The discussion of light and shadow in my photography -- and yours -- from a VERY different perspective.
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How refreshing to watch a video devoid of technical jargon, megapixel counts, autofocus efficiency and all the other things secondary to what photography should mean to all of us. Photography is a spiritual journey to capture frozen moments in time of the human condition and the world in which those experiences are lived. Thank you Hugh. 😊
Thank YOU, Darron.
One day, i will attend your Streets of New York workshop. I’ve been talking to my wife about doing so for years. Appreciate you, Hugh.
I look forward to that, Joel. Thank you!
If Hugh read the NYC phone book (does that exist anymore?) he'd have my rapt attention as he read it. Not only does he produce compelling street photography and interesting video content, he thinks deeply about things that matter in life. My kind of guy. And, he knows a thing or two about how to use his impressive vocal talent to teach and inspire. Thanks, Hugh!
Thank you, Jay (I’ve been wondering about phonebooks too)!
Just a guy in search of the True, Good, and Beautiful. Refreshing video. Thanks.
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Thank you Hugh - you've said some important things that go way beyond photography. Unfortunately too many people in this country and this world live in an unreal altered reality based on hate, suspicion, greed and ignorance.
Well put, Bob! Thank you!
Wow. Not at all what I was expecting from the title. So refreshingly thought-provoking. Thank you, Hugh!
So glad you enjoyed it, Peter!
What a deep, instructive and visually appealing account of Platon's Hoehlengleichnis - worth all the tought and editing. A true work of art. Congrats from Berlin.
So glad you enjoyed it!
I gave you a “Like” because there was no button for “Bravo!”
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Bravo!!
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Thanks!
Thank YOU! 😊🖖🏻
If you're ever in San Francisco, all I'd like is the opportunity to shake your hand. For the life and emulsive lessons if nothing else, but for the person behind them as well.
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Thank you very much for your extraordinary work and excellent philosophy, and I wish you all the best and creative success.
As a Greek, I really appreciate your references to Greek culture Hugh! Also, i have to admit that this video is to the point of photography at its heart. Light and Shadow are, as we put it in Greek, the Alpha and the Omega in photography...
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As a working philosopher (yes, we still exist - and no, that is not an oxymoron), I thank you profoundly for sharing a little Plato with the world. Just sometimes, old dead white guys have something important to say that we need to hear.
Delighted that you decided to weigh in! 😊🖖🏻
We all need to focus more on truth and goodness. In our relationships, work, leisure, passions, and leaders. Great video!
Yes! 😊🖖🏻
Wow! In this ocean of superficial youtubes you put this! Bringing back Platon's wisdom to the "make-my-country-great-again-world". Thank you Hugh! This is a true contribution in the spirit of enlightenment! Good that you are there. And yes, the photoworkshops with you and Claudia are unique. I know. I attended one and I look forward to attending the next! Thank you!
Thank YOU, Ralf! See you soon!!
Excellent video Hugh and yes I stayed to the end lots to think about… Tks
Thank you for that, Geoffrey. :)
Greetings fron Dublin- Ireland. A great video. Always enjoy your videos Hugh. Great work.
Glad you like them! 😊🖖🏻
A deeply purposeful feather duster to the cobwebs of the mind. Thank you.
Thank you, Mark!
Thank you for this, Hugh, it helped me understand a bit more background of Sontag's first essay in that overly-prolix collection _On Photography._ Where that takes me remains to be seen.
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Well...I must admit that I had a hard time fully comprehending the first part of this piece. However...I fully appreciate and highly endorse the parting message. This is so very true and quite inspiring. Thank you for taking the time to put this out there. Well done!!!
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Wonderfully/thoughtfully done with what I consider to be great craftmanship.
Thank you, Howard!
