What an eye opener. Switching of mentally from social media and not caring about the amount of likes brought back my joy in photography. Wise words, thank you so much, Peter.

Every artist needs to hear this. Painter, sculptor, actor, musician, photographer. Your style is within you. Thanks Peter

"You need to impress yourself." Those five words are the most impactful words I've heard in a long time, they really hit home for me. Thanks for sharing your work, processes, and thoughts on photography, they really are helping inspire and make a difference in the minds of some of us other photographers out there. Cheers

In each of your videos, I take away the same message just about, it's not about the gear you use but rather the feelings you invoke within yourself Feeling out your own style. I Keep that Lesson in mind each time I shoot. I Run an old Canon 80d with either basic STM lenses or my dinosaur Sigma DC 18-250mm Macro HSM and could care less if that conforms to the camera club clones shouting full-frame/expensive glass from the rafters. I feel my pictures, they may not be for everyone but they are for me. You are a great teacher Peter, Don't stop these videos ever.

"... Piss Off and do what you love doing". Awesome, perfect attitude. Have a great day loved the rant.

Pictures, (a specific look), that grabs ones vision and jolts ⚡️the senses.

"You need to impress yourself. " Wise words. Thanks Peter!

Thank you Peter, I enjoy learning outside my box that I try to avoid at times. I also appreciate how after all you've accomplished you still get excited to show us your art.

I have never sold a picture in my life, all my pictures are for me, it's my journey into me. I don't need or have a desire to make money from my pictures, I have a regular job for that. But to hear from someone with Peter's talent that, that's not only ok but preferable to shoot for you is so confidence inspiring.

This man is the ultimate photographer. The way he works is truely professional and inspiring!

Thanx Peter, you hit something in me. In the right moment i need to hear it. You more than a teacher: you r a guru!

Great callout, like to comeback to this as its a great reminder that your work, is yours. Not the people sitting behind keyboards

Thanks Peter, I'm loving this kind of conversation. Perhaps I'm a bit burnt out by how gear focused KZfaq's photography community is, but discussions that focus on the outcome and not the tools are what I'm seeking right now.

I love this conversation, I'm someone that started back in the Black & white film days. I really love dramatic lighting and the looks of Yousef Karsh, Irving Penn, and others so even when I shoot in color I love the dramatic interplay between light and shadow! That has carried over to my digital photography. I totally understand the need to understand the rules and the technical side of Photography. I just think that once you understand the rules and techniques ... you need to experiment till you get an emotional response that fulfills that artistic need we all have within us. I thank you for talking to this subject that most young Photographers just raise their eyebrows at quizzically!

Mr. Coulson. not only do you offer up great advice, you know how to deliver it with great affect! Great video! Truly s Master of this art! Thanks for sharing!

That's why I like the videos of Daniel Milnor a lot. He's very outspoken and says one shouldn't give a damn about what somebody else thinks of ones work.

Wow this was one of the most powerful videos that I have watched on KZfaq! Thank you, thank you, thank you Peter. When I first had my little studio I was creative...I didn't care what people thought! Then I fell in love with money and likes and got boring. Time to get back to what I fell in love with in photography and art and not worry so much about money and likes!

The most fuckign BEST VIDEO for artist / photographers!!!! I am so tired of photographers shooting for "photographer " to make them happy

Thanks Peter - it is always so refreshing to listen to you. Express yourself and damn the 'rules'.

Yes! Madness of the moment. For me it is an instant of clarity. I see something, and I see it in a frame. I play with the framing and "voilà" - there it is.

Thank you Peter. Your rant helped me to understand my photography better. Please continue to rant all you want. If the photographer is honest to him/herself then they will benefit from your thoughts and ideas instead of rejecting them outright.

