This totally makes sense. Photography should be about capturing moments, not capturing frames according to a rulebook.

The added bonus of photography in “normal light” is not having to get up at Stupid O’Clock, or missing Happy Hour at the bar 😅

THANK YOU JAMES! I'm tired of the photo club mentality of calling everything a defect. I'm glad you have brought up this issue.

They're not imperfections, they're life. Removing too many of those imperfect details can make a scene look sterile and unreal. Carry on, you fantastic little rule-breaker.

"But having the debate with myself, I think has been really beneficial" so important, and why we watch these videos.

What I see in your images is that you keep them high key and low contrast with more subtle colors than we see in most photos, which tends to make them more serene and 'quiet'.

To be honest James, it’s ever since I started following your channel and your photography that I’ve noticed myself being drawn towards the “quieter” images as you mention. And I’ve really changed my overall style as a result. I’ve also never really been all that bothered by perfecting every minor detail in my images either and I feel like this new approach is a much healthier way to admire my own work. I no longer strive for “bangers only” but rather I try to make something nice out of the ordinary that’s in front of me. So I totally get where you’re coming from and it’s thanks to you that I’ve been able to grow as a photographer

I solved this conundrum many years ago by applying the wabi-sabi ethos/aesthetic: strive for excellence, not perfection. Perfection is impossible to achieve. Never pass up a good shot for a technially "perfect" shot. Shoot for the perfectly imperfect. Everything is transient, incomplete and imperfect - that is reality and realism. Capture it as it is.

What's funny is I didn't notice any of those distractions until you pointed them out! The photos were so well composed, I only noticed the subject.

You hit the nail on the head. A good photo meets the photographer's aesthetic, not a text book's. How often are exposure "rules" broken by the masters? How often is composition ignored for some of the most powerful photos of all time?

I think you're ahead of a trend that we'll see as a reaction to Ai's production of "art." We'll be looking for the imperfect and human in our art. 30 years ago when I was making paintings and ink drawings I had a similar attitude, wanting to embrace the sketchiness, imperfections, and thought process in art, because computers could easily clean-up and make "perfect," anything being produced. Thanks for reminding me of this, and creating such wonderful videos. ❤

It does make perfect sense. I’d add that generally loud pictures don’t look nice when hung on walls.

I've been having very similar thoughts recently. As the creator we're in a unique position; whether we choose to crop, heal brush, or clone something out of a photo--aside from someone like yourself on youtube showing the before/after... we're the only one that knows. Often I only feel like something is distracting after I've quite possibly way over-analyzed the image. For example, the tarmac patch in your NY busses photo. I've seen that photo numerous times since you originally posted it. I'd never even noticed that patch until you just pointed it out. It was never distracting.

This is one of the more thought-provoking photography videos I’ve watched in a long time. Really appreciate the way you question trends and commonly accepted rules in photography. Thanks James!

I like the comment about photos being taken during “normal daylight”. That’s how most people see the world. The same argument works against extreme wide angle and telephoto shots. That’s not how people see the world.

I think in the quest to escape the "Mobile phone AI-Generated Stock-photo" look, photography has come the same route as gardens, where initially the objective was to show off man's dominance over nature (square corners, Victorian neat tidy lawns, etc), whereas now the more laid-back, shabby natural style is preferred

This video couldn't be timed better 😂 I was literally having this conversation with my girlfriend when we were walking around a market and we saw a lot of photographers art for sale. The art wasn't bad, but we felt the art was boring, every single piece was this perfect sunset or sunrise, and every single artist stand had the same pieces or same kind of piece. Sometimes I feel that the less than perfect or , more real the picture looks the more I enjoy it. I'm glad I saw this video and someone else is out there explaining how I'm feeling in a better way than I could ever explain 😂.