excellent,
Kudos for a very well-presented piece. It is truly scary how many (most certainly including the US) are (not necessarily blissfully) ignorant of reality (= that for which there is ample evidentiary support, such as climate change, just to name the most critical of many crises that face us) and prefer to live in a world of delusion, following false prophets (/profits), dragging the rest of us down with them. As this pertains to photography (or any art form), I agree that as artists, we have a responsibility to attempt to enlighten our audience with at least a portion of our work. I certainly don't strive to instill profound meaning in every image (to do so would be daunting, draining, and quite frankly ruin the fun), but when we see an opportunity to provoke thought and/or emotion, we need to capitalize on it and share what we see. BtW, I stand for peace for everyone in Israel, including Gaza (and everywhere). The militant wing of Hamas is a collection of horrible monsters, but Likud is far from blameless. The reprehensible (though not surprising, given the way Palestinians have long been treated in Israel) Hamas attack killed 1,139. That's obviously deplorable and measures to prevent further attacks are warranted. However, more than 27,000 have been killed so far in Gaza, the vast majority of them "collateral damage"--innocent victims of Netanyahu's misguided overreaction. Ironically, he's trying to do the same thing to the Palestinians that Hitler did to the Jews (and has similar disdain for them). Unfortunately, we live in a world where far too many people have no respect for (and all too often, are actively hostile toward) anyone who doesn't share their distorted, dystopian worldview (egged on by right wing media, featuring a certain D. J. Trump--who should be rotting in prison with Netanyahu, Putin, and a host of others). We each have a moral obligation to try to make the world a better place for everyone, not just the sub-group with which we identify. OK, I'll get off my soapbox and back to editing photos. Again, I thought your piece was excellent and we understand your perspective, but both my wife and I were taken aback by the # at the end--all parties need to come together to find peace and pushback directed toward the ICJ is neither an enlightened nor a productive starting point.
We agree upon much, my unmet friend, including Likud and Netanyahu being far from blameless. But we diverge significantly (as reasonable people sometimes do) beginning with your third paragraph, sentences five and six. For myself, this is a function of being an automath particularly interested in 20th century history and the age of enlightenment for more than half a century. Discerning shadow from light takes work -- study -- and inspired by the parable of the three blind men and an elephant (or five or six, depending on the particular version with which one is familiar) I work to see things from multiple angles. In the case of Hamas' atrocities against Israel AND the civilian population of Gaza, a first angle to review would be the credibility of their assertions about who did what to whom, how many. Whether it's the de-bunked hospital missile attack, the numerous other DIP efforts of Hamas and related entities like Al Quds, or death statistics from number to classification, put out by the Gaza Health Ministry, the source for all of this is same: an organization and its affiliates committed to an ethnic cleansing of Jewish people between the river and the sea (which is to say, the Jordan to the Mediterranean, thus encompassing the entire state of Israel). A second related angle is to assess the framing of multiple narratives. Would you disagree that Hamas is part of a three front proxy war sponsored by Iran? A third angle: would you disagree that the Hamas charter calls for the annihilation of all Jewish people? Would you disagree that the IJC did NOT agree with South Africa's charge of genocide? There are many other angles to explore. Would you, upon reflection and study, truly assess the dozen + years of Netanyahu's tenure as prime minister of Israel, the behavior and morality of ordinary Israeli citizens, and the net impact of the state of Israel's actions on the size of the Palestinian population to be comparable to that of "he who shall not be named" 15 years' as leader of the Nazi party, the number of his adherents who did the actual work, the number of people murdered, and net impact on the size of the European Jewish community? No need to answer as I do not have the time nor inclination for a back and forth. If you want to DM me privately, you may.
@@3BMEP Thanks, Hugh, for the thoughtful response. I most certainly did oversimplify the very complex (and long-devolving) situation and I understand the various perspectives. It's a microcosm of the history of mankind (often far from kind), so I'll just leave it with part of Rodney King's oft-paraphrased quote: "We all can get along." Here's hoping we can, better sooner than later. Now, back to making art!
Great minds think alike, Hugh! Ha ha! When I taught digital photography in college, I always included a shortened version of this parable in my section on the History and antecedents of photography. Thank you for reinforcing my concepts about teaching art, photography and life. I am presently retired, and continue to refine my craft sans much teaching, but one of the things I do nowadays is photograph dogs that I walk at The Hawaiian Humane Society. I have been told the photographs have already helped with adopting out some of the doggies. That has been a small but satisfying use of my skills, in a small way. I love your channel for the gear reviews and now, especially with this video, for your philosophy. As a former teacher, I love your pacing and voice modulation, and when I am cooking (another joy I am indulging in upon retirement) for my wife and me and for my dog, I will often keep your videos going on the countertop, even those that I’ve seen before, because your voice and philosophy are so appealing. Keep up the good work. From Hawaii, Wayne
Wayne, what a lovely note! Thanks so much for your encouragement and for taking the time to share a bit about your journey! 😊🖖🏻
This was a moving video for me. The shots of New York, seeing the light and shadows caused me to pause. That was where I was moved, because each photo somehow had an effect on me. I looked at each of them, spending more time, to see more than what I saw at first glance. I have previously not taken the time to see the purpose of light and shadow in my photos... or likely any photo. I hope someday to be able to come to New York. I'm still pondering as I write. I wonder if I will learn to see better as I click the shutter. Thanks Hugh.