Excellent chat Peter, a few years ago I had the pleasure of attending one of your workshops at your studio and I was a little confused and out of place watching you work without any apparent lighting or stylistic plan, but you produced works effortlessly, you even threw coffee on your curved background! I’m actually relieved to hear you say ‘stop creating photos for photographers, create images for your client/self’ which is why I stopped wasting money and effort on so called photo competitions here and abroad. And photo clubs, they were so frustrating in their limited view and understanding of anything vaguely creative, they are great for pictures of backlit sheep in a meadow. I look forward to seeing more of your videos.

Thank you Peter! You completely reinforced what my graphic design professor used to pound into our head: A good design should be able to stand on its own without color. Color tends to hijack a person's attention.

I grew up in the immediate post-punk era so "finding a style" was pretty wide open. I will say that my "style" has changed from early explorations to find out how much I could confuse the sensor to a much more boring thing as I explore "actually in focus" images. I dunno where that is going to end up but social media definitely doesn't help.

You are so right Peter. Thank you.

You saying "I'm just going to do what I want too do." (but will skill & knowledge behind it) really should be what every photographer thinks. Sadly its not what they all think. This is why you're one of the good ones. You're doing good kiddo keep up the good work lol.

Brilliant love this Peter. Finally someone who I can connect with on this subject. I left my local club and do my own style of landscape working my way into portrait photography now. Thank you so much. Looking forward to more of your rants. 🍀😊👌

I’m a school teacher... You are a real teacher. Thank you.

Thank you again, wonderful to hear you talk in search of a reasonable truth about yourself and trying to get away from all the bullshit. Always rewarding . .

This one of the most deepest and in the same time the most obvious ideas I've heard on the topic. Makes me think. Thank you.

You're an absolute gem Pete. You make it so easy to remind us why folks fall in love with photography to begin with.

Sugar Ray Leonard was once asked after a fight that he won by knock out, "why are you retiring? you just knocked out your opponent." His response came to mind when you said something, he said "I threw the punch that knocker him out after I saw the opening" . He went on to say I never would have see the opening before throwing the punch in my prime. Sometimes in photography you don't see the shot, you just capture it. I would say that would be your "style" an eye that sees things you don't really realize at the moment. Interesting video, made me think about how little I know about photography. But that okay, we live, we learn, we grow.

You are so right! You must be you no matter what!

What I have loved about your videos is not me trying to be you but that you encourage me to look at my own photography and see how i can improve. I love that you would rather get the photo in the camera instead of spending hours correcting things in photoshop. You are a photographer not a phot editor and this inspires me to get better. Thank you

I watched this video with great joy. (I watch all your videos with great joy) What strikes me is that you are so natural and honest. Love your work.

Thank you. I'm not a photographer but your insights into releasing one's own style apply to more than photography. And the art - omg - stunning.

It touches me what you have said. Thank you so much for that, Peter!

This is a well timed message to many people. Do it for yourself and your own pleasure. This is the second time I heard this message today from two different sources.

4:20 saying about his own early work that it is all a lot of crap hehehe You gotta love this guy !! Always Bleck and Wide over Kallah !! ;-)

Peter, thank you so much for your speech!!!

Aman... Great point, there are so many self-appointed "Photo-police" out there. When you post they love to point out all the rules you may have broken in that photo, yet when I go to their page they have either no photos on their site or just collection stuff...LOL I was tough, if you have nothing good to say don't say it! Peter, love your work and attitude about this industry. Those people who like to click on the " thumbs down" button should self-exam, and reflect upon themself as to why you like to smash that button... lol jealousy, or just an AH...

Thank you so much Peter. Sometimes you don’t know you need a thing until it’s offered to you. I needed this video more than you could possibly know. You’re literally bringing joy back to the art of photography…one video at a time.

My eyes just opened. Thanks much. I needed this.

One of the things I'm starting to do is looking up all the different random holidays (national rose day, national pizza day, national clown nose day...) and doing shoots based on those themes to figure out what I like, what I'm good at seeing and playing around with, what needs work, etc.

