Comparisons in Photography...a good thing or a bad thing?

As photographers, we naturally compare our work to others, we compare what gear we have...or don't have and we even compare the locations we see other photographers shooting at. This is often bad for our photography, but, can we actually make it into a positive thing instead?
I'm Craig Roberts and e6 vlogs is my channel. For more videos and content check out e6, the the subscription service I run from my website. e6 offers videos, eGuides, eBooks, podcasts and more.
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Пікірлер: 61

  • @gaoldias
    @gaoldias6 ай бұрын

    "You're just lucky I let you see some of them" Epic line, Craig!

  • @mikejankowski6321

    @mikejankowski6321

    6 ай бұрын

    That gave me the biggest laugh! And yes, I do appreciate the sharing.

  • @johnmartin7919
    @johnmartin79196 ай бұрын

    You produce such consistently thought provoking videos, Craig; In my book you're beyond comparison.

  • @PMCN53
    @PMCN536 ай бұрын

    Some very wise advice indeed!! I travel infrequently, so i am forced to be creative where i am👍🏻 I do know photographers who constantly travel to “ get that shot”…. those locations don’t need you to be creative… all the work is done for them 😂📸👍🏻

  • @erwinkruger-haye2698
    @erwinkruger-haye26986 ай бұрын

    Thank you for this…comparison is rife in the club environment and can become toxic rather than uplifting…Wonderful video that I have just shared with 39 people

  • @ojcr
    @ojcr6 ай бұрын

    Regarding the location, I been admiring your work for years strictly because you always shoot in conditions other photographers put their cameras away, and how you take pictures of per se bland objects and still get something great, I remember the running joke how you insistently refused to shoot sunsets. It helped me a lot when I was starting out, when the conditions weren’t right, I always thought Craig would still manage to get a picture or two. In a way I stopped comparing myself to all the flashy works and started comparing to you

  • @mark450
    @mark4506 ай бұрын

    Great video, couldn't agree more with your observations. I am fortunate in that I live on the edge of the Peak District so my location is never a problem!

  • @dvbeattie
    @dvbeattie6 ай бұрын

    Double thumbs up for the choice of album cover in the background. 👍👍

  • @MrEnglishgolfer
    @MrEnglishgolfer6 ай бұрын

    The Dalai Lama of the youtube photography world... Brilliant video as always!

  • @davidmccarthy6061
    @davidmccarthy60616 ай бұрын

    Well said! Camera gear is like cell phones and we no longer have any innovation, just tiny incremental updates. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

  • @fredyellowsnow7492
    @fredyellowsnow749212 күн бұрын

    I had to look at the dog @ 15.16. Nice capture.

  • @Hirsutechin
    @Hirsutechin6 ай бұрын

    Good discussion, Craig! So many see photography as competitive sport and too many see _camera ownership_ as competitive sport, but after probably too long I've learned to relax and just enjoy the craft and art of it. I enjoyed some of your images too and like to tell people when that happens. Enjoy!

  • @ThomasClemens
    @ThomasClemens6 ай бұрын

    Very inspiring as always! Sometimes I struggle to remind myself, not to compare my work with others and compare my local area to the honeypots around the world. I should remind myself to see the beauty and the pictures in my local area. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. But I feel good every time I take a photo in my local area that I'm proud of and that I happily print and put on my wall.

  • @G0FUW
    @G0FUW6 ай бұрын

    Have to confess I spent a day taking the same image with two different lenses over the festive period. My existing 'go to' lens is looking a bit battered and 'well used', so I am considering a new one. The free loan lens is 3 times the price and three times the weight, with a superb reputation. Over about 20 images, taken within a couple of miles of home, I could detect no difference in quality. The new lens is great, but, for my photography, no better than my current lens. I have decided I don't need a new lens, but if it fails, I now know a like for like replacement will be the way to go. A useful comparison, in my mind. Otherwise, I 100% agree with your message. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I hope you have a productive 2024.

  • @by.othman
    @by.othman6 ай бұрын

    Fabulous content... Comparisons are always necessary, where consequently a better decision can be made...

  • @kevmoiz1718
    @kevmoiz17186 ай бұрын

    "Hi Craig, deep and meaningful vid, and a great choice of mucic album on show! track 2(bad motor scooter) cheers," Kev

  • @kenbryning696
    @kenbryning6966 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the wise words Craig, totally agree with your observations, a great confidence builder.

  • @chrisburnard5157
    @chrisburnard51576 ай бұрын

    Great subject matter and content Craig, thank you.

  • @MrCaliber30
    @MrCaliber306 ай бұрын

    Great video as always!

  • @FierceSleepingDog
    @FierceSleepingDog6 ай бұрын

    Great discussion!!!

  • @kenblair2538
    @kenblair25386 ай бұрын

    Great discussion, Craig. totally agree. I'm not ditching my E-1 or E-30 and Pen cameras anytime soon. KB.