My pleasure, guy!
Thank you, Hugh, for this wonderful and very special video. I always enjoy your videos and I wish I could join you in one of your workshops. Maybe one day. Until then please keep those videos coming! Thanks again and greetings from Munich.
Thank YOU, Oliver!
Man Hugh, it’d be great to see philosophy as read by you as a series. Fantastic.
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Hugh..a terrific job on the most important topic at one of the most challenging times in recent memory. Connecting the dots to personal vision and much more. Thank you....I can only imagine the work that went into producing this...much appreciated.
I appreciate YOU! 😊🖖🏻
So Many Things I could Say :) BUT ,,,, ThankYou !!!!!!!!!!
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Perceive the: Edges; Negative Spaces; Relationships and Proportions; Chiaroscuro [both light & dark but also illuminated & Obscured and more inclusivity]; and Gestalt. From Drawing on the Artist Within & Downstream reincorporated into recent revisions of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards.
Wow. Very deep and enlightening. Based on your interpretation of the alegory, maybe the great photographers always had 'it' in them and it took a while for it to come to the surface.
Just so, I think!
If this were for no-one else, it was for me. Thank you.
My pleasure!
Brilliant video, Hugh! Thank you.
Brilliant in every way. i have now viewed it 3 times. Thank you. I as well am so proud of you
"I cannot teach you anything. I can only make you think." ~ Sokrates (c.470-399 BCE)
❤️❤️❤️ loved this video! Hugh and Claudia’s workshops are life changing, truly inspiring. Can’t wait to attend another in the next year or so.
And we’d love to have you back, Erik! 😊❤️
Good job.
Thanks, Paul!
Fabulous post!
Thanks, Steve!
Quite a narration and a refreshing departure from technicalities, for a change!
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Wow! Bravo. So beautiful
Glad you got to see it, Howard! 😉🖖🏻
In a world that is in such a state of upheaval, in a world where KZhead photographers only talk about megapixels, artificial intelligence and blah blah blah, in a world where more and more people only think about themselves and their maximum profit... In this world, I'm all the more pleased to see a post like this, connected to photography and yet refreshing and broadening horizons in a completely different way. Hugh thank you so much for your time to create this video, which has not only triggered light and shadow in me, but much more bright colors and a dynamic that I would like to thank you more than ever!
Brilliant … thank you. So much to ponder here as well as a new perspective for me on my own B&W photo journey. 📷🌞
Excellent. A lesson in critical thinking. I marvel at what we can learn and at my advanced age … and yes … relearn. 😂. Keep doubting and keep assessing. It doesn’t end. ✌🏻✌🏼✌🏾✌🏿
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"i remain astounded by how little i know given how much i was taught" Did you come up with that?? It's brilliant - can I use it for a t-shirt design? I'll give you a cut. Appreciate it.
Very lovely presentation. Had not remembered most of that from 40 years ago now, nice refresher. I hope you enjoyed making it. More would be good.
Thanks Brian - I did! My ambition is to do more as time and resources permit. :)
wow - thanks for this - needs more videos like this- photography is more than just cameras, lenses, and sharing.
I will try to make more time for this kind of thing, but time is just about the scarcest commodity I have.
The 1st thing that you mentioned that caught my attention is confidence. Every artist seems to have a lack of confidence e.g., their product didn't turn out the way they planned; but you also mentioned: that the product is a reflection of who you are, your empirical self knowledge. Cocteau said the artist should not be seen only their work. But if the person was satisfied with their product then what point would there be, to continue. I saw Little Richard around the time Johnny Carson died. Someone asked him why he keeps performing, he said, because that's what I do. I think Lou Reed had the best answer, he said, just be honest in your work and get it out there. Whatever it is, it always comes back to a choice - who brought the light, was it you, or somebody else. 😎🤘
Love this! ❤️❤️
Hugh I don't what to say to this...words fail me....that's why I photograph.....
:)
Great video Hugh. I do enjoy gear reviews and its so easy to just focus on them (as there's so many out there) but the art and philosophy of photography (and life itself) are far more important, the thinking around being an artist and how we approach our work to create something that speaks to us and our audience is so very valuable.
Right on! :)
WOW!!! I need to watch this a few times. Great share. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it 😊🖖🏻
You are a class act Hugh! Unfortunately KZhead does not have triple thumbs up!
Thank you -- I appreciate the sentiment and your humor!
