Episode 2: Bryan goes international, Photography in Paris and Mexico

Harsh light is a tool which, when used properly, can produce wonderful images.

The photo with the crashed car by the pole is fantastic. Personally, I like photos that are taken during harsher light (if the subject is somewhat interesting of course), because for me, they tend to look more „realistic“. Golden or blue hour is great, but it sometimes tends to look too artsy. For documentary work like this, I think harsh light, or cloudy days, are best, because that is how we also see the world most of the time. We don‘t wait for the sun to set to see the crashed car. We see it as it is, during the day, that moment when we passed by. Idk if that makes any sense, but anyway, I really like this series of yours. Keep it up!

Honestly, I think for this kind of subject matter harsh light works really well.

It seems that whenever you air new content the subject matter is exactly where I am at as far as my photography is concerned, and your words of wisdom are such inspiration. I hope is to publish a book of my project and I originally set out to shoot strictly in 5x4 and with a 6x6 back. But I don’t see why I shouldn’t be using my 6x4.5 camera, 35mm and digital if needs be. Your words on shooting in harsh lighting was also very helpful. Thank you yet again for the inspiration please keep up the content this is the best photography channel on KZfaq by far. A fan from Northern Spain

Nice episode like you use to present them. What I like is that you are truthful about your feelings while digging for your projects. After all, we are also experimenting challenges and small victories in our photographic journey. Keep on going, keep your channel alive!

I just found your channel and can't help but watch whenever I see a video of yours pop up on my recommended. I'm a 20 y/o photographer who has been shooting for a while but I'm just now starting to work for some humanitarian organizations. Your channel is refreshing compared to the other photography channels that seem to focus on gear and hysterics more than story, composition, or lighting. I really appreciate you and your channel as I look to become a better photographer.

Great stuff! I am impressed that a random stranger asked for a portrait. I love it! Also, great "wrestling" with the harsh light!

I like the black and white work here even more than I do the colour, especially the grain bins, which could indeed be an entire project. Thanks, Bryan

You should get paid by the mid western tourist board as I so want to visit that area now

In 23 years of landscape photography I can definitely say that morning and late afternoon late are the best times to making photographs. When shooting in the day time you have to chose subjects that are in keeping with the light available. In this respect there is no such thing as bad light. Photography after all is about painting with light, we have to choose wisely when and what we photograph.

I love the shot of the car and pole, if anything it’s the light that makes it, and thankfully there are more than enough clouds in the sky not to make it washed out at all. Great shot

Your videos are always worth watching. This one hit home because we can't always have perfect lighting & sometimes we have to shoot midday.

So many good points here Bryan. Love the work. Harsh light is the light I most often end up in because of the life I'm living at the moment. I often think about going to the US to make work but I always think I would end up as a victim in the Netflix true doc ;) These places have sort of becoming a stereotype of dangerous parts of rural America, where everyone has a gun and ain't afraid to use it!

These towns you go to are just so damn cool. At first when you had critiques about adding more of a story around the mid-west, I was like hm... i don't know if I agree. But after seeing more and more of what you're doing now with this.... I am fully on board and now really enjoy the idea of adding these empty, old town landscape photos. That mixed with the cars/car portraits they are gonna be badass mixed in the gallery or book. If a gallery opportunity, I think nice BIG framed prints would be so impressive. Anyways. Love the work, love the process and hearing your thoughts and creative problem solving.

Love these videos. I appreciate you sharing your thought process behind your images.

Great video and images. I love getting lost with my camera. I recently had some spare time near the River Mersey by Liverpool and used Google Maps to just check shoreline access and places that looked different from the generic river edge footpath, but made sure not to use street view and find it as I found it. Ended up discovering a derelict pier and historic slipway with views of Liverpool. Next spot I did the same at the river entrance (mainly looking for parking) and found...a lighthouse. The hunt sometimes feels better than the end result photos.

This is the best photography channel out there by far. Being an artist is a struggle for sure. I believe film prices are manageable. Photography as an art form has never been cheap through history, it was always either pursued by rich people or people sponsored by wealthy patrons, regardless it was pursued. I forecast a great future for you as an artist. I am here for the ride. Keep going.