Great reflexion. I was wondering why I loved your images from Patagonia so much more than the images from your fellow travelers, and I think you put it in words very well - you didn't try to shout louder than the others and by doing so, you found something unique to show - while the others tried to out-do the colors and vistas that tens of thousands have photographed before, you found a more nuanced and unique perspective. I especially love the picture with the horses through the window with the barely lit stools in front of it; nobody else shows that and yet that tells me more about the feeling of the place you stayed at than blazing-red mountain peaks.

I've always stood by my thinking that there's perfection in imperfection, and I definitely agree that realism is better than a 'perfect' photo!

Makes sense to me, it’s what makes everyone individually recognised in such a jam packed genre

"Perfect photos are boring"...couldn't agree more! I think most people go through a full-circle photography journey. You start out taking "bad" photos, at some point you realize they are bad and you strive for the perfect image. You achieve the "perfect" image, and then realize perfect gets boring. Now you seek imperfection to add interest. Its a great example of how good photography is more artistic rather than scientific/technology dependent. (edit*: I wrote this before I got to @9:40 in your video lol)

Absolutely makes sense. I’ve heard other photographers refer to an excess of perfect photos, the bangers, if you will, you get visual fatigue. You can only look at so many nuclear skies, so many unblemished landscapes, so many high volume perfect images that a person will become immune to them. I’m definitely going to question my reasons next time I crop or clone something out. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Great video James! Thanks 😊

James, I like your thinking. This is one of the more thoughtful and stimulating videos on photography I have seen in a long time. I know Len Metcalf, another wonderful landscape photographer and thinker, tells his students to embrace imperfection. I love this idea because it means don't believe its wrong just because someone tells you its wrong. Follow your own path. If we don't do this, we don't evolve and all photographs start to look and feel the same. I like your thinking about volume too. It makes sense to me. Great work James.

Great commentary. For a number of years I felt I was not improving as I invested way to much time following the rules and technical aspects we all hear about. Finally I came to the realization that I would only improve if the images meant something to me. This realization was a game changer. Even friends and family have noticed that my images have changed and rather like the new me versus the postcard me. Keep up the great work. Cheers.

Makes a lot of sense to me, James. It's the supple addition to story telling, leaving the dirty marks on the window of the horse image for example.

Nicely said. I've never wanted to take perfect photos, I want to take interesting photos.

I really relate to this topic. I really quite like your evolving style. Realism in photography is liberating. Less time processing and more time enjoying the craft and the images.

This really hit me! A very good question... This is gonna scramble around in my head for a long time! Reminds me about Wabi Sami philosophy - Nothing lasts, nothing is finished and nothing is perfect.

I really enjoyed this topic. I tend to feel a photo before taking it, meaning it already has evoked an emotion.. Then while editing, I try to match how I felt while taking the image to see if I’ve captured that essence.

Absolutely on board with this thinking. Some of my favourite street photographs are interesting because of little imperfections that I would previously have seen as distractions. Those ‘distractions’ actually add context and even add more to the overall story. Also why I love the 35mm look and more recently the 28mm again. Great video mate.

Great video, great subject. I’m more drawn to everyday situations captured in normal light as this normally matches the environment I have to work in when I’m out for my now very limited photo outings. I find I’m drawn to an interesting image at a mundane location in mundane light, far more than a stunning location shot at golden hour

James , through imperfection you’ve discovered perfection 😳😍When it comes to creativity there can be only one rule : there are no rules !!! Best …Art

Great points James. Personally working for newspapers, shooting in less than perfect light and conditions is par for the course, the editor doesn't give a rats about the light he want's photos to break up the words end of. It makes you work harder to create a decent image. On my own time I'll shoot in any conditions, some shots work some don't. Netflix not a chance for me, i'm you-tube addicted I watch it for news, current events, opinions, citizen journalism, photography related content everything. I haven't owned a TV for last 7 years don't miss it at all I now watch what I want when I want, no being subjected to crap I have zero interest in.