This was wonderfully thought provoking, especially, coincidentally, because I watched a Zoom presentation (@Projections NYC; not yet posted on YT) last evening by Peter Turnley, reflecting on fifty years of photojournalism, and of what he has learned about the simple humanity of people in all (often horrific) circumstances. This also reawakens my memories of philosophy studies, over forty years ago. It is a fascinating way of injecting thought and reflectivity into one’s concept of and approach to photography. Thank you so much for the deeply considered and painstaking effort of writing and presenting this video. It is truly reinvigorating.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Just wonderful, from start to finish, as always.
Thank you, Gary. 😊🖖🏻
Thanks for a thought provoking post. I will revisit it as I am in the process of conceptualizing projects for 2024.
My pleasure. 😊🖖🏻
The channel really matters - great stuff!
Much appreciated, Don! 😊🖖🏻
I saw this earlier on Patreon, but thought I would copy my reflection here. I’m looking forward to the conversation this video stimulates. After watching and listening, here is what meanders through and about my mind. Light and shadow present opportunities for photographers to make a photographs. But the photographer, using whatever photographic means, makes the photograph. The composition does not leap through the lens and magically present itself on the sensor or film. Making a photograph requires intent. And some work. Regardless of whether it be the soul, body or mind, acquiring knowledge also requires intent, a purposeful motive if you will to distinguish between "thinking we know" to actually knowing. In today's time, here in the US and around the globe, I wonder if the speed of information - and remember that information is not always knowledge - is unwittingly making it easier to stare at shadows? And then I wonder if, once knowledge is obtained, does attempting to share become ridiculously burdensome? Is it possible that it is simply easier and more convenient to remain out of the light and away from the pain of letting our eyes - our minds - adjust to the light of knowledge? And if sharing the light puts one in danger of flogging and beating and just generally being disregarded, or worse, is it just easier to give up and return to the chains? Maybe. I don't know. I wish I did. But I do know - yes, I can say I know - that this video puts my mind to work. And that alone is enlightening. Sharing the light. And not giving up on the shadows.
You KNOW I love this, Philip.
I would add one other twist: Neither light nor shadow discloses the actual object. We see either the light reflected from (not absorbed by) the object, or the absence of light “consumed” by the object. The movement of light and shadow (picture riding along through dappled sunlight, tickling one’s senses), adds a sense of life through juxtaposition. It poses the question whether it is your motion or that of the light that brings everything to life?
@@bsmukler I like the poetry of your thought…but light DOES disclose the object. Perhaps a different word with a different meaning would do? 🤔
Thanks Hugh. I meant that in the strict sense that the “image” we perceive is the product of our brain’s processing “the edges, orientations, textures, shapes, and colors” (“Fundamentals of Physics,”Halliday/Resnick/Walker [7th Edition, page 925] ) of intercepted rays of light reflected from, not emanating from, an object. Yes, we “see” the image of the object, but the only light we see is that which was not absorbed (unless the object itself emits light). Think of looking at, or trying to photograph, the side of a very shiny black car in direct sunlight. It’s hard for us to “see” the actual car’s surfaces due to the dazzling nature of the reflected and diffracted light. We know it’s a car, but our brains (and cameras) have trouble distinguishing the “real” object from the confusing information provided by the reflections. It’s semantics, in a way, since we colloquially say we see physical objects. I think we process light in ways that give us an idea of objects.
@bsmukler love it!! 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻
This important work. Bravo.
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Concatenation ... you are the best!
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Love this. I’ve always been a Plato fan.
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Thank you.
You're welcome!
What an immense pleasure it would be to join one of your workshops... simply not it the cards and probably for the best as I would be far far out of my league. Thanks for this, always a joy to watch. Cheers from Texas.
Each of us has our own journey, Robert. Please don't belittle yours!
Our youngest son incorporated Plato's cave story in a response that he wrote while clerking for a federal judge a couple of years ago!
I am in the midst of a course that focuses solely on Allegory of the Cave and its growing relevance in our red pill/blue pill world. The synchronicity of your lovely essay was startling, insightful and an absolute delight as I was scrolling for lens recommendations for an M 11. Worlds intersect in the most interesting way sometimes. Thank you.
Thank YOU, Mark; much appreciated, especially given your current course!
This is the internet at its best, thanks for this
Thanks so much!
Love it. If I were still living in NYC, I would have signed up for more than one of your workshops. Funny thing is, Claudia is from Switzerland. My wife from Brooklyn. We now live in Switzerland and you obviously in NYC...Funny coincidence or not...