I can't click "like" enough! Thanks! I've been struggling with this style concept for a time now and this makes so much sense thanks!

I normally have no time for anyone giving a speech on 'Finding your style' or 'how to be better', but this is 100% resonating with me. Loved this!

Peter, this is fantastic. Don't stop there.

I normally never ever comment on youtube, but: What a great video. You speak my mind. "You need to impress YOURSELF ... the pictures you are taking are pictures that you are hanging on YOUR wall in YOUR house." That's exactly my motivation and keeps me hanging on and creating, although I do not get many likes on social media 🙂 I normally do what I would call artistic nature photography and only occasionally portraits - and if so only in color, never b/w, but I do enjoy your videos and your approach. Thanks for that and cheers from Argentina

My biggest influence by far has been Richard Avedon. He consistently amazed me with his work. He wasn't afraid to take risks and it paid off. For the most part, anyway. And I have noticed that when I break out my film camera on a shoot, what I get back I'm the happiest with. Maybe I'm channeling my inner Avedon. The more I watch you, the more I like your work. At first, you seemed a bit snooty, but when I saw that Meika had trusted you enough to work with you, I was sold.

This is so good, I have watched it three times, just to make sure I have not missed a single word!

WOW - HANDS DOWN, BEST LECTURE YET!! THANK YOU

Wow wow wow ...all these photos are magic

And this is why I like this guy! He just confirmed my dilemma and opens my creativity eyes

This is your best video yet. You have packed a lot into 20 minutes. I needed it all. This is a video to watch many times.

What a smash ! So much things in there but the most important one : switch off from the world ... Thanks Peter !

This is by far the best piece of advice I have ever heard

I am a music composer and I agree with everything you said. This video resonated with me so much that I feel like it's me talking in 20 years. Thank you so much Peter. And... your art really grabbed my attention. I don't watch model photographers at all, but this is just so real, so RAW and perfect, like blood on white tissue.

I could listen to you all day, Peter. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

Possibly one of the best pieces of advice I've seen posted on a photography channel.

I adore this. Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Peter!

Peter, love your rants! I learn so much. Thank you.🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

Peter is my spirit animal.

Good morning Peter, this was so enjoyable, and informative. Some of my favourite of your work are the low key shots, I could look at them all day long. Everything you've said here makes so much sence, and especially good to hear for those of us who don't get a lot of practice, I think in this regard confidence or the lack of it in determining our own style can be very inhibiting. In short your video here helps as a guide in self affirming. Thank you for this one. Much love from the UK Peter.

I didn’t expect that your best video of the year you wouldn’t even touch a camera. Even after your “rant” I recognized that little moment of hesitation when presenting your art. It’s like presenting our new child to the world and we are afraid the world may not love it as we do.

Brilliant! Thank You Peter!

Really good advice for any aspiring creative. They need to hear things like this.

"Everybody is trying to be safe and create boring pictures and staying in this tiny little box which we all told to stay in"... Well said, hats off to you sir!

Yes! I've been shooting video as a pro for over 20 years, and have always dabbled in stills. Style is absolutely something that just emergences over time. The longer you do it, the better you get at it as long as you don't try to be someone other than yourself. I'm still a work in progress and I think anyone who is practicing their craft everyday is still developing. Never stop shooting, never stop learning, never stop creating yourself! Thank you for driving this home, and yes, it's not the gear, it's the vision in your mind that you try to get out. Thank you for doing all this stuff on your channel, I enjoy watching your work and the appreciate the style that you have.

Great Talk of being your own authentic artist.

Peter nail hit squarely on the head. As I once read, we watch a film in colour and read a book in black & white.

Thanks Peter, wonderful insights into your process & sharing.. 🤗

Peter, you're a breath of fresh air, thank you!

Peter, this may be the best advice anyone could give. I hope you more of these "rants." Thanks!

Another masterclass of 19 minutes!