  • @tTLM823
    @tTLM8234 ай бұрын

    Really good points to remember! Thank you.

  • @jonfletcher147
    @jonfletcher1476 ай бұрын

    Always a sensible and balanced approach Craig. And very true.

  • @spektrograf
    @spektrograf6 ай бұрын

    Really well said and articulated. Can never be said enough, really, especially in this vast ocean of gear reviews and comparisons.

  • @ImolaS3
    @ImolaS35 ай бұрын

    Superb! I love your more thoughtful approach and to anyone else reading this, the day I spent with you on one of your one-to-one's was the most useful of 20 years of photography!

  • @donmckie5285
    @donmckie52856 ай бұрын

    Well said Craig!

  • @dunnymonster
    @dunnymonster6 ай бұрын

    Wise words as always Sir 👍

  • @davidjoy5996
    @davidjoy59966 ай бұрын

    Wow Craig - Montrose! I saw them at Charlton Athletic Football Ground in 1974 when The Who topped the bill. Brilliant.

  • @davidletz9123

    @davidletz9123

    6 ай бұрын

    I am ashamed to say I grew up in the 70's and don't remember them at all.

  • @e6Vlogs

    @e6Vlogs

    6 ай бұрын

    I’m jealous David, what a gig!

  • @searam1
    @searam16 ай бұрын

    Cheers Craig, it’s Sean in Atlanta. I have done something that I rarely ever do with KZread videos and that is watch this a third time. I think it’s insightful and thought provoking. You are so right about the creators that almost only provide videos from the beautiful and interesting locations around the world that I will never see! I take images from my own patch like you. You were one of two UK photographers who inspired me to make images. Derek Forss is the other photographer. And because I admired your talent, I bought into the Olympus System. I am happy you switched to Fuji, which I also owned earlier on. You have grown and it is evident in the content you create. And, it is obvious that you love your new direction and system! Good on you! Thanks for sharing another of your great creations! I am watching… Sean

  • @ItsFritzDaCat
    @ItsFritzDaCat6 ай бұрын

    Human nature is to compare everything. It's good to compare, it helps us evolve and become "better" ...at something lol Cheers

  • @iandiplock3338
    @iandiplock33386 ай бұрын

    I think learning what everything does helps you produce better results.

  • @shaun53355
    @shaun533556 ай бұрын

    Great content as usual, I totally believe in looking for the detail in your local area with the correct light. Enjoy

  • @trevorbrooks813
    @trevorbrooks8136 ай бұрын

    Brilliant ! That gave me a light bulb moment, thank you. As Bill said 'comparisons are odorous' but then he was being ironic. Thanks once again for a very thoughtful post. Happy New Year.

  • @creative_cozmic
    @creative_cozmic6 ай бұрын

    The problem I was starting to have was seeing other peoples photos and seeing how they have progressed in their journey and the quality they are producing. I started to question how good I really am and even if the subjects in my photos are interesting enough - call it superiority complex if you will. I decided the only way to stop myself from going insane and giving up is just to keep going and keep taking photos and growing as a photographer without trying to compare myself to anyone else. I've never compared my photo gear to anyone else though. There isn't really such a thing as a bad camera, just maybe certain cameras with limitations that we can learn to work around.

  • @chrisgrieves1468
    @chrisgrieves14684 ай бұрын

    Great video, Craig! If I watch a photowalk video I always see different images I would grab from the POV footage than that photographer found and that's the juice of it, yeah? I shoot EM-10 because small and light is where it's at - have it with you, make it a pleasure not a chore. Any new gear has to fit both that and a new shooting experience - just picked up my first manual focus lens in decades (inexpensive) and it's fun renewed. As you say, fancy gear doesn't make better shots even if the captures might be slightly 'superior'.

  • @iainmc9859
    @iainmc98596 ай бұрын

    I live just outside a National Park as well. Yippee ... nobody else's tripod getting in the bloody way; plus I get the more well known stuff pretty much to myself during the off season. I've had two holidays in the Yorkshire dales and moors, beautiful place. How does it rate in comparison to where I live .... who cares, its different.

  • @seaeagles6025
    @seaeagles60256 ай бұрын

    Hi Craig, I used to Compare my camera and lenses to other photographers when I first started out, but I don't do it anymore. There's always going to be a photographer that's better than another photographer, and so on. I used to have a Sony Walkman back in the day and I was very happy with the sound, and the Headphones they had. Another great Album, thanks for this video Craig and happy New year 😊

  • @richarddutchholland4780
    @richarddutchholland47806 ай бұрын

    I’ve got a Fuji X100v and every image I’ve taken with it has been better than the Leica Q3 I don’t own…..

