To me, this is the most meaningful, intelligent and emotionally moving talk on what photography truly is.

Sam was an instructor of mine at the University of Missouri photojournalism workshop way back in 1989. Watching this video all of his lesson, comments and withering criticism of my work come flooding back. I've internalized so many of his lessons that I have forgotten how much his words had influenced my work everyday. Thank you Sam

When I see all the hyper-realistic, overly edited images of our instagram inspired world...I think about an era when cultivated talent and hard earned knowledge were both respected and sought after. Perhaps software is used to smother the truth that many of us simply don't know how to create an amazing photograph anymore. Watching videos like this is a great first step. Thank you B&H for introducing me to an amazing photographer and a new way entirely of understanding this art form. This mans career happened decades before I was even born and I hope other people of my generation will start to see photography this way, too.

This talk gives me life again. In Rome this past fall we were robbed. As we took our seats on the train to Florence, a thief walked off with my bag, the entirety of my camera kit, laptop, hard drives... and wedding rings ($25,000 value) I have pretty much given up on photography since then. Until hearing Sam's story of Ireland.

I will not be using Photoshop again. :) Seriously... now I feel like using software is not the photography. It's being cheated ourselves. :) Thanks Mr Sam Abell for the inspirational lecture and for B&H for sharing it for us who cannot attend live on those great seminars.

An absolutely wonderful tutorial which I've watched before, and will watch again. Thank You Sam Abell for the inspiration.

I have come back to this and watch it yet again. Wisdom in photography here presented by a thoughtful and compassionate photographer. "Compose and wait". I just love that piece of advice by Sam's father.

The best lecture I’ve seen about photography. Sam Abell is not only a master of photography, but a lecture master. A pleasure and very useful to have found this video. Thanks B & H

Wow. Just wow. One of the most amazing photographer ever show us all the secrets behind his most famous photos. Truly a gem!

"You see you don't know...you don't know about life or what gift life is going to give you. That's another reason to compose and wait because that is what you are waiting for....a miracle." Sam oh Sam, your are my gift and miracle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Maybe the greatest training and most significant teacher I’ve ever heard. Oh Lord let me be the student.

Compose and wait, take a low angle, keep the sun behind you, head and shoulders above the horizon, slow down time, nothing touches, back to front photography. Setting, expression, gesture. Wait. Wait for what? A blue umbrella?, a dog catching a frisbee? I am Sam, I am from Ohio and I am awesome.

Excellent lecture. I've seen so many on KZfaq, from top photographers, where there is a single camera pointed at the speaker and the photo is barely visible. Then the photographer rattles through their work with a "This is on 5th Avenue, this is here, this is there", with no mention of how, why when etc (Bruce Gilden being the worst) This focuses on the photo, shown fullscreen and each is dissected and explained. Thank you.

Certainly one of my favorite photography talks!

This is an incredibly brilliant lecutre that I found full of gems. Well worth the time to watch through

One of the best lectures on B and H! Thanks for sharing.

Got no words to describe the feelings and emotions which I went through by watching this video and listening to this guy ! Thank you Sam Abell for sharing your love for photography and life!

I've seen many videos about photography, but by watching this I truly understood what it stands for

This is a great presentation. Well worth the almost two hours. I loved it!!

Sam Abell completely fills in all the unknown questions I had as well as the questions I didn't even know to ask. He makes such sense in his vision to making a photo. Such humble experience, strength and heart. Thanks to my friend Jim JJ Keener for knowing me so well to excited call me and turn me on to Sam and his photographic understanding and teaching skills. I am beyond excited to practice patience, thoughtfulness and structure as often as I remember. Thank you Sam Abell for taking the time and having the interest to share what your father and all your years of experience have taught you with us.

An absolute privilege to "experience" ALL the dimensions of photography through your BRILLIANT mind... Deeply grateful to your enormous GENEROSITY, Mr. Abell!!!!!! What does a brillliant mind think, see, feel, decide when composing a "life" photograph... such a great great honor. Thank you so much!!!!!!

Brilliant--saw it 3x!! The best video on B&H thus far.

Never been this inspired. This has been the most educational thing Ive watched on photography.

Live performances. I did a week workshop with him and he changed my way of shooting forever. This was after a BFA and 10 years as a professional. He is a deeply compelling and dedicated photographer.

Extraordinary lecture. Each random click in this channel has successively exceeded all expectations. Thank you B&H and thank you Sam.

Sam's work is outstanding. He is an awesome photographer and teacher. He is an all around great person.