Hi Peter I have only recently found your KZfaq videos. I really liked this one as I am still working on my photography and now I have to find my style. You gave me some good advice on what to look for. Now I will look at my photos again and see which ones give me the wow and look at them to see what makes me say wow. After that I will have to look at some more of your videos. Thanks again Peter.

I think this is the best video I’ve seen from you. I love your other videos, but this one has the best info. 😎

Holy Moly ! I guess I have changed. I went to a well known photographers class and he said I want to discuss the psychology of photography I was like crap I just want to take better pictures so another 15 years of wondering around with a camera. When the student is ready the teacher will appear. Thanks Peter I actually had a light bulb moment that was brighter than the typical 40 watt. Ms.Bec your presence is appreciated and felt you guys are truly morphing into a lean mean machine.

This is why Peter is my favorite artist! Everything said here is 100% accurate. Nature at it's most natural!

Absolutely love this probably will watch it 100 times !!!

Thank you Peter! That was very therapeutic.

It was very interesting to see your early work. All picture have been good, nothing bad to see there but you are right it was not „you“ yet. I love your style now , everything feels right when i watch your photos.

I have been a photographer for most of my life and have used some of the worlds best cameras, but I must say that I enjoyed the honesty in your description of your work. Very enjoyable. thanks.

I appreciate this video on so many levels. The anxiety of considering photography as a profession hinges on the very point you are making that art comes from our life experiences and emotional passion, abandoning that in exchange for whatever trend that "will get the most likes" or worse the lack of constructive criticism to grow... So with that, I would like to thank you for your inspiration in this video.

"Elephants fly in this studio"... and Peter, so do giants walk. You are a living legend. Thank you for indulging us with your "rants"!

I held back from watching this until I had a chance to truly appreciate it. Since the beginning of this mess, I've not attended a single photo club meeting, ostensibly , I joined such groups to learn photography as I really had no idea what to do, or what I could capture with what I had. Now that I know my camera, what my lenses can and cannot do, I've pretty much wandered off on my own. This is not to say I won't go back to meetings because I've made friends there but I've grown rather ..hard to say ..annoyed (?) with ultra sharp images, rule of third hardliners and boring same view/styles. Anyway, I guess I gave you a long form appreciation for what you've put out here. Thank you.

You have just become a legend! Every new photographer needs to see this. many thanks Peter

Thanks Peter, all well said.

Few months ago I literally searched “how to find your photography style” on KZfaq, cool! And my understanding is, first, you won’t have a style when you’re new, you need to try out most of the things with quantity and you’ll develop your style naturally.

I think my #1 take-away is to not worry about making photos that other photographers will like, but instead make photos that people in general will like (or at least stop to look at more intently 😉 ).

This is by far the best piece of advice I have ever heard!

As a beginning amateur this has been helpful reminder to keep my mind open and not to over concentrate on getting it technically “right”. Thank you.

I realise that I'm rather conventional when it comes to photographing models but that's only because I don't do it that often. Having said that, I am starting to find my feet and become more confident in my own abilities. That's where style is developed. I can already see a change when I look back, just as you showed in your video with your early stuff. A few years ago I never would have thought I would be doing one to one with a model and sometimes I've done location shoots too. I get a real buzz out of the creative process and there's nothing like that zone you get into when the model is nailing it. All the best for 2022!

Greet stuff Peter. For me this was your best and most valuable tutorial up to date.

This is something I fully agree with. Especially the elephant part. Doesn't just apply to art, either.

Thanks Peter that is great advice for all photographers and models.

thanks James, now i'm going to dig my style for photography

A priceless presentation. Thank you!

Lovley to hear about your toughts about finding your style. It something that i think about from time to time but havent found my answer to yet. This gave a new perspective in the mater. Thanks for you lovely shows here 😊👍

100% Life within itself!

Thanks for that Peter! So many good points! Cheers from Toronto!