All good points James, loud photos give me a visual headache, love subtlety. Joe Cornish in my option is a master of this. MJ

I totally agree with you about volume. I might even go further and say it is about volume and frequency combined. The best analogy I can think of is Christmas. I love Christmas, it’s is probably my favourite time of year but if I had to have Christmas every week I would hate it! Love the video and I will think harder about editing my images because of it. ❤

I have actually moved away from wanting to take perfect photos some time ago. Since I did that, it became a lot more fun again. It's about capturing moments as they come, not as we wished what they looked like.

Thanks James. Photography is a self journey rather than say what X said is worth doing. The expert words matter but after a point in time, you get into your own space, method, so forth doing what drives you. The fence is your own and what lies within is your own photo world, realism or not.

Nice, James. Great observations and valuable brainstorming. Sometimes, we do package commercially.

I was at a workshop recently, and the speaker said something that hit home very hard for me. He said ' Perfection destroys creativity. " Very much along with what you are saying.

I have been following you for quite sometime now James, and finally I feel I need to comment. I love this video! It is very inspiring, makes me think about my own photography and gets me excited about the art of photography. Normally I am a ‘traditional’ landscape and wildlife photographer, so I usually EXclude manmade elements, but your pictures most of the time have something special, one of the reasons I started following you. So, your video absolutely made sense to me, keep on making videos with these kind of reflections on your art of photography, thank you!

Great video James and it totally makes sense actually. I am 100% with you on this. My younger self was shooting in a water housing looking for surf photography perfection in pristine light and these days I love the less extreme photos of just every day life. It’s interesting how we change. Loving the photos in this episode 👍☘️

Sidenote: @6:30 I think the position of the subject is actually perfect. Not only beacause it shows how he is about to disappear behind the edge making us wonder what waits him there but also because it tell us a story of him having covered some distance through one environment while what awaits him is yet unknown. Maybe this photo is not about anticipation of something but about the journey itself.

Nick Carver has a great discussion about this as well when he covers of you should manipulate your images. It's certainly a great discussion

Brilliant. Perfection is definitely overrated. I often find that purposefully looking for imperfections can add far more honesty and meaning to a photograph than always looking for that idealised view.

I really like this video. I understand technique and art don’t get as many views as gear, but this content is far more useful. Thank you. I agree completely with you. I have a friend who is an incredible photographer. Her work is world class, exceptional and oddly to me, uninteresting. It “shouts” and is perfect and in being perfect, looks like every other exceptional photographer’s work. I love the imperfections. Unintended flare and glare, out of place objects and more all make more interesting photos and more of what our eye might see.If you can and want to, a deeper dive into this topic would be great.

I think volume or loudness are good analogies for what you're describing here. We all photos that take you somewhere, and if you can create that in your image then the content works, regardless of anything technical behind that. I have a friend who's very good at composition and the art side of photography, but has never owned a manual camera because she's not interested in learning how to use it.

So well said! I'm afraid too many photographers start to feel that only the dramatic "money shots" are worth taking or sharing. That kind of thinking made me stop my photography for months. Then I made peace with the fact that I take photos for my own happiness and if someone else happens to like them, that's cool too. But some of my favorite photos would probably seem boring to others. That's fine. The photo will always matter more to the photographer because it transports you back to the moment when you took it.

I resonate with this topic re: the brilliant work of“Accidental Wes Anderson” style photos; and if I’m honest the colour and brightness of some of your edits. Personally I much prefer your “quietest” work even more than your “quieter” work! But as you say, it’s all so subjective - and realism is something that different people will want in different volumes at different times. My tastes shift all the time, as all of ours do.

Thanks a lot, James, for sharing your thoughts on this. It makes a lot of sense to me. And I am trying to develop my ability to see the quieter and smaller things and to create beautiful or interesting photos with them.

The word volume is perfect 👌

FWIW, I found this video to make a great deal of sense. I enjoy these reflections about something more than shutter speeds and ISO's. I also agree with much of what you said here. One brief challenge: you made a passing comment that there is no "right or wrong" early in the video. I disagree. There is a right and a wrong, depending on the purpose of the photograph. Sometimes we are too quick to devalue our aesthetic choices. A poor choice of aperture can ruin an image, and so can poor composition or lighting. Some choices better fulfill the purpose of the image, making them more right. Don't be afraid to stick to your convictions.