This lecture started so slow that I nearly skipped it... i let it play in the background anyway... boy am I happy I didn't skip it! I learned SOOOOO MUCH!!!!! I love his teaching style! he tells you what to avoid and he talks you through his train of thought! I love it! ... and his pictures are amazing!!!

A fantastic talk all aspiring photographers should listen to, and REALLY listen.

Probably the best photography class I ever had. And the best B&H video.

One of the best presentations I've been fortunate enough to see. Thanks to all who enabled this.

"My photography is not about perfection it is about goodness", and it is his goodness intent make it perfect...

this should be the new standard for B&H event space.

Absolutely one of the best photography lectures I ever seen. Thanks B&H and Sam Abell!

Honestly one of the most enlightening talks I've ever seen, so many nuggets of knowledge delivered straight to the point. 👌📸

Wonderful presentation. Sam Abell is the best. Best presentation at B&H in a long time.

I’m going to watch this once a month. So inspired this lecture, Sam loves photography as it should be.

I listened to this over and over again and still learn more new things each time. Thank you, Sam. :)

Thank you Sam Abell! I am energized and inspired by the wisdom, experience and love of photography in this presentation. I am grateful that B&H has this video in their library.

A very beautiful talk. Thank you!

this video had an enormous influence on me. what a fantastic photographer.

Traveling across country when you're just a kid with your family it's priceless.

Thanks you, I couldn't come with words to describe it. A piece of art on its own.

One of the best talks in the channel. One of the most inspiring and teaching.

This man is what the word Photographer is personified!

The best video I've seen so far on B and H. Thanks

this is such an inspirational insight into the life of a man who loves photography. I will never forget this video and these words of wisdom from such a true gent.

This is the most helpful photography I have watched, and it was a true joy to absorb. Thank you!

Outstanding - watch to learn about how to take great photographs; very meaningful.

Both inspiring and humbling, this talk shows you how to make good photographs and, perhaps, create a body of work, as Sam Abell has done, that points to greatness.

One of the best videos about taking photos... great!

I've just received my early Christmas present. Thank you

love this Video. That man is experienced and you can hear through him the voice of his father I guess

This is absolutely amazing

just WOW. Absolutly heartfelt and breathtacking. So deep

Truly inspirational!

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thank you.

Wow 🥺 this was so beautiful, it made me want to think twice about every picture I take from now on.

Wonderful talk.Thanks a lot. What a great photographer!

Awesome very inspiring and learned alot thanks

Great lecture! I learned quite a bit of new info.

A man with something to say.........Thanks.

This is by far the best lecture from Mr. Abell. I'm wondering if this is how Mr. Abell speaks on his days off?

Started off a bit slow and I almost stopped watching. So glad I didn’t! So many great lessons! Once they began there is no way I could stop watching.

I love B&H Event Space Videos. I feel like I learn so much from them. This one is one of the best ones I have seen.

great talk and lessons learned

Absolutely fantastic presentation, thank you very much.

Very good! I enjoyed the video!

one of the finest B&H talk

love the dog & dolphin relationship captured on camera

great video !

Thank you so much.

Sam’s color slides are beautiful

Very nice presentation.

Breathtaking stuff...

Fantastic!!

This is so cool!

Reading the comments, I'm looking forward to hearing this. 😀

Amazing. Are these photos in the book (The Life of a Photograph)?

this guy is my kinda photographer, its how i try to be, before i even knew of him.

wow ! great insight! Mahalo

Beautiful, in so many ways.

Thanks Sam, Thanks B+H..

fascinating

Oh my.

Masterclass. The American HCB.

wonderful lecture! I am wondering why pares would need to be bought on the black market in Moscow, pares weren't exactly scarce in the soviet union lol

please add english subtitles!

Nice

Thank you for saying what you did about photoshop. If you love editing, no problem, its just one way to do this. But all these people preaching that you HAVE to edit and know photoshop, and work it in order for your pics to be finished photography is garbage.

WOW

Photography without all the bull s--t. A true photographer that teaches photography not "How to make my photos look better with Photoshop."

Cartier-Bresson’s most famous image was cropped. Your most famous image was cropped. Why limit your vision to the aspect ratio of your available camera? Pre-visualize your image, then crop to your pre-visualization. It’s really okay.

"Which of his", Art Wolf's, "photographs are genuine?"

I can't

22 thumbs down? says a lot about our sorry ass species.

You can see that Canon pay him after his love to them at the start.

That introduction about canon would have been great if it wasn't for the recent stunt they pulled, restrictring 3rd party lenses on their RF system. I lost so much respect for them and have increasingly been looking at a Sony platform.

Really good! But what an ego... Damn!

Nikon / Sony / Pentax don't make junk ...

Really great photography, storytelling, and teaching. Thank you.