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I’m a nerd when it comes to image composition, and James Cowman has a relatively obscure YouTube channel dedicated solely to the art of composition. His videos are amazing and some of them literally have less than 500 views. There’s some good writing on photography out there, but almost no good resources specifically about composition. I rarely get helpful information, with examples, that go beyond the rule of thirds. This guy is breaking that mold… by explaining the harmonic armature. I love James’ passionately critical attitude towards the medium. He might get some flack for it, according to the contact page on his website, but I love his work. His video about Henri Cartier-Bresson is so honest and insightful.
Nov 15, 2022
Related Recs
"I'm James Payne, a curator, gallerist, and a passionate art lover. I am on a mission to demystify the art world and discover the stories behind the world’s greatest paintings and sculptures".
This is one of my favorite YouTube channels. I know some people say that art is up to interpretation but I find myself more invested when there's an explanation to the context in which the piece was made, who did it, etc. I love it when people explain things, I love history and art 🤗
Dec 3, 2024
One of my favorite photographers has recently been making daily videos about his practice, interests, reflections, and a recurring “hotline“ episode where he responds to messages people can call and leave for him. Interesting and idiosyncratic, doesn’t feel bogged down by YouTube growth hack brain.
Apr 3, 2024
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alec soth is one of my favorite photographers and his youtube channel is a must if you’re into photography. he uploads marvelous, insightful lessons going over his collection of photo-books thematically and in generous detail. i learn so much from them.
Jan 29, 2024
Top Recs from @marcus-maddox
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Night Walk is one of my favorite photography books of the last decade. It’s an incredible document of the tumultuous Lower East Side in the 1980’s. Described as a “narrative of lost youth,” it incapsulates a raw energy in a specific moment in time. Rarely do I see still images so expressive, so intentionally chaotic but with an artistic authority. This book is a force, and it doesn’t have a lot of text which I love. Just purely moving imagery. The photos of the art scene resonate with me. It’s a reworking of the original book, Invisible City, which came out in 1988.
Nov 15, 2022
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This is a book of interviews with 12 pioneering artists who create photo books. It’s a long discussion about two of my deepest passions: photography and bookmaking. I found it because of the curator David Campany, and it is a must have for those who take their photography seriously. The most visceral interview is with the photographer Larry Clark, who talks about getting sued by the grandparents of a baby he photographed, leaving out pictures of sawed off shot guns, and his commitment to never making his friends look bad. There’s a lot of passages about book design, a range of photography styles, and the meaning of success. This book is a gold mine of insight, and I carry it with me like a bible.
Nov 15, 2022
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I’ve been following this middle-aged dad on Twitter for like 8 years now, and he’s so damn funny. I have no idea what he does for a living, or if he’s an actual professional comedian, but his tweets slap. He’s always making jokes about 1 upping rival dads and describing what being middle aged feels like. Anytime I open Twitter this guy makes me laugh.
Nov 15, 2022