It DID make a lot of sense - thanks for sharing

Sensor spots, tourists, and errant birds/insects. Three things that are pretty much the only things I like to edit out of my photos, otherwise everything is as usual. Don't like to do too much manipulation.

This is good to hear, and you make a lot of sense. Many thanks!

loved your way of framing this! sometimes capturing what's in the moment is just as impactful

This is the most interesting video on photography I've seen in a long time. I love the understated, real look of your pictures. It shows the beauty to be found in real life, although I do love the high dynamic range look too. Sometimes it's nice to have a change of pace.

Wonderful insight. Thank you!

Makes very much sense! Also, ties in with the whole ai debate. I suspect we will see a lot more ‘imperfect ‘ images as a way of proving reality. Maybe even up to the point of adding perfect imperfections. Definitely food for thought. Thanks!

I absolutely love listening to your photography philosophy man, keep it up please!

I wonder if the ability to move into more muted palettes is part of the appeal of the film simulations from Fuji in particular.

A good subject to address. Much food for thought here. Thank you, James.

Brilliant, James, thank you

Makes total sense James. Thoroughly enjoyed you addressing the topic. Thanks.

I believe this is the reason social media, including photography-centric ones like Instagram, has transitioned to video. Perfection is boring, people want more, so in video format people can go crazy and get the attention they desperately want. This is why I hardly use Instagram these days. I only follow photographers, whose work I appreciate, but most of them keep posting videos, not to mention LOTS of ads, so I don't bother to spend time there anymore. I miss the inspiration of great photography and photographers, discovering those I don't already know about, but discovery is an even worse shit show than the feed, completely unrelated to my Instagram follows and searches, and I haven't even used Facebook in a long time . And don't get me started with stories and reels, I hope it was never invented. Instagram was GREAT for apreciating your work and that of others. Now it's basically crap. If anyone can point out a photography-centric community where most photographers post their work, it would be greatly appreciated. All I see in their bios and websites are links to Instagram and KZfaq.

James, great video, love the reflective style and willingness to find your rendering…..like you I prefer photography to not be focussed on perfection, rules etc, but to convey the interaction of place, equipment and photographer….its an art form and one you are very good at.

The Fish & Chips from the shop up the hill from the Lifeboat (opposite the ice-cream parlour) are amazing - used to be the best in the UK at one point!

Great Video James. I’ve always loved your work. You are spot on point with what you’ve said. Keep it real and relevant. Love it! Take care!

Very good explanation. I totally agree with your thinking. It really depends on what I am taking a picture of, and what I want to achieve with the image.

Thank you, Squarespace, for sponsoring this content. I love the concept of volume in photography. Its enlightening to see and hear you ponder this. I love heavy metal sometimes and house to concentrate.

Thank you, I really appreciate your thoughts. Certainly makes lots of sense. Liberating actually! Again thanks

I loved this video and I especially like this concept of volume. Thanks for sharing.

Really enjoyed your video this morning! Your discussion on a photograph's volume was spot on. Several people have told me that some of my photos are hot, which I didn't fully understand until today's video. Thanks for putting it in perspective. Cheers!!!

An excellent perspective on photography. Thanks much for sharing.

Always thought provoking; thanks James!

Yes, this video did make sense. You're extending your message that photos should be about something rather than of something. It seems to me that photos that are about something are photos worth looking at with, perhaps, some "technical" imperfections, or in spite of these imperfections. Keep up the good work!

Wow. Great video James. This is the type of content I followed you for years ago. Can’t believe you tube didn’t bother to feature it in my feed for 2 weeks!! 😂

Nice video, thanks, and it does make sense. I have been following your work for about two years and knew something had changed. Now I know what, and understand it. As a newbie, it's another interesting thought when looking through the viewfinder.

Thank you for the explanation of your approach to photography. I think you explained it precisely. I have a better appreciation of your work. Thank you, James.