  • @michaelj.1121
    @michaelj.11216 ай бұрын

    Wisdom 👏

  • @comelachapelle8337
    @comelachapelle83376 ай бұрын

    I always like what you're saying. It is intelligent, responsable and very clever. You are a great photographer and i like to meet you. For what you're saying and what you' re showing. Côme from Québec

  • @mikekay6288
    @mikekay62886 ай бұрын

    Good introspective philosophical expression; 'learning to love yourself' aspect was excellent. Love your channel and photography. Ever thought of e-biking instead of running(walking)? Mike in Oz

  • @kiwikea2002
    @kiwikea20026 ай бұрын

    Wise words - thank you. For me, looking at other people's work, meanwhile basically comes down to what you said: Enjoyment / appreciation. And learning ... new angles, new ways to see, perhaps new techniques for my own work in my own environment of my choice. And although I enjoy beautiful landscapes, I am certain, I will never get to Kathmandu in this life anymore. 😉

  • @lasticonoclast
    @lasticonoclast6 ай бұрын

    Very sensible and practical advice. In recent years, I've been comparing my images taken with a M43 kit to those taken on a smartphone by family members. As smartphone technology advances in leaps and bounds to enable anyone to take a well-exposed and sharp photo, I feel the pressure to continuously improve my photo-taking and post-processing skills to maintain a qualitative advantage, lest my kids start to make fun of "that old man saddled with that ancient device".

  • @eltinjones4542
    @eltinjones45426 ай бұрын

    I'm quite happy with your photography too Graig but I think that mine is brilliant 🤣🤣🤣

  • @kenhenley7599
    @kenhenley75996 ай бұрын

    Using hearing aids for mild / moderate high tone hearing loss has it's advantages.....blue tooth connectivity to my phone means that I don't have to take separate ear phones with me when out and about. O.K. the quality might not compare (ha ha) to the expensive, noise cancelling ear phones mentioned in your video but that's not really a problem.....taking photographs is the priority.....listening to music is an additional pleasure. Cheers.....and Happy New Year.

  • @mdw1927
    @mdw19276 ай бұрын

    I think some comparisons can be useful if one learns something from the process. Regarding gear, most cameras made in the last 5+ years can take amazing photos. Unfortunately today so many people what everything yesterday. So buying the latest and greatest will get them there faster. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. But hey, if buying new gear gives you pleasure and you can afford, go for it.

  • @iaincphotography6051
    @iaincphotography60516 ай бұрын

    People worry too much about what others think, it's like they live life as if in a reality show. I am in between the Moors and the dales, good to able to see Whitestone cliff from where I live but I do prefer the dales. That said there are photographs to be taken amongst the industrial farm lands in between those two areas. I use the F2/23 because it is smaller and lighter, it's that simple.

  • @nigelwest3430
    @nigelwest34306 ай бұрын

    I am a self confessed gear addict 😱 I love to have the best I can afford, at the moment I use a Canon R3 and some nice RF L lenses, BUT, my favourite images that I've ever taken were taken on my old Canon 7D and my little Canon M5

  • @alstuart8801
    @alstuart88016 ай бұрын

    Ronnie Montrose!!!

  • @philbraithwaite1316
    @philbraithwaite13166 ай бұрын

    Don't wear those headphones on your "Bad Motor Scooter" Craig! On a serious note, good content. I just do my own thing and I'm constantly looking out for things to shoot....bit dangerous whilst driving but I can't help it.

  • @everydaygrandad5642
    @everydaygrandad56426 ай бұрын

    Lucky I live in snowdonia 👌 13:44

  • @yarontaub
    @yarontaub6 ай бұрын

    Compares brilliantly :-)

  • @12symmo
    @12symmo6 ай бұрын

    We all know which one is micro four thirds in the headphones analogy

  • @MrFreakwent
    @MrFreakwent6 ай бұрын

    This philosophy can last a lifetime.

  • @AnandaSim
    @AnandaSim6 ай бұрын

    Beyer Dynamic buds. Not bad at all. I don't compare them against my AKG K92. 😂

  • @lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003
    @lifetimesofamultiplemediam10036 ай бұрын

    Just imagine comparing one rock or rap group, with another… What would be the point? Either you like one's albums or you like the others… maybe you like, or even hate both!… or maybe you like some of one's, and hate some of that same groups ones… I think with art, the comparisons in reality are pointless.

  • @tomronollo9411
    @tomronollo94115 ай бұрын

    The nice thing about a 100 mega pixel camera is one can do street or beach photography and crop what you like also onei can do the multi shot exposure

  • @dmitrypushkarev7162
    @dmitrypushkarev71623 ай бұрын

    With new gear one is forced to deliver the payout

  • @raymondludlow5970
    @raymondludlow59705 ай бұрын

    I have the 33 14 and the 35 f2 and love them both in different ways, if I had to keep one it would be the old 35 f2 simply because it is my all time favourite lens