I think I prefer the second car shot with the leaning telephone poles, that's quite a cool look, kinda like an omen to the poles 'you're next' from the car, ahahah 😁

You had me at Sternfeld

Really great video, Bryan. I've been challenging myself to shoot in harsher lighting conditions as well. I feel inspired to do so when I'm out working on my new project next week.

Really loving this series, thank you Bryan.

Like button smashed. I really enjoy your videos, taking time to explain your process and thinking… top tier sir. Top tier.

those two car photos look great! love your work dude. i personally love shooting mid day and it’s neat to watch you dabble. you did right 🤝

Awesome images brother

About once a week I remember William Wylie's quarry pictures exist. Should really buy that book...

I never hit the like, button. But I smashed it this time! 😂👌

Can already tell this is gunna be a top series for me as a consumer in the months to come

i've been doing similar little trips just a bit more north of ya in iowa, trying to embrace the harsh light and i've grown to really like it. this stuff is so inspiring for me. keep it up!

Just subscribed to your Patreon channel Bryan, really want to support your work. Going to save up to buy one of your prints too :)

I prefer the second car photo mainly because the angle and perspective

Your pictures show that there's no such thing as bad light. Nice work.

Bryan, it looks like you kept that GFX (4:32). I own GFX50R and every time I shoot with this camera and review the photos I am blown away. Especially when it's bw images. You are right about that - bw look almost like film. Great views. I just re-watched part 1, and I enjoyed the part 2!!! Awesome videos!!!

WONDERFUL!!!

Thank you for your work

So you’re right, I was looking at the gfx b&w shots thinking these are cool and then towards the end the 4x5 just elevates it. It’s got me excited to use mine, I just got some grant money for film and even treated myself to some portra 400 in 4x5 so I’m excited to use that.

Birksy getting swoll.

Smashed

Absolutely love these Brian! I always look forward to your work and this was a great way to spend my Friday night. I loved the sentiment about just taking the shot too!

Nice photos !👍👍

Here I thought you were going to get through a video without saying "assignment" 😂 yep that didn't last long

Happily smashing that like, keep it up!

Very good video (series)! I'm doing something similar here in the north of Sweden this summer and your videos are very inspirational! Only problem is, i'm longing to head over to the US more and more to do some photogprahy 😆

Love the vids. Keep it up. Great work.

Smash!

Очень рад что когда то нашел тебя. Всего тебе самого доброго друг.

I love your approach to your work and your encouragement to shoot. You mentioned wanting the earlier shot of the car and Paris water tower in focus,which you seemed to have done quite well. Are you familiar with the Scheimpflug effect, or principle? J use a thought. Keep up the good work.

It sounds strange but harsh light hours are my favorite. Especially when it comes to B&W

Hey Bryan, nice series. that water tower photo really speaks to me. What podcast were you playing around the middle of the video with william wylie?

Man so good!

Consider the like button SMASHED

Please don't stop

I shoot in bad light all the time. it's how things look most of the time. thats at least what I tell myself.

When the image is more about the subject than the aesthetics the quality of light is less relevant. Just a thought. Plus we can't all be in the perfect spot at the perfect time.

👍

should do wisconsin

Worried about you bub

Ay bro - I think you’re being a little too harsh on the Midwest. We are a more diverse region - culturally and geographically - than people give us credit for. I’m up in Northern WI and my photography explores the maritime culture on Lake Michigan and the rocky outcrops of the Niagara escarpment. The scenery up here isn’t a world apart from where you are in Missouri and Illinois but it’s different enough that whenever I venture down to see family in St Louis or Quincy Illinois - the photos I’m taking are refreshingly similar to what I’m used to - but different and exciting at the same time - that it refreshes my eyes and helps me see the ‘same’ but better. Anyways not saying this is the way you need to go artistically, but I do think the ‘Midwest’ is a complex and deep enough composite of many different things and not at all the monotonous location some make it out to be.

TWO IN ONE WEEK! Pinch me.