James Thought provoking stuff love it thank you

Good as always. Thanks for sharing your photos and thoughts on what makes something a distraction. I agree with the earlier comment that the icy area on the bus picture was not distracting until you mentioned it. I also think that the first picture of the wagon was better with the 3rd fence post. Lots of great thoughts in this one.

Thank you for talking about subjects that other photographers don’t. I’ve never really thought about the idea of realism all that much but it’s very interesting to consider. I was editing an image last night and trying to decide whether to clone out some spots. Ultimately left them in and the final image still looks amazing in my opinion. Going to be a little less picky with things like that moving forward. Thanks again for making me think!

Great video. It's given me more confidence to not over analyse. Its always about "that" photo. Nice to meet you on Thursday. We beat the rain!

Fantastic video!!!

ive never liked your stuff. but now i do. i love you're philosophy and how you explained it. something to consider in the future ❤

You always have a way of expressing something in words that I've only been able to feel

I stumbled on your channel and work from a shoutout from another photographer. And love how you explain photography in a way that it is unique and specific to an individual. How we see the world in its authentic self. Natural. And making it into art. I hope that makes sense. 😊 I aspire to learn and create images that are captivating and inspiring. So thanks. ❤

Great content, fantastic photos, loved this video!

I really like the idea og volume and your analogy to music and mood. Definitely something I will be thinking about!

I seldom shoot during Golden Hour these days for the same reason. I feel like it's not "real life" half of the time! I also embrace the "imperfections" I really struggle to look at images that are "Perfect" because they are often obvious.

Your thoughts make a lot of sense ... and i love that photo with the horses in the foreground!

Excellent video!!! Your photos spark an interest - they have a certain way of grabbing you. I love your work and appreciate this video - Keeping these thoughts in mind as work with my photos. Please continue to mke this content - it is truly well done!

Great topic, great video with nice photo examples. Well done!

Good stuff as usual James. There's no accounting for taste.

I feel that text book photographs are clinical and somewhat lifeless. I’m glad you made this video when you did because I needed something to point me in the right direction in terms of my photographic path.

I think I have much the same approach, not liking to massively crop images or clone out "imperfections", even to the point of not worrying about high ISO noise when taking pictures of the local rugby team (they get shrunk and shared online as a low quality image anyway). I had always put this down to my view of myself as a simple amateur and suspected I had low standards, but its the act of taking the picture I enjoy as much as looking at the result. I tend not to like a lot of pictures that are highly edited as they often do not come across as 'real', I think that's why I like the fact you include street signs and telegraph poles in your images.

Cricceth! So many holiday spent here!

I like the idea! You did a great job explaining

Your videos speak loudly to me even though the content is intelligent and nicely modulated. Quite a feat that you pull off regularly. Why I keep coming back. Nicely done.

Loved taking some time to reflect on what you’ve talked about here. I don’t think there are any “shoulds” or “should nots”; rules. For me, my photography is about capturing a story of a person, place, thing etc.. surely the end result is more important than the process you went through to get there… but the process IS more important, or else you wouldn’t have that particular result. So you’re right James, understanding your taste, and the story you want to tell is an important starting point, and refined and adapted continually surely

This may be one of my favorite videos you’ve done recently… and not because of the bit about the desk (🤣)… two thoughts… one, in the SE U.S. where I am, light can be so harsh, especially in the summer, no clouds no rain 38*C so it’s shoot in crap light or give up, and two, the rules were there so you knew what to strive towards, but today it feels like the expectation and standard is perfection, making it hard to explore photography artistically when all you see are perfect images you know you have little chance to create. Our gear gives us perfection. Our uniqueness as individuals gives us the artistic view, but if an image is “perfect” and we are standing in the same tripod holes and our gear is the same, our image is boringly identical but perfect. I learned the “rules” without an understanding that they are meant as guides not tick boxes. I tell people, learn the rules, study them, study photographers of all kinds, then forget it all and go make something you love to look at. It’s often the hardest thing for me to do when shooting myself. Great video!