearer and nearer the tracks - having parental nightmares atm are we James? Can tell you’re now Dad 😂

Great advice man

Well well well isn’t it a first time a great analogy has come up in this channel. So there is hope hahaha

Scent memory is very powerful. I've been developing fragrances for the last few years. When you smell a scent you have digested a small piece of that substance. re creating environmental sensory through scent is very intriguing.