Hah (although we now commute to the city and have for some time!)!
I’ve been following your videos for quite some time on the technical capabilities of photography gear. This presentation is in a different class. It spoke to my soul. Here’s a poem I wrote based on an early morning photo I did in Lower Manhattan. I titled it: “I See Shadow and I See Light.” I hope you enjoy it, and again thank you for this metaphorical exploration of shadow and light, an ongoing theme in my photography. 🙏🏽 I see shadow And I see light, An endless dance Spiraling, spiraling, Compelling us on a journey. Endless motion Between Darkness and Light. I see shadow And I see light A marriage unbroken Since the dawning of time. A mirror of Life Weaving through cycles Of life and death. I see shadow And I see light. Step into Light And Darkness will follow, Step into Darkness And Light will follow. It is a dance my friends It is a dance, As we travel the Way Of Shadow and Light. ©Wilfredo Benitez August 4, 2022
how wonderful!
Thank you, all the way from Lisbon Portugal, where I currently live.
Thank you for your thoughtful and deeply felt piece. Just what we need in these fraught times. I wish you had ended with "I stand (in solidarity) with Israelis and Palestinians". I would urge all who have not done so to watch Bernie Sanders on the Senate Floor talking about the situation in Gaza.
What distinguishes humans from other species is their drive to ask the question 'Why?' To find meaning in their lives. Philosophy and philosophers explore that question. Belief systems intend to provide structures and answers that may or may not deliver proscriptions leading to patterns of behaviour. The arts like photography, drama, , music, dance, film and the written word in fiction for instance can provide is insight into the human experience and condition. So understanding one's preferences in photography and the affect they have on one's vision and practice provides the opportunity to evolve and develop as a practitioner. Or did you already say that Hugh. Great episode, go well.
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Deus ex machina, indeed.
I was going to comment with a big WHAT? and bunch of strange characters, but thanks for the explanation. If I had to think about all that, plus my camera settings, composition, etc., I would never be able to take a picture. 😁 @wb2pics
Just to lighten things a little, on a graffitied wall someone had written, I think therefore I am, underneath was written, I’m pink therefore I’m Spam. Great video, you should have gone into theatre.
Hah! Thanks for brightening my day, Leonard!
Wonderful presentation. But, I am in my sixth decade - at a time when reflection seems more urgent and relevant. As a video professor, I try to infuse such philosophical thoughts into the technical courses, but 20 year old students - even senior seminar students - mostly don’t seem ready to pause and make connections. And even formal technical instruction is being passed by in favor of quick online instruction. But I have found that teaching all these years, I have perhaps been working more on my own growth in the endeavor than what I superficially propose to teach students. I have long known that by teaching, you learn.
Your last line is perhaps the most important: just so! 😊🖖🏻
At this point I feel you have no peers on this platform. The depth of this held thought has only been hinted at by others. Speaking for myself I believe you have achieved your intended lesson. Awareness of the limitations imposed upon ourselves and others, striving for a better understanding of the world that surrounds us. A sense of compassion for those who yet don’t see. Still finally with our chosen craft exposing all the light, and shadow, we can see. capturing it to document, share and hopefully illuminate for others. Or, and this is an absolute possibility, I completely missed the point.
You got it!
what lenses were you using, a lot of distortion in parts of this video :( but as always, enjoyable.
Damn it man, stop it, you keep showing me what I don’t know. Life is too short, thanks for pushing me!
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P. R. O. F. O. U. N. D.
:)
Great video, yes luddites underrated, Internet is breaking mankind, can we go back?
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Thanks Hugh, Greetings from Germany. It is not always easy to say this (Greetings from Germany) - a country being once the Heart of Darkness - Andreas
Andreas, Greetings from UK.
Andreas, in WWII, Japan was also a dark place, but Germany and Japan are now great cultural centers and democratic bastions. There is light and dark everywhere. We are all the same, capable of great good or evil. And Germany is the home of Leica!!!!
Absolutely wonderful!
All philosophy is a footnote to Plato, it has been said. Extend that thought!
Hah!
Is it possible for your to be elected as the president?
Love you man but that was way too deep. I mean you're good with words and I like your videos - normally. With this one I'm sorry, I couldn't help zoning out. It could be a deficit in my attention span but more likely a reaction to a subject that was just far too existential.
I appreciate your candor.
So poignant, so apropos; may humanity achieve some semblance of Socrates’ convictions. As with all profound statements nested in ambiguity, ‘closing caption subject to perversion in same effort. I tip my hat.