Rodchenko
Olympian
When I've been buying equipment, I've found it useful to look online for information. Sometimes, YouTube has the clearest information about variations between cameras, how to operate etc etc.
But there's quite a range of quality. There's one video about a camera I am particularly interested in where the person talking is absolutely clueless, not knowing what a filter is, calling it a lens etc. It's just cringemaking.
Now, I might need to tread carefully here, as I noticed yesterday that at least one of the videographers I've found interesting, informative and entertaining (even if I don't always agree with him) is a member here. But I thought it might be helpful to reflect on which prolific posters we found most (and, if you dare, least) useful for both gear and technique (which is an area which is a bit dire).
For example, although he's a bit of a clown, and opinionated without the substance to back it up, I like Kai of DigitalRev. He's an entertainer, and, if some actual information creeps into the video, that's a bonus.
I've warmed to Snapchick, who, while focussed on DSLRs, and clearly with a section of her fanbase devoted because she's an attractive woman, actually does discuss intelligently how to approach a wide variety of situations, and, to my surprise, posted a very thoughtful piece recently on the future of the camera business.
I like Blunty for m43 reviews. He has that inimitable Aussie style, and his personality comes across well.
I like pdexposures. He has a sardonic wit that's developed over the course of his videos, but I'd love to see more of him shooting, like in the Rollei 35 vid, where he was overcoming the quirks to find a way of using the camera to best effect.
GAS Station is OK, but I find his videos a bit rambling, and his experience a bit narrow, which shows up when he reviews a camera outside his normal sphere. The Minox review is a good example - he tries to be informative, but doesn't have the in-depth knowledge. Nobody could be an expert on everything, though.
Paolo Moreira has interesting cameras, but is again rather rambling, though, in his long videos, there's a fair bit of interesting detail scattered through.
The John Free videos are entertaining, if only for his grumpy didacticism.
There are many others I can't think of right now.
OK, so who don't I like?
Eric Kim is embarrassing to watch at work. I watched a video the other day of him explaining how to use the M9 for street photography. He'd clearly not prepared for it, and talked all sorts of rubbish, such as asserting that 1.2m (his preferred set distance for zone focussing, so he said) is two arms lengths. Maybe he's a lot smaller than he seems on video. 😀 Particular mention must be made of the interview with a very uncomfortable Alamby of DigitalRev.
Jared Polin (FroKnowsPhotos) just has an irritating style from the start. OK, so he's a character, but I can't let him off the hook for that. I've seen appalling editing vids, and heard him spout all sorts of nonsense. Good if something works for him (and I haven't seen much evidence that convinces me it does), but he is one of those people who 'knows' everything, and isn't open to any other opinions.
Most recently, I saw something by Joel Meyerowitz. I've seen some really good photos by him, so I was surprised how he came across on video as just a bit full of himself, and, filmed in action, seemed a bit of a prat. There, I've said it.
That's my view, so don't flame me. There are other videos which are just poor quality, but I can't remember who they were posted by. On the other hand, I've been impressed by how much can be learned from good videos.
Any other suggestions of videographers to check out or avoid? And who is the biggest clown in the world of photography?
But there's quite a range of quality. There's one video about a camera I am particularly interested in where the person talking is absolutely clueless, not knowing what a filter is, calling it a lens etc. It's just cringemaking.
Now, I might need to tread carefully here, as I noticed yesterday that at least one of the videographers I've found interesting, informative and entertaining (even if I don't always agree with him) is a member here. But I thought it might be helpful to reflect on which prolific posters we found most (and, if you dare, least) useful for both gear and technique (which is an area which is a bit dire).
For example, although he's a bit of a clown, and opinionated without the substance to back it up, I like Kai of DigitalRev. He's an entertainer, and, if some actual information creeps into the video, that's a bonus.
I've warmed to Snapchick, who, while focussed on DSLRs, and clearly with a section of her fanbase devoted because she's an attractive woman, actually does discuss intelligently how to approach a wide variety of situations, and, to my surprise, posted a very thoughtful piece recently on the future of the camera business.
I like Blunty for m43 reviews. He has that inimitable Aussie style, and his personality comes across well.
I like pdexposures. He has a sardonic wit that's developed over the course of his videos, but I'd love to see more of him shooting, like in the Rollei 35 vid, where he was overcoming the quirks to find a way of using the camera to best effect.
GAS Station is OK, but I find his videos a bit rambling, and his experience a bit narrow, which shows up when he reviews a camera outside his normal sphere. The Minox review is a good example - he tries to be informative, but doesn't have the in-depth knowledge. Nobody could be an expert on everything, though.
Paolo Moreira has interesting cameras, but is again rather rambling, though, in his long videos, there's a fair bit of interesting detail scattered through.
The John Free videos are entertaining, if only for his grumpy didacticism.
There are many others I can't think of right now.
OK, so who don't I like?
Eric Kim is embarrassing to watch at work. I watched a video the other day of him explaining how to use the M9 for street photography. He'd clearly not prepared for it, and talked all sorts of rubbish, such as asserting that 1.2m (his preferred set distance for zone focussing, so he said) is two arms lengths. Maybe he's a lot smaller than he seems on video. 😀 Particular mention must be made of the interview with a very uncomfortable Alamby of DigitalRev.
Jared Polin (FroKnowsPhotos) just has an irritating style from the start. OK, so he's a character, but I can't let him off the hook for that. I've seen appalling editing vids, and heard him spout all sorts of nonsense. Good if something works for him (and I haven't seen much evidence that convinces me it does), but he is one of those people who 'knows' everything, and isn't open to any other opinions.
Most recently, I saw something by Joel Meyerowitz. I've seen some really good photos by him, so I was surprised how he came across on video as just a bit full of himself, and, filmed in action, seemed a bit of a prat. There, I've said it.
That's my view, so don't flame me. There are other videos which are just poor quality, but I can't remember who they were posted by. On the other hand, I've been impressed by how much can be learned from good videos.
Any other suggestions of videographers to check out or avoid? And who is the biggest clown in the world of photography?
